February 22nd, 2025

“I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

God makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the

righteous and on the unrighteousness. If you love those who love you,

what reward do you have? If you greet only your brothers and sisters, what

more are you doing than others?”


– Jesus (Matthew 5:44-47)

*Friendly Reminder*

Please have all information to be included in the Bethany Blast to Jennifer (bethanyucc@gmail.com) by Tuesday at noon

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

All are welcome at our observation of Ash Wednesday, tonight at 7 p.m. 

With scripture, song, and prayer, we’ll consider the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. We’ll make a note of what things we’d like to spiritually discard, and literally turn those things to ash. There will also be imposition of ashes. Invite someone to join you at this meaningful service.

FOLLOWING JESUS: A SERMON SERIES FOR LENT

This Sunday we’ll begin a new sermon series, “Following Jesus.”  

Much is being said these days about being Christian. But what does it really mean to follow the way of Jesus? What does it mean to love each other, to do hard things, to keep the sabbath, and otherwise be faithful in today’s world of division and violence? 

We’ll take our cues from Jesus, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. We’ll touch on areas such as inner strength, being other-focused, and the importance of community. Our framework will be the Fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:13-15.

Please invite someone to join you:

Feb. 22 Love

March 1 (Communion Sunday) Faithfulness

March 8 Kindness

March 15 Generosity

March 22 Gentleness

March 29 (Palm Sunday) Self Control

WEDNESDAY PRAYER CIRCLE WITH COMMUNION: 5PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

During the season of Lent, starting Feb. 25, a Prayer Circle with Communion will be held at 5 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to this gathering, to simply share a time of devotion, share what’s on our hearts and minds, and share the bread and cup. 

**Please note, we will not gather on March 5, when Council meets.**

NEWS FROM THE TRANSITION TEAM

While the Transition Team takes a break for the season of Lent, it wants to thank you for the opportunity to serve the congregation.  

The TT has met four times (twice in January, and twice in February), and has identified a few areas to be addressed before the arrival of the next settled pastor. Here is an update:



• Carpet on the dais (pulpit area). This is currently threadbare in spots. The TT reached out to the Trustees, who agreed replacement is needed. The Trustees took the matter to the Council, which approved new carpet. The Trustees also noticed that the dais paint needs some touch up as well.

• Work spaces for the minister and the administrative assistant. The minister’s desk is currently in a multi-use space, and it’s difficult for the admin to fulfill her job description in the current configuration. The Trustees have connected with an architect and are exploring options. 

• Recent membership surveys, interviews, and all-church conversations. We’ve had a lot! The TT has looked at all congregational responses and is preparing an easy-to-read summary. You’ll have an opportunity to weigh in on what’s been discussed so far, and continue the discussion. Stay tuned!

The TT is always looking for your input, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. Members are: Joy Kacik, Vivian Fransen, Bob Kubli, Randy Garner, Becky McMeekin, and Wendy Ross, along with Pastor Amy.

For a brief Q&A on the work of the Transition Team, please click this link.

LENTEN DEVOTIONALS ARE IN!

Our Lenten Devotionals are in and available for $5. This year's theme is "Outgrow." Many of your favorite UCC writers have contributed to this collection. You may pick up a Devotional in the church office; please leave your payment in the envelope.  While there are currently no plans for a group book study, you are encouraged to follow this booklet in your private devotions during the season of Lent.

LET'S WEAR OUR NAME TAGS!


As an act of hospitality and fellowship, let's remember to wear our name tags in worship and during coffee hour. This is a wonderful way to make people feel welcome, and makes it less awkward for everyone if a name is forgotten -- it happens to the best of us!

If you don't have a name tag, please contact the church office and one will be made for you.

No One Should Have to Choose Between Therapy and Medication!

Sometimes members of our community are forced to make an impossible decision — whether to continue therapy, fill a prescription, or cover other basic expenses. Rising co-pays and insurance costs are realities we cannot control, and they can make ongoing mental health care difficult to sustain.

While we offer reduced fees for private-pay patients whenever possible, insurance-related costs such as co-pays are beyond our control.

The Psychological Wellness Clinic has created a Patient Assistance Fund to help individuals and families experiencing financial hardship continue receiving care.

If you would like to support access to mental health services in our community, please visit:

www.thepsychologicalwellnessclinic.com

Thank you for helping ensure that no one has to face these choices alone.

2 KITTENS SEEKING HOME!

2 cheerful kittens, fully socially integrated with humans and inseparable. I need to donate them to someone who is very much in need of spunky offspring. The kittens are instantly potty trained to a biodegradable kitty litter - and are very secretive about it! Of course, it would be best for them to go together so they will never be lonely day or night. I am a 40 year plus member of Bethany Church and attended services last Advent. Our land line phone number on the farm is 802-728-3262 and my email is kc.equity.m@gmail.com. Contact us and we can get their mom and them to race around for you. 

-Karen Crossley

DIRECTORY

In order to access the latest version of the Bethany directory, please save this link somewhere where you can go back and access it on your computer/device. This is the shared link on google drive which will always show the most recently updated version - if you cannot access it, please let Jenni know.

For those of you who prefer downloading it directly or need to print, please find the PDF version here (****PLEASE NOTE the last update has been made on 1/21/26 and since this is a PDF document, it will NOT show recent updates like the link above.)

KEEP YOUR PRAYER LIST VISIBLE

Here is a way to keep the folks who are on our prayer list in our hearts and minds: Cut the list out from the bulletin or write the names down on a piece of paper and post the list somewhere you will see it each day. Take a moment to think of or say a prayer for those on the list. Think of the cloud of prayers that will surround each recipient if we all do that!

IN OUR PRAYERS

Kim and Mark McKerley and family grieving the death of their son, Patrick, from colon cancer.

All those experiencing cancer: Carolyn, Lee, Denise, Kathryn, and Alice.

Friends and family of David Atkinson who died last week.

The people of Ukraine whose power plants have been bombed, leaving many without heat or electricity.

Continued prayers for Ralph Ward, and our dear friends at Menig: Ruth, Grace, Marge, Ed, Mary, and Nancy.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office hours for the church are:

Wednesdays: 9:30am-2pm

Fridays: 9:30am-2pm

During those hours, the side door (near the kitchen) will be unlocked, and one of the staff will be in the office. 


While our minister always welcomes a pop-in visit, to ensure she'll be there and available, it's always a good idea to call ahead or make an appointment by e-mailing her at bethanypastoramy@gmail.com.