Our blog

April 18 Announcements

A Note from Pastor Erin
Eastertide greetings! This week in worship, we will continue the Easter theme of "wonder" as we consider the promise of resurrection and what it means for our lives today. Last week, we explored the "wonder" of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and how his resurrected body promises the restoration of our own broken bodies. This week is Good Shepherd Sunday, when we hear about how Jesus is a good caretaker of his flock. He provides everything we need to live a life of abundance in the here and now. It's truly a wonder—a marvel, really—to think that we don't have to go to the ends of the earth in search of fulfillment. It's already here! 

Calling all 8-12th graders!
Calling all 8-12th graders! Are you interested in knowing more about the church and its role in the world? Have you ever wondered what Bible teachings are still relevant to our lives today? Are you curious about how to live out your faith every day? Would you like a chance to get to know each other better and have some fun over good conversation? If so, we have just the ticket! Pastor Erin invites you to a series of three gatherings: Sunday 4/28, 5/5, and 5/19 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall. We’ll discuss these questions and more while we prepare ourselves for confirmation, which will be celebrated in worship on June 2. (You can read more about what confirmation means here.) Please let Pastor Erin know if you are interested. All are welcome!

Supporting Martha & Mary
Thanks to Bethany’s generous 2023 Auction contributions, Martha & Mary opened a beautiful new childcare center in Poulsbo this past January. Our 2024 campaign will benefit improvements to the Silverdale Childcare and Learning Center. Over 700 families are served by these facilities with a waitlist of 300 children. The 2024 online auction begins on May 20 and culminates on May 30. Gift cards, memberships, entertainment certificates and themed ‘baskets’ like Family Fun Night, Garden Work, Spa Party are examples of popular items. If you would like to donate funds towards an auction item, your Bethany delegates (Lynn Nordby, Kristi Sutton, Benay Nordby and Linnea Chu) will be happy to assemble themed baskets. Please make a check out to Bethany with Martha & Mary in the memo line. Envelopes to contribute towards auction items are available on the table in the narthex. Questions? Please see any of your delegates.  

Supporting the Rachel Circle
Rachel Circle will be sending off our quilts, baby kits and fabric kits on May 3rd. They will be blessed during the services on April 27th and 28th. We are again asking the congregation to help us with the shipping costs. Lutheran World Relief incurs the expense of shipping each item to its final destination: $2.80 per quilt, $3.10 per baby kit, $1.80 per fabric kit. Due to your generosity, in the past the Rachel Circle has been able to send enough to cover the shipping costs for our quilts and kits, plus more to help cover other congregations that are unable to send shipping cost donations. Envelopes to contribute towards shipping costs are available on the table in the narthex. If you are interested in getting involved with the Rachel Circle either on their regular Tuesday mornings or through things that you can do at home on your own time, please contact Jennie Harris at  .  Thank you for the support you show this important ministry.

Spring Concert
Ovation Performing Arts presents Crescendo! in Concert. The concert, “Razzle Dazzle Spring”, will take place on Monday, May 6, 7:00pm here at Bethany. Admission is free although donations are gratefully accepted.   

Vespers
St. Barnabas Episcopal’s Schola Nova will sing Vespers on Sunday, April 28th, at 6:00 PM. This contemplative service marks the transition from day to evening -- a pause for prayer and praise. Join us for beautiful music at this midpoint of the Easter season!

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Vicki Browning in gratitude for loving family.

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Nancy Wetzler
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Lloyd Pritchett; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Jenny Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Barbara & David Swartling; Lay Reader: Linda Knudson; Communion Assistant: Barbara Swartling; Hospitality Hosts: Debbie & Andy Rimkus               

Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Linnea Chu/Alice McCain
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Marlene & Al Orwiler
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Karen Kushner & Vicki Browning

April 11 Announcements

Calling all 8-12th graders!
Are you interested in knowing more about the church and its role in the world? Have you ever wondered what Bible teachings are still relevant to our lives today? Are you curious about how to live out your faith every day? Would you like a chance to get to know each other better and have some fun over good conversation? If so, we have just the ticket! Pastor Erin invites you to a series of three gatherings where we'll discuss these questions and more while we prepare ourselves for confirmation, which will be celebrated in worship in June. (You can read more about what confirmation means here.) Please let Pastor Erin know if you are interested so we can begin to shape the schedule. All are welcome! 

Forum Invitation!
Team Finch Green and consulting architect Jonathan Davis invite you to an informational forum this Sunday, April 14 at 11:00 AM, following worship! Much has been taking place since Bethany’s Annual Meeting in early February as the planning to translate an affordable housing vision into reality accelerates! Come and see updated drawings and learn about next steps in collaborating with Housing Resources Bainbridge (HRB) and meetings and interactions with the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission of the City of Bainbridge Island. And, HRB Executive Director Phedra Elliott will also be in attendance! Questions and discussion will be invited and welcome!

Remembering DeMar Sather
A service to remember and celebrate the life of DeMar Sather will be held on Sunday, April 14 at 3:00pm. The service and a reception following will be held at Bethany. All are welcome. Please keep Pat and the Sather family in your prayers.

Supporting the Rachel Circle
Rachel Circle will be sending off our quilts, baby kits and fabric kits on May 3rd. They will be blessed during the services on April 27th and 28th. We are again asking the congregation to help us with the shipping costs. Lutheran World Relief incurs the expense of shipping each item to its final destination: $2.80 per quilt, $3.10 per baby kit, $1.80 per fabric kit. Due to your generosity, in the past the Rachel Circle has been able to send enough to cover the shipping costs for our quilts and kits, plus more to help cover other congregations that are unable to send shipping cost donations. Envelopes to contribute towards shipping costs will be in the bulletin or available on the table in the narthex. If you are interested in getting involved with the Rachel Circle either on their regular Tuesday mornings or through things that you can do at home on your own time, please contact Jennie Harris at  .  Thank you for the support you show this important ministry. 

Generous Bethanians
The Annual Martha and Mary Generations of Care Gala and Auction will kick off with an on-line catalog of items for bidding on May 20, ending on May 30th. Individuals, families, groups, and churches are encouraged to donate items for the auction.  Themed baskets i.e. Family Game Night, A Spa Day, Outdoor Game baskets, Gardening baskets, perhaps coupled with gift certificates or tickets for events, restaurants, and/or local businesses are just a few suggestions that can be put together for bidding. Items should be presented to the Poulsbo campus of Martha and Mary by April 30. Proceeds this year will benefit our Silverdale early childhood and learning center. Each donation needs to be accompanied by a descriptive statement about the item’s value as well as the name(s) of the donor.  For more information, please contact Linnea Chu or Benay Nordby.  

Two-evening Film Event
Grace Episcopal Church invites members of Bethany to the second of their two-evening film event focusing on the question “Who is my neighbor?" The second film will be shown on Tuesday, April 16 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. The film is Stories of Us: Camp Second Chance. In this powerful award-winning film, director Melinda Raebyne embeds herself one winter at one of Seattle’s homeless camps, Camp Second Chance. Ms. Raebyne will be at the screening and participate in a discussion after focusing on individuals experiencing homelessness. All are welcome and there is no charge.

Vespers 
St. Barnabas Episcopal’s Schola Nova will sing Vespers on Sunday, April 28th, at 6:00 PM. This contemplative service marks the transition from day to evening -- a pause for prayer and praise. Join us for beautiful music at this midpoint of the Easter season! 

Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Gail and Dave Christensen in memory of DeMar Sather and Vince Mattson.   

Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
          Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Charlene Selvar; Lay Reader: Carol Fenner; Hospitality Host: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
          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: Nancy Wetzler
          Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Rachel Pritchett; Lay Reader: Rachel Pritchett; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
          Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: David & Barbara Swartling; Lay Reader: Linda Knudson; Communion Assistant: Barbara Swartling; Hospitality Host: Debbie & Andy Rimkus