It's Messy
Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Sometimes it's important to pay attention to chapter titles when you read. A men's group I'm in has been patiently reading a little book by Eugene Peterson on the story of King David. It's called Leap Over A Wall, and each Thursday morning we talk through one chapter...

Urban Impact & Bethany: Impacting Lives in the Rainier Valley / Alicia Haskins, Health & Outreach Advocate, Urban Impact
We at Urban Impact are grateful for mission partners like Bethany Presbyterian Church and Leah (see picture). Our partners help make it possible for Urban Impact to strengthen families, raise leaders, and make disciples of Jesus in the Rainier Valley...

Kenyan Education: A Study in Contrasts / Maxine Talbert
On Lake Victoria, in one of the poorest, most illiterate and disease-stricken districts in Kenya, 350 children are receiving an almost unparalleled education...

Bethany Staff on the Move / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Bob Dylan liked to sing "the times, they are a-changin'." It may be true about "the times," but it's certainly accurate in describing the Bethany staff right now. Here are some changes you'll want to know about...

Holy Week for Children at Bethany! / Dianne Ross
What would Bethany’s worship services be like if we no longer had ushers? We could just toss a stack of bulletins on a table near the entrance and become a self-service church. If people had questions about bathrooms or children’s classes they could figure it out on their own. And couldn’t we just mail in our financial contributions instead of having an offering during the service? ...

Women's AM Brunch: Praying the Scriptures / Marisa Gronholz
I had the privilege of attending a friend's baby shower recently. There was an over-abundance of pastel-colored items, great food, warm drinks, the melodious sound of women's laughter. It was a typical shower...until it wasn't.

Children's Ministries

Come Experience "The Amazing Jerusalem Makeover"
Even if you know the wonderful story of Nehemiah, you've never experienced it like this: 40 children and young singing, dancing and acting their way through this amazing story of God's power and one ordinary person's faithfulness ot the Living God!

The whole Bethany family (and friends) are invited to enjoy this delightful musical on Saturday, April 18, at 7:00 pm. (And if you can't come that night feel free to come on Friday, April 17, to our dress rehearsal...we would appreciate having a lively audience that night, too!) The kindergarten through 8th graders have been working hard on learning their lines, their dance steps, their hand movements and notes since mid January.

The price is free, though we will be taking an offering for those who would like to help offset the costs of the production and support our Families in Service ministry opportunities this summer.

We are in need of several people to help us with some of the "technical" aspects...running lights, 'blakening the room,' sound, and assembling/de-assembling risers. If you can help with any of these areas, contact Dianne Ross.

Discover Christ in New and Deeper Ways at Camp!

"My kids came back from camp so excited about their relationship with Jesus Christ."

"Ever since my children went to camp, I overhear them talking to each other about God and how to live for him."

"My child feels more connected with other Bethany kids after spending a week in a cabin together at camp."

These are just a few of the good things that happen when kids go to camp together. Here in the Puget sound, we are very blessed to have so many good Christian Camps close by for our children and youth. Children from Bethany have attended several different camps, that are listed below. We've included their websites so you can look up more information. We've also listed names of some Bethany families whose children have had a good experience at this camp, or who know more about this camp.

Once you've decided on a camp and date, please let Dianne Ross know, as the Children's Ministry Team likes to pray for the children while they are at camp.

Camp Gormley, near White Pass
Rick & Lisa Hudson; Kurt & Delene DeForest Dale

Firwood, east of Bellingham
LauraLeigh Young & Jim Penny; Dave & Kay Westburg

Warm Beach, near Stanwood
Mark & Linda Cutshall; Nancy & Joe Wagner

Tall Timbers, near Leavenworth
Daniel & Lara Kutz; Todd & Monica Holdridge

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Wednesday Night Dinner
Wednesdays in April, 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Healing Prayer
Sunday, April 5 & 19, after the 5 pm service in the Sanctuary.

Noontime Services
April 6-10, 12:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 9, 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary

Easter Services
Sunday, April 12, 7:15, 9 & 10:45 am in the Sanctuary (no 5 pm service)

The Amazing Jerusalem Makeover Dress Rehearsal
Fri, April 17, 6:00-8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

The Amazing Jerusalem Makeover Performance
Sat, April 18, 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Session Notes
On Tuesday, March 10, 2009 the Elders gathered in the Parlor for the monthly Session meeting. The meeting began in prayer and Jill Bell pointing the group toward Christ.

The "business" of session included review of the 2009 budget expenses and procedures, reviewing and approving the latest members of the Bethany 101 class seeking membership, and discussing the history and future of the Acts 4:32 fund for people in the Bethany Community who experience financial hardship.

Session also voted to split the 2008 budget surplus of $5,800 equally between the Bethany high school mission trip to Portugal and the special Kenya Mission Trip Fund.

Session was blessed to have Maxine visit our meeting and share their journey with God during their trials with cancer. We prayed with them and celebrated their ability to share God with others during this season of life.

News & Notes

Births

• Linnea Eline Schilder March 1
• Sienna Nicole Black March 10
• Erica Anne Campbell March 17
• William ("Will") Faris Blessing March 19