Bethany Church News • ARCHIVE
2026
More than 150 people attended and nearly $800 was raised to benefit the South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership Food Closet at a “Peter, Paul & Mary Tribute Concert and Sing-Along” held January 24 at Bethany.
2025
Many thanks to Bethany folks who volunteered at the Food Closet on December 29! Click to see pictures.
Bethany was represented Thursday, December 18, at the multi-faith prayer vigil in solidarity with immigrants, held outside the John Moss federal building in downtown Sacramento.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, Bethany’s sanctuary was decorated Saturday, November 29, for Advent and Christmas.
Bethany’s November 23 worship service was followed by a feast of Thanksgiving pies … and egg rolls!
The memorial service celebrating the life of Darlene Walker is set for Friday, November 14, at 11 a.m.
The 95th birthday of Howard McMackin was celebrated following the Nov. 9 worship service.
The memorial service celebrating the life of Tony Aiello is set for Saturday, November 8, at 12 noon.
At the November 2 worship service, Bethany observed All Saints Day, when the lives of the “saints” in our lives—from all times and places—were honored. See the photos!
Bethany observed Reformation Sunday in true Scottish style on October 26.
Read about Bethany’s 111th anniversary celebration, held Sept. 21, 2025.
Check out the new daily devotional for use Sept. 7-Oct. 5—the time leading up to World Communion Sunday!
Bethany member Howard McMackin was honored August 31, 2025 at the church for having completed 12,000 hours of volunteer service to the California State Railroad Museum.
Hear about Bethany’s annual Friends & Family Retreat, held Aug. 8-10 at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center!
The birthday of Saul Rivera was joyfully celebrated following the May 25 worship service.
Several current and former Bethany-ites attended the annual Justice Conference held May 11-12.
Close to 60 people enjoyed Bethany’s annual Mother’s Day Tea, held May 10 at the church.
Bethany observed the 80th birthday of Barbara Greene on April 27.
Bethany’s April 20 Easter Sunday service was uplifting and joyous!
Thank you, March 31 Food Closet volunteers!
The “Pass It On” concert featuring Peter Baird, Mike Hersher and Lily Baird Young was a smash hit at Bethany on Sunday afternoon, March 30.
God’s great power to heal was celebrated at Bethany’s March 16 worship service, the second Sunday in Lent.
Lent starts March 5. Here are daily prayers, reflections and more resources to help you observe this precious contemplative leading up to Easter.
Members of Grace Church, which shares the Bethany campus, treated Bethany members and friends to a delicious experience after the worship service Sunday, March 2.
Bethany’s 3rd Annual Palentine’s Day, held February 13 celebrated the joys of friendship!
A half dozen Bethany members traipsed the Cosumnes River Preserve on January 30 at the church’s annual “Winter Wander” nature walk.
Close to two dozen Bethany family and friends attended the Elk Grove Lunar. New Year festival on Saturday, January 25.
See photos from Three Kings Day (Epiphany) Sunday at Bethany, when the Three Wise Men visited the congregation!
2024
Hear how Kathryn Boyd introduced the friendship of bell-ringing into the Bethany neighborhood.
On December 15, the third Sunday of advent, Bethany continued its tradition of displaying members’ crèches (manger scenes).
At 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, all are encouraged to stand outside their homes, in the shopping center parking lot, at the McDonald’s drive-through … wherever! … and ring a bell to promote fellowship, peace and justice. If you come to the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service, you can ring at Bethany and take home your own bell!
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, Bethany’s sanctuary was decorated Saturday, November 30, for Advent and Christmas.
Bethany provided brunch to several dozen SSIP Food Closet volunteers on duty November 30—one of the Food Closet’s busiest days of the year.
Bethany’s November 24 worship service was followed by a Thanksgiving luncheon.
Join us in prayer for peace, dignity, kindness, and justice on election.
At the November 3 worship service, Bethany observed All Saints Day, when the lives of the “saints” in our lives—from all times and places—were honored. See the photos!
On October 27 Bethany observed Reformation Sunday, a time to celebrate the origins of the Presbyterian Church.
At a special “Lunch & Learn” event held October 20, Bethany member Trisha Uhrhammer discussed measures that will be up for vote in the November election
A team of six volunteers—alumni of Bethany’s youth group from the 1970s, plus spouses—spent an extended weekend of October 10-13 working to improve a special place at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center (South Lake Tahoe).
All are invited to honor the life and legacy of Bethany member Jackie Hilderbrand, who passed away September 19, 2024. The service will take place at Bethany on Friday, October 11, at 4 p.m.
Ten dogs (and a few cherished stuffed animals, plus photos of absent pets) were blessed at Bethany's October 6 outdoor "Blessing of the Animals" service.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with churches in communities affected by Hurricane Helene to help with clean-up and restoration. You can lend a hand.
Celebrate the worldwide Christian tradition by bringing something to display on the worship table this coming Sunday, October 6!
Gather at Bethany on Monday morning, October 7, for a discussion drawn from the acclaimed book “The Chosen: 40 Days with Jesus.” The discussion, led by Barbara Greene, will focus on the topic “Be Bold.”
Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center is in need of individuals and families to help “winterize” the buildings and grounds Friday evening (October 11) through Sunday morning (October 13). All ages can help!
The memorial service for Jo McHurd has been postponed to a future date. Please watch for it to be rescheduled.
Here, for you to read and reflect upon, is a review of what was discovered by Bethany members in their reading and discussion of the acclaimed book "Sailboat Church."
On Sunday, Sept. 1, stay after the worship service for another of our “future in focus” gatherings.
All are invited to honor the life and legacy of longtime Bethany member Dolores McMackin, who passed away July 23, 2024.
Find out what happened at the church retreat! Rev. Judy Davis will review what she presented. Free lunch follows!
Two dozen church members and friends traveled to Lake Tahoe August 9-11 for Bethany’s annual retreat.
Five Bethany members showed up at the church Food Closet volunteer morning on July 29 to lend a hand.
“I love this church, the part of the body of Christ that is the Presbyterian Church (USA),” says Rev. Jihyun Oh, newly elected PCUSA Stated Clerk.
On Sunday, July 21, stay after the worship service for another of our “future in focus” gatherings.
For a second week, Bethany opens its Social Hall as a community cooling center—July 10-12 from 3-8 p.m.
Please get names of your grads to the church office or to the Bethany prayer chain by Friday, July 5 so we may include them in our special blessing on Sunday, July 7.
Volunteer hosts are needed to help as Bethany opens its Social Hall as a community cooling center Monday-Friday, July 1-5, from 3-8 p.m.
Volunteer hosts are needed to help as Bethany opens its Social Hall as a community cooling center Monday-Friday, July 1-5, from 3-8 p.m.
Several dozen Bethany members and friends gathered in June for two very informative sessions in the Social Hall. The meetings took place after the June 9 and 23 worship services.
We’ll be serving root beer floats with Dad’s Root Beer on Sunday, June 16, after the worship service!
The special ladies in our lives were celebrated at Bethany two days in a row in May!
Here are the latest health and safety guidelines at Bethany.
Pentecost Sunday is May 19—wear something red in celebration! Rev. Judy Davis will preach today and the Pentecost Offering will be taken.
All are invited to honor the life and legacy of longtime Bethany member Cliff Lucas, who passed away April 30, 2024,
SEVEN Bethany members and friends showed up at the church Food Closet volunteer morning on April 29 to lend a hand.
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.
A special congregational meeting has been called for Sunday, April 28, immediately following the worship service (approx. 11:30 a.m.) At the meeting, the motion to dissolve the pastoral call between Rev. Jesse Larson and Bethany Presbyterian Church will be voted on. This step is regretfully being undertaken due to financial constraints facing Bethany.
God’s glorious creation was celebrated April 22 by five Bethany-ites at the church’s annual Earth Day nature walk.
About a dozen displays of creativity and “favorite things” were enjoyed April 21 as part of Bethany’s “Still MORE Stuff of Story” show.
Smiles abounded at Bethany’s second annual “Holy Humor Sunday” held April 7.
Bethany’s beautiful and uplifting March 31 worship service celebrated Christ’s resurrection.
Several Bethany members gathered at the Century Cinedome Theater the afternoon of February 20 to view the new film “Wonka.”
Bethany’s 2nd Annual Palentine’s Day, held February 12, celebrated the joys of friendship!
Several Bethany members traipsed the Cosumnes River Preserve on Saturday, February 3, at the church’s annual “Winter Wander” nature walk.
The memorial service celebrating the life of Mary Harbison is set for Saturday, January 27, 2024.
More than a dozen Bethany family and friends attended the January 20th “Scottish cultural afternoon” held at the church. The event was sponsored by Kilwinning Lodge #203, Daughters of Scotia.
Elder (and Superman fan) Jim Guida had a surprising “reveal” during his January 14 “moment with the children” that delighted everybody!
The “three wise men” were special guests at Bethany’s January 7, 2024, worship service, bearing gifts for everyone in attendance.
Bethany’s popular Winter Wander nature walk is happening Saturday, February 3, from 9-11 a.m. at the Cosumnes River Preserve south of Sacramento.
Here come the Kings! They will enter the worship service on Sunday, January 7, and present each attendee a small gift in honor of the gifts they brought to the newborn Christ Child more than 2,000 years ago.
2023
Bethany’s 2023 Christmas Eve candlelight service achieved the highest attendance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the help of some dedicated volunteers, Bethany’s sanctuary was decorated Saturday, November 25, for Advent and Christmas.
Bethany provided cookies, cake and freshly baked brownies to the several dozen SSIP Food Closet volunteers on duty on November 21—one of the Food Closet’s busiest days of the year.
Bethany’s November 19 service was observed as “giving Sunday,” when pledges of financial support for the coming year were accepted and dedicated.
A hearty “thank you” to Bethany. members and friends who gathered several days to deep clean the church sanctuary.
Rev. Jesse Larson led today’s worship service, during which Bethany celebrated ancestors in faith and family.
Bethany’s second annual Trunk or Treat event, held the afternoon of October 29, drew more than 600 area children and parents.
On October 29 Bethany observed Reformation Sunday, a time to celebrate the origins of the Presbyterian Church.
The memorial service celebrating the life of Bob Betts is set for Friday, November 3, at 11 a.m.
Amidst yips and yaps and howls, about a dozen pets were blessed at Bethany’s “Blessing of the Pets” event Sunday afternoon, October 22.
A team of six volunteers—alumni of Bethany’s youth group from the 1970s, plus spouses—spent the weekend of October 13-15 working to improve a special place at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center (South Lake Tahoe).
World Communion Sunday was observed October 1 at Bethany, with many beautiful items brought by church members and friends to enhance the communion table.
Eight from Bethany—current and former members—will help “spruce up” the buildings and grounds at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center October 13-15.
Bethany’s building and parking lot were the site of another community resource fair on Saturday, September 23.
Bethany members and friends joined with the family of Mary Harbison to celebrate her 89th birthday.
Bethany’s building and parking lot were the site of an afternoon community resource fair on Saturday, August 26.
Thirty church members and friends traveled to Lake Tahoe August 11-13 for Bethany’s annual retreat.
Following up on Bethany’s 2023 retreat topic “Jerusalem: A Holy Paradox,” here are two local opportunities to learn more about conditions in the Middle East.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Matt Black presented a concert before a packed crowd at Bethany Sunday afternoon, August 6.
Susan Just and Jim Guida were installed as elders at the July 9, 2023 worship service.
Bethany members and friends were among a sold-out crowd viewing Shakespeare’s MacBeth on July 9.
Percussionist Ben Ofori enriched Bethany’s June 25 worship service with his musical talent.
At the June 18 worship service, Bethany honored dads, the faith journeys of our young people, and the dedication of those who make possible the ministry and mission of the church.
Choo choo! Bethany members and friends enjoyed a morning together touring the California State Railroad Museum.
A nature walk celebrating God’s creation was held April 22 at the Cosumnes River Preserve.
Bethany celebrated “Holy Humor Sunday”—an ancient tradition—on the Sunday following Easter.
Bethany’s beautiful and uplifting April 9 worship service celebrated Christ’s resurrection.
