The Bethany Beacon
News, Faith, and Community at Bethany
Week of August 2, 2026
Help Us Bless Our Neighborhood
As we prepare for our Back-to-School Splash Bash, we are inviting the Bethany family to help fill school-supply bags for children and families in the neighborhood around our church.
Please consider donating:
Crayola Classic 10-count markers
Crayola colored pencils
Pre-Sharpened Ticonderoga pencils
Wide-ruled notebook paper
12–13 ounce boxes of cereal
Each donation will help us offer practical support, encouragement, and a warm welcome to families as a new school year begins. This is a simple but meaningful way to show our neighbors that Bethany cares and that God’s love is present in tangible ways.
We also need volunteers to help serve during the event. Volunteers can assist with welcoming families, distributing supplies, helping with food and activities, and simply being present to offer kindness and hospitality.
Headlines That Won’t Stress You Out
The Pastor’s Family Has Grown!
Many of you may remember that when Pastor Mary first arrived at Bethany, Izzie had already begun what can only be described as a determined campaign to convince Pastor Mary and Justin that the family needed a dog. Through persistence, patience, and more than a few heartfelt presentations (and probably some strategic pleading), she finally accomplished her mission.
And with that, the Trent family is excited to introduce the newest member of their household, Indiana—better known as “Indie.” Indie is a sweet mini-Goldendoodle who has already filled our home with laughter, energy, and lots of puppy love. She loves to snuggle, play fetch, chase just about anything that moves, and, perhaps most importantly, she has never met a treat she didn’t like!
Some of you may even see Indie around Bethany from time to time. She’s a friendly pup who is always eager to make new friends.
If you happen to see Indie around the church sometime, don’t be surprised if she greets you with a wagging tail, and if you happen to have a dog treat in your pocket, you’ll probably have a friend for life!
ICYMI:
Here’s Your Sermon Recap!
Making a Joyful Noise
Making a Joyful Noise
What if worship isn’t about having the perfect voice but about having a heart filled with God’s grace? This week’s message from Ephesians 5 reminds us that when we know we are deeply loved by Christ, joy naturally overflows in worship. We don’t sing to earn God’s love, we sing because we already have it. Watch or listen and be encouraged: in God’s kingdom, it’s never about performance; it’s always about participating in the song of grace He has placed in our hearts.
Sunday Sneak Peek
This Sunday, our Mayberry series brings us to one of the town’s most beloved characters—Aunt Bee.
When a batch of homemade pickles doesn’t turn out as she’d hoped, Aunt Bee begins to question her own value. It’s a humorous story, but beneath the laughter lies a struggle many of us know all too well. We often measure ourselves by our accomplishments, our productivity, or whether we think we’ve “gotten it right.” When we fall short, it’s easy to believe we have somehow fallen short in God’s eyes as well.
In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus offers a different way. As He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, He reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows our needs, delights in His children, and calls us to lay down the exhausting burden of proving ourselves.
This Sunday’s message, “The Problem with Performance and Perfectionism,” invites us to discover the freedom that comes when our identity is rooted not in what we accomplish, but in God’s unfailing love. We don’t have to earn His acceptance, we already belong to Him through Christ.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be enough, to do enough, or to keep everything together, this message is for you. Come and be reminded that God’s grace is greater than our striving, and His love is not based on our performance.
The Music
Our worship will begin with “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” a beautiful reminder that the God who cares for every bird also watches over us with faithful love. We will conclude with “I Love to Tell the Story,” celebrating the good news that our hope is found not in ourselves, but in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
As You Prepare for Worship
Take a few moments this week to reflect on this question:
Where have you been looking for your worth?
Ask God to help you release the pressure of perfection and rest instead in the confidence that you are His beloved child.
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!
COMING UP…
Interested in Becoming a Member?
Have you been worshiping with us and wondering if Bethany Methodist Church might be the place God is calling you to call home?
We’d love to walk alongside you as you explore church membership. If you’re interested in learning more, simply click the link below and complete our brief interest form. Filling out the form is not a commitment to join—it’s simply the first step in a conversation.
Click here to express your interest in church membership: