Please join us this year for Holy Week and Easter Sunday! Click here to download this year's schedule of Holy Week and Easter offerings. This helpful guide includes a detailed schedule and description of each of our Holy Week and Easter opportunities.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing is one of the United Church of Christ's four special offerings. We will receive this offering on March 27, 2022. You can also give online.
This Lenten offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within the Wider Church Ministries. For more information, please click on the following video link. https://www.ucc.org/giving/ways-to-give/our-churchs-wider-mission/one-great-hour-of-sharing/.
St. Patrick's Youth Event
Calling all Bethel children and youth! The Faith Development Committee has planned a fun-filled Saint Patrick's Day event to allow our children and youth to see each other, learn about this important Irish holiday, talk about Lent and eat some yummy food. So put on something green, and make plans to join us in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 -7 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022 (yes, this is technically the day after St. Patrick's Day but it is the closest day that was not a school night.)
Parents: You are welcome to stay for the festivities or drop off your child and come back at 7 pm.
Youth (Middle School & High School): You are encouraged to come and help the younger children with the various crafts and to be a "buddy" to our younger children.
Please have your child wear their mask (unless they are actively eating or drinking.) We will be in the Fellowship Hall that has special filters for filtering out allergens and viruses.
Please RSVP to Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org by Monday, March 14, so we know how many to expect for food and crafts.
Questions? Contact Beth Astarte.
Revolutionary Love For Ukraine
As we all are concerned for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine,
we remember our journey through Valerie Kaur's book, "Revolutionary Love".
Valerie sent a very informative email, that included a prayer and guided process
to help us know how to grieve with and support the Ukrainian people.
Click here for the copy of the email.
Here's what you can do immediately.
#1 Click here for a curated list of organizations you can choose from to support the people of Ukraine. These have been vetted by partner organizations we trust and our friends on the ground.
#2 Contact your elected officials to voice your support for peace in Ukraine.
Food Bag Delivery for Homeless Beaverton High School Students
Delivery of food bags for Beaverton High School homeless students will be Monday, December 13th.
Please plan to arrive at 8:45 so that your car or truck can be loaded. The Mayor will come between 9:00 and 10:00am! We will be delivering to the front of Beaverton High School where a team will be waiting for the 840 bags.
We can also use a few muscle bound volunteers for loading racks inside in a quick manner. If you are planning on coming, please let Mac Macpherson or Fran Jensen know. Thanks, again, for all the soup donations!
Blue Christmas
Blue Christmas
Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are coping with illness, grief, loss, other difficulties and challenges of life.
This time of year, the culture around us seems to demand hearty good cheer at all times. When we are grieving, in pain, trying to make ends meet, and dealing with the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and how to have a safe holiday celebration, we may feel out of step and off balance.
The Blue Christmas Worship Service gives us an opportunity to give voice to our pain and frustration, and the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us through candlelight, music, and, if desired, the ancient practice of anointing with oil. The Blue Christmas Worship Service will take place Sunday, December 12th at 2 pm as a hybrid service.
For further information, please contact Pastor David at drb@bethelbeaverton.org.
Advent Series: Calm and Bright
This Advent season join Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ as we celebrate the message of the beloved Christmas carol, "Silent Night, Holy Night" using materials from Marcia McFee and Worship Design Studio. This over 200-year old hymn gives hopes when we sing “all is calm, all is bright” bringing peace, joy and love to soothe our hearts and help us focus on and celebrate the message of Christmas – God with us.
November 28, 2021, 1st Sunday of Advent – Sleep in Peace (PEACE)
One of the most famous stories about this beloved hymn took place in World War I. British and German soldiers on the front lines called a truce on Christmas Day and they could hear each other in the peaceful quiet singing “Silent Night,” each in their own language. Humanity is the holy infant for whom God so desires a heavenly peace. Is it possible to bring calm and bright to our own corners of this world?
December 5, 2021, 2nd Sunday of Advent – Glories Stream (JOY)
The shepherds got quite a wake-up call that night when the sky lit up "like a Christmas tree" (so to speak). Awe at the transformative glory of what God can do in our lives is the focus this week. Glories are streaming every day if we only have eyes to see. How would our lives be renewed if we saw the world and our lives through the lens of wonder?
December 12, 2021, 3rd Sunday of Advent – Redeeming Grace (LOVE)
The presence of God in human form is the "dawn" of redeeming grace, says the hymn's third verse. God so desired to be "up close and personal" that God came to live, breathe, feel, teach, touch, and love. Made in the image of God, we are called to nurture relationships that birth, multiply and radiate grace in the world. What would the world be like if “love’s pure light” was at the center?
December 19, 2021, 4th Sunday of Advent – Let Us Sing (HOPE)
The last verse of the hymn invites us to lift our voices in alleluia's to the one who is "King." This descriptor was more radical for the people of Jesus' time as it resisted the powers of empire that threatened "the least of these" that Jesus came to serve. We are reminded by this seemingly benign and sweet song that whenever there is injustice in this world, we are to look to the one whose power is love. How might this increase our hope for the future?
December 24, 2021 – Calm and Bright
There is something about Christmas Eve. It is hard to describe that "something" that many of us feel and it is different, to be sure, for everyone. The older we are and the more memories we accumulate, the more complex the feeling becomes. Perhaps the tendency for reflection upon one's life and the presence or absence of loved ones on this night is why we love to hear "all is calm, all is bright." On this night we remember the promise of God–that God would be "Emmanuel," God-with-us forever more.
To download our schedule of Advent events and activities, click here.
To download our 2021 Advent Guide, click here.
New Office Administrator
Shneeb Covington (they/them)! They are a non-binary musician and Twitch streamer originally from Gadsden, AL. Shneeb joins us from the University of Portland, where they studied Music, and have been working for the last four years as a Music Director, Office Administrator, and the Assistant Producer of Mocks Crest Opera. They bring a wealth of experience including strong administrative skills, facility management, financial skills and website administration. Outside of the Office, Shneeb can be found playing Dungeons and Dragons, listening to Taylor Swift, and coaching young Performing Artists along their career paths.
Christmas Wreath Sale
To fundraise for future Bethel Youth Trips, Bethel Youth are selling Christmas wreaths, swags, and mantelpiece arrangements through November 12. All wreaths and swags are made with fresh, local noble fir boughs and decorated with pine cones, cedar, juniper, and a fabric bow. Weatherproof bows are available upon request. Mantelpieces are NEW this year - they are 36" long, decorated with three clusters of cones, juniper, holly, and cedar. Pick up will take place at the church on Sunday, December 5.
You may order your wreath online by using the order form here: https://forms.gle/TCpmcbDTaUq9mjS9A
You may order your wreath in person on Sunday, November 7 before or after the Sunday worship service.
Habitat for Humanity - Critical Home Repair Services Available to Income-Qualified Beaverton Homeowners
We would like to spread the word about a great program made available by Habitat for Humanity Portland Region: Habitat for Humanity Portland Region has partnered with the City of Beaverton to provide Community Development Block Grant funds for home repair activities to low income Beaverton homeowners! If you are a Beaverton resident in need of critical home repair, please reach out to Habitat for Humanity Portland Region to learn more. You may visit their website at https://habitatportlandregion.org/ or call 503-844-7606 (ext 110).
Neighbors in Need Offering
Neighbors in Need is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States. The 2021 Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects that are serving homeless and immigrant neighbors or communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities.
Bethel will be collecting the Neighbors in Need offering on Sunday, October 24. You may donate in-person or online, where you will see a special giving category for Neighbors in Need.
Food Drive for Homeless Beaverton High School Homeless Students
Once again we are supplying food for BHS homeless students over their winter break. We are asking the congregation to provide cans of hearty soup with meat and veggies. Please donate the cans with pop-tops. No light or diet soups please, we are trying to keep the students well fed. Our goal is 600 cans. So far we have 360. Donations can be placed on the metal rack outside the chapel. Our target date is December 1 to gather all 600 cans.
P.S. For extra credit, please place your flavor soup with similar flavors on the metal rack.
Sunday School is Back - New and Improved!
This year the Faith Development Committee has decided to provide Sunday School virtually for all of our children in Kindergarten through 5th grades. It will be a combination of Kid's Lunch with Beth and YouTube videos that you can watch when it is convenient for your family.
It all begins THIS Sunday, October 3 with Kid's Lunch with Beth. During that time, the children will be introduced to the story for the month and the concepts we'll be covering. By October 10, the YouTube video will be ready for your family to view. The support materials will be emailed to each family. There are pages that help guide family discussions around the monthly featured topic. This month the topic is "reconciliation." On October 17 and 31, we'll once again have Kid's Lunch with Beth and continue to explore and "wonder" about reconciliation and how it works in the lives of your children. By October 24, there will be a second YouTube Sunday School video for you and your family to enjoy.
A packet or support materials will be emailed to each family or you can click here to download the materials. If you would like a printed copy, please contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org and she will get a printed set mailed to you. Please contact Beth with any questions.
Wednesday Contemplative Prayer and Meditation
Beth Astarte's weekly contemplative prayer and meditation program has moved to Wednesday mornings! Join together for a live, guided contemplative prayer and meditation practice that is live streamed in the Bethel Misfits Facebook group on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Register for the CPC Annual Gathering!
The CPC Annual Gathering will take place September 24 - October 3 via Zoom. The theme for 2021 is "Living Water". The CPC will be spreading the events of the gathering over 10 days in shorter “bite-sized” online Zoom meetings, culminating with an all-Conference worship service for World Communion Sunday on October 3. To learn more about the Annual Gathering, including information about speakers, music, and registration, visit the website here: https://cpcucc.org/wp14/about-us/2021-cpc-annual-gathering/
Beaverton Welcomes Afghanistan Refugees
In response to the current political situation in Afghanistan, the Beaverton City Council approved a resolution during their Aug. 24 meeting declaring the city a sanctuary for Afghanistan refugees. As Bethel organizes around a multi-pronged recommendation to respond to racism, this opportunity to live our progressive Christian beliefs comes face to face with the very real condition of Afghan refugees. Pastor David will share more about this as part of his sermon series. If you are looking for a way to show support alongside others, consider participating in Beaverton's upcoming Welcoming Week.
The City of Beaverton will be hosting a Welcoming Week September 10th through 19th, and is one of many cities participating in a larger national Welcoming Week campaign. Beaverton's 2021 theme is “Belonging Begins With Us.” To learn more about events scheduled in Beaverton, visit the website at: https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/welcomingweek
National Welcoming Week is an annual series of events designed to bring together immigrants, refugees, and U.S.-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. The week’s activities celebrate the contributions of newcomers and provide opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships and understanding.
To learn more about Beaverton's broader Welcoming Beaverton initiatives and activities, visit the website here: https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/1634/Welcoming-Beaverton
See No Stranger Fall Sermon Series and Book Study
“Love is a form of sweet labor: fierce, bloody, imperfect, and life giving – a choice we make over and over again. Love can be taught, modeled, and practiced…’Revolutionary love’ is the choice to enter into labor for others, for our opponents, and for ourselves in order to transform the world around us. It is not a formal code or prescription but an orientation to life that is personal and political and rooted in joy.” – Valerie Kaur, p. 310
Beginning September 12, 2021 and for 7 weeks, Bethel UCC will begin a study of Valerie Kaur’s book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. Join us as we explore what it means to enter into labor for others, our opponents and ourselves while we are rooted in joy. The first two weeks we’ll explore Love for Others through wonder, grief and fight. The next two weeks we’ll look at Love for Opponents by investigating rage, listening and reimagining. The follow two weeks we’ll focus on Love for Ourselves through the labor metaphor of breathe, push and transition. In the final week of the series, we’ll see how we can be rooted in joy as part of our commitment to Revolutionary Love.
You are invited to join the book group that will delve more deeply into the topics presented on Sunday morning. The book group will start on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 7 pm. If you need assistance purchasing a book, please contact the office at office@bethelbeaverton.org.
Book group Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82579532974?pwd=OVhLaGdsclJVbmNHeEN4TkxrZlFxZz09
To find out more about Revolutionary Love, watch Valerie Kaur's TedTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/valarie_kaur_3_lessons_of_revolutionary_love_in_a_time_of_rage?language=en and join us for the upcoming sermon series beginning September 12, 2021.
To hear Valerie's Keynote Address at the UCC General Synod this year: https://vimeo.com/573828542 or go to https://www.generalsynod.org/keynote-speakers/ and click on "Watch Keynote" under her picture.
Hybrid Worship Updates
As a response to the Delta variant of COVID-19 and new state health mandates, we are making some adjustments to our hybrid worship practices. We will begin using a sign up system again, with some changes. We will be asking everyone to sign in before attending worship - not to reserve a seat, but to make sure Bethel has accurate attendance information if any contact tracing becomes necessary. You may sign up online prior to Sunday, or you may sign in on the sign in sheet in the Narthex.
Online sign up sheet: https://forms.gle/LedhojGYTa1X4b5VA
Things to know about hybrid worship and safety:
Everyone is required to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth at all times.
Please maintain social distancing between households while indoors and outdoors.
Refrain from hugging or touching those outside of your household.
All seating will be socially-distanced for now.
No congregational singing in the Sanctuary.
Pastor David will greet congregants OUTSIDE after worship. Please plan to do your personal socializing outside.
Our services will continue to be live-streamed to Zoom and Facebook. We will continue to offer breakout rooms on Zoom after worship.
If you have reason to suspect that someone in your household may have or have been exposed to COVID-19 or you are experiencing symptoms of illness, we ask you to please worship from home.
Our newly installed HVAC system includes air ionizing technology, which not only filters the air that circulates in the Sanctuary, but works to remove virus particles from the air!
If you have any additional questions, please email the office at office@bethelbeaverton.org.
Stump the Pastor
We need your questions! Do you have a theological question, or a question about the life of faith or the way the church works that you’ve always wanted to ask but were afraid to ask it? September 5 is your chance! Pastor David will offer impromptu answers to your questions. For the rest of the month, you can submit your "Stump the Pastor" questions. We will have a box for questions in the Narthex on Sunday, or you may email the church office at: office@bethelbeaverton.org.
Outreach Committee Donation Projects
Did you know that Outreach committee has several projects that help our climate and our community? We are currently accepting your donations for the following projects. You may bring your donation during office hours Monday through Wednesday from 9 am - noon, and 1 pm - 3 pm.
We take recyclable cans and bottles to benefit Family Promise.
We take slightly used clothing that is appropriate for school-aged kids to Beaverton School District clothes closet.
We take used, clean plastic and paper bags for the Food Cupboard.