Friends in Faith:
This Sunday, May 28, we'll gather for worship, and since it's Memorial Day weekend, we'll be considering memories. How special it is that we can remember sweet times throughout all the eras of our lives? Of course, we also have some memories that are far from sweet — but we are blessed with the ability to inventory all that has transpired in our lives, the lives of our families, our churches, our nation, and the world. We'll be exploring scripture from Psalm 77:11-14 and Ephesians 1:16-18. During our worship, you will be invited to share about one of your sweetest memories—or one of your sweetest memories from your time at Bethany.
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. You can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
Many important questions were asked during last Sunday's special congregational meeting. It was a vital time of sharing and we are thankful that so many were in attendance. Both votes passed; as of January 1, 2024 the terms of call for Bethany's pastor will be part-time as a way of reducing our costs. And we are now going to explore the possibility of merger with Faith Presbyterian Church. We'll be identifying our "non-negotiables" and then we'll assemble a small team to share in conversations with Faith Presbyterian Church. Thankfully, Maggie Harmon (of the Presbyterian Foundation) has agreed to help us in this process. She urged us to not get a head of ourselves this is simply a time of exploration. There is still so much we don't know; we are praying for open hearts and minds and we'll trust the ways in which the Spirit will move.
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.
I will be away this Thursday, May 25 (tomorrow) and next Thursday, June 1.
On Monday, May 29th, we'll be observing Memorial Day.
Sunday, June 4th is Pentecost! We'll be celebrating the birth of the church, the Holy Spirit, and communion! Wear red for the festivities! For our friends worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice on hand.
All are invited to join us for a book discussion of "Love Wins" by Rob Bell. Books are available on the table in the sanctuary. We'll gather to discuss this book on June 5 and June 19 at 10 a.m. Following our time of discussion, we'll enjoy lunch together.
Save the date: on Thursday, July 13, from 4pm - 6pm, the SSIP Food Closet will be hosting its "Full Plates, Full Hearts" fundraiser. The event will features a silent auction and an ice cream/waffle bar from Gunthers! If you have an item you'd like to donate to the auction—a quilt, a piece of art, a gift set, etc.—please let myself or Jackie Sneed know. Hope you can attend!
SAVE THE DATE! Bethany’s annual friends and family spiritual retreat at Zephyr Point has been scheduled: August 11-13. Click here for details.
There will be a memorial mass for Mary McGrath on June 1 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1040 39th Street, Sacramento. A reception will follow at Sacramento Friends Community Church, 4001 E Street, Sacramento. Mary was a friend of Bethany. She helped to bring the storytelling ministry of The Gathering to Bethany and participated in Bethany retreats along with her husband Robin.
SESSION MEETING UPDATES
Click here for the most recent news from Bethany’s Session meeting.
NEWS FROM PRESBYTERY
Eventide worshiping community invites you to a special worship service featuring the Presbyterian Mission Agency President and Executive Director, Diane Moffett. The event begins at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 28. Eventide is led by Rev. Jeanie Shaw and is located at Arden Christian Campus, 4300 Las Cruces Way, Sacramento. Dinner will be provided, too.
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.
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
