If you then, though you are
evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in
heaven give the Holy Spirit to
those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13
Pastor’s Point
In This Issue.....
Pastor’s Point
1
Volunteer Schedule
2
Birthdays/Anniversaries
2
“What’s New...”
2
Focus on Missions
3
Connect w/ Church Family
5
Connect w/ our Youth
9
Connect w / Rock River
Bible Camp
10
Connect w/ Community
13
Church Chuckles
15
Crossword Puzzle
16
The June Mid Month Connection will
th
be published Friday, June 16 . If you
have information to include, please
get it to the office by Thursday, June
th
15 .
Why Do We Sing on Sunday’s?
God is the initiator of worship and from the beginning, as far back as
we have record in the Old Testament, God appointed musicians and
invited His people to sing to him and about him. The Apostle Paul
urges his newly planted congregations in the New Testament to carry
on this important work of worship. He says, “Speak to one another
with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in
your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). In every culture,
language, country and Christian Faith tradition, when God’s people
gather, they sing! Bob Smietana, writing in winter 2017 “Facts &
Trends” publication, lists several reasons why we sing in his article,
“Finding Your Voice”. Below are my excerpts from his article.
 We sing because Scripture [and God] expects us to
 We sing because it’s a powerful form of discipleship that
marries truth and melody and imbeds that truth in our souls.
 We sing because singing helps us remember.
 We sing because singing strengthens the community of
believers. Through song we can encourage and instruct our
fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
 We sing because our worship serves as a witness to nonChristians gathering with us.
 We sing because there is joy that comes from singing – it
builds community among God’s people.
I want you to know that the “singing” part of our worship is not just a
warm up or a runway to the sermon. When we lift our hearts, heads,
hands and voices in song to our loving Heavenly Father and His Son,
Jesus Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are
responding exactly the way He encourages us to. So when we gather,
let’s take the singing as seriously as we do the sermon! --Pastor Randy
1
June Volunteers
Date
4
11
18
25
Date
4
11
18
25
Nursery
Leslie D. / Kristen C.
Matt & Amanda Fassler
Rachel & Olivia Rydzynski
Joey & Karley Bonnell
Greeters
Brooke S. / Sam M.
Sarah S. / Katie C.
Collin F. / Michael H.
Sadie M. / Sam M.
Welcome
Center
Sherry Michel
Marcie Slagter
Sherry Michel
Teresa Mey
Children's Church Volunteers
Teacher
Helper
Carla Sizemore
Sadie Miller
Autumn Shomaker
Marilyn French
Donna Mossholder
Nancy Kerr
Val Smith
Audra Suter
June Birthdays & Anniversaries
1 Diana & Randy Scott
2 Joyce Lee
3 Betty Saunders
Sarah Smith
Ryan & Mara Feeney
6 Micah Graff
7 Betty Kibble
Austin Slagter
8 Gene & Bron Baker
12 Ryan & Marcy West
Leah Sizemore
13 Jim & Mercedes McMullin
14 Audra Suter
16 Molly West
Dave Bowers
Robb Rydzynski
Naomi Davidson
Bob & Margaret Matthew
17 Derek Mossholder
18 Rob & Audra Bates
20 Julia Slagter
22 Nancy Kerr
23 Marcy West
Ryan & Megan Whiteside
24 London Thomas
28 Ian South
29 Adam Lusz
30 Steve & Lisa Gabriel
Duane & Helen Bothe
What’s New in the Video Library!
The Video Library has been busy updating our movies and studies.
Here are some:
Parents, SS teachers,
Life Group Leaders
and those interested
in individual study
should check out the
Video Library for
material....we have a
great selection.
The New Answers (in Genesis) #1, #2, #3
The Tabernacle; Solomon’s Temple & Herod’s Temple all on DVD
“Love Comes Softly” DVD
“The Song” – the movie and the Bible Study
“The Acts of God” Bible Study
The Visual Bible: “The Books of Acts”; “The Gospel of John” and “The
Gospel of Matthew” all on DVD
“Hillsong – Let Hope Rise” – a look at the Hillsong team on tour – very
good
And our collection of Moody Science videos has been updated on DVD
2
June Focus on Missions
Ron and Brenda Anderson Missionaries to Europe
Ron & Brenda are engaged in consulting, coaching, mentoring, training and member care
for church planters with European Christian Mission International. One of their long-term
objectives is to develop a resource network where church planters can both receive and
give help to other church planters.
Their first commitment and base ministry is to provide resource services for ECMI church
planters. Ron is available to help in key areas of ministry by either visiting in person
and/or via skype/phone. Ron is especially interested in helping church planters pick
appropriate church planting models for their respective locations. Ron is also eager to
discuss the concepts related to our being missional communities.
.
Their second sphere of ministry is to help develop the European Leadership Forum church
planting track in Southern Europe. Their first goal is to establish a church planting
curriculum and resource network in Spanish. Their vision is to "unleash the laity" by
equipping them to start missional communities in every town of Spain.
Ron’s third level of ministry is that he was recently appointed by the Lausanne Movement
as the Senior Associate for Church Planting. The objective is to promote the collaboration
of Church Planting Movements across the globe in order to reach the whole world with the
Gospel.
Brenda works with the sending sections, field leaders and member care facilitators to
ensure that missionaries are being cared for in preventative ways, developmental areas,
and in crises. She also participates in the Camarma church plant and is a minister in the
federal women's prison.
Ron and Brenda have 3 grown children: Rachel Whitaker, married to B.J., E.C. missionaries
to Spain, Jenny Biddulph, married to Phil and working in South Carolina, and Mark, married
to Abby working in Virginia Beach, VA.
You may contact them at: [email protected], [email protected]
Send them a message and let them know that you’re praying for them.
Prayer Requests:
1. Ron & Brenda have been taking some time off from the
mission field to get some much needed rest. Brenda has
been taking care of her mother, Faye, who has
Alzheimer’s. Please pray that she will be able to rest in
the Lord even in this stressful situation.
2. Pray also for Faye that she would peace in heart and feel
God’s arms around her.
3
Dessert With a Mission:
When: Sunday, June 25th 6-8pm
Where: Bethel Church fellowship room
What: Ed & Val Schubert, our missionaries to Honduras
will be sharing their ministry to children and families and
how you can be a vital part of what they are doing! Also
Bethel’s recent mission team to Honduras will be sharing
their experiences with the Schubert’s.
So: sign up to come (at Welcome center) and bring a
dessert to share. We will also be taking an offering to help
Ed & Val purchase security camera equipment for their
ministry in Honduras.
4
Connect with Church Family
Put it on the Calendar!
June
1 ~ FCS 8 Grade Graduation
2 ~ FCS H.S. Graduation
3 ~ Graduation Open House - Church
10 – 16 ~ ULead Camp – RRBC
11 ~ Randy’s 25 years of Ministry
Celebration
12 – 16 ~ V.B.S.
12 – 16 ~ Meals-on-Wheels
Date change
19 – 23 ~ Meals-on-Wheels
19 – 23 ~ Sherry on Vacation
25 ~ Dessert with a Mission
26 – 30 ~ GOLOCO – John Dixon Park
th
July
5 – 7 ~ Primary Camp
9 – 15 ~ Senior Camp
16 – 22 ~ Junior Camp
23 – 29 ~ Intermediate Camp
August
5 – 13 ~ Sherry on Vacation
12 ~ Kerr Wedding –
Elmhurst, IL
13 ~ Worship in the Park
Bow Ties & Pie!
In June, the Bethel Connection will be held on Sunday, June
11th to celebrate Pastor Randy & Carla’s 25 years of ministry. It
will be “Bow Tie” Sunday and Randy’s favorite dessert, pie, will
be served. (no cards/gifts needed). Bishop Hill will come to
celebrate with us and bring the morning message. SAVE THE
DATE!
There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center for those who
like to bake pies for the celebration. Questions can be directed
to Julie Saunders.
June’s Second Saturday will be Saturday the 10th
from 8 am to ????? Tasks will depend on weather.
Come when you can, leave when you must....all
help is appreciated.
Contact Mark Slagter
(815.994.1964) or Jan West (815.440.1572) with
questions.
5
An
Open
Church
8th
Grade
Graduation
Celebration
for
Ethan
Kullerstrand, Claire Miller, and Josiah
Miller will be held on Saturday, June 3rd
from 4 – 6 pm in the church Fellowship
area.
Church League Softball Schedule
All games played Thursday evenings at Reynolds Fields
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6
6:15 pm
7:00 pm
vs. Turning Point
vs. Nazarene Church
vs. Faith Assembly
8:00 pm
vs. Faith Assembly
vs. Hope Bible
vs. Northside Bapt
Double Elimination Tournament – July 13th & 20th. Times and teams TBA.
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer
for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel
from the first day until now " ~ Philippians 1:3-5
I received an encouraging graduation card and gift card to
Christianbook.com today in the mail! It was an unexpected
blessing, and I am so thankful for my dear Bethel Family
remembering my graduation!
I welcome your continued prayers as I seek God's direction
and leading after graduation.
In Christ, Anna Brady
6
“Bethel 101” Class Expanded!
Pastor Randy’s 5 week class introducing Bethel Church will
be expanded to the full 13 week Sunday school quarter.
This will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about Bethel Church, our
local and global partnership with the Evangelical Congregational Church and how
you can be an integral part of the Bethel family. This class will be required for
those wanting to become members of Bethel but anyone may take the class just to
learn more about Bethel without becoming a member. Current church members
are also invited to take the class as a “refresher”! The expanded class will cover:
 The history, purpose, mission & values of the global Evangelical
Congregational Church
 The history, purpose, mission & values of Bethel Church
 The Biblical teaching of Salvation and our need to share this Good News
 Bethel’s connection to the Great Commission (missions)
 The process, purpose and expectations of church membership: we will
incorporate the book, I Am A Church Member by Thom Rainer
 The doctrinal beliefs of Bethel and the Evangelical Congregational Church
 Bethel’s governing structure, discipleship process and how you can get
engaged
 Biblical teaching on Spiritual gifts: each student will be given a spiritual gift
inventory
 Navigating moral and social issues in the Christian life including drugs,
alcohol, marriage, sexuality, human rights, war & peace, pornography,
death & dying, gambling, and others
 The importance of corporate worship, private prayer, Bible study &
Christian walk
 The management of our time, talents and financial resources as Christians
The next class is scheduled for September 3 – November 6, 2017 during the
Sunday school hour (9:15-10:15). Reserve your place now by checking the box on
the connection card in the bulletin or with the church office.
7
VBS is coming!
6:00 – 8:15 P.M.
June 12-16, 2016
Colossians 1:15 – 16
Discovering the God of the Universe
VBS IS THIS MONTH!!!!
We still need your help during the week of VBS!
We are looking for a few more people to serve as group
leaders and one person to lead the Bible Study time for
Kindergarten & 1st Grade.
Please pick up a flyer on the VBS table in the foyer and
spread the word about Bethel’s VBS!
We will be decorating the church on Tuesday, June 6,
starting at 4:00 and also the afternoon of Sunday, June 11.
Feel free to stop by and lend a hand! Remember all
donations of supplies and food need to be at the church by
June 4th. There are registration forms at the Welcome
Center...please pre-register your child.
If you have questions, please contact Audra Bates
[email protected]
815.535.3692
Please also be in prayer for the people planning and helping the week
of VBS…For God to provide all our needs;
For God to be glorified in both the planning and the actual event;
For hearts to be reached.
8
Bethel’s Pastoral Staff Update
In our last pastoral staff update we shared the news that Randy will be transitioning
from a shared ministry position with Bethel and GMC to being full time Lead Pastor
here at Bethel beginning July 1, 2018.
Beginning immediately, Ron West, who serves as our Assistant Pastor will be helping
us out by assuming more responsibilities. Ron will now be preaching about once a
month (some months more and some less), he will be overseeing the visitation ministry
and follow up on Bethel’s visitors and helping Randy with member care. Ron will also
be sitting in on the Community Commission and Local Outreach Commissions to
provide encouragement and coaching to those areas of ministry.
Our thoughts at this point is that if Ron can provide leadership in these areas then when
Randy is full time he will be able to give leadership to the Discipleship Commission
which includes the areas of educational/equipping ministries we were looking to hire an
Associate pastor to help us with. Please continue to pray for pastors Randy and Ron as
they seek God’s direction for Bethel and provide leadership and pastoral care.
Connect with our Youth
The Sr. High, Jr. High and AWANA clubs are over for the summer months
and while all the leaders will tell you they are grateful for a break, they are
missing the kids and praying for their summer. And, before you know it, fall
will be here.
The AWANA clubs will have a need for leaders in the fall. The entire
Layhew family served with us over the past AWANA year and did a
wonderful job with the kids. We are so grateful to them. Unfortunately,
because of distance to travel (they live in Tampico), they will not be able to
help out in the fall. We will need leaders to help with T & T (3rd – 6th grade)
and an adult co-leader to help Becky Brinkmann with the Cubbies (3 – 5 year
olds). The Sparks can always use an additional hand or two with the
Kindergarten – 2nd grade kids.
Which age group is right for you? Contact Chris Harrison (815-2843711) or Sherry Michel (815 – 284-3849) for more information. Invest in the
future. It will be time well spent.
9
Connect with Rock River Bible Camp
2017 RRBC Dates
U-lead at RRBC: June 10 – 16
(High School age youth)
Primary Camp: July 5 – 7
(youth completing 1st/2nd grade)
Senior Camp: July 9 – 15
(youth completing 9th/10th/11th/12th)
Junior Camp: July 16 – 22
(Youth completing 3rd/4th/5th grade)
Intermediate Camp: July 23 – 29
(Youth completing 6th/ 7th/8th grade)
Chick Fest: Oct 20 – 21
(Women’s Retreat)
B.O.N.D.: Oct 27 – 29
(High school freshman to college freshman)
Bethel Church has never wanted kids who couldn’t afford to
go to camp to miss the opportunity to meet Christ and grow
in their faith.....so each year we sponsor those who wouldn’t
otherwise have that chance....sometimes we’ve had
donations to cover the costs and sometimes not, but
regardless, we send them.
If you would like to donate to the “kids to camp fund,” please make your
check payable to Bethel Church and mark your donation “camp scholarship”
and place it in the offering plate or just drop it off to the office.
Thank you ~ you are a blessing!
10
YOU LEAD CAMP
JUNE 10 – 16, 2017
R.R.B.C.
RECLAIMING THE KINGDOM FOR CHRIST
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KEVIN HENRY
CFO OF THE E.C. CHURCH
OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
Gary Brown
Annette Carr
David Carr
Church Campbell
Franklin Westergren
Cost:
Register at:
Deadline:
$150
www.rockriverbiblecamp.org
June 1, 2017
You Lead is a leadership program of the Evangelical Congregational church for
teens ages 15 – 18. Chapels and interactive games combine to equip teens with
leadership and people skills to help them partner with Jesus in bringing His kingdom
principles to bear in all areas of life. The small number of campers (usually 12 – 16)
promote the building of strong ties among the campers.
11
ROCK RIVER BIBLE CAMP NEEDS
Prayers, Prayers & More Prayers!!!!
And....
Brown Towel Rolls -
Laundry Soap
Dryer Sheets
Playtex Rubber Kitchen Gloves
Disposable Latex Cleaning Gloves
Scotch Brite Pads
OxyClean Powder
Aluminum Foil
Ziploc Bags - Quart & Gallon
Plastic Wrap
Styrofoam cups
Paper Napkins
Paper Plates
55 - Gal garbage bags
35 - Gal garbage bags
Mouse poison
Rotella 15 - 40 Diesel Motor Oil
Dump Truck loads of gravel
Ping Pong Balls
Basketballs
Four-Square Balls
from Gordon Food Service (1 7/8" x 8" x 630 ft)
Bleach Spray
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Scrubbing Bubbles
SOS Pads
Toilet Paper
Stainless Steel Cleaner Spray
Lime Away
Bleach – unscented
Dawn Dish Soap
Mold/Mildew Spray
Lysol Liquid
Disinfectant Spray
Kaboom Cleaner
Daily Shower Cleaner Spray
Liquid Hand Soap
Glass Cleaner
Brooms
Wooden Strike Matches
Heavy Duty Push Brooms
All the camp cooks need help!
Pick a week that's good for you and plug in!
Senior (July 9 – 15) Senior Camp is in need of Kitchen staff.
They have a new HEAD COOK and could use people willing to
work in the kitchen during the week. If anyone is interested in
helping, they can email Kenny Paoli, Dean at [email protected].
Junior (July 16 - 22) – contact Marcia DeVries at 677.2972
Intermediate (July 23 – 29) – contact Julie Saunders at 440.0717
The camp has asked all the Illinois EC churches to supply cereal for the camps.
Pick up a few boxes at Aldi or find one of those amazing coupon buys. Bring
them to the Welcome Center toward the end of June. Contact Julie Saunders
with questions.
12
Connect with our Community
Meals-on-Wheels of Dixon is looking for volunteers to help in the
KSB kitchen packing meals for delivery. This does not include any
meal preparation.
Volunteers pack the prepared meals into containers for delivery
and then deliver a route as well. Total time involved is
approximately 1½ hours from 10:30 - 12:00. If you have questions
or are interested in volunteering, contact Linda Stewart at 815631-2681.
Bethel Church is responsible for helping with Meals-on-Wheels the weeks of
June 12 – 16 and June 19 – 23. If you would like to help with this ministry to
the shut-ins of our community, please contact Linda Stewart at (815) 6312681.
SVCC Adult Literacy Coordinator Position Available
Sauk Valley Community College seeks innovative individual for a full-time professionaltechnical position as the Adult Literacy Coordinator. The function of the job is to design,
create, and support academic services for underprepared learners and provide
direction for the Sauk Valley Community College Literacy programs as well as manage
outreach efforts.
Reply to: http://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/637
The Dawg Days of Summer PADS Shelter Fund Raiser
Grace United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 25th 11:30 am – 2 pm
Featuring: Hot Dogs, Bratwurst, or Polish Sausage - plus German Potato Salad,
Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Chips, Homemade Cookies & Culver’s Custard with toppings!
(Custard donated by Culver’s of Dixon in support of the PADS home)
Bottle of Water with flavorings
Meal prices: $10 / $6
(50% of profit to benefit new Dixon PADS home renovations)
Call 815-288-1505 for more information.
13
Entertainment will
be provided by
illusionist
Rev. John Meyer
GoLoco is a local mission opportunity for teens (those who've completed 6th – 12th
grade) who want to "Go Loco" (cRaZy!) for Christ! Go Loco will be held June 26th –
30th.
Matt & Amanda Fassler will lead a team from Bethel that will join forces with Hope
Bible Fellowship, Lincoln Avenue Church & Assembly of God, in order to show
Christ's love to our community. In the morning there will be a Kids Club at John Dixon
Park where we will help with running games, crafts, and Bible lessons. The
afternoons will consist of service projects for various individuals or groups such as
yard clean up/maintenance, projects for schools and/or nursing homes, and even
some volunteer projects for our city. In the evenings, we will gather together to share
experiences and worship our God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Each day, students will need to bring a sack lunch. There is a $30 fee, which will
include dinners and a t-shirt (t-shirts must be worn each day for the Kids Club). If
someone wants to participate, but can't pay the fee, there is scholarship money
available.
Please contact Amanda Fassler ([email protected] or 815-440-2244) as soon as
possible if you are interested in participating in this local mission opportunity! Adults
and Collage Age volunteers are also welcome to help!
14
Church Chuckles
"Yes, ma'am," the old salt confided to the
inquisitive lady, "I fell over the side of the ship,
and a shark he come along and grabbed me by
the leg."
When a woman discovered that she
was pregnant, her four-year-old son
overheard his parents' conversation.
He didn't say anything until a week later
when a family friend asked him if he was
excited about the prospect of a new brother
or sister.
"Yes," said the boy, "and I know what
we're going to name it. If it's a girl, we're
going to call her Emily, and if it's another
boy we're going to call it Quits."
"Merciful providence!" his hearer gasped.
"And what did you do?"
"Let 'im 'ave the leg, o' course, ma'am. I
never argues with sharks."
Bumper Stickers
“Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to
get along without it.”
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