Online Worship and Newsletter

‘Fear Not’ (Luke 2:10)

It’s  what the angels said to the shepherds…. It’s what Jesus said to those listening.  The command and encouragement ‘fear not’ is found 365 times in the bible… once for every day of the year…  for every day in the coming New Year, 2026. 

As we look forward to a new year,  may we go forward with courage and hope knowing we have a God who will never leave us, a Saviour who is God with us.

Our  Sunday worship begins @ 10:30.  Sunday School is available for children ages 3 to grade 3 with childcare available for those younger.  All children will be dismissed partway through the service. 

The worship service streams on youtube beginning at 10:25  and can be watched later as a video at:    Bethlehem CRC – Thunder Bay – YouTube  

WORD & WORSHIP :     Luke 2:22-40: Old Prophets and Perfect Vision – Simeon and Anna

NEWS, THANKS and PRAYERS:

• Thanks to all who participated in and planned services over these past weeks!!  We were blessed in each time of worship, and we’re blessed with so many gifts and talents shared. 
• Simon & Audrey, as well as Alice V. are declining in their ability to manage.   Please continue to keep them in your prayers, along with families caring for them.  
•  

DEACONS’ OFFERINGS: 

This Week:   The Bread Box 

Next Week: Gathering Place

For e-transfer: giving@bethlehemcrc.ca

E-transfers can be used for the deacon’s offering, church budget, ministry shares, or work of the deacons (blessing/bread box).  Please make sure to indicate this in your e-transfer. You can also leave an offering in the collection plate.  Unless otherwise designated, it will go to the deacon’s offering for that particular Sunday.

DUTY LIST: 

If you’re not on the list and wish to be added contact Mari-Lou by emailing her at Office@bethlehemcrc.ca. If you’re on the duty list and do not plan on attending church at this time please find your replacement. 

UPDATED: Duty List Updated.xlsx

MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE:  2025.11 Monthly Financial Update for Bethlehem CRC.docx

THE BREAD BOX: Dear congregation,

We had our 25th Bread Box for the year 2025. It was our final food handout till Jan. 14, 2026.

With the partnership with the Regional Food Distribution Agency and the generous support of the Bethlehem community and neighbourhood we have had a busy year.

1167 households, 1673 hampers , 509 school snacks and 99 birthday bags were distributed during the year. 2522 people were served.

We give thanks for the dedicated volunteers who help with Link to Feed, packaging of food , unloading the truck and the distribution day people.

The Bread Box committee gives thanks for the Lord’s protection and providing of facilities. We have taken over much of the basement and portable to do this work. If you want to talk about this ministry and see what takes place, talk to the deacons.

Thank you for your prayers and support

HATS AND SCARVES:  We give thanks to the Willing Hands Knitters (Sarnia), Country Yarns (Petrolia) and our own Bethlehem knitters for all the  hats, mitts and scarves donated to hand out to anyone in need.  

You’ll find a sampling in the fellowship hall – please take what you need as well as sharing with anyone else who would be blessed with something warm. 

HEALING WITH JESUS PRAYER MINISTRY:  If you desire prayer, are struggling with unforgiveness, need healing in a relationship or healing from a hurt you’ve experienced, if you are finding it hard to know God’s love then please consider making a prayer appointment.   In this time, a team of people will pray with you as we look to Jesus who is the great physician. 

Brochures are available in the church foyer that explains inner healing prayer and what happens at a prayer session.To make a prayer appointment, please connect with Pastor Marg

or send an email TBhealingprayer@gmail.com.  

FIRST CHURCH: New Year’s Eve Service

First CRC will once again be hosting a New Year’s Eve Service on Wednesday, December 31st at 7 pm. This special service will include singing, scripture readings, and a reflection from Pastor Matthew about remembering and sharing God’s faithfulness through the years. There will also be opportunities to light candles to commemorate births/baptisms, marriages, professions of faith, and deaths of loved ones during 2025. We ask that you please sit at the front of the sanctuary to be close to the candles. All are welcome to attend. This service will NOT be livestreamed.

THUNDER BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: The Thunder Bay Christian School now plans to hold the Christmas Program on January 4th, 7:00pm at First Church. Come join us as we bring in the New Year celebrating the birth of Jesus!

TBCS is also still accepting applicants for the custodian position. The hours can be flexible, full-time or part-time, but some duties will have to be done outside of school hours (after 3:30pm). Please forward resumes to the school at office@tbcs.school.

THE GATHERING PLACE: 

Job Opportunity – The Gathering Place Executive Director: The Gathering Place is looking to hire their next Executive Director! This is a key leadership role for the non-profit organization that has served some of Thunder Bay’s most challenged neighbourhoods over the past 40 years through food and clothing distribution, community building, personal supports, and more. This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) at a wage of $30.00 per hour. A complete description of the role can be found on our website: https://www.thegatheringplacetbay.ca/volunteer-careers.

If you feel that God may be calling you to this position, apply by submitting a copy of your resume to the chair of The Gathering Place’s board of directors, Fred Rekman, at fmrekman@gmail.com. We would also appreciate your prayers during this search process, as well as your support in helping share this position opening with those who may be equipped for this role and encouraging them to consider applying. God has blessed this joint initiative of the Christian Reformed Churches of Thunder Bay for decades and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for The Gathering Place in the decades to come!

PRAYER CORNER:  

“God is our refuge and strength ,an ever present help in trouble, so we will not fear “

As we draw  close to the end of another year, we look ahead to the coming year. And as we look ahead , we trust that God will be right beside us,

Psalm 146 reminds us that “God  is our refute and strength” In this psalm God is also referred to as an “everlasting help” and a fortress. This imagery communicates strength  and confidence.

Over the last couple of years and continue to hear , we have faced a lot of uncertainty .Yet there is one thing we know as we prepare for a new year—–that God is always our strength and confidence , It is God and God alone that we find our safety and security.

In “God of all Ages , Whose Almighty Hand” we sing of trusting in God the Almighty. “Thy love divine hath led us in the past——–be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay- thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way”

As we continue into the new year, we ask God to continue to lead us as he has led us in the past. God is the faithful God who continues to watch over his people. This is why the psalmist can say with such confidence that the Lord is our refuge and strength .

We do not know what we will face in the year 2026.One thing for sure we know for certain God has been faithful, and in His faithfulness we will find our strength for this new year to 

come. Prayer starter, Dear God, thank you for being our place of refuge and strength , no matter what we will face in the New Year , we trust in the one who knows our future.Amen.

Blessings to  you all for this New Year , Hank / Dini.

BETHLEHEM CONNECTIONS: 

Bulletin announcements or ‘Family News’: Please submit to Mari-Lou by Thursdays at 6:00 pm bulletin@bethlehemcrc.ca 

Pastor Marg welcomes your calls or visits.   Please reach out to her or stop by the office: 

pastor@bethlehemcrc.ca or (807) 767 3961.   

Clerk of Council: Greg Kok clerk@bethlehemcrc.ca

Elders:  Corinne Hoogsteen, Sharon Jaspers, Abraham Drost and Greg Kok

Deacons:  Erica Snippe-Juurakko, Lori Lawrence, Mark Heerema and Mikaela Hummel