November 21 Announcements
Faith Formation: With the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Sunday school on November 26. Additionally there will be no Sunday school during the Advent season, which begins the following Sunday, December 3. We invite children and their families to be part of the worship service, which includes a special Advent Candle Lighting for youth and a special Children's Message. Please plan to join us for worship during this special season. *Children's bulletins and the children's activity corner will be available.
Please plan to join us for a special three-session Adult Education Advent Study beginning on Sunday, December 3 and ending on December 17. The study was designed by Fred Truitt and will be co-lead by Fred and Pastor Erin. We will meet in the sanctuary after worship for this interactive offering. Join us for one or all three of the sessions. It's sure to be an Advent blessing!
Advent devotionals including 23 Advent poems accompanied by thought-provoking prompts will be available in the Narthex on the first Sunday of Advent, December 3. Included in the devotional is a resource list of several Advent books which may complement your personal Advent reflections. Please take one for yourselves or to share with a neighbor or friend. The devotional will also come by email in the weekly announcements for you to print at home or to use the electronic version.
Thanksgiving Eve Service: Bethany will offer a service of Thanksgiving tomorrow, Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00pm. The service includes a Thanksgiving litany and special music by the choir. It is also an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Thanksgiving altar, decorated by altar guild members Whitney Lane, Linnea Chu, Barbara Swartling, Vickie Bech, and Ruth Bartunek. Thank you!
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Gratitude is a universal virtue of faith, and every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we gather together to worship in our unique ways. Every Interfaith Council member organization is asked to contribute in some way: Song, Prayer, Scripture, Silent Meditation, and more. The 2023 Interfaith Thanksgiving service takes place on Tuesday, November 21, 7:00pm at the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-Day Saints. This family-friendly event is a simple way to learn more about the faith of your neighbors. All are welcome.
Stewardship Packets: Packets for the 2024 Stewardship Campaign were mailed last week. If you did not receive yours, please contact Debbie in the office. In this time of transition, we hope you will prayerfully consider giving generously of your time and financial support. Pledge cards and Time & Talent Surveys will also be available on the table in the narthex and can be turned into the office or dropped in the collection plates.
Advent at Bethany: Advent begins on Sunday, December 3 and children and families are invited to participate in worship throughout the Advent season. If your child/young person and/or whole family are interested in lighting the Advent candles during worship, please let Pastor Erin know. Please note there will be no Sunday school during the Advent season so that we can all worship together during this special season.
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 the 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 ones 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!
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!
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 provided by the Altar Guild in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Joe Sommerseth; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris: Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Host: Debbie & Andy Rimkus
Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
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
