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August is National Make-a-Will Month
We are God's stewards, entrusted to use His gifts for the good of our family and our church family. In thanksgiving, we should also take will writing seriously - setting your affairs in order and stewarding them wisely to the end of our time on earth and beyond.
Every year thousands of people die without leaving a will. Making a will and updating it regularly is the only way to make sure your wishes are carried out after your death, giving you peace of mind that you can continue to support the family, friends and causes you love.
Did you know that August is 'National Make-a-Will' month? Although having a valid will is one of the best ways to ensure that your end-of-life wishes will be fulfilled, only about 50% of Americans have an up-to-date written will. It's always best to use a qualified attorney to set up your estate plans.
For the many members that have named Bethesda in their wills are members of the Heritage Society. This special recognition honors and recognizes those who have taken this important step to ensure Bethesda will be serving God and the world for generations to come
. The Society also acknowledges all those faithful parishioners in previous generations without whose generosity, courage, and vision, we would not be the vibrant parish we are today.
Already completed your estate plans? Have questions on becoming a member of the Heritage Society? For more information, please contact Turia Roebuck- Hayden at 561-655-4554 ext. 110 or at
turia@bbts.org
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Turia Roebuck-Hayden
Outreach & Development Coordinator
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 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
11:15 a.m. Church Tour
Tour begins in the Chancel (front of the church),
immediately following the service.
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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Get ready to dive into Bethesda's Sea of Color at this year's Ministry Fair! Our Annual Ministry Fair is the perfect opportunity to learn and sign up to volunteer in our many different ministries. Don't forget to wear one or more colors to church that day representing the ministry/ministries you already are a part of [
Bethesda Cares (blue),
Education (orange),
Evangelism (green),
Communications (silver),
Fellowship & Hospitality (red),
Outreach (yellow),
Retail (pink), and
Worship (purple)]. All are encouraged to attend this fun day of fellowship.
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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 so-called "Covenant at Shechem" which the Deuteronomists used to "convict" the people of Israel of their failure to worship YHWH properly, and the concluding part of the Letter to the Ephesians in which the author uses metaphors of armor to describe being a Jesus Follower.
Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
The authors of the Book of Joshua (called "the Deuteronomists") were also the authors of the books of Deuteronomy, Judges, Samuel and Kings. These books were given their final form around 550 BCE - long after the events they described.
The Deuteronomists used the stories in these five books to make the case that it was the failures of the people and the Kings of Israel and the Kings of Judea to worship YHWH and obey God's commands that led to the conquest of Northern Israel in 722 BCE by the Assyrians and the conquest of Judea by the Babylonians in 597 BCE. (The conquests were not seen as the result of the Assyrians' and Babylonians' greater wealth and more powerful armies.)
The Book of Joshua is part of this "Deuteronomic History." It covers the entry of the Israelites into the Promised Land by crossing the River Jordan (around 1225 BCE, if the account is historical), the swift conquest by Joshua of the people that were in the land (starting with Jericho), the allocation of the lands among the tribes, and concludes with the "Covenant at Shechem" by which the people swear (acting as their own witnesses) to be faithful to YHWH.
In today's reading, Joshua assembles the tribes in Shechem (an important religious and political center) and challenges them whether they will serve YHWH. The people promise to serve YHWH and put away foreign gods in this Covenant at Shechem.
The Deuteronomist used this Covenant at Shechem to "convict" the Israelites of their own later failures to worship YHWH as the cause of their conquests by foreign powers. YHWH is presented by the Deuteronomists as faithful to YHWH's promises (such as the promise to Abraham of the land and the promise that David's "house" would rule forever). The later failures of the people (and their kings) to worship YHWH was a breach of their own Covenant.
Ephesians 6:10-20
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.
Today's reading is the last of the six portions of the Letter to the Ephesians that have been presented in recent weeks.
Today, the author portrayed life as a Jesus Follower as a struggle against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers and the spiritual forces of evil. He urged that believers put on the armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and use one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit (which the author says is the word of God).
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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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Only 3 Sundays left to join us! We've had far fewer people join us this year than in the past--have we scared you away?! You're welcome to join several members of the Bethesda Choir each Sunday promptly at 9:00 a.m. as we prepare music for the 10:00 service. Summer Choir continues through Sunday, September 9--please join us!
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Safe Church Training
Saturday, August 25
9:30 a.m. | Parish Hall
Safeguarding God's Children training is required for all people who directly or indirectly work with children and youth ministries including volunteers, Vestry members, and church staff. This in-person training is offered on Saturday, August 25 in order to fulfill that requirement. Please plan to attend if you are involved in children and youth ministries or if you would like to learn more about Bethesda's policies regarding care for our young people. For more information, contact Greg Knight at
knight@bbts.org or call
(561) 655-4555 x114.
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Father James'
Sabbatical Blog
You can follow Father James on his
sabbatical
journey
click here
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Subscribe to his Reflections posts for email updates.
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The Way of Love... Evangelism 101
Saturday, December 15, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Bethesda hosts The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's very own Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation.
Join us as we seek, name, and celebrate Jesus' loving presence in the stories of all people and learn how to articulate the power of faith in our own lives tell our own stories. Lunch will be provided. Donations are accepted.
To find out more and to register for this event,
click here.
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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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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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We pray for...
Alex, Angela, , Austin, Avellino Family,
Barbara
, Brenda, Brittany, Caroline, Chadwick, Charles, Carson, Cathy, Colin, Cullen Family, Diana, Daniel, Dawn, Donna, Dorothy, Edna, Ellen, Emily, Ernie, Evan, Frederick, Garcia Family, Holly, Hunter, Isabelle, Jack, Janie, Jeanne, Jeannie, Jill, Joe, John, Judy, Katherine, Kathryn, Kelley, Kenny, Lewis, Lou, Louise, Lynn, Marcia, Maryjane, Mariette, Mary, Mary Ann, Margo, Marqueas, Matthew
Melanie,
Michelle,
Michael, Pamela, Pat, Patrick, Paul, Peggy, Richard, Ricky, Robert, Robbie, Sala Family, Scott, Shannon, Sharon, Shawn, Siena, Sophie, Stephen, Sylvia, Taryn, Thomas, Tom, Vincent, Ward, and those serving our country...Alex, Benjamin, Christian, Clara, Eric, Harold, Herbert, John, Lorne, Luster, Michael, Sean, and Tommy.
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