Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC Freedom Is Coming
WELCOME
OPENING SONG All Are Welcome/Let's Build a House
Let us build a house
Where love can dwell
And all can safely live
A place where
Saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive
Built of hopes and dreams and visions
Rock of faith and vault of grace
[Chorus]:
All are welcome, welcome in this place
All invited to come and know God’s grace
All are welcome the love of Christ to feel
Cause all of us are welcome here
All are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where love is found
In water, wine and wheat
A banquet hall on holy ground
Where peace and justice meet
Here the love of God, through Jesus
Is revealed in time and space
[Chorus]
Let us build a house where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach
And live the Word they’ve known
Here the outcast and the stranger
Bears the image of God’s face
[Chorus]
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you…. ...and also with you
SONG Order My Steps
SCRIPTURE Matthew 6:5 - 13
READING ”Blessing That Becomes Empty As it Goes” by Jan Richardson
SONG OF PREPARATION Love, Take a Walk With Me
Love, take a walk with me,
and, Spirit, guide my feet.
SERMON Rev. Rebecca Anderson
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Allegro non troppo from Sonata Op.38 by Brahms,
Nick Photinos, cello
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 Gavotte by Rameau, Emi Photinos, violin
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 All My Days
You know my words before they’re said.
You know my need and I am fed.
You give me life. You know my ways,
my strength, my path, for all my days,
my strength, my path, for all my days.
If I should fly beyond the dawn,
the darkness will not overcome.
If I lie down in deepest night,
still you are there, my Lord, my light,
still you are there, my Lord, my light.
Our every thought, each word we say,
the whole of time, the present day,
are held within your mighty hand,
too wonderful to comprehend,
too wonderful to comprehend!
O mend my heart and free my voice.
From sin released, I will rejoice.
O search me, Lord, my spirit cries,
and let my song of praise arise,
and let my song of praise arise!
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
* * *
2025 Bethany & Friends Chili Cook-Off for RefugeeOne
April 5th
We are thrilled to be hosting the annual Chili Cook-off at Bethany this year, in partnership with Pilgrim Lutheran Church. RefugeeOne is an organization that provides essential services to refugee families in the Chicagoland area. This is a particularly challenging time for their organization and we are excited to offer our support. So grab your spoons and join us on April 5th from 4:30-6:30pm! Sign up here to help out!
Adult Sunday School
April 6th
Rev. Karen Ferguson (Hannah Carl’s stepmom) is thrilled to join Bethany for a guided discussion on the book “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to discuss themes of community during a time of political and social turmoil. What are the joys and challenges of community? What are we called to do during this time? How can we come together during a time of uncertainty and strife? Please join us for this discussion on April 6 after church!
The Pilgrimage Begins: First 10 Miles Of Chicago’s Outer Belt
April 12th
Over the next two years, Bethany members will be circling Chicagoland on foot, on a pilgrimage along Chicago's Outer Belt Trail, surrounding our city in prayer and spending time with God and one another along the way.
Join us for the first leg: 10 miles from Buckingham Fountain to the Aragon Ballroom. We'll meet at 9am on Saturday, April 12th outside the Red Line Wilson stop. We'll take the train down to the Loop and walk over to Buckingham Fountain, where we'll begin our pilgrimage. We plan to take between 3 and 4 hours to finish the ten miles. Bring a sack lunch and we'll picnic along the way!
Please sign-up here to let Vince know you're planning on it and to receive updates about the weather! We plan for monthly walks going forward. Come to all of them or just one; it's your pilgrimage!
Rescheduled Pastoral Info Session
April 13th
Attempt no. 2 after some traveling mishaps threw off our plans! Join us for our (Rescheduled) Pastoral Info Session on April 13th after worship:
You may have heard the news that we are reconfiguring our pastoral jobs at Bethany to reflect the change in our work co- pastoring Gilead Chicago. Gilead is a congregation started by our Pastors that began worshipping together 8 years ago, and has voted to close. If you’re just finding out now, let us be clear: we’re staying at Bethany as your pastors (as long as you’ll have us!)
On Sunday, April 13th after worship, we’ll share with the congregation more broadly and answer questions you might have. Join the conversation!
Easter Flowers- Deadline 4/13
Help us decorate the space for Easter! Flowers are $15 each (after worship on Easter Sunday, you’ll be able to take your bulbs home to plant in your garden!) Sign up here to let us know how many you’d like.
April Book Group: This Is How It Always Is
April 16th
We hope you'll join us in reading "This Is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel for our next book group on April 16th at 7pm!
The novel follows the Walsh-Adams family, specifically their youngest child, Claude (who later becomes Poppy), as she navigates gender dysphoria and transitions from boy to girl, while the family grapples with the challenges and joys of raising a transgender child. Interwoven with humor and fantastical "fairy tale" elements, Frankel tells a story of change, love, and how nothing ever goes exactly as planned. And that, as the novel suggests, is how it always is.
We hope you'll join us in reading this great book.
Celebrate Earth Day at a Bethany "Sew-in”
April 22nd
Celebrate Earth Day at the Bethany "sew-in" on Tuesday, April 22 when we will sew cloth produce bags to be given away at nearby farmers markets for venders to hand out instead of plastic bags.
From 2-8pm teams of 6-8 people will cut, iron, pin, sew and finishing simple bags made from pillow cases, sheets, clothing and cotton fabrics. Sign up here for a 2 hour slot if you’re able to help out, no sewing experience required! Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. If you have materials to donate, please have them cleaned and placed in the church narthex by April 15 .
Family Camping Trip
Memorial Day Weekend (May 24th)
Bethany UCC is organizing a family camp out weekend for Memorial Day weekend! We have reservations at Tower Hill UCC Camp (link via QR code) in Sawyer, Michigan (right next to Warren Dunes State Park). The church plans to reserve “The Lodge” (~$150/family / night depending on RSVPs), and to invite the families who attend to contribute to offset that cost as they are able. Beds will be in classic summer camp accommodations, and “The Lodge” has a full kitchen (there are also "cottages" available for more space). Check your weekly email for more details! If you have questions or are interested in joining us, contact Pastor Vince (vince@bethanychicago.com) or Charlie Wysong (cdwysong@gmail.com/ 773-633-0206)
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!
