Join us in thanking Pat Terry, elder of Trinity Presbyterian Church in West Sacramento, who led yesterday’s worship service, and to Trisha Uhrhammer for serving as liturgist. Musicians were Manh Ong on guitar and Cathy Sapunor on piano. Lighting the third Advent candle—the candle of joy—were Wendy Aiello and Kathy Frank.
Preaching this coming Sunday (Dec. 22) will be Jim Guida, presenting a message entitled "Christmas Chaos." Serving as liturgist will be Ton Uhrhammer. Lighting the Advent candles will be the Guida-Bertsch family.
This Tuesday—December 17–Bethany family and friends will see “Moana 2 ”at the Cinemark Century Laguna Theater, 9349 Big Horn Blvd, Elk Grove, CA 95758. Meet at 12:45 p.m. in the lobby of the Cinemark Century Laguna Theater, 9349 Big Horn Blvd. The film starts 1:05 p.m. Click here for information.
The Monday Group, which normally meets the first and third Monday mornings at the church, is cancelled today (Dec. 16) due to parking scarcity. (The Sacramento Food Bank is holding its monthly distribution of food to senior citizens in our parking lot).
The group will next meet on Monday, January 6.
The Reaching Out Resource Fair will now take place Saturday, Dec. 21, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Bethany. It has been postponed from Dec. 14. Reaching Out is an ongoing collaboration between Bethany, Faith Presbyterian Church and SSIP to support those in our community who are unhoused. From Susan Just, Bethany's representative on the Reaching Out team, comes an invitation to all to come and see what this ministry is all about:
"We are building community. Many folks who come are repeat attendees. Bethany folk have this opportunity to meet and greet, to be encouraging with smiles and conversations and prayers. Just show up. Thank you."
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE • TUESDAY, DEC. 24 • 5 P.M.
Join us for a service of familiar Christmas carols and the Christmas story as we welcome the Christ child into our midst again. This family friendly service, led by Jim Guida, starts 5 p.m. in the sanctuary followed by bell-ringing on the church steps, then refreshments and a sing-along led by Peter Baird in the Social Hall. Details.
After the Christmas Eve service, we’ll be gathering outside the church to ring bells. This activity was started at Bethany in 2021 in tandem with the Worldwide Christmas Eve Jingle, a project initiated in England in 2000 to combat loneliness and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A donation from the Powell-Strack family, in honor of Gail Powell, made possible the purchase of bells that first year. Last year, we were among thousands from across the world who who participated ... imagine: people from all faith backgrounds in hundreds of locations, all ringing bells the same night!
More details are here.
If you would like to take a few bells to give out to neighbors, please see Kathryn Boyd after the worship service on December 22. Each bell will have a tag urging people to ring the bell to remind those around them that they are not alone.
This year we will have a special emphasis on "ringing in" friendship, peace and justice.
Do you drive at night? Many of our Bethany family do not and they will miss out on the Christmas Eve service unless they have transportation. You can help! Contact the church office if you are willing to pick up and take home someone needing a ride. The service starts at 5 p.m. and ends around 6. Christmas caroling and refreshments in the Social Hall follow, ending around 6:45 p.m. To sign up, please e-mail Susan Just in the office or leave a message at (916) 428-5281. ALSO: If you know of someone needing a ride please contact the office ... or offer to take them!
Check out the creches brought by church embers for display on the third Sunday of Advent! CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS.
UPDATES …
Everyone wishing to use space at Bethany must request building use through the Bethany office. Contact Office Manager Susan Just, who is working with groups on scheduling and helping avoid conflicts space useage. You can also leave a message at (916) 428-5281; your call will be returned as soon as possible. We thank Susan for taking on this task in addition to her other responsibilities as volunteer office manager.
This is traditionally the time of year we are encouraged to think about our giving to the church. Debbie Leibrock recently announced the start of our annual stewardship campaign. If you did not receive your invitation to pledge to the 2025 work of Bethany, please call the church office.
Here’s the group—a record crowd of 15, who occupied nearly the entire theater—that saw the film “Wicked" this past week. Even though this was essentially a fairy tale, the story dealt with some interesting issues such as prejudice and loyalty—not to mention "categorizing and demonizing" populations of people for political reasons. The movie-goers recommend you see the film and discuss it with others!
Monday, Dec. 16—Monday Group will not meet today; will resume in January.
Tuesday, Dec. 17—Outing to see the movie "Moana"—starts 1:05 p.m. at Century Cinemark Laguna. Details here.
Sunday, Dec. 21—"Reaching Out" Resource Fair, 1-2:30 p.m. at Bethany
Tuesday, Dec. 24—Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., followed by a carol sing in the Social Hall. Details here.
Monday, Dec. 30—the last Food Closet volunteer morning this year.
PLEASE PRAY FOR members and friends of our extended Bethany family, as well as those of our community, who are experiencing health and financial challenges, loss, loneliness, anxiety and depression. We pray for guidance as we continue to focus on plans for Bethany's future. Please pray for the leaders of all nations, that they may choose peaceful resolutions to conflict.
