July 29, 2021
Friends in Faith:
Just today, Sacramento County has re-mandated the wearing of masks due to a drastic rise in the number of Covid cases in our area. This is frustrating news for many of us, especially since so many of us are double-vaccinated, but we also want to do whatever we can to halt infections which are overwhelming our medical system. And of course we want to be in compliance with the orders of county officials and heed the recommendations of scientists. So as we gather for worship this coming Sunday, please be sure to wear a mask (and if you forget one, we have a few extra available in our narthex). Let's keep on another safe, get vaccinated, wear a mask, and let's beat this damned illness!
Our text this coming Sunday is from 2 Corinthians 4:13-18. It's a beautifully uplifting text about keeping things in perspective. We hope to see you then—and you might consider bring a friend! (And wear your mask.)
The option of worshiping from home every Sunday will be continuing on Facebook Live.
Also, please note that you can always watch services any time you'd like here. We are also working on securing a few hearing aids for people to use at our services as well.
So many of us are tired—not only with the coronavirus, but we're also fed up with the dysfunction of our political system, with the anxiety swirling around our shrinking church, with mean-spiritedness that seems to becoming more commonplace in our culture, with aches and pains, finances, etc. Our Executive Presbyter, Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall recently shared this article with us which does an excellent job of naming so many of the stresses bombarding us, and it offers a healthy, faithful way of being in uncertain, challenging times. The author writes from the perspective of a pastor, but I think the article applies to so many areas of life. Check it out here. Here are a few wise recommendations she advises:
Resting when it's time to rest.
Saying yes to a new idea when it glistens with possibility.
Saying no when something feels too heavy.
Asking new questions in places we assumed the old answer.
Giving others permission to rest because we choose rest.
Questioning the speed at which we live and move.
Loving our people with beautiful boundaries in place.
Taking a nap.
Going to therapy and spiritual direction because we're humans too.
Breathing deeply of God's grace and love and restoration.
PLEASE BE SAFE while at Bethany! There have been several incidents in which staff, church members or guests have felt uneasy or encountered obvious threats from unwanted visitors. The Sacramento Police Department is aware of these issues and asks that we continue to report problems. While we should ask trespassers to leave the site, we also must not put ourselves at physical risk. If you are in immediate danger, stay in a safe location and call 9-1-1. The non-emergency number is (916) 808-5471. Reports can be made online; click here. Please notify the pastor, the office or a member of Session if you experience any issues or if you file a police report. The more that we document these problems, the more traction we gain in preventing future issues. The continued use of a Sunday morning security person will, we hope, cut down on trespassers. Session is also currently seeking bids for a fence —with a clearer barrier, we hope it will become more difficult for unwanted visitors to hang out on our campus.
Our Annual Congegrational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, immediately following the worship service. During this meeting, we vote in new elders and deacons, and we approve the pastor's salary package. September 12 will be "Homecoming Sunday" as we begin a new program year together at Bethany—more details to follow.
The Bethany Mission Commission has purchased four families of chickens and three piglets (totaling $220) through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. These help people in need and you can see other ways of helping here.
There is always a lot of good thing going on at our Presbytery! Check out their website and you'll find a link for their recent newsletter here.
We are taking a break from our weekly Zoom Check-ins. For the time being, we'll instead enjoy a "Wednesday What's Happening" on the first Wednesday of each month. The first of these will be Wednesday, August 4, at 11 a.m. Join us here!
My e-mail address is pastorjesse@bethpres.com; feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone. I'd love to connect!
May we trust that God hears all of our prayers, and in Christ, we find healing, wholeness, and new beginnings. Even in the midst of chaotic days and tremendous change, the Spirit of God is presenting us with new opportunities of love each and everyday. No matter what comes our way, all roads lead to Jesus—thanks be to God!
Blessings to all,
Jesse
