Order of Worship

GATHERING MUSIC In This Circle No Fear

In this circle, no fear
In this circle, safety
In this circle, greatest happiness
In this circle, deep peace

In this city…
In this world…
In this body…

WELCOME

* OPENING SONG All Things Bright and Beautiful

[Refrain]:
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
our dear God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
and made their tiny wings.

[Refrain]

The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
The sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them every one.

[Refrain]

OPENING PRAYER

PASSING OF THE PEACE

Peace be with you… ...and also with you

* SONG De Colores #402

De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera.
De colores, de colores son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera.
De colores, de colores es el arco iris que vemos lucir.
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí.
Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí.

Sing of colors, sing of colors that over the hills in profusion are springing
Sing of colors of the birds that fly outside my window their canticles singing
Sing of colors, in the rainbow’s bright colors God’s promise of hope we recall;
Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all
Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all.

Sing, rejoicing! Every creature that breathes raise a song to the God of creation.
Sing, rejoicing! Sing to God who so earnestly cares, who has offered salvation.
Sing the good news! Sing the love of the Savior reflecting the colors of all
Many colors that shine God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall
Many colors that shine God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall

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), 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: Offering and Announcements

OFFERTORY

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.

SCRIPTURE - John 8:2-11 reader, Ron Romasanta

READING - from “Carrots, Noses, Snow, Rose, Roses” by William Gass

SONG OF PREPARATION Don’t Ask What the World Needs

Don’t ask what the world needs;
Ask what makes you feel alive.
What makes you feel alive is what the world needs.

SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin

MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Keanon Kyles, baritone

COMMUNION
Everyone is welcome to receive communion at Bethany.
We have both wine and grape juice.

God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

COMMUNION SONG Beautiful City from Godspell

CLOSING SONG Beautiful Things

All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change, at all

All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come out from this ground, at all?

Chorus:
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around,
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found, in you

Chorus (x2)

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

* * *

Announcements

Order Flowers For Easter - Deadline Today

Bethany is once again offering orders for Easter flowers! We have tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils available to order for $15 each. The flowers will be displayed on Easter and ready for you to take home after service. We will need orders no later than Sunday, March 15th!

Fill out this google form to indicate what flowers you'd like, how many, and how you plan to donate. Donations can be made via Paypal or Vanco.

Kids’ Sunday School Returns April 12th

Today is the last day of Kid’s Sunday School for this session! Kids’ Sunday School will return on April 12th, for a unit taught by Erin and Charlie Wysong! Sunday school resumes for Bethany kids on April 12th!

Our remaining Sunday School sessions for this school year will be:
Unit 6 with Erin and Charlie (April 12th and 19th)
Unit 7 with Jen and Rachelle (May 3rd , May 10th and our year-end celebration on May 17th)

Monday Morning Prayer - March 9th - 30th

Pray with silence, candles, and the morning liturgy from the daily office. Join Rebecca in the sanctuary on the way to work (or on your school or coffee run before working from home). We’ll remember prayers raised in worship the day before and the ones we bring to one another. Gather in quiet starting at 7:15am and begin the liturgy around 7:35am. Arrive when you can, on the weeks that work for you. Share a prayer request here.

Spanish Charla - March 18th

Charla: a chat, a conversation, a talk.

¿Habla español? ¿Mucho o un poquito? Interested in having a regular place to practice? All levels of Spanish speaking are welcomg.

We plan to meet the third Wednesday of each month. Each month, we’ll suggest a theme (only to start; once we’re warmed up, we can charla about whatever!). Join us for our next meeting on March 18th at 7 pm.

¡Hagamos la comunidad juntos! Let’s make community together!

Jesus Christ Super Star - March 20th

We invite you to come Rock Out with us to the songs of Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE on March 20th at 7:30pm Bethany United Church of Christ.

ONE NIGHT ONLY Come see local performers and Bethany members stage a FREE LIVE CONCERT featuring the music of the famous rock opera and 1970 concept album written by Andrew Loyd Webber and Tim Rice, right here in Bethany’s sanctuary.

**Please be advised this performance will include some scenes of staged violence.

Bethany will provide soft drinks, but please feel free to BYOWhateverBeverage you would like to sip on as you listen and rock out!

Doors open at 7:00pm
Show starts at 7:30pm

Outer Belt Pilgrimage - March 21st

Join us for the next leg of our Outer Belt Pilgrimage! We’ll be walking together on Saturday, March 21st. If you can’t make it this time, consider joining us for our next journeys on:

Saturday, April 11th
Saturday, May 16th

Sign up here if you plan on joining! For more info, reach out Vince at vince@bethanychicago.com and/or go to outerbelt.org.

Jen Pope’s Ordination - March 22nd (in worship)

Mar 22nd in worship. Jen Pope will be commissioned by the Federation of Christian Ministries. This is akin to ordination and solemnizes/formalizes her ministry as a chaplain. Come celebrate her call (and remember your own)!

New Members’ Gathering - March 25th

If you've been attending Bethany for a while (or even just one Sunday) and would like to know more, you're invited to join us for a Bethany Newcomers' Gathering on March 25th at 7pm. It will be a chance to share some of your story, hear a little more of ours, and get a quick tour around the building. For those who are interested, we'll also have information about becoming a member of Bethany! Then (save-the-date): we’ll welcome new members during worship on April 26th. Sign up here if you plan on attending!

Book Group Reads In Other Rooms, Other Wonders - April 1st

Join us for our next Book Group on April 1st at 7pm. We’ll be reading In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin:

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders is a collection of eight linked short stories detailing the lives of servants, peasants, and the wealthy, centered around aging landowner K.K. Harouni in Pakistan. Set during the 1970s-90s, these tales explore themes of class, desire, corruption, and the fading feudal.

Come to Maundy Thursday - April 2nd

Observe Holy Week and remember the Last Supper with a meal, stories from the last week of Jesus’ life, communion, and leaning into, finally, solemn quiet between Thursday and Sunday. RSVP not necessary but helpful.

Volunteer For Easter - April 5th

Celebrating Easter takes lots of hands. From greeting to hiding eggs, from decorating the fellowship hall to doing the dishes afterward. Let us know you’re in!

Faith & Politics Small Group, begins April 12th

Join Dublin-based Susan Burgess on-line for the second round of “Faith and Politics,” a small group that addresses injustice in relation to our concepts of faith (broadly understood). Bond with other Bethany members as we try to make sense of the current state of the world and our place in it. We’ll explore how others such as Harvey Milk (LGBT activist), Fred Hampton (Black Panther activist), and Judi Bari (environmental activist) have tried to make political change in a way that aligns with their visions of a just world. Group members will view documentaries on their own, which we will then discuss together as a group in weekly meetings on Zoom on Sunday, April 12, 19, and 26 from 2-3 pm central time. Sign up here.

Talking to Kids About Hard News: A Workshop for Caregivers and Community - April 19th

In a world of constant news and uncertainty, how do we talk to the children in our lives without overwhelming them? Whether you're a parent, relative (by blood or bond), educator, or just someone who wants support in how to show up for the kids in your community: this workshop is for you. Join us for a practical, nervous-system-aware session with tools to help children of every age feel safe, heard, and supported when hard conversations can't be avoided.

Led by friend of Bethany, Rachel Adams, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois specializing in trauma, grief, and family wellbeing. The seminar will take place from 11:45-12:45 in the parlor. We will have extended childcare (with pizza!) to make it easier for families to stay.

Job Opportunity at Bethany: Director of Children and Families Ministry

We're Hiring! Help Get the Word Out!

We are so excited to be seeking someone for our new Director of Children and Families Ministry position, and we would love your help to get the word out far and wide. Please take a minute to read the job description here, and send it to anyone you know who might be right. Or if there's somewhere you think we should post it, let Vince know at vince@bethanychicago.com

Help Make Worship Happen

For the next couple months, our pastors will be flying solo, which means we could use your help now more than ever! Please sign up here if you’re able to help.

Subscribe to Bethany’s Google Calendar (a work in progress!)