May 9 Announcements
Congratulations!
We congratulate Emily and Vaughn Rohrdanz on the birth of Penelope Mae. Grandparents Sylvia and Jim Cauter are already in love with their new granddaughter. Please keep Penelope and her parents in your prayers as they embark on this new journey together.
Guest Preacher
Pastor Erin will be out of the office from Tuesday, May 14 to Saturday, May 18, so she can be with her family in New York to attend her daughter's college graduation. David Swartling has graciously offered to preach and lead worship on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. Please note communion will not be served in worship on Saturday evening. We are especially grateful to hear from David on this Pentecost Sunday. (Be sure to wear red!) Thank you, David!!
Confirmation Exploration
Our confirmation exploration class is in full swing--and it's a lot of fun! We've met twice to probe big questions about the church, its role in the world, and how the Bible might be relevant to our lives today. Our next gathering will be on Sunday, May 19, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. All 8th – 12th graders are welcome, even if you weren’t able to attend the first two gatherings. We’ll continue to discuss these questions and more while we prepare ourselves for baptism and confirmation, which will be celebrated in worship on June 2. Please let Pastor Erin know if you are interested.
Please note there will not be a Saturday 5pm service on June 1 so that the Bethany community can all attend on Sunday morning to celebrate our confirmands.
New Bethany Cares Team
Bethany is forming a new team called Bethany Cares to help meet pastoral needs in the community. As a way of identifying who might have pastoral needs and who would like to join our Bethany Cares team, the council is asking everyone to complete a survey that will help us understand how we can better serve our church community when needs arise. The surveys will be available on a table in the narthex and we ask that you complete one the next time you attend worship or stop by the church. You can also print a survey and complete it at home by clicking here. Completed surveys can be placed in the designated envelope on the table in the narthex. They can also be dropped off or mailed to Debbie in the office. We thank you for caring.
Transition Team Seeks Your Comments
As we live in this time of change and growth, the Transition Team invites Bethanians to share comments about our current and future life together. While the Transition Team might share suggestions and comments received with the congregational council or the community, this will be done anonymously. Comments and suggestions can be emailed to
Supporting Martha & Mary
Thanks to Bethany’s generous 2023 Auction contributions, Martha & Mary opened a beautiful new childcare center in Poulsbo this past January. Our 2024 campaign will benefit improvements to the Silverdale Childcare and Learning Center. Over 700 families are served by these facilities with a waitlist of 300 children. The 2024 online auction begins on May 20 and culminates on May 30. Gift cards, memberships, entertainment certificates and themed ‘baskets’ like Family Fun Night, Garden Work, Spa Party are examples of popular items. If you would like to donate funds towards an auction item, your Bethany delegates (Lynn Nordby, Kristi Sutton, Benay Nordby and Linnea Chu) will be happy to assemble themed baskets. Please make a check out to Bethany with Martha & Mary in the memo line. Envelopes to contribute towards auction items are available on the table in the narthex. Questions? Please see any of your delegates.
Schola Nova’s Vespers
Vespers is a short, contemplative service which marks the transition from day to evening. You are invited to join us for music and readings which celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, May 19, 6:00pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
Altar Flowers: The altar flowers this weekend are given by Birgit Davis in honor of all the mothers on Mother’s Day.
Thank You to this weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Gail Christensen
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Jennie Harris; Lay Reader: Gail Christensen; Hospitality Hosts: Birgit Davis & Carolyn Weiss
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: Debbie & Andy Rimkus; Lay Reader: Doug Dudgeon; Communion Assistant: Doug Dudgeon; Hospitality Hosts: Vicki Browning & Kristi Sutton
Next Weekend’s Worship Assistants:
Altar Duty: Carol Fenner
Saturday 5:00pm – Greeter/Usher: Dick Coar; Lay Reader: Carol Fenner; Hospitality Host: Carol Fenner
Sunday 10:00am – Greeters/Ushers: TBD; Lay Reader: Linnea Chu; Communion Assistant: Linnea Chu; Hospitality Hosts: Miriam Barrenger & Alice McCain