The Bethany Beacon
News, Faith, and Community at Bethany
Week of May 24, 2026
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Click the video below for this week’s announcements and events
This week, our Virginia Annual Conference will gather for a special time of worship, fellowship, learning, and holy conferencing with United Methodists from across our connection.
Pastor Mary, Pastor Bob, and Marge Sharp will all attend and represent Bethany throughout the week. We are especially grateful that both Pastor Mary and Marge have been invited to lead workshops during the conference, an opportunity to share ministry, ideas, and encouragement with others from across the Virginia Conference.
It is a meaningful reminder that God continues to work through the gifts and faithfulness of the people of Bethany, not only within our church family, but throughout the wider Church as well.
Due to responsibilities at the Annual Conference, Pastor Mary will be out of the area from Wednesday through Saturday next week. During that time, if you have any pastoral care concerns, prayer requests, or immediate needs, please contact the church office so that you may be connected with our Congregational Care Team. You may also reach out to our faithful lay leaders, Elaine Brimer and Betty Ann Pagels, who are always gracious in helping care for our church family.
Thank you for your prayers for all those attending the Annual Conference as we seek to follow where God is leading the Church in this season.
Headlines That Won’t Stress You Out
The Teacher Who Helped Shape a Generation
A graduating high school class recently returned to visit one of the people who first helped shape their lives: their kindergarten teacher. What began as a simple surprise became a beautiful reminder that the seeds we plant in love often bear fruit long after we can see it.
The students walked back into their old classroom wearing caps and gowns, hugging the teacher who once tied their shoes, taught them their ABCs, wiped away tears, and encouraged them through their earliest days of learning. Needless to say, there were plenty of emotions in the room.
It’s the kind of story that reminds us of a deeply biblical truth: small acts of faithfulness matter.
In a world obsessed with immediate results, God often works slowly, quietly, and relationally. Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:9:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Teachers rarely get to see the full impact of their work. Parents often wonder if their prayers are making a difference. Church volunteers may never fully realize how meaningful a kind word, a Sunday School lesson, or a simple act of care can become years later.
And yet the Kingdom of God grows this way all the time.
Like mustard seeds.
Like scattered seeds in good soil.
Like loaves and fishes offered faithfully into the hands of Christ.
This story is a reminder that love leaves a legacy.
The world often measures success by fame, wealth, or recognition. But the Gospel reminds us that faithfulness matters deeply to God. Sometimes the holiest work happens quietly in classrooms, kitchens, fellowship halls, hospital rooms, and ordinary conversations.
And sometimes, years later, God graciously allows us to glimpse the harvest.
So if you’ve been wondering whether your kindness matters…
whether your prayers matter…
whether your service matters…
Take heart.
Love planted in faith is never wasted.
Coming up in Worship Sunday…
A quick reminder: this Sunday is a Fifth Sunday, which means we’ll gather together as one church for a single worship service at 9:15 AM!
Sunday School classes will follow worship, and if you’ve never participated in Sunday School before, this is a wonderful Sunday to give it a try! It’s a great opportunity to grow deeper in faith, build relationships, and connect with others in our church family.
We can’t wait to worship together as one body this Sunday!
Sneak Peek at This Sunday’s Worship
Coming Up Next in Love Goes First…
Love is one of the most talked about words in the world… and one of the most misunderstood.
Our culture often defines love as a feeling, attraction, tolerance, or personal fulfillment. But what happens when the most important word in the world becomes the least understood?
This Sunday at Bethany, we’ll continue our Love Goes First series as we explore what biblical love actually looks like, not just sentimental love, but the kind of love revealed in Jesus Christ.
The kind of love that tells the truth, extends grace, sacrifices for others, and transforms lives.
If God is love, then understanding love rightly changes everything.
Join us this Sunday as we dive deeper together!
The Music
Together, we’ll lift our voices in singing “This Is Amazing Grace” and “Build My Life,” allowing these songs to center our hearts on the power, grace, and transforming love of Christ. As we continue our Love Goes First series and reflect on Jesus’ call to love God and love our neighbor, these songs remind us that God’s love is not passive; it changes us, shapes us, and sends us out into the world with courage and compassion.
May we be rooted in the love of Christ and led in His love to those around us!
Be sure to click the links below to listen and sing along as you prepare your heart for worship this Sunday.
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!