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November 16, 2023

November 16 Announcements

Faith Formation: Join us for Sunday school this week when we'll learn about all the ways Jesus heals people just by showing compassion. Sometimes, he even has to break rules to show people the love of God! We'll imagine together ways we might be compassionate to those around us even if others say it's the "wrong" thing to do. We'll also enjoy snacks and other fun activities. Children are invited to join the Sunday school teacher after the children's message in worship to walk together to the education building. There will be no Sunday school on November 26 due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Join us for a special Adult Education offering after worship on Sunday, November 19, in the Sanctuary. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and keeping the peace at family gatherings around the table, we'll learn together how to talk across the divide. Have you ever begun to have a conversation with your favorite Uncle only to be flabbergasted by his opinion on something you adamantly disagree with? How do you continue the conversation in a peaceful, meaningful way without sacrificing your own opinion or the relationship? There is a way! Come learn about some conversational tools to use when you have hard conversations--and have a little fun trying them out in a role-playing activity.

Transgender Day of Remembrance: Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) is observed yearly on November 20. The Rainbow Crew Northwest, a nonprofit resource for the LGBTQ community, invites area churches and temples to read aloud a short list of names of Transgender people who died by violence or suicide in the last year. To honor those who have died, we will read the names of five individuals and light a candle on the altar during our prayers at worship services this weekend. People of faith are also welcome to attend a TDoR ceremony at BIMA at 5:00 to convey a message of hope for local trans youth and their families.

Thanksgiving Eve Service: Bethany will offer a service of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00pm. The service includes a Thanksgiving litany and special music by the choir. It is also an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Thanksgiving altar, decorated by altar guild members Whitney Lane, Linnea Chu, Barbara Swartling, Vickie Bech, and Ruth Bartunek. Thank you!

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Gratitude is a universal virtue of faith, and every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we gather together to worship in our unique ways. Every Interfaith Council member organization is asked to contribute in some way: Song, Prayer, Scripture, Silent Meditation, and more. The 2023 Interfaith Thanksgiving service takes place on Tuesday, November 21, 7:00pm at the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-Day Saints. This family-friendly event is a simple way to learn more about the faith of your neighbors. All are welcome.

Advent at Bethany: Advent begins on Sunday, December 3 and children and families are invited to participate in worship throughout the Advent season. If your child/young person and/or whole family are interested in lighting the Advent candles during worship, please let Pastor Erin know. Please note there will be no Sunday school during the Advent season so that we can all worship together during this special season.

Advent Fair: Plan now to stay after worship on Sunday, December 3 for Bethany’s annual Advent Fair! We'll enjoy seasonal crafts and festive snacks as we prepare ourselves for Advent, the season of waiting and preparation. All are invited to participate--there's something for everyone, including interactive Advent calendars, take-home devotionals, and a light catcher craft. Folks who attend the Saturday evening service are welcome to come Sunday morning for the Advent Fair. Please join us!

Impact Gathering: November's Impact, "Bring-Your-Favorite-Thanksgiving-Side-Dish Potluck," was a great success! We enjoyed hearing stories about family Thanksgiving traditions, and tasted some new and familiar dishes. We also added to the Helpline House food donations basket for our neighbors. For December's Impact gathering, we invite you to join us on Sunday, December 3 after worship for the Advent Fair for fun crafts, snacks and other activities to prepare for Advent. (Please note we will not meet in the late afternoon as usual).

Amabile Concerts: The Amabile Choir presents "Songs For a Winter's Night" at Bethany Lutheran Church on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 PM & 7:30 PM. Tickets are on sale at amabilechoir.org and at Dana's on Bainbridge. The Choir looks forward to sharing their holiday music with you!

Compline Services: Compline services are being offered again on the first Sunday of the month at St Cecelia’s Church at 7:00pm. The next Compline service is on December 3.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Barbara and David Swartling in celebration of their 53^rd wedding anniversary.

Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Linnea Chu (Saturday); Alice McCain (Sunday)
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett: Hospitality Host: Marlene & Al Orwiler
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Linda Knudsen; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Benay & Lynn Nordby

Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Joe Sommerseth; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris: Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Host: Debbie & Andy Rimkus

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November 9, 2023

November 9 Announcements

Faith Formation: This week in Sunday School we'll hear the story of the widow of Nain and how Jesus showed compassion and mercy for her when she was grieving for her son. We'll learn that by practicing the same kind of empathy Jesus showed, we become more aware of how we can be helpful to those around us. Together, we'll imagine ways we can practice empathy with others in our lives. Join us for discussion, good company, crafts, and a yummy snack! Children are invited to join the Sunday School teacher at the back of the sanctuary after the children's message in worship. The teacher will accompany kids to the education building. In addition to the Children's Corner in the sanctuary, nursery care is also available on the upper level of the education building. Please be sure to register your children at drop-off.

Please join us for Adult Education after worship in the sanctuary when we'll welcome Barbara Deines, author of Sleepy Eye Dreams. Sleepy Eye was the name of a Dakota chief and is the name of the Minnesota town her father grew up in. The book is available anywhere books are sold - including Eagle Harbor Books. If there are no more on the shelf, they can be ordered. Barbara will share with us about her inspiration for the book, the process of writing it, and what it means to her to be able to tell her family's story. Come for what promises to be a great discussion--and who knows, maybe you'll leave inspired to write your own story!

Holden Evening Prayer: Our next Holden Evening Prayer service will be this Saturday, November 11 at 5:00pm

November Impact Gathering: Come for our next Impact Gathering this Sunday, Nov. 12 from 4:00-5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Being the "official" season of Thanksgiving, we'll be doing a "Bring-Your-Favorite-Thanksgiving-Side-Dish" potluck (no turkey, just sides and desserts). We also invite you to bring a donation of a non-perishable food item to contribute to the food bank. Join us for a festive gathering when we will give thanks, break bread, pray, and offer ourselves as the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Please let Pastor Erin know if you think you might attend.

November Bible Study: The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group will meet on Monday, November 13 at 9:30am. The Men’s Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, November 14 at 8:00am. All Bible Study groups meet in fellowship hall.

Confirmation Class: The next confirmation class will be held Monday, November 13 at 2:00pm. Students should meet Pastor Paul at the Woodward Middle School office.

An Affordable Housing Vision Coming Into Focus: Last Sunday a second gathering at Bethany took an initial look at three preliminary drawings prepared by architect consultant Jonathan Davis showing what an affordable housing community could look like on Bethany’s property. His work was inspired by the conversation (and work with Legos!) at a prior gathering in early October. After an initial presentation on Sunday, participants took time to more closely examine each potential layout and provide written feedback. The same three drawings are available for review at Bethany along with comment cards on which you can indicate what you like and dislike about each possibility.

In addition, the pre-application process for a Finch Green LLC project has been officially initiated with the City of Bainbridge Island! Stay tuned as the long-time vision for affordable housing on Bethany property moves closer to reality!

A Community Conversation on Homelessness: Gregg Colburn, author of Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, is back with another book talk on the island, this time with an introduction by HRB Executive Director Phedra Elliott. If you missed his talk last May as part of our series, perhaps you’ll catch him now. At HRB, we were feeling the energy from that event for months after — so much good information and so many surprises, leaving attendees with a new perspective on the problem of homelessness and new hope for what we can achieve when we identify its root causes. The free talk takes place on Thursday, November 16, 7:30pm at Stan Pocock Rowing Center.

Faith Action Network (FAN) Annual Dinner: FAN is an advocacy organization with which Bethany has been long associated, and Bethany members have a tradition of attending their annual advocacy day and their annual dinner. The annual dinner this year takes place in Renton, on Sunday, November 19, with a 4:30 social hour and a 5:30 dinner. Those interested in attending in person or via Zoom may register online at FANWA.org/Annual-Dinner. If you are attending in person and would like to perhaps share a table, contact Alice McCain.

Finding Joy: The First Church of Christ, Scientist are hosting a talk on “Finding Joy, Health, Hope for All”. Joy can seem fleeting – or even nonexistent. But it’s actually fundamental to our nature – unshakable, because it rests on a dependable good. The talk takes place at the Bainbridge Public Library on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00am. All are welcome.

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Wayne Daley in celebration of his 87^th birthday.

Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jim Rohrscheib; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen: Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Nancy & Harry Wetzler; Lay Reader: Harry Wetzler; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Miriam Barrenger & Alice McCain

Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Linnea Chu (Saturday); Alice McCain (Sunday)
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett: Hospitality Host: Marlene & Al Orwiler
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Linda Knudsen; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Benay & Lynn Nordby

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