Friends in Faith—
This Sunday, April 23, we'll be celebrating Earth Day. We'll be considering our earliest calling as stewards of God's creation. We'll be focusing on Genesis 1. 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! If you have not yet returned your "One Great Hour of Sharing" fish or donation, please bring them this Sunday.
Natalya begins playing gathering music at 10:20 a.m. You can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
If you'd like to celebrate Earth Day with your Bethany family, Cathy Sapunor has organized a nature walk at Cosumnes River Preserve at 8:30 a.m.
All are invited to take a tour with Howard McMackin at the California Railroad Museum on Tuesday morning, April 25 at 10 a.m. Afterwards, we'll all have lunch together in Old Sac! Please let me, Jesse, know if you plan to attend or not so we can make our plans.
SAVE THE DATE! Bethany’s annual friends and family spiritual retreat at Zephyr Point has been scheduled: August 11-13. Stay tuned for more details!
Our Presbyterian Women's Bible study will be meeting on Thursday, April 27 at 10 a.m. All are welcome. You can learn more about participating in this group here.
Adult Spiritual Formation will be offering more Monday gatherings/lunches concerning the Holy Spirit and Pentecost. Each starts at 10 a.m. in the Social Hall.
5/1 - We'll be watching a Netflix film called "Come Sunday."
5/15 - We'll be watching "The Apostle" — a film starring Robert Duvall.
Our friends at Elk Grove Presbyterian Church are hosting a concert on Sunday, May 7. Triumphant Quartet will be playing their only 2023 northern California appearance. This is a free event, but tickets are required to reserve a seat. Donations are requested to benefit several charities supported by Elk Grove Presbyterian Church: One Thousand Schools (formerly Students Helping Honduras), Chicks in Crisis and Elk Grove Food Bank Services. Monetary donations can be made at the concert or you can bring items needed by Chicks in Crisis and Elk Grove Food Bank (see below). To reserve your seat, go online or e-mail — or call (916) 479-3578. The concert will be held outdoors at The Center at District 56, 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove. It will be indoors in the event of bad weather. Come early before the concert starts and listen to the musical talents of Chan Louie and enjoy some refreshments. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the concert is at 3 p.m.
NEWS FROM PRESBYTERY
Presbytery’s "Transitional Executive Presbyter" Rev. Dr. Mary Westfall will be leaving in May. She's done such incredible work for our Presbytery. We will wish her the very best in her next call and are also eager to find a new Executive Presbyter to continue in all of the important work our Presbytery is involved in.
On May 1-3, Zephyr Point will be hosting the 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.
June 25-30, Zephyr Point will be also hosting a special camp for LGBT youth.
Check out the Presbytery's website for more info.
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
