Bethany Beacon
Sharing faith, hope, and community—one week at a time.
Week of March 8, 2026
UPDATE: Jonah Bible Study
We are pleased to share that the group will reconvene on April 13th at 6:15 pm in Tyler Hall. We apologize for the earlier announcement listing April 6th; we did not account for Pastor Mary’s family being out of town that week. Thank you for your understanding as we adjusted the schedule.
With warmer weather and more daylight ahead, this timing will allow us to gather more comfortably and consistently.
We will simply pick up where we left off, beginning with Chapter 6, and continue our journey through Jonah together.
We look forward to being back in fellowship and continuing to explore God’s Word with you.
The Bright Side
Headlines That Won’t Stress You Out
A tiny owl with a big personality has captured hearts online—and helped spark a wave of kindness. The small northern saw-whet owl was rescued after being found injured, with broken wing bones, and was taken in by wildlife rehabilitators. When a photo of the owl sitting beside a banana (for scale!) went viral, people everywhere fell in love with the little bird.
But the story gets even better. The wildlife rescuer helping care for the owl is recovering from lung cancer surgery, and supporters began raising funds to help her continue her work caring for injured animals. What started as a simple rescue turned into a reminder that compassion has a way of multiplying, one small owl helping people rally around someone who has spent years helping God’s creatures.
Coming up in Worship Sunday
Sneak Peek at This Sunday’s Worship
How Can I Be Transformed?
Part 2
Scripture Reading
Matthew 4:1-4
Last week, we saw where transformation begins: with identity.
At Jesus’ baptism, heaven opened, and the Father declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Before Jesus did anything, he was named beloved.
But the story does not stay at the river.
Immediately, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness.
Forty days of fasting.
Real hunger.
Real temptation.
And in that wilderness, the tempter speaks words designed to shake the identity just given:
“If you are the Son of God…”
The wilderness often becomes the place where our identity is tested.
Not because God abandons us there, but because God forms us there.
The temptation itself seems simple:
“Tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus is hungry. He has the power to do it.
Yet Jesus refuses.
Instead, he answers with Scripture:
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jesus shows us something essential about spiritual transformation:
life is sustained not only by what fills our stomachs, but by what fills our hearts and minds with the truth of God.
This Sunday we will reflect on the next movement of transformation:
Learning to trust God in seasons of hunger and testing
Recognizing that temptation often begins by questioning our identity
Living not by quick solutions, but by the sustaining Word of God
The wilderness is not the end of the story.
It is the place where trust deepens.
Where dependence grows.
Where God teaches us what truly gives life.
And even there, the Spirit still leads.
The Hymns
This week’s music reminds us that God’s strength surrounds and sustains us even in seasons of testing.
“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Red Hymnal #110)
A bold reminder that God is our refuge and strength in every battle.
“Standing on the Promises” (Red Hymnal374)
A declaration that our confidence comes from trusting what God has spoken.
“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” (Red Hymnal #69)
A Lenten prayer that invites us to walk with Christ through the wilderness and learn faithfulness along the way.
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!