This Week At Bethel

December 21, 2025

This Sunday

Church Family News

This Sunday

This Advent Sunday we continue our exploration of Matthew’s genealogy in our sermon series, Meet the Family. Each week, we have explored a different part of Jesus’ family tree highlighting the wide range of people God includes in his family. The genealogy concludes with a record of the royal line from the kings, who now are no longer kings, because God’s people have been taken into exile. Just as God guides his lost people back to himself through the birth of Jesus, we are also led by his faithful love to a new beginning.

The message this Sunday will reflect on the Advent theme of love focusing on Matthew 1:12-17, “The Wandering and the Waiting.”

For resources from our Advent series, Meet the Family, visit discovebethel.com/resources

For the past messages of the series, subscribe and follow our podcast at discoverbethel.com/podcasts

Our Sunday Offerings:

BETHEL MINISTRIES AND MISSION: The ministries and programs of Bethel
RESONATE GLOBAL MINISTRIES: equips the local church to bring the Gospel to people, neighborhoods, communities, and the world. Resonate seeks to send out the Good News in every directions like an expanding, amplifying sound. For more information→.resonateglobalmission.org

COLLECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

December 7 Adeara

December 14 Resonate Global Ministries

December 21 Refugee Fund

December 25 Hope Mission

December 28 Ministry Shares

OFFERING CHANGE THIS SUNDAY: For the month of December— deacons will be passing around offering “bags.” This is a 4-week experiment for us all to be able to participate in giving as an act of worship. We hope this practice will model giving and generosity, especially for our children. We want to acknowledge that many people in our community give online. And we continue to encourage this option. We invite individuals and families who give online to use the passing of the offering as an opportunity to acknowledge and remember your giving as worship.

FROM THE FINANCE TEAM: Thank you for the tithes and offerings we received this fiscal year. As of the end of November our giving is about $36,000 below our budgeted amount for this time of year. While our expenses are also lower, we still have a deficit of approximately $10,000 for this fiscal year. We ask that you consider this when discerning how much to give in the coming months.

FROM THE DEACONS: Thank you Bethel congregation! On behalf of the deacons, you are helping to make Christmas a special event for 27 family groups within our church and the Bannerman community. Thank you for the gifts that you purchased and placed under the tree. Thank you for the money you donated to the Christmas Hamper program. We are happy to meet the families and distributie the gifts this coming weekend.

Church Family News & Prayer Requests:

Please remember to pray for those who feel the absence of loved ones this season. Please also continue to remember C (niece to Becky and Michael), LYLE A, MARIJKE C, DRIKA D, JENNY P, and ELEANOR P as you pray for our church community.

Announcements:

READING SCRIPTURE TOGETHER IN 2026: As a church family, we value Every Day Discipleship and living Life Together. Being part of a reading plan as a church community helps us live out these values. For 2026, we want to journey through the bible together. Please consider signing up to join “The Bible” with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, a daily plan that will take us through the whole bible in a year. This may seem daunting but together we can encourage each other and watch how the Holy Spirit bring the word alive in our lives and in our church community. Click here to learn more and to join the plan.

TODAY MAGAZINES: The January/February issue of the Today magazine is now available at the Membership desk or in the literature rack.

CADETS: We need more leaders! Bethel Cadets group needs a couple more awesome adult guys to come join them. There are close to 30 boys, grades 2-6 in the group this year, and they need leaders. They meet every second Tuesday from 7:00- 8:30 p.m., for skill building badge work, games, and physical activities. If you want to get involved or want more information contact Calvin VanderLeest cavanderleest@gmail.com

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Council has scheduled the congregational meeting for Sunday, January 25, right after the service. We hope to have the financial statements ready early in the new year and will make these available as soon as we have them. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the governing elders, thanks. Edwin Dening, Chair.

BILL C-9: As many of you are aware, Bill C-9 continues to raise important questions for people of faith across Canada, particularly around religious freedom, freedom of expression, and the ability to worship according to our convictions. In times like these, it is important that we stay informed, grounded, and engaged—both prayerfully and thoughtfully.

Across the country, a number of Christian organizations and faith-based leaders are choosing to make a stand by clearly communicating what is happening, why it matters, and how people of faith can respond in a constructive and respectful way. We believe it is important to learn from these voices, to stay informed through trusted sources, and to understand the broader implications for religious freedom in Canada.

Sign the petition now

Finally, brothers and sisters, remember to pray. Pray for this amendment to be rejected, for the government to protect freedom of religion, and for the Church to rise up and be the salt and light in these times.

Bethel Youth:

YOUTH TONIGHT: We are officially on our Christmas Season Break! We will return on January 16 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Looking forward to meeting in the New Year!

Community News:

YOUNG ADULTS (18-30 something): You’re invited! Join The Vine Community for a part 2 and 3 “Love, Life & Faith” Series & Dinner on Nov 23 (and Jan 11 &25). Come out for an evening of real talk, meaningful connection, and shared dinner as young adults from across the community explore life, love, and faith together. Hosted by Daryl & Sheri Van Driel (15426 59 St Edmonton). 5:30-7:30pm. RSVP to 780-916-3364 (text/WhatsApp), or trinityvinecommunity@gmail.com

CRC NEWS: Check out what’s happening in the CRC community here.

CRCNA ANNOUNCEMENTS: Connecting church members with the ministries of the denomination. Find out more by visiting the website here.