Yesterday—the first Sunday of the new year—we were pleased to welcome Rev. Stan Henderson to the pulpit.
STARt Off Your New Year with a Word to Study & Pray About
At yesterday’s worship service, everyone STAR-ted off the year 2026 by taking home a special “word star.” If you picked one up, study your word … pray about it … and focus on it in the year ahead. Put your star in your wallet, on the fridge … wherever you will see it and be reminded to think about your faith journey.
If you weren’t at the service, you can choose a word from this list:
trust
faith
creation
justice
patience
transformation
love
joy
relationships
wisdom
forgiveness
hope
community
gratitude
expectations
grace
growth
healing
unity
challenge
giving
reflect
We thank Rev. Jesse Larson for starting the word star practice a few years ago!
The Monday Group will not meet today, but the final “Bible 101” class will meet NEXT Monday (Jan. 12) at 10 a.m. See details below.
Tomorrow—Tuesday, Jan. 6, is the next Bethany Movie Group outing. This week we seeing the new film “Song Sung Blue,” which is based on the true story of a Neil Diamond tribute band. Show up at 11:50 a.m. to purchase your ticket ($7.25) and meet others; the show starts at 12:10 p.m. It’s happening at Cinemark Century Laguna Theater, 9349 Big Horn Blvd., Elk Grove. More details are here.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 7, is our 10th “Coffee & Conversation” … happening each Wednesday 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall! Enjoy free coffee and pastries. It’s informal; drop in any time. Come by yourself or bring a friend. Questions? Want to help? See Mark Strack. More details here.
Thanks, Food Closet Volunteers!
More than 170 families were fed last week on Bethany’s SSIP Food Closet volunteer day. Many thanks to Nan Carlsen, Pluto Carlsen, Manh Ong, Tom Uhrhammer, Peggy Utter and Cathy Sapunor for helping pack groceries for those in our community who are hungry. Our next volunteer day will be Monday, March 30. See Cathy Sapunor if you are interested in helping.
Next Sunday, January 11, will be celebrated as Three Kings Day (Epiphany)—the day the three wise men visited the infant Jesus. Rev. Jack McNary will preach today.
Special guests will be our very own “three kings,” who will have a small gift for each person present!
Bethany’s new Bible study program is coming to a close with its final session on Monday, January 12.
Whether you attended any of the prior sessions or not, you will find something interesting to learn about your Bible and how it is useful to us in our lives. The class meets in the church library 10-11 a.m. Show up at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments and social time. Click here for more details.
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.
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.
FOR YOUR CALENDAR …
Saturday, Jan. 24—watch for details about a free afternoon concert being presented at Bethany by Peter Baird, Lily Baird Young & Mike Hersher!
End of January/beginning of February—our annual “Winter Wander” walk will take place at a local nature preserve. Information coming soon!
