... embracing Matthew 25

What a fun morning we had at Bethany on the last Sunday of 2024! Instead of a traditional sermon, we held a "hymn sing" with those present calling out the titles of favorite songs. It was interesting and inspiring to learn of each others' choices.

Looking back, it's compelling to note that the majority of suggested songs focused on maintaining faith in times of conflict ("Amazing Grace," "His Eye Is On the Sparrow," "It Is Well With My Soul") and serving others ("Will You Come and Follow Me?," "For Everyone Born, a Seat at the Table," "What Does the Lord Require of You?" and "Here I Am, Lord"). These choices revealed that we at Bethany are a resilient people, ready and willing to look to God for sustenance and support ... and that we are a caring congregation, desiring to "be the hands and feet of Christ" to our neighbors.

How can we put this deep faith into action so that—regardless of our aging population and dwindling numbers—we are able to minister to as many of God's children as possible?

In what ways can we link up with others to stretch our resources and our capacity to serve?

Let's pray that we may wholeheartedly and thoughtfully embrace the challenges presented by Jesus in Matthew 25.

—Cathy Betts Sapunor

“ The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

— Frederick Buechner

... a new you.

Bethany's "Movie Group" this week saw the Japanese anime film "The Colors Within." It told of an unexpected friendship between three musically inclined students, one of whom attends a Christian boarding school. As they support each other and grow in self-confidence, each finds the courage to face problems with integrity and honesty. At the end of the movie, the students' band performs a song written by one of them. Its words are profound and describe the freedom one experiences when owning up to misdeeds or admitting fault:
 

"Leave all your problems in yesterday's shirt pocket; today is the beginning of a new you."

The Bible reminds us again and again that we can be healed in both body and soul when we trust God. Two passages in Isaiah capture this. In Isaiah 43:25 we read, "I ... am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more." And we hear again of how Jesus died for our sins: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows ... We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah Chapter 53)

Acknowledging to ourselves that we have erred is hard; confessing and apologizing to others is even more difficult. Isaiah makes it clear that no one is perfect and that God helps us when we are troubled ... including giving us the right words to say when making amends to those we have wronged.

As the song in the movie so positively proclaims, a new start is possible. And when you know God is both on your side and at your side, a "new you" is always possible.

—Cathy Betts Sapunor

“Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don’t look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything.
”

— St. Catherine of Siena

... bringing light to the darkness.

Last Sunday, Rev. Elias Burgos again graced us with his presence in the pulpit. He retold the story of Jesus turning water into wine—his first miracle, one performed at the request of his mother. He and she were both guests at a wedding, and she was concerned for the reputation of the host family that was fast running out of wine. What a huge breach of etiquette this could turn out to be!

Rev. Elias emphasized how the beliefs of all those who unwittingly helped—by filling empty jugs with water at Jesus's command—were changed when, a few minutes later, they poured back out out not water but delicious wine. He told those present at the worship service, "The Gospel tells you what He can do ... what WE can do ... when we are running out of something."

He asked everyone, "What are you, as a person, running out of this week? This year?" And he reminded us that God can restore and replenish us. Just like Mary, who knew in her heart that her son could make things right, we should always have faith.

Emptiness can be filled. Water can become wine. And, as Rev. Elias concluded, "If there is some darkness in your life, light can come."

—Cathy Betts Sapunor

... putting our faith into action.

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work," said Jesus to His apostles. And my, what work he accomplished in his short time on this earth.

In contrast to Christ's thirty-plus years of life, Bethany is now entering its 12th decade of existence here in Sacramento—something hard to believe, isn't it? We who have been associated with it can count ourselves fortunate. We have had a church home that has nourished us spiritually and enabled us to bless the community in many ways.

The hit musical "Hamilton" features a song performed by Thomas Jefferson on his return to America after finishing his term as the country's first ambassador to France. In it, Jefferson acknowledges that the excitement and energy of the new nation's triumph is flagging. He knows that the path ahead is not going to be easy. He sings—almost reluctantly—"Now the work at home begins."

After last Sunday's vote to continue Bethany "as is" (option #3 on the slate of choices), it's clear that we must prepare ourselves for lots of decision-making and task-sharing. Relatively few folks have been involved—as volunteers—in day-to-day operations, Christian education efforts and worship service planning. In an aging congregation such as ours, we will need to think about what additional people-power we can muster ... what new and heretofore talents and skills can be put into play. And what adjustments to expectations might be required. As emphasized in 1 John 3:18, it's not enough to simply speak of love; we must put our faith into action. And that takes prayerful dedication. And work.

Have you thought about your role within the church you consider dear to your heart? What might you be able to contribute to the life of Bethany?

“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”

— Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

... making Christ-centered decisions.

At Thursday's Presbyterian Women gathering, the topic discussed was "kindness." The author (Rev. Eugenia Ann Gamble) of the book being studied emphasized how important it is for us to set priorities—with the top priority being that of living and growing in the fruit of the spirit.

Those attending the group affirmed that making Christ-centered decisions helps anchor their days. One participant said, "When I wake up I right away feel thankful for a new day ... and feel able to face whatever comes my way."

When we seek first the kingdom of God—before we consider doing anything else—we find rewards untold. Even when we, on our own, think we have the answers and the knowledge and wisdom ... do we really? In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
 

This coming week, why not choose to let the Lord show you the way ... to help you discern what is important ... and to guide your every move? See if this adds more meaning, structure and joy to your life!

— Cathy Betts Sapunor