May 17, 2026
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Sunday Worship
Prelude: How Great is Our God
Welcome & Announcements
Lovingkindness
Who You Say I Am
Communion Invitation & Scripture Reading
There is a Fountain
The Lord is Good
Walk-up Communion
Sermon: Gospel Adoption
Come Unto Jesus
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Share Your Home to Share Your Hope
This summer, we’re issuing a simple challenge: Share Your Home to Share Your Hope. The early church opened their homes to share the gospel, and it’s still one of the simplest ways we live out our yearly theme. So here’s the challenge—host a gathering this summer and share your hope with someone. To make it easy, we’re pointing you to a free resource called Victory Beyond the Cup, a ready-to-use kit that turns one World Cup match into a real outreach opportunity. And to kick things off together, Bethany is hosting a church-wide watch party in July—details coming soon. Grab your free kit and get training to host at bethanycentral.org/host.
Summer Kick-Off Service
Sunday, May 24th, 9:30 am
Kick off summer with us at our single outdoor service (weather permitting) followed by a church-wide picnic. This is a great Sunday to connect with others from Bethany, build relationships, and enjoy time together as a church family. There will be no Sunday School, Children’s Church, or ABC’s that day.
April Financial Update
To keep you informed on the status of our finances, below are last month’s financial numbers along with our year-to-date (YTD) totals for the full fiscal year. These figures are measured against the annual budget approved at our recent annual meeting.
| Giving | Expenses | Budget |
| $313,200 | $334,178 | $289,055 |
| YTD Giving | YTD Expense | YTD Budget |
| $3,391,524 | $3,238,315 | $3,468,655 |
Announcements
Bethany Family News
Our deepest sympathies to RS and Robin Monroe on the death of RS’s mother on Sunday, May 11th.
Moooove Up Day
Sunday, May 31st
We’re excited to move all of our kids—3’s, Pre-K, and Elementary—up to their next class on the same day!
In the past, Elementary moved up in the fall, but this year everyone promotes together. Be sure to check the banners above each classroom for your child’s new class.
Graduate Recognition
Sunday, May 24th
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.
Youth Group Summer Fest
Wednesday, June 10, 6:00 pm
SummerFest is a special youth group event for 4 Wednesdays each summer. The theme this year is Summer of Courage. It’s a time of fellowship, fun, and teaching from guest speakers. It runs from 6-8:30pm on the dates of June 10th at Cottonwood, June 24th at the Plattner’s, July 8th at Bethany, and July 15th. Go to bethanycentral.org/summerfest for more details and locations of each meeting place.
Ladies Bible Studies Starting Soon!
Bethany offers ongoing and short-term Ladies’ Bible Studies with morning, afternoon, and evening options available. Join a four-week study through Ruth by David Platt. This study shows that Ruth is more than a love story—it’s a powerful picture of God’s redemption in our lives. Books are available for $5. You can register through myBethany, call the church office for more information, or sign up at the registration table in the foyer.
Tuesday Men's Bible Study
Tuesday Men’s Bible Study meets each Tuesday at 9 AM in Room 817 and will continue throughout the summer. The group is beginning a study through the book of Judges. Please note that the study will not meet during VBS week.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is something you couldn’t wait to be old enough to do: drive, travel alone, choose your own schedule, or make your own decisions?
Discussion 1: Paul compares life under the law to a child who is technically an heir but still lives under guardians and managers (vv.1–3). Why do you think Paul uses this image to describe God’s people before Christ? How does this help us understand the difference between having a promise and actually living in the freedom of that promise?
Application 1: Where might you still relate to God more like a child under supervision than a son or daughter who is fully loved and secure? Are there fears, habits, or expectations that make it difficult to live out the freedom God has already given you?
Discussion 2: Paul says that when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (vv.4–5). Why is it important that salvation is described as adoption? What does adoption communicate about our relationship with God?
Application 2: Because God has adopted us as His children, He sends His Spirit into our hearts crying, “Abba! Father!” (v.6; cf. Rom. 8:15). How do these truths shape the way you think about approaching God? In your everyday life, do you relate to God more as a distant authority or a loving Father? What would it look like this week to approach God with the trust and honesty of a child who knows they are fully accepted?
Discussion 3: Paul concludes that believers are no longer slaves but sons, and therefore heirs through God (v.7). Why is this shift from slavery to sonship so central to Paul’s argument in Galatians? How does it summarize what he has been teaching about law, promise, and faith?
Application 3: If you truly believe you are God’s child and heir (v.7), how should that shape the way you respond to pressure, comparison, or fear this week? What changes when you see yourself as a child who already belongs to God instead of someone trying to earn His favor? How could resting in your identity as God’s child change the way you approach this week?
