Friends in Faith:
This Sunday, November 19, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving a little early! Our worship service will be dedicated to gratitude, especially those ways we can be thankful each and everyday. With grateful hearts, we'll also bring forward our pledges for 2024. Our text concerns "spiritual blindness" - from John 9:1-12. We'll be discussing the following two questions in worship:
What are you thankful for today?
What is something that you have noticed recently that has changed your perspective?
Natalya begins playing our “gathering music” at 10:20 a.m. You can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
Following worship, all are invited to enjoy a variety of yummy pies during fellowship hour. Also, we are all warmly welcomed to Grace Presbyterian Church's "Thanksgiving Feast" at 4 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The next session of the 4-week session on "Spiritual Gifts" is being led by Cathy Sapunor. We will dig deeper into the practice of “Holy Listening” (which Jackie Sneed introduced last week) and segue into “Daily Examen.” There will a hands-on activity for everyone to craft and take home. A big pot of soup with bread with be served for lunch. Please note that we will NOT be meeting at the church due to the SSIP Thanksgiving Food Distribution event. We will meet at 6695 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95831 (the former residence of Bob Betts). If anyone needs a lift, please let Jackie Sneed or Cathy Sapunor know.
The SSIP Food Closet will be storing several pallets of food in our Social Hall from 11/16-11/22 for their annual Thanksgiving Holiday Food distribution event. The actual days of the distribution will be on 11/20, 11/21, and 11/22. Those will be very busy days on Bethany's campus—and parking will be very limited.
This year, we have been asked to provide morning beverages and treats for the dozens of volunteers who will be helping distribute Thanksgiving groceries. Donations of fresh fruit, juice, home-made muffins, etc. are welcome! Your help is needed to prepare cocoa, coffee and tea, slice bread, put cookies on plates, pour beverages, and assist with other hospitality tasks. Helpers of all ages will be welcomed! Please Show up at 7 a.m. Tuesday, November 21, in the church kitchen. Please contact Cathy Sapunor or Jackie Sneed with any questions.
On Saturday morning, November 25, we'll be decorating the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas at 9 a.m. Details to follow.
On the first Sunday of Advent, November 26, I will be preaching at a new Vietnamese ministry in Stockton. All Bethany folks are welcome to join, but Jim Guida and Natalya will offer worship in our sanctuary for those who'd like to stay closer to home. 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 me 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
