February 1 Announcements
Pastor Paul’s Last Sunday: The Fellowship Committee would like to thank the members of the congregation for their contributions, both monetarily and in food, for Pastor Paul's last Sunday. For those who were able to join us, your presence and warmth towards him on that important day in his life was truly a blessing.
2024 Annual Meeting: The Bethany 2024 Annual Meeting will be this Sunday, February 4th at 11:00am in fellowship hall. The agenda for the Annual Meeting will include passing a 2024 budget, approving the 2023 Annual Meeting minutes and election of 2024 council members and 2024 nominating committee members. It also includes voting on an important resolution concerning the affordable housing initiative. Click here for the Annual Meeting agenda. Click here for the proposed 2024 budget. Click here for the affordable housing resolution. Click here for the 2023 Annual Report.
Office Email Issue: The Bethany staff continues to experience issues with sending emails. We receive emails but are not able to send emails including replies. This is an issue with our email platform provider and their tech support is working on it. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to call the office with questions until the issue is resolved.
February Bible Study: The Rachel Circle Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, February 6 at 10:00am. The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group will meet on Monday, February 12 at 9:30am. The Men’s Bible Study Group will meet on Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00am.
The Season of Lent: The Lenten season is just around the corner. It begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Ash Wednesday, when we'll have a special mid-week evening service at 7:00 pm for the imposition of the ashes. We'll continue to meet throughout the season on Wednesday evenings, beginning with a light soup supper in the fellowship hall at 6:30 pm, followed by an introspective time of worship in the sanctuary from 7:00-7:15 pm. Please come and consider signing up to make soup or bread (see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board).
This year's Lenten theme is "The Seed of Joy," which may seem better suited to the Christmas season, but joy isn't unique to one season of the church year or another, just as joy isn't unique to one season of our lives or another. Joy shows itself everywhere, always pointing us to God's presence, even in the darkest seasons and moments of life. Using a series by Barn Geese Worship (The Seed of Joy: Eucharistic Prayer © 2023 Barn Geese) as our guide, we'll explore the nature of joy in our lives, how it reveals itself in all kinds of experiences, how it mixes itself with other emotions, and how it can teach us something about the complexity and beauty of God.
An interactive prayer wall will be available in the sanctuary beginning on Ash Wednesday, and each week, a different prayerful activity will be introduced reflective of the theme. There will always be candles available for prayer in addition to any suggested activity. Take-home devotions will be available for personal reflection as well.
Join us for a season of contemplation and cultivation--and nurture the seed of joy right there in your heart.
Blood Drive at Bethany: Bloodworks Northwest will be holding a two-day blood drive at Bethany on February 22 and 23. It takes 1,000 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in the greater community. Please consider donating and make an appointment today by clicking here.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Alice and Bruce McCain in gratitude for Pastor Erin’s ministry with us.
Prayers are requested: for Marcy Daley and the Daley family as they mourn the death of Wayne. A memorial service celebrating Wayne’s life will be held on Friday, March 15 at 2:00pm
Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Vickie Bech
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Carol Fenner; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Alice & Bruce McCain; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: TBD
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Norm Davis; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Birgit Davis & Carolyn Weiss
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Colleen & Steve Chupik; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Host: Becci Kerstetter & Ann Sather
