On Sunday we will hear God’s Word from Pastor Ben Sandin.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. John 14:15–17

Our gospel text this week is a continuation from last week. Jesus is with the disciples on the last night of his life, offering important and comforting words before he goes to the cross. In this section, he promises an Advocate who will guide them into God’s truth and God’s path. We do not walk alone! Join us Sunday as we consider the power of the Spirit to guide us to God’s way.

Pastor Ben leads a new course called “Faith Seeking Understanding”, through May 2026. This course will be a theological, historical, and biblical exploration of the fundamentals of our Christian faith. Unit 2 will focus on Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Mission, Sacraments, and more. Some homework is involved!

This in-person course will take place on Wednesday evenings at 7pm and a duplicate offering will be held on Thursdays at 12:30pm .

Sign up by emailing Pastor Ben.

Emily, our in-house therapist, will be holding Art Therapy groups in the Fireside Room these next few months:

• Family Fuzz / for Family
  Sundays 2/22, 3/29, 4/26, 5/31 at 9:50am–10:40am
  Focus on Communication
• Finding Meaning / for Youth
  Sundays 3/29, 4/26, 5/31 at noon–12:50pm
  Explore what brings meaning to life
• Care for you and me / for Bethel's Caring Connection Team
  Sundays 2/22, 3/29, 4/26 at 1pm–1:50pm
  Process grief and help support others

If you have questions, contact Amanda Laughlin. To sign up, contact Emily.

Bethel’s annual Vacation Bible School is June 22–26. This year’s theme is Rainforest Falls—Exploring the Nature of God. Registration is now open! Read the details and register online.

Traditional VBS is 9am–noon each day.
Afternoon Care from noon–5pm is provided for an additional cost.
Rainforest Falls VBS Family Sunday is June 28 after worship.

For more information please contact Amanda Laughlin.

Bethel is expecting a large financial gift to help pay down the church's mortgage, which has a current balance of $481,000. This gift presents a great opportunity to re-amortize the mortgage and lower the payments. If you feel called to make an additional gift to Bethel, beyond your usual giving, then please consider a gift to help reduce Bethel's debt and mortgage payments. Reducing the church mortgage has the additional advantage of lowering our federal and state tax on rental income. Gifts for this purpose should be received by mid-July, before the mortgage is re-amortized, and have “Reduce Mortgage” in the memo line.
Contact Fara Brock in the church office for any questions.

On May 3, Tom announced that the parking lot is done! (Excepting the playground area).

Thanks to Tom for these photos of the construction (through Apr 16 plus a last photo from May 3). Click any photo to see a larger image.