Dear Friends in Faith—
Friends in Faith,
This coming Sunday—April 14th—we'll be reading the story of the "Road to Emmaus" from Luke 24:13-35. This story takes place just after Jesus has been crucified; there is rumor that he has been resurrected. After the devastation of all that happened in Jerusalem, the disciples were all wondering "What's next?" We, ourselves, often find ourselves in the same position—when changes and troubles find their way into our lives, we wonder "what's next?" Let's gather as a church family to worship together, to gather around God's word, and to pray for God's guidance as we all ask the question, "what's next?"
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.
Sunday, April 28 will be my final Sunday at Bethany as your pastor. The Presbytery Administrative Commission has called a congregational meeting to approve the "terms of dissolution" which official end my call at Bethany; the meeting will immediately follow the worship service.
Please note that Robert Madrigal will be unavailable to lock up the building; he'll be recovering from cataract surgery. So please be vigilant about turning off lights and locking up when you leave Bethany.
On Monday, April 15, we'll conclude our discussion of the book "The Rooster Wound" by Rev. Dr. David Bachelor (the son of Diana Bachelor and the late Ernie Bachelor). Our classes begin at 10am and conclude with a free lunch. The author has graciously donated several books to our group. Please see Jackie Sneed to get your copy.
On Sunday, April 21, Jim Guida will be leading worship (I'll be on vacation April 17-22). After worship, we'll be having a time of “show and tell“ of original art and fun collections after worship. All ages are invited to enter and kids’ contributions are especially welcome! Details are here.
On Monday, April 22, we'll be having an "Earth Day" walk at Cosumnes River Preserve from 9-11 a.m. Bring your friends; carpooling is available. Your choice of trails. Tailgate party follows!
Sunday, April 28—my last Sunday with Bethany (worship followed by a congregational meeting). Come to celebrate our four years of ministry together.
On Monday, April 29, Bethany will be helping out at the SSIP Food Closet from 8:30-11:40 a.m. Please let Cathy S. know if you would like participate.
Bethany is again fielding a team of volunteers to help “spruce up” the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center (South Lake Tahoe) the weekend of May 10-12, 2024. See Cathy Sapunor if you are interested. Do note the registration deadline is April 10!
CHURCH RETREAT IS COMING: We will again gather on the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe, staying at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, August 9-11, 2024, Friday evening through Sunday noon. Rev. Judy Davis will lead us in this year’s theme of “How We Tend Our Spiritual Gardens,” exploring ways to nurture our faith, individually and collectively, as we move forward. Registration forms will be available soon, so mark your calendars and plan to join us!
This past Sunday, the five members of our Administrative Commission attended worship with us and took some time to introduce themselves. The AC includes Barbara Greene (Bethany Ruling Elder), Rev. Rick Hull (Teaching Elder, honorably retired; chair), Deb Kanner (Faith Presbyterian Church Ruling Elder), Rev. Jason Ku (Teaching Elder, honorably retired), and Aaron Truong (Grace Presbyterian Church Ruling Elder). They also shared more about the process they are following to assist Bethany in decision-making. CLICK HERE FOR REV. RICK’S PRESENTATION.
Bethany elder Jackie Sneed invites you to attend the
2024 NCNC Ecumenical Racial Justice Conference
Friday, April 26th – Saturday, April 27th, 2024
Sierra Vista Community Church
890 Morse Avenue, Sacramento
All are welcome!
This conference is sponsored by the Northern California/Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ with funding from the North Central California Presbytery. It will take place on the evening of Friday, April 26th, and on Saturday, April 27th.
Friday night's focus is on the retention of black and brown students in the university setting. On Saturday, the keynote speaker is Bishop Dwayne Royster, a UCC cleric and faith-based social justice warrior who heads the largest grassroots faith-based organization in the world.
Saturday workshops address mental health, down-payment assistance as reparations, faith-based communities as social justice agents, and homelessness and racial disparities.
Will you come for the entire conference or part of it? You can register by e-mail, letting me know if you will attend both sessions, Friday night or Saturday. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. I am pleased to answer then.
This conference is donation-based, and donations can be made when you attend. There will be dinner on Friday evening and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Here is a link for more information and to register. I hope to see you there
—Jackie Sneed
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.
We continue to pray for peace in Gaza and throughout the Middle East and in Ukraine and all parts of this big world experiencing conflict and bloodshed.
Hear our prayers, O Lord! Peace to all.
—Jesse
