Elder Announcements

6/23/2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Bethany,

Greetings in the Name of the Lord!  We continue to pray that the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ will go forth in the Lord’s power through each of us.  Our world continues to be in turmoil.  Now is the time for the church to take the love of Jesus Christ to a hurting world.  We praise God for the unity we as a body of Christ have maintained through these difficult days.  We pray this unity and love for one another continues, because the world will know we have been with Jesus by our love for one another (John 17).

Why is it so important that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ, meet in person?  As we gather for prayer, breaking of bread, teaching of the Word and fellowship, we are strengthened, encouraged, and taught how to love God and love people.  Meeting together as Christians is essential to growing in our faith (Acts 2:42/Heb 10:25).  

UPDATED SUNDAY SCHEDULE:  This coming Sunday there will be a few adjustments to our new “normal.”  Breaking of Bread will start at 9:00 am and finish around 10:00 am.  During fellowship time, coffee will be served in the fellowship area.  The nursery will be unlocked, but not staffed.  Second Service/ Family Bible Hour will be from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.  

Breaking of Bread:  We will NOT be passing bread or juice/wine, so please bring your own.  There will be bread and juice provided for visitors and those in need. Offerings can be left in the box by the office, given online, or mailed as a check to the chapel.    

Second Service/Family Bible Hour will start at 10:30 am.  The service will be held in the sanctuary, broadcast to the parking lot over 88.5 FM, and will be available live online (see Bethany Facebook page or Bethany website). 

We continue to take what we believe to be reasonable precautions.  We will not be offering nursery service, but the nursery will be unlocked and available to be used.  Sunday School is available for those who feel comfortable attending.  Coffee only will be served in the fellowship area.  In the sanctuary, we ask families to sit together, with at least two open seats between family groups.  We have removed every other row in the sanctuary.  We also have seating provided in the fellowship area.  If the sanctuary and fellowship are “full”, we will ask those remaining to exit the building and listen from their cars or watch the livestream online.  Masks are not required.  Hand sanitizer will be provided.  We ask that each person make their own personal choice to attend or not attend in person. 

Brothers and Sisters, during this time of transition we have a unique opportunity to continue to love one another by deferring and not judging each other.  We each have liberty in Christ (I Cor. 10:23-33, Romans 14:1-23).  We are under governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7).  God’s desire is for Christ to be glorified in our lives as we love one another in such a way that the world will see Christ in us (John 17:20-26).  Please continue to pray for souls to be saved and lives to be changed.  So many are asking questions about eternity!  May each of us ask God to show us ways to show love and share the gospel with friends, neighbors, and co-workers proactively and creatively.  

Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, and in everything Give Thanks (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of the elders.  

Love in Christ,

The Bethany Elders     

5/28/2020

May 28, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Bethany,

We continue to ask God to use COVID-19 to glorify Himself by bringing souls to Christ as well as causing all of us to grow in our witness for Christ.  The past three weeks have gone smoothly inside the building.  Bring your own bread/juice/wine breaking of bread as well as the Family Bible hour have provided an avenue for many to “reconnect” face to face.  We continue to be cautious, have removed every other row of chairs and are spraying disinfectant between each week.  We are not back to “normal” but are doing our best to offer options for all to be encouraged.        

Breaking of Bread in Homes:  For those who choose to attend, we will continue to hold the breaking of bread service inside the sanctuary Sunday morning from 9:30 am to 10:15 am.  The meeting format will be as usual except, we are asking each individual/family group to bring their own bread and juice/wine.  We will NOT be passing bread or juice/wine.  Offerings can be left in the box by the office, given online, or you can mail a check to the chapel.   

If you do not feel comfortable attending Sunday morning inside, we continue to recommend that families break bread in their homes (Acts 2:46).  This has been a good thing for families to break bread together.  We have heard multiple stories of how God has blessed. 

Second Service/Family Bible Hour:  Unless government guidelines change, we will continue to hold the Second service/Family Bible Hour as usual at 10:30 am. 

First and foremost, we love you, we care for you, and we want each of you to choose whatever option you believe is best for you.  Each person has the responsibility and liberty to make their own choice.  It is by faith that we are compelled to love our neighbor (Mark 12:31).  Our desire is to keep spiritual wellbeing at the forefront of our decision making while keeping public safety and the safety of the body in mind.

Therefore, we will continue to offer three options to participate in this service.  The service will be livestreamed online, broadcast to cars in the parking lot, and will be live for those who choose to come inside the building. 

Option 1 - Livestream Online:  Those who choose to enjoy the livestream online, you will be able to watch the service on our Bethany Facebook page as well as on our website at www.bethanybiblechapel.org..

Option 2 - Parking Lot:  The first row of parking stalls along the sidewalk will be reserved for those who choose to enjoy the service from their car.  Please tune your radio to 88.5 to listen live to the service.

Option 3 – Family Bible hour in the building:  Those who choose to come inside for this service must recognize that they are choosing to potentially be exposed to pathogens and should not expect this to be a “safe” area.   If you will be distracted or uncomfortable in any way by coming inside, please enjoy the service from your car or watch the livestream online.

We are taking what we believe to be reasonable precautions.  We will not be offering Sunday School or nursery service, and coffee will not be served.  We are praying about how we can offer Sunday School again.  In the sanctuary, we ask families to sit together with at least two open seats between family groups.  We have spread out the rows by removing approximately half the chairs and spreading out the rows.  We have overflow seating provided in the fellowship area.  If the sanctuary and fellowship are “full”, we will ask those remaining to exit the building and listen from their cars or watch the livestream online.  Masks are not required.  Hand sanitizer will be provided.  

Brothers and Sisters during this time of transition we have a unique opportunity to love one another by deferring and not judging each other.  We each have liberty in Christ (I Cor. 10:23-33, Romans 14:1-23).  We are under governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7).  God’s desire is for Christ to be glorified in our lives as we love one another in such a way that the world will see Christ in us (John 17:20-26).  Please continue to pray for souls to be saved and lives to be changed.  So many are asking questions about eternity!  May each of us ask God to show us ways to proactively and creatively show love and share the gospel with friends, neighbors and co-workers. 

Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, and in everything Give Thanks (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact one of the elders. 

Love in Christ,

The Bethany Elders    

5/13/2020

5/5/2020

4/11/2020

Quick update....tomorrow morning the weather is not looking too good; however, Drive-Up Church will still be occurring at 10:30am in the Bethany parking lot. There will be music (possibly pre-recorded if the weather is bad), and if it is clear, it will be live. In addition, Mark Woodhouse's pre-recorded message will be transmitted over 88.5 FM. It will also be online at 10:30am as well. Happy Easter - HE IS RISEN!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPOlsx2hvKI

4/4/2020

From the Bethany Bible Chapel elders:

We love, miss and are praying for you all.  We care about your spiritual and physical health.  God asks us in His Word in Hebrews 10:25 to not forsake meeting together.  As believers in Jesus Christ (John 3:16), we need fellowship!  God also asks us to respect the authorities (Romans 13:1) and care for others (Hebrews 13:16).  In light of these things, we will be meeting Sunday at 10:30am for fellowship in a way that will show care for our community and comply with Governor Reynolds' orders. The message will also be online at the same time.

Everyone present must abide by the Governor's orders. That means no use of the building, if you have to use the bathroom...drive someplace else to do so. Windows must be rolled up at all times, no sunroofs open or convertibles with the top down. 

What can you do?  Break bread together in your homes.  After that, drive-up to Bethany Bible Chapel and worship the Lord together!  Sing!  Pray!  Honk!  Say Amen!  Rejoice in the Lord!  Give thanks!  Call each other on the phone, text, wave and smile through the windows, relish being together in the way which we can!  Glory to God!  By doing things in this way, we can be encouraged and be a testimony to the community around us.

Lovingly, 

The Bethany Elders

Governor Reynolds Proclamation SECTION 7: “A gathering of people inside parked cars, trucks, or other enclosed motor vehicles shall not constitute a gathering of more than 10 people if no more than 10 people are inside each vehicle, all people remain inside the vehicle at all times, and the vehicle remains enclosed with all windows, sunroofs, and convertible tops closed.”

From Mayor Rob Green: https://robgreeniowa.com/blog/religious-free-exercise-and-coronavirus

3/29/2020

Sunday Morning Song List 3/29

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)

Chorus

Bless the Lord O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Verse 1

The sun comes up it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Verse 2

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger
Your name is great and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Verse 3

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

Ending

Worship Your holy name
Lord I'll worship Your holy name

Knowing You

Verse 1

All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now compared to this

Chorus

Knowing You Jesus knowing You
There is no greater thing
You're my all You're the best
You're my joy my righteousness
And I love You Lord love You Lord

Verse 2

Now my heart's desire is to know You more
To be found in You and known as Yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

Verse 3

Oh to know the pow'r of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death my Lord
So with You to live and never die

In Christ Alone

Verse 1

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

Verse 2

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

Verse 3

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Verse 4

No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Man Of Sorrows

Verse 1

Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid

Verse 2

Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thorns

Chorus

Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee

Verse 3

Sent of heaven God's own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree

Bridge

Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed

Verse 4

See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He's risen from the grave

O Praise The Name (Anástasis)

Verse 1

I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me
I see His wounds His hands His feet
My Saviour on that cursed tree

Verse 2

His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph's tomb
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone

Chorus

O praise the Name of the Lord our God
O praise His Name forevermore
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord oh Lord our God

Verse 3

Then on the third at break of dawn
The Son of heaven rose again
O trampled death where is your sting
The angels roar for Christ the King

Verse 4

He shall return in robes of white
The blazing sun shall pierce the night
And I will rise among the saints
My gaze transfixed on Jesus' face

3/27/2020

Dear Bethany Body,

The Bethany Elders hope you are Rejoicing, Praying and Thanking God during these days of upheaval.  We encourage each of you to break bread in your homes Sunday morning. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Family Bible Hour - 10:00 am, Sunday in the Bethany Parking Lot / Stay in your vehicles – For those who are comfortable venturing out, please join us in the Bethany parking lot (stay in your vehicles) to listen (and see) to the service via FM broadcast!  The praise team will be singing and message will be preached “live” from a trailer in the parking lot.  We will all tune our radios to 88.5 to worship together singing praises and listen to the message.  

NOTE:  the FM broadcast has limited distance and will only be heard from vehicles within a few hundred feet of the Bethany building.  If you prefer to enjoy this service from the comfort of your home, the service will also be available on YouTube through our Facebook Page and also on our website. 

Please feel free to invite friends!

GLORY TO GOD!

The Bethany Elders  

3/24/2020

REJOICE always. PRAY without ceasing. In everything give THANKS.  I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

All of our lives have be interrupted and rearranged due to the current health concerns. As the elders met last night to pray, we were rejoicing in Christ that no matter the circumstances, God is in control and we can trust Him.  We would like to encourage each of you to determine to grow in Christ and draw closer to one another.  During this unprecedented time when our schedules have been disrupted and we have more quiet time in our homes,  please see the list below of suggested activities.  (There is no pressure to do any of these things, merely suggestions to encourage.) 

1. REJOICE/PRAY – Even though we are not gathering in large groups (including our small groups that are large!), we would encourage each of you to call, text and email one to five people from the chapel to encourage them and pray together (Maybe call someone you have never called before!).  For those of you who feel comfortable, now is a great time to fellowship in small numbers in your homes, rejoicing in our common Hope.
2. PRAY/GIVE THANKS – It would be awesome if every family decided to pray through the Bethany directory each week.  Would you consider praying as a family for 20 families/people per day?  There is power in prayer.  Try it! – go to the Bethany Directory App and pray daily for others in the body. The picture below shows how to access the directory.  (If you do not have the Bethany Directory app – please reach out to Dave Wilson and he will give you the login information.)  
3. MEMORIZE BIBLE VERSE(s) AS A FAMILY – How long has it been since you memorized a verse?  For families with children in Awana, memorize the weekly Awana verses together (go back over past verses too).  For those over achievers, memorize some passages as a family – suggested passages include I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:33-34, Romans 8:37-39, I Peter 5:6-9, Romans 12:1-2, Psalms 56:3-4. 
4. SHARE THE GOSPEL – Share the love of Christ boldly especially during these days of uncertainty.  Our hope and confidence in Christ gives each of us peace to face uncertain days.  Share the good news of Jesus Christ boldly! 
5. SERVE – Find ways to serve the Body of Christ and our broader community.  Be creative and give God the glory.

Our prayer is that God would be magnified in our hearts and minds and be abundantly glorified!!!!  

Love in Christ,

Bethany Elders

3/19/2020

REJOICE. PRAY. GIVE THANKS.

This year’s theme at Bethany is from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We are in unprecedented times right now, but “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalms 46). As elders at Bethany, we are to shepherd the flock, and we want to see our Body grow Spiritually – especially during times like this. Given the current circumstances we are not hosting any services, events or activities at Bethany, or encouraging any regular Bethany Small Group gatherings outside the church until further notice. The elders are committed to fasting, praying, and seeking what God would have us do in the days ahead. We will continue to keep the Body updated with new information.

We will be live streaming our service beginning this Sunday, March 22^nd at 10:30am both on Bethany’s Facebook page and on our Bethany website. In addition, we are asking that you continue to worship and break bread in your homes prior to the service.

In a time where we can easily become discouraged and isolated as we’re asked to remain apart, remember that our God is in control. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Please take this opportunity to rejoice, pray, and give thanks during this difficult time of not being in fellowship with one another. In the meantime, if you have any specific needs or prayer requests, please contact one of the elders directly or email us at info@bethanybiblechapel.org.

Brook Klunder, 231-8269, brookklunder@gmail.com

David LaMarche, 504-6058, djlamarche@gmail.com

Alex Lorsung, 505-0295, lorsungalexanderd@johndeere.com

Bob Smith Jr, 290-4777, rsmith@strategicforesights.com

Dave Weidenbacher, 231-1797, buympec@yahoo.com

Caleb Weikert, 231-8195, weikertcontracting@gmail.com

Dave Wilson, 290-6777, david.wilson@ryancompanies.com