Liturgy: The Work of Worship
by Associate Pastor Steve Lympus
Is Bethany Presbyterian a liturgical church? We often think of liturgical as more “formal” worship – written prayers, call-and-responses, reciting creeds, kneeling. But liturgy is whatever form our worship takes... more

Sermon Series: The Apostles' Creed
For over 18 centuries, the Church has recited the Apostles’ Creed in her liturgy. On Oct. 9, Pastor Dan Baumgartner begins a series on the Creed. We encourage you to memorize it and use the Creed in your daily worship.

Meet Our Members: Astrid and Roger Feldman
by Patti Holman
Astrid and Roger Feldman sit halfway back in Bethany's Sanctuary on Sundays, but every other day they are up on their feet—working hard and giving back... more

Finding Home in Indonesia
by Mike & Katie Lucero
Dari Mana? Where are you from? It is not an uncommon question here. Since our students at Wesley International School represent over 12 countries, the response could vary almost every time you ask it... more

Meet the Staff: Sylvia Lidell, office administrator
by Gail Beran Neils
Anyone who has spent some time at Bethany knows Sylvia Lidell. Most know her as the helpful face behind the reception desk in the administration offices. Others know her as a member of the choir... more

October is 3rd Grade Bible Month
by Dianne Ross, Children’s Ministries Director
Many of us who were raised Presbyterian remember receiving our Bibles when we were in third grade…and some of us still have those Bibles! Our 3rd graders will have a special class preparing them to receive their Bibles on October 30.

The class will be taught by Christy Mansfield and Kylie Kypreos (with Chris and Wayne Gustafson teaching one week). These third graders will learn how:

• the Bible came to be
• to pronounce all those four-syllable books of the Bible
• the Bible is organized
• to find passages
• to study the Scriptures for themselves

Their class will meet in Room 201 during the 10:45 am service on Sundays, October 9, 16 and 23 (after Children’s Time), and during the 9 am hour on October 30. Pastor Dan will also meet with them Wednesday, October 19, from 4-5 pm in the Parlor to talk about how:

• he studies God's Word
• the Bible is important in our worship services.

Then on Sunday, October 30, these children will lead us in the responsive reading during morning worship services, and will receive their Bibles from the church family.

Small Groups: Here’s Your Chance!
by Janet Moore, Bethany Social Services Director
The Wednesday Night Dinner Leadership Team would like to challenge small groups within Bethany to volunteer at a Wednesday Night Dinner. We need about 30 volunteers each week to ensure that the dinner runs smoothly. We would love it if a number of small groups would commit to volunteering one Wednesday night every two months.

Each week God gives us great chefs, kitchen volunteers, servers, dish washers, conversationalists, Bible study leaders, and much more. We even have prayer warriors and hairstylists.

Our hope is that more Bethany members will experience this wonderful ministry and that Wednesday Night Dinner guests will feel more welcome at church on Sundays.

I am willing to meet with small groups prior to their coming to a Wednesday Night Dinner, if they would like a crash course on volunteering. I feel very blessed to be able to serve at the dinner and I believe you will feel this way too.

On the Calendar
Jane Gunningham heads to West Africa
Farewell Sun, Oct 9, 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Jane Gunningham has been assigned by World Concern to work in West Africa for three months, from October 10-January 16.

While in West Africa, she will write grant applications to the United Nations, U.S. AID, and other donors, requesting funding to continue famine-relief programs that are already in process. Jane will also work with some proposed drought mitigation projects. She will begin with a two-week orientation in Nairobi, then work for S.I.M. projects in Burkina Faso and Kenya.

Jane has been a member at Bethany since 1984. She was raised in West Africa, and is very excited to be going back, as she has always desired to work in relief and development there.

Jane will talk about what she will be doing and will be handing out brochures. If you are unable to drop by, but would like to remain in contact with Jane while she is in Kenya, receive updates, or learn how she may be supported, please contact her at janegunningham@gmail.com. We also ask that you keep Jane in your prayers.

Report on Honduras
12:15 pm Sun, Oct 9, in the Parlor during Soup and Bread
This summer a Bethany team visited the Agros-Uno village in Honduras, where our high school youth traveled last year. Come hear new stories, see pictures, and meet Norma (Agros Honduras Director).

Baptism Class for Parents of infants and toddlers
5-6 pm Wed, Oct 12 in the Parlor

Six, Plus Two Music Fest
7:30 pm Fri, Oct 14, in the Sanctuary
Come and enjoy an evening out with family and friends as we take a musical journey through the six seasons of the church year--plus two! Designed for differing ages and musical tastes, this program provides a time for worship, scripture and music through the choir, organ, instruments and congregation. There is no donation required, and a time for refreshments follows the program.

“Parting the Waters” Benefit Concert for Hurricane Victims
6-10 pm Fri, Oct 21
Bethany’s Arts Group and Local Outreach Committee will present “Parting the Waters,” a benefit concert for hurricane victims. Several of your favorite Bethany musicians will perform, along with some surprise guests. We will have refreshments and a silent art auction. Suggested donation is $15, and all proceeds will go to First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Mendenhall Ministries in Mississippi, both of which are providing direct aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Fall Good Book: “The Power and the Glory”
Sun, Oct 23, 12:15 pm in the Parlor
Discussion with Pastor Dan Baumgartner
“The Power and the Glory,” by Graham Greene, is the story of the last priest left in a state where the Church and God have been outlawed, and priests have been systematically hunted down and killed.

Holiday Magic
Fri, Dec 2

Christmas Reception
Sun, Dec 11

Women’s Retreat
Fri-Sun, Feb 10-12 at Warm Beach

News & Notes
Births
Macie Margaret Scovern August 1
Audrey Mae Sekora August 13
Alicia Lai-Ming Noelani Siebers August 13
Lindsay T. Maas August 18

Baptism
Spencer Joseph Hawk August 14

Bethany Finances
Bethany is not too far from being out of debt! The only loan that our budget must service is the one remaining on the building of the Fellowship Hall. Right now the balance is just over $157,000. If you want to contribute towards Bethany being debt-free, write your checks to the church, and mark them “Mortgage Repayment Fund.” Or contact Brian Ives, Elder for Administration.

Session Notes
by Chuck McFarland
Session met on September 13. Corey Parker led us in a devotion centered on our mindset as we arrive to worship.

Brian Ives and Steve Lympus led a discussion on the history
and potential future use of the space at 7 Howe.

Steve Lympus briefly reviewed Bethany’s current involvement with the Seattle Presbytery and asked the Session to consider how Bethany might be served in the future by the Presbytery.

The remainder of the evening was spent praying and worshipping. We thanked God for his greatness and lifted up the year to come in our congregation. The Session prayed in small groups walking throughout the Bethany campus. Prayer and worship in the sanctuary individually and in pairs culminated in sharing the Lord's Supper.