Know Their Story is Live!
Weekly Bulletin
May 11, 2025
Read this in your inbox
Get the bulletin as an email every friday. Sign up now.
Sunday Worship
Grace Alone
Call to Worship
All My Boast is in Jesus
Welcome & Announcements
Child Dedication - First Service
Bethany Family Prayer
Nothing but the Blood
Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me
Sermon: God’s Servant Confronts Legalism
Create in Me a Clean Heart
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Know Their Story Progress Update
We’re so excited to celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made in collecting stories and we are almost half-way there! To encourage everyone on this journey of knowing their story, free t-shirts will be in the foyer for the next two weeks. Make sure to pick one up!
It’s not too late to get involved—sign up for our 12-week evangelism coaching by text or email, or listen to the full podcast series—all episodes are now available. Visit bethanycentral.org/knowtheirstory to learn more and stay engaged!
Membership Class
Sunday, May 18, 9:00 am
The class meets in Rm 813 in the adult wing. This one-session class features videos & class discussion. You’ll learn more about Bethany and discover the importance of membership and joining your local church. Sign up by going to bethanycentral.org/membership.
Summer Kick-Off Service & Picnic
Sun May 25, 2025 9:30 am
This is a single outdoor service at 9:30am with a picnic to follow. It’s a special Sunday of fellowship and celebration for the upcoming summer. There will be no Sunday school, children’s church, or ABC’s that Sunday.
Announcements
Mother's Day Celebration
Sunday, May 11
We are so thankful for all of our moms, as well as those who take the role of mom! We want to celebrate and thank you for your sacrifices and investment in the next generation. To celebrate that, we have Fannie Mae chocolates for every lady as you exit the service. Make sure to get yours!
Graduate Recognition
Sunday, May 25
In just a few weeks we will recognize those who are graduating from the Bethany Church family. If you would like your graduate to be included in that list go bethanycentral.org/graduates and fill out the form there for each of your graduates. Let us know their name and where they are graduating from so we can recognize them.
We Want to Pray for You!
It is our desire to be praying for you no matter what is happening in your life. Go to bethanycentral.org/prayer or use the Bethany app to fill out a prayer request or share a praise so that our leaders, staff, prayer team, and church family can be in prayer for you personally.
Together Day by Day
Sign up to receive our Together Day by Day email devotional. This email is delivered each weekday and is written by elders and pastors at Bethany. It includes a devotional and prayer requests for those in the Bethany family as well as our GO Partners. To sign up go to Bethanycentral.org/togetheremail.
Church Library
The Library has been moved to the adult wing. Use the provided computer or paper system to check out books and grow your faith through reading.
RightNow Media
Access an extensive library of faith-based videos for kids, youth, and adults, available on any device. It’s easy and free to join. Visit bethanycentral.org/rightnowmedia and click “Request an invitation.” We’ll send you an email invitation to set up your account so you can take advantage of this great resource.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What’s your favorite holiday and how do you celebrate it? What makes that holiday special to you?
Discussion 1: The Pharisees criticized Jesus’s disciples for not following the traditional handwashing ritual. Jesus responded by accusing them of valuing human traditions over God’s commandments. Why are people often tempted to elevate traditions over genuine faith and obedience to God? What did the Pharisees’ question in verse 5 reveal about the nature of their hearts?
Application 1: Jesus warned against letting traditions or outward appearances replace a heart that truly honors God. Are there any “traditions” or external practices in your life that you might be relying on, rather than focusing on genuine faith and obedience? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters?
Discussion 2: Jesus taught that it isn’t what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of their heart. How did this teaching challenge the religious thinking of the time, and what did it reveal about the source of true defilement? How does this teaching challenge the culture of our day as well?
Application 2: Jesus emphasized that what comes out of our hearts reveals our character. Have there been times this week when your true heart has been revealed? What happened and what caused it to come out? How do these times drive us to Jesus?
Discussion 3: Jesus lists various sins that come from within a person’s heart, such as greed, envy, and pride. Why is it important to focus on the internal condition of our hearts rather than just external behavior? What does Jesus’s teaching in this passage say about sin and holiness?
Application 3: Since sin begins in the heart, spiritual transformation must happen from the inside out. How can you examine your heart even though it is “deceitfully wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9)? How are others in the body of Christ important in this process? What should our response be when we see our wicked heart on display?
