| |
|
Seek, Name, and Celebrate!
As a new program year begins at Bethesda, it's time to seek, name, and celebrate Jesus' loving presence among us, then invite our neighbors to experience it with us! This is the mission and ministry of Bethesda's newly formed Evangelism Committee, a mission that radiates out to each and every person who calls Bethesda home, a mission that requires intentionality, a mission that needs you.
The Evangelism Committee is ably led by Beth Cole who returned from the Evangelism 101 Conference in Cincinnati this March, filled with enthusiasm and new ideas. The committee's mission is undergirded by prayer each step of the way
graciously chaired by Georgie Skover serving as chair of our prayer team. She invites each one of you to join in their schedule of daily prayer:
Monday: Pray for the Newcomers at church on Sunday, as well as our Ambassadors, Shepherds, Staff, Clergy, and anyone else who reached out or will be reaching out to our Newcomers.
Tuesday: Pray for the Children's Ministry and new children at church.
Wednesday: Pray for the Clergy and Shepherds' Contacts.
Thursday: Pray for Small Group ministries and Newcomers' Activities.
Friday: Pray for Bethesda at its Best.
Saturday: Pray for all those who will feel called to visit Bethesda or invite someone to join them at church.
Sunday: Pray for those we welcome at church this day and all who reach out to them.
And there's more!
This fall, we will be phasing in a new Ambassador structure lovingly led once again by Sara Griffin. Bethesda will now have both Greeting and Welcoming Ambassadors. Greeting Ambassadors will be stationed at the entrance, either at the Nametag Table with Welcoming Literature, or at the door. They will then seat visitors with parishioners who can guide them through the service, if needed.
Welcoming Ambassadors will be at the Nametag Table after all three services and standing next to clergy in the receiving line. As clergy introduce them to visitors, they will give each visitor a welcoming bouquet of flowers and escort them to Hospitality Hour, introducing them to parishioners. After obtaining their contact information, Welcoming Ambassadors will follow up with a phone call within 36 hours.
Why? If visitors are called within 36 hours, 85% will return; within 72 hours, 60% return; within 7 days, 15% return. If we wait one week, we risk losing 70% of the visitors God sends our way! This critical outreach will be a cornerstone of our program.
Most importantly, each one of you is a Greeter and a Welcomer! It's a vocation to which we are all called. So as the new season begins, be sure to attend Hospitality Hour and look around you for new faces, new people to welcome into the Body of Christ known as Bethesda-by-the-Sea. It is you, who will be enriched beyond measure as you strive to seek, name, and celebrate the Christ in our midst.
Blessings,
Canon Elizabeth+
|
Sunday Schedule
This Sunday we return to a three-service schedule with Eucharists at 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m. The Rite I 8:00 service remains as it does throughout the year. The Rite II 9:00 service ends at 9:45 with the procession leaving the chancel and heading toward Christian education opportunities in the Guild Room (for children) and Parish Hall (for adults). Sunday school and the adult forum runs from 9:50 to 10:50. The Rite II 11:00 service begins after Christian education. From 8:15 until 10:00, we serve hot breakfast in the Parish Hall at a cost of $5 per person/$20 family max. When Fr. James returns and we have a full complement of priests, he, Mother Margaret, and I will serve as hosting priest all morning in the Parish Hall. The changes in the schedule instituted last year allow for more time in Christian formation and fellowship and offer an accessibility to clergy that we had been unable to manage before the changes. So join us at breakfast, in study, and in conversation this Sunday morning as the program year begins at Bethesda. We can't wait to get things going again!
Blessings,
Burl+
|
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2018
Preacher (8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.): The Rev. P.J. Woodall, Jr.
9:00 a.m. - The Rev. Burl Salmon
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
8:30 a.m.
Fellowship Breakfast, Parish Hall West
*9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Healing
9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Finger Food,
Parish Hall West
9:50 a.m.
Adult Forum, Parish Hall East
10:00 a.m.
3 & 4 Year Old Sunday School,
Sunday School Hall
10:00 a.m. K - 2nd Grade Sunday School, Sunday School Hall
10:00 a.m.
3rd - 5th Grade Sunday School, Sunday School Hall
10:00 a.m. 6th & 7th Grade Pre- Confirmation Class, Library
10:00 a.m. 8th Grade Confirmation Group,
ECW Room
9:50 a.m. 9th - 12th Grade Pilgrimage Group, Youth Room
*#11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Healing
Fellowship Breakfast | 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Parish Hall West
We will have a full hot meal cooked on site, with a 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: s
cramble eggs, bacon, chicken apple sausage, breakfast potatoes, and hot buttermilk biscuits.
Adult Forum: Welcome Back | 9:50 a.m. | Parish Hall
Overview of the 2018-2019 Season: The Sunday morning forums begin for the program year today with a welcome back from Beth Cole, Senior Warden and Fr. Burl Salmon, the Associate for Christian Education, Pastoral Care, and Outreach, and an overview of the year-to-come. Start off the year right, making the adult forum a part of your Sunday morning at Bethesda, and learn what the year ahead has in store for our parish.
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 from 7:30 a.m. util 1:30 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.
|
Wednesday Nights
Next Wednesday, 19 September, begins this year's Middle Way, and we're thrilled with this fall's lineup. Whether it's bible study you want, to be a part of a book club, to learn more about Bethesda itself, to look at the theology within movies, or to stretch with some low impact yoga, Bethesda is the place to be on Wednesday night. Come for dinner, stay for a course, and in the night with the peace of ancient compline, but for whatever reason, come!
The course options are listed below, and be sure to, if you wish to join the book club reading
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks to grab a copy from Amazon or in The Shoppe at Bethesda. And if you're interested in joining the bible study, be to grab a copy of
The Path; a Journey Through the Bible from Amazon or The Shoppe.
|
-Middle Way Returns Wednesday, September 19-
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. (serving starts at 5:45 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: salad, bread sticks, lasagna, and baked ziti.
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.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Book Study | Guild Room
Over the course of five weeks, join this discussion of
Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks's best- selling novel People of the Book that follows a
rare, sacred manuscript through centuries of exile and war. This Week: Please read for tonight,
chapter one Hanna: Sarajevo, Spring 1996; pp 1 - 44.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bethesda at Its Best! | Library
Come one, come all for a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Bethesda the special place that it is. 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. | Little Way | Sunday School Hall
For all K-5 kids with a curiosity for what we do at Bethesda and why. Crafts, cooking, learning
games, and playful fellowship will help your little ones learn
about Bethesda's traditions and have a little fun along the way.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Bible Study | ECW Room
Understanding the scriptures is central to any whole life of faith, and we are pleased this year to
offer an ongoing bible study using The Path: A Journey Through the Bible.
6:30 to 7:40 p.m. | Theology in Film - Bethesda Film Club | Choir Room
This intergenerational group will explore how the religious life is revealed
through popular art.
This weeks movie is: Microcosmos (1996). Please watch the movie on your own and come ready to discuss.
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.
|
It is an rare opportunity for a parish to be present with an ordinand in the last stages of her ordination process, but Bethesda has that opportunity with Mother Margaret, who will be ordained to the Sacred Order of priests in Christ's One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on September 15. There are few holier and more joyful moments than the point at which the bishop calls upon the Holy Spirit to make the ordinand a priest, when the power within the room is inexplicable and takes your breath away, when the ontology of the ordained, their essence of being, changes before your very eyes.
Mother Margaret's ordination occurs at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. On behalf of the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, I am one of her presenters, and we would invite anyone who can to join me at the Cathedral that day to represent Bethesda and share in the celebration. So if you're in the New York area or feel a desire to take a trip north for the weekend, please join Margaret and me at St. John the Divine on Saturday the 15th. If you can't make it, please hold her in your prayers at that hour as we bid the Holy Spirit come and make her a priest.
Mother Margaret will remain in New York the following Sunday to be with her family and to celebrate her first mass at St. Bartholomew's Church, her sponsoring parish. She will return to us the following weekend where she will celebrate all three services, and we will honor her with a reception following the 11:00 service.
Blessings,
Burl+
|
|
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
one of the "Suffering Servant Songs" in Isaiah and the admonitions in the Epistle of James regarding speech.
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Book of Isaiah is a composite of writings from three distinct periods in Israel's history. The collection and compilation of the writings continued from about 700 BCE to about 300 BCE.
Chapters 1-39 are called "First Isaiah" and in which a prophet (one who speaks for YHWH) called for Jerusalem to repent in the 20 years before Jerusalem was under siege by the Assyrians in 701 BCE. "Second Isaiah" is Chapters 40 to 55. In these chapters, a prophet brought hope to the Judeans during the Exile in Babylon (587 to 539 BCE) by telling them they had suffered enough and would return to Jerusalem. "Third Isaiah" is Chapters 56 to 66 and, for the most part, a prophet gave encouragement to Judeans who returned to Jerusalem (which had been largely destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE) after the Exile.
Today's reading is part of Second Isaiah and is one of the "Suffering Servant" songs, the longest of which is Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12. The identity of the "Suffering Servant" is sometimes understood as the prophet Isaiah (as in today's reading) but is more commonly is seen as Judea itself, whose suffering in the Exile (as the servant of YHWH) will lead to vindication by YHWH in the restoration to Jerusalem after 539 BCE..
The author of the Gospel According to Mark used many of the Suffering Servant themes to describe the sufferings of Jesus of Nazareth and for the representation that "the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)
James 3:1-12
The authorship of this Epistle is not known, but it has traditionally been attributed to James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jesus Follower community in Jerusalem.
This James (sometimes called "James the Just") is to be distinguished from "James the Great" (the apostle, brother of John, and son of Zebedee) and "James the Less" (apostle and son of Alphaeus).
The letter is addressed to Jewish Jesus Followers and emphasizes the importance of good works. This emphasis has been understood by some (including Luther) as being opposed to Paul's position (particularly in Romans) that one is saved by Faith alone.
Today's reading emphasizes the responsibilities of those who teach (v.1) and discusses the importance of disciplined speech. Although the human tongue is small (v.5), our speech can have a significant influence on others and on ourselves. The author asserts that what we say will be pleasing to God if we avoid unwholesome speech.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Bethesda Youth Group | Thursday, September 20 |
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. | Youth Room
The Bethesda Youth Group is open to all youth in 6th through 12th grade. Each week we offer fun activities and lively discussions. Youth members also participate in monthly special events including our annual lock-in, service day, and camping trip to Peanut Island
|
We need your help in collecting photos from events we have a Bethesda.
Simply email your photo(s) with the name of the event by emailing
info@bbts.org. Sending us your photo does not guarantee we will use them immediately.
|
Father James'
Sabbatical Blog
You can follow Father James on his
sabbatical
journey
click here
.
Subscribe to his Reflections posts for email updates.
|
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.
|
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 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.
|
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...
Angela, Ann, Austin, Barbara, Brenda, Brittany, Caroline, Carson, Cathy, Charles, Denise, Donna, Dorothy, Edna, Ellen, Emily, Ethan, Evan, Frederick, Holly, Hunter, Isabelle, Jack, Janie, John, Joy, Karen, Katherine, Kathryn, Kelley, Kitty, Louise, Lynn, Marcia, Margaret, Mariette, Mary, Mary Ann, Margo, Matthew, Melanie, Melissa, Michelle, Michael, Nancy, Nikki, Pamela, Pat, Patrick, Paul, Peggy, Richard, Ricky, Robert, Robbie, Rosie, Sally, 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.
|
|
|
