“The alphabet of Christmas.”

Colossians 3:12-17
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
CHRISTMASTIDE

The Christmas story in carols and bible verses.

Rev. Jesse Larson
Liturgist: Jackie Sneed
Pianist: Ben Baird
Advent wreath lighters: Jim and Teri Guida
Anthem: Lily Baird Young, Peter Baird, Trisha Uhrhammer, Marilee Keene
CHRISTMAS EVE

“Tte good news of Jesus Christ, proclaimed to us in the form of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, should continue to give us great joy for all people. Our true joy is that unto us, a saviors has been born.”

Luke 2: 8-18
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musician: Sherry McHurd Hanson, viola
Advent wreath lighters: Jiim Carter & Barbara Greene
Anthem: Bethany Chancel Choir
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

“In baptism we are given a whole new identity: as a family member in the household of God. Here we are today, continuing in this tradition that began over 2,000 years ago. We hold fast to the promise that love conquers hate.”

Philippians 1: 3-11
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musician: John Doolittle, saxophone
Liturgical dancer: Vickie McNamee Owens
Advent wreath lighters: Cherie Upchurch, Janice & Paul Douglas
Worship assistant: Barbara Greene
Children baptized: Steven Bertsch, Alexander Medina, Jaxon Medina
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

“However you are feeling now, take it one day at a time. In the anguish of these long, dark nights, may the spirit comfort you, reminding you of all that Christ said: promises of eternal life … of life everlasting … of all all tears wiped away. All shall be well.”

Psalms 22:1-5 and John 14: 26-27.
Rev. Jesse Larson & Rev. Janice Kamikawa
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Vocal soloist and song leader: Barbara Greene
”BLUE CHRISTMAS”

“As Christians we proclaim that all are worthy of God’s love and salvation. Mary’s song reminds us that God is committed to those who need hope the most. Open your hearts; be not afraid to welcome the savior who turned the world upside down.”

Luke 1:39-56
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Song leaders: Barbara Greene & Kathy Frank
Soloist: Barbara Greene
Advent wreath lighters: The Ogata-Medina-Sapunor family
SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

“In Advent we celebrate Christ being born into the world, and we also celebrate the promise of His return.”
Luke 21:25-36
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Song team: Sylvia Alamillo, Kathy Frank and Barbara Greene
Liturgist: Mary Harbison
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

“Gratitude and Blessings”
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Song Leader: Barbara Greene
PLEDGE DEDICATION SUNDAY

“We’re called to be a part of the solution … we are called to be part of this transformative endeavor.”
Luke 9: 10-17
Rev. Jesse Larson
Liturgist: Elder Jackie Sneed
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

Hebrews 12: 1-2
Rev. Jesse Larson
Liturgist: Rev. Judy Davis
Moment for Mission: Candace Keefauver
Bells: Barbara Greene
Song leaders: Peter Baird & Barbara Greene
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
ALL SAINTS DAY

“Today we celebrate the great reforms of our tradition, and yet our work is far from complete. The world desperately needs love and justice as much as it ever has.”

Romans 12: 1-21
Rev. Jesse Larson
Liturgist: Mary Harbison
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musician: Neil Henderson, bagpipes
REFORMATION SUNDAY

“Multiple encounters with Jesus help lead to clarity in our lives.”
Mark 8:22-26
Rev. Jesse Larson
Natalya Amelchenko, Piano

Matthew: 5: 38-45 and 2 Kings 5:1-19
Sermon: “The Great Expedition”
Rev. Judy Davis
Natalya Amelchenko, Piano

James 5:13-16
Rev. Jesse Larson
Song Leader: Peter Baird
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
SERVICE OF HEALING & PRAYER

Celebrating all of God’s wonderful creations, especially our beloved pets
Matthew 11: 28-30
Rev. Jesse Larson
BLESSING OF THE PETS

Celebrating unity and diversity among Christians across the world
Hebrews 2: 5-12
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY

The Bethany congregation worshiped today with its sister congregation, Grace Presbyterian Church.

Vietnamese and English languages are spoken.
Rev. Philip Trinh of Grace Church & Rev. Jesse Larson of Bethany
Featuring the Grace Church song team

The artistic talents of Bethany members and friends were the highlight of the September 19 worship service.

“Are we ready to cast aside our doubts and anxiety, and be ready to accept God’s invitation to bold faith and new life?”
Matthew 14: 22-3
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musician: Sherry McHurd Hanson, viola
HOMECOMING SUNDAY

“We are to be God’s representatives of peace, grace & hope in the world.”
John 10:1-10.
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
LABOR DAY

“Art as a Gift of Worship”
I Corinthians 12: 4-11 & James 1: 17-18, 22
Rev. Judy Davis & Rev. Janice Kamikawa
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musician: Sherry McHurd Hanson

“Where is The Living Presence of God?”
Exodus 3: 11-15 & Mark 14: 3-9
Rev. Judy Davis
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“More Than a Dreamer”—the life & legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1 Kings 3: 5-12
Guest preacher: Elder Jim Guida
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Guest musicians: Ben Baird and Lily Baird Young

“Letting loose the chains of fear that bind us”
Matthew 26: 36-46
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“Keeping the faith despite setbacks”
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“The disciples’—and our own—journeys into faith”
Matthew 10:5-14
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“The power and practice of prayer”
Matthew 6:5-15
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

A worship service was held Sunday, July 11, to formally install Rev. Jesse Larson as Bethany’s pastor. Jesse is the 13th pastor to be called by Bethany since the church’s start in 1914.

“Prejudices are ‘blinders to the beauty of God’s creation.’”
Genesis 11: 1-9 & Colossians 3:1-17
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“How to be good caretakers of our possessions—while not letting them rule our lives.”
Matthew 6:19-3
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
Independence Day

”The grand diversity of gifts that we are given by God”
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
Anthem by Bethany Choir
First “in person” service in the sanctuary since March 2020

“Grace personified”
John 8: 1-11
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
FATHER’S DAY

“Each of us should help one another to tear away wrappings of fear, anxiety and grief so that life may return.”
John 11: 38-44-44 & Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“The Matthew 25 Movement: a return to the church’s earliest days in which service to others was a focal point.”
Matthew 25: 31-46
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker

“The power of relationships and how we should go the extra step to make them work.”
Matthew 18: 10-22
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“We are called to be co-creators with God to help grow the kingdom of God on this earth.”
Acts 2:1-24
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
PENTECOST SUNDAY

“Forgiveness … and choosing to redirect our lives after making mistakes and poor choices”
2 Samuel 1: 17-27
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“How the ‘ntergenerational’ nature of faith enables us to both carry on traditions and to find new and creative ways to enhance spirituality.
Rev. Judy Davis and Rev. Janice Kamikawa
John 15: 9-17
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
Guest vocalist: Martin Beal
MOTHER’S DAY

“Just how many peoples and cultures and nations have shaped the story of our faith going back thousands of years.'“
Acts 8:26-40
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker

“Jesus—the Good Shepherd—will not desert us. We never bear the burden alone.”
John 10: 11-18
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“What fills us with joy? What do we individually find ourselves clinging to when recovering from loss and disappointment?”
Luke 24:13-35
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“Doubt … and how we might even be able to benefit from it.”
John 20:19-29
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

“Christ’s resurrection … why we should ponder it and ‘take it all in’”
Mark 16:1-8
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
Guest musicians: Ben Baird and Lily Baird Young
EASTER SUNDAY / first “in-person" service since spring 2020

“How unrealistic expectations can get the better of us.”
Matthew 21: 1-11
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
PALM SUNDAY

“The disciples’ expectations of Jesus—and the reality they did not want to accept.”
Matthew 16:21-26
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

“What is means to ‘take up the cross’ and follow Jesus”
Luke 9:18-27
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
Guest musician: John Doolittle
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT / ST. PATRICK’S DAY

“Being present” (and always be aware of Christ’s presence) despite the craziness and distractions of the world.”
Luke 10: 38-42
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

"Living in God's Covenant”
Rev. Judy Davis
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 & Acts 11: 25-29
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

“The challenge to us is to replace the anger and hatred in our hearts with empathy, grace and love.”
Luke 10:25-37
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

Rev. Jesse introduces the season of Lent—the weeks that lead up to Easter—with a short video shot at Bethany Presbyterian Church.

“Transfiguration On a Hill: Then Back to Real Life:
2 Kings 2 & Mark 9:2-9
Guest preacher: Elder Jim Guida
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker
TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY / VALENTINE’S DAY / LUNAR NEW YEAR

“The power of music”
Psalms 150
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Dr. May Tuan Tucker

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”
Romans 8: 31-39
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko

“Healing hands”
Mark 1: 29-34
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist:Natalya Amelchenko

“Baptism signals the start of repentance and renewal—turning away from sin and toward the teachings and examples set by Jesus.”
Mark 1: 4-11
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY / MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE

“Going a different way”—the story of the three “wise men”
Matthew 2:1-12
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko
The “three wise ones”: Paul, Janice and John Douglas
EPIPHANY / THREE KINGS DAY

“We are given a choice each and every day to live into our faith and work on behalf of the God of love.”
Matthew 2: 13-23
Rev. Jesse Larson
Pianist: Natalya Amelchenko