Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP “Come, Come, Whoever You Are” by Rumi
OPENING SONG Woke Up This Mornin’
Woke up this mornin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Woke up this mornin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Woke up this mornin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.
Walkin' and talkin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Walkin' and talkin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Walkin' and talkin' with my mind, stayed on freedom!
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.
Woke up this mornin' with my mind, stayed on Jesus…
Walkin' and talkin' with my mind, stayed on Jesus…
Singing and praying with my mind, stayed on Jesus
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
CHILDREN’S TIME
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you
…...and also with you
SONG Standing on the Promises
Standing on the promises of Christ, the King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus
SCRIPTURE from Judges 11
READING “Alternate Ending: The Escape of Jephthah’s Daughter”
by J Estanislao Lopez
SONG OF PREPARATION Promises by Lyle Lovett
Emily Becker, soprano
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION You Matter to Me by Sara Bareilles
Emily Becker, 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 I’d Give It All for You by Jason Robert Brown
Emily Becker, 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 Arise, Your Light is Come
Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit's call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God
Which shines on you today.
Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
Proclaim the captive's liberty,
Good tidings to the poor.
Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
Bind up the brokenhearted ones
And comfort those who morn.
Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing,
God's power will make us strong.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE ‘Marry Me a Little” from Company by Stephen Sondheim
* * *
CM@B Presents: George Crumb's Black Angels: Today 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!
"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."
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!
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
We’ll have coffee hour 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!
