Theme Songs —
and other signs that something good’s about to happen
Who even listens to theme songs?
But imagine the days before there was a “skip intro” button, or streaming, or even VCRs. If you wanted to watch a TV show, you watched when it was on, that one time a week, or you didn’t watch it at all. Theme songs can function like an alarm clock. Some of us remember yelling or hearing over a familiar tune: “It’s ON!”
Now that most folks skip them, theme songs have been trending shorter. But even a short theme song can preview the vibe. Think about the Sopranos theme song. In feeling and lyrics, it’s heavy, measured, threatening, and also: cool. Or The Simpsons: kinda zany, spirited, energetic, fast. A good theme song sets the tone and in doing so, makes a promise: this is what it’s gonna be like.
A really good theme song also lays out the premise. Cheers, a bar and a show filled with regulars, starts out with “Sometimes you wanna go: where everybody knows your name.” This show is funnier than the song, but you get the idea. It’s about community; we’re friendly; we’re approachable.
A great theme song lays out the premise and also makes it universal, something anyone could relate to. Which is why, on so many “best ever” lists, The Jeffersons ranks #1.
The premise: the main characters have made it. They’re changing status, tax brackets, and neighborhoods. And the feeling of making it, getting out, looking back on struggle? If it’s not universal, it’s universally appealing. However specific this story is, it’s also a story for everyone.
All of which is why our theme this June is Theme Songs. (Well, that and it’s really fun to sing some of these.) Because:
The thing we’ve wanted is starting. In fact, the thing God has wanted is starting. Scripture proclaims that over and over. And tells us in the mouths of parents, poets, and prophets: here’s what it’s gonna be like. And while the stories of Scripture might be as far removed from the particulars of your daily life as Lost or Gilligan’s Island, it’s also a universal story that is absolutely for you.
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Celebrate Pride
June 28th
Bethany is a member of the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches and for many years, we've marched in the pride parade. We're back again this year! Keep an eye out for us if you’re going, and reach out to Nathan if you want to march with us!
Salt & Light Coalition
August 12th
Salt and Light Coalition empowers survivors of human trafficking to thrive through a trauma-informed approach, including life skills and workplace readiness training. Join Johnny Buranosky and longtime Salt & Light volunteer Gina Henrickson in Bucktown the morning of Wednesday, August 12 from 9 am to Noon.
We are looking for 6 people to volunteer at this time. For more info, please contact Gina Henrickson or Johnny Buranosky.
Welcome (back) to our new Children and Families Minister: Xander King!
We are excited to announce that Bethany has hired Xander King for our Director of Children and Families Ministry position! While Xander is well-known at Bethany, the committee received 23 applicants and interviewed 7 candidates over three rounds of interviews! We are grateful for all the hard work they put in and very excited for Xander to begin this new position.
Congratulate him when you see him, and start thinking about how you would like to support Children's Ministry at Bethany in the coming year!
