Dear Friends,

On Ash Wednesday, the liturgy includes these words said by the priest: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent.”

As I said in my Ash Wednesday sermon, “Popular misconceptions aside, we are not invited to keep a miserable Lent or a guilt-ridden Lent or a gloomy Lent or even a wretched Lent, but a holy Lent. And holy simply means ‘set apart for God.’ You, in all your imperfections, have been set apart for God. Because God loves you. And in the same way, we are invited to set apart some time for God. Through prayer, worship, reading, whatever your particular Lenten devotion may be. Whatever allows you to set apart some time to spend with God.”

Here at Bethesda, we have a number of opportunities to spend time with God this season, and I encourage you to find what works for you to draw you closer to the heart of Jesus. It may mean being more intentional about joining us for worship on Sunday morning, or attending our informal 12:05 pm Wednesday service, followed by an optional soup lunch. It may include signing up for our Lenten retreat on March 18, or being inspired by the saints of Lent Madness. It may be making time to sit in the empty church to pray, or joining one of our Bible studies. It may mean attending our Sunday forum on the Baptismal covenant, or trying out our Wednesday evening Middle Way programs.

There is no single right way to observe a holy Lent. But I encourage you to choose a practice — especially if it’s outside your comfort zone — and embrace this season. I guarantee you will emerge transformed in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Tim+

11:00 a.m. Children's Chapel (Ages 3 to 10); Sunday School Hall

 #We will livestream the 11:00 a.m. service for those who prefer to participate from home

Following our 12:05 p.m. Wednesday Eucharist during Lent, we will provide homemade soups, along with salad and bread. The cost of the luncheon is $3, payable at the door.

Join us for the first full-length concert on Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea's newly-refurbished 114-rank Austin organ. Richard Elliott is the Principal Tabernacle Organist to The Tabernacle Choir in Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah.

General Admission Seating is $25 and can be purchased here online or at the door.

Music Supporter Preferred Seating & Champagne Reception is $200 and includes a pre-concert Champagne Reception at 6:30 p.m. and preferred seating in the front, center portion of the Nave.

Want to learn about saints and have some fun this Lent? Participate in Lent Madness, the online Lenten devotion created by Father Tim. Log onto www.lentmadness.org on the weekdays of Lent to learn about some inspiring folks and cast your votes!

Reminder -

Pick up groceries for “Share What You Can” to support local food banks.

Pick up a shopping list and drop-off groceries at every Sunday and Wednesday service during Lent, February 26 - March 26.

Jan Fulford will offer an organ recital at 3:30 p.m., followed by Evensong, led by the Bethesda Choir at 4:00 p.m. A free-will offering will be received in the service, and a reception will follow.

On Saturday, March 11 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm, the Bethesda Faith in Action group will be hosting a breakfast for those who serve our local community, including the Palm Beach Police Department, the Palm Beach Fire Department, and staff from our local VA Hospital. If you would like to come volunteer, email Greg Knight at knight@bbts.org to sign up. And, if you would like to meet up with other active Christians who are looking to integrate the lessons of faith into our lives, come join us at our next Faith in Action meet-up. Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Dixie Grill and Brewery.

• Upcoming Bethesda Formation •

A foundational part of our identity as Episcopalians is outlined in our Baptismal Covenant. It’s a set of promises that we make every time we baptize new members into our Church. Over the season of Lent, we will explore more deeply to what we’re saying, “I will…”

If you choose the online option, please join us by using the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86058259817

To learn more about these and other upcoming Adult Education events, visit the Adult Formation section of our website by clicking here.

We will have multiple free Easter egg hunts for various ages. In addition, we will have bounce houses, carnival games, craft tables, and lots of other fun activities. Lunch will also be available for purchase. Invite your friends to come experience a wonderful Spring celebration! All proceeds support the Bethesda Youth Ministries.

To learn more about these and other Children and Youth Ministries events,

visit the website by clicking here.

The intersection of religion and pop culture.

Betsy and Greg look back at A FEW GOOD MEN.

Parishioner Tom O'Brien, a Canon and Examining Chaplain for Scripture of this diocese, writes brief background descriptions of the Sunday readings. Click Here to Read

Prayers for healing and wholeness have been asked for...click here for the names of those who need our prayers.

Prayer Request: Would you like us to pray for you, your family, or friends? Click here or email: ayana@bbts.org

Monday - Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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