November 13 Announcements
Rose on the Altar
The rose on the altar is in honor of Annabelle Marie King, great granddaughter of Mary & Dick Coar. Annabelle was born on November 5 to Julia and Greg King. Welcome Annabelle!
New Weekly Bible Study Offering
Thank you to all who came this past week for Bible study with Pr. Martin and to share ideas and preferences for an ongoing group. There was a strong preference for a weekly Bible study group that was open to everyone. Pr. Martin is looking forward to leading a weekly Bible study on Wednesdays at 9:00am beginning next Wednesday, November 19. This Bible study will take place at the table in the office area. All are welcome!
Installation for Pastor Martin!
Mark your calendars for 3:00pm, Sunday, December 7, when Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee will be here to install Pr. Martin as Bethany’s called Pastor. Reverend Paul Eldred, the pastor at Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity and Pr. Martin’s son, will be preaching at the installation service. Plan now to attend this joyful and important day for the Bethany community.
A Note from the Stewardship Team
A huge thank you to all who have returned their commitment cards. We continue to welcome your Commitment Cards - which you may mail in, bring to the office, or place in the offering plate. Remember that more than 90% of Bethany’s budget is funded through our offerings. This means that we all share in supporting our staff, programming, and mission and outreach – to this community, the wider church, and a world in need. Thank you for your generosity!
Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Bethany will offer a quiet Service of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00pm. This service provides an opportunity to reflect peacefully and with gratitude on all we have. Bethany members are also encouraged to attend the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church.
Kurt Lucke Committal Service
A simple service of commendation and committal will be held for Kurt Lucke on Saturday, November 29 at 2:00pm here at Bethany. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Many Bethany members will remember Claire and Kurt as long-time members before they moved away from the area. All are welcome to come and celebrate Kurt’s life with his family.
Request from the Preschool
We love our preschoolers and their wonderful staff members. We also want to respect the need for the staff to focus on the little ones. For some children having a “stranger” enter the building when class is in session can be very disruptive. It also takes the teacher’s attention away from their students. For this reason we ask that anyone who uses the Education Building to store items limit their access to the building to weekends or week days after 2:00pm. If you have questions for the preschool staff, please contact preschool director Julianne Haggart at
rather than approaching a staff member during class time. Thank you!
CROP Walk
Thank you to all the Bethany folks who contributed to this year’s Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap CROP Hunger Walk/Dance. Bethanians raised $3,950.00 for the CROP Hunger Walk. Total raised from all the faith communities involved was $28,920.85. With the $20,000 matching gift the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap CROP Hunger Walk’s total is $48,920.85 to provide hunger relief locally and around the world.
Advent Fair
The season of Advent is right around the corner! Since the first Sunday in Advent occurs on Thanksgiving weekend, the annual Bethany Advent Fair will take place after worship on Sunday, November 23. Come enjoy some special snacks and Advent crafts as we prepare for the Advent and Christmas season.
Schola Nova Vespers
St. Barnabas' Schola Nova will chant vespers on Sun, Nov 16th, at 6 PM. Please join them for this short contemplative service as they continue their series of women saints, commemorating Queen Margaret of Scotland.
Senior Holiday Giving Program at Helpline House
For the Winter Holidays Helpline House is again going to offer gifts, in the form of $25 gift cards, to Bainbridge seniors (55+). As in previous years, they are asking religious communities to commit to providing some of the gift cards. We are challenging the Bethany community to donate twenty-five $25 gift cards. When you are out shopping the next few weeks, please consider picking up a gift card or two.
The gift cards be from any of the following:
- Ace Hardware
- Amazon
- Eagle Harbor Book Co.
- Safeway
- Starbucks
- Town & Country
Helpline House will distribute the cards the week of December 15th, so please drop them in the offering plates or bring them to the church office no later than December 11th. (Note: the $25 gift cards must be activated before Helpline House receives them.)
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
All are invited to a no-cost Thanksgiving dinner at St. Cecilia's Church on Thursday, November 27 at 11:00am. The dinner will be prepared by local restaurants with vegetarian options available. There is no cost for the dinner but reservations are needed. Register by November 14 by calling IVC (206-8424441), Helpline House (2026-842-7612) or BI Senior Center (206-842-1616).
Amabile Holiday Concerts
The Amabile Choir, directed by our own Sylvia Cauter, invites everyone to their winter concerts, “In the Stillness”. There will be three concerts: Friday, December 5th at 7:30, Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm and Saturday, December 6th at 7:30pm. The Friday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts will take place at St. Cecelia Catholic Church. The Saturday evening concert will be here at Bethany. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://amabilechoir.org/
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Kathy Dudgeon in honor of Doug Dudgeon, who is amazing!
Prayers are Requested: For Dennis Harris' brother, Steve who is recovering at home from a recent fall.
Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Noreen Sievertson; Communion Assistants: Linnea Chu & Jeff Sievertson; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton & Vicki Browning
Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Nancy Wetzler
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Nancy & Harry Wetzler; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistants: Vicki Browning & Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon
Bethany is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, which is an affirmation of welcome that specifically names people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and also expresses a commitment to racial equity.
