Dear Bethany Family,

Jesus, in Luke 10:25-37, tells what has become a well known parable entitled, “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” The phrase “a good samaritan” has become ubiquitous for describing the expectation we share that people should be kind and intervene when others are in distress. 

However, what is perceived as everyday kindness in our day, was scandalous to Jesus’ first-century listeners. Jesus sought to address head-on an awful sort of religion that busied itself in religious practice while showing little concern for the spiritual well-being of those most in need. May Jesus never have to say the same of us!

This summer we want to take a cue for this remarkable story that Jesus told, and put a pause on our some of our regular Wednesday activities. We want to give you an opportunity this summer to put into practice Jesus’ teaching on being a good neighbor. This summer we will engage in what we are calling a “Samaritan Summer.” 

The Samaritan Summer involves a pause on all our typical Wednesday evening activities and events through the months of June-August. We hope you will join us in practicing what Jesus taught by meeting, learning about, loving, gathering, and serving your neighbors. We want you to use your Wednesday evenings to build relationships with your neighbors. 

In order to facilitate our Samaritan Summer we have established a special, private Facebook group that we hope you will utilize as a resource both to learn and to share how God is leading you this summer to practice the art of neighboring. We will post regularly to that space with encouragement and ideas that we hope you can use to practice neighboring in your neighborhood. 

Please look for an invitation to that group in the days ahead. If you do not receive an invitation you can join at this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/174150044619675 or you may reach out to Pastor Jonathan.

Will you join us this summer in being a “Good Samaritan?”

Worship through Song: Our Focus 

• 10,000 Reasons
• How Deep The Father’s Love for Us
• Jesus Thank You
• Christ Be Magnified

Worship through the Word: Leviticus 2

Hannah’s Bridal Shower: Join us in celebrating Hannah Deloney’s up-coming wedding at her bridal shower on Saturday, June 12th at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Light refreshments will be served; a SignUp Genius has been sent out, if you are able to help with food items. 

Hannah is registered at Amazon and Bed, Bath & Beyond. 

Please see Sandy Dalton, Dara Frank, or Traci Wass if you have any questions.

Senior Servants Gathering: Our first gathering for the year is quickly approaching, and we are excited to be back together again! We are meeting on Tuesday, May 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Jonathan and Traci Wass at 4315 Covey Lane, Grand Blanc, MI 48439. We have sent all of you an email about the food arrangements, if you did not receive this email please see Jonathan or Traci Wass.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song:

Worship through the Word: Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

Annie Armstrong Offering: If you still would like to give to the SBC Annie Armstrong Offering please clearly designate your gifts accordingly and place in one of the offering boxes at the back of the auditorium. The Annie Armstrong Offering is an annual collection to meet the needs of missionaries serving with the North American Mission Board. Please prayerful consider how you might give.

Prayer Time on Sunday Morning: We host a prayer gathering on Sunday at 9:00 am each Sunday in the Upper Room. We would like to encourage you to attend as we seek God’s will across a variety of different topics, issues, and concerns. Please make a plan to join us next Sunday!

Electronic Bulletin: As many of you are likely already aware, we have moved most of our bulletin to an online format. If you (or someone you know) does not receive an email with the new bulletin link and you would like to receive such a link, please subscribe using the “Follow” button on our website at www.bbgb.org. Pastor Jonathan can also get you subscribed.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song: Our Mission 

• Be Thou My Vision
• Christ Be All Around Me
• All to Us

Worship through the Word: Mission

Annie Armstrong Offering: Today we will be collecting a special offering designated towards the SBC Annie Armstrong Offering. The Annie Armstrong Offering is an annual collection to meet the needs of missionaries serving with the North American Mission Board. Please prayerful consider how you might give.

Prayer Time on Sunday Morning: We host a prayer gathering on Sunday at 9:00 am each Sunday in the Upper Room. We would like to encourage you to attend as we seek God’s will across a variety of different topics, issues, and concerns. Please make a plan to join us next Sunday!

Electronic Bulletin: As many of you are likely already aware, we have moved most of our bulletin to an online format. If you (or someone you know) does not receive an email with the new bulletin link and you would like to receive such a link, please subscribe using the “Follow” button on our website at www.bbgb.org. Pastor Jonathan can also get you subscribed.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song: Truth 

• Ancient Words
• Show Us Christ
• O Church Arise
• Speak O Lord

Worship through the Word: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Annie Armstrong Offering: On Sunday, April 18th we will be collecting a special offering designated towards the SBC Annie Armstrong Offering. The Annie Armstrong Offering is an annual collection to meet the needs of missionaries serving with the North American Mission Board. Please prayerful consider how you might give.

Week of Prayer for North American Missions: We would like to invite you to pray each day with us from Sunday, April 11 to Sunday April 18 for the task of North American Missions. A prayer guide can be found on the Welcome Center desk and daily prayer prompts will be post on our church Facebook page.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song: Easter 

• This I Believe
• Death Arrested
• O The Blood
• Man of Sorrows
• O Praise the Name
• Resurrecting
• Forever

Worship through the Word

Easter Breakfast, Service, and Baptisms: Today, Bethany and OneLife Church will be having a combined Easter breakfast and worship service. Breakfast will take place at 9:00 am and the worship service will follow at 10:30 am. We will also have the privilege of witnessing baptisms of individuals from both OneLife and Bethany.

UPDATE – Annie Armstrong Offering: On Sunday, April 18th we will be collecting a special offering designated towards the SBC Annie Armstrong Offering. The Annie Armstrong Offering is an annual collection to meet the needs of missionaries serving with the North American Mission Board. Please prayerful consider how you might give.

UPDATE – Week of Prayer for North American Missions: We would like to invite you to pray each day with us from Sunday, April 11 to Sunday April 18 for the task of North American Missions. A prayer guide can be found on the Welcome Center desk and daily prayer prompts will be post on our church Facebook page.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song: The Name of Jesus

• Jesus Messiah
• What A Beautiful Name
• What A Friend We Have in Jesus
• Beautiful
• Yes I Will

Worship through the Word: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Easter Breakfast and Service: Bethany and OneLife Church will be having a combined Easter breakfast and worship service this year. Breakfast will take place at 9:00 am and the worship service will follow at 10:30 am. If you would please consider signing up to assist with food on the following Signup Genius we would greatly appreciate your help! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4cada629a4fc1-combined1 

Annie Armstrong Offering: On Sunday, April 11th all the monies collected during the week will be designated towards the Annie Armstrong Offering. The Annie Armstrong Offering is an annual collection to meet the needs of missionaries serving with the North American Mission Board. Please prayerful consider how you might give.

Week of Prayer for North American Missions: We would like to invite you to pray each day with us from Sunday, April 4 to Sunday April 11 for the task of North American Missions. A prayer guide can be found on the Welcome Center desk and daily prayer prompts will be post on our church Facebook page.

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through Song: Trust

• Build My Life
• Christ is Enough
• Oceans
• Amazing Grace
• Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me

Worship through the Word: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18

Operation Kindness: Operation Kindness reflects a cooperative desire by areas churches to bless the community with the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We would like to give 1000 Easter buckets to children in area hospitals, shelters, and senior adults in nursing homes the week preceding Easter. You can assist us by purchasing a variety of candy that we can put in the buckets. It doesn’t have to be Easter candy per se, but it does have to be packaged candy. Please have the candy at Bethany by no later than March 21. We will fill the buckets on March 23 at Bethany. If you can help us on that day for either the whole day or a portion of it, we will be grateful for your help. 

Easter Breakfast and Service: Bethany and OneLife Church will be having a combined Easter breakfast and worship service this year. Breakfast will take place at 9:00 am and the worship service will follow at 10:30 am. If you would please consider signing up to assist with food on the following Signup Genius we would greatly appreciate your help! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4cada629a4fc1-combined1 

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/

Worship through the Word: This Sunday we have the privilege of welcoming Vojta and Stacy Prknova (Missionaries to the Czech Republic). We look forward to learning of God’s work through their labors. We hope you will also join us in giving to them a love offering which will be collected during the morning service.

Operation Kindness:Operation Kindness reflects a cooperative desire by areas churches to bless the community with the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We would like to give 1000 Easter buckets to children in area hospitals, shelters, and senior adults in nursing homes the week preceding Easter. You can assist us in the following ways:

Irma’s 100th Birthday: Irma’s 100th birthday is coming up in a couple of months. Irma’s family would like to collect letters from all her friends and family that could be made into a scrapbook for her.

Please keep letters to one page. (Can be handwritten or typed). Please include a specific memory or memories, something you have learned from Grandma, or a way she has influenced your life. PLEASE send pictures! Pictures of you with Irma, or pictures of just you that could be included in the scrapbook. 

Please send to Laura Munro by March 10th. (Her address and email address is included in the YouVersion and Paper copies of the bulletin.)

Children’s Baptism and Membership Class: If your child is interested in pursuing being baptized or learning more about believer’s baptism we are looking to begin another class on the topic of baptism. If your child is  interested please connect with Pastor Jonathan or Traci Wass.

Prayer Time on Sunday Morning: We host a prayer gathering on Sunday at 9:00 am each Sunday in the Upper Room. We would like to encourage you to attend as we seek God’s will across a variety of different topics, issues, and concerns. Please make a plan to join us next Sunday!

Bottle Deposits for Missions: If you would be interested in donating your cans, please contact Pastor Jonathan and he will arrange a time with you to bring your cans to the church building.

Online Giving: As we gather we will still utilize methods of giving that help to limit personal contact. Please see the information posted previously for ways in which you can give during these unique days at this link.https://www.bbgb.org/covid-19-giving/