August 24, 2017


 
One of the consistent themes of comments from our listening sessions in the spring was that the Bethesda community longed for more opportunity for Christian formation, which was music to my ears, because lifelong education is at the center of our faith as Christians and especially Episcopalians.  We cannot grow unless we learn about our personal faith and about our Christian faith in the context of others. With scripture, tradition, and reason as the three-legged stool of Anglicanism, the shortening of any one leg compromises the balance of the other two, and our faith stagnates instead of grows.
 
In the model of Sunday mornings, we begin on September 17, we have created a space for adult Christian formation that enjoys a full hour.  In this new structure, one of the Bethesda clergy will serve as hosting priest each Sunday, welcoming people to breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. and remaining in the Parish Hall to extend hospitality throughout the morning.  As hosting priest, that clergy person--who will not have been in the 9:00 a.m. service and will arrive into the 11:00 a.m. service after it begins--will also convene the adult forum at 9:50 a.m. and ensure its conclusion at 10:50 a.m., thus dedicating an hour for more depth of discovery as we grow toward more a mature faith and richer spirituality. With these adaptations to our schedule, not only does it ensure a fuller time for Christian formation without encroachment by a 9:00 a.m. service that gets out late or a priest who has to tie things up quickly at the end of a session and rush to the 11:00 a.m. service, it also allows for the rotation of parish clergy to spend unhurried time as hosting priest during breakfast and without liturgical pressures as convener of the adult forum. 
 
After much prayer and a concentrated effort on the part of many people, we are excited about the possibilities the new Sunday morning schedule affords.  This fall our adult forum offerings include conversations about the church's role in the public square, the incredible depth of Celtic spirituality, the liberating beauty of the enneagram, the gospel-bound journeys of generosity, maintaining mental health amidst the pressures of the holiday season, and visits from friends and guests of the parish including Bro. Mark Brown SSJE, The Rev. Canon Scott Gunn of Forward Movement, The Rev. James Reho of Lamb of God Lutheran/Episcopal Adventure, and Joey Schewee of Life in the Trinity Ministry. The catalogue will have a full listing of Sunday morning offerings and will be updated as any changes occur.
 
We are excited about the opportunities for Christian formation the new Sunday morning schedule affords and look forward to a rich year ahead together.
 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017
Preacher: Greg Knight

*8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
8:45 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
9:00 a.m. Summer Choir, Choir Room
*#10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist
11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall 
11:115 a.m. Church Tour

PARKING: Persons attending Sunday services will be allowed to park on ALL of Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue
without receiving a ticket until 12:30 p.m.

* nursery care for infants through age 3 is
available from 7:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

# service will be live-streamed here

Click here to view the service leaflet for this Sunday.
 
Click here to view this week's Bethesda Happenings. 

Ministry Fair and  Pounding Party
& Reception for Father Thomas 
Sunday, September 10 | following both services | Parish Hall

Ministry Fair: Our Annual Ministry Fair is the perfect opportunity to learn and sign up to volunteer in our many different ministries. Don't forget to wear one or more colors to church that day representing the ministry/ministries you already are a part of [ Bethesda Cares (blue)Education (orange)Evangelism & Communications (green)Fellowship & Hospitality (red)Outreach (yellow)Retail (pink), and Worship (purple)].

Pounding Party & Reception for Father Thomas: Join us in welcoming our new Associate for Outreach and Development, The Rev. Thomas Morris, with a reception in the Parish Hall following the 10:00 a.m. service. Father James cordially invites all parishioners to take part in a "Pounding Party." A "Pounding Party" is an English and pioneer tradition of helping a family or new pastor of a church set up their household. Please bring a "pound" (figuratively, not literally) of any useful household item-food staples, cleaning supplies, etc. If you do not have time to shop, gift cards are also welcomed. You may drop off or bring your gifts and/or gift cards with you to the reception on Sunday, September 10.
This Sunday's Readings in Context
Parishioner Tom O'Brien, a Canon and Examining Chaplain for Scripture of this diocese, writes brief background descriptions of the Sunday readings. We thank Tom for sharing his learning and love of Scripture with us in this way.

During the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered.  Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.
 
Exodus 1:8-2:10
The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible, and covers the period from the slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh (around 1250 BCE, if the account is historical), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.
 
Today's reading is the familiar story of the rescue of Moses by Pharaoh's daughter from the reeds in the Nile River.  The same story was told of Sargon of Akkad (2300 BCE) and likely was the model for the Moses story.  In Hebrew, the word for "ark" in the Noah story is the same word used for "basket" (v.2:3) in the Moses story. (Just as Noah's ark rescued humankind, Moses liberated the Israelites from Pharaoh.) Moses' priestly role is emphasized by stating that both his father and mother were Levites (v. 2:1). Moses' sister (v. 2:4 and 7) will later be identified as Miriam (15:20).
 
Isaiah 51:1-6
The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel's history.  Chapters 1-39 are called "First Isaiah" and were written by "Isaiah of Jerusalem" in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under direct siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE.  "Second Isaiah" is Chapters 40 to 55 and brings hope to the Judeans during the time of the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they have suffered enough and will return to Jerusalem. "Third Isaiah" is Chapters 56 to 66 and gives encouragement to the Judeans who returned to Jerusalem after the Exile.
 
Today's reading is a powerful affirmation that the promise to Abraham (v.2) will be kept by YHWH, and Israel will be a teacher to the peoples (v.5). The word for "peoples" is sometimes translated as "nations" or "pagans" or "Gentiles" depending on the context. 
 
Romans 12:1-8
Paul's letter to the Romans is his longest, last, and theologically most complex letter, written in the late 50s or early 60s (CE) - about ten years before the first Gospel (Mark) was written. One of Paul's goals was to reduce tensions and eliminate distinctions between the Jewish Jesus Followers in Rome and Gentile Jesus Followers there.
 
Today's reading builds on the theology expressed in earlier chapters, and emphasizes that all members of the Jesus Follower Community in Rome are "brothers and sisters" (v.1). They should not be "conformed to this world" (v.2), which is another way Paul speaks of being "subject to the flesh" - having earthly values.  Paul urges the Jewish and Gentile Jesus Followers to be humble (v.3). They are one body in Christ (v.5) with many members with separate roles to play (vv.6-8). 
141 South County Road · Palm Beach, FL 33480
(561) 655-4554 ·  www.bbts.org
Bethesda's Mission is to experience the clear and strong presence of God and to understand and spread Christ's teachings through collective worship, learning, and service.
Safe Church Training
Saturday,  August 26
9:30 a.m. |  Parish Hall 
Safeguarding God's Children training is required for all people who directly or indirectly work with children and youth ministries including volunteers, Vestry members, and church staff. This in-person training is offered on Saturday, August 26, in order to fulfill that requirement. Please plan to attend if you are involved in children and youth ministries or if you would like to learn more about Bethesda's policies regarding care for our young people. For more information, contact Greg Knight at knight@bbts.org or call him at (561) 655-4555 x114.
Youth Universal Trip Saturday, September 2
Our annual kickoff event open to all youth in 6th-12th grade. Registration deadline is August 25. Cost is $85 per person and covers admission, fast pass, and one meal card. Don't miss the fun! Contact Greg Knight at knight@bbts.org or call him at (561) 655-4555 x114 to register today.
Save Your Samples
As you travel, remember to save the small soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. found in your hotel room. Every year Bethesda's Port Ministry arranges 200+ gift bags for sailors who are at sea on Christmas Day. We will be collecting your items in fall.
Summer Choir
There's no need to be a professional singer; all you need is a pleasant voice and some basic music-reading ability. Rehearsals begin in the Choir Room promptly at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as the choir prepares music for the 10:00 a.m. service. This choir continues through the second Sunday of September. Please join us when you can!
Our office hours will be  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Monday through Thursday and  9:00 a.m. to noon on Fridays  (church and grounds will remain open until 5:00 p.m.).
We pray for...  
Abraham, Alyssa, Andy, Angela, Ann, Anne, Bill, Bob, Brownie, Caroline, Charlie, Christopher, Cindy, Claudia, Corrina, Debbie, Don, Edward, Ellen, Frances, Eric, Garcia Family, Gary, Gene, Ginny,  Gunnar, Holly, Jane, Jenna, John, Judy, Katie, Kelly,  Kimberly, Lanier Family, Lee, Lesley, Lev, Lila Ann,  Marcia, Marjorie, Martin, Mary, Matthew,  Mitchell, Pam, Pat, Patricia, Patti, Paul, Peggy, Rebecca, Renée, Richard, Ricky, Robert, Sandra, Shawn, Sharon, Stephen, Stuart, Sylvia, Taryn, Thomas, Ward, and those serving our country... Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Erik, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Michael, Sean, and Tommy
.

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