Hospitality and the Gospel / Associate Pastor Todd Holdridge
What a delight to be here! On behalf of my whole family, thank you very much for the many notes, gifts, invitations to coffee, dinners, camping trips... So many of you have opened your homes and your lives to us - we are very grateful...

Remembering Maria Varga / Linda Cutshall
On June 27 Maria Varga went to be with our Lord in heaven. Maria's life in our church community began over 50 years ago. You'll enjoy reading excerpts from an article written in 1982 telling how Maria came to Bethany...

Youth Mission Trip to Pasadena
How Would Jesus ~?
Scott Gronholz, Youth Director
When I was a teenager, a bracelet that became a major trend was: "WWJD?" "What would Jesus do?" A lot of people find this question in following Jesus each day. However, this question is now becoming "HWJ~". "How would Jesus~?" The emphasis on the "how" leads to an understanding and experience with Christ and is important to ask before approaching the "what" moments of our lives...

I Am Unimportant
Ryan Pearson, sophomore at Ballard High School
My work group was made up of very unique people, all gifted with some kind of talent or skill. We used those talents on the trip, playing the guitar or painting a wall. As the week went on, my heart became more and more aware of one fact that stood out loud and clear to me. I am unimportant...

A Month in Palestine / Nate Van Duzer, senior at Georgetown University
Earlier this summer I spent four weeks in the West Bank. During my time there I worked at a local orphanage, studied Arabic at the Bethlehem Bible College, lived with a Palestinian Christian family, stumbled through Palestinian dance lessons, saw the holy sights, and met with Israeli and Palestinian peace organizations...

Children's Ministries / Dianne Ross
We continue to marvel at what God is doing in our midst this summer through our Families in Service projects. Here's what's on tap in August:

• An Annual Pool Party - Fri, Aug 3
  All Bethany families are invited to our annual pool party at the Magnolia pool. This year, the "outreach component" is to consider inviting a neighborhood friend or family to come for free.
• Farm and Food Fun - Thurs-Sat, Aug 9-11
  This group will be in the Lynden area, spending 1-3 nights in a church.
• Zoo Day with Refugee Families - Sat, Aug 11
• Wrap-Up Event - Sat, Sept 15
  This is open to the whole Bethany community. We will be celebrating all that God has done through our outreach partners, what we've learned together, see slide shows of some of the events, and enjoy some international food.

Yakama Cultural Exchange / Windus, Steenstra, Cutshall & Hudson families
Four Bethany families joined Emily Mitchell and the staff at Mending Wings Ministries, as well as some of the native youth involved with the ministry, in Toppenish (WA) from July 20-22. Surely the Lord was in our midst! The memories are fresh, and the experiences we shared are making their way into stories to tell.

A few of the highlights:

• During worship we sat in a circle and everyone got to share something when they held the “talking stick”.
• One of the native youth shared a story about discrimination she faces in her own community, and the support of a good friend.
• We made breakfast for everyone—blueberry pancakes.
  An unexpected gift of a working ranch visit, and horseback riding for all.
• An eye-opening, educational visit to the Yakama Cultural Center
• The drumming and native praise songs, under the big eastern Washington night sky.
• The gift of water in a vast and arid landscape.
• Lots of hanging out time, and the dogs.
• We prayed, we laughed, we listened, we cried, we played, we wondered. And we do still. Ask us about it.

Mississippi Mission Trip/ Mike Christensen
Several years ago, a friend who was waiting to adopt a child from China received a call in the middle of the night. The caller said, "Mr. Rempel, China calling." I thought it funny that the nation of China seemed to be calling one person.

Today, almost two years since Katrina, America's Gulf Coast is still calling. The need remains to rebuild homes damaged by the storm. The First Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi has housed several thousand volunteers over the past two years, volunteers just like you who have come to lend a hand and help get people back into their homes. The pastor of the church and the supervisors of the work have changed, but the need and the mission have not.

For most of us, our homes as a place of refuge where we return from busy days in work and other activities. Imagine that home being a small FEMA trailer for two years.

Consider joining us October 20-27 in Mississippi for a week filled with work, learning and the satisfaction of helping those in need. For questions, contact Mike Christensen, 365-7808.

News and Notes

• Pastor Dan Baumgartner will be on vacation in August.
  During his absence, please contact Associate Pastor Todd Holdridge or other appropriate staff members.
• Dolphus Weary, preacher, author and community developer will preach at Bethany on September 16 in the morning. The 5 pm service will relocate that night and join in a worship time with other congregations.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Children & Families' Outreach Activities
August 1 -Nov 5

First Time Moms Support Group
Wednesdays in August, 10:00 am at Christy Mansfield's home

Summer Hikes with Sara
Fri, August 3

College Age Fellowship
Sundays in August, 6:30 pm in 7 Howe

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

BPYG Mission Trip Reflection Night
Tues, August 21, 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Come see a video presentation and hear stories about the Pasadena mission trip. All are welcome to attend this event.

Godly Play Orientations
Either Sat, Aug 25 or Sat, Sept 15, 10:00 am at Room 202
Bethany utilizes a sensory-motor worship experience for young children called Godly Play. Children attending for the first time (K's at 9:00 am or 4-year-olds at 10:45 am) and a parent are asked to come to the orientation on one of these two days. Questions? Contact Dianne Ross (284-2222, ext 14).

Mariners Game
Tues, August 28, 7:00 pm at Safeco Field

Choir Rehearsals Resume
Wednesdays beginning September 5, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Alpha
Thursday nights beginning September 6

Installation for Todd Holdridge
Sun, September 23, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Bethany Children's Choir rehearsal
Tuesdays beginning September 25, 4:00 pm
Children in 2nd-8th grades will be rehearsing with Stephen Rumph and Cate McCrory. These students will lead in worship throughout the year.

MissionsFest Seattle
Fri-Sat, Oct 12-13 at Overlake Christian Church
Bethany is one of the many supporters of this event. Admission is free. Contact Kathy Cranston, KathyC@gatiwa.com.

News & Notes

Births

• Amelia Elspeth Struthers July 8
• Kyra Gail Blessing July 11
• Kiran Noel Shoop July 12

Session

Session met in the Bethany parlor on July 10. We worshipped, prayed, sang, and even conducted some business.

Todd Holdridge moderated the meeting, further demonstrating his ability to wear the many hats that go along with the Associate Pastor role.

Near the beginning of every Session meeting one of the Elders is responsible for pointing us toward Christ through some sort of devotional. Brian Beaumont did the pointing this Tuesday evening by presenting the history of the much recognized hymn, Amazing Grace.

Steve Jones, our Administration Elder, shared a financial snapshot showing that, although we are in a deficit, if is 40% less than it was at the same time last year. Steve also shared the update on the front steps repair and the need to have the repair work redone to meet code and stated expectations.

The bulk of the meeting was spent in a continuing discussion of our Bethany Statement of Direction facilitated by Dave Andersen.

We closed the meeting with prayers and goodbyes for Lynne McMahan, our Prayer Elder, as her family is moving to the Midwest.