Order of Worship
GATHERING MUSIC I am Here in the Heart of God
WELCOME
OPENING SONG Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata!
Ain’t no passing craze.
It means no worries for the rest of your days.
It’s our problem-free philosophy.
Hakuna Matata!
OPENING PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Peace be with you…. ...and also with you
SONG Peace, Salaam, Shalom
Peace, Salaam, Shalom
We believe in peace
We will work for peace
We can live in peace
SCRIPTURE Mark 1:32-39
READING “I Sit” by Shuntaro Tanikawa
SONG OF PREPARATION Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: for God is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best eternal friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: for God will undertake
to guide in future days as in the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
how Jesus' power ruled them long ago.
Be still, my soul: the hour will soon be here
when we shall be with God whom we adore,
with disappointment, no grief nor fear,
sorrow replaced with joy forevermore.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
SERMON Rev. Vince Amlin
MUSIC FOR REFLECTION Vienna by Billy Joel- 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: 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 O Love that Will Not Let Me Go
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
* * *
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!
