Bethany Renew
Midweek Email Devotion
10 March  2016   
Greetings!

WELCOME!  
I welcome you to Bethany Renew! This is our church's weekly online spiritual connection.
Every midweek, you will receive a devotion, a prayer, or an essay that are intended to stir up conversations and ideas of how we will proceed on the path of renewal. Feel free to forward this email to anyone who you think will be interested in receiving these readings.  You are welcome to respond or make comments, or otherwise just sit back and enjoy your weekly readings and reflections!  
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 13
COUNCIL MEETING 
March 13, after worship
Its potluck. Bring a dish to pass. 

MUGS OR 
TRAVEL MUGS

The Filipino pastors are collecting unused mugs or travel mugs that has the word Washington or Oregon in it. These will be included in the welcome bags for the 50 General Conference delegates that are coming from the Philippines. If you want to donate mugs give them to Louie or me. 
 
MEMBERSHIP
Are you thinking about membership? 
Traditionally, Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are special Sundays when invitation is given for people to think about membership. Please think about it and talk to the pastor. 
 


SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
DURING LENT:

1.LENTEN STUDY
"Give Up Something Bad For Lent." 
Wed. at 6pm
Starts: Feb. 10

2. COVENANT GROUP
A weekly meeting that values deep sharing, accountability, and prayer (FRI. 6-7 pm)

COMING SOON:
GROUNDING
MEDITATION
With Dr. Patti Robbins
After the Lenten Season, Patti will be offering a meditation class. Details, including descriptions, time, and small cost will be announced later.
(I'm personally looking forward to this). 

UPCOMING HOLY WEEK EVENT! 

Palm Sunday
11:30 a.m. 

Maundy Thursday 
6: p.m. 
Special Play and Holy Communion

Good Friday 
6: p.m.
Tenebrae

Sunrise Service
(TBA)

Easter Worship Service 
11:30 a.m.


Easter Egg Hunting For Kids 
Easter Sunday After Worship 



SILENCE

During Lent each week, I will share devotions from various Lent authors. This one is from Peter Scazerro 

Silence, Stillness, and Centering before God (2 minutes)

Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 19:11-12
The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
 
Devotional
When God appeared to Elijah (after his flight from Jezebel and during his suicidal depression), he told him to stand and wait for the presence of the Lord to pass by. God did not appear in ways he had showed up in the past. God was not in the wind (as with Job), an earthquake (as when he gave the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai), or fire (like the burning bush Moses saw). God revealed himself to Elijah in "a gentle whisper," which can also be translated as "a sound of sheer silence." The common translation of this passage does not fully capture the original Hebrew, but what could the translators do? How do you hear silence?
 
The silence after the chaos, for Elijah and for us, is full of the presence of God. God spoke to Elijah out of the silence. God invites you to stand and wait like Elijah. Why? God also wants to speak to you out of the "sound of sheer silence."
 
Questions to Consider
When can you set aside some time for extended, uninterrupted silence to hear God?
 
Prayer
Lord, you know how difficult it is for me to be in silence before you. At times it feels almost impossible, given the demands, distractions, and noise all around me. During this season of Lent, I invite you to lead me to a quiet, silent place before you-to a place where I can hear you as Elijah did. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

(AUTHOR: Peter Scazerro)

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING WITH CARA 
MARCH 17, @ 7 P.M.
 
The Conference gave us an 8-month timeline to show signs of renewal. Rev. Cara Scriven gave us the list below as a guide for evaluating our progress.

1.   Participate in missional opportunities in their community (beyond the food bank).
2.   Create and run a stewardship drive and/or program
3.   Develop a plan of extending hospitality to new comers (how do we welcome, follow up, and integrate them into the life of the church).
4.   Establish a plan for revitalization.
5.   Develop a clear mission and vision and begin to live into it.

We can honestly say that we have met most of these benchmarks. On March 17 meeting, please think of ways of how we can celebrate our progress by identifying and celebrating examples of renewed vitality in our church.  And please come and join us.

FACEBOOK AND WEBSITE
Please like our new Facebook Page at Bethany United Methodist Church.
Please click here.
Visit our website for other church info, and you can listen to sermons: bethanytacoma.com
 
Pastor Ferdie Llenado
Bethany United Methodist Church
personal email: [email protected]
new church email: [email protected]
visit us at bethanytacoma.com
 

Sitka United Methodist Church | 303 Kimsham Street | 1104 Edgecumbe Drive | Sitka | AK | 99835