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February 8 Announcements

Sunday School: Sunday school for kiddos up to sixth grade is available on Sunday, Feb. 11 after the children's message in worship. Kathy Dudgeon has planned a lesson of love in the spirit of Valentine's Day and God's unfailing love for all of creation. Come to enjoy festive activities, including crafts and a snack!

Men’s Bible Study: The Men's Bible Study will meet in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 8:00 a.m. Our discussion will be centered on two readings from Mark's gospel: Mark 9:2-9, the Transfiguration of Jesus, and Mark 1:9-15, the first Gospel reading of the Lenten season. We'll also talk about how we want to move forward with our study--so feel free to bring your ideas, curiosities, and suggestions. Please join us for Tuesday's study and conversation; everyone is welcome! Feel free to invite friends and neighbors, too.

The Season of Lent: Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Ash Wednesday. Please join us in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. for a service of the Imposition of Ashes. Midweek services will continue throughout Lent on Wednesday evenings, beginning with a light soup and bread supper at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall and devotional worship at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.  Please come and consider signing up to make soup or bread (see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board). 

This year's Lenten theme is "The Seed of Joy," which may seem better suited to the Christmas season, but joy isn't unique to one season of the church year or another, just as joy isn't unique to one season of our lives or another. Joy is everywhere, always pointing us to God's presence, even in life's darkest seasons and moments. Using a series by Barn Geese Worship (The Seed of Joy: Eucharistic Prayer © 2023 Barn Geese) as our guide, we'll explore the nature of joy in our lives, how it reveals itself in all kinds of experiences, how it mixes itself with other emotions, and how it can teach us something about the complexity and beauty of God.  

An interactive prayer wall will be available in the sanctuary beginning on Ash Wednesday, and each week, a different prayerful activity will be introduced, reflecting the theme. Candles will always be available for prayer, along with a suggested activity. Take-home devotions will also be available for personal reflection. Please pick yours up on the table in the Narthex.

Join us for a season of contemplation and cultivation--and nurture the seed of joy in your heart.

2023 Giving Statements: The 2023 Giving Statements were mailed earlier this week. If you did not receive yours and need a copy, contact Debbie in the office. If you have questions about your statement, contact financial secretary Kristi Sutton at 206-842-2441.

Memorial for Wayne Daley: A memorial service celebrating Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, March 15 at 2:00pm. All are welcome. 

Congratulations!: Our heartiest congratulations to DeMar and Pat Sather who are celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary. Please join their daughter Ann in helping them celebrate this Sunday at a special coffee hour following the 10:00am service.

 Blood Drive at Bethany: Bloodworks Northwest will be holding a two-day blood drive at Bethany on February 22 and 23. It takes 1,000 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in the greater community. Please consider donating and make an appointment today by visiting bloodworksnw.org. 

Interfaith Climate Circle Event: The BINK Interfaith Climate Circle invites everyone to Awakening Our Relationship with the Web of Life, Friday March 8^th, 6:30-8:30pm. The event will take place in Bethany’s fellowship hall. It will focus on imagining a new earth-centered civilization that welcomes love and justice for all life. All faiths, traditions, spiritual beliefs, and/or worldviews are welcome. For more information contact Mike Cox at . To RSVP, email .

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by the Morris family in memory of grandparents.

Prayers are requested: for Jonathan Tiller as he deals with some health issues; former Bethany member B.J. Winship as she mourns the death of husband, Jim.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Norm Davis; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Birgit Davis & Carolyn Weiss
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Colleen & Steve Chupik; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter & Ann Sather                

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jennie Harris; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris; Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Stephen Deines & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistant: Barbara Deines; Hospitality Host: Benay & Lynn Nordby

February 1 Announcements

Pastor Paul’s Last Sunday: The Fellowship Committee would like to thank the members of the congregation for their contributions, both monetarily and in food, for Pastor Paul's last Sunday.  For those who were able to join us, your presence and warmth towards him on that important day in his life was truly a blessing.

2024 Annual Meeting: The Bethany 2024 Annual Meeting will be this Sunday, February 4^th at 11:00am in fellowship hall. The agenda for the Annual Meeting will include passing a 2024 budget, approving the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes and election of 2024 council members and 2024 nominating committee members.  It also includes voting on an important resolution concerning the affordable housing initiative. Click here for the Annual Meeting agenda. Click here for the proposed 2024 budget. Click here for the affordable housing resolution. Click here for the 2023 Annual Report.

Office Email Issue: The Bethany staff continues to experience issues with sending emails. We receive emails but are not able to send emails including replies. This is an issue with our email platform provider and their tech support is working on it. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to call the office with questions until the issue is resolved.

February Bible Study: The Rachel Circle Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, February 6 at 10:00am. The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group will meet on Monday, February 12 at 9:30am. The Men’s Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00am.

The Season of Lent: The Lenten season is just around the corner. It begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Ash Wednesday, when we'll have a special mid-week evening service at 7:00 pm for the imposition of the ashes. We'll continue to meet throughout the season on Wednesday evenings, beginning with a light soup supper in the fellowship hall at 6:30 pm, followed by an introspective time of worship in the sanctuary from 7:00-7:15 pm. Please come and consider signing up to make soup or bread (see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board). 

This year's Lenten theme is "The Seed of Joy," which may seem better suited to the Christmas season, but joy isn't unique to one season of the church year or another, just as joy isn't unique to one season of our lives or another. Joy shows itself everywhere, always pointing us to God's presence, even in the darkest seasons and moments of life. Using a series by Barn Geese Worship (The Seed of Joy: Eucharistic Prayer © 2023 Barn Geese) as our guide, we'll explore the nature of joy in our lives, how it reveals itself in all kinds of experiences, how it mixes itself with other emotions, and how it can teach us something about the complexity and beauty of God.  

An interactive prayer wall will be available in the sanctuary beginning on Ash Wednesday, and each week, a different prayerful activity will be introduced reflective of the theme. There will always be candles available for prayer in addition to any suggested activity. Take-home devotions will be available for personal reflection as well. 

Join us for a season of contemplation and cultivation--and nurture the seed of joy right there in your heart.

Blood Drive at Bethany: Bloodworks Northwest will be holding a two-day blood drive at Bethany on February 22 and 23. It takes 1,000 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in the greater community. Please consider donating and make an appointment today by clicking here. 

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Alice and Bruce McCain in gratitude for Pastor Erin’s ministry with us.

Prayers are requested: for Marcy Daley and the Daley family as they mourn the death of Wayne. A memorial service celebrating Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, March 15 at 2:00pm

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Carol Fenner; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon              

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: TBD
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Norm Davis; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Birgit Davis & Carolyn Weiss
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Colleen & Steve Chupik; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Host: Becci Kerstetter & Ann Sather