LEAVING YOU…IN GOOD HANDS

Janet and I will be leaving soon. Several months ago we were offered the opportunity of a life time, and with the blessing of Bethel Church’s leadership, we will be taking advantage of it.

We will be departing for the Middle East on May 14, and will be touring Egypt, Jordon, and Israel over a two and half week period. The trip was given to us as a gift by a foundation called “Under the Fig Tree,” launched by a wealthy, and very generous, Christian couple who believes that Christian Reformed ministers will serve their churches better if they see Holy Land for themselves. In keeping with the foundation’s mandate, each and every pastor (and spouse) in the denomination has been offered this travel opportunity. Our local group will consist of about 30 pastors and their spouses from the area.

While the trip is only two and a half weeks long, it will span three Sundays. I will return just in time for the Men’s Adventure - which I wouldn’t miss for the world - so I will be off the pulpit that Sunday as well. That means I will not be up front in church on a Sunday for four weeks in a row.

During those four weeks you will be well served. Pastor Ryan, Kevin and Jessica Rietema, and Wendy Werkman are teaming up to present a series called God for all People. Here is how it will break down:

• May 17: Pastor Ryan will kick off the series by talking about how God interrupted the life of one couple (Abraham and Sarah) to reveal his love and plan for the whole world. The Gems will be taking part in that services.
  

• May 24: Pentecost Sunday! Using the Apostle Peter’s vision described in Acts 10, Pastor Ryan will be talking about how God is using each of us to express His world-embracing love through the Gospel. People from every nation represented at Bethel will stream in carrying the flag of their country of origin.
  

• May 31: The story within the story - God’s world-encompassing love is the story of his love for individual people. Kevin and Jessica Rietema will be sharing their account of how God has worked in their lives, guiding them to this day.
  

• June 7: While many men of Bethel are away at the Men’s Adventure, our own Wendy Werkman (yes, you read that right) will bring that Sunday’s message. She will conclude the God for all People series with a look at the future day when every tribe, nation, and language will be represented in God’s Kingdom.
  

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday and next, then will be excited to return with insights to share from my trip and to hear about how God worked at Bethel while I was away! 

                                                                                                                                         --Pastor Tom

 

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