Friends in Faith:
This Sunday, June 4, we'll gather as a church family to celebrate Pentecost—a Christian holiday that celebrates both the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. The Holy Spirit is depicted in a variety of ways, sometimes as a peaceful dove and other times as tongues of fire. We'll be wearing red in honor of the Holy Spirit! We'll also be joining in communion together—for our friends worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice available. We are also excited that the Bethany choir will be sharing a song with us!
We'll be focusing on the activities of the Holy Spirit from the book of Acts: Acts 2:1-13; 4:32-35.
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.
I will be away this Thursday, June 1.
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. Our our time of discussion, we'll enjoy lunch together.
Bethany’s annual friends and family spiritual retreat at Zephyr Point is happening August 11-13. Here is a link with more info. Be sure to register now!
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.
Save the date : on Thursday, July 13, from 4 p.m - 6 p.m., the SSIP Food Closet will be hosting its "Full Plates, Full Hearts" fundraiser in Bethany’s Social Hall. 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!
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
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
