Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study will be starting Jan. 7—Mar. 18 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Squires. What does it mean to have a spiritual conversation? One of the goals of Bethel is to encourage one another to have spiritual conversations with people in our day-to-day lives—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, schoolmates, etc. But what does it mean to have a spiritual conversation? How do we even start? We went through “The Arts of Spiritual Conversation” back in 2016, and the result was groundbreaking for many participants. To realize that God can use us with these basic friendship skills as a way to encourage others in the Gospel. We’re going back to review and learn even more. Jump in with us on Sundays to learn “The Arts”. We start with an short introduction video each week, and then we split up into small discussion tables hosted by folks from the congregation. You can join at any time and experience where God may be leading you. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ When Helping Hurts Tuesdays, Jan. 9 - Feb. 13,

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. We love our neighbors and we want to help people who are struggling in poverty. What kind of help is truly helpful? Together we will think about how to love and empower our neighbors who are living in poverty, by the power of Christ. This is a 6-week video-based study. There is no required reading. We’ve offered this several times at Bethel, and people tell me they hope everyone will take it because it is so perspective-changing. Register online at www.livingjustly.us/register/ or find a form on the Hub. I hope you can join us!

~ Susan Squires (susan@livingjustly.us) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sunday School On behalf of the Sunday

School superintendents and staff, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

~ Diane and Kylie

Reminder: No Sunday School today or December 31! Classes resume on January 7, 2018!

BETHEL BUZZ

Bethel Website: www.bethelgurnee.org Office: 847-244-9647 Preschool: 847-244-9672 Email: office@bethelgurnee.org

Pastor Ben Squires Cell: 224-419-5519 / pastor@bethelgurnee.org

Katrina Johns - Equipping Coordinator Direct line: 224-623-0800 / katrina@bethelgurnee.org

Karen Leicht - Disciple Care Coordinator karen@bethelgurnee.org Lisa Schwarz - Office Secretary lisa@bethelgurnee.org

Donna Stutzman - Preschool Director preschool@bethelgurnee.org Chelsi Todd - Office Assistant chelsi@bethelgurnee.org

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Save the date for VBS! Vacation Bible School will

be JULY 16 - 20. (JULY is correct) If you have questions contact: Kylie Brazda (kbrazda3030@yahool.com), or Jeremy and Andrea Little (jclittle23@gmail.com). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preschool Board has an opening for a new Board

Member beginning January 1 for a 2 year term. The Preschool Board is responsible for the overall operation of Bethel Preschool including developing policy, recruitment and fundraising. Any Bethel member interested, please contact Kathy DeLassus at delaser43@comcast.net. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cleaning Help Need a little extra help with

cleaning? Roberto and Berty, the cleaning people for Bethel, are back in town. They are available for any housekeeping you might need done. If you are interested in their services, contact Karen Leicht, Disciple Care

Coordinator, at karen@bethelgurnee.org. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Support for JJ Jones' Basketball Team Bethel member JJ Jones teaches at LEARN Charter School in North Chicago. He also coaches their boys basketball program. A couple of years ago Bethel came alongside JJ to support the kids in wanting a basketball team when they were raising funds. JJ is hoping some of us will be able to support this effort again. If you can help, go to: https://gogetfunding.com/thunderbird-basketball/ .

5110 GRAND AVENUE, GURNEE, IL 60031 DECEMBER 24, 2017

Special Worship Schedule Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Sunday, December 24 ~ 6PM in Gym & 11PM in Sanctuary

Christmas Day Festival Monday, December 25

10AM with Holy Communion in the Gym

New Year’s Eve Sunday, December 31

10AM with Holy Communion in the Sanctuary

Games 4 Gurnee Warren Township High School Future Business Leaders of America's Community Service Committee is sponsoring a game and toy collection drive called "Games 4 Gurnee". The collection box will be out next Sunday through Sunday, January 6. New or gently used games

and toys are being collected to donate to the Gurnee Park District, Woodland Dist. 50, Kinder Care, and Sunrise Assisted Living. A collection box is here at Bethel by the Hub. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

P.A.D.S.— The P.A.D.S. donation basket will

be located on the back of The Hub. Items needed are travel size personal hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C.O.O.L. Food donation ideas: Rice, pasta, dried beans,

cereal, soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, beverages, peanut butter, pork and beans, canned meats, tuna, macaroni and cheese, toiletries and paper goods.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Love INC Job Opening Love INC is actively

recruiting for a Program Manager position (formerly known as Gap Ministry Coordinator). This role leads and manages the Gap and other ministries with our partner churches. This position is full time (40 hours/week), with a competitive hourly rate. Call Carl ’Spark’ Ball at 847-782-8630 for more information or see the bulletin board outside the church office. Interested parties are invited to apply by Friday, January 19. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2018 Offering Envelopes are outside the gym or by the sanctuary.

Portals of Prayer for January - March

are on the Hub.

Worship Schedule Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Communion 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday

Office Hours Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wednesday & Friday

9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Last Week’s Attendance Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 131 Sunday 10:45 a.m. - 88

Sunday School - 95

This Week’s Calendar

Monday, December 25 - Church Office Closed

10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Festival in Gym

Tuesday, December 26 - Church Office Closed

Pastor on Vacation

7:00 p.m. - Care in Community Meeting

Wednesday, December 27

Pastor on Vacation

Thursday, December 28

Pastor on Vacation

7:30 p.m. - Adult Vocal Choir

Friday, December 29

Pastor on Vacation

Saturday, December 30

Pastor’s Day Off

Sunday, December 31

10:00 a.m.—Communion in Gym (One service)

11:00 a.m. - Fellowship

8:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Elders: Mike Bandman, Paul Krueger Bill Schwartz, Jack Warneke Acolytes: Liam Maag Lauren Swanson

Ushers: Dave Hoffmeister, OPEN John Zilligen, Noah Zilligen

Lay Readers: Diane Driver, Tom Driver Scott Mundrick, Diane Mundrick

Greeters: Somppi Family, Carla Thompson Boyle Family, Chudy Family

Contact Team: Roxanne Edge Ann Souza

Nursery: OPEN OPEN

Fellowship: Pellettiere & Nuechterlein Families

Fellowship Set up: Chuck Johnson

October Altar Guild: Sheila Bunnell, Diane Sanders

October Counters: David Ross, Cheryl Ross

Serving New Year’s Eve at 10:00 a.m.

Scripture Readings: Psalm 111 Galatians 4:4–7 Luke 2:22–40

Elder: JJ Jones Comm/Asst. Elder: Randy Gifford Acolytes: Jeremy Leicht, Brooke Ratzburg Ushers: Don Heidlauf, OPEN Lay Readers: Joan Blasko Greeters: Rod Threadgill, Joan Blasko Fellowship: Leicht and Mulley

Jan. Altar Guild: Kathy Schwartz & Sheila Bunnell Jan. Counters: Monte Stoltzman, Bill & Kathy Schwartz

DEADLINE for January Big Buzz Tuesday, December 26 at 9:00 a.m.