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Weekly Update

Bethesda UCC

October 27, 2022

This Sunday Reading and Themes

Haggai 1:15b-2:9

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Honoring Our Ancestors and Heritage

What are the memories you have of the people or history of BUCC? What has made the most impression on you? Moved you the most? Fed you?

Coming Up in November

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Transgender Day of Remembrance

6:30 pm at BUCC

Join us and other faith communities as we remember our transgender siblings and affirm our love for them.

Linda C. is organizing a soup and bread potluck after the service. Contact her or the office if you would like to contribute.

Opportunities for Giving

Thanksgiving Baskets

Bring your items to the narthex by November 13th. You can also contribute money which will be used to buy Giant gift cards or additional groceries.

Venmo or check - indicate it is for Linkages to Learning

Items for baskets:

Canned vegetables Canned/dried fruit

Cooking oils (olive/canola) Crackers

Dried beans Pasta

Instant mashed potatoes Soup, stew, chili

Peanut or other nut butter

Powdered/shelf-stable milk

Rice (whole grain/brown)

Christmas Toy Drive 2022

The BUCC Sharing Team is pleased to host the annual Christmas toy drive for the National Center for Children and Families. The local Greentree Road campus serves as Santa’s Workshop, providing an opportunity for families served by NCCF’s multiple programs to have access to Christmas gifts for kids age 0-18.

Please consider donating a new unwrapped item or gift card (for teenagers!). A collection bin will be in the narthex Sunday Dec 4 and Dec 11. If you want your donation picked up or need a shipping address let the church office know.

Gift ideas include books, Legos, arts and crafts supplies, blankets, sheets, clothes, blocks, action figures, baby dolls, gift cards for Target, Amazon, Westfield Mall, CVS.

Last Sunday's Sermon Synopsis

Crowding Out Jesus

Luke 19:1-10

On Sunday we looked at the story of Zaccheaus and Jesus. Zaccheaus was a rich tax collector who heard Jesus was coming to town and wanted to see him. But, as we learned in worship, the crowds wouldn't let him get close to where Jesus would walk by.

Scripture tells us this is because he is short. But, we should consider the fact that most people did not like tax collectors. Taxes were steep and were levied by Rome. Tax collectors were wealthy because they got a cut of the taxes. So, for this reason, the crowd would not have been friendly to Zaccheaus and probably would have literally "crowded him out."

Think about how strange it would be for a well-dressed and important person to climb a tree in their best suit. That is what Zaccheaus does in order to get a glimpse of Jesus.

Jesus sees him and calls him out of the tree, saying that he must come to dine with him! The crowd is NOT happy - they criticize Jesus and call Zaccheaus a sinner!

(Even though tax collecting wasn't a sin!)

In just a few words, Jesus tells Zaccheaus he is worthy.

We should think about this story and about how it might apply to us today. Do we act like the crowd and consider some unworthy to see Jesus? Maybe we consider ourselves unworthy and think we must hide up in a tree to see Jesus.

Even when Zaccheaus promises to give to the poor, Jesus doesn't comment on his giving. His giving is not what Jesus uses to confirm his worthiness. You see, you can't buy a relationship with Jesus.

Jesus invites us to walk with him, not because of something we have done - but because of what Jesus has done. Think about that. We are all worthy to be on the walk with Christ. Every single one of us.

Pastor's Message

Why Do What We Do

Last night was the BUCC All Saints Service. The sanctuary was beautiful. Luminaries (bags with lights in them) lined the way into and around the room. Seating was in a semicircle around the communion table. We began by lighting votives for those who we wanted to remember. It was moving, not only to see the light grow as the candles were lit, but to watch people hand the lit taper to the next person. I saw in that the sharing we do - sharing around grief and memories of loved ones. As I looked out from the pulpit/podium I could see the little twinkle lights in the tree in the courtyard. Those too, reminded me of all the people that we care about and continue to miss and how they continue to be an eternal light to us.

We read the names of 17 people - some from BUCC or related to those at BUCC and some who are friends or loved ones. We called out names that were not printed and we lit a candle for those who were unnamed.

At the end of the service people were invited to take roses with them as a keepsake. As I sit here in my office today, the remaining roses sit on my desk, a reminder of the Saints that have gone on before.

Although the service was brief, a lot went into planning and set up. I want to thank all those who showed up early to set up and those that stayed after to clean up. Rev. Jean, Liz, Walt, Carla, Tim, and Mike. Thank you to Valerie for her fine music (as always!).

As I thought about the service last night, I questioned whether all the work was worth it for the few people who showed up. I questioned whether anyone would show up if they didn't have someone on the list of those passed. And here is what is resonating with me.

Yes. Yes, it is worth the time and effort if even one person is touched with our love - if only one person feels some relief from their grief - if only for that time spent in our midst - if only one person knows that someone cares. And even if they couldn't come to the service, they knew we were remembering their loved one. That is important as well.

Sometimes we have to step back and think about the impact we have before we decide if something is worth our time and effort. One of the questions I will be asking in worship this coming Sunday is what here at BUCC has made the most impression on you. What has moved you, has fed you the most in your time here? Was it a service? A person? A special event?

Think about this as you go about your week and come prepared to share your memories on Sunday.

May you have a blessed week,

Pastor Jill

Bethesda UCC