November 16, 2025
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Sunday Worship
Prelude: Behold Him (New Song)
Call to Worship
All Sufficient Merit
Welcome & Announcements
Communion Invitation & Scripture Reading
The Love of God
Christus Victor (Amen)
Communion
Sermon: Generosity through Selflessness
More Love to Thee
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Hands of Grace Ministry Food Collection
The Hands of Grace food pantry is organizing another collection starting this Sunday. This year’s focus is on canned fruits, vegetables, and meats to help meet specific needs in our community. Please make sure all items are unexpired before donating. Visit bethanycentral.org/handsofgrace to donate or volunteer to help the ministry beyond providing food goods. Look for the food collection table in front of the church office.
Feast of Thanks
Sunday, November 23rd, 5:00 pm
Join us for our end-of-year celebration as we thank God for all He has done through our Know Their Story gospel focus. We’re still collecting stories as we pursue our goal of hearing 2,000 by year’s end! Come celebrate with your church family as we reflect on God’s faithfulness and all He has done this year. Please RSVP at bethanycentral.org/feast so we can plan accordingly. When you RSVP, you’ll also find instructions for bringing a side or dessert to share.
GO Partner Christmas Gift Collection
November 16th
-
30th, 2025
Each year, we have the privilege of blessing our GO Partners with a special Christmas gift. If you’d like to contribute, envelopes will be available throughout November on tables in the foyer as you leave the sanctuary and in your ABC rooms. You can also give online at bethanycentral.org/gogive.
Announcements
October Financial Update
In an effort to keep you up to date on the status of our finances, here are the financial numbers from the previous month:
| Giving | Expenses | Budget |
| $228,496 | $240,110 | $289,055 |
| YTD Giving | YTD Expense | YTD Budget |
| $1,549,924 | $1,663,665 | $1,734,328 |
Church Office Holiday Hours
Our church office will close at noon on Wednesday, November 26, and remain closed through Friday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We’ll reopen on Monday, December 1. Thank you for keeping these holiday hours in mind as you plan your week.
Children’s Ministry Volunteer Appreciation
Throughout November we’re saying a big THANK YOU to all our Children’s Ministry volunteers. If you serve in Nursery, Awana, Sunday School, Buddies, or Children’s Church, please stop by the Nursery Check-In desk to pick up a small gift of appreciation.
Parents, Post-It note stations will be outside each classroom. Take a moment to write a short note of encouragement and place it on the classroom door for volunteers to see as they arrive.
Operation Christmas Child
November 16th
-
23rd, 2025
Collection for Operation Christmas Child is now underway! Bring great joy — and the Good News — to children in need around the world by packing a shoebox. Ready-made boxes are available at the Samaritan’s Purse tables in the foyer near the gym entrance, or you can build a box online at bethanycentral.org/occ.
Grandparents @ Prayer
Monday, November 24th, 11:00 am, Library
All grandparents are invited to join us at Bethany for an hour devoted to praying for your grandchildren. For questions contact Rod Abel at rbabel4952@gmail.com.
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.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: Who’s someone in your life who serves quietly in the background but makes everything better?
Application 1: The church is called to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” When you think about your relationships with family, coworkers, or church members, what makes unity difficult to maintain? How can humility make your relationships stronger or easier?
Application 2: As followers of Jesus, we should “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit.” Why do you think self-interest is such a constant temptation? Are there times when you are tempted towards self-interest, even while serving others? What are some ways to focus on love rather than recognition?
Application 3: How can you “count others more significant than ourselves” in everyday life — at work, at home, or in ministry? How might that kind of mindset change the way you approach conversations, disagreements, or teamwork? Give some concrete examples that come to mind.
Application 4: Paul challenges us to look out for the interests of others, not just our own. What’s one practical way you could intentionally show love or support to someone this week — especially if it doesn’t directly benefit you? How does remembering God’s extravagant love help you give without keeping score? When you think about God’s selfless love, where do you see room to grow in reflecting that same love toward others?
