Month: November 2021

Christmas Happenings 2021

Click on the above link to view updated holiday events.

 

This year our Hanging of the Greens Committee Chair, Terry McCotter, suggested that we move our traditional Hanging of the Greens worship service to Saturday morning between 9 and 9:30 am. Well, we are in a season of change, so our Board Chair, Chris Watson said, “Sure.” I must say, I do not mind changing things up, but I was a little nervous. We traditionally have this service on the Friday evening before the first Sunday in Advent. Would people show up  or would they want to spend their Saturday Christmas shopping? Well, this crew wanted to spend their time in church! We had a very nice turnout of people. And everyone was so cheerful that the work went by quickly.  Below is our Christmas Tree with all the Chrismons on it.

We also have a fun small tree that is in our fellowship hall. We call it the Kid’s Tree. Well we had three sweet little kids decorating it today.

And a big kid came by to add the star to the top of the tree!

We have 38 beautiful poinsettias this year, 19 red and 19 white. Some are in honor of someone we love and/or admire, and some are in memory of loved ones. You can find posted all the names of the people who donated in an earlier post. Below is a picture of our poinsettia elves, setting each plant in the perfect location.

Look at this stain glass nativity that Juanita Arrington created. Isn’t it just beautiful. And Rev. Roger Bennett lets us use his beautiful collection too.

Our beautiful nativity has a special place on our chancel this year. When you stand in the doorway to the sanctuary you see it right over the communion table. What a wonderful placement that speaks to the birth we will soon be celebrating and ahead to the last supper, Jesus on the cross, and ultimately his resurrection.

This is a wondrous season.

Blessings All,

Melissa Watson

 

 

2021 poinsettias 

The poinsettias are gorgeous! Thank you everyone for your lovely and generous donations!

 

Sunday November 28, 2021 is the first Sunday in Advent.  There are four Sundays in the Advent season, and we will light an additional candle each Sunday until we light the fifth and final candle, the Christ Candle, on Christmas Eve. “The mood of advent is best expressed as one of longing for deliverance from oppression coupled with anticipation of the coming of the Messiah. It is a season of prayer. One of the most beautiful traditions of Advent is the lighting of the advent wreath, the candles signifying that God’s Son is the Light of the World. On this First Sunday, we light the candle of Hope because we hope for a Savior. “

This information was taken from The Story of the Advent Wreath written by Rev. Frans A. Victorson.

This year Bethany will have its annual “Hanging of the Greens” service on Saturday, November 27, at 9:30 am. This is a departure from our traditional day and time. We will decorate our sanctuary with the symbols of the season and in fellowship. After the majority of the decorating is complete, we will have a worship service led by Christine Beeman and Melissa Watson. Then we will meet in the fellowship hall for soup and sandwiches. Please plan on participating. There is much work to be done and many blessings to be shared.

 

Bethany Christian Church will be offering an opportunity for a worship service here at Bethany on Thanksgiving at 10 am. It will be a short, simple, and meaningful service. You are asked to bring some canned food items to donate to our local Fishes and Loaves.

This video of Rev. Bennett joined again by Rev. Osgood is a summary of 1 Samuel 1-24 read during the week beginning November 21and Preview of 1 Samuel 25-31 & 2 Samuel 1-18 that we will be reading beginning November 28.

Rev. Roger Bennett gives us a summary of Judges 4-21 and Ruth 1-4, and preview of 1 Samuel 1-24.

Holiday Happenings 2021