You are invited to join us in the new year as we explore a new series from Worship Design Studio called Who Are You? beginning Sunday, January 12.
The new year is a great time to re-look at questions such as "Who are you?" and "Where are you going?" We find ourselves making New Year's Resolutions in an effort to become who we want to be. Sometimes they last but most of the time we end up making the same resolutions year after year. This year we'll delve deeply into the question of "Who are You?" and discover that it is linked indelibly to "Whose You Are?" What amazing things could happen if you lived
into your best, most passionate, loving self? Let's find out together!
Quarterly Women's Gathering: Aim Your Arrow 2020
Join us on Saturday, January 11 from 9:30 AM to 1 PM as we start off 2020 with a special workshop designed and facilitated by Rev. Kathleen Verigin.
Are you ready to step off the edge of 2019 to a new edge that is one of your choosing? That’s what January is for! In this this fun and meaningful workshop—through meditation, reflection, and ceremony— we will together take aim for a fabulous 2020. The outcome is a Word of Intention that will guide and support you through the next calendar year.
Invite your mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces and friends. Lunch will be provided. Please bring a morning snack to share. Donations will be accepted to help offset costs. If you need child care let Paige know when you register. RSVP to Paige@unangst.net or 503-567-9946.
John Nilsen Trio
For many years the John Nilsen Trio has been performing at the Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ. This is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy some great music and worship together. Join us at Bethel Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM!
2 Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve Family-Friendly Service
Join us in the sanctuary for a celebration of Christmas that is fun and festive for families with young children, or children of any age. Our early Christmas Eve service on December 24 at 5 pm will include the lighting of the special "mystery" advent candle, a participatory reenactment of the Christmas story as recorded in Scripture and an opportunity to spread the joy by lighting candles and singing Silent Night. With carols, costumes and prayers, this service provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas eve at an earlier hour.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
You are invited to join us at a new time - 10 pm on December 24 for a candlelight service as we continue our theme of Heaven and Nature Sing: 300 Years of Joy to the World. Listen to readings, sing carols and hear beautiful music by our Chancel Choir and special guests. The service will end with the lighting of candles and the singing of Silent Night. It is a wonderful way to celebrate God's love through the birth of Jesus!
Faith Cafe
Last year we had the privilege of serving a turkey dinner the Sunday after Thanksgiving to 130 guests! More than one mentioned that it was the best Thanksgiving in a long time. This year we have the honor of serving Christmas dinner on Sunday, December 22. We expect a great turnout as we turn out a great meal. I know it's a busy time of year; please consider helping make a difference in our guests' holiday.
As always, please let Susan or me know whether or not you will be able to help out as soon as you are able, indicating whether you would like to help out with cooking (2 pm arrival), set-up (3:00-3:15 pm arrival), or serving (4:15-4:30 arrival). After December 22, our next Faith Cafe volunteer opportunity will be February 9, 2020. Please mark your calendars.
Dan Miller
This Sunday, December 1, we will have a special guest joining us for worship: Dan Miller, internationally renowned organist! 2019 marks Dan's 20th year as Rodgers Artist and Tonal Professional at Rodgers Instruments US LLC, one of the world’s leading organ builders and maker of Bethel's very own organ, located in Hillsboro. As you attend worship this Sunday, enjoy a special demonstration of virtuosic organ alongside our talented music team and chancel choir.
Unpacking the Sabbatical Retreat Update
Last Saturday, October 19, Bethel hosted an Unpacking the Sabbatical retreat to reflect on Pastor David's sabbatical, and what was gleaned by both pastor and congregation from the experience. To read David's summary of the event, please click here.
Looking Back
Matthew 22:15-22
It's a Wonder-Full Life Sermon Series Begins October 20th
Join us this Sunday, October 20th as we launch our 2020 Stewardship Campaign and sermon series - It's a Wonder-Full Life! Click here to see the trailer!
Spiritual practice feeds that part of ourselves that is oriented toward serenity, harmony, truth, compassion, gratitude, love and joy. But these are not always words we use to describe the role of money in our lives. In the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a crisis of money creates vastly diverse reactions from several characters that can hold up a mirror to our own relationships with money. In this four-week series, we will “look” squarely in the face of our money issues in compassionate ways that can offer more depth of meaning, healing, and wholeness and a whole new “outlook” on what constitutes a wonderful life.
To delve deeper into this topic, join the Conversations for the Curious Class on Sunday mornings or sign up for Pastor David's Class on Money and Meaning, Tuesdays at 11:30 am or 7 pm.
Unpacking the Sabbatical Retreat
Join us on Saturday, October 19 from 9 am - 3 pm in the Fellowship Hall as we Unpack the Sabbatical with consultant Margaret Marcusen. This is the time for the congregation to share about their experiences over the summer and for Pastor David to share more about his and then, as a group, see where we go from here. All congregants, especially leadership, are encouraged to attend. Please sign up on Sunday so we can plan for set up and lunch. Thank you!
Let your voice be heard!
HomePlate - special video projecT
HomePlate is working on a special video project to highlight their many programs, and will be filming at Fellowship Hour this Sunday, September 29! For more information about this project, read on:
Over the past few months, HomePlate Youth Services has been working with Devin Tau, a local documentarian, on a youth-focused video for HomePlate. He has joined them on outings, come to their main office for a "mock drop-in," and filmed at both Sit-n-Stay and It Takes A Village. All of the interviews have been with the youth, which is the biggest difference when compared to our other videos that feature the staff and/or volunteers. Last on the list of filming opportunities is HomePerk. Devin and his camera operator, along with the two new core HomePerk volunteers, will be present at filming at Bethel's Fellowship Hour on September 29. We imagine that they would like to take some wide shots of the line coming through for coffee, maybe the dining area, and will probably want to film Maddison or Christian interacting with people (for those who are comfortable and would like to help with the project and be featured). Please feel free to check in with Devin the filmmaker, who is very friendly. HomePlate ultimately hopes to use the video as promotional material to have on their website, use at presentations, etc. We're really excited to help provide some good footage of HomePerk in action and help our friends at HomePlate.
Rummage Sale
The Bethel Rummage Sale is approaching and we need everyone to pitch in! This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and a great way for you to give to Bethel is to help with the annual Rummage Sale. Here are some ideas for how to get involved:
1. Now is a good time to sort through your cupboards, closets, and garages. There will be boxes in the Narthex and Fellowship Hall every Sunday in September for you to take home home and fill up. Drop off days and hours are attached to every box. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ITEMS BEFORE SEPT 30th. WE HAVE NO SPACE FOR STORAGE.
2. We also need your time!
-Can you spend time hanging up clothing as donations come in?
-On Sept 30 and Oct 3, can you unpack a box and set items on a table? Evening hours are available.
-On Oct 3, can you help stick prices on items?
-On Oct 4 and 5, can you sit or stand in a designated area and greet shoppers, answer questions, like where to check out? Can you add up purchases using a calculator? Can you bag purchases?
3. Volunteering is probably one of the best ways to meet people and make connections. If you are new to Bethel or a long time member, we would love your help at the Rummage Sale!
Quarterly Women's Gathering: Call to Courage
Join us Saturday, September 14 from 9 AM to 1 PM for the fall women’s retreat. We will be exploring the themes in Brené Browns video “Call to Courage.” She has penned 5 New York Times best sellers and has spent over 20 years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She challenges us to choose courage over our comfort in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty. Come ready to learn and share about what a "call to courage" might look like for you. Lunch will be provided, please bring a morning snack to share. If you need child care let Paige know when you register. RSVP to Paige@unangst.net or 503-567-9946.
Help Needed: Sorting School Supplies for Beaverton Students
The Beaverton School District reached out to Bethel about getting help sorting school supply donations. If you are available to help on Friday, August 30 from 11am-3pm, the district could use your assistance. Because of all the media this spring about budget cuts and the Student Success Act, Beaverton School District has been blessed with numerous donors coming in with school supplies. NOW THEY NEED HELP SORTING! Sorting at the warehouse is family friendly, and even an hour of your time is a help. You can contact Christina Mackin, Community Resource Coordinator to RSVP via email at christina_mackin@beaverton.k12.or.us or by cell (503)789-8309. This event will take place at BSD Transportation Support Center, south parking lot garage entrance. 1270 NW 167th Place, Beaverton.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Please come August 25 after worship to celebrate Pastor Dianne's last Sunday with us and enjoy some ice cream at the Ice Cream Social! We will have the ice cream base, whipped cream, chocolate and caramel. We would love to see what you like to top your ice cream with, so please bring your favorite toppings to share! However, we are keeping the ice cream social nut free so please leave nut toppings at home. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Blessing of the Artists
On August 11, we will be featuring the many artists of the Bethel congregation as part of our Blessing of the Artists worship service. Our Blessing of the Artists celebration will include a special art and creativity-focused worship service at 10 AM, followed by an artists' reception from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Creations include everything from wood carvings to fused glass to woven baskets to fruit preserves to poetry. Please join us for this special service and artists' reception! We'll be enjoying a spread of culinary arts during the reception and there will be time to chat, nibble, enjoy fellowship, and view artworks at your own pace.
Kayaking on the Tualatin River
On August 14, join us for another Summer of Adventure outing - kayaking on the Tualatin River! We'll meet at Cook Park at 1:30 PM. Dress for the weather and bring water and a snack if you want one. It is advisable to wear shoes that can get wet, like sandals. Tualatin Riverkeepers will provide the boats, life jackets and paddles.
As far as boat options, TRK has 7 canoes, 2-4 double kayaks, and 10-15 single kayaks. Canoes can take 1-2 passengers depending on their size/age, which is great for little ones going with their parents. The activity will run from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Everyone will need to sigh a waiver (adults on the front, minors on the back).
Taize Service
Hear O Hear My People
Strategic Planning Wants to Hear from You!
The strategic planning committee is holding a series of focus group meetings for members, visitors, and friends of the congregation to share their thoughts and aspirations for Bethel! The data collected will be used to inform our strategic plan for the next five years. The focus groups are being held on the following dates:
July 25 at 11:30 AM at Bethel.
August 5 at 7 PM at Bethel.
August 16 at 6:30 PM at the Macpherson home.
August 18 at 11:30 AM at Bethel.
August 26 at 7 PM at the Griffo home.
To sign up for one of the meetings, please click on the Summer of Adventure Signup Link in the Weekly Highlights or contact Courtney in the church office.