1. First Sundays!
2. Summer 2023
3. Service/Learning Trip to Albuquerque: photos
1. First Sundays!
What are First Sundays?
Every first Sunday of the month from November through April, our typical Sunday morning education hour is replaced by a “First Sunday” event combining interactive worship, hands-on activities or service, refreshments, conversation. Our Faith Formation team implemented this in the fall of 2022 to provide an event that complements our traditional worship and involves all generations in a more casual atmosphere, with music and activities geared toward all ages and abilities.
What can one expect?
Lots of laughter, music, conversation, and hands-on fun!
November 5, 2023: We celebrated All Saints Sunday with a special activity to memorialize loved ones that Bethel family members have identified; we finished by 9:45 so that all attending the 10am Communion service were able to see the the “memorial stones” when they arrived.
December 3, 2023: It’s the First Sunday of Advent — let’s make wreaths and engage in other activities 
and music that help us introduce the new church year as we look forward to the ways Jesus has come into our world and into our lives, and will come again.
January 7, 2024: We will observe the Baptism of our Lord, and invite all to bring mementos, photos or 
stories of their own baptisms. Do you have a story about your baptism? Traditions in your family? A family baptism gown or Bible with baptisms recorded? A candle? It’s “Show and Tell” time! Can’t think of anything? Come listen to others’ stories. Let’s share and learn from one another.
February 4, 2024:
8:30 am refreshments; 8:45 program:
Come learn more about one of our mission partners — God’s Helping Hand. Our Souper Bowl of Caring “noisy offering” will go to this organization in The Ville, housed at Antioch Baptist Church. Some of the food we’re collecting, and all cleaning supplies, will also be donated to this pantry. While they speak, we will have a garden-related hands-on activity to engage the children (and others).
Janis Hutchinson, a member of St. Philip’s Lutheran, is the Coordinator of God’s Helping Hand. Jeanine Arrighi, a member of Unity Lutheran, is one of the leaders of this multi-church-sponsored “Danny Coverson Garden,” and the grant writer for God’s Helping Hand.
Cross+Generational Education opportunity. All ages are invited to meet in the fellowship hall for an opportunity to learn together through scripture, music and arts.
March 3, 2024:
April 7, 2024:
2. Summer 2023
Pictures from our “Earth, Wind & Fire” theme: we met on three Sundays in summer 2023, building on the success of 2022’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” The Walker family hosted this changeable Cross+Gen group of 12-35 people for food, fellowship, faith talk and fun!
3. Service/Learning Trip to Albuquerque
Our 2021 trip to Toledo with Service Learning Camps was a FABULOUS faith and friendship-building experience. Building on that success, we decided on another Cross+generational trip for Summer 2023. Our destination was Albuquerque, New Mexico; our dates were July 30 to August 4, and we worked again with Service Learning Camps. Bethel was represented by 8 adults and 4 youth ages 10 to 15.
