Wednesday Words
"Still Expanding – Inspire, Encourage, Challenge"
October 18, 2023
Pastor Cathy Daharsh

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

As we come up to the 18th month of our Expand the Table initiative, our new sermon series is Still Expanding, to celebrate all that God has done and continues to do in and through us.

Much has happened in the last year and a half.  This past Sunday we joined our neighbors at Bethany Lutheran in Chicago to celebrate Pastor Sean Ramsey's installation, and then we enjoyed an evening of celebrating 100 years of ministry at Bethany (Crystal Lake) with almost 200 people in attendance!  We have come a long way in our ministry at Bethany, while holding onto the core belief and desire to Set a Place for Everyone, Serve Our Neighbors, and Feed Our Souls.  It’s exciting to see the transformation of our sanctuary and gathering space as we continue to create a welcoming space for all those who are here—and those yet to come!

We hope that you will participate in the four-week Bible Studies through which we'll explore our Still Expanding theme.  There are three opportunities for the first study: Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 10 am and 7 pm in the Bethany library, and Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 pm at Larry Johnson’s home, 845 Wedgewood Drive, Crystal Lake, 60014.

We want to continue to INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE, and CHALLENGE everyone to invest in the Spirit-filled journey we started 18 months ago, which truly is making a difference.

INSPIRE: You recently joined our church and are wondering, “What is Expand the Table and how do I become a part of it?”  Expand the Table is for all Bethany Church members and attendees.  We welcome you to the church and hope you will feel INSPIRED to join us on this journey and consider making a 12-month generosity commitment.

ENCOURAGE: Others of us made a commitment 18 months ago, and we want to continue to support your discipleship of generosity.  Perhaps for some of us, this journey has been difficult—or possibly more difficult—than we had envisioned.  Maybe you have gone to a completely new level in your generosity and are still adjusting your life to it; maybe you have experienced job loss, job change, or unexpected expenses.  We all stand together, encouraging one another.  We know that God is with us, and we want to encourage you spiritually to trust in God as you finish strong.

CHALLENGE: Some of us made our Expand the Table Commitment 18 months ago and it is possible that we had an increase in resources from God, and a renewed commitment in our faith.  It is not that keeping our commitment has been easy, because it has likely required a lot of sacrifice.  Perhaps you may be sensing God’s call for you to consider stretching your giving by increasing your commitment.  Generosity is not a one-time event: it is a journey.  Consider asking yourself: am I still giving in a way that challenges me, and for the sake of others?  Pray and ask if God is inviting you to take another step in your discipleship of generosity, by increasing your commitment to Expand the Table for the remainder of the initiative.

Please prayerfully consider where God is calling you in your time and resources as we are STILL EXPANDING!