Habitat for Humanity

In April, on Wednesday, April 24th, the Portland Region will hold their annual one-hour program and free lunch.   Bethel will host two/three tables and the keynote speaker will be award winning Majora Carter, an urban revitalization strategist, author, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. Look for more information in future announcements in April. 

Contact Paul Griffo (paul.griffo@msn.com) and/or Leon Taylor (mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com) for more information.  Paul and Leon serve as the Bethel Congregational representatives on the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Faith Committee on behalf of the Outreach Committee.

Eastertide - Resurrection Stories - Unlock Yours

Resurrection Stories:
Our Eastertide series dives deep into the inspiration of Jesus conquering the grave and invites us to examine the resurrection stories within our own lives. Each of us experiences death in our lifetime, be it the physical death of a person, or the metaphorical death of an idea or relationship or goal that we then have to carry on without. And therefore, each of us carries a story of hope within us too. We all have another day to try again, to let go and start anew, or take the first steps in a journey of grief to a reimagined life. 
 
Sharing these stories of hope is the key to unlocking connection and resurrecting our faith in one another. So each week members of our congregation will share a personal resurrection story to inspire all of us until we celebrate Pentecost, reminding us that we are all together in the struggles of living in a broken world and all growing, transforming, and striving towards hope.

All Church Talent Show - Saturday April 20th

Bethel is planning a talent to showcase all the amazing talents and passions here at our church on Saturday, April 20th! And when we say All Talent, we mean it! 

Our show will begin at 2 pm with our performers showing off their skills, from singing to playing a variety of instruments, to stand up and arts entertainment. 

After this we will showcase the visual arts and crafts of more talented folks at Bethel, from quilting to baking, to knitting to painting, and much more!

This will be a wonderful, multi-talented event and we hope you can join us! Please email our program coordinator, Erin Barber at eb@bethelbeaverton.org with any questions.

Habitat for Humanity - Save the Date! April 7th

On Sunday, April 7th following church service our partners at the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region will present an update to the congregation about progress towards affordable home ownership program and Habitat for Humanity local regional efforts. 

At the presentation you will learn about:

·         Current building underway across the Portland Metro, including an update on the 18-home construction in the Reedville neighborhood in Hillsboro.

·         The Habitat for Humanity ReStore where donated items help fund local construction of Habitat homes and keep useable items out of local landfills

·         The Home Repair program that allows long-time homeowners to stay in their homes and local communities

·         And their newest community offering, the Playhouse Experience, where teams of volunteers can fundraise and participate in the assembly and decoration of children’s playhouses, which are then donated to families through the Dougy Center for Grieving Families.

Later in April, on Wednesday, April 24th, the Portland Region will hold their annual one-hour program and free lunch.   Bethel will host two/three tables and the keynote speaker will be award winning Majora Carter, and urban revitalization strategist, author, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. Look for more information in future announcements in April. 

Contact Paul Griffo (paul.griffo@msn.com) and/or Leon Taylor (mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com) for more information.  Paul and Leon serve as the Bethel Congregational representatives on the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Faith Committee on behalf of the Outreach Committee.

Holy Week

Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ begins the celebration of Holy Week with a very special Palm Sunday service culminating in a beautiful celebration of Easter and the risen Christ followed by a fun Easter egg hunt for all ages. You and your family are invited to join us for any and all of the Holy Week activities.

Palm/Passion Sunday | March 24 at 10 am

Multigenerational Worship

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.

Pastor David will offer a special service entitled, “Songs of Loudest Praise.” Worship will conclude with the building of the cross (made from the trunks of our Christmas trees). 

Maundy Thursday |  March 28th at 7 pm

The Maundy Thursday worship service draws its purpose and themes from historical events that our Christian tradition believed happened on the Thursday before Easter. This year our celebration of Maundy Thursday will walk us through Peter's perspective in the crucifixion narrative. Stage by stage, we experience the story through the eyes of one of Jesus' closest followers and friends as he goes to his death. This service will be a multisensory worship taking us through confession, lament, and repentance. We leave the sanctuary in silence. 

 
Good Friday |  March 29, 12 - 3 pm
Quiet Prayer A time of quiet reflection in the chapel. This is a self-directed time of prayer and renewal. 

Easter Sunday | March 31 at 10 am

Multigenerational Worship

 We discover the true blessing of Hope this Easter! This all-generational worship will celebrate Christ’s resurrection with special music, prayers and liturgy. Our sanctuary will be flooded with color from flowers given in honor or memory of loved ones. An invitation to sing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus will conclude worship. 

Easter Egg Hunt | March 31 at 11:15 am

Join us after our Easter Morning Celebration for an Easter Egg Hunt for children of ALL age

BHS Food Delivery - City of Beaverton Honors Bethel

At the Beaverton State of the City Program held at the Reser on Monday, March 4, 2024, Bethel was one of a number of organizations and individuals that received a “Best of Beaverton” award for our annual project of providing food for the homeless students at Beaverton High School for winter and spring breaks. What an honor!

Baked Potato Bar Fundraiser - Sunday March 17th after service

For a St. Patrick's Day treat, we will be holding our annual Baked Potato Fundraiser. Kids and youth are encouraged to participate to help fund youth activities and outings.
Parents are asked to volunteer to bring ten prebaked, foil wrapped potatoes before service to help support this fundraiser.

At the end of Sunday School, we will escort kids to the Fellowship Hall to finish setting up. Youth are invited to come join us at the start of Prayers of the People if they are in the main service. Then kids and youth can help stock the Baked Potato Bar or help serve church members during fellowship time.

To sign up to bring potatoes, please email Erin at eb@bethelbeaverton.org

Israel/Palestine Learning and Discussion Session - March 10th

On Sunday, March 10th we will be offering a special class after service to learn more about the historical context of the Israel/Palestine conflict. We encourage anyone seeking understanding about the recent and ongoing tragedies to attend.

This session will be led by Marcia Gilliland. Marcia has been a member of the Central Pacific Conference Palestine Israel Network (PIN) for ten years. She has been to Palestine/Israel six times working with the Palestine YWCA teaching sewing in a refugee camp near Ramallah and a women's center in Dar Salaam. She has assisted Palestinian farmers in olive picking for two years. She continues to work for equal rights for all people in Israel and Palestine.

Please contact Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) or Jean Doane (jeaniepearl.jd@gmail.com) with any questions about this event. More details will follow soon!

Click here to read a special invitation from our own Jean Doane

And follow this link to learn more about the crisis in Gaza: https://www.uccpin.org/crisis-in-gaza

Pastor David Takes Summer Sabbatical

This summer, Pastor David will take a 3-month sabbatical. His proposal was approved by the Personnel committee and supported by the Board. David followed the prompt from the Clergy Renewal Grant he received in 2018, which was: “what makes your heart sing?” 

Here is a link to David’s proposal: 2024 Sabbatical 

The Board has been setting aside funds to cover the expenses of providing pastoral leadership with a sabbatical minister during David’s absence. His sabbatical will run from mid-June to mid-September.

The Personnel committee will work with David and Rev. Tyler Connoley, CPC conference minister to select a strong candidate to provide worship preparation and leadership, pastoral care and administrative duties on a half-time basis.

The combination of the support from a sabbatical minister, our skilled staff and strong lay leadership, will help Bethel sustain its vital and vibrant ministry throughout the summer.

Lenten Bible Study Beginning Sunday, Feb 18th at 9 AM

For this season of Lent, we will be offering a bible study led by some of our new members and friends: Anderson Campbell, Victory Nichols, and Deb Stewart. This bible study will take place on Sunday mornings before service at 9 AM and will serve as a companion to our sermons each week, delving deeper into the scripture supporting our Wandering Heart series (scroll up for series info). This study will be held from February 18th to March 24th, and attendees are welcome to join for as many sessions as they are able. Please reach out to Erin Barber at eb@bethelbeaverton with any questions!   

Volunteer Appreciation Sunday - February 11th

Save the date for Sunday February 11th when we will honor and celebrate the many amazing people who devote their hearts to serving Bethel in so many ways. As a multi-faceted church we rely so much on the variety of talents and skills that these volunteers bring to bless our church and community. We look forward to celebrating all of you!
Please email Erin at eb@bethelbeaverton.org with any questions!  

Ash Wednesday, February 14th

Ash Wednesday – Simple Supper and Worship – Wednesday, February 14th – 6:30pm.
We will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a light supper of soup and bread to launch our Lenten theme: Wandering Heart.

There will be the opportunity to receive ashes for those who find the ritual meaningful.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent is the season of preparation for Easter in a similar way in which Advent prepares us for Christmas.

The ancient practice of Lent was intended to prepare people for baptism on Easter. Lent invites us into a time of introspection – a time to inventory what aspects of our lives may be obstacles to following the way of Jesus. Lent is modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness as it is recorded in the 4th chapter of both Matthew and Luke’s gospel.

Jesus’ time in the wilderness reveals the reality of temptations we all face as we strive to live with love as our primary purpose. The point of Lent isn’t to deny that we ever struggle to be faithful to the way God would have us live. Rather, Lent gives us the opportunity to be transparent – real with who we are – our strengths and our weaknesses. Acknowledging the ways we may feel hindered, or broken, or bound up can serve as first steps toward freedom and wholeness.

To help with the preparation of the meal, please RSVP to office@bethelbeaverton.org or call 503-646-1191, by Sunday, Feb 11th, if you plan to attend the service.

Israel/Palestine Learning and Discussion Session - Feb 18th

On Sunday, February 18th we will be offering a special class after service to learn more about the historical context of the Israel/Palestine conflict. We encourage anyone seeking understanding about the recent and ongoing tragedies to attend.

This session will be led by Marcia Gilliland. Marcia has been a member of the Central Pacific Conference Palestine Israel Network (PIN) for ten years. She has been to Palestine/Israel six times working with the Palestine YWCA teaching sewing in a refugee camp near Ramallah and a women's center in Dar Salaam. She has assisted Palestinian farmers in olive picking for two years. She continues to work for equal rights for all people in Israel and Palestine.

Please contact Erin Barber (eb@bethelbeaverton.org) or Jean Doane (jeaniepearl.jd@gmail.com) with any questions about this event. More details will follow soon!

Support Emma Stewart's Book Drive Jan 14th - Feb 14th

One of our youth group members, Emma Stewart will be hosting a special book drive here at Bethel for the next month. The book drive is to support kids with a lack of access to books through the Beaverton book bank and mini libraries she's building. Bethel can contribute by donating used and new books for kids and young adults ages 0-20. A designated box will be available in the narthex on Sundays starting on 1/14. Thank you for sharing the love of reading with our community!

Please direct any questions about this project to Erin Barber eb@bethelbeaverton.org

Youngish Adults Lasagna and Trivia Night - Jan 19th

Dust off your brains and your spatulas, because the Youngish Adult's Group will be having their first event of 2024: A Lasagna and Trivia Night on Friday, January 19th in the Fellowship Hall from 6:30-8:00 pm. You can expect to enjoy some delicious food and a fun "pub-style" trivia quiz you can do with a team of as many as six people.

Please sign up to bring a dessert, salad, or beverages, OR plan on coming a little early or stay a little late to help with set up/clean up! Currently, we do not have childcare planned for this event, however kids are welcome to participate in the quiz!

Please RSVP with Erin Barber by Tuesday, January 16th eb@bethelbeaverton.org And let us know if you have any questions!

Upcoming Epiphany Series starting Sunday, January 7th

In the liturgical life of the church, the season of Epiphany falls between Christmas and Lent. Epiphany means, “a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you.” We have many different kinds of epiphany moments. For example, if you are working on a crossword puzzle and you all of a sudden realize what word “fits” – that’s an epiphany moment.

In the life of the church, Epiphany focuses on the various ways the reality of God’s Incarnation at Christmas keeps showing up in our lives. The foundation of the season of Epiphany is rooted in the stories from the Bible that reveal Jesus' identity as Christ. 

The first “manifestation” happened when the three kings from foreign lands followed a star that led them to discover Jesus lying in the manager. They symbolized the wider world saying, “Ah-ha! Here is where God became human and lives among us.”

Starting January 7th, Pastor David will be offering a worship series called, “A Deeper Life.” The focus will be on the overwhelming message of Christmas – that God loves us enough to become human, and calls us to be loving of others. David will be drawing from an on-line resource called “Working Preacher”.

The series will consider loving God with our minds, our spirits, our bodies. And loving our “comfortable” neighbors and our “uncomfortable neighbors”.

UCC Christmas Fund Offering - Dec 24th

Christmas Eve,10 am service is our time to receive our Christmas Fund offering. This ministry cares for the active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ. Your gift to the Christmas Fund will not only assist pastors but also provide for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees.

Your gifts are needed more than ever to help the growing number of retirees whose low-income annuities make it difficult to meet increasing living costs. This is your opportunity to participate in God's promise of renewal by enabling this ministry of compassion and care.
ON December 24th, you may use the special envelopes by the offering plates and some in the pews, also on the online giving.  If using a regular envelope, add CF in the memo line.
Link:  https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/bethelucc, use drop down menu to select Christmas Fund

Join us for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - Dec 24, 10 PM

 The fourth Sunday of Advent is December 24. Since it is also Christmas eve we will have two services: the usual Sunday worship at 10am and a Candlelight service at 10PM. 

The Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10pm will celebrate the “aliveness” of God and the leadership of God: “Living One, How Will You Lead Us?” A number of lessons and carols will be shared at this service as well as special music from our chancel choir. We hope you will join us for this special evening!

Gifts that Build

The Perfect Gift for the person who has everything!

  This year, consider a unique gift for your friends and family as part of the Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Gifts that Build program. These gifts of kindness will help build a Habitat for Humanity home for a local family.  We will provide you a specially designed greeting card, an commemorative ornament, and the joy of knowing that a hardworking family will soon have a decent home of their own.  Give a gift of any amount.

How Gifts that Build Works
Notify Paul Griffo at paul.griffo@msn.com, 503-707-0226 of your interest and how many cards/ornaments that you wish to gift.  Make checks payable to "Habitat for Humanity."  Paul can arrange to deliver the card and ornament to you either at church or to your home.

How Habitat Works
After acquiring land and materials, volunteers and future homeowners work side-by-side to build homes.  Habitat sells the homes to pre-qualified families using a 1% down payment and 0%-interest mortgage.  Payments are below 30% of each family's monthly income to ensure long term affordability.  Because Habitat acts as the lender, 100% of the mortgage principal payments return to Habitat to help build more homes!

Reach out to Paul Griffo or Leon Taylor (mr.leon.taylor.new@gmail.com) with any additional questions and thank you for supporting Habitat for Humanity Portland Region!  

Blue Christmas Service, Dec. 3rd, 2:00 pm

Each year during Advent, Bethel offers a quieter, more meditative worship service. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who are coping with illness, grief, loss, other difficulties and challenges of life. 

This time of year, the culture around us seems to demand hearty good cheer at all times. When we are grieving, in pain, trying to make ends meet, and dealing with the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and how to have a safe holiday celebration, we may feel out of step and off balance.

The Blue Christmas Worship Service gives us an opportunity to give voice to our pain and frustration, and the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us through candlelight, music, and, if desired, the ancient practice of anointing with oil. The Blue Christmas Worship Service will take place Sunday, December 3th at 2 pm as a hybrid service.