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Jesus tells us that "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." At Bethesda, we take these words seriously. We believe serving others in Palm Beach County and around the world is essential to a growing life of faith.
This Sunday is S.O.S., Save Our Samples Sunday. From 9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. you are invited to join the youth of the parish to assemble 300 Christmas bags that are given to mariners who will be at sea on Christmas Day. For months, we have been collecting razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, white crew socks, as well as items from hotel rooms like shampoo, lotion, and soap. This Sunday you can join others from Bethesda and serve others in the name of Christ.
Under the leadership of Deacon Clay Waddell, the Port Ministry at Bethesda reaches out to seafarers and maritime workers who visit the Palm Beach Ports. Deacon Clay and other volunteers greet and care for these folks who are from all parts of the world and spend long periods of time away from home and their families. This outreach ministry is one primarily of hospitality, as well as offering spiritual support and Holy Communion to those who desire it.
In addition to visiting the Ports, other Bethesda members serve mariners by knitting caps by our talented Nautical Knitters group, others write and send cards, some make financial contributions that enable Deacon Clay to give the seafarers calling cards to stay connected to loved ones at home, and there are those who collect and purchase the supplies for S.O.S.
The Port Ministry is just one among dozens of ministries that Bethesda employs to serve others in the name of Christ. Each of our ministries is always seeking volunteers and supporters. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to find your place of service as we seek to live out our baptismal covenant to "seek and serve Christ in all persons."
Associate for Outreach & Development
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Nine O'Clock News
When we resumed a three-service, Sunday schedule in September, we instituted some changes to the 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist service that responded to very clear congregational longings that came out of the town hall meetings in the spring. The two clearest of those longings were to increase time for adult Christian formation and to allow more opportunities for fellowship, so we restructured Sunday mornings to allow both longings to be realized.
To respond to the request for more fellowship, we began offering a hot breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., which allows fellowship time and affords a chance to gather families of all sorts together for a meal on Sunday morning. In order to guarantee a dedicated hour for Christian formation, we made some revisions to the 9:00 a.m. service so that it fits within a forty-five-minute time slot, thus allowing formation to start at 9:50 a.m. and continue for an uninterrupted hour.
Having lived into the Sunday morning adaptations now for several weeks, many parishioners have commented on how great some of the changes are and how difficult others are. Change is never easy, especially modifications to Sunday mornings in a traditional Episcopal parish, and we are listening to the responses we hear. We consistently hear that breakfast is not served long enough to accommodate the variety of schedules parishioners have on Sunday morning, so,
- beginning this Sunday, hot breakfast will be served from 8:15 to 10:00 a.m. at the same reasonable $5 rate.
Many have commented that they miss the consistency of homilies among all three Sunday services, especially when we host guest preachers. While we can make precious few changes to the 9:00 a.m. service and guarantee it still fit within the forty-five-minute time slot, thus honoring the overwhelming request for a full hour for Christian formation,
- we will offer guest preachers the opportunity to preach a condensed homily at the 9:00 a.m. service
- on Sundays where there is no Christian formation between services (All Saints, Port Ministry, Annual Meeting, etc.) the preacher will be the same for all services and won't abbreviate the homily at 9:00 a.m.
We appreciate the parish's willingness to live into change and we appreciate the willingness of the parish to share constructive suggestions about those changes. As in all things, the leadership of Bethesda-by-the-Sea seeks to discern the will of the Spirit, and we rejoice in the opportunity to live into the life-giving ministry of the Gospel on South County Road, around the corner, and around the world.
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NOVEMBER 12, 2017
Preacher (8:00 & 11:00 a.m.): The Rector
Preacher (9:00 a.m.): The Rector
*8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
8:15 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast, Parish Hall West
*9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:50 a.m. Port Ministry: Save Our Samples Sunday, Parish Hall East
10:00 a.m. Fellowship Finger Food, Parish Hall West
*#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 3 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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Fellowship Breakfast | 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | Parish Hall West
We will have a full breakfast, with rotating menu, for $5 per person. After 10:00 a.m., a simpler fare, fellowship finger foods, will be provided until 1:00 p.m. with no cost to our parishioners.
This week's menu:
Scrambled eggs, Applewood smoked thick cut bacon, homefries with green peppers & onions, miniature croissants and butter.
Port Ministry: Save Our Samples Sunday
This Sunday, November 12 | 9:50 to 10:50 a.m. | Parish Hall East
Throughout the summer, Bethesda has collected razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, white crew socks, as well as items from hotel rooms like shampoo, lotion, soap, etc. Now it's time to assemble 300 Christmas bags to be given to mariners who will be at sea on Christmas Day. Participants of all ages are invited. This is a great activity for the whole parish family to pitch in and help make someone's Christmas a little brighter.
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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: Southern shrimp, cheesy grits with bacon, Arugula salad, mixed vegetables, sliced buttered baguette, and chocolate cream pie.
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. | Liturgy through the Ages| Guild Room
Our liturgy at its best is both fresh and new on the one hand, and tried and true on the other. With the Rector, we will learn about some of the rich heritage that has shaped us as Christians and Episcopalians and formed the prayers that we pray each Sunday. We will especially learn about some of the ancient worship traditions present in the British Isles in the earliest centuries of the Christian Church. We will also explore what our liturgy does today that inspires and strengthens us and discuss what it might look like in the future.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Inquirers' Class | Library
If you've ever wanted to know more about The Episcopal Church, who we are and why we believe what we do-and exactly what we do believe-you're invited to join Father Burl in this eight-week course drawn from Christopher Webber's book
Welcome to the Episcopal Church. This course is specifically designed for those adults desiring confirmation or reception at Bishop Eaton's visit on December 13, but is open to and welcoming of all inquiring souls wishing to strengthen their faith. The course is informal and discussion-based.
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).
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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Listening for the Divine Heartbeat:
A Celtic Spirituality Immersion Retreat
Introduction to Celtic Spirituality
Friday, November 17 | 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. | Parish Hall
Saturday, November 18 | 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Parish Hall
More important and timely than ever, the insights of the Celtic Church-grounded in the goodness of the human person and the presence of God in all creation-offer us ways to engage our selves, our world, and one another that are both relevant and revelatory, and form part of our Anglican tradition. Together we will engage the thought of the great teachers of Celtic spirituality and enliven these explorations with discussion, spiritual practice, silent reflection, and Celtic worship with live music. You will come away with new perspectives, understandings, and practices to enrich your life!
The Rev. James Reho is an Episcopal priest, author, retreat and workshop leader, and a direct student of the Celtic teacher John Philip Newell. James blends depth, humor, scholarship, and the arts together to offer a balanced, holistic experience of the Celtic path.
Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch on Saturday. Registration is required.
Click here for more information, or contact Ayana at (561) 655-4554 or e-mail her at
ayana@bbts.org.
Optional preparatory reading: Listening for the Heartbeat of God by J. Philip Newell, a short work emphasizing "the presence of God at the heart of all life and within all people..."
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Wednesday, November 22 | 6:30 p.m. | Temple Emanu-El
Worship with us at a 6:30 p.m. Interfaith Service at Temple Emanu-El located at 190 North County Road in Palm Beach.
Thanksgiving Eucharist
Thursday, November 23 | 8:00 a.m. | Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea
Fellowship Friday
Friday, November 24 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Temple Emanu-El
Give back to the community on the morning after Thanksgiving, a great family activity. Following breakfast at Temple Emanu-El (190 North County Road, Palm Beach), volunteers will head out to their choice from among several area venues to lend a hand. Donations of toys, toiletries, and nonperishable foods are also accepted for distribution to area agencies. Community service hours given. Advance registration requested. Downloadable registration brochure available at
www.palmbeachfellowship.net. For more information, call (561) 833-6150 or e-mail us at
info@palmbeachfellowship.net
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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.
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.
The Book of Joshua is part of the "Deuteronomic History" consisting of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. The over-all message of these books is that the fortunes of Ancient Israel depended on faithfulness of the people and their kings in worshiping YHWH.
After entering, conquering, and allocating the lands among the tribes, the Israelites entered the "Covenant at Shechem" described in today's reading. If the events are historical, they would have occurred around 1200 BCE. The Israelites swore (acting as their own witnesses) to revere and serve YHWH and to put away foreign gods. Today's reading lays the predicate for the Deuteronomists' conclusion that Israel's failure to live up to this Covenant was the cause of the conquest of Northern Israel in 722 BCE and the Babylonian Captivity in 587 BCE.
The full title of this Book is "The Wisdom of Solomon." It is not in the Hebrew Bible, but is in the Apocrypha (hidden books) in Protestant Bibles and is in the Wisdom Books in Roman Catholic Bibles. Like other Wisdom Literature, it is (incorrectly) attributed to Solomon who reigned a United Israel from 968 to 928 BCE.
The Book of Wisdom was written in Greek by a Jew in the late First Century BCE to Jews living outside Israel (most likely in Alexandria). It encouraged them to maintain their Judaism while integrating it with Hellenistic culture. Today's reading celebrates Wisdom ("Sophia" in Greek) and describes her (as does Chapter 8 in Proverbs) as a woman whom one should seek (v.12).
After Solomon died in 928 BCE, the Kingdom of Israel split into the North (called Israel) and the South (Judea). The reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel (788-747 BCE) was very prosperous and a time of great inequality between rich and poor. Amos prophesied (spoke for YHWH) against Israel from about 760 to 750 BCE. He is one of the 12 "minor" prophets whose works are shorter than the three "major" prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel). In today's reading, YHWH tells Israel that the "Day of the LORD/YHWH" will be a time of darkness (v.20), and that instead of empty rituals (vv.20-23), YHWH desires justice and righteousness (v. 24).
The letter to the Thessalonians was Paul's first letter and was written around 50 CE. Thessaloniki is a seaport and was the capital of Macedonia. The letter encouraged the community to be steadfast in the face of persecution. In today's reading, Paul reassures the people that even those who die before the Parousia (Second Coming) will participate fully in it. The idea of a Second Coming developed early in the Jesus Follower Movement because, in his earthly life, Jesus of Nazareth did not fulfill all the traditional "job descriptions" of the Messiah - the nation was not unified; the Romans were not expelled; Shalom (peace and order) did not reign. At the Second Coming, all will be fulfilled.
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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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Funeral Services
Mary Hulitar
Saturday, November 11
10:30 a.m.
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Vestry Nominations
Deadline: Noon on Wednesday, November 15
Four Communicants in Good Standing will be elected to serve three-year terms at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 28, 2018.
All those who wish to volunteer for service on the Vestry must complete two forms in the packet
before noon on Wednesday, November 15, 2017
. The information packets are available HERE*. Printed copies of the packet are also obtainable from Ayana in the church office, (561) 655-4554.
*Make sure you save the file to your computer, fill it out, then save it again after you have entered your information, then send it as an attachment to the email below.
Completed forms may be sent as e-mail attachments to nominations@bbts.org, or delivered to the church in a sealed envelope addressed to the Nominating Committee.
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Know Your Number: An Introduction to the Enneagram
Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2
Know Your Number is a foundational course and is the first step in working with the Enneagram, an ancient personality typing system that will profoundly deepen your understanding and love for yourself, others, and God. In this retreat, Joey Stabile Schewee of Life in the Trinity Ministry (Dallas, Texas) introduces the nine Enneagram Types: Challenger, Peacemaker, Perfectionist, Helper, Performer, Romantic, Investigator, Loyalist, Enthusiast. Each personality type is reviewed in detail, including an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the Types, and the likely interpersonal challenges that may be involved in an unhealthy expression of the Type.
Cost is $60 per person and includes lunch on Saturday. Registration is required.
Click here for more information, or contact Ayana at (561) 655-4554 or e-mail her at
ayana@bbts.org.
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***Classes for Thursday, November 16 are cancelled, but will resume on Tuesday, November 21***
Silver Sneakers
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 a.m. | Parish Hall West
This program promotes a healthy, active lifestyle, and it's free for SilverSneakers members. The classes combine cardio, strength, and balance. Experience is not at all necessary. These classes are for beginners as well as more experienced exercisers. We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall West. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
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Young Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays
10:30 a.m. | Guild Room
Young Women's Bible Study is geared towards women ages 25-55 with all levels of experience in studying Scripture. This fall the group will study the life of Joseph through a video series called "Restless" by Jennie Allen. This will be an eight-week series that meets on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. For more information please e-mail Susan Beebe or Rachel Supple at
womenatthewell@bbts.org.
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We pray for...
Angela, Angelica, Anne, Anthony, Arthur, Bianca, Bill, Bob, Carolyn, Connie, Conway Family, David, Denise, Dylan, Ellen, Felecia, Fred, Garcia Family, Gary, Geoff, Gerry, Grier, Holly, Isabel, Jack, James, Jane, Jerry, Jim, Joann, John, Katie, Kimberly, Lawrence Family, Lesley, Lloyd, Mariette, Mary, Matthew, Michael, Michelle, Midialys, Mildred, Miryam, Molly, Norma, Pat, Peggy, Ralph, Rebecca, Renée, Rick, Ricky, Rivera Family, Rogers Family, Rosie, Schumacher Family, Shawn, Sheri, Stanley, Stephen, Susan, Suzanne, Sylvia, Taryn, Ted, Theresa, Thomas, Ward, William, and those serving our country... Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Erik, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
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The Bethesda Fall Catalog is now available...
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