Vacation Bible School Summer Sundays: Knights of North Castle Starting July 12th

Our summer Sunday's program kicks off on Sunday, July 12th for VBS: Knights of North Castle!

Kids from ages 3 - 11 can enjoy fun quests, crafts, and snacks as we learn about the armor of God. This program will take place during Sunday School throughout the summer on the following dates (there will be no Sunday School or childcare on unlisted Sundays) :

July 12th - Day 1

July 19th - Day 2

August 2nd - Day 3

August 9th - Day 4

August 23rd - Day 5 

August 30th - Day 6

If you are new to Bethel and would like to sign up or learn more information about this program, please reach out to our program coordinator, Erin, at eb@bethelbeaverton.org

Join us Saturday, July 4th at Bethel!

Bethel will be hosting a 4th of July Celebration! 
Bethel will be serving guests in the Veterans Memorial Park for America's 250th celebration of freedom from 11 am to 2 pm. Bring your family, grab lawn chairs or blankets, and meet your neighbors and friends for a summer afternoon of fun and live music. THPRD will have live entertainment. The singer Jacquie Roar will headline the annual celebration.
If you are a fan of The Voice, you might remember her as a finalist on Season 24.


There will be family-friendly activities for all to enjoy, from inflatables to yard games to face painting, bouncy houses, free hot dogs and beverages, and entertainment for the entire family. We hope to see you there!

Seating is on the grass. Beach/sand chairs or blankets for seating are recommended. Regular height lawn chairs will be permitted only at the side and rear of the seating area. Fireworks are not permitted

Road Closure details: 
Full Closure:
SW 7th St between SW Watson Ave
& SW Washington Ave

One Lane Closure:
SW Washington Ave fr4om SW 9th St to SW 7th St.

New Summer Series!

This series follows the family narratives of Abraham and allows you to dive deeper into stories that make the title “ordinary” seem laughable. These stories are potent with drama and disappointment, punctuated by a God who keeps showing up, persistently, creatively, and lovingly. In the mess and the mundane of family life, God works in ways that are surprising, transformative, joyful, reconciling, and unifying. The movement of the Spirit is anything but ordinary.

Our congregation will be celebrating Pride with a special celebratory service this Sunday, but join us next Sunday, July 5tth as we venture through this series to discover the surprisingly persistent grace of God which will always be anything but ordinary.

Bethel's Beaverton Pride Booth, Sunday, June 28th

We are looking forward to celebrating Beaverton's 10th Annual Pride this month. The celebration will take place in the Farmer's Market Parking Lot between SW 3rd St and SW 5th St off of SW Washington and SW Hall Blvd.
The Pride Parade will begin at 11 am, which means the parade route will require road closures at 10 am.

For those attending church in person, you will want to give yourself extra time to find parking Sunday morning, as SW Washington will be blocked for the parade line-up all the way to 9th St.

If you'd like to come say "Hi" to Bethel and Cedar Hill UCC's joint booth, you will find us in the festival near-ish SW Washington and 3rd Ave. Happy Pride!

Juneteenth Farmer's Market Booth

Bethel's Respond to Racism Group will host an outreach booth at the Beaverton Farmers Market on Saturday, June 20th, following the Juneteenth commemoration on Friday, June 19th. We invite members of the Bethel congregation to join us in this community engagement initiative. Volunteers will have the opportunity to distribute information and interact with market attendees, fostering connections and raising awareness of Bethel congregation's commitment to inclusivity and community well-being. This event offers a valuable platform to demonstrate the vibrant presence and caring ethos of our church within the Beaverton community. 

If you helped with the McKinney-Vento project, this letter is for you!

Dear Community Partners,
As we come to the close of another school year, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generosity, support, and continued partnership in serving some of the most vulnerable students in our community.
Because of your contributions and commitment, we have been able to provide dignified resources that offer relief and support in multiple ways to students and families who need it most. Your efforts have made a meaningful difference, helping us ensure that students have access to essential resources and opportunities that positively impact their well-being and success. We are incredibly thankful for your dedication to this work and for standing alongside us in our mission to support our community. 
As we head into the summer months, please know how much we appreciate all that you have done this year. I will be back in the office at the end of July and look forward to reconnecting and continuing our partnership in the upcoming school year. 
Thank you again for your generosity, collaboration, and commitment to making a difference.
With sincere appreciation,
Bianka Castañeda Loredo
Beaverton School District | McKinney-Vento Program

Where'w the coffee?

Have you checked out our new video "Where's the Coffee"? If not, use the link below, and have a laugh!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GVoA7Qu7to

Two Neighborhoods made large food donation!

Bethel's Food Pantry received over 300 lbs of canned food and non-perishable food products earlier this week, and an additional $210 in cash donations, thanks to a generous outpouring of community support from 140 residents of the South Beaverton and Greenway neighborhoods in our community.

The two Neighborhoods hosted a "free" shredding event to recycle unwanted financial statements, tax records, billing statements, etc. A total of 140 vehicles converged on the Conestoga Rec Ctr., contributing about 4,700 lbs of unwanted papers. 

Residents were also encouraged to donate canned and non-perishable food items to Bethel's Food Pantry, and their generous response was truly impressive!

Thanks to Deb Stewart, and our neighbors in the Greenway and South Beaverton NACs for organizing and hosting this very successful event, and Jonathan Schlueter for transporting the donations!

Death in our ESL family - GoFundMe

On Monday, April 27, 2026, Yeyson Perez Escalante, a 20-year-old man from Tectitán, Guatemala, was killed in the parking lot of his apartment complex in Beaverton. While this might at first sound like yet another tragic story about a homicide in our area, Yeyson’s death carries added significance for us at Bethel because he was a Level 1 student in our ESL program. Yeyson’s teacher described him as a “bright light and important member of our community,” and his fellow students held space in the days following the announcement of his death to share their favorite memories of him and to talk about the impact he had on everyone there.

Yeyson’s sister has started a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $6,500 to cover funeral costs and the expenses needed to repatriate him to Guatemala, where his father and siblings still live. If you would like to offer support to Yeyson’s family, you can make an online donation here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/en-memoria-de-yeyson-perez-apoyo-para-su-traslado-a-gua

Memorial Day Hospitality Volunteers Needed- Monday, May 25th

Every year Bethel provides the hospitality for the THPRD event in the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Memorial Day. We serve coffee, tea, and water to the hundreds of attendees. We start setting up our canopies around 9:30 am so we can start serving beverages to the volunteers and Beaverton Police around 10:00 am. Then we start setting out platters of homemade cookies at 10:15 am so visitors can grab a cookie and beverage on their way to get a seat in time for the program, which starts at 11:00 am.

Volunteers needed to:
- Bake 2-4 dozen cookies
- Set up canopies, tables and chairs outside
- Make beverages: coffee, hot water, cold water
- Put out cups, creamer, etc..

The more hands the merrier. Signups are open until Sunday, May 24th. Please sign up before service or during Fellowship time after the service. If you won’t be in church on Sunday, email Linda Timmel at timmelin@comcast.net.

BHS Homeless Teens- Meals Needed

We have received donations of 72 hearty meals! Doing the math that leaves us short 68 meals for Beaverton Teens. One of our members has donated 24 Cup Noodles. Our new meal goal is 40 non-perishable, microwaveable/on the go meals! We know we can reach this goal with your continued help.

Donation examples: Cup Noodles, Ramen packs, Kraft Mac and Cheese.

If you are outside our church organization and would like to contribute to this effort, you can drop off your donations within office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm

Your giving makes a great impact.

Youngish Adults Board Games and Brunch - Saturday, May 2nd

We're organizing a Board Games and Brunch Potluck on Saturday, May 2nd from 10 am to noon in the fellowship hall. If you haven't been to one of these in the past, this event is super fun and yummy! The church will provide the coffee, so please come bearing a favorite brunch item and/or board game to share (ideally something playable in an hour or less).
This event is intended for youngish adults and families but reach out if you are interested in coming!

Jim Heider and Amanda Sanchez will be helping pull off this event so please reach out to them with questions. Please include the office in your RSVPs, at office@bethelbeaverton.org, so we can keep track of a headcount.

Food Cupboard Volunteers needed

There is a need for volunteers in computer entry and/or helping clients. Hours are Monday from 11am to 2pm or Weds and evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. If you are new to Food Cupboard we will train you or if you are experienced and want to pick up a new session please contact Marguerite Gallagher or Phyllis Hancock via email for helping clients by clicking their names here.

New Worship Series

Join us this Eastertide, Sunday, April 12th, as Rev. David Randall-Bodman leads us in our new series: "Building A Future of Hope and Love". Pastor David drew this year's Eastertide sermon series directly from Bethel's Capital Campaign slogan. Join us in this six part series as we discuss topics like generosity, giving, and what it means to build a future of hope and love together!

New Member Orientation April 26th and May 3rd

Interested in joining the church or learning about membership? Then join us for our two-part membership class.
These two sessions give basic information about the life of Bethel: our organization, mission, vision, and hopes for the future. It makes no different whether you choose to join Bethel or not, no pressure, that decision is totally up to you! And regardless, you are always welcomed here. 
We will gather in person in the Conference Room at Bethel after service. It's a great time to meet Bethel's Senior Pastor, David Randall-Bodman and other's who are interested or searching for an all inclusive faith community. 
Session 1 – Sunday, April 26th from 11:30 am – 1:00pm (light lunch)
Session 2 – Sunday, May 3rd from 11:30 am – 1:00pm (light lunch)

Building Bridges - Portraits of Immigrants and Refugees

On April 11th & April 18th R2R will be showcasing Building Bridges which features photographs and interviews with people who have come to the United States as immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers — the exhibit helps challenge ignorance and hatred with education and love.

Click here for more information about Bethel UCC and their R2R team

Click here for more information about Family Diversity Projects and their Building Bridges Project

Easter Egg Hunt- April 5th

Join us after worship (11:15 am) on Easter Sunday, April 5th, for an Easter Egg Hunt for all our children up through 5th grade. Come find us after service by the Food Cupboard doors to meet for our Easter Egg Hunt. Weather permitting, we will stage our egg hunt outside in two separate areas for older and younger kids. If needed we will move our hunt indoors to classrooms in the education building. (Our youth group is asked to come before service at 9:15 am to help hide eggs.) Please have your child bring their own Easter basket. We will have bags available for those who forget.

Following the egg hunt, your are invited to continue celebrating with us in the Fellowship Hall with special treats.
Questions? Please reach out to Erin Barber at eb@bethelbeaverton.org.

Palm Sunday - March 29th at 10 am

Holy Week begins with worship on Palm Sunday. The children and choir members will gather at the Front entrance of the church and in the Narthex for a congregational procession into the sanctuary with palms waving! Congregants can decide if they would like to join the processional or be seated in the sanctuary at the start of service.

Our children will be invited back to the classrooms for a special Sunday School lesson on Holy Week.

Pastor David will offer a sermon entitled, Even the Stones Cry Out. Worship will conclude quietly with the building of the cross (made from the trunks of our Christmas trees).

"Sunday, March 15th - Pie Potluck for "Pi Day"

Calling all mathematicians and bakers! After the delicious success of our our Mardi Gras potluck, we're planning a fun Pie Potluck in honor of Pi Day (3.14) to celebrate some yummy food and friendship during our fellowship time. Please let us know what kind of pie you plan to bring (apple? chocolate silk? pizza!?) You can email your pie contribution to Erin at eb@bethelbeaverton.org.

Easter Flowers Ordering

If you would like to order Easter flowers this year, please submit your form with payment of $10 per plant February 20th - March 20th taking last order and money on Sunday March 22nd.

Checks can be mailed to the church office, you can drop a sealed envelope containing cash or check in the secure mailbox on Watson, or you can pay through our eGiving portal. Easter flowers will decorate our Sanctuary for the in-person Easter hybrid worship service, and then you are welcome to take your flowers home to continue to enjoy. If you do not plan to join us on Sunday, you can pick up your flowers the following Monday by visiting the office from 9 to 3, just mark your form.
You may download the Easter flower order form by clicking here and bring it to church. Also, you may order and pay for the Flowers on Bethel's e-giving or pick up a form in the narthex and give to the office. Or contact Lynne Marie at office@bethelbeaverton.org.