Weekly Greeting - August 21, 2026

Oh, my goodness! On Thursday, the Bethlehem Preschool welcomed students and parents to the new school year. The energy was high as was the noise level in the Banquet Hall where director Kim Wixted gave the parents instructions and information.  For church staff and members who are in the building during the week, the summer break has been far too quiet without the children in the building. We are glad to welcome them back.

In addition to Preschool starting, it is a good time for folks to get back in the habit of coming Sundays for Sunday School and worship. We have opportunities for all age levels during the Sunday School hour. Also, the men’s and women’s groups are on their regular schedules and there are several new opportunities to gather. The Bridge will be a new Sunday afternoon ministry for young adult through middle adults to consider.  Please see more detail and register to attend elsewhere in this newsletter.

Now, here is an ‘insider’ tip as you prepare to come to worship this Sunday. The worship will focus on Matthew 16:15: “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”; If you want to get ahead of the sermon a little, read Daniel 7:13-14 in your favorite translation of the Bible and pay attention to the footnotes. You may remember that Daniel is most known by the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. But his importance in holy history is as a seer and interpreter of visions during the Babylonian Captivity of the Hebrews. For the most reliable English translation of these two verses, look around your house for a New International Version (NIV). Come on Sunday to find out how these two passages connect and why they may be important to you.

Terry Carty