September 21, 2025
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Sunday Worship
Prelude: Lovingkindness
Call to Worship
House of the Lord
Welcome & Announcements
Walk-up Communion
Ancient of Days
Holy Holy Holy
Sermon: God’s Servant Tried, Part 2
All Sufficient Merit
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Fall Festival – Just One Week Away!
Saturday, September 27th | 1:00 - 4:00pm
It’s not too late to join the team that makes Fall Festival happen. This community outreach will be fun for the whole family. Sign up today to help welcome our neighbors and share the love of Christ: bethanycentral.org/volunteer.
The outreach continues on Sunday as we invite our community back for Gospel Sunday, September 28. Together we’ll worship and hear the good news of Jesus as the Gospel is shared.
Connecting Matters
Sunday, October 5th, 9:00 am
Discover why connecting with the church family is essential for following Jesus together. In this single-session class you’ll explore biblical motivations for connection and learn how our Community Groups, ABC’s, and serving opportunities help you live them out. Whether you’re new to Bethany or looking to deepen relationships, this class will help you take your next step in belonging. Go to bethanycentral.org/connecting to register.
August Financial Update
We are grateful that around $106,000 has already been donated toward the new boiler. Here are the financial numbers from the previous month:
| Giving | Expenses | Budget |
| $308,692 | $347,462 | $289,055 |
| YTD Giving | YTD Expense | YTD Budget |
| $1,056,162 | $1,193,403 | $1,156,218 |
Announcements
Fall Festival Candy Collection
Donate by September 21st
We’re collecting candy donations for this year’s Fall Festival! To help cut costs, we’re asking the congregation to provide individually packaged, peanut-free, non-chocolate candy. Collection bins will be located in the Children’s Wing (near the registration desk) and the Adult Wing. Please bring your donations by Sunday, September 21, so we’ll have time to purchase any remaining needs.
Middle School Fall Retreat
October 3rd
-
5th, 2025
Registration for the Middle School Fall Retreat is open! This weekend retreat is a special time for students to build fellowship, play fun games, enjoy great food, and grow in God’s Word. This year our theme for the retreat is Malachi: From Ruined to Restored. The book of Malachi confronts a sobering reality: even after revival, people can drift. For questions, contact the church office or email us at michelle@bethanycentral.org.
Ladies Hobby Night – All Ages Welcome!
Friday, September 19th, 5:30 pm
Bring your latest project and enjoy a relaxed evening of creativity and connection in the Lakeside area. Whether you’re crafting, knitting, journaling, or anything else—come when you can and leave when you need to. For questions, contact Abby Pfeiffer at abby@bethanycentral.org.
Ladies Bible Overview
Thursdays, October 9th - November 13th, 9:30-11 AM
Join Jen Weers in a 6-week Bible Overview class on Thursdays at Bethany. This class is for anyone who is new to studying the Bible, wants a broader picture of the whole Bible, or wants a refresher on all God’s Word offers us and provides a foundation for more in-depth study. Everyone is welcome so be sure to tell your friends! Use your myBethany to register.
Wednesday Family Meal
Wednesday | 5:00 - 6:00pm
Join us this week for Pizza night! 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.
Pickleball (All Ages)
Thursday, September 25th, 6:30 pm
All skill levels are welcome to meet for fellowship and exercise with the pickleball group in the gym. They meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 6:30 – 8:30pm.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: Would you rather be famous for something embarrassing or completely unknown but have done something incredible?
Discussion 1: Verses 11-15 tell us that the leaders of the Jewish nation were behind Jesus’s arrest and that they handed Him over to Pilate. Read Psalm 118:22-24, Mark 12:1-11, Isaiah 8:14. What does it mean that Jesus is the “Stone that the builders rejected”? Who are the builders?
Application 1: Why did the religious leaders reject Jesus? How could they reject Him in the face of the many miracles and works that He did? What does this reveal about the human heart? What does this show you about your heart?
Discussion 2: Jesus remained silent while speaking with Pilate, fulfilling prophecy and amazing the governor. Look at verse 10. How did Pilate perceive that the leaders handed Jesus over because of envy? Who stirred up the crowd to cry, “Crucify Him”? Why did Pilate assent to the crowd’s demands despite believing Jesus was not guilty?
Application 2: The religious leaders stirred up the crowd, and Pilate (the ruling authority) allowed the injustice to happen. What does this show us about following the crowd? Are there places in your life where envy, people-pleasing, or fear of rejection tempts you to go along with the crowd or stay silent? Where do you see this in our culture?
Discussion 3: Pilate gave in to the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified. This moment of injustice and substitution is central to the gospel. How does Jesus being given over to be crucified in place of Barabbas show us the truth of the Gospel?
Application 3: Jesus took the punishment we deserved so we could be set free. Read 1 John 4:9-10. What does the word propitiation mean? How does remembering this truth impact how you view grace, God’s love, and how you live each day?
