Our blog

March 19 Announcements

Easter
We are looking forward to a festive, but simple, meal after Worship on Easter Sunday, April 5.  Your Fellowship Committee will provide assorted breads, juice, tea and coffee.  If you are able, please bring fruit or colored hard-boiled or deviled eggs.  Thank you!”
 

Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, April 12 following Worship
Please stay after Worship on April 12 to receive a Finch Green update and to authorize the Bethany Council to take necessary steps to implement the Conveyance Agreement to transfer a portion of Bethany's property to HRB and to approve and enter necessary agreements for shared management of properties used by both Bethany and HRB

Mystery Dinner
It’s back - we had so much fun last year that we will again use our powers of detection to solve a murder. But with a different ending! This time it’s in the glorious fashion age of the 1970’s. We are on a cruise ship and an up-and-coming vocalist on board is found dead. Can you join us? You may sign up to be a specific character or only to attend, and you will be assigned to a team. See the bulletin board for sign-ups
What: Mystery Dinner with Spaghetti provided 
       (meat and vegan sauces, gluten free option) 
       Please bring a salad or dessert
When: April 18 at 5:00
Where: Bethany Fellowship Hall
Dress: 70’s fashion optional but highly encouraged
Special attraction: Off the Grid will play hits from the era with guest vocalists
Questions: Contact Mary Jensen (206) 913-3236 or 

Mid-Week Bible Study
Last week we started studying The Book of Revelation, God’s Message of Hope to a Church in Troubled Times.

Lenten Midweek Worship
Join us at 6:00 Wednesday evenings in Lent as we share Soup, Worship (using Holden Evening Prayer) and a brief Meditation. Our theme this year is, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”, exploring Jesus’ words of radical, grace-filled discipleship.

Ramping Up The Bethany Mission Endowment Fund
Since its inception in the 1990’s, the Bethany Mission Endowment Fund has opened our eyes about amazing ministries far and wide that can be supported by our congregation.  From Operation Bootstrap Africa to Helpline House on Bainbridge Island, from the ELCA International Women Leaders Initiative to the Bainbridge Island Senior Center, Bethany Mission Endowment Fund grants have demonstrated the care and compassion of our congregation and put into practice our calling to love our neighbors. Now in 2026, a new brochure has been created about the Endowment Fund, and grant applications are ready to be distributed. Pick up a brochure next week and reflect on potential grant recipients who represent an extension of our commitment to demonstrate our passion for God and compassion for others!

 

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.

Helpline House Food Donations
We recently debuted our Little Red Wagon as a way to highlight our ministry to our neighbors living with food scarcity. Each first Sunday, the Sunday School will bring up our offerings of food as we bring the financial mission support offerings. Most needed items this week are: Condiments, Sugar and Sweeteners, Breakfast cereals, Non-dairy milkshake, and Cat food.

Bethany Facebook and Instagram
Bethany Lutheran Church - ELCA Facebook 
BethanyLutheranELCA Instagram

Want to Join 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’s contact information is below.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Steve Christensen; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistants: Ron & Carol Fenner; Hospitality Hosts: Karen Kushner & Kristi Sutton

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants: (Palm Sunday)
        Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Steve Deines & Jim Rohrschieb; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Barbara & David Swartling; Hospitality Hosts: Doug & Kathy Dudgeon & Barbara Deines

Additions to Announcements, Prayer Chain requests, and questions can be directed to Kelsey, Bethany’s Office Administrator:
Email or Call 206.842.4241.

“Passion for God, Compassion for Others”

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.

March 12 Announcements

Alice & Bruce McCain’s 60^th Anniversary!
Stay for coffee hour after worship services to join in celebrating their 60th Anniversary!

Mid-Week Bible Study
Starting this Wednesday we will be studying The Book of Revelation, God’s Message of Hope to a Church in Troubled Times.

Lenten Midweek Worship
Join us at 6:00 Wednesday evenings in Lent as we share Soup, Worship (using Holden Evening Prayer) and a brief Meditation. Our theme this year is, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”, exploring Jesus’ words of radical, grace-filled discipleship.

Ramping Up The Bethany Mission Endowment Fund
Driving into Bethany Lutheran Church you see the sign declaring what we are about: “Passion for God, Compassion for Others”. Thanks to the Bethany Mission Endowment Fund, new and meaningful ways to live into demonstrating compassion for others have surfaced over the years.  For example, in addition to the grant recipients described last week, here are some other recipients of Bethany Endowment Fund grants: Helpline House; Lutheran Community Services Northwest; Lutheran Peace Fellowship; Oshigambo High School in Namibia; Operation Bootstrap Africa. Give some thought to identifying potential grant recipients in 2026 and stay tuned to receive more information about the Bethany Endowment Fund in the weeks ahead. We anticipate that a brochure will soon be available, as well as application forms!  Stay tuned!!

Adult Education at Bethany!
Stay after service this week and we will take a close look at the work of Operation Bootstrap Africa and the long relationship that Bethany has had with it. Come hear the rhythmic music of the Maasai girls' choir!

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.

Helpline House Food Donations
We recently debuted our Little Red Wagon as a way to highlight our ministry to our neighbors living with food scarcity. Each first Sunday, the Sunday School will bring up our offerings of food as we bring the financial mission support offerings. Most needed items this week are: Condiments, Sugar and Sweeteners, Breakfast cereals, Non-dairy milkshake, and Cat food.

Bethany Facebook and Instagram
Bethany Lutheran Church - ELCA Facebook 
BethanyLutheranELCA Instagram

Want to Join 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’s contact information is below.

Spring Music Festival with BINK Interfaith Council
Sunday March 15 3-4:30 at St. Cecilia’s. The concert is typically an hour long and features entries from all of our council member organizations. There is also a unifying choir number and opportunities for the audience to sing and dance. Everyone leaves uplifted.

Vespers at St. Barnabas’ Schola Nova
St. Barnabas' Schola Nova will chant vespers on Sunday, March 15, at 6 PM. Please join us for this short contemplative service as we commemorate the Annunciation.

Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Alice McCain
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Jim Rohrscheib & Stephen Deines; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Jonathan Tiller & Megan Kennedy; Hospitality Hosts: Alice & Bruce McCain

Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
        Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Steve Christensen; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Jonathan Tiller & Megan Kennedy; Hospitality Hosts: Alice & Bruce McCain

Additions to Announcements, Prayer Chain requests, and questions can be directed to Kelsey, Bethany’s Office Administrator: Email or Call 206.842.4241.

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.