I Love Being Here!
Interim Pastor Heidi Husted Armstrong
Many have been asking how I got to Bethany...so here’s the story…

Welcome to Bethany
Adele Drummond
Merriam-Webster defines welcome as a verb meaning: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality. Dictionary.com says it this way: as a word of kindly greeting, as to one another whose arrival gives pleasure. Both of these definitions describe what happens at the beginning of our worship service when we are asked to greet people around us...

The Day I Got to Be A Real Artist
Allison Singleton
About a year ago, I had the opportunity to hang ten of my photographs in the Ramp Room (hallway between the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary)...

Reflections on a Family Advent
Sara McMahon
I hear the kids waking up and I can barely contain my excitement. Today is the first day of Advent, and I am anxious to see how our new Advent calendar will go over...

Culture Shock!
Kathy Cranston
I’m in the midst of Culture Shock. I’m lovin’ that Texas BBQ brisket! I can pepper my sentences with “y’all” and “fixin’ to.” And I quite like teenagers sayin’ “Yes, ma’am” and checkers callin’ me “sweetheart.” But after 10 months living in Plano (where Mission to Unreached People’s new headquarters is) it is still a rough go when it comes to feeling like this is home...

Hello from the Chases
John & Tara Chase
Greetings from Fairfield, California, a lovely suburban city in the northeast Bay Area. We’ve been here six months, and are still getting settled and feeling our way around the new life God has provided!...oducing Rebekah Boettch
er
Being that Bethany's children's ministry is what initially drew me into this church a year and a half ago, I am very excited to be serving as the CM intern this winter.

It has been a joy to be a part of a community that so values and includes children. I have enjoyed getting to know some of the Bethany kids while teaching Sunday School, and am looking forward to getting to know more. 

A senior in my studies of Educational Ministry at SPU, I hope to continue in children's ministry after I graduate. Spending time with children is a deep joy of my heart and God has taught me much from the kids I’ve been blessed to spend time with over the last 4 years, at camp, while babysitting, and at Bethany.

I am looking forward to meeting more Bethany families and for the learning and growth that will inevitably come from this experience.

Day of Prayer
Sat, Feb 26, 9am-3pm - St. Mary-on-the-Lake Peace & Spirituality Center
Bruce & Di Murphy will be our guides with the theme "Guarding our Hearts." Many of us need to guard our hearts and minds from the fears and worries of our personal lives and the culture of fear in which we live. During this Lenten retreat we will have time to pray and focus our thoughts on what it means to be children of light who live in the unshakable kingdom of God. This day away will provide opportunities for nature walks, meditation, and individual and/or shared prayer as well as discussions related to finding God's peace in the realities of our often "anxious" lives. (For more information, contact Jan Beriault, (206) 285-1502, beriault_j@msn.com.)

Bethany 101
Fri-Sun, March 11-13 in the Parlor
Bethany 101 is designed to help you learn more about the Bethany community. If you want to meet more people and find out more about Bethany...this is a great place to start! If you want to explore membership here, this class is a prerequisite to becoming a member. In this discussion-oriented setting we will investigate:

• what it means to be a Christian
• the faith traditions that
• influence our congregational life
• the rich heritage of the Presbyterian Church
• the many ministries and opportunities for community and service at Bethany
• how to discover your personal and spiritual gifts

You will also get to know our pastors and people involved in our ministries.

If you decide to become a member, you will be asked to write brief responses to four membership questions, and you will meet with one of our elders.

Children's Ministries

Seeds of Faith concert coming
Imagine singing scripture songs set to beautiful and upbeat worship music. Now imagine some of our own 5th graders being part of the back up singers for a few “Seeds of Faith” concert leaders. Well guess what? You don’t have to imagine! Bethany Children’s Ministries will host a “SEEDS OF FAITH FAMILY WORSHIP” this Spring. Watch for further details, and pray about inviting a family from your neighborhood or school.

Children Welcome Pastor Heidi
The day before Pastor Heidi joined our staff, the children made her “welcome letters” and “welcome posters.” Here are just a few things they told her they liked about Bethany:

• We have gargoyles in the tower.
• We have an awesome staff.
• Kids matter here.
• We take care of each other by praying for each other, taking meals together, [and] worshipping together.
• Advent and Christmas seasons.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

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

Healing Prayer
1st Sunday of the month after the 10:45 am service on the Sanctuary balcony
3rd Sunday of the month after the 5 pm service on the Sanctuary balcony

Women's Bible Study
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, offered at 9:30 am & 7:00 pm in the Parlor
Studying 2 Corinthians. Childcare is available in the morning.

College Retreat
fri-Sun, Feb 4-6

Session Meeting
Tues, February 8 at 6:00 pm in the Parlor

Winter Renewal Weekend
Fri-Sun, February 11-13

Deacons
Tues, February 22 at 7:00 pm in the Parlor

Day of Prayer
Sat, February 26, from 9am-3pm at the Peace & Spirituality Center in Bellevue

News & Notes

Births

• Savannah Elizabeth Barnard - December 23
• Luke Wickline - january 11

Baptism

John Daniel Coniglio - January 9

Dedication

• Sarah Kathleen Till