CreeksideDM

Funeral service for Betty Jean Billings at Creekside Church, Monday, December 30th.

Welcome & Prayer: Pastor Steve Smith

Musical Selection: "Goodness of God" - Elizabeth Tenney

Obituary: Meribeth Tenney

Family Reflections: Ami Randazzo, Jesse Tenney, and Alana Gentosi

Musical Selection: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - Ayla and Eliana Gentosi

Family Reflection: Michael Gentosi

Musical Selection: "I Surrender All" - Lucia Randazzo

Final Prayer: Pastor Steve Smith

Betty Jean Billings was born February 11, 1934 in Albia, Iowa. She was a beautiful surprise to her parents, George and Elizabeth Stevenson, since her mom was 49 when Betty was born. She grew up loved and cherished by her parents and her four older siblings. Hazel, her older sister by 25 years, was a second mother to her.

By the time of her graduation from Albia High School, Betty was dating the love of her life, Ron. In Albia, they were known as Babe and Betty Jean. Ron was two years older and enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. While Ron was on leave in December 1952, they planned a wedding in less than two weeks and were married December 26, 1952. Betty went home to Jesus on their 72nd anniversary.

Betty moved to Des Moines for work while Ron was in the service and this is where they made their home following his discharge. Betty became trained as a stenographer and was adept at the lost art of shorthand. She worked for the state before she began working for the Rock Island Railroad, which later became the Chicago Northwestern. She worked for the railroad for over 30 years.

Ron and Betty had two daughters, Ronda and Meribeth. Betty was a devoted mom, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved her son-in-laws as sons. She was happiest when we all could be together. She would do anything for each of us.

Betty loved Jesus and her life was built around her faith. Early in their marriage, Ron and Betty began attending Central Gospel Chapel which later became Creekside Church. Betty’s closest friends, her buddies, were a part of her church family.

Betty made friends wherever she went. She started going to the YMCA and later began teaching water aerobics. Some very special friendships were made and this group continues to meet together. She only had four months at Kennybrook Village but had already made an impact with staff and residents.

Betty loved the outdoors and being active. She loved to walk, to be in her swimming pool and, if you really wanted her to be happy, you would take her on a boat ride. She enjoyed waterskiing and snowskiing.

Betty left this earth December 26, 2024. She will be deeply missed by her precious husband, Ron, Ronda and Rick Gentosi, Meribeth and Doug Tenney, 8 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A public visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, at Creekside Church (2743 82nd Pl, Urbandale, IA 50322) from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at Sunny Hill Cemetery, in Grimes, IA, following the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Creekside Church.

Jude Augusma :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, December 29, 2024

When God called Jonah to a place 550 miles east of his comfort zone, he tried to run 2,500 miles in the other direction. Following a brief update of his ministry in Haiti, Jude Augusma preaches from Jonah chapter 1, the consequences of running away from God, and the blessing found in obedience. Jude’s message follows announcements and encouragement from Alan Crim with the New Year in view.

To learn more about Jude's work in Haiti through the Philadelphia Christian Mission in Pignon, visit PCMPhaiti.org.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Wednesday, December 24th, 2024

“And the Light shines in the darkness...” (John 1:5a) One of the reasons Christmas is celebrated on December 25th is the symbolism derived from the beginning of increasing daylight beginning after the winter solstice: God sent Light into a dark world in the form of His Son Jesus. Pastor Steve shares a Christmas Eve message about Jesus as the “Light of the world”, exposing darkness, directing our path, and delivering us from the consequences of sin. The candlelight service also includes worship, readings from Isaiah 9 as well as the lighting of the 5th Advent candle and accompanying scripture.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, December 22, 2024

The world often leaves Christ out of Christmas, and even Christians can forget the significance of this “happy holiday.” From the reactions of the shepherds (Luke 2:15-16), saints (Luke 2:25-38) and sages (Matthew 2:1-2) on that first Christmas, we discover that a proper response to Jesus’ birth has 3 features that keep Christ at the center of our celebration. Pastor Steve’s message shows us how the story of our Savior’s arrival inspires us to see Christ, worship Christ, and witness for Christ at Christmas. Steve’s message follows a 4th Sunday of Advent reading by Brent and Allie McLaren.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, December 15, 2024

Christmas is often only seen as a holiday to give and receive gifts—but it’s actually about Jesus, the gift we’ve already received so that we can receive pardon from our sins. Pastor Steve begins our service with a short message about the reason for Christmas and our response to it. Following Steve’s message and an Advent candle reading, we celebrated the gift of our Savior with our Christmas program, through music, art, poetry, and Scripture considering the "Son of Man" from Creation to the Fall to His birth and His death and His ultimate reign.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Bob Short :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, December 8, 2024

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! ... What is man that You are mindful of him?..." For the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Bob Short explores Psalm chapter 8, the contrast between the majesty of God and the smallness of man, and the connection to Christmas. Bob's message follows and Advent reading by Bruce and Jill Cameron. The helpful resources Bob included in his sermon notes are included below.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

RESOURCES:

Chronological Reading Plan: https://www.blueletterbible.org/assets-v3/pdf/dbrp/1Yr_ChronologicalPlan.pdf

Psalms Helps (source: Moody Bible Commentary, © 2014)

Characteristics of Hebrew poetry:

1) Poetic language: Rich, concise word choice, powerful word pictures, e.g. "as the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God" (42:1)

2) Inclusio: "Book ending" or "bracketing" of ideas with identical or parallel phrases to create a poetic unit of thought, e.g. "hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence"/ "Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God" (42:5, 11)

3) Parallelism: One idea presented in relation to another through parallel thoughts. Generally, parallelism is of three types:

a) Synonymous parallelism: consecutive lines present the same or similar idea in different words, e.g “He raises the poor from the dust, and he lifts the needy from the ash heap.” (Ps 113:7)

b) Antithetical parallelism: in which consecutive lines present contrasting or opposite ideas, e.g. The LORD keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. (Ps 145:20)

c) Synthetic parallelism: in which consecutive lines present different, yet complementary ideas, e.g. “He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. (Ps 18:34)

4) Acrostic Structure: Each verse in the psalm begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet (e.g. Psalm 119, the longest psalm, is an acrostic praise to the Lord and His Word. It has 22 stanzas of eight verses; each stanza begins with the same letter. Acrostic structure is a helpful memory device, and reflects God's truth from A to Z.

5) Musical Instruction: Written to be sung, identified as "song," "psalm," or mentioning musical instruments or the choir director in the heading

Types of Psalms:

1) Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving: Often related to specific incidences of personal deliverance. They include a proclamation of praise to God, a report of deliverance, a renewed determination to praise, and often instruction for corporate praise.

2) Hymnic Psalms: More specifically hymns, rather than related to personal deliverance. These have the common elements of: (1) call to praise; (2) cause for praise; and (3) concluding exhortation to praise. Often include a note regarding the choir or a musical notation.

3) Songs: To be sung, often including additional musical directions.

4) Laments: Cries or prayers of help in times of distress. Include (1) an introductory plea to the Lord, (2) the specific lament describing the issue, (4) petition for help, and (5) a vow to praise the Lord despite circumstances and regardless of deliverance.

5) Imprecatory Psalms: Calling for specific judgments to fall on the enemy - the plea of God's people for justice.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, December 1, 2024

Sin has far-reaching effects. In contrast to David’s kindness in recent chapters, 2nd Samuel 11 records his moral failure and the deadly coverup that followed. To guard against sin’s destruction, Pastor Steve’s sermon examining David’s downfall provides 3 lessons on sin and temptation. Steve’s message is followed by a reading for Aaron and Brooke Westphal for the first Sunday of Advent.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, November 24, 2024

From the Ammonite king Hanun’s hostility toward David’s generosity found in 2 Samuel 10, we see some important marks of character in God’s kingdom in its initial, ongoing and final form. Following announcements, Pastor Steve teaches of the kindness from, opposition to, courage of, and victory in the kingdom.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.courage

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, November 17, 2024

David, fulfilling a promise to his friend Jonathan's son: “I will assuredly show kindness to you for the sake of your father... and I will restore... you... and you yourself shall eat at my table..." (2 Sam. 9:7). In his message from 2nd Samuel 9, Pastor Steve connects the kindness of the Lord's anointed king David to the grace of God through Christ. Steve encourages Christ followers to accept, appreciate, and apply toward other the kindness we've been shown. This message follows announcements by Alan Crim and Jesse South.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.

Steve Smith :: Creekside Church :: Sunday, November 10, 2024

“So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:15) In his message about the conquests by Israel’s king David described in 2nd Samuel 8, Pastor Steve highlights the victory, the bounty, and the justice that is always present in God’s kingdom. Steve’s message follows announcements and a recognition of Creekside’s military veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Worship music permitted under CCLI License #264436.