March 30 Announcements
A Season of Easter newsletter is now ready for your reading pleasure. Click here or pick up a copy in the narthex.
Palm Sunday Procession: Palm Sunday worship will begin with the Procession of the Palms. For those who are comfortable with processing into the sanctuary, please gather outside the church before worship and take a palm. We'll process into the sanctuary with singing as we wave our palm leaves and place them in the vases in the front before being seated. For those who are more comfortable being seated throughout the procession, you are welcome to take a palm leaf (available as you enter the church) and wave it from your seat during the procession. Someone will take your palm to the front and place it in the vase for you. Our Palm Sunday worship service will continue in the sanctuary.
Holy Week Schedule: Holy Week begins this weekend with Palm Sunday. There will be a Maundy Thursday service (with Holy Communion) at 7pm on April 6 and a Good Friday service (Bethany Choir) at 7pm on April 7. There will be no 5pm service on Saturday, April 8 so that we can rejoice in the risen Christ together at the 10am Easter Sunday service (Bethany Choir and Brass).
Sunday School: Join us for Sunday school this week, Palm Sunday, when we'll make Lenten pretzels and palm crosses in observance of Palm Sunday. Kids of all ages are welcome to participate in the palm procession which will begin outside the church before worship. Palm leaves will be available and those who wish, may process into the sanctuary with singing. Others who prefer to be seated in the sanctuary will have palms to wave during the procession. After the prayer of the day, kids will be dismissed to Fellowship Hall for the pretzel and palm cross making activities. What a fun way to learn about Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11) and enjoy each other's company! We hope to see you there...whether it's your first time with us or your 100th!
Adult Education: The Adult Education Series, "Journey To Jerusalem," will meet in the sanctuary following worship on Sunday morning. Fred Truitt continues to lead us on the journey where we've encountered various characters and events of Holy week. Through a comparison and contrast of the Gospel accounts, we've deepened our understanding by broadening our perspectives by looking through the lenses of the Gospel writers. This week we'll meet the nuanced and oft misunderstood character of Pontius Pilate. Even if you haven't been able to join us for the first two sessions, you're welcome to join us this Sunday, April 2, and again on Sunday, April 16, when the session will conclude. If you have ideas for future studies, please be in touch with Fred or Pastor Erin at .
Congregational Meeting on April 23: At the request of the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Bethany Council has called a Special Meeting of the congregation following worship on Sunday, April 23. The principal purpose of the meeting will be to authorize the formation of a limited liability company (LLC) to oversee the pre-development phase of an affordable housing project on Bethany’s property. As previously authorized, the LLC will work in collaboration with Housing Resources Bainbridge (HRB). (Several small amendments to Bethany’s constitution also are proposed to expressly authorize electronic meetings and notices.) An informational Q&A session will take place following worship on April 16. Stay tuned for additional details!
Easter Lilies: Next week 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.
April IMPACT: Mark your calendars now for the next IMPACT gathering. Due to Holy Week and Spring break at the beginning of April, our first-Sunday-of-the-month intergenerational gathering for youth and family will meet instead on Sunday, April 16 from 4:00-5:30 in Fellowship Hall. This month's gathering will feature pizza for dinner, ice cream sundaes for dessert, and a fun game of family-friendly "Would You Rather?"
Giving through Thrivent: Thrivent Choice, the chartable grant program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to be a welcome funding source for Bethany. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial, you likely are aware of this easy, convenient way to help support Bethany. If you currently own an insurance product or annuity you are probably earning Thrivent Choice Dollars each month. If you feel you are eligible to participate in Choice Dollars, or are uncertain about your eligibility, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice or contact Bethany treasurer emeritus, Jim Rohrscheib, 206 842 1328 or
Remember, Choice Dollars earned by eligible benefit members in 2022 must be distributed no later than March 31, 2023.
AFS Exchange Student Host Program: The AFS Intercultural Program is looking for families who can host an exchange student. With 75 years of experience and 100 years of history, AFS is a leader in international high school exchange. If you are interested in hosting or learning more about the program contact Linda Sohlberg at 206-240-8299, or visit afsusa.org/host
Altar Flowers: We will have altar flower arrangements once again beginning the weekend of April 22/23. Please consider signing up for a special date that you would like to honor an event or remember a special person while you have a choice. For more information and to sign up, see the altar flower chart on the hall bulletin board.
Prayers are Requested: For Pat and DeMar Sather as Pat enters the Fieldstone memory care unit; for Mary Coar as she continues to rehab from her hip surgery; for Wayne Richmond who is in now at Northwoods, for Marcy Daley as she recovers from outpatient surgery; for Evan Stoll that his dialysis may continue to go well; for Chris Christensen’s cousin Tamy as she battles pancreatic cancer; for those who are unemployed; for those who suffer from mental health concerns.
Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Carol Fenner; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen: Hospitality Hosts: Jennie Harris
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Andy Rimkus; Communion Assistant: Vicki Browning; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton & Vicki Browning
Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Nancy Wetzler
Saturday 5:00pm – No Service
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: TBD; Lay Reader: Linda Newlon; Communion Assistant: Linda Newlon; Hospitality Hosts: Noreen & Jeff Sievertson
