Friends in Faith—
This coming Sunday, February 5, our worship service will be led by Rev. Janice Kamikawa and Rev. Judy Davis. I will be on vacation from February 5-18; I'll be back in the pulpit on February 19. It is always a blessing to have Rev. Kamikawa and Rev. Davis share their gifts with us!
This Sunday Bethany will also be celebrating communion together. If you are worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice on hand. Because it is the first Sunday of the month, you are encouraged to bring forth your donations for the SSIP Food Closet: canned goods, boxed goods, or financial contributions. Come and see!
Natalya begins playing gathering music at 10:20 a.m. We know the weather may be unpredictable, so you can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
Our Spiritual Formation Commission is offering a series of programs over the coming few months. We gather on Monday mornings at 10 for fellowship, discussion and lunch. On February 6, February 27, March 6, and March 20, we'll be watching episodes of the show, "The Chosen," which is about the life of Jesus. Each episode is around 40 minutes. Click here for information.
Then, on Monday, April 3, we'll be showing the film "Jesus Christ: Superstar" for Holy Week.
On Monday, April 17, we'll kick off a new discussion series on the Holy Spirit. In addition to April 17, we'll also meet on May 1 and May 15; as a church, we'll then celebrate Pentecost on May 28.
You can feel free to join us for all of these classes or just drop in when you can. We'd love to welcome you and we are confident you'll find our time together to be meaningful.
A mission team from the North Central California Presbytery will be traveling to Nicaragua on February 18, 2023 to support a village and three schools with our Presbyterian partner CEPAD (coalition of Protestant churches in Nicaragua). Below is the request for our help:
“Nicaragua is the second poorest country in our hemisphere and our partner village is in the region of the highest poverty index in Nicaragua. The village has no running water and the families cook over open fires. The schools receive no other support except what we bring. We would welcome your help in supporting the projects that the elders of the village have identified:
LATRINES—This year the Elders of our village have asked us for funding for 5 latrines. Each year we have been funding steel latrines for families. Many of the families have black plastic on bamboo poles as their latrines. Health is a matter of justice. Each latrine costs $340.
A PUMP FOR A WELL—This year the village Elders have asked us for funds to purchase a pump for the village. The pump costs $250.
COMPUTERS FOR OUR SCHOOL IN LEON—7 years ago we brought laptops to build a computer lab for our school in Leon. The computers have been well used and need to be replaced. We are praying for 16 new computers. Each laptop costs $700.”
You can learn more about this ministry here.
Checks may be made out to Disaster Response Ministries and mailed:
c/o Nancy Disher, Mission Coordinator
1193 Clemensen Circle
Folsom, CA 95630
Bethany is hosting a "Winter Wander" nature walk on Saturday, February 4th from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. at Stones Lake National Wildlife Refuge. More details are here.
On Monday, February 13, we'll be meeting for snacks and drinks in honor of "Palentine's Day"—a time to gather with friends just before Valentine's Day. The gathering will be between 5-7 p.m. at Hop Garden Neighborhood Tap Room. Details are here.
On Sunday, February 19, we'll be having our Annual Meeting immediately following worship.
On Wednesday, February 22, an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service will be held on behalf of SSIP at Sacramento Japanese Methodist Church. The service begins at 7 p.m.
Rev, Jesse is on vacation Feb. 5-18.
As a church family, we are a community that is committed to caring for one another. One of the ways that we can support one another, loved ones and strangers, near and far, is to offer our prayers on their behalf. We share our prayers because we care for one another, and we know that God listens and cares for all of God's children. If you have a joy or concern to share, please let Maria or Jesse know; and if it is a confidential matter, please be sure to let them know.
Peace to all.
—Jesse
