This coming Sunday, we thought we'd try something new! We were inspired by all of the incredible artistic gifts in our Bethany community at the recent church recent retreat at Zephyr Point, so this Sunday is our first "All Music and Arts Sunday." We have a variety of talent that will be shared during worship, and we hope you'll join us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Worship begins at 10:30 a.m., although Natalya begins playing beautiful "gathering music" by 10:20 a.m. The health and safety of our congregation is very important to us, so the option of worshiping via Facebook Live every Sunday continues. Please remember to wear a mask, as we obey the mandates of Sacramento County and the CDC. If you are not feeling well, or have a fever, we request that you stay home and join with us in worship via Facebook Live,
Grace Presbyterian Church upolds the same safety standards that we do - masks and social distancing.
On Sunday, September 26th, we'll be worshiping with Grace Presbyterian Church - a beloved congregation that was birthed out of Bethany through our endeavors to welcome Vietnamese immigrants into our community in the 70's and 80's. Pastor Philip Trinh will be leading the service and it begins at 1 p.m. in our sanctuary. We will NOT have our own separate service at 10:30 a.m. as we want to encourage as many folks as possible to join us at Grace's service.
October 3 is "World Communion Sunday" and we'll also be ordaining/installing our new elders and deacons. Do you have a small cultural item you would like to place on our communion table for World Communion Sunday: fabric, a basket, a trinket? Let Cathy Sapunor know and we can make arrangements for it to be featured on the communion table.
Also happening on October 3 is our "Drive-thru Blessing of the Animals" at 4 p.m. Simply load your dog, cat, bird, turtle … whatever! … into your car and drive to the church parking lot; enter on the 24th Street side. There will be music and a special message to enjoy on your car radio while you wait your turn for your pets to receive a personal blessing. We'll have a goody bag for you to take home with you.
All are welcome to join our book study of Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" on Monday, October 4 and Monday, October 11—from 10 a.m-11:30 a.m. We'll be meeting in person, but there will also be a Zoom option, too. Copies of the book are available in the office for the price of $4/book.
Save the date: Wednesday, November 11, will be a "Lunch and Learn" event. We'll be making Advent wreaths together and then enjoying a delicious meal. Details to follow.
We are still seeking a childcare worker for Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The position pays minimum wage. Help spread the word and contact Jim Guida if you have any leads.
We are thankful for Bethany. Our Annual Meeting last Sunday was a success, and we have voted in 5 new elders: Ron Carlson, Juli Jensen, Candace Keefauver, Grace Ogata Beutler, and Jacquelyn Sneed. We are so excited for the gifts that they'll bring to our leadership. We also offer great thanksgiving for those elders who have finished their terms of service: Janice Douglas, Kathy Frank, Mary Harbison, Dolores McMackin and Trisha Uhrhammer. Our session continues to brainstorm the ways in which we care for our congregation; as we do this work, we are also thankful to our deacons who continue to support Bethany through prayers, calls, cards, and visits.
We pray for all the victims of the recent hurricanes as well as those who have suffered due to wildfires.
Our hearts are very heavy as we see the turmoil in Afghanistan. We pray that cool heads would prevail, and that the US and other nations would do all they can to help so many people fearing for their lives. We also lift to you the families of our two adopted Afghan families. They are terribly concerned for their family members who remain back home.
Blessings,
Jesse
