Bethel Presbyterian Church

Corner of George and Brookland Streets,

Sydney, NS

Our Mission: To share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our community in our worship and our living. Our Vision is to be a local community of believers where: • Jesus Christ is head; • The Bible has the ultimate authority as the true, infallible and complete Word of God; • Salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and belief in His finished work on the cross is preached; • The Gospel of Christ is spread in our community, our nation and around the world in both work and action; • Believers encourage each other and hold others in higher regard than themselves so that each may use the gifts God has given him/her to the glory of God.

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Sunday, April 2, 2017 Organ Prelude Announcements David Sneddon Reader Chris McCall We Gather Together – Our Approach to God Call to Worship Prayer of Adoration and Approach (The Lord’s Prayer) Hymn # 90 Up from the depths I cry to you Prayer of Confession We Hear God’s Word O. T. Lesson: Ezekiel 37: 1-14 (p.614) Responsive Psalm # 130 (p.442) Hymn # 474 The love of God comes close Litany for Fifth Sunday in Lent John Clarke Reader: The Lenten journey continues. All: Lent’s questions confront us. Reader: Why is the road so dangerous? All: What will we do as we face choices of life or death? Reader: Dare we trust in the power of God to renew our lives? All: Are we prepared to share this vision with others? Reader: The quest tests and tries us. Perhaps we should turn back. All: We pray that Jesus will be our guide. Reader: Let us pray. God of the dried-up places: there is no place that is too dark for your presence; there are no situations that are beyond your grace. Even barren places of grief, poverty and hopelessness are in your hands. Bring life where there is death, healing where there is pain, and courage where there is fear. Stay with us as we go through every valley. Stay with us as we reach out to the world with hands that heal. Stay with us as we make our way along the Christ path. Amen. Children’s Story N.T. Epistle Lesson Romans 8: 6-11 (p. 800) N.T. Gospel Lesson John 11: 1-45 (p. 760) Sermon Faith Found

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Our Response to God Hymn # 498 Sing them over again to me Prayer of Thanksgiving & Intercession Offering Offertory Anthem You raise me up with Be still my soul Lovland/Graham arr. Fettke Doxology (#830) Prayer of Dedication We go out in service to the Lord Hymn # 371 Love divine, all loves excelling Benediction & Choral Amen Postlude WELCOME We welcome everyone to this service of worship this Lord’s Day and pray that this will be a time of blessing for all. We are pleased to have John Clarke leading the Lenten responsive reading this morning. Everyone is invited to a time of fellowship in the hall following the service. On duty today are Ann, Sara and Heather MacQueen. Nursery Today: Vivian Morrison and Carol MacLeod Next Sunday: Shirley Adams and Sandra MacLean Sunday School Shepherd • Roy MacDonald Greeter at the South Door • Wilrod Morrison Greeter at the Choir Room Door • Sandra MacLeod Visiting the Hospital this week Charles Nicholson 562-3855 Wilrod Morrison 562-3573 Readings for next week Isaiah 52: 13-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10: 16-25; John 18: 1-19:42

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To the Benevolent Fund • In memory of Pearl MacAulay and Lillian Hagell from Diane & Fred Lynk

Presbyterian Connection Newspaper The Presbyterian Connection newspaper is a new publication produced by the Life and Mission Agency, following the announcement of the closure of the Presbyterian Record. Presbyterian Connection is a Christian newspaper that strives to unite Presbyterians from across the country through stories, reflections, interviews and articles, allowing us to share and develop our faith. The newspaper is informative, educational—and fun! It will be distributed four times per year, free of charge. The goal of the newspaper is to further equip leaders, connect congregations and missions, facilitate communication and highlight denominational work—strengthening our denominational ties across the country. There is a few copies of this newspaper in the vestibule. If you prefer to look at it online, it can be found at http://presbyterian.ca/presbyterian-connection/ This week Monday 7:00 pm Bible Study continues to be held in the Hall Thursday 7:30 pm Preparatory Service will be held in the Sanctuary. Friday 12:10-12:50 CUC will meet in the Shaw Room.

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ADVANCE NOTICES Spring Communions will be held next Sunday, April 9th at 10:30 and 7:00 pm. Bethel Men’s Chorus will practice in the sanctuary for the Good Friday Men’s Breakfast Service on the Thursday before Good Friday at 7:00pm (April 13th) Presbyterian Men’s Good Friday Breakfast will be held at Bethel Church Hall April 14th at 8:30. Service will follow in sanctuary following the breakfast. Our Men’s chorus will provide special music. Rev. Corrie Stewart will preach. Free will offering to cover cost of Breakfast. Bethel congregational Good Friday Service will be at 1:00 pm in the Sanctuary. A free will offering will be taken to support the Cancer Patient Care Fund. All are invited to attend.

Presbytery Workshop In response to the 2015 General Assembly’s call for the Church to engage in prayerful conversation, discernment and Bible Study on the topics of human sexuality and sexual orientation… Presentation: “Sexual Minorities...Can we talk?” The Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine will address these topics 1. “Taking a hard look at how the church has treated sexual minorities 2. “Exploring why some want to retain and some want to revise our Church’s guidelines on same-sex relationships.” This workshop will be presented at the following locations: Knox, Baddeck Thursday, April 20th, 2017 6:30-9:30pm St. Andrew’s, Sydney Mines Friday, April 21st, 2017 2:00-5:00pm

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Bethel, Sydney Saturday, April 22nd, 2017 9:00-12:00 noon This workshop is intended for Members and Adherents of the Presbyterian Church in Canada within the Presbytery of Cape Breton

The Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine

Clyde is minister of Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Catharines, ON and teaches a course on worship at Knox College. He was one of the leaders for our lay worship training. Clyde focuses on congregational preaching and ministry and is completing a book on this topic. St. Matthew-Wesley United Church Presents “Godsent Reunion Concert” Sunday, April 23rd, at 7p.m. 2 Peppett Street, North Sydney Also performing: The Cape Breton Chordsmen, Colin Grant & Cecil Clarke PRICE $10.00 at the Door Refreshments to follow the Concert

Seventeenth Annual Women's Breakfast

Sponsored by The Life and Mission Committee Presbytery of Cape Breton

Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, North River Bridge Date: 29 April 2017 Time: 8:30 AM 9:30 AM Program in sanctuary, entitled The Lord's Prayer Cost: $8.00 Reservations and cancellations necessary. Reservations can be made by calling Joan Richardson @ 902 564-5140 EnterLeft Productions will present a concert at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Whycocomagh on Friday, May 5, 2017, at 7:00 pm. The concert featuring musicians Robyn Cathcart, Margaret MacPherson, Ross Hunter and Michele Stephens is entitled “Stormy Weather,” and will feature vocal standards in all types of music genres and musical theatre. Tickets are $15 per person. Contact Burton MacIntyre (756-2769), Fred Matthews (756-2764), Marilyn Macleod (756-2627) or Kennena MacFadyen (756-2883) for tickets or more information. On June 3rd The Cove Auxiliary will hold a yard sale. If you have something you would like to donate bring to the Hall in the morning to downstairs hall. There is a room ready for us to store things.

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Mission Moments – World Health Day (April 7)

“I was happy and relieved that my disease was diagnosed and that it was curable!” The gratitude Sher felt after getting answers to his health concerns and medicine to treat his leprosy is inspiring. But the road to recovery had an uncertain start. In an effort to heal a mysterious lesion on his foot, Sher tried a variety of herbal remedies. But the wound continued to fester. “I was in distress. I knew something was wrong.” Sher was referred to a Presbyterian World Service & Development-supported clinic in Nepal where he was finally diagnosed. Though anxious at first, health workers comforted Sher and explained his treatment options. Now cured—and equipped with the knowledge and support to build a healthy future—Sher has peace of mind. PWS&D equips communities to build healthy futures

“MEETING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS IN NICARAGUA”

In Nicaragua, coffee farmers and their families are facing a precarious situation. In the wake of a severe drought, their crops and livelihoods are suffering. Since farmers grow mostly coffee, their children don’t have access to a variety of nutritious foods, leading to a lack of proper nutrition and delays in their growth. Marlene Acuna Obregon worried about the well-being of her newborn baby. She knew that in the wake of poverty and prolonged drought, getting proper nourishment would be a challenge. But all that is changing. Marlene’s is one of 440 families learning from Presbyterian World Service & Development-supported community volunteers about the importance of diet diversification, cultivating household gardens, and the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. “I have learned many things,” Marlene says proudly. “Now we are consuming vegetables that we harvest ourselves.” With this training and education about breastfeeding and child development, Marlene is filled with thanks knowing that her baby can start life healthy and strong. This Lenten season let us faithfully respond to Christ’s call to serve those in need. Through support of PWS&D, vulnerable communities are accessing proper nutrition and leading healthy, productive lives.

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Church Staff Minister Rev. Robert Lyle, B.A., M.Div. Cell: 902 - 549 – 6411 Email: robertlyle13@gmail.com Choir Director Peter MacDonald Secretary Sharon Morrison Office: 902 – 562 – 3740 Email: bethelchurch@ns.sympatico.ca Custodian Mr. Allan Townsend Hall: 902 – 564 – 5069 Session Clerk Mr. Charles Greaves Home: 902 – 564 - 9570 Email: charles.greaves@gmail.com Chair of the Board Mr. Glayne MacQueen Home: 902 – 539 - 9312 Email: glayneorannemacq@gmail.com Property Chair Mr. Larry Victory Home: 902 – 562 – 0944 Email: lal_chris@msn.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Church Website http://bethelpresbyterianchurch.ca Church email address bethelchurch@ns.sympatico.ca