Know Their Story is Live!
Weekly Bulletin
August 31, 2025
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Sunday Worship
Call to Worship
Sing
Welcome & Announcements
Bethany Family Prayer
Man of Sorrows
His Mercy is More
Christus Victor (Amen)
Sermon: God’s Servant Prepares, Part 2
Turn Your Eyes
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Join a Community Group
Fall is the perfect time to jump into a community group for the first time. If you’ve never joined a group, or haven’t attended in a while, now is the time to find a group of believers to do life with. Go to bethanycentral.org/groups to learn more.
Starting Point Class: Learn about Bethany
Sunday, September 07, 9:00 am
Starting Point is a single-session class that meets during our first service in Room 813. It’s designed to help you learn who we are, what we believe, and how you can find your place in the life of our church family. You’ll also discover what to expect on Sunday mornings, how to navigate the building, and explore the ministries and classes we have available. To RSVP go to bethanycentral.org/start.
Fall Festival and Gospel Sunday
Sat, Sept 27 (1–4pm) & Sun, Sept 28 (9 & 10:30am)
We’re bringing back our Fall Festival, a fun-filled community outreach event with games and activities, and a Story Wall designed to spark gospel conversations. Mark your calendar, invite friends and neighbors, and sign up to volunteer to help make the event possible.
The outreach continues on Sunday as we welcome our community back for Gospel Sunday. Together we will worship and hear the good news of Jesus as the Gospel is shared.
Announcements
Bethany Family News
Our deepest sympathies to William & Sue Bonnell on the death of Sue’s brother, Joe Gray, on Tuesday, August 26th.
Men's Genesis Bible Study
Sep 10 - Nov 11 | Wednesdays 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm
Join us this fall for the Men’s Bible Study as we explore the life of Abraham, seeing how God showed Himself faithful to Abraham and to each of us today. Come ready to engage, ask questions, and build connections with other men at Bethany as we seek to encourage one another and grow together in the faith.
BEST Lunch Kickoff
Monday, September 08, 11:00 am
Enjoy a time of worship, hear from God’s Word, and learn about the upcoming fall schedule for the group, followed by a delicious meal. The event is open to everyone, so we encourage you to invite a friend regardless of where they attend church. RSVP through your myBethany account or by calling the church office.
Fall Ladies Bible Studies
Starts September 9th | Tuesdays 9:30-11 AM
Throughout the year, Bethany offers ongoing and short-term Ladies’ Bible Studies that meet at various times throughout the week. We have morning, afternoon, and evening classes. Several options are available for you to study God’s Word.
Widows Lunch
Wednesday, September 03, 11:30 am
For all widows, we would love to invite you to a special lunch hosted by Pastor Ritch and our Care Director, Jake, in the Bethany Café. This will be a simple time to enjoy tea sandwiches and treats, connect with our pastors, and share how we can best support and encourage you in this season. Please RSVP through the church office or by emailing Katie at Katie@bethanycentral.org.
Good News Club
Monday, September 15
Our Good News Club at Ridgeview Elementary is starting up on Sept. 15th. This is a great opportunity for you to be part of a program designed to share the gospel with kids in a fun and loving environment! And they still need volunteers. If you sense God directing you toward this opportunity, reach out to Patti Falatko pif756@gmail.com.
Wednesday Family Meal
Wednesdays | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join us starting September 3rd for Wednesday family meal. The cost is $3 for individuals with a $15 max per family. To help us plan, please RSVP using your MyBethany or by calling the church office by Monday afternoon. This Year we have new starting and ending times!
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: Have you ever fallen asleep at the wrong time, like during a meeting, movie, or important moment? What happened?
Discussion 1: Jesus prays in deep distress, asking if the cup can pass from Him, but ultimately submits to the Father’s will. What is “the cup” that Jesus refers to in this passage? What does this moment reveal about both Jesus’s humanity and His obedience? Why is it significant that He prayed honestly yet surrendered fully?
Application 1: Jesus teaches us to bring our raw emotions to God, but still trust His will. Is there a difficult area in your life where you need to pray, “Not what I will, but what you will”? How can you follow Jesus’s example in surrendering with faith?
Discussion 2: Jesus returned to find His closest friends sleeping — three times. Why do you think they couldn’t stay awake with Him in such a critical moment? What do you think Mark is demonstrating by showing their weakness during Jesus’s distress?
Application 2: Like the disciples, we often struggle to stay spiritually alert. What are some habits or distractions that make you spiritually sleepy or disengaged? What is one step you can take this week to stay more spiritually awake and connected to Jesus?
Discussion 3: After intense prayer, Jesus rises with resolve, and it is clear that He faces His upcoming suffering with determination and even joy (Hebrews 12:2). Look at James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6, and Romans 5:3. How are we called to face the suffering that God places in our lives?
Application 3: Jesus didn’t avoid suffering; He embraced it with joy because of His love for us. How can we embrace suffering with joy as Jesus did, even amid the pain it often brings? How can we get help from the body of Christ in our suffering?
