The Loudness of Holy Ground / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
If you have much history with Presbyterian churches, especially in the more eastern reaches of the U.S., you probably have heard the jokes about stiff Scottish ancestry, very cerebral worship services and a passion for forming committees that do things "decently and in order."...

What's God Doing In The World? / Carol Andersen
Do you ever yearn for a chance to step back from the barrage of the daily headlines, as well as the routines of your everyday life, and take a thoughtful look at what God is up to in our world? And more to the point, consider how you can join in? If so, here is your chance to grow your perspective and grapple with those questions in community...

Honduras Mission Trip / Frank & Patti Holman
Through Seattle-based Agros International, Bethany Presbyterian is beginning its third year of a five-year Journey with a Village (JWAV) in Honduras. Agros helps poor families buy and develop farm land in Central America through low interest loans and technical assistance. By service teams, prayers, and funds, Bethany has supported over twenty families in the opportunity to become owner-farmers of a community called Nuevo Amanecer (formerly Agros Uno)...

Children's Ministries
Dianne Ross will be taking a sabbatical from October 1 - December 31. During her absence, contact:

• Holly Royston, Children's Ministries Assistant
• Sara McMahon, Nursery Director
• Christy Mansfield, Children's Ministry elder
• Julia Sensenbrenner, Children's Ministry elder

Session Notes

On Tuesday, November 13, 2007 the Elders gathered in the Parlor for the monthly Session meeting.

• Dawn De Koster pointed us toward Christ reading from the children's book, Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen. The book deals with loss and Dawn's challenge was for us to be aware of the loss around us, particularly as we enter the holiday season.
• Steve Jones led deliberation surrounding the 2007 Budget deficit and the 2008 Budget draft. Elders requesting an increase in a line item on the budget were asked to present their reasoning.
• Jacque Ives facilitated voting on the new members from the fall class of Bethany 101.
• A responsibility of session is to walk with individuals seeking ordination, referred to as Inquirers. Matt Royston, Elder for Wednesday Night Dinners, took one of the first steps in this process at our Session meeting. Meeting with an Inquirer generally involves getting to know the person and dealing with the question, "Does this seem right, should we explore this together?" Session was enthusiastically supportive of Matt's request to begin the ordination process.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Healing Prayer
1st & 3rd Sundays in December, 5:00 pm
By appointment (284-2222, ext 35)

Bethany Children's Choir
Tuesdays in December, 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall

Advent Choir Rehearsals
Wednesdays, December 5-19, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
singing on Dec 2, 9, 23 and Christmas Eve

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

Love & Logic Class
Mondays, January 14 & 28, February 4 & 11 from 6:00-8:30 pm
Children learn the best lessons when they're given an active task and allowed to make their own choices (and fail) while the cost of failure is still small. This class on parenting, taught by Amy Wilson, costs $10.00. To register, contact Holly Royston (sulajune@yahoo.com).

Advent Events

Advent Carol Service
Sun, Dec 2, 5 pm in the Sanctuary

Holiday Magic
Fri, Dec 7, 6 pm on QA Ave & at Bethany
Tree lighting is at 6 pm on the front lawn, followed until 8 pm with food, music & activities

Deacons' Christmas Party
Sat, Dec 7, 7 pm in the Parlor

20-Somethings Christmas Gathering
Fri, Dec 14, 7:00 pm at the Holdridge's home

Christmas Reception
Sun, Dec 16, 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall

WND Christmas Dinner
Wed, Dec 19, 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Christmas break: Dec 26 & Jan 2.

Sunday Before Christmas
Sun, Dec 23 at 9 & 10:45 am and 5 pm in the Sanctuary
Our normal communion services, but with more music.

Christmas Eve Services
Sun, Dec 24 at 5, 8 & 11 pm in the Sanctuary

News & Notes

Births

• Alysia Rose Jeide October 21
• Theoden "Theo" Jude Lympus November 4

Baptisms

• Marcus Graham Icasiano November 11