Bethel Crc Lacombe

Today we are wrapping up our summer series on Women in the Old Testament, looking at some of the most important and impactful women in Jewish Biblical history. We will be reflecting on Esther 7, Esther: The Clever Queen. Esther finds herself queen in the greatest empire of the time, queen to the king of Israel’s enemy. The king is not a wise king and is easily manipulated by those around him, which ends up placing the Jewish people in the empire in danger due to a vengeful advisor to the king. Esther is called to use her position and relationship with the king to save her people, cleverly manipulating the king against his advisor. 

Today we are we will be continuing our summer series on Women in the Old Testament, looking at some of the most important and impactful women in Jewish Biblical history. We will be reflecting on Ruth 3, Ruth - Humility & Kindness. Ruth’s humility and kindness stands out to Boaz. Ruth’s story happens during the time of the Judges, a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Boaz stays true to God and is drawn to Ruth who has chosen Israel’s God over her own gods from Moab. 

Today we are returning to our summer series on Women in the Old Testament, looking at some of the most important and impactful women in Jewish Biblical history. This week we are reflecting on 1 Samuel 25, Abigail - Wisdom. Abigail is the only woman in the Bible to be described as being both beautiful and intelligent. Abigail uses her intelligence and wisdom to save her household from David’s anger, and to save David from engaging in an impulsive and rash act of vengeance that would have threatened his kingship later on. Abigail helps to ensure that David lives into his godly character.

Today we have the pleasure of receiving the message from Pastor Frank de Boer. He will concentrate on Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 18:9-14, Humbled & Exalted.

Today we have the pleasure of receiving the message from Pastor Frank de Boer. He will be reading from Matthew 5:17-20, Fulfilling the Law. A time of reflection of the how the law is fulfilled in Christ through faith that comes from the heart.

Today we will be returning to our summer series based on Women in the Old Testament by turning to Joshua 2:1-24, Rahab: On God’s Side. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute who chose God over her own idols. Rahab, and the people of Canaan, had been watching Israel approach and God placed fear in their hearts as Israel set their sights on the land promised them by God. We’re often surprised by the people God chooses to work out his plans through, often choosing people we never would. Rahab becomes part of God’s people and even becomes one of the ancestors of Jesus! We will also be installing Henry Eisses as elder as part of our service.

This Sunday, Pastor Jake will be reflecting on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Teaching Our Children to Love and Obey Our God. This is a beautiful passage which calls us to remember who God is and who he has called us to be as his children and people. This involves shaping our thoughts and beliefs, along with shaping the work of our hands through the laws and commands God has given us through Jesus.

Today we will be beginning our summer series Women in the Old Testament.  We will start by reflecting on Genesis 29:31-35. Leah: I will Praise the Lord. Leah is the first wife of Jacob, but Jacob loves Rachel, Leah’s younger sister. The Lord sees that Leah is unloved and helps her to have 4 sons. Leah hopes that these sons would turn Jacob’s heart to her, but in the end, she comes to praise the Lord rather than depend on a person’s love to fill her heart. 

Today we have the pleasure of having Pastor Henry Wildeboer leading us in worship. He will be reflecting on John 14:11-14, Even Greater Things…

Today we will be completing our series on worship by reflecting on Exodus 24, Sealing our Relationship with God. In this account from Moses on meeting with God and receiving the Ten Commandments, it happens in the context of worship. As part of this worship, Moses and the leaders of Israel meet with God on the mountain and they all see God and God does not kill them, but instead they eat and drink together in God’s presence. What a beautiful image of the meal that Jesus later gives us, the Lord’s supper. Worship, covenant, Law, and meal all connected together and point us to Jesus.

Today we will be reflecting on Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost from Acts 2:1-39, The Wind Blows and Fire Appears. We see God on the move as the Holy Spirit comes pouring into the world in a powerful public way. Pentecost is about Jesus equipping us with the Spirit to be his witnesses to the world of the good news found in Jesus. Pentecost is about hope, about dreaming of the kingdom of heaven, and preparing the world for Jesus’ return. Are you in? 

Today we will be reflecting on Jesus’ ascension to heaven, Act 1:1-11, Worship: What Goes Up, Must Come Down. This is a joyous, sad, and even confusing time for Jesus’ followers and yet necessary for them, and us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In returning to heaven, Jesus is also seated at the right hand of the Father and given all authority in heaven and on earth. Jesus is now our king. 

Today we have the privilege of having Pastor Frank de Boer from Leduc, AB. He will be delivering us a message from Exodus 20:1-3, Freed to Obey the True God. During the service we will be casting lots for the Office of Elder. May our worship together be blessed. 

Today we have the privilege of having Pastor Ron Klok from Edmonton. Pastor Ron will be focusing his message from Corinthians 6:12-20, Body Temples. May our worship together be blessed. 

Welcome to Bethel! Today we continue our 4-week series on worship by reflecting on Joshua 24:1-28, Worship: Hearing God’s Promises with Anticipation. The Israelites are now in the Promised Land and God has helped them to conquer it. Now it is time to settle down and become a nation that puts its nomadic ways behind them and develop the land and the people according to God’s will and Law. Joshua looks back over God’s faithfulness and promises to encourage the people to follow God alone.

Today we will continue our 4-week series on worship by reflecting on Nehemiah 9:1-15; 26-37, Worship: Confession and Honesty. The Israelites were home again in their own land after 70 years of exile. They have just finished celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles, remembering their time in the wilderness. During the feast, the priest Ezra read the Scriptures. In response to hearing the Law read again and recognizing how far they have drifted from God’s Law; the people enter into a time of deep and honest confession and worship.

Today we will begin a 4-week series on worship, as requested by someone through their personal faith plan. We will begin by reflecting on Psalm 81, Worship: Our Relationship with God-Built on Promises. We worship God because of who God is, and because we are commanded to worship. Because worship is based on our relationship with God, worship reminds us of God’s promises to protect and provide for his people, while punishing those against him. We are privileged to have a personal, covenantal relationship with God because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Worship expresses that relationship.

Today is the sixth Sunday of Lent, which is Palm Sunday, and our theme is Good News. We will be reflecting on Zechariah 9:9-13 and Acts 2:39, Good News: Even Better Than Expected. The king approaches Jerusalem and the crowd shouts for joy as they had for generations and call out for salvation. This is a king of peace who is also a king of might who comes to his struggling people to bring hope. We are struggling in many ways too. Zechariah echoes ahead to Palm Sunday and Jesus coming as a king. The crowd then expect the Messiah to be an earthly king who would restore the Davidic dynasty. While they were wrong about the kind of king Jesus would turn out to be, they were absolutely right to connect Psalm 118 to Jesus (see vs. 22 and 27, for example). The good news of the gospel for us today is that Jesus saves us from our sins even as he is with us in our struggles. We can cry out “Hosanna!” to him (“Save us!”) and know that he will.

BECOMING THE WAY - A Good Friday Reading by Lee Fennema  ~ JESUS ~Song:  Here I Am to Worship ~ BETRAYAL ~Song:  What Wondrous Love ~ TRIAL ~Song:  When I Survey the Wondrous Cross ~ CRUCIFIXION ~Song:  The Power of the Cross ~ BURIAL ~

It is Easter! The empty tomb is a historical fact upon which the message of Christianity rises or falls. The women in Mark 16 were trembling and bewildered when they encountered it, and we have a hard time believing it ourselves. Yet the eyewitness accounts and the life transformation of the disciples are evidence that it is true. We can believe in this good news and share it.