December 12 Announcements
Christmas Poinsettias
The Altar Guild will be decorating the sanctuary with beautiful poinsettias again this year and welcomes your donations to help cover the cost. Please consider making a donation in honor or memory of someone special in your life. Envelopes for the special donations are available in your bulletin and on the table as you enter the sanctuary.
Christmas Caroling
Caroling to our homebound members is scheduled after worship on Sunday, December 22. Please note date change. Bethany choir members and guitar accompaniment will make this warmly appreciated seasonal tradition comfortable for those who are less confident singers. Plan now to join in bringing Christmas joy to others.
Christmas Eve Services
Bethany will have two candlelight Christmas Eve services, one at 5:00pm and one at 10:00pm. The 5:00pm service will be a bit shorter and more family oriented. It will include a special message and gift for children. The 10:00pm service will feature the Bethany choir and include the order of holy communion. Please note there will be no Saturday night worship services on December 28.
Our Christmas Tree
A huge thank you to Karen Selvar, of Bainbridge Island Farms and Suyematsu Family Farm for donating the Christmas tree that will grace our Sanctuary. We encourage you to visit Bainbridge Island Farms on Manzanita Road if you are looking for a live tree, a wreath or a centerpiece as a way of thanking Karen for her generous donation.
Youth Group
The Bethany Youth wish to extend a big THANK YOU to the congregation for generously donating 25+ coats, numerous pairs of mittens, gloves, hats, and warm socks to our "Clothing and Other Necessities" drive. When the coats were delivered to Helpline House, a volunteer there remarked that we'd replenished their supply which had dwindled to none over the past months. Thanks to your generous spirits, many of our neighbors can keep warm this season. We are grateful all around!
Missing Coat
On Sunday, Dec. 1, between the beginning and end of the Advent Fair, a woman’s cream color/light beige XL coat wandered off. If you have seen this coat, please contact Debbie at the church.
Notes of Gratitude
We have so much to be thankful for here at Bethany – including the faithful service of volunteers who make our worship meaningful; our fellowship engaging; our building and grounds functional and beautiful; our church administration smooth; our Sunday school and family programs enriching; our pastoral care significant and sincere; and our mission and community outreach authentic. In the spirit of the season, please consider writing a word of thanks to someone whose contributions to our community life makes a difference to you. Consider thanking church council members; committees like Building and Grounds, Fellowship, Hospitality (who made our awesome name tags and took pictures for our new directory), Preschool and Bethany Cares; choir members, ushers, communion assistants, readers, Sunday school teachers/volunteers, and Finch Green leaders and board members. The possibilities are endless! Cards and pens will be available in the basket on the table in the Narthex. After you've written your note, pin it on the bulletin board in the hallway – and then stand back and marvel at the outpouring of gratitude!
Year End Giving
2024 Year End Giving Statements will be mailed by the end of January, 2025. Any donations that you would like included in your 2024 Giving Statement must be received by December 30.
Helpline House Gift Cards
A huge thank you to all who brought gift cards for Helpline House to provide to Bainbridge Island seniors. Bethany delivered 47 gift cards, well above the 25 we were asked to bring! Helpline House is grateful for your amazing generosity.
Amabile at the Jewel Box
Come see several of your Bethany friends at the Jewel Box Theater this weekend! Members from the Amabile Choir (Sylvia Cauter, Jim Cauter, Tanya Roe, Jeff Jensen, Linda Newlon, Tom Newlon) will be part of an entirely different show with light-hearted holiday tunes, dancing, and even an ugly sweater contest! Come support local theater and vocal music Friday evening at 7:30pm or Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm. See you there!
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Sonja Selboe in honor of her family. The 2025 Altar Flower sign up sheet is available now on the hallway bulletin board. Please consider signing up for a weekend to provide altar flowers in honor or memory of a special person or event. You can check column A on the signup sheet and bring an arrangement. Or check column B to make a donation and have the Altar Guild provide the flowers.
Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Host: Jim Rohrscheib
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Tony Grayson; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter & Miriam Barrenger
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jim Rohrscheib; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris; Hospitality Host: Jennie Harris
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Stephen Deines & Lynn Nordby; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistant: Barbara Deines; Hospitality Hosts: Benay & Lynn Nordby