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REST: freedom from activity or labor;
peace of mind or spirit --Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Summer for most of us is a time to change the pace of our lives. Many migrate north in an attempt to escape the challenging heat in South Florida, and most of us look forward to changing the rhythm of our lives.
Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength...
It is wisdom to take occasional furlough.
In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.
--Charles Spurgeon
I look forward to some vacation time at the end of this month, but earlier this Summer I attended two conferences. They each provided refreshment, if not rest! The first of these was the annual conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM), held this year in San Antonio, Texas (yes, I did see the Alamo!). This association is a group of some 600 musicians and clergy from across the nation and beyond. There were approximately 180 people attending this year's conference, and, as always, it was a time of uplifting worship, lively discussion, and great comradery. Our conference preacher
was The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Vice President and Dean of the School of Theology, University of the South, and retired Bishop of Atlanta.
We worshiped together nearly every day, and Bishop Alexander,
an organist/musician himself, provided moving and inspiring homilies. Any hope of escaping the Florida heat was futile: it was 100 degrees nearly every day! But the heat didn't dampen the joy of spending time with colleagues and exchanging ideas about what is going on in churches throughout our land.
I just returned from my second gathering of musicians: the biennial convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). This is a much larger gathering of musical colleagues--over 1,300 gathered this year in Kansas City. Unlike AAM--where everyone is geared toward worship and music in the Episcopal Church--AGO covers all denominations of church music in our country, with special emphasis on organ. Many workshops are offered (one must pick and choose, since many of them run concurrently!), and they all have something to offer: new ideas, new approaches to running a choir rehearsal or playing hymns, new repertoire, history of various composers, improvisation, and many more. The sheer volume of workshops offered is staggering. We also heard some stellar choral singing and organ recitals presented by some of the nation's most outstanding artists. Again, no escape from the Florida heat: temperature was in the high-90s every day!
Despite the heat (which seems to be a recurring theme in this article!) those two conferences provided me with much nourishment and enthusiasm about the upcoming season. My hope for each of you is that you, too, will allow yourself some rest and refreshment in these Summer months.
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. --Exodus 33:14
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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 2018
Preacher (8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.): The Rev. Margaret E. McGhee
*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. Holy Eucharist
11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour, Parish Hall
PARKING: Persons attending Sunday services will be allowed to park on
ALL of Barton Avenue and the south side of Pendleton Avenue
without receiving a ticket until 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
* nursery care for infants through age 2 is
available from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Click here to view the service leaflet for this Sunday.
Click here to view this week's Bethesda Happenings.
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Youth member, Whitney Young, shares her experience about
the Honduras Mission trip
Coming into this experience I had the perception that while visiting Our Little Roses, the most influential part of our work here would have been the projects focusing on more tangible tasks. I soon realized that after having learned each of the girls' stories, the intricate personalities and close relationships (despite the slight language barrier), that what our group came here to do was give these girls safe, wonderful, lasting connections that will benefit their community
. We were here to give them positive memories to look back on as they grow older.
Getting to know all of the girls living at this home has been the greatest blessing that could have ever come out of this experience. I became aware that despite the hardships each girl has faced, they remain radiant with joy, looking into their future with high expectations, striving to make their dreams a reality. Our Little Roses offers opportunity for these girls to thrive by fostering hope.
To read more
click here and to view a video of photos from the
2018 Bethesda Honduras Youth Mission visit
YouTube here.
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Presiding Bishop urges Episcopalians to embrace 'Way of Love'
for spiritual growth
[Episcopal News Service - Austin, Texas] The opening Eucharist of the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church on July 5...Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calling on members of the Episcopal Church to embrace spiritual practices that can help lead them to a Jesus-centered life.
Called the "Way of Love," the seven practices provide a Rule of Life that all Episcopalians are encouraged to adopt.
- Turn: Pause, listen and choose to follow Jesus.
- Learn: Reflect daily on scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus.
- Pray: Spend time with God in prayer every day.
- Worship: Gather in community for worship every week.
- Bless: Share one's faith and find ways to serve other people.
- Go: Move beyond one's comfort to witness to the love of God with words and actions.
- Rest: Dedicate time for restoration and wholeness.
Curry said that several months ago he had asked a group of bishops, clergy and laypeople to meet with him to explore how the church could move more deeply into being the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement...t
o read more
click here
.
To read other other stories from the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church click here.
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Save the Date!
Bethesda's Celtic Pilgrimage
May 3 to May 15, 2019
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This Sunday's Lectionary 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 prophesies of Amos to Israel (the Northern 10 tribes) in the mid-700's BCE and the Letter to the Ephesians, the authorship of which is disputed. I hope you find the posting helpful and informative.
Amos 7:7-15
After Solomon died in 930 BCE, the Kingdom of Israel split into two parts, the North (called Israel) and the South (called Judea). The reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel (788 to 747 BCE) was very prosperous but was a time of great inequality between rich and poor. Amos was a cattle herder who also took care of fig trees in Judea, but he was called by YHWH to prophesy against Israel from about 760 to 750 BCE.
Amos is one of the 12 "minor" prophets whose works are shorter than the three "major" prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel).
In today's reading, Amos told Israel that it was not measuring up to YHWH's plumb line and that it would be destroyed if it did not reform. He then disputed with the King's appointed priest, Amaziah, who told Amos to stop prophesying in Israel, and to go back to Judea. Amos responded that he was not a "professional" prophet but had been called by YHWH to prophesy to Israel.
In 722 BCE, just as YHWH told Amos to say, the Assyrians conquered Israel. Samaria was the capital of Israel, and because Assyrians intermarried with Samaritans, Samaritans were looked down upon by Judeans.
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesus was a large and prosperous city in what is now western Turkey. In the Acts of the Apostles and 1 Corinthians, Paul is said to have visited there. In Ephesus, there were Jesus Followers who were Jews and Jesus Followers who were Gentiles, and they didn't always agree on what it meant to be a Jesus Follower.
Because the letter contains a number of terms not used in Paul's other letters and gives new meanings to some of Paul's characteristic terms, most scholars believe that this letter was written by one of Paul's disciples late in the First Century. The letter was intended to unify the Jesus Follower community in Ephesus. The first three chapters are theological teachings and the last three chapters consist of ethical exhortations.
In today's reading, the author emphasized the shared beliefs for Jesus Followers, and that the Christ is the mediator of divine blessings. Because some of the vocabulary in this letter is different from most of Paul's letters, scholars are divided about whether this letter was written by Paul (who died in 62 or 63) or if it was written later in the 1st Century by an admirer of Paul.
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Memorial Day through Labor Day
,
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.).
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The Church Mouse
Summer Hours
The Church Mouse is now closed for the summer. However, we are open for donations throughout the summer, at the "Donor Door" located on the south side of the building, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Middle Way resumes on Wednesday, September 19.
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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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Opportunity to give
to the
Mission & Ministry of Bethesda
Make a bigger impact by donating long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds, directly to Bethesda-by-the-Sea. Compared with donating cash, or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, you may be able to automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction.
How does it work?
It's simple and easy. When you donate stock to Bethesda-by-the-Sea, you'll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value. And because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase over 20%. Would you prefer to donate bonds or mutual funds? The same benefits apply.
For more information about the variety of ways to support the ministry of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and to transfer securities please contact Turia Roebuck- Hayden, Coordinator for Outreach and Development, 655.4554, ext. 110 or email: turia@bbts.org .
We recommend that you consult with your attorney or tax advisor for the various tax benefits and restrictions that may apply to your specific situation. We are available to you and your advisors to answer questions or help arrange a planned gift to The Church of Bethesda-by-
the Sea
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Caregivers' Support Group
Tuesday, July 17 | 5:30 p.m. | Library
Elayne Forgie, Founder, President, and CEO of Alzheimer's Care Resource Center, Inc. will facilitate this group. Whether your caregiving is a result of illness, age, disability, death, divorce, or anything else, if you are now or have past experience caring for a friend or loved one, this may be the place for you to find information and support. RSVP to (561) 588-4545.
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Father James'
Sabbatical Blog
You can follow Father James on his
sabbatical
journey.
Subscribe to his Reflections posts for email updates.
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Invitation for Altar Flowers
We invite you to make a contribution in memory of (deceased), in honor of (living), or in thanksgiving for (celebration) your loved ones. Your contribution provides for flowers, plants, and altar adornments necessary for worship services throughout the year.
Suggested contribution is $100 per name
to be printed in the service leaflet for a desired Sunday.
In order for names to be printed in the Sunday service leaflet, they must be received two weeks prior to the desired Sunday--
click here.
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Have someone you would like us to pray for?
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Nautical Knitters
Saturdays | 10:30 a.m. | Library
Nautical Knitters are a group of knitters who provide handmade watch caps and scarves for the Port Ministry. These necessities are then blessed and given to mariners at the Port of Palm Beach. All-including beginners-are welcome to attend this fun and free activity.
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Save Your Samples
As you travel, remember to save the small soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc. found in your hotel room. Last year we made 300 gift bags for seafarers who were at sea on Christmas Day. Let's do the same this year.
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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!
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St. George's Sandwich Making
Fridays | 8:00 a.m. | Kitchen | Every Friday people of all ages meet in the kitchen to make sandwiches for the St. George's Community Center in Riviera Beach. The Center serves over 1,900 meals a week. This is a fun opportunity to help feed those in need in our community while getting to know fellow parishioners.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, December 15
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's very own Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation, The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, will be at Bethesda in December. More details to follow.
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We pray for...
Adrienne, Angela, Annie Bell, Austin, Bob, Bonnie, Brenda, Carlin, Charles, Donna, Dorothy, Ellen, Ernie, Evan, Georgia, Gisela, Glenn, Holly, Hunter, Jack, Joe, John, Judy, Kelley, Lynn, Marijane, Marriette, Mary, Mary Ann, Matthew, Michael, Pat, Peggy, Regine, Ricky, Robert, Ron, Rona, Sebastian, Shannon, Shawn, Stephen, Sylvia, Taryn, Thomas, Tim, Tom, Ward, and those serving our country...Alex, Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Luster, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
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