Friends in Faith—
This coming Sunday—May 21—we'll gather for worship, and we'll be considering dreams and aspirations. The Bible actually speaks quite a bit about dreams—God spoke to various ancestors of our faith through dreams. Our text will be from Genesis 41:1-16 (Joseph interpreting dreams for the pharoah) and Matthew 5:1-12 (the Beatitudes). During our worship, you will be invited to share about your own dreams: Have your dreams been fulfilled? Are there other dreams that you are still yearning for?
Immediately after worship, we'll have our special congregation (more about this meeting below).
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! A special thanks to Jim Guida for leading our service last week; I so appreciate the many gifted leaders in our congregation who allow me to take leave for vacations and study leave.
Please note that Cathy Sapunor will be away for the next few Sundays; she faithfully operates our soundboard and facilitates our PowerPoint presentation each week. If you are willing to help cover some of her duties while she's away, we'd appreciate it. If not, we may go "old-school" and just use bulletins. But—with the Spirit of God blowing—we'll do just fine!
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.
The River City Chorale is offering a concert on May 20 & May 21. Bethany has a handful of members who participate in this wonderful choir. Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.
SAVE THE DATE! Bethany’s annual friends and family spiritual retreat at Zephyr Point has been scheduled: August 11-13. Click here for details.
As Office Manager Maria Mar adjusts to her new role as the treasurer for the Presbytery of North Central California, she'll be available at Bethany only through appointment. She simply has too many new duties and meetings to manage to maintain regular office hours. But rest assured, she (and I) are always an e-mail or a phone call away.
A SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING has been called for Sunday, May 21 immediately following worship. All members are invited to attend, and we'll be voting on two motions being brought forward to our congregation as recommended by our Session:
1. A motion to change the terms of call of Bethany's pastor from full-time to part-time as of January 1, 2024.
2. A motion to authorize the Bethany Presbyterian Church Session to enter into formal negotiations to merge with Faith Presbyterian Church of Sacramento (PCUSA) and bring recommendations back to the congregation for review & action. Negotiations will include the possible divesting of property and assets.
Please note that only official members of Bethany Presbyterian Church are allowed vote on these motions (as well as to be given voice on the floor). Only in-person voting is permitted (this meeting will not be offered virtually). Session and Pastor Jesse will be available to speak to these two motions and to speak to any questions that are raised concerning these two motions.
After the meeting has concluded, we'll then have a time for informal discussion concerning Bethany's future options, session's processes, etc.
NEWS FROM PRESBYTERY
Calling all youth! Rev. Jeanie Shaw is offering a special Alaskan mission trip for a diverse cultural experience and a chance for youth to grow in faith and leadership. Youth must be willing to step out of their comfort zones and actively engage in our three camps: Science Camp, Basketball Camp and Dance Camp. We are honored to be invited and attend exciting cultural events on the island. This year is our 11th year of partnership with Metlakatla Presbyterian Church.
The participant cost is $ 800 which DOES NOT include airfare. The cost includes food, lodging at the church, ground and ferry transportation, and adventures. Food at the airport and souvenirs are not included. A non-refundable deposit of $500 reserves your place on the team; space is extremely limited. Remainder of trip payment is due by June 1, 2023.
Please contact Nancy Disher of the Northern Central California Presbytery (NCCP) if you are interested before making your flight reservations at
(916) 792-7725 or njdisher@garlic.com.
You are encouraged to register for the Part 1 of the Matthew 25 Workshop “Eradicating Systemic Poverty” first in a 3-part series in 2023) offered on Tuesday, May 23, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This is offered by NCCP and nationally by our PCUSA staff and the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Check out the Presbytery's website for more info.
Please reach out to Presbytery liaison Nancy Disher if you have any questions: Nancy Disher, Regional Project Organizer, North Central California Presbytery (916) 792-7725
“Cash for Guns” is an event to help take guns off our streets in our Sacramento and surrounding communities … while also serving as an opportunity for us, as Christians, to meet and serve our neighbors. We can use your help.
There is a pre-event meeting this coming Saturday, May 20, starting 8:30 a.m. at the Sacramento Public Safety Center conference room, 5770 Freeport Blvd. (north end), complete with donuts and coffee. Volunteers will be needed until 3 p.m. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Bring a water bottle and additional snacks for yourself if desired.
If you want to be “part of the solution” you can VOLUNTEER OR MAKE A DONATION. Please reach out to Nancy Disher for more info; (916) 792-7725.
Donation checks can be made out to:
Sacramento Police Foundation
Attn: Lt. Brent Kaneyuki
Memo: Cash for Guns Event May 20, 2023
and mailed to:
Sacramento Police Foundation
Attn: Lt. Brent Kaneyuki
5770 Freeport Blvd. #200
Sacramento, CA 95822
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
