November 20 Announcements
New Weekly Bible Study Offering
Our new weekly Bible study group is off to a great start. Pr. Martin will be leading the group on Wednesdays at 9:00am. This Bible study will take place in the fellowship hall. All are welcome!
Installation for Pastor Martin!
Mark your calendars for 3:00pm, Sunday, December 7, when Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee will be here to install Pr. Martin as Bethany’s called Pastor. Reverend Paul Eldred, the pastor at Central Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity and Pr. Martin’s son, will be preaching at the installation service. Plan now to attend this joyful and important day for the Bethany community.
Job Openings at Bethany
Unfortunately, the person who accepted the church administrator position has now declined it. As a result, we are once again looking for Debbie’s replacement. Additionally, our part-time bookkeeper will be leaving us in January when she has her third child. The position descriptions for both roles are posted here on our website. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in either of these jobs, please have them contact Debbie at
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Thanksgiving Eve Worship
Bethany will offer a quiet Service of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00pm. This service provides an opportunity to reflect peacefully and with gratitude on all we have. Bethany members are also encouraged to attend the Bainbridge Island/North Kitsap Interfaith Council Thanksgiving service on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church.
Kurt Lucke Committal Service
A simple service of commendation and committal will be held for Kurt Lucke on Saturday, November 29 at 2:00pm here at Bethany. A reception in the fellowship hall will follow the service. Many Bethany members will remember Claire and Kurt as long-time members before they moved away from the area. All are welcome to come and celebrate Kurt’s life with his family.
New Bethany Facebook Account
Bethany has a new Facebook account! If you are a Facebook user, please follow our new account by searching for Bethany – ELCA on Bainbridge Island. We will be posting all the latest news and events on the page. Help us spread our presence in the community by liking and sharing our posts!
Advent Happenings
The season of Advent is right around the corner! Since the first Sunday in Advent occurs on Thanksgiving weekend, the annual Bethany Advent Fair will take place after worship this Sunday, November 23. Come enjoy some special snacks and Advent crafts as we prepare for the Advent and Christmas season. In addition, the Rachel Circle will have Christmas items for sale. The ladies have been working hard on coasters and runners, along with Bethany coffee mugs filled with candy. This is a great opportunity to pick up gifts for family and friends and there will be a special price for the children. Advent Calendars will also be available at the Fair. The cost is $8. Cash or checks payable to BLC. Put "Advent Calendar" on the memo line.
And plan now to help bring cookies (baked with love by our Altar Guild) and carols to our homebound members on Sunday, December 21. We will head out after worship, cookies and music in hand. All are welcome to be a part of this long-time Bethany tradition. It is a great opportunity for young and old alike to bring holiday cheer to our at-home friends.
A Note from the Stewardship Team
A huge thank you to all who have returned their commitment cards. We continue to welcome your Commitment Cards - which you may mail in, bring to the office, or place in the offering plate. Commitment cards are available on the table in the narthex or by calling the church office. Thank you for your generosity!
Senior Holiday Giving Program at Helpline House
For the Winter Holidays Helpline House is again going to offer gifts, in the form of $25 gift cards, to Bainbridge seniors (55+). As in previous years, they are asking religious communities to commit to providing some of the gift cards. We are challenging the Bethany community to donate twenty-five $25 gift cards. When you are out shopping the next few weeks, please consider picking up a gift card or two.
The gift cards be from any of the following:
- Ace Hardware
- Amazon
- Eagle Harbor Book Co.
- Safeway
- Starbucks
- Town & Country
Helpline House would like to have the cards in hand by December 8th, so please drop them in the offering plates or bring them to the church office no later than December 7th. (Note: the $25 gift cards must be activated before Helpline House receives them.)
Amabile Holiday Concerts
The Amabile Choir, directed by our own Sylvia Cauter, invites everyone to their winter concerts, “In the Stillness”. There will be three concerts: Friday, December 5th at 7:30, Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm and Saturday, December 6th at 7:30pm. The Friday evening and Saturday afternoon concerts will take place at St. Cecelia Catholic Church. The Saturday evening concert will be here at Bethany. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://amabilechoir.org/
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers for this Sunday are given by Barbara & David Swartling in celebration of their 55th wedding anniversary.
Thank You to this Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Nancy Wetzler
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Nancy & Harry Wetzler; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistants: Vicki Browning & Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Kathy & Doug Dudgeon
Next Sunday’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Jim Rohrscheib; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Communion Assistants: Carol & Ron Fenner; Hospitality Host: Karen Kushner
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.