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Weekly Update

Bethesda UCC

October 27, 2022

Opportunity for Giving

There are still a few items needed for the 30x30 campaign. Go to sign up genius to see what is still needed and sign up for an item. Sign up here

You can help ease the transition for someone who has experienced homelessness into a home of their own by providing these household essentials. Items collected will be provided to a person or family supported by Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.

Coming Up...

November 1st

All Saints Day Worship

7:00 pm

In-person and on Zoom

Join us as we remember those who have passed on this year. There will be candle lighting, communion, and remembrance activities.

Please send Colleen the names of those family and friends who you would like listed in the program.

November 2021-October 2022

Know someone who has lost a loved one? Why not call them, invite them to come to the service with you and ask if they'd like a name printed in the program?

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Transgender Day of Remembrance

6:30 pm at BUCC

Last Sunday's Sermon Synopsis

Preparing for the Journey

Mark 6:7-11; 1 John 4:17-18; Psalm 119: 1-2

On Sunday we looked at what we must pack for our journey as Christ followers out in the world.

Members of the congregation, in the sanctuary and on zoom, offered a variety of things we should include:

Love
Hope
Compassion
Care
Patience
Respect
Forgiveness
Faith

We looked at how we might use these as spiritual gifts not only as we go about our lives out in the world, but as we progress through our transition journey together.

As we work together to determine our future, we may need these things. As we look at BUCC's heritage and identity, discuss opportunities and aspirations, we may need to remember these items on our packing list.

As we progress on our journey, we must not only pack these things - but be willing to actually take them out of our bags and use them!

What is packed in your bags?

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Transgender Day of Remembrance

6:30 pm at BUCC

In-person and on Zoom

November 20th is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. We remember and honor those who have been killed in the last year. We yearn for a time when everyone can live their authentic lives in peace. This year, BUCC will host the service that will bring a variety of other faith communities together to honor our Transgender siblings with a sense of remembrance and pride. This event is rooted in the survival and thriving of Transgender people. This service is presented with the trans population in mind. It is our hope that the service speaks to trans people and helps them to feel seen, heard, and uplifted.

Would you like to assist in this effort? There are opportunities for you to be involved in hosting a small reception after the service, in preparing the space late Sunday afternoon, and in being present and welcoming to those visiting our church. Please let Pastor Jill know if you are interested.

Pastor's Message

Encountering the Gospel of Matthew this Winter

Do you ever wonder how we preachers choose what scriptures to read each Sunday? Sometimes we choose something that we feel the Spirit has moved us to share that week, but most often we use what is called the Revised Common Lectionary.

The lectionary is a collection of scriptures that include weekly readings from the Hebrew Bible, including Psalms, the Gospels, and other books in the New Testament. There are three cycles - in three years. They are designed to move us through scriptures over a three-year period.

Each year, at Advent, we start a new cycle of readings. This year, starting on the first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle A. The gospel for Cycle A is Matthew. That said, since we will be reading Matthew during worship, I thought we should pair that with an in-depth study of the Gospel.

Many of you know that for several years I have hosted an on-line (Zoom) Bible study. Some of our BUCC folks have attended that. When I came to BUCC I put the study on hold while I got oriented in this new environment. Now that I've settled in and we are about to start a new lectionary cycle, it is time to get back to Bible study!

After talking with Rev. Jean, it seemed that it would be interesting to offer Bible study online AND in person. So, each week there will be two versions of the same study - the first is in person at 12:00 noon after worship. Folks that would like to stay after church for study can get a quick snack at coffee time and then we'll meet in the library or parlor for study. The same lesson will then be offered online through Zoom on Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm. You are certainly welcome to attend either or both. If one week you are attending service and want to stay - great! If another week you want to do zoom, that is great as well.

If you haven't been in my Bible Study before, here is what to expect. The study is scholarly, often including discussions of context, word usage, author intent, etc. As a Greek-geek, I often include what Greek words are used and the different translations of those words. With Matthew I expect we'll be looking at some Hebrew word usage as well.

Sessions last an hour and I include a slide presentation which I email out after the lesson. There is lots of discussion - it is not a lecture. We will read a passage/chapter, I will present some information, and we will discuss.

Our online class includes a variety of people who have regularly attended over the years, so if you join our online group, you will meet some new people!

Ready to explore Matthew? Study will start November 20th at noon at BUCC and Wednesday, November 22nd at 6pm online. No text other than the Gospel of Matthew is needed. Hope to see many of you there!

May you have a blessed week,

Pastor Jill

Bethesda UCC