Share Life Letter Prayer Packet Letter Stewardship Letter Alumni Letter

"Share Life" is a theme that our community will be focusing on this spring. The phrase comes from the Apostle Paul, who wrote that when he was with the Thessalonians, he and his team shared not only teaching, but their very lives as well. This sharing of life is, of course, the essence of what it means to live the Christian life; love God and love people — everything hinges on these two commandments. God has been generous to the Bethany Community, granting us the opportunity to share our lives and the life of Christ with our city, and in the process of doing so we've been growing. We're averaging over 900 in attendance these days, and are facing space crunches everywhere from the nursery to the offices, from the sanctuary to the parking lot (oh wait; there is no parking lot). Of course, the vision to share life can't stop when things get crowded. In light of that fact, we've been working hard over the past two years to plan for the future, and the future is now. A talented facilities task force has contracted with the highly reputable "Miller/Hull" architectural firm and has produced a site plan that will address our space issues. This plan, however, could only become a reality with special permission from the city, plus the development of a parking lot at Bagley Elementary School, plus signatures from supportive neighbors. It has been nothing short of amazing to watch each of these contingencies unfold in our favor, and we have been deeply encouraged that we are on the path of God's choosing. Huge challenges remain, but that's what makes these days exciting! As Elrond once said to Frodo, "This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, as a testimony that Christ lives — what could be better? The Share Life theme will undergird our life together during the months of April and May, as we focus on stewardship. While the topic of stewardship includes consideration of our finances, this is about much more than money. This is about living the life for which we've been created; about pausing to consider what really matters; about pausing to take inventory of all the gifts God has given us, and discovering how best to use them. Ultimately it is about moving into our futures, individually and collectively, in such a way that we are dependent on His life, involved in His purposes, and living the adventure that the Christian life is supposed to be. Please take advantage of these special worship services, teaching times, prayer times, and our celebration service on May 15th, when we will gather all our services together for one large worship celebration at the University of Washington. These are days of challenge and opportunity. May we be a people who pray, listen, and step into the stream of what God is doing. In His Service, Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor