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April 17 Announcements

Gratitude from Pastor Erin
Dear Bethanians,

The farewell potluck on Palm Sunday was such a blessing, thank you! I was truly touched by your kind words and the very generous gift card to Chevy Chase Lodge. Thanks to you, I also will have two beautiful stoles, gifted to me by Linda Knudsen, altered to fit my frame. Linda's late husband was a Lutheran pastor, so I will wear the stoles as a reminder of my time at Bethany Lutheran Church, and also in honor of a colleague in ministry. It has been a real privilege to serve you as pastor over the last years. I've learned much about what it takes to lead an organization in transition and honestly, I've discovered that it comes down to one simple truth that we can apply in all life situations: nurturing good relationships makes a healthy community. I believe Jesus knew this to be true and he summed it up in his greatest commandment. You are an example of what it means to faithfully live into that commandment and I'll always be grateful for having walked with you during this part of your journey. Thank you. 

In Christ, Pr. Erin

 

Easter at Bethany
Please join us on Easter Sunday, April 20, we come together at the 10:00am service to celebrate the risen Christ.

 

Worship and Life at Bethany after Easter
During Bethany’s transition to a settled pastor, the Worship and Music team are meeting regularly to provide leadership in coordinating pulpit supply, pastoral care, and general worship activities, as well as communicating with the Church Council regarding any congregational concerns. As previously indicated, Pastor Kristy Daniels, of the Church of Steadfast Love at Compass Housing Alliance will lead Sunday morning worship at Bethany beginning next Sunday, April 27. For pastoral care needs, please call the church office. If Debbie is not there to take your call, leave a message or call the number provided for emergencies. Please contact any team member if you have questions or input: Sylvia Cauter, Chris Christensen, Linnea Chu, Kathy Dudgeon, or Lynn Nordby. 

Quilts and Kits on Their Way
Thank you to all who donated towards the cost of shipping the beautiful quilts and baby kits made by the Rachel Circle. The group boxed up 45 quilts and 57 baby kits which will be sent to people in need all over the world by Lutheran World Relief. A special thank you to Joe Sommerseth and Stan Wiegman who will be loading all the boxes and transporting them to Seattle

 

Youth Group
Bethany youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join the Senior Youth Fellowship (SYF) at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm on Sunday evenings. SYF is open and welcoming to all area youth, regardless of their church affiliation. The meetings foster connection through fellowship and fun and students deepen their faith through bible study and service projects. In addition to regular weekly meetings, there are special events scheduled like an overnight lock-in and a week-long mission trip to Spokane this summer (information is on the table in the Narthex). Cory Dunn, a BHS science teacher, leads SYF at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church and has graciously offered to answer any questions. He can be reached at  . Several students from Bethany joined Pastor Erin at SYF last week and everyone had a blast!

 

Youth Group Mission Trip
The Rolling Bay Spokane Mission Trip is shaping up to be something truly special—and Bethany youth are invited to join! This trip is more than just an opportunity to serve others (which is already amazing!)—it’s also about building friendships, growing in faith, and making unforgettable memories together. Cory has a key meeting with the leadership team on April 22nd, and must have final numbers by then—so he needs to know NOW if your student is going! Bethany Youth who are interested in going should apply by clicking here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Cory at 

Let’s go make some memories! 

Amabile Spring Concert
Everyone is invited to Amabile Choir's Spring Concert, LIGHT DAWNS. There will be three performances: two evening performances on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 pm at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge, and one matinee performance on Saturday, April 26 at 3:00 pm at Rolling Bay Presbyterian.

The Sakai Choir Club, under the direction of Katie Gibbs, will perform with Amabile at the Saturday 3PM concert at Rolling Bay Presbyterian. The two evening concerts will feature performers from Kids In Concert, directed by Laura Milleson. The Amabile Choir is under the direction of our own Sylvia Cauter.

Get your tickets today at amabilechoir.org/events

 

Save the Dates!!
Join Martha and Mary‘s annual Generations of Care online auction, May 30-June 6, 2025. Caring for kids and seniors since 1891, Martha and Mary is a valued Lutheran Services partner. Bethany has pledged to provide two themed baskets for bidding and we need everyone’s help. Envelopes for donations in support of Martha and Mary are available on the table in the narthex. Please make checks out to ‘Bethany Lutheran Church’ with ‘Martha and Mary’ in the memo line. If you have questions or items you would like to donate to the auction catalog, please contact Benay Nordby, Linnea Chu, Noreen Sievertson or Kristi Sutton.

 

Prayers are requested: for Sonja Selboe who is out of the hospital and now regaining strength at Martha and Mary in Poulsbo.

Altar Flowers: The Easter lilies which adorn our altar are provided by the Altar Guild. You are welcome to take a lily home with you after our Easter morning worship service.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling & Linnea Chu
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Debbie & Andy Rimkus               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Jim Rohrscheib & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Noreen Sievertson; Communion Assistant: Jeff Sievertson; Hospitality Hosts: Miriam Barrenger & Alice McCain

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April 10 Announcements

Sunday School in April
We will not have Sunday School on April 13 due to the Bainbridge School District spring break, and on April 20 when we invite families to be in worship to celebrate Easter which is also Pr. Erin’s last Sunday with us. Sunday School for children will resume on April 27.

 

Memorial Service for Ralph Schulz
A memorial service for Ralph Schulz will be held at Bethany on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00pm. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to come and remember Ralph.

Thanking Pastor Erin
Easter Sunday is Pastor Erin's last day with us. We want her to know how much her time with us has mattered. We will honor her service this Sunday, April 13 (Palm Sunday). There will be a potluck brunch and time to share thoughts and best wishes with her after the 10:00 service. Please bring salads, entrees, or appetizers to share. Bethany will provide plenty of dessert, so save your best sweets for the next event.

 

Sunday Morning Worship after Easter
As the call committee continues its work to identify and call Bethany's next settled pastor, Pastor Kristy Daniels, of the Church of Steadfast Love at Compass Housing Alliance in Seattle, has graciously offered to lead worship and preach at Bethany beginning on April 27. Pastor Kristy will be at Bethany on Sunday mornings for worship and available as needed for pastoral care beginning on April 21. We are blessed to have Kristy with us throughout July, or until a new pastor is called, pending her availability. Thanks be to God for providing care and guidance as we begin a new chapter at Bethany. 

Quilt Sunday
Plan now to attend worship this Sunday, April 13, (Palm Sunday) when we will bless the 54 beautiful quilts and baby kits made by the Rachel Circle. In preparation for sending them off, the Rachel Circle is asking for donations to help with the shipping costs. The cost for delivering our donations overseas range from $1.80 for fabric kits to $3.10 for baby kits. Look for a donation envelope on the table in the narthex. Any amount will be welcome and all donations go to LWR to cover the shipping costs. 

 

Holy Week and Easter Lilies at Bethany
Please join us for Holy Week services at Bethany. Holy Week will begin with Palm Sunday on April 13. Then we'll gather in the sanctuary for worship and eucharist at 7:00pm on Maundy Thursday, April 17, and again on Good Friday, April 18 for a quiet, contemplative service. On Easter Sunday, April 20, we come together again at the 10:00am service to celebrate the risen Christ.

And once again this year, the Altar Guild will be decorating the altar for Easter with beautiful Easter Lilies. Please consider making a donation towards the cost of the lilies in honor or memory of someone special. Envelopes are in the bulletin or available on the table in the narthex. Drop your donation in the collection plate during the offering or with Debbie in the office during business hours.

 

Youth Group
Bethany youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join the Senior Youth Fellowship (SYF) at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm on Sunday evenings. SYF is open and welcoming to all area youth, regardless of their church affiliation. The meetings foster connection through fellowship and fun and students deepen their faith through bible study and service projects. In addition to regular weekly meetings, there are special events scheduled like an overnight lock-in and a week-long mission trip to Spokane this summer (information is on the table in the Narthex). Cory Dunn, a BHS science teacher, leads SYF at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church and has graciously offered to answer any questions. He can be reached at  . Several students from Bethany joined Pastor Erin at SYF last week and everyone had a blast!

Amabile Spring Concert
Everyone is invited to Amabile Choir's Spring Concert, LIGHT DAWNS. There will be three performances: two evening performances on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 pm at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge, and one matinee performance on Saturday, April 26 at 3:00 pm at Rolling Bay Presbyterian.

The Sakai Choir Club, under the direction of Katie Gibbs, will perform with Amabile at the Saturday 3PM concert at Rolling Bay Presbyterian. The two evening concerts will feature performers from Kids In Concert, directed by Laura Milleson. The Amabile Choir is under the direction of our own Sylvia Cauter.

Get your tickets today at amabilechoir.org/events

Prayers are requested: for Sonja Selboe who was hospitalized earlier this week after experiencing some disorientation and is now waiting for test results; for Gladys Schulz and family as they celebrate the life of Ralph.

Altar Flowers: There are no altar flowers during Lent. 

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Stephen Deines; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistant: Barbara Deines; Hospitality Hosts: Potluck Brunch!

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling & Linnea Chu
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Debbie & Andy Rimkus

Posted by Bethany office with

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