Transitions / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Shock. That was my first response when Anne and I began to feel that our time at Bethany was coming to a close...

A Cup Runneth Over
Chuck Gould
Anyone privileged to serve with the Wednesday night dinner crew will be blessed by the experience. I have no doubt that Jesus is at Bethany on Wednesday nights...

For Men Only: Navigating Midlife
Mark Cutshall
A few Bethany men have already begun talking openly and honestly with each other about hitting midlife and the grinding (and graying) realities that hit back. What began as a conversation between two guys in a hurried hallway between services last winter is now an open invitation...

PACT: Prayer, Advocate, Communication & Travel
Sarah Stillion
Are you ever amazed how much things change in just a couple of weeks or months when you're away from home?...

Bethany Youth Mission Trip
Missy Lein
Service, dance party, bump, devotions, reflection, sleeping in the same room with 49 other people, pinkberry, homelessness, prayer, gratitude, hiking, joy, community...what do all these things have in common? BPYG mission trip!...

Scott and Connie Anderson
During a healing prayer session the missionary said through sobs..."When I was a little boy my father worked with the government..."

Stewardship Notes
In the interest of avoiding major financial need at year end and knowing we will soon be fundraising for the seismic retrofit, Session wants to keep you informed of Bethany's finances. While deficits are common early in the year, our decrease in overall giving from a year ago is a concern. Questions? Contact Dan Wickline, Treasurer (dan.a.wickline@gmail.com), or Janette Plunkett, Stewardship elder (janplu@comcast.net).

Through June 30

• Year-to-date income: $599,000...[2009: $638,000]
• Year-to-date expenses: $739,000...[2009: $771,000]
• Deficit: ($140,000)...[2009: ($133,000)]

Presbyterian (USA) General Assembly
As the Briefs went to press, The Presbyterian Church's (USA) General Assembly had just concluded in Minneapolis. You may have heard or read about their decisions on a wide range of issues. We will highlight those in the September Briefs.

Children's Ministries

Making Lunches for Urban Impact
Once again our children, and the whole congregation will have the opportunity to make lunches for the children who attend Urban Impact’s Summer camp. On Sunday, August 1, the Urban Impact staff will be here to share about the work of Urban Impact in the Rainier Valley, and the children will begin making several hundred lunches during 9:00 am “August Adventure.” Then, in between services, the entire congregation is invited to help make sandwiches or bag cookies in the Fellowship Hall.

During the rest of the week we will be meeting in the kitchen at 8:00 am to make hot lunches for the children, and people will show up at 10:00 am to deliver the food. If you would like to help with either of these projects, please contact LauraLeigh Young ahead of time at penneyyoung@comcast.net.

Planning for FALL in Children's Ministries
The Children’s Ministry team is praying for men and women to come experience the joy of teaching children in 9:00 am Sunday School, 10:45 am Children’s Church (for 2 and 3-year-olds) and Godly Play at both 9:00 am and 10:45 am. There will be an orientation meeting for all Sunday School teachers on Tuesday, August 31, at 7:00 pm in the Parlor. Brand new leaders attend an orientation for “rookies” upstairs in room 201 at 6:30 pm. To learn more about serving as a leader in our Children’s Ministry classes, contact Dianne Ross (dianner@bethanypc.org) or Holly Royston (sulajune@yahoo.com). Our kickoff for the 2010-2011 school year is Sunday, September 12.

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

Urban Impact Lunch Making
Sun, August 1, between services in the Fellowship Hall
Mon, August 2 at 8 am and 10 am in the Fellowship Hall

Families Connecting
August 8-14 - Esperanza Mission Trip
August 10 - Edmonds Beach day outing
August 17, 12:30 pm at Golden Gardens - Water Time

Young Adults BBQ and Kickoff
Sun, August 15, 12:15 pm at 7 Howe

Annual Deacon Picnic
Tues, August 24, 6:30 pm at Jeff & Kay Benesi's home

Young Adults Hike
Sun, August 29, 12:15 pm

Mariner's Game
Sun, August 29, 1:00 pm at Safeco Field

Orientation for Fall in Children Ministries
Tues, August 31, 6:30 pm in room 201 or 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

News & Notes

Baptisms

• Olivia Joy Leland
• Corban James Campbell
• Emily Sophia Ward

Births

• Sarah Kathleen Till - June 25
• Isabella Rose Russo - June 30