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Did you know that Bethesda's basic Sunday morning schedule has been the same for decades? The last major modification to it was to have Holy Communion every week at the 11:00 service. Yet, over these decades, the world around us, the rhythm of people's lives--especially of households with children--the spirituality and sense of mission of the Church have undergone tremendous transformation.
I am not surprised, then, that on a weekly basis parishioners will express to the staff, the Vestry, and to me some longing for something that they feel is missing on Sunday morning or share a challenge with some aspect of Sunday morning that is not quite working for them. For example, people regularly wish we had more time for fellowship with more substantial food than we have right now as we rush from service to class. People wish the clergy were more available following services. Others express a wish for more time for Christian education or for opportunities to get to know people who regularly attend one of the other Sunday services. Some express a wish that the service they attend were shorter and some longer.
For over a year we have been exploring the possibility of adding a service at some other time of the week. We added the Wednesday evening Compline service as part of the Middle Way, and that has been received with great joy and gratitude. Nonetheless the conversation really made evident to us that the questions we are trying to answer are not simple technical questions about service times or liturgy choices. We need to dig deeper into what the longings and challenges are for parishioners as we all share in the life of this community of faith and as we live into our Christian faith in a rapidly-changing world. Perhaps if we can come together and share those longings and challenges, we can see if the way we have Sunday morning organized is the best or if there might be a better way.
So, on
Sunday, April 23
, we will gather
following the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services
to begin this conversation. We will then
continue with Part 2 of this conversation on Sunday, May 7, and Thursday, May 11, at 6:30 p.m.
Members of the Vestry, staff, and other ministry leaders will help us begin to engage in reflection and discussion about what Sunday mornings (and other times of the week) need to be for a church like Bethesda in the 21st century, in a culture that is less and less supportive of organized religion, in a setting with more and more other activities and events taking place on Sundays. Note that you will need to plan to attend following the service you attend, rather than before, because this conversation will overlap the first part of the 11:00 a.m. service. Additionally we will plan to make it possible for people to participate in the second part of this conversation via the Internet. We will have more details about Part 2 after Easter.
Please plan to join us at either of these gatherings on April 23
--even if you attend the 8:00 service. Mark your calendar now for May 7 as well. While this series of meetings will not be the end of the discussion, it will lay the groundwork and set the direction for further work.
Father James+
Rector
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SUNDAY, APRIL 9
, 2017
Preacher: The Re
ctor
- Parking Permitted from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -
*8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
*9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
*#11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
* Nursery care for infants through age 3 is
available from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
# These services will be live-streamed.
You may watch the service online
HERE
.
Click here to view the service leaflet for this Sunday.
Click here to view this week's Bethesda Happenings.
PARKING: Persons attending Sunday services will be allowed to park on ALL of Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue
without receiving a ticket until 6:30 p.m.
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Monday, April 10 - Monday in Holy Week
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Hymns followed by a light Lenten Luncheon in the Guild Room
Tuesday, April 11 - Tuesday in Holy Week
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Garden Chapel
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Hymns followed by a light Lenten Luncheon in the Guild Room
Wednesday, April 12 - Wednesday in Holy Week
12:05 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Hymns followed by a light Lenten Luncheon in the Guild Room
Thursday, April 13 - Maundy Thursday
(Parking Permitted from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Supper, Parish Hall
[reservations required]
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altars
10:00 p.m. All-Night Watch begins
Friday, April 14 - Good Friday
(Parking Permitted from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
*8:00 a.m. Watch ends; The Good Friday Liturgy, with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
12:00 p.m. The Good Friday Liturgy with meditations by the Bethesda clergy and music by the Bethesda Choir, including the
Requiem of Gabriel Fauré with chamber orchestra
4:00 p.m. The Way of the Cross
Saturday, April 15 - Easter Eve
(Parking Permitted from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
10:00 a.m. Spring Carnival and Easter Egg Hunt, Garth
6:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter: Lighting of the New Fire, Holy Baptism, First Eucharist of Easter and Homily with
music by the Bethesda Choir
(with Incense)
Sunday, April 16 - Easter Day
(Parking Permitted from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Child-care available for infants through age 2 on Easter Day.
*6:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Cluett Garden
7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
; music by the Cantate Choir
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist; music by the Bethesda Choir with brass and percussion
#11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist; music by the Bethesda Choir with brass and percussion
Overflow seating in the Parish Hall--with audio and video simulcast--is available at the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services.
Thursday, April 20 - Easter Homebound Holy Eucharist & Luncheon
12:05 p.m. Homebound Service with Holy Eucharist
12:45 p.m. Homebound Luncheon, Parish Hall
* no music
# service will be live-streamed
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Resumes Wednesday, April 26 | 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. (serving starts at 5:45 p.m.)
Community Supper
| Parish Hall
The cost is $10 for adults; $5 for children under 12; $25 family max (payable at the door).
This week we will serve Caesar salad, vegetable lasagna, mixed vegetables, garlic bread, and banana pudding with fresh bananas and vanilla wafers. Kindly
RSVP HERE* or call Ayana at (561) 655-4554.
*In order to properly plan and prepare the supper, we need your reservations by noon on Monday.
FEATURED CLASSES
6:30 to 7:40 p.m.
Living the Questions
| Guild Room
Living the Questions (LTQ) is a series of informative videos in which leading scholars and theologians explore Christian beliefs and practices. Using videos produced by LTQ, Father Burl and Tom O'Brien will lead an interactive conversation with participants about the issues raised in the video presentations.
Palm Beach History-The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
| Library
In these final three meetings of The Middle Way this spring, staff of The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach will join us for a conversation about the three Bethesdas and our parish's role in the larger community of Island of Palm Beach. A fitting close to the first year of The Middle Way, these evenings together will focus on our parish's past, its buildings, and the people who provided a legacy for future generations as we continue to grow into who God calls us to be in the twenty-first century.
RECURRING CLASSES
6:30 to 7:40 p.m.
Cantate Choir | Choir Room
This intergenerational choir is open to adults of all ages and to youth as young as third grade. Contact
cantate@bbts.org
for more information.
Yoga
| Parish Hall
Physical therapist and yoga instructor, Emily Large, invites all adults for an evening of yoga. A requested donation of $10 per class.
7:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Compline | Church
A fitting end to our Wednesday evenings, compline offers a peaceful and meditative sacred time in the middle of our often frenetic weeks.
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Maundy Thursday, April 13
Lamb Stew Supper | 6:30 p.m. | Garth and Parish Hall
We serve a simple traditional Middle Eastern dinner of slow simmered spring lamb stew with vegetables, green salad, pita bread with feta cheese, assorted olives and grapes, and tea and water. Macaroni and cheese is also available. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. The Maundy Thursday service follows the dinner at 7:30 p.m. RSVP to Ayana Pineiro at 655-4554 or e-mail rsvp@bbts.org.
Maundy Thursday Service | 7:30 p.m. | Church
Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment. It reminds us that at the Last Supper Jesus gave the disciples and us a new commandment to love one another as he loves us. Our Maundy Thursday observance begins with a lamb stew supper in the Garth or Parish Hall and ends in darkness as we strip the altar and all process out of the nave in silence and darkness.
for Lent and Easter.
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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.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
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 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.
Just before today's reading, the prophet told the Judeans that YHWH has not broken the promises made to them, but their sin is the cause of their suffering and the Exile. The prophet asserts that he is YHWH's agent to teach (v.4) the Judeans to pursue righteousness. He (sometimes understood as Judea) describes his suffering at the hands of the Babylonians, but because YHWH helps him, he has not been disgraced and will be vindicated (v.7).
Philippians 2:5-11
Philippi was a major city in Macedonia on the Roman road to Byzantium (Istanbul) and most of its inhabitants were Roman citizens. Paul has a deep affection for the Jesus Followers in Philippi, and thanks them for gifts sent to him in prison (4:18).
Today's reading is derived from a hymn that was already in use in Jesus Follower communities, perhaps in a Baptism liturgy. Its statements are not only religious, they are also political. The Roman Caesars claimed to be "in the form of God" and (as rulers) to be the "Lord."
By contrast, instead of exploiting his connectedness to God, Jesus took the form of a slave/servant and emptied himself (poured himself out) for others. For this, he has been highly exalted (resurrected). As the Christ/Messiah, he is also called "Lord" and at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend.
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141 South County Road · Palm Beach, FL 33480
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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.
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Reception for
Mother Kimberly
Sunday, April 30
12:15 p.m. | Parish Hall
Join us following the 11:00 a.m. service to give God thanks for Mother Kimberly's faithful ministry at Bethesda as Associate for Outreach and Development. If you would like to show Kimberly your appreciation by making a monetary gift, they can be sent to the church or given at the reception, checks should be made out to her.
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2017 Lent and Easter Schedule
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Palm Cross Workshop
This Friday, April 7
9:00 a.m. | Tea House
Join this time-honored tradition in which volunteers meet to enjoy fellowship and make 1,000 palm crosses in preparation for Palm Sunday. Everyone is invited, and we benefit from the wonderful talent of seasoned pros who teach curious newcomers to carry on the ancient art of cross-making. We need lots of helping hands, so come join us on Friday morning in the Teahouse.
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All-Night Watch, Maundy Thursday,
April 13 & Good
Friday, April 14
The Watch in the church begins at 10:00 p.m., continues through the night, and ends on Good Friday at the Mass of the Presanctified. We need volunteers to take turns spending an hour in quiet meditation and prayer, keeping vigil with our Lord. This devotional practice has been a part of Holy Week tradition since the early church. An hour may be kept by one or more persons. Look for the sign-up sheets in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Greg at
knight@bbts.org.
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Spring Carnival and Easter Egg Hunt
We're bringing back our Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 15. It will be a fun-filled event for all ages. We will have inflatable games, food, an antiques/used books marketplace, and multiple Easter egg hunts for various ages. Invite your friends to come experience a wonderful Spring celebration!
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Thursday, April 20
This special event is a worship service and luncheon for those who, due to health reasons, are unable to attend the regular Easter services.
For more information or to volunteer, email ecw@bbts.org or call the church office at (561) 655-4554.
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ECW Diocesan Annual Meeting
Saturday, April 29
We will host approximately 150 Episcopal women from our diocese for a worship service. Many hands are needed to welcome these women.
For more information or to volunteer, email
ecw@bbts.org
or call the church office at (561) 655-4554.
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We pray for...
Andy, Angela, Bianca, Bill, Cellie, Claudia, David, DeShawn, Doug, Ed, Ellen, Eric, Evan, Geraldine, Ginny, Holly, Horta, Hunter, Jane, Jennifer, Jerry, Joe, John, Joyce, KJ, Karen, Katarina, Kehs Family, Kimberly, Kitty, Lada, Laniyah, Lawrence Family, Leslie, Lila Ann, Lorentzen Family, Mary, Matthew, Miryam, Nancy, Oba, Pat, Patti, Peggy, Pineiro Family, Pollard Family, Rebecca, Richard, Ricky, Rita, Robbie, Rosellen, Ryan, Saliyah, Shirley, Stephen, Taryn, Taylor, Terry, Thomas, Toinette, Tonia, Trudi, Ward, Weiss Family,
and those serving our country...
Benjamin, Clara, Erik, Harold, Herbert, John, Mantis, Michael, and Tommy.
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