BETHEL COMMUNITY CHURCH
  • Home
    • Building Check In
  • Services
    • Relaunch
    • Register to Attend
    • Connect
    • Prayer
  • Who we are
    • Council & Staff
    • Bethel's Story
    • Mission and Vision
    • Contact us
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • Alpha
    • Dove Taekwondo
    • Men's Ministry
    • Prayer Ministry
    • Small Groups
    • WillowWood Preschool
    • Women's Ministry
    • World Missions >
      • Bettesu Village
    • Youth Ministry
    • Young Adults Ministry
  • Media
    • 21 Day John Reading Challenge
    • Podcasts
    • RightNow Media
    • Pastor's Corner
    • Worship Resources
    • Holy Week
    • Video Archive
    • Bulletin and Community News
    • Member Photo Directory
  • GIVE
  • Grow
    • Growth Path
    • Current Bible Study
    • Bible Studies
    • Porn Recovery and Prevention Resources
  • SERVE
    • Serve Opportunities >
      • Adult Ministries
      • Alpha
      • Children's Ministries
      • Dove Taekwondo
      • Prayer Ministries
      • Serve Ministries
      • Welcome Ministries
      • Worship Ministries
      • Youth Ministries
    • Schedules

GOD IS GIVING US THE WORLD

1/28/2016

 
Picture
   In answer to our prayers, God is drawing people from all nations to Bethel. Two significant things that happened this week are evidence of this.
 
   The first significant thing was the multicultural potluck held last Sunday. It was attended by over 70 people--several of them who have just recently joined the Bethel community. The dinner table featured dishes from at least 15 nations: Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Iran, Fiji, Guatemala, various African countries, Holland, Canada, and many more.  
 
   After the potluck, the group members gathered to describe interesting aspects of their various cultures. We learned that:
       • Jamaica is not in Africa, as many people seem to think,
       • and Kazakhstan is not part of Russia.
       • People from some parts of Africa look downward to avoid eye contact with elders. While this              is a sign of respect where they come from, it is sometimes interpreted as rudeness in                        Canada.
       • In Iran, women look to one side when speaking with men in order to avoid eye contact with                them. These women can find it difficult to change this habit when they come to the West.
       • People in the Congo are known as good singers. When challenged to prove this, one of our                Congolese participants sang beautifully in his native language.
 
   There was a lot of chatting and laughing over the course of the potluck. 
 
   The other significant cross cultural event that took place this week was the first meeting of our church’s Truth and Reconciliation Team. Classis Alberta North has asked that all of the churches of the CRC denomination in our area form such  a group. Our goal as a team, was to ask how Bethel Church could continue--in our church--the good work begun by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as it pertains in relationship between Canadians and First Nation’s peoples.
 
   The seven people who met (including one Bethel member of Native Canadian descent) had a very constructive discussion.  As a matter of fact, I found the unity of purpose we experienced surprising. I firmly believe it was a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and help. The team is off to a great start, and we will report on progress as soon as we firm up our plans.
 
   Bethel is a welcoming place that is becoming even more welcoming. In a very real sense, God is “giving us the world” (Not as that expression is sometimes meant—for our self-aggrandizement. Rather, He is giving us the world to love and to serve.) Your prayers and the love you are extending to others—even across racial lines—is making a difference 
                                                                                                                                --Pastor Tom



Comments are closed.

    Pastor's Corner

    Come here for news on what is happening in Bethel Church from our Pastors.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    RSS Feed

Who We Are
Bethel's Story
Mission & Vision
Council & Staff
Beliefs
Ministries
Sunday's
Neighbourhood 
Programs
Church Family
Children
 
  WillowWood Preschool
  Youth
  Young Adults
  Women
 World Missions
Media
     Podcasts
     Facebook
Contact Us

© Bethel Community Church 2017. All Rights Reserved. 
  • Home
    • Building Check In
  • Services
    • Relaunch
    • Register to Attend
    • Connect
    • Prayer
  • Who we are
    • Council & Staff
    • Bethel's Story
    • Mission and Vision
    • Contact us
  • Ministries
    • Children's Ministry
    • Alpha
    • Dove Taekwondo
    • Men's Ministry
    • Prayer Ministry
    • Small Groups
    • WillowWood Preschool
    • Women's Ministry
    • World Missions >
      • Bettesu Village
    • Youth Ministry
    • Young Adults Ministry
  • Media
    • 21 Day John Reading Challenge
    • Podcasts
    • RightNow Media
    • Pastor's Corner
    • Worship Resources
    • Holy Week
    • Video Archive
    • Bulletin and Community News
    • Member Photo Directory
  • GIVE
  • Grow
    • Growth Path
    • Current Bible Study
    • Bible Studies
    • Porn Recovery and Prevention Resources
  • SERVE
    • Serve Opportunities >
      • Adult Ministries
      • Alpha
      • Children's Ministries
      • Dove Taekwondo
      • Prayer Ministries
      • Serve Ministries
      • Welcome Ministries
      • Worship Ministries
      • Youth Ministries
    • Schedules