Rev. Jesse Larson’s Final Sunday at Bethany • April 28, 2024
After four years of leadership at Bethany, Rev. Jesse Larson left his position as pastor due to budget constraints. His final Sunday in the pulpit was April 28, a day marked with sadness as well as celebration for his commitment to the church throughout very difficult times. [ c o n t i n u e r e a d i n g b e l o w]
Rev. Jesse Larson came to Bethany at the start of March 2020, just in time for the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. His first sermon, delivered March 1, was his last “in person” message until June 2021. But he immediately set to work presenting sermons first from his home (March 15) and later from the empty sanctuary (April 26). (Click here to see what a typical Sunday morning in the congregation-less sanctuary was like.) Rev. Jesse’s formal installation as pastor had to wait until July 11, 2021!
During the pandemic Rev. Jesse initiated weekly Facebook Live worship “livecasts” and worship Zoom gatherings, as well as weekly Zoom “check-ins” for the congregation, their friends and family. (Bethany even had its first-ever “virtual Christmas Eve” service, complete with greetings recorded by folks at their homes.) Under his leadership, events where people could “safely socially distance”—such as nature walks and outdoor worship services—took place. Rev. Jesse even organized a “Swingin’ Sunset” live jazz concert on the church lawn. Care packages delivered to homes, cards, online Bible study and discussion series kept the spirit alive until all could be together again. He also held a Presbytery-wide dinner/concert at Bethany featuring singer-songwriter Matthew Black.
Among the highlights during his time of ministry was a “Trunk or Treat” Halloween event attended by hundreds of neighborhood families. Another was the start of a biweekly discussion group and the re-invigoration of Presbyterian Women. And yet another blessing was the strengthening of Bethany’s missional relationship with the SSIP Food Closet housed at the church. Despite membership loss due to death or relocation, Bethany continued—with the encouragement and positive attitude of Rev. Jesse—to find ways to keep music ministry alive, welcome new church members, baptize children, and stay connected as a community of faith.
Rev. Jesse Larson, you will be greatly missed.