September 28 Announcements
CROP Walk 2023: Please plan to support the CROP Walk to End Hunger, which takes place this Sunday, October 1, at 2:00pm. Thanks to Burton Shields who is leading the CROP Walk set-up team. It’s not too late to walk with or donate to Bethany’s team. Every step and every donation help to end hunger. To join the team or donate visit: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/bethany-lutheran-2
Faith Formation: Sunday School continues next week, Sunday, Oct 8! Kids in grades K-6 are invited to Sunday school in the Education Building after the children’s message in worship. A teacher will be present to walk with them to the meeting spot. This week’s lesson continues on the theme of “Compassion: Learning to Love Like God,” and features the story of David showing kindness to Mephibosheth (now that’s a mouthful of a name, right?!). Our memory verse for the week for the following week will be: “David called him by name and he answered, “I am your servant.” 2 Samuel 9:7
We are very grateful to welcome Barbara Lawrence, Suquamish Tribe Storyteller, for our Adult Education forum on Sunday, Oct 1. In honor of Indigenous People’s Day (Oct 9), Barbara has offered to share some history of the Suquamish Tribe and what’s important for neighbors like us to know about the Tribe today. Thanks to Sonja Selboe for making the connection with Barbara and helping to arrange this wonderful offering. Please plan to come—we meet in the sanctuary just after worship. Enjoy a cup of coffee and refreshment in Fellowship Hall first, and kindly make your way back to the sanctuary for what is sure to be a dynamic presentation. Adults of all ages and teens are warmly welcome!
October Bible Study: The Rachel Circle Bible Study group will meet this Tuesday, October 3, at 10:00am. The study materials are available in the narthex. The Men’s Bible Study group will meet later in October than typical. They will meet on October 24, at 8:00am. The Women’s Bible Study and Book Group will meet on Monday, October 16, at 9:30am. All Bible study groups meet in fellowship hall.
October Impact Gathering: Our next intergenerational meeting we call “Impact” will be on Sunday, Oct 8, at 4:00pm. Everyone is invited all the time, but for this particular gathering, we’re extending the invitation to your PETS! In keeping with our Season of Creation and in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of the environment and animals, we’ll be blessing the animals! We’ll likely meet outside the front of the church for this event, and instead of a sharing a meal as usual, this month we’ll enjoy animal-themed snack bags to go. For planning purposes, please let Pastor Erin know if you’re planning on coming and what pets you’ll be bringing with you—but as always, if you didn’t have a chance to RSVP, come anyway!
Fellowship Fun: The first Fellowship Committee meeting is tomorrow, September 29, 11:00am at Bethany. This group is charged with turning up the fun meter—thinking of activities for small or large groups to do together, here at church or in the community. A walk through Bloedel? Trip to the art museum? Poulsbo Film festival? (Starts Oct 13, by the way.) Being on the committee does NOT make you in charge of organizing and you will not be elected to any office—just presenting to the congregation as options and seeing if there is interest. There will be fun, exciting, and possibly educational activities coming up for us at Bethany, plus any friends you would like to bring along. And mark your calendars for November 4, 7:00pm (please note date change!) for the irregularly scheduled and always unpredictable Bethany Variety Show. We are looking for audience members and acts—music, dance, skits, readings, demonstration of skills. Please let Mary Jensen know if you have ideas at
Finch Green LLC Update Info Meeting: Plan to stay after worship on Sunday, October 8, when Jonathan Davis and Marja Williams from the Finch Green LLC will be at the Adult Education forum to share the latest news from Finch Green and its progress for building 20+ affordable homes on Bethany’s property. Jonathan and Marja will also lead us in an envisioning exercise of what a village could look like around the church and school. All are welcome.
Bethany Endowment Fund Grants: The Bethany Endowment Committee is still accepting grant applications for the 2023 distribution cycle until October 15. Application forms are available on the table in the narthex. They can also be downloaded from our website. Completed applications can be dropped off in the office or sent by email as an attachment.
HRB Speaker Series: The third installment of the HRB speaker series takes place Monday, October 16, 7:00pm at the Bainbridge Public Library. The theme of this installment is “Housing Decommodified, A Global Exploration with New York Times Writer Francesca Mari”. Ms. Mari promises to be an engaging presenter, sharing scenes from Vienna where limited-profit and social housing allow people of all incomes to live with comfort and security, great photos, and a skilled journalist’s facility with articulating trends and history. To register for free tickets, visit https://www.housingresourcesbi.org/events/
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Jennie & Dennis Harris in celebration of their 44 and a half year wedding anniversary.
Prayers are Requested: For Jan Thrun who is once again experiencing health concerns and has been admitted to the hospital for tests; for Steven Selvar & Stephany Taylor who will be married on October 14.
Thank You to this weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Luanne & Tom Croker; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen: Hospitality Host: Veronika & Jim Rohrscheib
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Colleen & Steve Chupik; Lay Reader: Claire Dasler; Communion Assistant: Colleen Chupik; Hospitality Host: Claire & Marty Dasler
Next weekend's Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Kathy Dudgeon
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Joe Sommerseth; Lay Reader: Carol Fenner: Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Nancy & Harry Wetzler; Lay Reader: Harry Wetzler; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Host: Kristi Sutton & Linnea Chu