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I quite often hear from parishioners asking me to focus on our spirituality and let other people focus on financial issues, as if somehow they are separate things. For Christians, however, money and spirituality are inextricably wrapped up in each other. Our attitudes about and our uses of money both shape and reflect our spiritual life. People who hold on to tight control of their money generally have a difficult time letting go and trusting God spiritually. People who cultivate a deep spirituality grounded in God's free gift of grace are more generous and more open with their money and other aspects of their lives.
For me, this is a constant spiritual journey: to know, really know, God's grace and to nurture a basic disposition of gratitude for my life and calling. I cannot imagine even beginning that spiritual journey separate from an honest examination of my attitudes about my financial status, financial security, and my desire to possess or own things. I am so grateful that a vestry member at the first church I served, while I was in college, told me of the spiritual importance of making a financial commitment to God through the Church as the starting point of managing my money. At that point, I didn't have much to give, and he assured me the amount mattered less than the proportion and the place that gift had in my budget. This scary step of making that commitment opened me up to an experience of grace and freedom that has continued to grow. I built my very small budget around that gift each month, choosing then, to live on what remained after meeting this most important commitment. This practice hasn't changed over the decades. The experience of God's grace and the recognition of God's providence have only grown over that time.
Dear brothers and sisters, we need everyone's financial commitment to carry out the shared life and mission to which we are called. Even more importantly, we each need to make that sometimes scary commitment for our own spiritual health and growth. Please do take this effort seriously as an opportunity to grow ever closer to God and to our parish family. And in making this decision, feel free to talk with any of the clergy or wardens who are happy to share their own spiritual journey of stewardship.
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Preacher (8:00 & 11:00 a.m.):
The Rev. Thomas Morris
Preacher (9:00 a.m.): Jessica Hitchcock
*8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
8:30 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast, Parish Hall
*9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. Fellowship Finger Food,
Parish Hall West
9:50 a.m. Ministry Fair, Parish Hall
9:50 a.m. Pray and Play Group (ages 3 & 4),
Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Story Group (K and 1st grade),
Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Arts Group (2nd to 5th grade),
Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Service Group (2nd to 5th grade),
Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Explorers Group (2nd to 5th
grade), Sunday School Hall
9:50 a.m. Questions Group (6th & 7th
grade), Library
9:50 a.m. Confirmation Group (8th Grade),
ECW Room
9:50 a.m. Mission Group (9th-12th Grade),
Youth Room
*#11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer and
Holy Eucharist
12:15 p.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 1:30 p.m.
* nursery care for infants through age 2 is
available from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.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.
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2018 Annual Campaign:
Building for the Future
This Sunday, January 14 | Pledge Cards available following services
So many experience the love of God through our reverent worship, beautiful buildings and grounds, and Christian hospitality at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. How would our lives and the life of Palm Beach be different without the presence of Bethesda? The 2018 Annual Campaign, Building for the Future, is our opportunity to support the faith-filled mission of Bethesda. Our financial support empowers life changing ministry. On Sunday, January 28, we will demonstrate our faithfulness to God and to our common life by placing our pledge cards in baskets as we come forward to receive the gifts of God at God's table. It will be a celebration of the reality of God's abundant grace in our lives and the transformative power of Bethesda-by-the-Sea for Palm Beach and the world that is made possible by YOU! Let us all, therefore, offer God praise and thanksgiving, on Sunday, January 28, by our financial commitment for the blessing of this church we all love.
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5:45 to 6:30 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's menu: chicken panang curry, vegetables, jasmine rice, garden salad with ginger sesame dressing, sauteed vegetable, white chocolate, and macadamia nut cookies.
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. | Celtic Prayer | Guild Room
In this first of three Wednesday evenings dedicated to the study of Celtic spirituality, will learn about Celtic themes of the essential goodness in all humans, the presence of God in all things, and justice, as revealed in prayers and prayer practice, from ancient to modern. We will practice types of prayers used upon rising, sleeping, and when working to maintain the presence of God in our lives. Be a part of this class as we delve deeper into our spiritual heritage as Anglican Christians.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bethesda at Its Best! | Library
Over a series of four weeks, join the clergy and vestry as we discuss the history, mission, and organization of this remarkable parish and how each of these beautiful threads comes together into a diverse and spirit-filled tapestry.
RECURRING CLASSES
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bible Study | ECW Room
From Genesis to the Revelation, reading the bible together is a meaningful way for us to deepen our faith while strengthening our ties to one another and the church community. Each Wednesday, Father Thomas and other clergy will offer an informal and instructive opportunity to study the Bible with a focus on historical perspective and scripture's meaning for us in the daily living of our lives. We will begin with an exploration of the Gospel according to Mark. So, bring your bibles to the ECW Room--or use one of ours--for an ongoing opportunity to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest God's word.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Liturgy Group| Sunday School Hall
For all children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade who are interested in learning more about what we do on Sunday mornings in our worship services, the Wednesday Liturgy Class will teach them more about what we do and why. Over the course of the year we will explore elements of the Holy Eucharist more in-depth with our young people and also train them to become worship leaders for Sunday services. Topics will include communion, acolyting, music, the liturgical calendar, and saints. If you've ever wanted a class to teach your child about what we do in worship, don't miss this wonderful opportunity.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bethesda Youth Group | Youth Room
The Bethesda Youth Group will move from our traditional Thursday night meetings to Wednesday nights to join our Middle Way ministries. Come for dinner at 5:45 p.m. and stay for Youth Group until 7:40 p.m. The Bethesda Youth Group is a fellowship group open to all those in 6th through 12th grade. Members also participate in monthly special events including our annual lock-in, service day, and camping trip to Peanut Island.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Yoga | Parish Hall West
Physical therapist and yoga therapist, Emily Large, invites all adults for an evening of holistic worship through Christian yoga practice. Physical postures, relaxation, breath techniques, and mental focus create a holistic approach for worship as we will reflect on the themes associated with the liturgical calendar. A requested donation of $10 per class (payable at the door).
CLOSING PRAYER
7:45 to 8:00 p.m. | Compline | Church
An ancient, brief, and contemplative liturgy of the Christian tradition, compline offers an opportunity to give God thanks for the day behind us and pray for rest and safety in the night ahead. A fitting end to the day, compline offers a peaceful and meditative sacred time in the middle of our often frenetic weeks, as well as a beautiful conclusion to our Wednesday evenings together.
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Sunday, January 28, 2018
- Please note there will NOT be a 9:00 a.m. service -
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:15 a.m. Annual Meeting and Election of Vestry members, Parish Hall
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
12:15 p.m. Parish Picnic Picnic-$10 Adults; $5 Children under 12 years old; $30 Family Max.
Nominees for Vestry
Raphael (Ralph) Clemente Charles (Chuck) Hagy, Jr.
Connie Purcell Wendy Victor
Pick up a Vestry brochure in the Narthex
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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.
The reading
discusses the Call of Samuel (one of the towering figures of the Hebrew Bible) and Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians in which he refutes some understandings of Hellenism and emphasizes that our bodies are part of the Body of Christ.
1 Samuel 3: 1-20
The Book of Samuel is part of the "Deuteronomic History" that includes the books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books are a "didactic history" that covers the period from just before the entry into the Promised Land (c.1220 BCE, if the account is historical) to the beginning of Babylonian Captivity (586 BCE). The books were written in the period from 640 BCE to 550 BCE and continued to be revised even after that.
The Deuteronomists emphasized that YHWH controls history, and when the people (and their kings) worshiped YHWH properly, good things would happen to them. When they worshiped false gods, however, bad events would overtake them.
The Book of Samuel (to the extent it may be historical) covers from the end of the Time of the Judges (c.1030 BCE) to the last years of the Reign of David (c. 965 BCE).
Today's reading describes the call by YHWH of young Samuel (whose name means "God [el] has heard'). Samuel is described as the last of the Judges and the first of the great prophets of Israel. He is a towering and admirable figure in the Hebrew Bible. His mother, Hannah, was barren until YHWH "remembered" her in response to her prayers. He was dedicated by Hannah to YHWH as a "nazirite" (1 Sam.1:9) -- one who would never cut his hair and or touch wine or strong drink. Two other nazirites in Scripture were Samson (who did not fulfil his vows) and John the Baptizer.
Among his significant acts, Samuel (at YHWH's direction) anointed the first two kings of Israel (Saul and David). The Book of Samuel is ambivalent about whether having a king was good for Israel (it united the tribes politically against their enemies) or bad because Israel ceased to be a theocracy (governed by YHWH through priests).
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was diverse and Hellenistic, and Corinthians emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul's understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was written in the 50's (CE) (likely while Paul was in Ephesus) and presented his views on several issues.
Today's reading appears to be in response to a letter received from Corinth, as shown by the Hellenistic ("enlightened") statements in verses 12 and 13 that Paul quotes (and refutes) in today's reading. Paul discusses the human body and rejects fornication, not on the basis of the Law, but on the bases that Jesus Followers are members of Christ (v.15) and united to the Lord (v.17) so that one's body is a temple/sanctuary (v.19). Paul concludes that one should glorify God in one's body (v.20).
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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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Bethesda's Sea of Color
Ministry Fair
This Sunday, January 14
Following all Services| Parish Hall
If you missed Bethesda's Annual Ministry Fair in September, we
encourage you to attend a smaller version on Sunday, January 14.
This is the perfect opportunity to learn about and to sign-up to
volunteer in our different ministries.
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Three Events, One Cause:
Eat a meal - Make a meal - Share a meal
Click here for more information and get involved today!
Palm Beach Empty Bowls: 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Palm Beach County Food Bank. Please join the committee to put on this event or simply come and enjoy a delicious soup lunch at Bethesda (
or order take out).
Palm Beach Unites: Come participate in one of three 60 minute shifts at the Palm Beach Day Academy and be a part of packaging 150,000 healthy meals for those in need.
Share What you Can: Our food drive here at Bethesda benefits C.R.O.S. Ministries Food Pantries, ensuring that families have access to healthy nutritious food. Together we give thanks and "Share What You Can" with those in need.
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Women at the Well Winter Bible Study
This Wednesday, January 17
9:00 a.m. | Parish Hall
This year we will be studying the Old Testament Book of Ruth. It is the story of God's grace and love in difficult times. Ruth's story happens in a period of disobedience, idolatry, and violence in the world. It is also a story of romance, redemption, and hope. Please join us for this women's six week study, lead by The Rev. Cecie Titcomb, Ellen Kaufmann, Georgie Skover, and Vivian Chen. For more information and sign up please call Ayana at the church office at (561) 655-4554.
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We pray for...
Amelia, Angela, Betsy, Charles, Chris, Daniel, Ellen, Fred, Gisela, Grier, Henry, Holly, Jack, Jane, Jennifer, Jim, Joann, John, Juan, Kaki, Katie, Leslie, Lillian, Lory, Mary, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Mildred, Nolan Family, Pamela, Pat, Patricia, Peggy, Penny, Rebecca, Regine, Renée, Richard, Ricky, Robbie, Robert, Scott, Sharon, Stephen, Stephanie, Sylvia, Tami, Taryn, Theresa, Thomas, Ward, and those serving our country...Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
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The Bethesda Fall Catalog is available...
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