January 9 Announcements
Bible Study in January
The Women’s Book and Bible Study group will meet on Monday, January 13 at 9:30am. They will be discussing Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamont.
A Co-Ed Bible study will take place on Tuesday, January 14 at 8:30am. The Men’s Bible Study and Women’s Book and Bible Study group will meet for the first of a three-part program offered by Pr. Erin and Fred Truitt. In this first program, they will explore the Word of God as it appears in liturgy, and all are cordially invited to join them. Questions to consider: What is liturgy and why do we have it? What words in our liturgy ring familiar in our life and faith? Are there some earworms of liturgy that offer a familiar and comforting sound in your life and faith? What have you found confusing in our liturgy?
Youth Group
The monthly youth group schedule will resume in January, so mark your calendars! We meet on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 3:00-5:00pm in Fellowship Hall unless otherwise specified. Our first monthly gathering is a time for fun and fellowship and our second monthly gathering is a time for bible study and confirmation instruction. All young people in grades 7-12 are warmly welcome and encouraged to attend both sessions, even if they've already been confirmed. There's always lots to talk about and fun to be had, so please join us! Our next meeting is Sunday, January 12 when we'll regroup and catch up after a long holiday break. Hope to see you there! Questions can be directed to Pr. Erin at
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Third Thursday Youth Cafe
Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to a Youth Cafe Night held the third Thursday of the month from 6:30-8:00pm! The next Youth Cafe Night will be on Jan 16 at Coquette in Winslow Green. Come for games, sweet treats and community connection! The Youth Cafe Nights are sponsored by open and affirming churches and youth organizations on Bainbridge Island. All are welcome! Pr. Erin won't be able to attend in January but hopes to join in the fun in February. Please reach out to Pr. Erin with questions.
New Member Class
Are you interested in learning more about being a member of the Bethany community? Please join us for an informal new members' gathering on Sunday, January 26 after worship. You'll learn about the history of Bethany Lutheran Church, meet others who are new to the community, and participate in discussion about what church membership looks like today. All are welcome! Please be in touch with Pastor Erin with any questions and/or to signal your interest.
A Note from Mabel Keeney
What a joyous Christmas gift having the Bethany Lutheran Choir come to my home and sing Christmas carols. I miss being a part of the choir and am grateful for their visit. And I can’t forget the delicious cookies from the Altar Guild! Thank you, Mabel.
Thank you, Altar Guild
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Sanctuary beautiful during the Advent and Christmas season. This includes Linnea Chu, Gail Christensen; and Nancy Wetzler who decorated for Advent; Mike Bartunek and Doug Olson who set up the Christmas tree; Selina Johnson, Gary Johnson, and Kathy Dudgeon who put the lights on the tree; Charlene Selvar, Melanie Olson, Barbara Swartling, and Linnea Chu who decorated the tree; Gail Christensen who prepared the candles for our Christmas Eve services; and Barbara Swartling, Nancy Wetzler, Rachel Pritchett, Linnea Chu, Jeff Sievertson, Noreen Sievertson, Melanie Olson and Doug Olson who took down the Christmas decorations in anticipation of the season of Epiphany. A special note of gratitude for Ruth Bartunek who organized, supervised and pitched in at every step!
Year End Statements and 2025 Giving Commitments
Thank you to all who gave so generously in 2024. The 2024 Year End Giving Statements will be mailed by the end of January 2025. We give thanks also to everyone who made a 2025 giving commitment. Offering envelopes for those who requested envelopes on the commitment card are now available in the narthex. If you did not previously request offering envelopes and now would like them, or didn’t complete a commitment card but would like envelopes, please contact Debbie at
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2025 Bethany Annual Meeting
Please plan now to attend the annual meeting which will take place after the 10:00am service on Sunday, February 2. In addition to the proposed amendments to the governing documents which were provided last month, the congregation will vote on a proposed budget for 2025 and a slate of new congregation council members.
Schola Nova Vespers
St. Barnabas’ Schola Nova invites you to Vespers on Sunday, January 12 at 6 p.m. Please join us for this contemplative service as we welcome the New Year. If you are a soprano or alto interested in singing, please contact Music Director Sheila Bristow at
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Peace Vigil
On the Martin Luther King Day weekend, please join us for an Interfaith Candlelight Peace Vigil at Pia the Peacekeeper (aka the Bainbridge Troll) on Sunday, January 19 from 5:00-5:30 pm. Representatives from various faith traditions will share a brief reading or prayer, and we'll join our voices in communal song. All attendees will be invited to light a candle for peace and are welcome to bring a brief reading or prayer to share as they light their candle (optional). Parking is limited, please consider parking across the street in the School District Lot. Note the trail leading to Pia is unpaved and the area around her can be muddy, so plan accordingly.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Christine Lovely in memory of her grandson.
Prayers are Requested: for Linda Sommerseth who is undergoing radiation treatment for metastatic cancer; Dave Christensen who is now recovering from a fall at home; for Sylvia Cauter’s brother-in-law Steve who is under hospice care.
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: Eve & Mike Curtis; Lay Reader: David Swartling; Communion Assistant: Barbara Swartling; Hospitality Hosts: Becci Kerstetter
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jennie Harris; Lay Reader: Jennie Harris; Hospitality Host: Jim Rohrscheib
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Tim Carlsen & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Kristi Sutton & Vicki Browning