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We Can Do Better / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
The phrase first hit my radar screen when it came out of the mouth of the president of the United States of America. “We can do better.” ...
Esperanza Mission Trip / Carolyn, Steven, Caleb & Nathan Judd
 On August 8 six Bethany families traveled north to the Esperanza Mission; a wonderful place that is tucked away on a little inlet in North Vancouver Island. Esperanza is a haven for the people of First Nations, who need counseling and a safe place to work out difficulties in their lives...
Families in Service Update / Dianne Ross
God has continued to abundantly bless each and every one of our Families in Service ministry events this summer.
Director of Special Needs
My name is Kim, and I love children and families. I will be working with the buddies and buddy coordinators who come alongside Bethany kids with special needs during their Sunday School experiences...
Read Good Books: A Grace Disguised / Associate Pastor Todd Holdridge
Most of us have experienced seasons of loss. Perhaps some of us are in the midst of it now. Almost 20 years ago, Gerald (Jerry) Sittser, professor of Christian History at Whitworth University, was surprised by the catastrophic loss of several family members in a tragic auto accident.
Offer Up Your Labors: Sunday, September 6
Labor Day weekend is nearly here, ifyou can believe that!
Most of us enjoy the weekend, or the extra day off without really thinking much about an important topic: work. Yet most of our waking hours are influenced by the work we do, whether it's teaching, practicing law, raising children, designing websites or a myriad of other things. Furthermore, we often tend to segregate what we do with most of time (work) from what we often think we should be doing (ministry). What if there is no division? What if your current work is your ministry, to God and to other people?
You are cordially invited to bring a symbol of your "labor" to worship on Sunday, September 6. That could be a construction helmet, a piece of paper, a book or anything else. When we move forward to share in the Lord's Supper, there will be an opportunity to offer your work to the Lord by laying your symbol on the table as an act of worship.
Children's Ministries
Fall Kick Off!
All children’s classes at both 9 & 10:45 am will start upfor the 2009-10 school year on Sunday, September 13! Parents and children – please be watching for a snail mail packet in early September that includes where your new classrooms are located and the names of your leaders! Sack lunches will again be served in Fellowship Hall after the services on this exciting kick off Sunday!
As of August 20, ninety one people had said yes to working with children ages 2 through 5 th grade at Bethany for this coming school year. We are still praying for a few more people to assist in children’s classes at both 9 & 10:45 am on the following ministry teams:
- buddies for our special needs children
- “strolling musicians” for preschool classes
- 9:00 am 1 st grade; 2nd & 3rd grade class, 4th & 5th grade boys’ class
Please contact Dianne Ross (dianner@bethanypc.org, 284-2222 ext 14) to learn more.
Godly Play Orientations
On Saturdays Sept. 5 and 12, all 9:00 kindergarteners, and 10:45 4-year-olds are asked to bring their parent along for a one hour orientation to Godly Play. These orientations will take place in our worship center in room 202 from 10:00-11:00 am and are required for all children who will be participating in Godly Play for the first time. Please RSVP to Dianne Ross at dianner@bethanypc.org and let her know which one of these two dates you and your child will be attending.
Sunday School Orientation Planning
All children’s Sunday school leaders are reminded that our orientation and planning meeting is Tuesday, September 1. Those who are new working with children atcome at 6:30 pm to room 201 for “basic training”, all “returnees” come to the parlor at 7:00 pm.Baumgartner will lead us in a short time in the scriptures and prayer, followed by time in your individual teams for planning, going over curriculum, and getting to know your team mates. Please let your department coordinator know you’ll be coming!
On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing
Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Bethany Women's Summer Bible Study
Tuesday, September 1, 9:30 am (Parlor) and 7 pm (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday School Orientation
Tuesday, September 1, 6:30 am (new teachers) and 7 pm (returning teachers)
Offer Up Your Labors
Sunday, September 6, all services Sanctuary
Healing Prayer
Sun, September 6 & 20, after the 5 pm service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday School Kick-Off
Sun, September 13
Women's Gathering
Friday, September 18, 7:30 pm
Bethany 101
Potluck: Friday, September 25, 6:30 pm in the Parlor
Sat class: Saturday, September 26, 9:30 am in the Parlor
Sun class: Sunday, September 27, 10:45 am in the Parlor
Sunday classes continue October 4, 11 and 18
Session Notes
On Tuesday, July 28, 2009 the Elders gathered in the Parlor for the monthly Session meeting. Unlike the regular monthly meetings, the meeting began with Elders in pairs visiting Bethany seniors in their homes. This rich time included conversation, prayer and communion. We are truly blessed by these saints in our community.
This was the first session meeting for several new elders, so Pastor Dan spent some time describing how the monthly meeting works and how to serve communion. Everyone in attendance spent a few minutes introducing themselves.
The agenda items that were addressed included:
- Financial and Facilities Update – Dan Wickline ..
- Presentation and approval of a new web-based church
information tool
- Idea generation surrounding the scope for necessary building improvements
Financial Update
Below is the financial data for 2009. All of the numbers are through the end of July.
- The total income this year is $769,000.
- The total expenses this year are $876,900.
- The current deficit for the year is $107,900. The deficit at this time last year was $139,900.
Our income for 2009 is 11% greater than it was at this time in 2008, and our overall expenses are 5% greater than last year. That said, we do have a deficit. The deficit is lower than last year and it is not uncommon for us to have a deficit at this time during the calendar year. We trust that the Lord will continue to bless Bethany financially and that giving will catch up to our needs as it has in past years.
News & Notes
Births
- Elliott Daniel Layton August 8
- James William Montagner August 9
Baptisms
- Debra Carol De Mello June 28
- Owen Thomas Curley August 9
- Elijah Benjamin Lucero August 9
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BETHANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH