To Know and Be Known / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Once upon a time there was a man named Bartleby. He was a good enough guy, though a little odd in the estimation of those who knew him. But in fact, few knew him. Bartleby allowed no one close enough for that. His work colleagues knew little of where he had come from, couldn't really understand the decisions he made at work and even his good-hearted supervisor was at a loss when he slowly slipped out of life...

Healing Prayer / Nina Shoop
When I was asked to be part of the Healing Prayer Team at Bethany my immediate thought was "Yes!" I have experienced God's healing touch in my own life through prayer. I believe God is the Great Physician and Healer. All power in heaven and on earth is at His command. Therefore, I consider it a privilege and a blessing to take part in God's kingdom on earth by praying for the healing of my brothers and sisters in Christ...

Fully Alive! Participating in God's Love for the World / Patti Holman
Are you someone who characterizes yourself as having a quiet faith-it's a personal thing? Maybe you have been comfortable with prayer, church and a small group, and that's all you've heard emphasized. Jesus doesn't just call us to practice behind closed doors; He Himself commissions us to go out...

Families and God's Mission
Julia Sensenbrenner, Elder for Children's Ministries
Imagine spending an afternoon at the zoo with some recent refugee families through World Relief, or serving breakfast as a family at New Horizons Ministry for teenagers who are living on the streets. Now consider joining in a "Kenya Night" where adults and children of all ages enjoy Kenyan food, music, activities, and joyful dancing and singing with some of our Kenyan friends...

Advent: Waiting on Tiptoes
John Chase, Discipleship Ministry Coordinator
Whoever coined the phrase "Good things come to those who wait" no doubt knew what they were looking for. Perhaps a souffle to rise, or the first strawberries of the season to ripen. Waiting is not a magic formulat. Nor does it necessarily result in goodness. If it did, I suspect our fast-paced, instant culture would be a little more interested in making it a priority...

Family Advent Gathering / Dianne Ross, Children's Ministries Director
Sat, Nov 25, 5:00-6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Picture you and your family:

• making an advent wreath or "how the church tells time" calendar
• eating pizza with other children and families
• going into the sanctuary for a short but meaningful What is Advent? worship service
• making a Christmas card for one of our seniors or mission partners
• browsing through our "advent resources table" so each child can choose one sticker booklet or advent calendar to take home for the month of December.

The cost is just $2.00 per person and includes a simple child-friendly pizza dinner and all your wreath or calendar materials. If your family wants to make two wreaths, or a wreath and a calendar, please bring $5.00 for your second project. The purpose of this evening, sponsored by Children and Family Ministires, is to help each member of our church family prepare for Advent (which doesn't start until December 3 this year).

Here is the plan for the evening:

5:00-5:30 pm - Dinner in the Fellowship Hall
5:30-6:00 pm - Short worship service in Sanctuary
6:00-6:00 pm - Make wreaths, calendars and cards

All who are coming are asked to bring tree greens, ribbons and pine cones (if at all possible) to share at the wreath making. The greens are critical. Please sign up either on the poster in the hallway near the big stairway by Sun, Nov 19 or contact Holly Royston at sulajune@yahoo.com. Let her know how many children and adults will be coming, and which project(s) you would like to do.

Sermon Audio Now Online
Bethany sermons are now online as streaming audio and as downloadable podcasts. New sermons (in print and audio) will be available mid-week at www.bethanypc.org. Copies can still be requested on CD from the church office.

WND: Thanksgiving and Christmas
In the fall, Bethany's Wednesday Night Dinner gives raincoats and toiletries to our dinner guests. For Thanksgiving, we are collecting clean, warm rainproof coats. For Christmas, we are collecting travel-size soaps, shampoos, shavers, toothbrushes, etc. to give as Christmas gifts.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Alpha
Mondays, Oct 2-Dec 11

Men's Breakfast
Sat, Nov 4, 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Have You Not Heard? (Adult CE)
Sun, Nov 5 and 12, 10:45 am in the Parlor

College Age Fellowship
Sun, Nov 5-26, 6:30 pm at 7 Howe

Exploring Theology
The Presence of God: The Empowering Holy Spirit
Sat, Nov 11, 9:00 am in the Parlor / led by Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Let's be honest. The Holy Spirit makes many of us nervous. What does it feel like? What does it look like? Scripture shows us many sides of God embodied by the Spirit: power, gifts, work, calling. But perhaps more than anything, it is helpful to think of the Spirit as the presence of God...now. This is our tenth class, but you do not need to have been present at any others to attend.

Prayer for Honduras
Sun, Nov 12, 12:15 pm in the Library

Come Over for Lunch or Supper
Sun, Nov 12, 1:00 pm or 5:00 pm at various Bethany homes

Prayer for our Hurting World
Sun, Nov 19, 12:30 pm in the Library

Thanksgiving Worship Service
Thurs, Nov 23, 10:00 am in the Sanctuary

Holiday Magic
Fri, Dec 1, 6:00 pm at Bethany
Holiday Magic is an event up and down Queen Anne Avenue, giving us an opportunity to practice hospitality to people in the neighborhood. Bethany will be having its annual tree lighting on the lawn at 6:00 pm...with a new cross! At 6:15 pm, all are invited for hot cider, snacks and crafts.

Advent Reflection Retreat
Sat, Dec 2, 9:00 am-3:00 pm Dominican Reflection Center
A time of quiet reflection and communal worship. Led by Marlene Muller. Contact Lynne McMahan (361-2621) if interested.

Advent Carol Service
Sun, Dec 3, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Christmas Reception
Sun, Dec 17, 12:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Christmas Eve Services
Sun, Dec 24 in the Sanctuary
Morning service will be held at 10:00 am. Evening services will be held at 5, 8 and 11:00 pm.

Women's Retreat
March 23-25, 2007 at the Warm Beach Conference Center

News & Notes
Births

• Griffin Ryan Peyovich September 13 to parents Ryan &
  Erin Peyovich
• Adeline Eleanor Edwards September 15 to parents Mark & Janine Edwards
• Abigail Rose Harding September 25 to parents Ken & Deanna Harding
• Luke Moritz Hess September 25 to parents Dave & Heather Hess
• Scout DeJong Harding October 10 to parents Bobby & Lexie Harding

Baptisms

• Samantha Kay Hagen October 8
• William Gregory Alston October 8

Session Notes
Chuck McFarland, Clerk
Session met in the Parlor to pray, learn, worship, discuss and decide. Our time together was split between Session meeting in the Parlor and a combined group of elders and deacons meeting together in the Fellowship Hall. Once a year these two groups come together for fellowship.

During the Session part of the meeting we discussed the status of the 2006 budget and prepared for drafting the 2007 budget. We also listened to updates on the Youth Ministry planning, new Members activity and the Housing Ministry Task Force. Dan led a discussion on the concept of busyness and following Jesus.

The combined group met and, after introductions, continued a discussion on busyness. Dan pointed us to Christ with a message on leadership. He made the point that to be a leader you must first be a follower of Christ. We dispersed throughout Bethany in small groups of deacons and elders to pray for the work of God that happens throughout Bethany and in our numerous communities. We reconvened to worship together in song.