Pondering a New Year / Pastor Dan Baumgartner
Anne and I were walking through a run-down-but-being-revitalized part of the Chelsea area in New York City in October when we spotted it. It’s not unusual to see a cross on the side of a rundown church building. But there was something about this old building, and this old cross...

Wouldn't Want to Miss It / Pastor Todd Holdridge
They arrived in August, a family of five with three small children (Greta -3 yrs old, Amelia -2 yrs, Anders -7 wks old). The Traver family had left their home in North Carolina and packed their bags for a short one-year stint in Seattle...

Free Zone Moments / Brian Beaumont
For those who do not ride Metro buses regularly, there is a zone between Belltown and Pioneer Square where the buses are free. The first stop in the “free zone” on the #2, 3, 4 or 13 routes from Queen Anne Hill to downtown can be enlightening, where a broad cross-section of the bottom rung on Seattle’s economic ladder blends with the residents of one of Seattle’s wealthiest neighborhoods...

A Dangerous Act of Worship / John Chase, elder for Adult CE
When I asked for a copy of Mark Labberton’s book, the person behind the counter responded, “Okay, let’s see, The Dangerous Act of Warship”—A slip that would have tickled the good Doctor Freud to no end...

Prayer and Evangelism on Campus / Mae & Alex Moore
As we've recently transitioned to working on a broader level with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the Inland Northwest, we have seen God moving in new ways on college campuses...

Resources for Tough Times / Linda Cutshall
For many years at Bethany, people have been attempting to help each other out when needs come up...

An Insider Report on Bethany 101 / Linda Cutshall and Kristy Champagne
Bethany 101 is designed for anyone interested in learning more about our church - who we are, what we believe, and how to take next steps towards connection. Most of all we want to get to know each other and always hope that participants will continue to see each other outside of class...

Lenten Groups
Lent begins February 25, with 4-5 week small groups forming for that period. This year we will be focusing on four themes: Repentance. Reconciliation. Sacrifice and Redemption, aided by a guide that includes Scripture reading and reflections on visual art and music.

Are you interested in hosting a group? We need 4-6 homes around the city for groups to gather once a week starting on March 1. Please contact Marie Fritzberg (fritzberg@comcast.net).

Children's Ministries

Summer Families in Service Trips
This summer there will be over 20 opportunities for families to serve the world together - both locally and abroad. Knowing that our families are already planning their summer schedules, here are the dates of "the big three" trips: (a) Hong Kong/China: June 24-July 5 (approx), (b) Ensenada, Mexico: July 11-18, (c) Esperanza (north Vancouver Island): August 8-15.

Annual Meeting: Children
Infants through 5th graders are invited to special children's programs during the Annual Meeting on January 25. Parents must sign up their child by January 18 via an RSVP to Holly (sulajune@yahoo.com), including their child's age/grade(s). Children 4 years old and above begin in the Sanctuary with their parents and will leave at 5:30 pm for their rooms. Infants and toddlers begin in their nurseries. Two and 3-year-olds start in the Cherub room. Elementary age children will watch a full length feature movie.

Baptism Class for Parents
Our next quarterly class required of all parents for their child's baptism is Tuesday, January 6, at 5:00 pm. Pastor Dan will teach the class. Please RSVP to Holly (sulajune@yahoo.com) and let her know if you will need childcare.

On the Calendar
see interactive calendar for complete listing

Women's Bible Studies
Tuesdays in January, 9:00 am & 6:45 pm in the Parlor

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

Healing Prayer
Sunday, January 4 & 18, 5:00 pm in the Parlor
Training will be held Sat, Jan 24, 5:00 pm in the Parlor

Baptism for Parents
Tuesday, January 6, 5:00 pm in the Parlor

Prayer for Honduras
Sunday, January 11, 12:15 pm in the Library

Session Group
Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 pm in the Parlor

Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 25, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary

Session Notes

Building Update
It happened again. Last month as we gathered outside for the baptism of Sarah Cutshall, I couldn’t help but take notice of our surroundings. Bethany's historic building (the sanctuary, education wing, and parlor) is an architectural treasure from the late 1920s. Like most buildings that era, it was not designed or built to today's standards. Part of caring for building and those of us who use it, we have commissioned a study to better understand how well the historic building will perform in an earthquake.

Over the coming weeks, MRP Engineering will be conducting an initial seismic risk analysis. While we don't know what these studies will find, we believe it is prudent to investigate. If we find that significant structural work is necessary, the Session will evaluate whether a capital campaign is in order. Please feel free to contact Steve Jones (568.2427 or stevojones@att.net) if you have questions.

News & Notes

Baptisms

• David Connor Herrin December 14
• Lucy Mae Palmer December 14