Christmas Is Nearly Here

Friends in Faith—

We will be gathering for Christmas Eve worship at 5 p.m. this Saturday. We'll read the stories of the birth of Jesus and sing beloved carols. Be sure to wear warm clothes, as we'll exit our sanctuary and sing "Joy to the World" on our front lawn for the whole neighborhood to hear! Then, immediately following our worship service, Jackie Sneed and Peter Baird will be leading an informal time of caroling in our Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! 

Christmas Day worship begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, December 25. Natalya begins playing gathering music at 10:20 a.m. We'll keep things very informal—in fact, you are encouraged to wear your pajamas or a fun Christmas outfit!  We'll take a group picture as well. Folks can also join virtually here: Facebook Live.  More details about worship can be found here. 

As winter begins, many of us are hearing about more and more folks getting sick: COVID, the flu, RSV, etc. It would be advisable to begin wearing a mask again when inside of our building. It's not mandatory, but it should reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID and other bugs. Also, you are encouraged to stay at home if you are feeling ill or running a fever. 

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Dear Friends,

For many years “The Gathering” at Bethany has  offered a “Write Christmas” workshop in December. We have shared our memories and thoughts of Christmas with each other in person. For the past two years we have met on Zoom to share.

This December we are inviting each of you to write about Christmas with a memory, a prayer, a poem, or any form you choose. Write something new or share something written in the past. Send this writing to Cathy Sapunor and we will publish the writings that you send HERE.

We wish each of you a very blessed Christmas holiday. As we keep our “Write Christmas” tradition alive this December by offering this opportunity to share your memories on the website, we look forward to hearing from each of you.

With love and blessing,
Rev. Judy Davis

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Day 32—We are nearing the end of our 40 Days of Prayer experience.  We will finish on Thursday, December 29.  Cathy Sapunor, our webmaster, has created a handy link which will guide you to each daily prayer (complete with thought-provoking images)—CLICK HERE FOR THE DAILY PRAYER.

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NOTES & HAPPENINGS:

• Bethany will be closed from Christmas Day (after worship) through December 31 to gift our staff with time away to enjoy the holiday with family and friends. 

• Sunday, Jan. 1 at 10:30 a.m. — New Year’s Day service. Choose your own personal “word of the year” to focus on in 2023.

• Sunday, Jan. 8, starting 11:00 a.m. and ending around 3:00 p.m.—a workshop and congregational meeting with the Presbyterian Foundation to wrap up “40 Days of Prayer” and map the church’s future. Special guest: a representative from the Presbyterian Foundation. A free lunch will be served. And please note that worship will be abbreviated to give us ample time for our meeting.

  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.

  Merry Christmas and peace to all! 
  —Jesse

  A Prayer for Christmas

  Loving God,
  help us remember the birth of Jesus,
  that we may share in the song of the angels,
  the gladness of the shepherds,
  and worship of the wise men.
  
  Close the door of hate
  and open the door of love all over the world.
  Let kindness come with every gift
  and good desires with every greeting.
  Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
  and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
  
  Let the love that shaped earth and heaven,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  Let the love that created humanity,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  Let the love that overcomes suffering and hatred,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  Let the love that causes us to rejoice with loved ones,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  
  Let the love that forgives and renews,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  Let the love that brings reconciliation after separation,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  Let the love that brings the blessing of peace,
  dwell within us this Christmas.
  And may we share that peace with all people near and far.
  Amen.

  ~ Author Unknown

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Understanding Who We Are as Presbyterians

The gentleman pictured above (with the awesome hat) is John Calvin — a forefather of our Presbyterian faith. We'll be celebrating Reformation Sunday on October 30 (complete with a bagpiper and KC Shane!), but this Sunday we'll be learning about why we do what we do in worship. "Education Sunday" is an opportunity for us to learn more about Presbyterian worship, scripture, theology, and our unique voice in the grand myriad of Christian beliefs. It's always important for us to understand who we are, where we come from and how we got to this place as we discern where God is leading us to next! Our text is from Mark 4:1-20 — the Parable of the Sower.

Then at 4 p.m., we'll be hosting our annual "Blessing of the Pets" in our parking lot. As our theology has expanded, we feel that it's important to celebrate all of God's grand creation, including pets! Come by to participate in this fun, informal time with our furry family members.

Sunday, October 30, is "Reformation Sunday." We'll be celebrating our faith tradition which is one of many unique voices in the grand myriad of Christian traditions. We are excited to be welcoming both a bagpiper—an homage to our Scottish roots—as well as KC Shane, a guitarist who offers beautiful contemporary Christian songs.

Tonight is the Zoom discussion for Chapter 8 of Sailboat Church. Click here for log-in details. Then, after worship on Sunday, October 30, we'll have our discussion of Chapter 9. All are welcome. If you need assistance or if there is a problem with this link, reach out to Jackie Sneed.

The Trunk or Treat Halloween Extravaganza is at 3 p.m. October 30, and it's gonna be a blast! There will be games, food, music, hulu-hooping, drumming, and even a bouncy house! Invite your family and friends. It's all free! Our elder for evangelism, Candace Keefauver, has been busy planning this event and can use a lot of help— be sure to decorate the trunk of your car and don't forget to wear a costume. Bring a bag of candy to donate. We'll also need help with set-up and tear-down when the event is over. Several of us plan to stay all afternoon this Sunday to get everything set up.

Monday, October 31 is our volunteer day at the SSIP Food Closet. We'll spend the better part of the morning filling bags with foods for the many clients of this special ministry. If you are interested in joining the team, we'd love to have you—please reach out to Cathy Sapunor for more details.`

We have two memorial services coming up for two beloved members—Donna Roberts and Gail Powell. Donna's service will be on Sunday, November 6 at 3:30 p.m. and Gail's will be on Saturday, November 19 at 3:30 p.m. We no longer have deacons or a fellowship commission, so if you are able to volunteer and serve as a greeter for one or both of these services, that would be great.

We lift our many prayers to our Lord, trusting that God hears our prayers and stands by us through good times and bad. John 14:27 declares, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

—Jesse