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January 22 Announcements

The Return of the Bethany Chili Contest!!
Plan to stay for lunch after the Annual Meeting. We will have worked up an appetite just in time to celebrate another successful meeting.  If you are ready for a return match & show your chili is this year's favorite, please sign up on the bulletin board. Last year the competition was stiff, we can't wait to taste this year's concoctions. Please let us know if you are making a beef, poultry, or vegetarian option. If you are not bringing chili, please bring corn bread, salad, or cookies. Any questions? Contact Kathy Dudgeon at (206) 617-1264 or at

No Mid Week Bible Study
Mid week bible study will next meet Wednesday February 4.

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Prayer Chain Requests Welcome!
If you have a Prayer Chain request, please reach out to Kelsey at the Bethany office. You can email or call 206-842-4241. Please include details you would like included in the prayer chain email. Thank you! We are in this together.

Help Needed for Sunday Worship Service
We need your help! The same people are providing the goodies and the labor for the fellowship time week after week. We need your help! Could you bring baked things? Could you help set up or clean up? Any help is greatly appreciated. Please email the Bethany Office or a sign up sheet will be near the Usher/Greeter envelopes if you can help!

Year End Giving
2025 Year End Giving Statements are being prepared to be mailed next week.

Amabile Choir Schedule
Amabile Choir Auditions Saturday January 24 in the Sanctuary 10-12 & Rehearsals are Tuesdays 6-9:30.

Schola Nova at St. Barnabas
Schola Nova will chant vespers on Sunday, February 15, at 6 PM. Please join us for this short contemplative service at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for a commemoration of the Transfiguration.

Altar Flowers
Please consider sponsoring altar flowers for a weekend in honor or memory of a loved one. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate or remember someone special—sign up to provide or donate for a weekend.

 Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McClain; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Rachel Pritchett & Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Becci Kerstetter & Vicki Browning

Social Media Links!
Bethany Lutheran Church - ELCA Facebook 
BethanyLutheranELCA Instagram

January 15 Announcements

Gratitude!
A huge thank you from Debbie Rimkus for all your good wishes upon her retirement. She is grateful for the time she had as your church administrator, for your friendship and your generosity! While it is still new, she is thoroughly enjoying retirement!!

Our Christmas Tree Assistance Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to the following individuals for their time, care, and teamwork in setting up and taking down the Christmas tree and decorations.
Gail Christensen & Linnea Chu for their beautiful service in the Advent Sanctuary.
Doug Olsen & Andy Rimkus for bringing in and setting up the tree with such ease and efficiency.
Selina & Gary Johnson for the care and attention given to the tree lighting.
Barbara Swartling, Vickie Bech, Gail Christensen, & Heather Ballain for the beautiful decorating of the tree.
Tim Carlsen, Nancy Wetzler, Linnea Chu, Barbara Swartling, Kathy Dudgeon, Gail Christensen, Noreen & Jeff Sievertson, Melanie Olson, & Vickie Bech for their dedication & teamwork in taking down the Christmas décor and tree.
You all did such a wonderful job, and we are truly grateful for the gifts of time and service you shared with our church community.

Annual Meeting!
Bethany’s Annual Congregation Meeting is February 1, 2026.
If you have a report to turn in, please give it to Kelsey by January 22.

February 1 Chili Cook Off
We are having a chili contest after the congregational meeting on February 1^st. We have a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for those who want to bring chili. We suggest the chili be brought to the kitchen before church in a crockpot so it will be kept warm. Those not bringing chili could bring corn bread or other sides. We will stay in the sanctuary after church service and have the annual meeting. Then we will go to the fellowship hall for the chili potluck.

Columbarium Help Needed
We are looking for someone to assist Kelsey in removing and replacing shutters when a niche on a shutter gets engraved. They are heavy and difficult for one person. Please let Kelsey know if you are willing and able.

Fellowship Assistance Help Needed
We need your help! The same people are providing the goodies and the labor for the fellowship time week after week. Can you help by baking things? Could you help set up or clean up? Any help is greatly appreciated. Please email or call Kelsey if you can help.

Year End Giving
2025 Year End Giving Statements will be mailed by the end of January 2026.

Bethany Facebook and Instagram
We are hoping to begin live streaming! Please Like & Follow our updated Social Media accounts. Facebook: “Bethany Lutheran – ELCA”,
& Instagram: “bethanylutheranelca” Look out for updates on news and events.

Sign up for Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower sign up sheet for 2026 is available on the hallway bulletin board. Please consider signing up for a weekend to provide altar flowers in honor or memory of a special person or event.

 We are in this Together!
If you know of someone who needs prayers or comfort following surgery, a fall, or just feeling isolated please let Kelsey know. She will make sure that person is followed up with to see how we can help. We are in this together.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
      Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Stephen Deines & Tim Carlsen; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Carol & Ron Fenner Hospitality Host: Nancy Wetzler & Karen Kurshner 

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McClain; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Rachel Pritchett & Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Becci Kerstetter & Vicki Browning

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.