Friends in Faith:
This coming Sunday, September 24, we'll be welcoming our interim Executive Presbyter, Rev. Wes Nordman, to the pulpit. He'll be sharing some updates from our Presbytery and he'll be preaching on Psalm 5:1-3 and Mark 10:46-52 (the story of blind Bartimaeus). His sermon is entitled "Throwing Off Your Cloak." It's sure to be a moving service (Rev. Wes served as the pastor of Westminster in downtown Sacramento for several years). We hope you'll join us for worship! 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.
I will be away from 9/19-9/26, although I will be checking my e-mail.
Yesterday, Sunday, September 17, one of Bethany's members tested positive for COVID; this member was in worship/fellowship hour on September 17. Unfortunately, this incident is a reminder that fall is bringing with it an uptick in COVID infections. Please do what you need to do to protect yourself—consider wearing a mask while at Bethany. If you test positive for COVID and have been at Bethany, please reach out to me or a member of Session so we can alert other folks who may have been on campus at the same time you were. Stay safe out there!
Recently, Bethany's session once again met with Grace Church’s Session to continue conversations about merging our two congregations. It's a joy to experience the palpable excitement shared among the elders at these meetings; we are finding that, in many ways, this potential relationship holds a lot of promise. But, with that said, we are trying to take our time and to be very thoughtful as we explore each church's identities, values, structures, etc.
To keep our entire church family in the loop, we'd like to have an informal congregational meeting on Sunday, October 8, immediately following worship (we won't be voting on any motions). Our session will explain where we are in the process, some of the topics we've discusses, next steps, etc. But we are also eager to hear from you—what questions, comments, or concerns would you like to share?
One of the most important issues we face in this proposed merger is how we would worship together. We've begun discussing a joint worship service and we'd like to give it a try on Sunday, October 15. More importantly, we want to begin getting to know one another! So all are invited to worship together on October 15—we'll be incorporating some new music and perhaps trying some new things, but we are sure the service will be meaningful!
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a emergency response effort of the PCUSA which has received the highest marks regarding efficient use of donations, immediate and long-term assistance, etc. PDA is already helping with the recovery/rebuilding in Maui after the terrible wildfires there. And now, given the terrible earthquakes in Morocco and the disastrous floods in Libya, PDA needs our support. Click here to give!
All Bethany members are cordially invited to celebrate Mary Harbison's birthday (89!) on Saturday, September 23. The party will be held in Bethany's fellowship hall from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Punch and snacks will be provided—but you can also bring a dish to pass.
This Saturday, September 23, is also a "Reaching Out" event at Bethany (hosted by Faith/SSIP/Bethany) from 1-4 p.m. This is a resource fair for all ages. Please reach out to Susan Just if you would like to know more or would like to volunteer.
We'll be celebrating World Communion Sunday on October 1. If you are worshiping from home, be sure to have some bread and juice on-hand. Our choir will also be singing!
SAVE THE DATES!
Rev. Stephen Moon (of Mosaics) and Davis Community Church will be hosting another fellowship evening for the entire Presbytery on Saturday, October 28: "The Presbytery Unity Meal.” More details to follow!
Our next “five on the 5th” Food Closet volunteer mornings is on Monday, October 30. We need five willing bodies! No experience necessary! Contact Cathy Sapunor if you would like to help.
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.
Our night custodian, Robert Madrigal, had a bad bike accident on Saturday evening. He is still in the hospital—he had a leg injury—and doctors are determining the next steps.
We are celebrating in-person or in-spirit with Mary Harbison on the occasion of her 89 birthday!
For comfort, healing, and hope for Maria
Hear our prayers, O Lord!
Peace to all.
—Jesse
