Christmas is nearly here!
This Sunday, December 24, we'll be gathering TWICE for worship! First, we'll be celebrating the fourth Sunday in Advent at 10:30 a.m. We'll be lighting the Candle of Love. Rev. Judy Davis will be preaching—her sermon title is "The Mapmaker's Holy Way." Sunday morning's scripture will be Isaiah 35: 1-10. We are also overjoyed to be celebrating the baptism of Leo Grassadonia (grandchild of Steve Crooks and Cindy Cooke, son of Caitlin and Michael Grassadonia). The choir will be singing—come and join in the joy of the Advent season!
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.
Then, we'll gather once again at 5 p.m. for Christmas Eve worship! We have a variety of musicians who will be playing special holiday music and we'll have bells to ring together. Of course, we'll also be singing "Silent Night" by candlelight.
Christmas Eve worship begins at 5 p.m.—see you all then!
Hmmm ... what Bethany member could this be? If you haven't yet, please e-mail me one of your baby/young photos—by this Friday. You can scan the image and attach it as a jpg via e-mail —or you can just take a photo of your baby picture and text it to me at (608) 851-0738. These pictures will be used for a fun game in worship this Sunday. The more participants we have, the more fun the game will be! Don't forget to tell me who is in the picture! Thanks.
Gifted floral artist Julie Nguyen
Some of Julie’s amazing creations
The picture above is of Julie Nguyen—a member of Grace Presbyterian Church—who regularly assembles beautiful flower arrangements which she brings early on Sunday morning for both Bethany and then Grace to enjoy for worship. Many thanks, Julie, for this wonderful gift—the space looks so lovely when you add your flower arrangements! Grace Presbyterian Church also gifted us with several of charming flower centerpieces for the holidays. What wonderful friends we have from Grace!
Jim Guida will be leading our service on December 31 at 10:30 a.m. His sermon is entitled "Lighting the Way,” and the scripture will be John 1:1-8.
We'll be celebrating Epiphany on Sunday, January 7; you'll also receive your "star word" for the year.
Mary Harbison's memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. 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 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.
Be with those in our congregation who are struggling with health concerns and loss.
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
Peace to all.
—Jesse
