Yesterday—the third Sunday in Advent—we welcomed Laura Anderson to the pulpit. Next Sunday, Dec. 21, Rev. Elias Burgos will preach.
ALSO next Sunday … we will be sharing each other’s crechés (manger scenes). Details here. Bring yours to display on the table during the service!
TODAY—Monday, Dec. 15—The Monday Group meets with another opportunity to further discover what the season of Advent is all about! Come to the church library at 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 17—This is our seventh “Coffee & Conversation” … happening each Wednesday 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall! Enjoy free coffee and pastries. This is the perfect excuse to get out of the house for a bit and hang with others. It’s informal; drop in any time. Come by yourself or bring a friend. Meet new people. There’s a place for you here! Questions? Want to help? See Mark Strack, who is organizing this project. More details here.
THURSDAY, Dec. 18—Join Bethany members and friends at the Multi-Faith Prayer Vigil happening outside the John Moss Federal Building, 650 Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento at 3:30 p.m. Gather in prayer and reflection as we stand with our immigrant neighbors and their families. Click here for details. Rev. Janice Kamikawa, a Bethany attendee, is one of the speakers scheduled to address the crowd on Thursday.
Everyone is also invited to a special “La Posadas” Christmas service at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 711 T Street, preceding the prayer vigil. You can then walk with the group directly to the prayer vigil, a few blocks away.
The timing coincides with the traditional Posadas season observed in many Christian communities. This period—focused on the story of a family seeking shelter—creates a powerful shared context for people of all faiths to reflect on the urgent modern crisis of displacement and the moral imperative to offer refuge.
The Posadas tradition recounts the journey of Mary and Joseph as they traveled to Bethlehem, seeking a safe place to stay and being repeatedly turned away before finding shelter. "Posada" itself means "dwelling" or "lodging."
While this narrative originates from a specific faith, the core experience—the search for safety, the anxiety of rejection, and the profound relief of finding welcome—transcends any single tradition. It mirrors the journey of countless families today who are fleeing peril and seeking security, only to face closed doors and the words, "you can't stay here."
This vigil invites everyone—people of all faiths and spiritual backgrounds—to stand together, using this poignant seasonal story as a bridge to understanding and a call to action for our shared community
This is your invitation to make a financial pledge to Bethany for 2026. “Moving Forward With God: Count Me In!” is the theme, signifying that each of us is an active participant in the work of the lord here in our community. Please prayerfully consider how you may give of your time, talent and treasure in the coming year.
COMING Monday, Dec. 22—The Bible in Our Lives! is the topic of the final “Bible 101” class happening 10-11 a.m. in the church library. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments. Details are here.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE • WEDNESDAY, 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.
Many people are struggling financially this Christmas season, and our local food closet is striving to help them. We at Bethany will field a team of 5 volunteers for our upcoming food closet morning—Monday, December 29. The time frame is 8:30-11:40 a.m. Just three hours of your time can help us feed those who are experiencing food scarcity. Many are senior citizens and single parents. Contact Cathy Sapunor if you can lend a hand. More details are here.
Please pick up a “Christmas Joy Offering” envelope and return it with a contribution—no matter how small, it counts! This annual collection provides support for Presbyterian church workers and their families in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. You can also give online here.
