Friends in Faith—
This coming Sunday, March 26, we will be having a service of healing and wholeness. You will have the opportunity to share a personal prayer with myself or Rev. Janice Kamikawa and then be anointed with oil. We'll be focusing on two texts concerning angels—Genesis 19:1-3 & Hebrews 13:2. It’s comforting to know that there are angels all around us!
We will also be decorating our sanctuary this Sunday with angels—so if you have one or more to share, please bring them at 10 a.m. Details about the angel display are here.
We'll be singing "The Lord's Prayer" and will continue to enjoy a variety of new songs hared in worship. As always, you are encouraged to bring a friend or neighbor to worship—and if you haven't been in a while, we'll be happy to see you!
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
Office Manager Maria has accepted a position as the treasure with our Presbytery! Though we will miss her incredible presence at Bethany, we are also celebrating this new chapter for her. The good news is that she will still be working at Bethany for 5-10 hours a week as our accountant. She will also handle a few office duties, but this is a big change for all of us to adjust to. The church office hours are changing:
Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday — closed
Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
If you have business at Bethany, it's wisest to reach out via e-mail; please be patient as we get back to you in due time.
This summer, our Presbytery is supporting a special opportunity that will be hosted at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center at Lake Tahoe: "Kin-dom Camp" for LGBT youth. Kin·dom camp is an opportunity for LBGTQIA+ youth ages 12-17 to experience a week of camp where they are safe and free to show up as their full selves.
This camp is affirming. Full stop. It affirms all genders, sexualities, identities, religious backgrounds and varieties of belief. The only thing expected is a commitment to welcoming and celebrating everyone where they are, as they are.
Some of our members and myself hope to serve as volunteers at the camp. If you know of a young person who might like to attend or if you'd simply like to learn more, read more here.
ALSO AT ZEPHYR POINT: May 1-3 is Presbytery’s annual Justice Conference. See Mission & Social Action Chair Cathy Sapunor or Rev. Jesse if you are interested in attending. Here are details about this year’s program.
During the pandemic, nearly all of the members of the board of deacons left Bethany. We are well aware of the realities facing our small church, including the fact that there simply aren't enough people to take care of the many tasks of the many duties at Bethany. But we are adjusting and doing things in new ways. A few of our members—Barbara Greene, Jackie Sneed, Diana Bachelor, Ron Carlsen and Bill Laws—have offered to help reach out to our members now and then. I will also continue to bring stamped greetings cards to worship; feel free to take a couple and send them to our members and friends, especially those who are unable to be with us in worship any more. You are encouraged to take a few minutes—once a week or once a month—to call a member of Bethany or send a note; ours is a community of care and compassion. We all know that even the smallest act of love makes everything better!
Saturday, April 1—Foolish Fun on April One. We'll gather on April Fool’s Day between 10 a.m.-12 noon at Barrio Cafe, 1188-35th Ave (two blocks south of Belle Cooledge Library) for free coffee, delicious snacks and joke-filled conversation! Here are details.
Sunday, April 2 is Palm Sunday—we'll be waving our palms and shouting "Hosanna" to the one who comes in the name of the Lord! We'll be celebrating communion together, so for our friends worshiping from home, be sure to have some juice and bread on-hand. Also, don't forget to bring your canned goods or checks for the SSIP Food Closet to be offered in worship.
Monday, April 3—During Holy Week, we'll be viewing the film Jesus Christ, Superstar; starts 10 a.m. in the Social Hall, followed by free lunch.
Also on Monday, April 3, we'll be volunteering at then SSIP Food Closet from 8:30 a.m.-11:40 a.m. Please reach out to Cathy Sapunor if you are interested in helping out; we still need two volunteers. You can learn more here.
Our One Great Hour of Sharing "Fish Banks" and envelopes are available in the net in the sanctuary. Feel free to stop by and take one home. These fish banks are collected, along with The One Great Hour of Sharing special offering, on Easter Sunday (though we'll be collecting them at the end of April). There are three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People …. all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. You can learn more here.
Adult Spiritual Formation will be offering more Monday gatherings/lunches on April 17, May 1 and May 15. We'll be discussing the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. More details to follow!
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. And don't forget that we have a prayer team who is committed to praying for any and all prayer concerns that come forward. You can reach out to Barbara Greene with your prayer concerns and she'll share them with the prayer team.
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
Peace to all.
—Jesse
