December 18 Announcements
Advent Christmas Caroling-Our Day is Here!
After the service, Grab a cup of coffee or cider in the fellowship hall and head to the office area where we’ll share donuts and information about our cookies and carols caravan. We will have music sheets available, a list of our stops and opportunities for carpooling.
Questions?? Contact Linnea Chu: 206-499-4346 or Linnea
Let’s spread cheer!!!
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. Thank you to those who have already made a donation in honor or memory of someone special in your life. Envelopes for the poinsettia contributions are available on the table as you enter the sanctuary for anyone who would like to make a donation.
Our Christmas Tree
A huge thank you to Karen Selvar, of Bainbridge Island Farms and Suyematsu Family Farm for donating the Christmas tree that graces 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.
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.
Bethany Facebook and Instagram
We are hoping to begin live streaming! Please Like & Follow our updated Social Media accounts. Facebook: Bethany Lutheran – ELCA and Instagram: bethanylutheranelca Look out for updates on news and events.
Rachel Circle Hiatus
The Rachel Circle is taking a hiatus for the holidays. They won’t meet on December 23 or 30. They will next meet on January 6, 2026
January Bible Study
The Mid Week Bible study group will take the next two weeks off and return Wednesday, January 7, beginning a study on the book of Romans. The Rachel Circle Bible study group will meet on Tuesday January 6 at 10:00 am followed by quilting. The Womens Book and Bible study group will meet Monday January 12 at 9:30 am. All Bible study groups meet in fellowship hall.
Year End Giving
2025 Year End Giving Statements will be mailed by the end of January 2026. Any donations that you would like included in your 2025 Giving Statement must be received in the office by December 29.
Sign up for Altar Flowers
With 2025 coming to a close, the Altar Flower sign up sheet for 2026 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.
Bloodwork’s Northwest Blood Drive
Bethany will be holding a blood drive tomorrow, Friday, December 19th. The schedule is currently full but there is also a blood drive on December 29th and 30th at the Bainbridge Island Fire Station. This is a challenging time of the year and every unit donated helps to keep our blood supply adequate. To schedule an appointment for the 29th or 30th, visit https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/sponsor_code
NW Washington Synod Disaster Relief for Flooding Help
The NW Washington Synod Disaster Relief Fund is working to assist people affected by the recent flooding in Western Washington. You can donate on-line at https://www.lutheransnw.org/news/nw-flooding-disaster-response Or you can write a check out to: NWWA Synod please write “NWWA Synod Floods” on the memo and mail to: ELCA Region 1; PO Box 94432; Seattle, WA 98124-6732
Vespers with Schola Nova
All are invited to the Vespers service with Schola Nova on Sunday, December 21, 6:00pm at St. Barnabus Church. A contemplative sung service focused on Mary, Mother of Our Lord. On this longest night of winter, consider bringing a donation of new, warm socks to help Chaplains on the Harbor serve our neighbors in need.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Whitney Lane, in honor of her friend Tim’s birthday.
Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Barbara Swartling
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistants: Linnea Chu & Vicki Browning; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton
Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Stephen Deines & Jim Rophrscheib; Lay Reader: Barbara Deines; Communion Assistants: Barbara Deines & Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Host: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon
Bethany is a Reconciling in Christ congregation, which is an affirmation of welcome that specifically names people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, and also expresses a commitment to racial equity.