September 18, 2022

Autumn Sundays

Worship at 9:30 am

Fellowship and Learning Hour Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl

Assisting Minister: Chris Wigren and Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz

Music Intern: Ike Harijanto

Lectors: Adam Marchand and Lily Micale

Altar Guild: Becky Lerud

Ushers: Lee family

Livestream: Blair Goodlin

Tellers: Leslie Dunn and Miles Kirschner

Bread Bakers: Lee family

Coffee Hour: Sue Berube

Gathering around a table and sharing a meal together with those you love can seem unreachable. A rare occurrence.

For some, obtaining the food required for the meal itself is beyond reach. Famine, food deserts and poverty are just some possibilities. Others may be living without a roof, let alone a table around which to gather. The habit of pandemic isolation may continue, and it might not be by choice. Some of our siblings in Christ are just alone, possibly even forgotten.

Geography and jobs and extracurricular activities make it hard to find time to share a meal.

Commitments are many and time is limited. Gathering together for meals now requires coordination of calendars. 

So is it worth the trouble? 

After all, we’ve got drive-throughs and delivered meals and electric lunch boxes that can be plugged in right at our desks. We don’t lack for creative ways to eat alone while on the run or while getting things done.

Yet the dinner table can act as a unifier, a place of community. Sharing a meal is an excuse to catch up, to put aside work and school and the to-do list and take time to be together. Our bodies, and our relationships are nurtured.

But there’s more.

Jesus ate with his disciples, with leaders, and with those in the margins. Sharing a meal together is symbolic of life together. When we break bread, when we commune around a table, we are filled. We are renewed in God’s promise through Jesus Christ, and in the breath of the Holy Spirit. 

So I’d say yes. Yes, it’s worth it. 

Save the Dates

Sunday, October 2  - Blessing of the Animals, 4:00 pm

Sunday, October 2 - American Baroque Orchestra Concert, 7:00 pm

Sunday, October 9 - Memorial Service for Rev. Carl Sharon, former LuMin campus pastor at Yale (then called Luther House) 1:30 pm at Battell Chapel. Attendance is limited due to capacity. Look for an evite for RSVP’s. The service will also be on Zoom.

Saturday, October 15 - Bethesda at the Bowl (Yale Football Tailgate), 10:00 am

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

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.

Learning Hour Fall 2022

You're Invited!

Bethesda values our families with children and we are excited to share our plans for learning together this fall!  We truly hope to see you and your family for fun learning, wondering, and playing about God’s love for us!

-Confirmation Class (entering grades 5, 6, or 7) led by Dan Cortright

-Early Elementary Class (entering grades K, 1, 2, 3, or 4) led by Nora Lee and Elaine Ramshaw

-Preschool Class (ages 0-6) led by Nora Lee and Elaine Ramshaw

Beginning on September 18, classes will meet following worship in the Education Wing. Confirmation in the Muhlenberg Room, and younger learners in the Yellow Classroom.

Younger students will enjoy music time, stories, crafts, and playing together. Confirmation students will continue their journey toward affirming their baptism.  

Please complete the online registration form! Whether you are able to come every Sunday, or only occasionally, we welcome you into our family of learning together in Christ however you feel comfortable.

Please reach out to Nora Lee ([email protected], 203-314-2814 for text or call) or Pastor Keyl ([email protected]) with any questions!

Weekly Forum begins Sunday, September 18 with Eleanor Lee

Sundays at 11 am feature topical conversations during Learning Hour. Sunday, September 18, Eleanor Lee will speak about her weeks at Lutheran Summer Music Academy at Valparaiso University this past July. All are welcome!

Forum Sunday, September 25 at 11:00 by Bethesda’s Youth

Bethesda’s Youth will give a presentation with a slide show on their July mission trip in Chicago. Come, learn about all their projects, and how they navigated mass transit throughout their week. The Forum meets in the Parish House Living Room.

Apple-picking Sunday, September 25 following Learning/Fellowship Hour

Bethesda’s somewhat annual apple-picking will follow fellowship and learning hour on Sunday, September 25, and is for any and all who want to come. Bring your own lunch and eat it with others in the Campanius Room after learning/fellowship hour at noon. We will leave around 12:30 pm and car pool to Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, a half an hour drive from Bethesda. You pay per bag which is provided. If there is time and interest, we can hang outside the farm store where there are cider donuts and kettlecorn, and other things to eat for sale. There is also a corn maze for an additional cost.

RSVP’s will be helpful, but not necessary. Send them to Leigh 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, September 28.

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)

Please join us on Sunday, October 2 at 7pm for the first concert of Bethesda Music Series’ 2022–2023 season!

Join the American Baroque Orchestra, a New Haven-based period instrument ensemble, for a program spanning the historical globe in music. The program will include Benedetto Marcello’s rarely performed Violin Concerto in F, featuring world-class baroque violinist Edson Scheid; and movements from J. S. Bach’s Concerto in F minor for harpsichord and strings, featuring series artistic director Stephen Gamboa-Diaz.

Free admission; reception to follow. Donations accepted to benefit Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS).

Blessing of Animals Sunday, October 2 at 4 pm in front of the Parish House

Bring your pet dog, cat, iguana, fish, favorite stuffed animal, or what have you to remember St. Francis of Assisi and his care for creation and creatures. If you do not have a pet, come to sing, pray and greet our animal companions and their humans.

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]

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.

New England Women of the ELCA Biennial Convention and Gathering - October 27th - 29th at Calumet. Register through September 21st here: https://bit.ly/3wD21IB or contact Vicar Gabrielle for paper registration forms.

Climate Change Concert

A Climate Change Concert is coming to Bethesda on Saturday, September 17 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 or free for students.

Learn more at DignityMusic.org and the attached flyer

Gather New Haven Festival

Gather New Haven, who supports Bethesda's Giving Garden, will host the first annual Gather New Haven Festival to celebrate community, health, wellness, and connections to nature.

When? Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, 11 AM - 5 PM

Where? Goffe Street Park (DeGale Field)

See the attached flyer to learn more.

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].

Diaper Drive

Thank you Bethesda!

On "God's Work. Our Hands." Sunday, we collected 1,570 diapers for the CT Diaper Bank. Woohoo!!

In addition to addressing a small amount of the need in our state, many great conversations were sparked by this drive, including the astonishing cost of diapers! Look for more ways we can help in the future. Thanks to our youth for inspiring us!

And thank you to Richard Ford for delivering the diapers to the warehouse in North Haven!

Upcoming Commemorations

Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179

Saturday, September 17, 2022

A mystic who was widely influential within the church, Hildegard advised and reproved kings and popes, wrote poems and hymns, and produced treatises in medicine, theology, and natural history. She was also a musician and artist.

Dag Hammarskjöld, renewer of society, died 1961

Sunday, September 18, 2022

A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary General of the United Nations until his death in a plane crash while trying to negotiate peace in present-day Zambia. His journal, published as Markings, revealed the depth of his Christian faith.

Nelson Wesley Trout, bishop, died 1996 (TFF)

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

A native of Ohio, Trout served parishes in several parts of the United States before being elected bishop of the South Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, the first African American Lutheran to serve in such a capacity.

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Matthew (or Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. Tax collectors were frequently despised for dishonesty and for assisting the occupiers. Jesus nevertheless showed love for them, and chose Matthew to be a disciple.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: the Arezzini family; Brian Witte, nephew of Dianne Witte; Henry Morris; Mary Ricketts, friend of Chris Wigren; Kathryn and Karolyn Lee, aunts of Chris Lee; George Arndt, father of Lynn Arezzini; Robert Gritz, brother-in-law of Blair Goodlin; 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 Manny and Marion Young, at the anniversary of their baptism.

Prayers for those who mourn:

Former Vicar Maeve Schurz and family, at the death of her sister Catherine “Cate” Schurz, Thursday, September 8th. See the obituary. Prayers are invited particularly at the time of the funeral at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 17.  Cards may be mailed to Maeve and her family at 415 West Prospect Avenue, North Wales, PA 19454.

Lorraine Peterson and family, at the death of her mother, Mary Peterson, February 6, 2021. Bethesda will be holding a Memorial Service on Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary, with an ice cream reception to follow. The service will also be livestreamed on Bethesda’s YouTube channel. All are invited.  Pastor Keyl is looking for worship leaders, including ushers and readers/communion assistants. Please contact him to volunteer at [email protected].