October 9, 2022

Autumn Sundays

Worship at 9:30 am

Fellowship and Learning Hour Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl

Preacher: Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Assisting Minister: Eleanor Lee

Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz

Music Intern: Ike Harijanto

Lectors: Chris Lee and Greta Lee

Altar Guild: Clarissa Youngberg

Ushers: Blair Goodlin and Becky Lerud 

Livestream: Nora Lee

Tellers: Leslie Dunn and Martin Gehner

Bread Bakers: Lee family

Coffee Hour: Vicar Gabrielle Brown

From the Pastor

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses… even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) 

The logo above and the quote serve as the theme for our stewardship emphasis this year at Bethesda. Get used to seeing them. Gear up for learning more about how the Spirit gives us power to share our story, engage with the church, and with the world to whom we are called to give witness.

When you think about stewardship do you only think about money? It’s okay if you do, because stewardship is indeed about money, but not only money, but everything which is in the purview of God’s presence, influence, and creation. Stewardship, in the word’s of teacher Mark Alan Powell, “is about giving to God.”

He also talks about “getting completely wet,” as in allowing God’s enveloping us totally through the washing waters of baptism. Not just our big toe, or our heads only, but our entire being is a vessel for God’s good work in loving, redeeming, and making holy the world in which we live.

Mark Alan Powell, using the immersive aspect of baptism for our entire selves also says, “Money is the one thing that most of us would like to keep dry.” So in a fanciful and figurative way, let us baptize our wallets. Let us think about the ways our lives in God are blessed to be a blessing, and include the ways we use our money, the ways we give to care for others, and to serve to bless the church, which is the people of God.

Our Stewardship Team–Calli Micale, Blair Goodlin, Vicar Gabrielle, Brown, and Dianne Witte–are putting together a process this month through November 13 to remind us of the Spirit’s power to build faith and in the mind of Stewardship how we might be prompted to “give to God.”

We will be leading a forum series begin October 9 in conversation with Mark Alan Powell’s helpful book Giving to God, gleaning scripture, sharing his ideas and stories, and responding to it with our own stories and ideas.

What does stewardship mean to you? What role has money played in your life? How do you understand giving and generosity?

Stay tuned. It will be worth your while.

Pastor Tim Keyl

Save the Dates

Sunday, October 9 - Memorial Service for Rev. Carl Sharon, former LuMin campus pastor at Yale (then called Luther House) 1:30 pm at Dwight Chapel. Attendance is limited due to capacity. Click here to access the RSVP form or the Zoom link.

Sunday, October 30 - Concert Series: Reformation Concert, 4:30 pm

Sunday, November 6 -New Members Received

January 13-16 - Bethesda at Camp Calumet

Sunday Worship Livestream

We stream Sunday worship services live on Bethesda’s YouTube Channel. Join us live at 9:30 am every Sunday or watch the recording afterward.

Click here to view this Sunday's bulletin.

Dinner Church is around a meal in your home over Zoom

Wednesday nights beginning at 6:00 pm

Click here to join on Zoom

From your kitchen or dining room table beginning at 6:00 pm, Dinner Church is framed by prayer, informal and guided conversation, prayers of thanks over bread and wine, and eating together virtually. Have something on hand similar to bread and wine. Come to be with or meet friends from Bethesda and its community. Look to reflect on scripture and spiritual readings. All this provides a kind of communion liturgy over the course of a meal.

The theme for our autumn gatherings is Vocation.

Questions? Ask Pastor Keyl.

Sunday Forums: Stewardship Series

Stewardship Series begins on Sunday, October 9 with a discussion on the book Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life, by Mark Allan Powell. This will be led by Bethesda’s Stewardship Committee: Blair Goodlin, Calli Micale, Dianne Witte, and Pastor Keyl. Order your books on your own or by contacting Leigh Cromey at [email protected].

New Member Sessions at noon on Sunday, October 9 and 16

Are you new to Bethesda? A student? Join others who are interested in becoming members to learn more about our community and its ministry. Lunch will be provided. Students may retain their permanent membership at their home congregations and still be associate members at Bethesda. New members will be received on All Saints Sunday, November 6. Please RSVP to Pastor Tim at [email protected].

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study meets every other Wednesday at 8:00 am on Zoom. The series on the Book of Acts continues on Wednesday, October 12.

When? Every other Wednesday at 8:00 am

Where? On Zoom, click here to join (or join by telephone: 203-432-9666; Meeting ID: 961 0888 6279)

Bethesda-at-the-Bowl is back!

After a multi-year hiatus, BATB is back in full measure – meaning parking lot tailgating and a Yale football game. Mark your calendar on Saturday, October 15, 2022, when the Yale Bulldogs take on the Bisons of Bucknell University. Gametime is noon and tailgating will be from 10:00a–11:30a. This is a family friendly event. More information to come. Please contact Don Youngberg if you are interested – [email protected], (203) 464-3208. Boola Boola!  

See attached flyer.

Bethesda is going to Camp Calumet!

On MLK weekend, January 13-16 Bethesda folks of all ages will head to northern New Hampshire to the ELCA retreat center, Camp Calumet. Our time there will be spent playing in the snow, board games and puzzles by the fire, hiking, eating good food, laughing and lots of great conversation. We are making plans now and would like to finalize our reservation by 12/19. Please contact Natalie Judd at [email protected] or 203-605-9515 if you are interested in learning more or signing up. 

Scholarship monies are available.

Bethesda Green Team

An October 2022 Food Challenge for Christian Community Action 

Once again Thrivent is offering a challenge for the month of October referenced as FeedNE2022. If Bethesda collects and delivers over 500 staple food items during October, then as an incentive, Thrivent will contribute an additional $500 to Christian Community Action. As in the past similar programs, Bethesda has been extremely generous and has donated well over 700 food items all to the benefit of CCA’s food pantry and ultimately to community persons, and families, who need such support.

Each Monday during October all donated items will be delivered to CCA. Please encourage your friends to participate as they may wish. Each food item is your blessing to others who are blessed by it. Thank you for your gracious outreach. 

Thank You from CCA

Christian Community Action has reached out to express their gratitude for food donations from Bethesda, including fresh produce from the giving garden. Click here to view their letter.

Internal Audit Volunteers Needed!

No, you do not have to be a CPA to join a small team to review Bethesda's 2021 books! Most anyone can undertake this volunteer opportunity. The procedure is well defined, has good instructions, and has a clear time frame. Looking to be helpful on this important short-term project? Contact Pastor Keyl or Rachelle Goto for details.

Blessing of the Animals, October 2

One cat named Charlotte, one greyhound named Aura, and one lovey named Hildegard graced us with their presence as we recalled St. Francis and gave thanks for animal companions.

American Baroque Orchestra Concert, October 2

80+ attended this first concert of the music series season in support for IRIS.

Wanted - Your Photos and Videos!

Fantastic photos and videos of Bethesda events parked on your phone? We'd love to share them on Bethesda's social media and website!

Please upload media to this Google Drive folder.

If you do not have a Google profile or cannot access the folder for any reason, feel free to email your photos to John at [email protected].

Upcoming Commemorations

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787

Friday, October 7, 2022

Divided Lutherans in America asked leaders in Europe to send someone who could take charge and unite their work. Muhlenberg was sent, and was effective in organizing the American Lutherans. Among other accomplishments, his liturgical principles became the basis for the Common Service of 1888.

Massie L. Kennard, renewer of the church, died 1996 (TFF)

Monday, October 10, 2022

A native of Chicago, Kennard was a major figure in supporting and working toward ethnic and racial inclusiveness in the former Lutheran Church in America. Ordained in 1958, he served in positions including Director for Minority Concerns of the Division for Mission in North America.

Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer of the church, died 1582

Saturday, October 15, 2022

A mystical writer and reformer of the monastic order (Carmelites) to which she belonged, Teresa may also be commemorated with John of the Cross on December 14. Latino Christians traditionally remember her on this date.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; Carole DeVore; Brian Witte, nephew of Dianne Witte; Mary Ricketts, friend of Chris Wigren; Kathryn and Karolyn Lee, aunts of Chris Lee; George Arndt, father of Lynn Arezzini; Michelle Lee, friend of Christina Castañeda; Mark Barnett, nephew of Becky Lerud; Marie Gray; Sonja Krummrey; Maureen Anderson; Natalie Denardis, granddaughter of Gail Denardis; Shirley Farm; Anne and Lee Keck; Kay Leone; Molly Dinneen; Karen (Starbranch) Blitch, daughter of Chuck Starbranch.

For those serving in the military.

For our partners in the Gospel: the congregations and schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) and LuMin Campus Ministry.

For Bethesda New Haven: that God continues to guide us into the future with ministries of witness, service, hospitality, and care while building up our community in all its diversity.

For those in candidacy for rostered leadership in the ELCA: Natalie Benson and Calli Micale. 

For those who mourn: Christi and Micah Sharon, at Sunday’s Memorial Service for Rev. Carl Sharon hosted by LuMin.