November 30 Announcements
Youth and Family Faith Formation: The first Sunday of Advent is this Sunday, December 3. There will be no Sunday school or nursery care available throughout the Advent season so that we can all worship together in the sanctuary. Are you or your family interested in lighting the Advent candle(s) at the beginning of worship? We're looking for three candle lighters for each week of the Advent season. There is a short sentence of scripture to be read with each lighting. If you or your family would like to light the Advent Candle on a particular Sunday, please let Pastor Erin know! We will not have our regular monthly Impact meeting in December, and instead, we invite you and your family to enjoy a special Advent Fair after worship on December 3. There will be fun Advent activities, a devotional and Advent calendar to take home to use with your family, and yummy snacks for all. Please plan on staying after worship this Sunday for the Advent Fair in the Fellowship Hall!
Adult Education: Please join us for a special three-week Advent Adult Education Forum co-led by Fred Truitt and Pastor Erin. This creative study is reflective of the season and will offer scriptural, poetic, and theological insights. It's interactive and discussion based, so please come for learning and sharing. Fred has also made available some Advent books from his own collection for you to borrow to enrich your own Advent reflection at home. Come and experience what promises to be a meaningful and thought provoking offering this Advent season. Everyone is welcome! We meet in the sanctuary after worship.
Advent Devotionals: With many thanks to Fred Truitt, this year our Advent devotional will be in the form of poetry--one for each day of the season including a reflection prompt for your personal use. Beginning on the first day of Advent, December 3, you'll receive one poem and reflection prompt by email--so don't forget to check your inbox for daily inspiration! Hard copies of all the poems and reflection prompts (plus a resource list of Advent books) is available on the table in the Narthex.
Stewardship Packets: Packets for the 2024 Stewardship Campaign have been mailed. Thank you to all of you who have turned in a pledge card and Time-and-Talent Survey. In this time of transition, giving generously of your time and financial support is even more important. If you have not yet had a chance, please take some time this weekend to complete your pledge card and Time & Talent Survey and turn them into the office or drop them in the collection plate. Pledge cards and surveys are also available on the table in the narthex.
December Bible Study: The Rachel Circle Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, December 5 at 10am. The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group will meet on Monday, December 11 at 9:30am. The Men’s Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, December 12 at 8:00am. All Bible study groups meet in fellowship hall.
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!
Christmas Caroling: Calling anyone who enjoys singing Christmas carols! Everyone is invited to gather after the 10am service on Sunday, December 10 and venture out to sing Christmas carols to Bethany members who are unable to come to church. Carolers will also bring Christmas joy by delivering cookies provided by the Altar Guild’s annual cookie exchange on Thursday, December 7. Sign up for caroling on the hallway bulletin board.
Winter Wonders Holiday at Bloedel Reserve: Plan now to meet at church at 1:00 on December 17 to carpool to the reserve for a "wintry walk through the gardens and pause at the Residence to enjoy festive decorations, photo opportunities, and community-oriented activities". Several members of the congregation have memberships so we can get some people into the gardens at no cost. Reservations are required at Bloedel so the last day to sign up for the walk is December 10. The first to sign up will get the no or low cost option! Contact Mary Jensen at or Benay Nordby at or put your name AND email address on the sign-up sheet in the hallway to join the group! And let the same two people know if there is interest in a day trip in December to walk around Port Townsend to see festive holiday decorations, perhaps shop and meet for lunch. If there is a group, we will choose a day and carpool!
Christmas Poinsettias: The Altar Guild will be decorating the sanctuary with beautiful poinsettias again this year and welcomes your donations to help cover the cost. Please consider making a donation in honor or memory of someone special in your life. Envelopes for the special donations will be available in your bulletin or on the table as you enter the sanctuary.
Supporting Helpline House: Helpline is helping the seniors of our community celebrate the holidays by providing $25 gift cards to Eagle Harbor Books, Safeway, Ace Hardware, Amazon and Starbucks. Bethany has been asked to provide 25 of these gift cards. The cards will be distributed before Christmas, so ideally, they would like to receive them by December 18. Please drop them off with Debbie in the office or place them in the collection plate.
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!
Gathering for Peace: A brief gathering for peace prayers at Sakai Park is planned for this Sunday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet in front of the troll Pia the Peacekeeper. Please note that there are no chairs or benches in the vicinity, so if you need something to sit on please bring it with you. Several faith leaders from the interfaith community will share prayers from their traditions. There will be songs, a chance to express your own prayers, light some battery candles, and send some much needed peaceful energy out into the universe. We anticipate being together for about half an hour. This event is a rain or shine event. Parking is limited at the park. Our good neighbors at St. Cecelia's agreed to let people park at the St. Cecelia School parking lot. Since it is a Sunday, there will likely also be parking available at the school property across the street.
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 Nancy and Harry Wetzler in honor of family.
Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: TBD; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen: Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Host: Kristi Sutton & Becci Kerstetter
Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jennie Harris; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris: Hospitality Host: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Host: Claire & Marty Dasler
