May 26, 2021
Friends in Faith,
It's amazing to think of all the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into many of our plans. I'm sure we'll be picking up the pieces for years to come. I am finally getting around to creating my own work e-mail address. So, from now on, I'll be using pastorjesse@bethpres.com. Please start using this one to get a hold of me. Do note: I try to honor my weekends (Fridays-Saturdays), so it may take me a couple of days to get back to you, but I will! We also hope to schedule two annual meetings of the congregation soon—one for 2020 and one for 2021—so be on the lookout for those coming dates.
The good news regarding all of the shake-ups of the pandemic is that it has afforded us the opportunity to try some new things … highlighted some areas that need some work (spring cleaning!) … and we are all eager to be together again (party on!). We are in the process of scheduling some fun events for the summer, and we already have a few to share now:
Join us for the CROP Walk to raise funds for hunger relief locally, nationally, and internationally. There are two different opportunities to walk this year - one a gentle hike, and the other a big longer. Both are at 8 a.m. - one on Saturday, May 29th at William Land Park, and the other on Saturday, June 5th at River Bend Park. Details are here.
The "Ladies Camping Trip" is back and scheduled for July 9-11. Here are the details.
The all-church "Friends and Family Retreat" is on August 13-15. Rooms book-up quickly for this special event so get your reservation in soon. Here are the costs and other details.
If you haven't heard the big news, Jessie Carter has raised over $7,300 for SSIP's virtual bowl-a-thon. We were the only church to participate, and over $3,500 of her proceeds were raised from our congregation alone! A huge thank you to Jessie for herr efforts on behalf of the good work of the SSIP Food Closet!
Please join us this Sunday for worship and bring a friend or two! After all, we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ and grow our churches in the work of love. We'll be reflecting upon Jesus' words concerning conflict from Matthew 18:10-22. Gathering music begins at 10:20 a.m. in Bethany's Social Hall. Children; all are always welcome! There are several options on how to share in worship with us:
In-person, in our Social Hall.
In-person, from your car. We broadcast our service via low-frequency radio channel 94.9.
From your home, on Facebook Live (hint, if you miss the actual service, you can watch it on replay there OR on our website here.
However you choose to worship with us, we're glad to have you! You can also check out Bethany's in-person safety precautions here.
Even though things are opening up, we still enjoy checking in with one another via Zoom on Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. Join us here!
Also, as May quickly comes to an end, the season has arrived to celebrate the various graduates in our midst. If you or a loved one is celebrating a graduation or achievement, please forward the details of this special news to Maria in the office. We would love the opportunity to celebrate all the good news of our church family!
If you have prayers that you would like to share with our community, please contact myself or Office Manager Maria Mar. Also, be sure to indicate if you'd like your prayer to be shared, or if you'd like it to be held in confidentiality.
May we trust that God hears all of our prayers, and in Christ, we find healing, wholeness, and new beginnings. No matter what comes our way, all roads lead to Jesus —thanks be to God!
Blessings to all,
Jesse
