Friends in Faith:
This coming Sunday, June 25, we thought we'd try something new: we'll be adding a little African flavor to our worship service! Local drummer Ben Ofori will be providing us with some drumming. I'll be preaching on some of my learnings from my time in Africa, particularly Ghana. Once again, we'll be focusing on Paul's letter to the church in Corinth—1 Corinthians 1:1-9.
We apologize, again, for last week's sound problems. We have an excellent, but complicated, sound system. We rely on Grace Presbyterian Church to fix an issues we encounter, as it is their equipment and they have the training. That said, we are back up and running—and we look forward to offering booming technology this Sunday!
We will not have any gathering music this week, as Natalya will be away. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. Bring a friend! You can also join virtually here: Facebook Live. More details about worship can be found here.
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!
Also, on Sunday, June 25, a few Bethany folks are going to attend worship at "Eventide"—a new worshiping community pastored by Rev. Jeanie Shaw (I'm sure several of you know her). All are welcome to join us! The service begins at 5 p.m. and is followed by a free dinner and fellowship. Eventide is located Arden Christian Community's hall at 4300 Las Cruces Way, Sacramento, CA 95684.
The North Central California Presbytery invites you to a free concert and dinner featuring singer-songwriter Matthew Black on Sunday, August 6 at 4 p.m. Join us for this time of music, food, and fellowship! Matthew Black is a singer-songwriter and worship leader with deep roots in the Presbyterian Church. His songs express a constant search for meaning and an honest spirituality, leaving the listener comforted, challenged, and hopeful. His concerts are filled with humor and audiences singing along to infectious choruses. His original songs are available on all major platforms and at https://matthewblackmusic.com. This free event will be held at Bethany. The concert starts at 4 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to me, Jesse, by Monday, July 17th. Space is limited!
What a joy it was last Sunday to hand out five Bibles to Bethany's children! May they learn the stories of God and hope of Jesus Christ! They received "adventure Bibles" and picture Bibles. We'll trust the Spirit will help God's word to take root in their lives. After the worship service, we then enjoyed yummy root beer floats to honor our dads.
On Sunday, July 2, we'll be celebrating communion. For our friends worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice on hand. You also might consider bringing canned/boxed goods for the SSIP Food Closet (during the first Sunday of each month, we bring forward our donations for SSIP).
Cathy Sapunor is inviting folks to see Shakespeare's "Macbeth"—a performance that will be featuring her husband, Tim. The performance is on Sunday, July 9 at 2 p.m. at the Art Court Theater on the Sacramento City College campus located at 3835 Freeport Blvd. For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.
Bethany Presbyterian Women present a FREE four-part series about clutter and how we can simplify our lives using basic biblical wisdom and spiritual practices. All—including men—are invited to attend the “Up Side of Downsizing” series.
The four sessions will be held on:
Thursday, July 13
Thursday, July 27
Thursday, August 10
Thursday, August 24Each session starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. Come at 9:30 for coffee and socializing! Attendance at all of the sessions is not required, but it is helpful. Bring a notepad and pen with you to each session.
On Thursday, July 13, from 4-6 p.m., SSIP will be hosting their "Full Plates, Full Hearts" fundraiser. It will featurea 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!
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 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.
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 was due by June 1 but you can check to see if space is still available. 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 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.
Cliff Lucas, husband of Diana Lucas (Debbie Leibrock's mother), had another son pass away over the weekend. Our prayers are with Cliff and Diana.
Our prayers are with all the graduates and all of our young people as they wrap up another school year. May they be kept safe and have fun summers!
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
Peace to all.
—Jesse
