Online Worship and Newsletter

After his suffering, he presented himself to the disciples

 and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.

 He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  (Acts 1:3)

Ever wonder about what it was that Jesus said in that period of 40 days before his ascension?  And why the gospel writers didn’t add a chapter or two to share these teachings?  This Sunday we’ll consider what Jesus may have taught and why it is so important for his disciples. 

Please join us for Sunday worship at 10:30.  For children ages 3-10 there is Sunday School, for smaller children, nursery care is available. The worship service streams live on You Tube, tune in at 10:25 to view our service.  Bethlehem CRC – Thunder Bay – YouTube  

WORD & WORSHIP :   Your Kingdom Come ~  Acts 1:1-8

NEWS, THANKS and PRAYERS:

• Martha’s procedure this past week was successful!!   We give thanks and pray that she is restored to full health
• Dale’s last chemo treatment is next week and then further testing will be done to determine if more treatment is needed.   Please continue to pray for his healing and the comfort of the Spirit through this time. 

DEACONS’ OFFERINGS: 

This Week: Community Clothing Assistance

Next Week:  WR – Mom’s of Hope

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

CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 

Notice of Congregational Membership Meeting on Sunday May 11, 2025:

After the worship service on May 11th , there will be an affirmation vote in response to four

members who have let their names stand to serve in an office bearer role starting June 2025.

There are two deacon positions and two elder positions that are needed to be filled to maintain

a full council. Mark Heerema and Mikaela Hummel have accepted the deacon positions and

Abraham Drost and Greg Kok have accepted the two elder positions. We wish to have the

Bethlehem membership affirm these members to serve as incoming office bearers, hence an

affirmation vote is scheduled for May 11th .

Outgoing council members are Lou Kok, Sam Molendijk and Jennifer Drost. We thank these

individuals for sharing their leadership gifts while serving on Bethlehem Council these past few

Years.

NOTICE:  The installation of office-bearers is planned to be held during the worship service on June 8, 2025.

PENNOCK VILLAGE: 

“Everyone is invited to a Breaking Ground Ceremony & Information Day on Saturday, May 31st,  2-4pm, for a new seniors rural retirement project, Pennock Village at the Crossroads. 

This new development, governed under Christian-based values and a not-for-profit Board, will aim to bring a unique housing alternative for local seniors to our region.

More info:   pennockvillage.ca

SAVE THE DATE

PRAYER SERVICE – The National Day of Prayer is May 1st, so there will be a special prayer service on Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. at First CRC.  This “Prayer Gathering” will be a combined service of the three CRCs with all 3 pastors leading.  We will start with fellowship, coffee, tea, and desserts from 7-7:30.  Desserts will be provided by our youth to raise funds for their SERVE trip this summer – please bring a cash donation to enjoy this treat and support our youth.  At 7:30, our Prayer Gathering will begin.  We will worship our Lord in song and prayer following the ACTS prayer model – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.  “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:30

THUNDER BAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: 

⛳ Time to Tee Off – Register Now for the TBCS Golf Tournament! 🏌️‍♂️

Thunder Bay Christian School is gearing up for our annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 14 at Northern Lights Golf Course — and we want you on the green with us!

Whether you’re in it to win it or just out for a good time, it’s sure to be a day of fun, fellowship, and fundraising in support of Christian education.

We’re looking for:

🏌️ Golfers: $400 per team of 4 – round up your crew and hit the fairway!

⛳ Sponsors: $500 for hole/green sponsorship or $200 for the practice area – a great way to show your support and get your name out there!

🙌 Volunteers: Help us make the day run smoothly – no golf skills required, just a cheerful spirit!

📍 Ready to register or sponsor?

email tbcsgolf@gmail.com

Let’s make this event a hole-in-one for TBCS – we can’t wait to see you out there!

NORTH OF 60: 

North of 60 final lunch of the season will be held Thursday May 15th at Hope CRC at noon

Another awesome meal has been planned- feel free to come early for coffee and Fellowship

THE GATHERING PLACE:  

It is with much joy that we once again host The Gathering Place’s Annual General Meeting. As our founding church members, we invite each of you to join us at our 239 Amelia Street location on May 8. Refreshments will start at 6:30pm, and our business meeting at 7:00pm. 2025 is our 40th anniversary, and part of our celebration will include “40 Reasons to Celebrate”. God’s faithfulness is evident all around us. For that we are ever so thankful! See you there!

FIRST CHURCH: The 2025 Sports Camps weeks are scheduled for July 14-18 and August 18-22!   Sports Camps are for children born in 2012 to 2019 – no exceptions. Registration is limited to 72 children per week. An email with a link to register will be sent out the week of May 5th. If you are not currently on my Sports Camps email list and would like to be, please send your email  address to agysenclc@fcrctbay.ca

We have received confirmation of government funding for 2 summer students; however, each

Sports Camp also requires at least 15 volunteers per day. If we do not have the required

volunteers two weeks before the camp begins, we will have to cancel the camp and registration

fees will be refunded. We certainly pray that camps will not have to be cancelled, but

volunteers are getting harder to find! Please consider setting aside time during these weeks to

come help out.

Finally, our camps are primarily staffed by teen volunteers, and while we are committed to

creating a welcoming environment, we are not equipped to provide specialized support for

children with individualized support needs. If your child receives additional support at school,

we kindly ask that the parent or caregiver provide a support person of their choosing to attend

the camp with the child. This ensures that every child has the assistance they need to

participate fully, enjoy a positive camp experience, and stay safe throughout their time with us! 

Questions? Please contact Angela Gysen!

On behalf of the seniors who attended the luncheon last Saturday, a big thank you is extended to the deacons from the Reformed Churches last Saturday. The food was delicious and the fellowship was  heartwarming.   It was delightful to visit and catch up with our Christian brothers and sisters.  It was also very nice to meet the deacons from the other churches and you all did a fantastic job serving us.  It was much appreciated.

HEALING WITH JESUS:  is a  Prayer Ministry of the Thunder Bay CRCs.  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.  

“Praise the Lord! He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:1,3

PRAYER CORNER:  

” When the centurion …….saw how Jesus died he said, surely this man was the son of God”

This statement by the centurion is astounding. He was a commander of soldiers, a warrior for Rome, and he was supposed to worship the Roman sensor as his God. Yet here, at the scene of Jesus’ death on a cross, this non-Jewish man says Jesus is surely the son of God. We don’t know exactly how the centurion came to this conclusion. The drama of the moment may have had something to do with it; Matthew reports that there was also an earthquake. But somehow the Spirit of God moved the centurion to speak out this truth about Jesus.

While there are people who don’t believe in God, there will be a day when everyone will recognize that Jesus is the Lord and King over all. It could be at the time of their death or on judgment day, but it will happen. All who believe in Christ will make this confession with joy and peace, but, sadly, others will admit this reality with dread. Before we die and before the day of judgement, though, we can recognize that Jesus is the son of God. Each one of us can ask of God to help us to see this day.

Jesus truly is the Son of God, whether we see it or not. 

” G0, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as He told you”

Petr was singled out. Peter was the first disciple mentioned by name in the book of Mark and here he is the last one mentioned.

Peter had suffered an extraordinary failure when he denied Jesus three times. This was not a slight faith flaw by a defiant public insistence: “I don’t know this man” Considering these words, we-and Peter- might think he was done for it. Washed up. Unforgivable. Good for nothing but the trash heap. How many of us have ever thought of ourselves that way?

If you’ve ever blown it, lost it, or wasted it, then be sure to see the wonderful grace in this statement that singles out Peter. In this beautiful and essential nod to a disciple we find the indisputable evidence that he has been forgiven;” tell Peter!”   Replace Peter’s name with your own. Of all the great benefits of the resurrection, forgiveness is the indisputable evidence that we can understand- that Jesus has taken care of our sin and restores our relationship with him.

Jesus’ “talk” to Peter contains all the restoration and forgiveness that the Savior has earned for him -and for every one of you and me.  ~Hank

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: Sharon Jaspers  clerk@bethlehemcrc.ca

Elders:  Jennifer Drost, Corinne Hoogsteen, Sharon Jaspers, Lou Kok

Deacons:  Sam Molendijk, Erica Snippe-Juurakko, Lori Lawrence