May 16th Announcements
Guest Preacher
Pastor Erin is out of the office until Monday, May 20, so she can be with her family in New York to attend her daughter's college graduation. David Swartling has graciously offered to preach and lead worship on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. Please note communion will not be served in worship on Saturday evening. We are especially grateful to hear from David on this Pentecost Sunday. (Be sure to wear red!) Thank you, David!!
Sunday School
Doug Olson, a former science teacher will be filling in for Kathy Dudgeon this weekend in Sunday School. He is looking forward to sharing scripture-based science experiments for Pentecost with the children. There will not be Sunday School on May 26, Memorial Day weekend. Our last day of Sunday School will be June 16. A huge thank you to Kathy for leading our program. While Sunday School takes a break for the summer, we will be planning for the fall and a new program year!
Confirmation Exploration
Our confirmation exploration class is in full swing--and it's a lot of fun! Our next gathering will be on Sunday, May 19, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. All 8th – 12th graders are welcome, even if you weren’t able to attend previous gatherings. We’ll continue to discuss BIG questions about faith and more while we prepare ourselves for baptism and confirmation, which will be celebrated in worship on June 2. Please let Pastor Erin know if you are interested.
There will be NO Saturday worship service on June 1. Please plan to come on Sunday to witness confirmation and baptism!
Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Bible Study group will meet on Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30am. Please note the new time for this Bible Study group.
Debbie Out of the Office
Debbie will be taking a vacation and out of the office May 18 – June 3. Kathy Dudgeon will be providing some limited office coverage over those two weeks. Debbie will have limited or no email access during her vacation so a call to the office is best for any administrative questions or needs during this time. And while Debbie is not visiting her granddaughter during this vacation, she couldn’t resist including a cute picture!
Transition Facilitator
We are blessed to welcome Pastor David Hahn, to Bethany as our Transition Facilitator. Pastor Hahn will be working with the Transition Team and also the Call Committee as we move forward in our discernment process to call a new pastor. Pastor Hahn is going to preach and lead worship for us on Saturday, May 25 at 5:00 pm. Please consider attending on Saturday night to meet Pastor Hahn and welcome him to Bethany!
Pastor Hahn has a ministry and academic background and currently serves the synod offices part-time. Here's a little snippet from the synod website to help you know something about him: Pastor Hahn brings imagination, curiosity, playfulness and thoughtfulness to his position as the synod’s Director of Formation and Learning. His central focus can be said to be living at the intersection between the Holy Spirit’s leadership and listening practices.
He is most excited about developing the LiVE Project alongside a faithful team of synod leaders. Living into Vocational Engagement, LiVE, is the synod’s newest initiative focused on partnering with lay leaders to deepen their own exploration and discovery of God’s passion for their lives and communities.
Transition Team Seeks Your Comments
As we live in this time of change and growth, the Transition Team invites Bethanians to share comments about our current and future life together. While the Transition Team might share suggestions and comments received with the congregational council or the community, this will be done anonymously. Comments and suggestions can be emailed by clicking this email address:
Christian Nationalism: A Threat to the Gospel and Democracy
Plan now to come to worship on Sunday, June 9 when our guest pastor will be the Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse. In addition to preaching during the service, Rev. Rouse will lead an adult forum after the service. The forum will explore the phenomena that is sweeping the country known as White Christian Nationalism and discover why it threatens both our democracy and the future of the Christian Witness in the United States. We will also unpack the myth that America was founded as a Christian nation. Rev. Rouse is the author of The World is About to Turn: Mending a Nation’s Broken Faith (2020), and A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (August 2024 release date).
Supporting Martha & Mary
Giant bouquets of gratitude to you most generous Bethanians for your support of the annual Martha and Mary Generations of Care auction offerings! A special thanks to the quilters and the altar guild for their stellar efforts. Bethany’s support of the mission of Martha and Mary serving seniors and children is well noted. Thank you, thank you. From your delegates: Benay Nordby, Kristi Sutton and Noreen Sievertson, and Board members: Lynn Nordby and Linnea Chu.
And registration is now open for the online auction. For more information visit the Martha and Mary website or click here to register.
Schola Nova’s Vespers
Vespers is a short, contemplative service which marks the transition from day to evening. You are invited to join us for music and readings which celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, May 19, 6:00pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are provided by the altar guild in celebration of Pentecost.
Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Luanne & Tom Croker; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Miriam Barrenger & Alice McCain
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Noreen Sievertson; Communion Assistant: Jeff Sievertson; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter & Vicki Browning
