Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP “Singing Back the World” by Dorianne Laux
OPENING SONG I Sing the Mighty Power of God
I sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God's command,
and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of our God
that filled the earth with food;
God formed the creatures with a word,
and then pronounced them good.
Oh, how your wonders are displayed,
where'er I turn my eye:
If I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky!
On earth there's not a plant or flower
but makes your glories known.
The clouds arise and spread their showers
by order from your throne.
All life is but a gift from you
and ever in your care;
Wherever people gather, you,
O God, are present there.
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you
…...and also with you
SONG Blackbird by the Beatles
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Black bird fly, black bird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
SCRIPTURE Genesis 1, as told in "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson
SONG OF PREPARATION His Eye is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav’n and home;
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is he;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free;
For his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise;
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to him,
From care he sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free;
For his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know he watches me.
SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Simple Song by Bernstein
Elise LaBarge, soprano
SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS
When in the past week did you see God at work? What concerns would you like to turn over to God’s care?
PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father/Creator/Parent, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen
GIVE, SERVE, SHARE: Announcements
OFFERTORY Le Colibri by Chausson
Elise LaBarge, soprano
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
CLOSING SONG Make Your Own Kind of Music
Nobody can tell ya
There's only one song worth singing
They may try and sell ya
Cause it hangs them up to see someone like you
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
You're gonna be nowhere
The loneliest kind of lonely
It may be rough going
Just to do your thing's the hardest thing to do
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
So if you cannot take my hand
And if you must be going
I will understand
You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
You've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
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Coffee Hour Host's Needed!
First up, we have a lot of open coffee hour slots coming up! Can you be our hero by signing up?!
Hosts provide a little food to share and it ranges from gourmet to Dunkin’ donuts, homemade to store bought, healthy snacks to, let’s be honest, midday dessert. You can bring whatever suits your personality, time, tastes, and energy. We make the coffee and have plates, napkins, silverware, all of that. If you can help make a delicious time of community happen, please sign up here
"Answer the call!" (or text)
One-on-one FAQs
Between now and our May 18 congregational retreat, we have an ambitious goal to hold 250 one-on-one conversations. Why? To make more connections and deepen relationships here at Bethany. About what? Well, that's up to you, but if you're looking for ideas, here's a cheat sheet.
FAQs
Can I hold a one-on-one even though I didn't go to the training?
YES! Definitely! We'll never meet our goal without you and, besides, you already have the "training" you need to talk with another Bethanian for 45 minutes.
Do you really want me to do the thing with the string on the fellowship bulletin board?
Yes, please.
What about long-distance Bethany folks? Are we included/including them?
YES! Of course! Set up a Zoom, Facetime, or phone call.
Is it weird to ask someone out for coffee?
Depends who you ask, but our answer is no — and/or it's worth taking the risk in order to connect.
Will you set me up with someone?
We're gonna leave that to you for practical reasons. Think: someone from book group, or your pass-the-piece meal, or the person you're talking to at coffee hour whose name, dang it, you can't remember. (They might not remember yours either!)
Really? You won't give me a suggestion?
Well, ok. If you find yourself standing next to a pastor in the fellowship hall, they might point out someone they think is game, and even connect you two.
Have other questions? Ask Rebecca. You can email or reach her at 847-814-9898. But, spoiler, she's gonna say: "You've got this."
CM@B Presents: George Crumb's Black Angels: May 5th at 4pm
Violinists MingHuan Xu (Roosevelt University) and Emily Boone (Present Music), violist Doyle Armbrust (founding violist of Spektral) and cellist Nick Photinos present Black Angels, featuring George Crumb’s iconic and eponymous work, among the 20th century’s most famous chamber works. This will be our last Chamber Music At Bethany concert, and we hope to go out with a bang! Please come out and celebrate this amazing series we've been able to enjoy for the past several years. Buy tickets here!
May 11th: Two Ways To Support Black, Queer Equity
Lighthouse Foundation (of which Bethany is a member congregation) is hosting its second annual Black Queer Equity Index (BQEI) Soul Food Brunch, a free gathering at Wilson Abbey (935 W Wilson) featuring live music, free soul food, and two lively panel discussions about the importance of Black Queer Equity.
Help out in one of two ways:
Option 1: support the work by attending, learning, and celebrating. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Option 2: support the work by volunteering! Rebecca is planning on it, so you'll know at least one person. Slots start at 9:30 a.m.
Register to attend (free!) here! Volunteer by emailing Marcus at mpayne@lightfoundchi.org. We hope to see you there!
May Book Group: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Please join us for our next Book Group on May 1st at 7pm! We'll be reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This novel follows the recently widowed Tova Sullivan, who has just started night shifts mopping floors at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Please sign up here if you’re interested in reading with us!
Gardening Day: May 4th 9am-12pm
Come help with planting Bethany’s flowers and vegetables for the year! All ages and skill levels are welcome (if you have extra gardening tools, please bring them!) We’ll provide coffee and donuts, feel free to show up anytime and be ready to get your hands dirty!
Congregational Retreat: May 18th
You’re invited to a half-day, all-congregation retreat on Saturday May 18th, from 9am-1pm. We’ll provide childcare and lunch from Potbellies, and we’ll have a morning full of activities and conversation about what God is calling us to as a community. We hope you’ll join us, please sign up if you’re coming, so we know what kind of sandwich you want!
Save The Date: Congregational Meeting: May 19th
Our Spring annual congregational meeting will take place May 19th after worship. We will thank this years church council and elect next years leaders, as well as celebrate the year of ministry and community here at Bethany. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this important meeting!
Coffee Hour
Coffee hour will continue in 2024 on every second and fourth Sunday of each month! Click here to lock in a date you're willing to host. Reminder, we make the coffee and you bring treats to share!
