< Back Administrator Tara Kilkenny Tara is the Administrator at Bethel Community Church. She has been part of Bethel for many years and has served in a wide range of leadership roles. Tara also works part-time as an occupational therapist. She is married to Clint, and they have 2 fantastic children! They share their home with 3 dogs, 1 cat, a bird, and some chickens. Family and friends know her love for Disney, baking, and good chocolate. Tara enjoys the outdoors—camping, hiking, or spending time with friends around a fire. tara@discoverbethel.com (780) 476-3762

< Back Pastor of Congregational Care and Discipleship Wendy Werkman Wendy has been a member of Bethel since 2003. She brought her diversified work experience to Bethel and became the Administrator in August 2011. Wendy went to seminary and received an MDiv from Taylor Seminary, as well as completing the Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidates (EPMC) from Calvin Theological Seminary. In August 2022 , Wendy was installed as the Pastor of Congregational Care and Discipleship. Her passion is to see people become connected within the church family and grow deeper in their faith walk. When not at Bethel, you can find Wendy spending time with her husband, Melvin and their family, gardening, reading, enjoying walks or her new e-bike! Wendy@discoverbethel.com (780) 476-3762

< Back Youth Director Camila Lazzarotto Hi there! I’m Camila, the new Youth Director at Bethel Community Church. I’m from Brazil, happily married to Ed, and the proud mom of a sweet 7-year-old girl named Alice. I’ve been an educator for the past 19 years and have had the privilege of serving in various leadership roles throughout my journey. I love spending time with my family and friends and discovering fun, unique coffee spots around town. I also enjoy cooking and playing Uno with Alice. Camila@discoverbethel.com (780) 476-3762

Advent | Behold & Become Unto Us A Child Is Born < Back Advent Resources 25 daily reading plan Behold the Lamb of God (Russ Ramsey) - Link Music: Behold the Lamb of God (Andrew Peterson) - Link Advent Candle Guide Advent Candle Printout 2023 .pdf Download PDF • 50.56MB Advent Question of the Day - Link Advent Weekly Resouces: Advent 2023 - Weekly Resouces .pdf Download PDF • 5.50MB

< Back Lead Pastor Cris Harper Pastor Cris joined Bethel Community Church in February of 2020. He is married to Christy and has two young children, Ruth and Gabe. Cris enjoys cooking, keeping up with basketball and soccer through the year, and will talk all things Star Wars with whoever cares to listen. Cris holds an M.Div. degree from Beeson Divinity School (Birmingham, AL). Prior to coming to Bethel, he worked as a Hospital Chaplain at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, offering pastoral support to intensive care units and the Emergency Department. Cris@discoverbethel.com (780) 476-3762

< Back El Salvador Seeds of New Creation/ Semillas de Nueva CreacÍon Home of Blessings/ Casa de BendicÍon [object Object] Previous Next

The Gospel for Everyone The Roman Road < Back Finding (& Sharing) Jesus on the Romans Road to Salvation: here The Romans Road to Salvation: here Conversations "Challenges" for the week: #1 Signpost : “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) "Everyone needs Jesus" "No one is too far gone" #2 Signpost: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How could peace with God change my attitude for life? Where in our lives do we need to approach the world with the hope Paul describes ? #3 Signpost: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) How does sin affect the way I relate to others? How does freedom in Christ change this? What must I let go of so that I can pick up more of Christ’s gift of freedom? #4 Signpost: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) How do you keep yourself clear of worldly thinking? How can you live in gratitude to God? #5 Signpost: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Is there any reason that you would not accept Jesus as Lord today? Who has God called you to share the gospel with?

< Back Guatemala Rachel Beveridge and Isra Ortiz [object Object] Previous Next

Sabbath In The Psalms < Back Resources for Sabbath In The Psalms sermon series: The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan - Link Faith Practices Project - Link

Cross through the Cliché < Back Sermon Notes May 11, 2025 Outline summary of message: "Love like God" (Luke 6, Luke 10) "Love the Sinner. Hate the Sin." Where did this come from? Origin: Augustine's Letter 211, written in A.D. 424: Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum , “With love for mankind and hatred for sins.” Also, “hate the sin and not the sinner…” (Mahatma Ghandi) Jesus’ message: He loved all people. He also called out, and challenged sins He framed loving God in the context of also loving one's neighbor. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27) Jesus also said we should love our enemies. “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28) We are all sinners! “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Understanding the Bible with the Bible’s Help Illustration of a blueprint The Bible is one unified revelation about God from God What does the Bible say about God’s love “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) What does the Bible say about what God hates “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27) “But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.” (Isaiah 59:2) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.” (Zechariah 8:16-17) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 7:37) “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:9-10) Application: Place in the Big Picture of God's Story “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16) Through the cross, God sees Christ’s work in us, and not our own works. God hates sin. As he sees us, and Christ within us, In response, we love by acknowledging our sins, acknowledging our need of God to rescue us and change us Embrace being known, loved and challenge in community with God's Word Questions to consider: Is my reaction towards a person coming from God’s love? Is the action or choice I am concerned about sin? Am I seeking to judge a person by what I want to say or do? If not, what is my ultimate goal? The Bible Project Resource: What is Sin in the Bible?

Built Different 1 Thessalonians < Back Resources for 1 Thessalonians BibleProject Guides - Book of 1 Thessalonians https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No7Nq6IX23c 1&2 Thessalonians - G. K. Beale https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1844744639?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_3&storeType=ebooks&qid=1701361334&sr=8-5 How to Read 1 Thessalonians https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/interactive-content/527849/details

Advent: Meet the Family The Genealogy of Grace from Matthew's Gospel < Back Advent Week 1: HOPE *The BibleProject : What is Advent? The Unexpected and Unwanted | Matthew 1:1-6a Tamar | God’s promises have power for the powerless Rahab | God includes the scandalous in salvation Ruth | Those who have lost greatly gain a home and a family in Christ Advent Week 2: PEACE The Fallen and the Forgiven | Matthew 1:6, 2 Samuel 7 God chooses David ( and us ) to receive, fulfill and pass on his divine promises Whom God chooses he also confronts and challenges God forgives in the midst of the consequences of sin Advent Week 3: JOY The Resistant and the Repentant | Matthew 1:7-11 Advent Week 4: LOVE The Wandering and the Waiting | Matthew 1:12-17 The Wandering and the Waiting