Friends in Faith—
The last time "Lunch and Learn" was held was the day before we entered into our first COVID-19 lockdown: March 12, 2020. Just think of all that has happened in our lives, in our nation, and in our world in the past 19 months of the pandemic! So today was an absolute joy to return to Fellowship Hall for "Lunch and Learn!" The photo shown here is of the group making advent wreaths. We also sang a few seasonal songs, enjoyed a delicious meal, and just relished being able to be together! No matter what comes our way, God remains faithful! I hope that all of you are beginning to share in more of these wonderful "reunions," too.
A return to Lunch & Learn at Bethany on Nov. 10, 2021
This coming Sunday, November 14, we'll be focusing on the incredible story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. This story is actually found in all four gospel accounts, but we'll be focusing on Luke's version: Chapter 9:10-17. Panist Natalya Amelchenko begins playing gathering music at 10:20 a.m, with the service starting at 10:30 a.m. Folks can also join from home on Facebook. (You can also watch services at any time here.) Following the guidelines of Sacramento County and the CDC, we continue to practice social distancing and require masks while worshiping while indoors. If you plan to attend a worship service at the church, you can find out more about our safety protocols here.
Support Bethany's team to "Feed the Hungry!" We'll be walking this Sunday, after worship, on November 14 at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Click here for all of the details.
SSIP's annual Thanksgiving Holiday Distribution will be on Saturday, November 20th from 9- 11:30 a.m. Flyers are available in the office, or e-mail myself or office manager Maria Mar and we can sendl you a copy of the flyer. Bethany will be offering snacks for the all the volunteers, beginning at 7 a.m. Click here for the information.
Advent begins on Sunday, November 28. For Advent, I will be offering a book discussion and a mini-sermon series on the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr. Our book discussions will be on Monday, November 29 and Monday, December 6—both at 10 am - 11:30 a.m. in our Social Hall. You can learn more about the book here and purchase a copy [via Amazon]. However, you can still join in our discussion even if you don't read the book.
A "Celebration of Life" service for Bethany member Agnes Smith will be held on Sunday, November 21, starting 2 p.m. at First Christian Church, 3901 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95819. A reception will follow in the hall at that church. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in her name may be made to Sutter Care at Home-Hospice; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California; American Heart Association; or charity of choice.
By now, many of you have probably received our Stewardship Campaign mailing—which includes a pledge card for 2022. Sunday, November 21 is "Pledge Sunday.” Please bring your pledges to worship to be brought forth to be consecrated (blessed). Your pledges help us to determine a realistic budget for the coming year. You can also pledge online! Details are here.
Our building will be closed on Thursday, November 11 to observe Veteran's Day.
Robert Madrigal, our part-time custodian, has been hired on full-time at Westminster Presbyterian Church. We are working on a plan that will still keep Robert in his house and a presence on our campus, but his hours will be greatly reduced. The Personnel Commission is working on bringing on a new custodial team dedicated solely to keeping our facility clean. Hopefully, this will happen soon. As we adjust to the financial realities of our church, some of our expectations need to be modified. Robert will no longer be available for set-ups, and so we are asking all groups to take care of their own set-ups, and then returning the room to it's original set-up. We thank you for your help in pitching in to keep our campus clean, and we thank you for your understanding.
As a faith community, we have the privilege of being able to journey with one another through a chaotic and beautiful world, full of many highs and lows. We celebrate one another's victories, and we hold one another in prayer during those times of pain, fear, and loss. If you have prayers that you would like to share with our community, please contact myself or Maria. Also, be sure to indicate if you'd like your prayer to be shared, or if you'd like it to be held in confidence.
God hears all of our prayers, and in Christ, we find healing, wholeness and new beginnings. With each passing day, the Spirit of God is presenting us with new opportunities of love and grace. No matter what comes our way, all roads lead to Jesus — thanks be to God!
