| |
In Pursuit of Wisdom
Throughout the history of the three Abrahamic faiths, each has placed a high value on learning and the core belief that God is the source of all knowledge and the fountain of truth. In our modern world we also understand that education beyond the secondary level is a prerequisite to success in life. Through the generosity of parishioners and donors, Bethesda-by-the-Sea is able to award scholarships to students graduating from Palm Beach County high schools, from Boca Raton to Pahokee, Jupiter to Belle Glade, and all the high schools in between, who fit the criteria of the scholarship program and demonstrate potential for success in higher education and in life after graduation. As an educator, I am proud of Bethesda's commitment to high school students and I value the relationships we are building with young adults.
This Sunday we will recognize the 46 recipients of the Bethesda Memorial Scholarships for academic year 2018-2019, from matriculating freshmen to graduating seniors, who attend schools ranging from Palm Beach Atlantic to Princeton. Please join us as we welcome the students and their families to Bethesda, host a reception in their honor, and send them into the next academic year with our blessings and our prayers.
Burl+
Associate for Christian Education, Pastoral Care, and Outreach
SOPHIA, THE WISDOM OF GOD
Egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted board, 11 x 14 inches, 1999
Written by Betsy Porter, photograph by David Elliott
|
SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2018
Preacher (8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.): The Rev. Burl Salmon
*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
Scholarship Sunday
Reception in the Parish Hall at 11:15 a.m.
Bethesda Scholars will be in attendance.
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.
|
|
Save the Date!
Bethesda's Celtic Pilgrimage
May 3 to May 15, 2019
|
|
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
describes the providing a manna in the wilderness to the Israelites and the letter to the Ephesians in which the author emphasizes the unity of the Jesus Follower community.
Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15
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), the Exodus itself, and the early months in the Wilderness.
In today's reading, the Israelites have not yet reached Sinai, and are complaining (once again) to Moses that it would have been better to have died at the hand of YHWH (!) in Egypt than to starve in the Wilderness.
Because YHWH is perceived as controlling everything in most of the Hebrew Bible, the writers of this story say that the Israelites' deaths in Egypt would have been at the hand of YHWH (v.3) rather than at the hand of Pharaoh.
The God presented in this story is very human-like. YHWH "hears" their complaining (v.7). YHWH "speaks" to Moses (v.4) and responds by sending them manna.
Man hu are the Hebrew words for "What is it?" (v. 15), so the name of the substance is also a play on words. "Manna" is a real thing. The New Oxford Annotated Bible says it is "the carbohydrate-rich excretion of two scale-insects that feed on the twigs of the tamarisk tree."
In Israel today, something called "manna" is sometimes available for purchase in Arab markets. It is sweet and sticky.
Ephesians 4:1-16
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 continues to urge the Jewish Jesus Followers and the Gentile Jesus Followers in Ephesus to be unified in Christ. He urges them to be humble, patient, "bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (v.3).
He emphasizes that there is "one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Christ both ascended and descended so that he might come to all persons. Each person has different gifts for the body's growth in building itself up in love (v.11-12). A perfect (i.e. complete) church is modeled on Christ himself.
|
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.).
|
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.
|
|
Middle Way resumes on Wednesday, September 19.
|
|
141 South County Road · Palm Beach, FL 33480
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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
|
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.
|
Have someone you would like us to pray for?
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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!
|
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.
|
We pray for...
Alex, Angela, Annie Bell, Austin, Avellino Family, Bishop Michael Curry, Bob, Bonnie, Brenda, Caroline, Chadwick, Charles, Colin, Constance ,Cullen Family, Diana, Daniel, Donna, Dorothy, Edna, Ellen, Emily, Ernie, Evan, Gad, Garcia Family, Georgia, Gisela, Holly, Hunter, Jack, Jeanne, Jeannie, Jill, John, Judy, Kathryn, Kelley, Kenny, Lewis, Lou, Lynn, Marcia, Maryjane, Mariette, Mary, Mary Ann, Matthew, Micha, Miguel Sala & Family, Michael, Pat, Patrick, Peggy, Richard, Ricky, Robert, Sala Family, Scott, Sebastian, Shannon, Sharon, Shawn, Sophie, Stephen, Sylvia, Taryn, Thomas, Tom, Ward
,
and those serving our country
...Alex, Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Luster, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
|
|
|
