Advent I
Welcome to Advent at Bethany! December’s theme at Bethany is Keep Watch:
OK, I admit it, Xander is officially a better birder than I am. (Vince here, of course). A few days before our Thanksgiving potluck, Xander wrote to say he’d found snowy owls at Montrose Point, a semi-rare treat from the Arctic. And I was jealous! Because I have NEVER seen a snowy owl!
He saw them, and has now surpassed me in birding ability, because he was out watching. (Also, I guess Rebecca is a better birder than me as well, since she saw them!) To be a good bird watcher, at bare minimum you have to go out and watch birds.
In this season of Advent, we remember that the same is true as people of faith. We cannot find what we are not looking for. The scriptures at this time of year tell us again and again: Stay awake! Be alert! Keep watch! The God of Love is breaking into this world! But you won’t know unless you’re watching.
Come wait and watch with us. Come look for signs of something special and rare, close at hand, where you least expect it. Keep your eyes open, you don’t want to miss it.
Join us Sundays mornings at 10:30 am in the sanctuary or online! Children’s Sunday School is in session; kids 4 and up are invited to attend Sunday School after Passing of the Peace.
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Join The Outer Belt Pilgrimage
January 3rd
Join us for the next leg of our Outer Belt Pilgrimage! We’ll be walking together on Saturday January 3rd.
If you can’t make it this time, consider joining us for our next journeys on:
February 21st
March 14th
For more info, reach out Vince at vince@bethanychicago.com and/or go to outerbelt.org
Living Nativity
December 12th 5-7pm
Join us as Bethany’s courtyard is transformed into an interactive nativity scene, complete with live animals! There will be cookies, hot cocoa, mulled wine and our fire pit outside to keep warm. We're in need of volunteers to help keep our cookie supply stocked and a few friendly faces to welcome our neighbors to the festivities, if you’re available, please sign up!
This year, when so many people are looking for ways to have a positive impact on the world, we’re inviting guests to bring donations. We’ll be accepting:
Funds for refugee/immigrant support (via cash, check, or PayPal)
Dry goods for Nourishing Hope
Spread the word about all of it!
Christmas Eve: 2 Services to Choose From!
This Christmas Eve, we are offering two opportunities to worship together. We hope you will join us for one or both!
Family-friendly Service of Lessons and Carols at 4:30pm
In the afternoon, we’ll offer a 50-minute service telling the Christmas story with the help of our kids. We’ll sing carols, light candles, and set up the nativity scene, with music from Yasuko and Katy.
Christmas Eve Service at 7pm
In the evening, join us for a more contemplative (it’s all relative) candlelit Christmas Eve service with strings from Nick and Emi Photinos as we celebrate the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. (Kids of all ages also welcome at this service!)
We Need Your Help
Two services means we need twice the greeters! Please sign up if you’re able to be the face of Bethany that night.
