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< 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

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

The World In Crisis < Back Resources for our sermon series "The World In Crisis": Week One, November 5 - The Gift of Giving: “ God and Money ” (John Cortines, Gregory Baumer) Bible Project Interview with “God and Money” Authors - Link Generous Giving - Link Week Two, November 12 - Techni(wise): “Tech-wise Family” (Andy Crouch) - Link “Tech-wise Life” (Andy Crouch) - Link “The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World” (Andy Crouch) - Link Rightnow media study of “Tech-wise Family” - Link One Sec App Week Three, November 19 - Power for Good: “A Church Called Tov” (Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer) - Link Week Four, November 26 - Rest in a Crazy World: “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” - Link “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” - Link Rightnow media study of “The Ruthless of Elimination of Hurry” - Link

Lent 2024 A King in God's Place < Back The Season of Lent, our journey with Jesus to Easter, begins with a day centred on ashes. The dust reminds us of our need for God – while we are not enough, Jesus offers us everything we need. We reflect and remember who he is, renewing our desire to follow him in all aspects of life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0vkquCtCaw We have two devontionals that we want to share with you for Lent LE23_Issue .pdf Download PDF • 6.76MB Lenten_Journal_2023 .pdf Download PDF • 1.14MB

The Good News Journey with the church in Acts < Back Resources for “The Good News” – Journey with the church in Acts: What Is The Gospel? | N.T. Wright Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji0XgjPumVI The Gospel - Bible Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrzq_X1NNaA Euangelion / Gospel What does the word Gospel mean? Learn more in this video as we explore the meaning of this word in the biblical Greek. - Bible Project Devotional Series and Video Resource: Acts Bible Study - See Jesus in Acts - Spoken Gospel Recommended Books: Simply Good News: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good by N. T. Wright, here The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ by Ray Ortlund, here Small Group Video Resource: Witness - Resonate Global Missions

Hard Conversations < Back The following are some resources related to our Hard Conversations series: For specific messages: "What causes fights among you?" (James 4:1-3) "Where are you?" (Genesis 3) "How do we respond?" (Matthew 18:15-20) "Big Decisions" (Acts 15) "Guard your Heart" | Boundaries (Proverbs 4:18-27) "Boundaries" (Cloud, Townsend) "Pick your Battles" (Galatians 2:11-21) BibleProject Galatians Summary + Book Illustration Graphic "Be Reconciled" (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) BibleProject 2 Corinthians Summary Video Recommended Books: "Toughest People to Love" (DeGroat) "How the Body of Christ Talks?" (Smith) "Loving Disagreement" (Khang, Mikalatos)

Advent The Gifts of Christmas < Back As part of our Advent series, we are following the "Gifts of Grace 25 Advent Devotions". If you would like to follow along with us, you can find the book here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1T2HMuY_bs

Habits of the Church Based on Acts 2:42 < Back Resources for Habits of the Church Series Series summary : The book of Acts gives us a picture of a church alive with purpose, passion, and power. In Acts 2:42-47, we see six habits that shaped the early believers and fueled their impact: devotion to God’s Word, life-giving fellowship, the breaking of bread, and powerful prayer. These were not occasional activities but consistent rhythms that formed a Spirit-filled community and made the gospel visible to the world. In this series, we’ll discover how these same habits can shape us today into a church that reflects Christ and changes lives. Habits of the Church: "They were devoted..." “...to the Apostles’ Teaching...” | Commitment to God's Word and the witness of his people “...and to Fellowship...” | Life one another in community "...to the Breaking of Bread..." | Table Fellowship, Hospitality "...and to Prayer..." | Communion with God, Intercession for others "...and to Generosity..." | Sharing with one another, service “...and to Praise and Witness..." | testifying to the good news through evangelism and worship Challenge : Explore, adapt and practice the habits modelled by the early church that led them to become like Christ and share him with others. Weekly Notes related to Sunday Messages Week 1 — “To the Apostles’ Teaching” Apostles' Creed What to do next: Read the Bible with someone this week! Check out the reading plans and resources at BibleProject Examine your habits and rhythms around Scripture. Explore a more regular way to read and reflect on God's Word. See resources from Practicing the Way on Scripture Week 2 — “And to Fellowship” A small group devoted to fellowship based on the early church: Regularly meets with commitment Shares life with authenticity and vulnerability Grows together (i.e. devotion to the teaching and other habits of the church) Offers support and accountability What to do next: Ask someone this week if you can explore building an intentional spiritual friendship together Sign up for a Bethel Small Group: here Week 3 — “To the Breaking of Bread” Resources for preparing your family to celebrate the Lord's Supper Letter for Parents: "Thank You for Bringing Your Children to Worship" Conversation guide: How Does My Family Talk about The Sacrament of the Lord'sTable_ .pdf Download PDF • 654KB Article: "Take it. Break it. Share it. Love it." What to do next: Share a meal or coffee with someone this week. Invite and plan time with others over food and hospitality. Use your table to share your faith Prepare your heart to celebrate and receive the Lord's Supper on the last Sunday of this month. Week 4 — “And to Prayer” Praying the Psalms Primer (Darrell Johnson): here Daily Prayer App - Lectio 365 from 24/7 Prayer: here The Prayer Hand - Navigators: here How to prayer for your community resource: here Recommended book: Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer (Tyler Staton) What to do next: Pick a time where you can pray daily Have plan and purpose in your prayer. Consider using an app and resource to guide you Make a list of what you pray about; return to these as often as you can Week 5 —“And to Generosity” Bible Verses on Money, Work and More .pdf Download PDF • 104KB The Generosity Practice with Practice the Way : Here Recommended book: Giving is the Good Life (Randy Alcorn) What to do next: Examine how you share more of your life with others this month Reflect on how you give weekly and monthly (to church, and to others). Prayerfully consider what you can do to pursue this faithfully and generously Examine how you can be generous in a way that points to Jesus Week 6 — “And to Praise and Witness" Jesus Film Project blog here . For families with kids, go here to enjoy this video clip from Bible Kids Additional resources Digital Resources: Practicing the Way : Free courses on spiritual habits that will be covered throughout the series, in addition to a spiritual reflection survey and Rule of Life Builder. Recommend Books: Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives For Spiritual Transformation (Ruth Haley Barton) Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms (Justin Whitmel Earley) The Tech-Wise Family (Andy Crouch) The Life We're Looking For (Andy Crouch) *If you'd like more guidance exploring the Habits of the Church , please reach out to one of our pastors.

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

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?

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

< Back Worship Ministry Director Lisa Vander Heide Lisa has been attending Bethel for 42 years. She has been involved over the years as the coordinator of Oasis, volunteer for children’s ministry, and volunteer for summer camps. Lisa is passionate about worship, organization, and ultimately helping to create a space where people can comfortably worship God. Lisa has been married to Dave for 17 years and has 4 children and one daughter-in-law. She enjoys camping, gardening, music, and playing guitar. Lisa@discoverbethel.com (780) 476-3762