Our blog

February 5 Announcements

Lent is Almost Here!
Sign-ups sheets for soup and side dishes is on the bulletin boards in the hallway.

Ash Wednesday February 18^th 12pm & 6pm! 
February 18^th is Ash Wednesday & We offer two worship opportunities: 12:00 noon and at 6pm.
Holy Communion will be offered at both services.
Worship Assistants are needed in both of these service times. Please reach out to help!

Midweek Lenten services 
Lenten services begin February 25 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall The Format “dinner church” begins with a Soup Supper & is followed by a brief worship using Marty Haugen’s “Holden Evening Prayer.” Choir will gather for practice at 7:15 on those evenings.

Altar Flowers
Thank you to the donators for the last 2 weeks of Altar Flowers, apologies I forgot to include these!!
- Flowers on January 25^th were provided from the Dudgeon Family in honor of Grace’s 24^th ‘Gotcha Day!”
- Flowers on February 1^st were provided from Susan & Dean Fritts in honor of our Hero's
& This Sundays Altar flowers are from Jennie & Dennis Harris in honor of their Anniversary!

Adult Education at Bethany
Beginning on February 22, the first Sunday in Lent, 2x monthly forums will take place after the Sunday service. The first presentation will be by the Housing Resources Board of Bainbridge. We will learn about its history, mission and work. Not only will this presentation be of interest because of Bethany's partnership with HRB but also because of the vital role this organization plays in our community. Come and learn!

Want to Know More About Becoming Part of the Bethany Community?
If you would like information about Bethany Lutheran please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week. Kelsey our office administrator can be emailed at

Pre Communion Classes
If you feel that your child is ready to begin taking the Lord's Supper or feel that they could use some further age-appropriate instruction about what it is about, please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week.

We Need Your Help to Assist During Worship Services
Email Admin for more info – Kelsey –
All help is welcome, special goodies or early set up/after clean up is always appreciated as well!

Helpline House Food Donations- A volunteer to transport any donated items to Helpline House is needed.
The basket by the front entry is for nonperishable food donations to Helpline House. A most needed items list is posted by the basket. Helpline cannot currently accept clothing donations, homemade items or items past their expiration dates. Financial donations to Fishline in Poulsbo and Helpline House of Bainbridge are an annual part of Bethany's budget. Please see Barbara Deines if you are interested. Thank you for your generosity!

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.

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

If you have a Prayer Chain request, please reach out to Kelsey at the Bethany office. You can email or call 206-842-4241.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Alice McClain
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Vicki Browning & Megan Kennedy; Hospitality Host: Kristi Sutton & Becci Kerstetter

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Carol & Ron Fenner; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Barbara & Stephen Deines Hospitality Host: 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.

January 28 Announcements

Want to Know More About Becoming Part of the Bethany Community?
If you would like information about Bethany Lutheran: who we are, what we believe and do, and perhaps how to become a member of our congregation, please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week.

Pre Communion Classes
If you feel that your child is ready to begin taking the Lord's Supper or feel that they could use some further age-appropriate instruction about what it is about, please talk to Pastor Martin or contact the office during the week.

We Need Your Help to Assist During Worship Services
Help Bethany get some fresh faces in the worship assistant roles. A sign-up sheet has been placed on the table outside the Sanctuary. Please sign- up with your Name, Phone & Email is a must!! We need you! Email Admin for more info – Kelsey – Any help is welcome. Special goodies or early set up/after clean up is always appreciated as well!

Second Annual Chili Cook-Off
Sunday's Chili Cook-off currently has eight entries! This is your opportunity for fame and glory! First Place Winner will receive the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy and a gently used ribbon! For the rest of you, please bring sides such as cornbread and desserts. There will be childcare during the Annual Meeting. See you at the Cook-off! Any questions? Contact Kathy Dudgeon at (206) 617-1264 or at

Helpline House Food Donations
The wicker basket next to the front entry is for nonperishable food donations to Helpline House. Financial donations to Fishline in Poulsbo and Helpline House of Bainbridge are an annual part of Bethany's budget. Please use the wicker basket for food donations. Most needed items will be posted by the basket. Helpline cannot currently accept clothing donations, homemade items or items past their expiration dates. A volunteer to transport any donated items to Helpline House is needed. Please see Barbara Deines if you are interested. Thank you for your generosity!

Attention Thrivent Financial Members
Thrivent Financial members with an annuity of at least $25,000 or annual insurance premiums over $1,000 earn Thrivent Choice Dollars.     Members holding Thrivent Choice Dollars have the option of designating their accumulated dollars to any of over 20,000 Lutheran organizations, including Bethany. If you feel you are eligible to participate in the Thrivent Choice Dollar program, or are uncertain about your eligibility, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice for details.
If you are holding 2025 Thrivent Choice Dollars, Thrivent Financial gives members until March 31, 2026, to designate those dollars. 

Adult Education at Bethany
Beginning on February 22, the first Sunday in Lent, twice/monthly forums will take place after the Sunday service. The first presentation will be by the Housing Resources Board of Bainbridge. We will learn about its history, mission and work. Not only will this presentation be of interest because of Bethany's partnership with HRB but also because of the vital role this organization plays in our community. Come and learn!

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.

Prayer Request How to Info
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.

Amabile Choir Schedule
Amabile Choir Rehearsals Tuesdays 6-9:30 in the Sanctuary.

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.

2025 Giving Statements Have Been Mailed.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Linnea Chu
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Luanne & Tom Croker; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Communion Assistants: Linnea Chu & Alice McClain; Hospitality Hosts: Fellowship Committee

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Alice McClain
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Vicki Browning & Karen Kushner; Hospitality Host: Kristi Sutton & Becci Kerstetter

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

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.