Who is Jesus? What was important to him when he walked the earth? This season of the church year is called “Epiphany” which means that something is revealed and made clear to us. Throughout this season, we will learn some surprising truths about who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish. Join us on both campuses for our sermon series entitled, “Surprising Truth About Jesus.”
Sunday Studies - The Psalms
New Sunday Studies: Beginning this weekend, Start the new year with some songs of Scripture: the Book of Psalms! Our Sunday Bible study, which begins around 10:15AM each Sunday, will have us looking at some of the most prominent of those songs and poems of God’s people. Childcare is available for children under four in the nursery during Bible study.
Midweek Oasis - January 8
New Midweek Oasis: Beginning January 8th, Midweek Oasis will meet at 10AM in the lower-level fellowship hall on the Parkway Campus. We will focus on the gospel which bloomed through God’s Old Testament messengers. We will also see how that same gospel blooms in our lives and world, like an impossible flower growing up among the desert sands of sin.
Small Group Bible Studies
Bethany's small group Bible studies are beginning the winter session this week! During this eight-week session on the topic of "Burden Bearing," these small group studies will dig into God's Word to learn more about how we lift one another up in a godly way, providing strength and support to those who need it most. Even if you aren't currently enrolled in one of these small groups, please feel free to take a study sheet home with you to use as a personal Bible study opportunity this week.
Men of His Word Conference
Register now for the 16th Annual Men of His Word Conference at the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Go to www.menofhisword.org to learn more.
Free Seminar on Estate Planning
Join us for a free seminar on Estate Planning, sponsored by the FVL Mission Advancement Office. Hear professionals share helpful information for those who have no estate plan or who are looking to update an old one. Go to fvlhs.org/seminar to find details and the RSVP link for the seminar on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:00 PM.
Financial Oversight Team
We are now also looking for financial-minded individuals to join the Financial Oversight Team at Bethany. The group would meet on a regular basis to review Bethany and Our Shepherd’s financials.
Service Lead Nominations
The Leadership Team is now seeking nominations for the position of Service Lead. Aric Wilson has decided to turn the position over to another person, and we thank him for all of the hard work that he has put in over the years. The Service Lead will be held accountable for all plans and decisions regarding Bethany’s Service ministry. Aware that every member is meant to minister, he will seek to engage all members in meaningful service within the church and in the community. The Service Team Lead oversees the building and grounds as well as the fellowship team.
Holiday Closures
Our Shepherd Childcare will be closed the week of December 23-27, as well as Wednesday, January 1. The Bethany offices will be closed December 24-27 and December 31-January 1. During the two weeks surrounding Christmas, please be sure to call the office prior to stopping by to ensure that your needs can be met!
2025 Offering Envelopes
2025 offering envelope packets are available on both campuses. Grab yours today! Want to go paperless with your offerings? Head to www.bethanyappleton.org/give to set up a recurring gift.
Christmas Worship Service Schedule
o No worship service on Monday, 12/23
o Christmas Eve Services @ Lynndale – 10AM
o Christmas Eve Services @ Parkway – 4PM & 6PM
o Christmas Day Worship w/Communion @ Parkway – 9AM
Our Shepherd Preschool Christmas Program
The preschoolers of Our Shepherd Childcare will be presenting their Christmas program on Friday, December 13 at 10AM in the Praise Center at our Lynndale Campus. Please consider attending and supporting our preschoolers!
Hope Center Drop Off Location
We are excited to announce that Bethany will now have a drop off location at the Parkway Campus for The Hope Center donations! In the window sill near the elevator, you can leave items for The Hope Center (and the metal cart there will still be used for Apple Valley Food Pantry Donations). Accepted items would be: garbage bags, 7-12oz. liquid hand soaps, razors & shaving cream, baby wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, shampoo, conditioner, baby shampoo/wash, deodorant, feminine pads or tampons, 50-60oz. laundry soap, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, poise pads, depends – men’s small, depends – women’s x-large and large. Thank you for your continued generosity for the Hoper Center!
FVL Christmas Concert
The FVL Choirs invite you to attend their annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, 12/15 at 2:00 PM. The concert is free, and all are invited to join with the choirs as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. It will also be livestreamed on the FVLHS YouTube Channel.
College Aged Students
Are you a college-aged student or the parent of a Bethany college-aged student? Bethany would appreciate current contact information for you or your student and would love to stay in contact with you/them. Please send your phone number, email address and address to Pastor Johnston at djjohnston@bethanyappleton.org.
FVL & FVL Schools to Sponsor Parade
FVL and FVL Schools (of which Our Shepherd Childcare is a part) are again sponsoring the broadcast of the Appleton Christmas Parade! Watch for the FVL Schools and FVL commercial and tune in for FVL Admissions Director Joe Blum's live interview. The date is Tuesday, November 26 at 7:00 PM. Check it out on WFRV-TV5.
Parkway Campus Church Decorating
Parkway Campus church decorating for Christmas will take place at 9AM on Saturday, November 30! Please join us as we beautify our church for the holiday season!
Call Received - Mrs. Leah Schuh
Leah Schuh, Bethany member and one of our preschool teachers at Our Shepherd, has received a call to teach 3K/4K at Mount Olive here in Appleton for the 2025-2026 school year. She wrote saying, “t is truly a blessing to be able to deliberate the call I received as well as my hired position at Our Shepherd. I ask that you keep me in your prayers over the next few weeks as I consider where I can best use my abilities.”
Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service
On Wednesday, November 27th at 6PM, join us at the Parkway Campus for our Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service.
FVL Band Concert
All are welcome to join us for our annual FVL High School Band Concert on Thursday, November 14, at 6:30 PM! Hear from our FVL Concert and Symphonic Bands. Enjoy the concert in person or stream online on the FVL YouTube channel: youtube.com/@FVLFoxes/streams