November 21, 2024 Announcements
Transgender
Did you know that Transgender Day of Remembrance is commemorated on November 20 each year? Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is the single most significant observance on the calendar for transgender communities. The tone of TDoR is more like a funeral, memorial, or wake; the observances reflect the impact that murder and suicide has on the tapestry of the transgender community and the very real lives represented by the names of those who have been lost. The first response when loved ones are lost is grief, and TDoR creates a space to acknowledge that grief publicly, in a way that is similar to a funeral, memorial service, or wake. To honor TDoR, our congregation was invited to choose five names of transgender people who were lost to murder or suicide over the last year, and to honor them by saying their names and lighting a candle in their honor. During this weekend's worship services, we will include them in our prayers and say their names aloud. There will be five candles lit on the altar in their honor. To learn more about TDoR, please click this link from our partners at Reconciling Works: 10 Things every Lutheran should know about Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Youth Group and Confirmation
Youth Group and Confirmation students will meet this Sunday, November 24, from 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall for our bible study and confirmation instruction. All students in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend (even if you've already been confirmed). The first hour of our gathering will be spent on bible study, and during the second half, we'll move into confirmation preparation. Please be in touch with Pastor Erin with any questions, or to be added to the "Youth Group" Group Chat!
Advent
Advent begins on Sunday, December 1. This year, our Advent theme is "More than Words," which will offer us an opportunity to delve into the meaning of the words we associate with the Advent wreath candles we light each Sunday: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Mark your calendars, there are several special things planned throughout the season.
An Advent fair will be held on Sunday, December 1 after worship which will include seasonal snacks, crafts, and activities for all ages! The Rachel Circle will have a table during the Advent Fair offering decorative mats, perfect for a snack, candle or vase. They will be collecting a free-will offering for Women of the ELCA. Be sure to stop by their table. Advent Calendars from Divine Chocolates are available for purchase for $8 now until the Advent Fair (or until supplies run out). Be sure to get yours today!
On Saturday, December 7, we will have a special "Blue Christmas" service at our usual 5:00pm worship time. A "Blue Christmas" service offers solace to those who are grieving, or for whom the Christmas season just doesn't feel like "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The worship is contemplative in nature, and will create space for the acknowledgement of the heaviness of the season while also offering hope and healing.
Caroling and cookie delivery to our homebound members is scheduled after worship on Sunday, December 15. Please feel free to join Bethany choir members in this warmly appreciated seasonal tradition.
Christmas Eve services will be held at Bethany at 5:00pm (a family service) and 10:00pm (a candlelight service).
Please note there will be no Saturday night worship services on November 30 or December 28.
Youth Group Clothes & Necessities Drive
The Bethany Youth are conducting a clothing and cold weather necessities drive for those in our community. Helpline House has indicated that they are in need of items such as warm winter coats, socks, mittens, hats, gloves, and tents. The youth are also collecting hygiene items, small toys, and books which will go to a shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence. Please help this dedicated group of Bethany Youth in their efforts to live into Jesus' commandment to love our God and our neighbors as ourselves. Donated items can be placed in the basket in the Narthex. Thank you for thinking of our neighbors in need!
Thanksgiving Services
Bethany will offer a service of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:00pm. The service includes a Thanksgiving litany and special music by the choir.
The Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council will offer a family-friendly service on Tuesday, November 26, 7:00pm at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church. Gratitude is a universal virtue of faith, and every member organization is asked to contribute in some way: Song, Prayer, Scripture, Silent Meditation, and more. All are welcome to come and to learn more about the faith of your neighbors.
Memorial Service
A memorial service to celebrate Barbara Michael’s life will be held at Bethany on Saturday, November 23 at 1:00pm with a reception at Bethany to follow. All are welcome to come and remember Barbara.
Holiday Community Meals
Again this year, our community of restaurants, volunteers and St. Cecilia’s are working together to provide Holiday meals to anyone who will be alone or could use a spark of joy. The November meal is on Thanksgiving Day. In December, the holiday meal will be on Saturday, December 21. Several local restaurants generously donate and prepare food. Volunteers will serve or assemble and deliver meals on Thanksgiving morning. The Thanksgiving dinner will take place at St Cecilia’s as a sit-down meal in a festive dining room on Thanksgiving Day 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Bethany has reserved a table of 6-8. Please let Pastor Erin know if you are interested in joining the Bethany table.
For more information, or to reserve a spot for the December holiday meal, please call the BI Senior Center (206) 842-1616 or IVC - (206) 842-4441.
See the flyer on the hallway bulletin board for more information.
2024 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 our seniors (55+). As in previous years, they are asking churches and congregations to help us spread the word and commit to providing a certain amount from each. We would like to challenge the Bethany community to donate twenty-five $25 gift cards.
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 16th, so please bring them to the church office no later than December 12th. (Note: the $25 gift cards must be activated before Helpline House receives them.)
Amabile Concerts
Amabile is proud to present their Winter 2024 program, “This Shining Night”. Their program name is drawn from a work composed by Morten Lauridsen with lyrics by poet James Rufus Agee, “Sure on this Shining Night”. The words are lovely, optimistic, and soothing - a balm for these trying times. They’ll be joined once again by the Olympic Serenade String Quartet, and will be singing a collection of gorgeous songs of the season, both sacred and secular. The concerts will be offered on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm at Bethany. A Saturday matinee concert will take place on December 7 at 2:00pm at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Tickets are available at Dana’s on Bainbridge Island or by visiting amabilechoir.org.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by the Dudgeon Family in gratitude for our Bethany community.
Prayers are requested: for the family of Shirley Funk as they mourn her death; for Kathy Dudgeon as she undergoes a heart procedure on Friday; for Doug Dudgeon as he supports Kathy and grades papers.
Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Alice McCain & Linnea Chu
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Host: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter & Claire Dasler
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Saturday 5:00pm – No 5:00pm Service
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Jeff Sievertson & TBD; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistant: Barbara Deines; Hospitality Hosts: Nancy & Harry Wetzler
