Order of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP “Patient Trust” by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
OPENING SONG “How Firm a Foundation”
How firm a foundation for you has been laid,
by God in the Word, in the sacrifice paid!
What more can God say than to you has been said,
to you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismayed,
for I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand
upheld by my gracious, omnipotent hand."
"When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of woe shall not over you flow;
For I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
delivering you from your deepest distress."
"When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; for I have designed
your soul to make pure just as gold is refined."
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you
…...and also with you
SONG “I Will Trust in the Lord”
1 I will trust in the Lord,
I will trust in the Lord,
I will trust in the Lord, till I die.
I will trust in the Lord,
I will trust in the Lord,
I will trust in the Lord, till I die.
2 I'm gonna treat everybody right,
I'm gonna treat everybody right,
I'm gonna treat everybody right, till I die.
I'm gonna treat everybody right,
I'm gonna treat everybody right,
I'm gonna treat everybody right, till I die.
SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 17:5-8
READING “Trust” by Thomas R. Smith
SONG OF PREPARATION “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” by Curtis Burrell
I don't feel no ways tired;
I've come too far from where I started from.
Nobody told me that the road would be easy.
I don't believe God brought me this far to leave me.
SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Hold On from the Secret Garden
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: Offering and Announcements
OFFERTORY Trust in Me
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 I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders
Oh, Why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
But don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
So
If you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
And hey, what you've got to hide
I get angry too
Well, I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
Don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
Cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when
When the night falls on you, baby
You're feeling all alone
Walking on your own
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Promises, Promises
* * *
"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."
June Book Group: Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer
Wednesday June 5th
"A letter can spark a friendship, a friendship can change your life". Join us in reading Frances and Bernard for our next Book Group on June 5th!
This novel portrays two writers drawn into a friendship sparked by mutual admiration. They elegantly convey their reflections, encouragements and chastisements in letters written over a span of 11 years, exploring the limits of faith, passion and sanity. In witness to all the wonder of kindred spirits and bittersweet romance, Frances and Bernard is a tribute to the power of friendship and the people who help us discover who we are.
Please join us in reading if you're interested!
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!
Congregational Meeting: May 19th
Bethany members, please join us next Sunday, May 19th, after worship for our Annual Congregational Meeting. At our spring meeting, we recognize our Church Council members from the previous year and elect new and continuing Council members for the coming year as well as reflect on and give thanks for this season of our life together.
The agenda for the congregational meeting is as follows:
Opening prayer
Call to order
Election of council members
- Erin Wysong (first term)
- Paul Monzella (second term)
- Kathy Rodriguez (second term)
- Hannah Rumsey (second term)
Pastors' report
President’s report
Financial report
Induction and blessing of new council members
Adjournment
Visitors are also welcome to join us and see how our church works!
Summer Picnic!
June 2nd After Worship
Starting Sunday June 2nd, we will be shifting to our summer worship schedule, which means Sunday worship will begin at 10 AM outside on the lawn. We will kick off the new worship schedule with our annual Summer Picnic!
Please join us after worship that day for food and coffee on the front lawn. We'll provide the coffee, but we'll need your help with the food! No need to sign-up, just bring a dish to share if you're able. We hope to see you there!
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!
