October 29, 2023
Reformation Sunday
Worship at 9:30 am
Followed by Fellowship and Learning Hour

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl

Acolyte: Eleanor Lee

Assisting Minister: Priscilla Melendez

Organist & Music Director: Isaac Lee

Lectors: Rachelle Goto, Clarissa Youngberg, &

Kari Henkelmann Keyl

Altar Guild: Clarissa Youngberg

Livestream: Miles Kirschner

Tellers: Rachelle Goto & Martin Gehner

Ushers: Abigail Kromminga & Daniel Pflueger

Bread Baker: Chris Wigren

Coffee Set-Up:Tyler Fair

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 access this Sunday's bulletin.

This Week at Bethesda

From the Pastor

Proud to be Lutheran

Old Lutheran sells trinkets and apparel targeting Lutherans. Based in the humble Midwest, its logo used to say something like “Proud to be Lutheran (but not too proud!)”

I think it’s okay to be proud. Near the date of the Reformation, October 31 (when Luther posted the 95 Theses in 1517), Lutherans mark the Festival of the Reformation. This Sunday we will deck out the sanctuary in red, and you are invited to wear red clothing (red is a liturgical color for a festival of the church). We may recall the influence of Martin Luther ushering in a reform movement. We may claim that the Lutheran experiment is primarily a teaching movement within the one, holy, and catholic (meaningful universal, “for everybody”) church. We may lament that harm that Martin Luther and a church named after him caused in his castigating Jews. We may rejoice at the great work of ecumenism that the current Lutheran church has been leading for years, including the Joint Declaration on Justification between the Roman Catholic Church and The Lutheran World Federation. Just for starters.

But it’s really all about grace. Martin Luther applied his own experience with a God whom he had been schooled to think was angry with him, and a church that only demanded requirements of him, but then in reading scripture had a turnaround experience that changed everything. And this was that God’s intention was really to love him and the whole world. And through Christ’s saving act on the cross and rising from the dead we are released from the burden of sin so that we can indeed live freely and wholly into the life that begins a baptism.

That’s something to be proud of, rejoice in, and claim to fling wide the door of our community to welcome all into.

Go ahead. Say you’re a Lutheran, and rejoice on Reformation Sunday. And everyday.

Pastor Tim Keyl

When the gospel is yours “by heart,” that is when the Holy Spirit speaks the gospel into your heart, that’s when God will set your lips to singing the language of the catechism: God’s work “is done out of pure, fatherly, and divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness of mine at all”

Arriving empty-handed before God and hearing the gospel in response will draw out…words of true confession, of being a real sinner, and of the greatness of Christ’s gift on the cross and in the empty tomb. And God will move you to live faithfully because you’re created anew. No longer will you simply fear God’s judgment, but now God will be the object of your love.

–from By Heart: Conversations with Martin Luther’s Small Catechism

Council Corner Oct. 2023

At the October Council meeting members of the executive committee along with Rachelle, chair of the Bethesda’s Sustainable Future Task Force, updated the council at large on significant developments toward securing a partner for the campus. Over the course of the four weeks since council last convened, there had been numerous meetings with interested nonprofit organizations, as well as other groups and individuals with interest or expertise in this area. The executive committee shared their great excitement for at least two schools that have indicated sincere interest in taking over the property while potentially allowing Bethesda to worship and conduct congregational ministry in this place. Upon hearing these updates, the council at large shared the sense of excitement and voted unanimously to bless the executive committee and others in their continued conversations with interested parties. The organizations have requested confidentiality in these conversations and the council agreed to honor their request.

We recognized with gratitude that the charge to the Bethesda’s Sustainable Future Task Force had been fulfilled, and the group was dissolved. The council authorized the executive committee to collect information and communicate on further developments in this area.

The constitutional amendment task force presented their work on updating our governing document. With gratitude for the task force’s exemplary attention to detail, extensive research, and thoughtful descriptions of our life together, the council approved the changes for presentation to the congregation, pending review by Rev Tim Oslovich, the New England Synod's constitution expert. The membership will have the opportunity to approve the changes at a future congregational meeting.

Nora Lee, Secretary

Remembering Those Who Have Died on All Saints, November 5

Please add the names of loved ones you want included for the All Saints service on Sunday, November 5 to the white binder (located in the Narthex) or email the names to [email protected].

Names can be family members, friends, or anyone throughout history that you'd like to bring to God's mercy.

CCA Update

Former students called to congregations in Connecticut invite us to their installations

Former student Rev. Ben Groth YDS MDiv ‘12 will be installed as Pastor of First Lutheran Church in New Britain, CT on Sunday, October 29 at 4:00 pm. Ben’s wife Chloe served as Bethesda’s first caretaker after Pastor Keyl arrived while she and Ben lived in the newly renovated apartment.

Former vicar Rev. Kurt Saenger-Heyl Wartburg Theological Seminary MDiv ‘23 (at Bethesda 2021-2022) will be installed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook, CT on Sunday, November 5 at 3:00 pm. The color of the day is red. Clergy are invited to process.

Bethesda Bible Study

Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, November 8 at 8 am on Zoom to discuss The Letter to the Romans.

We will pick up at chapter 5 page 32, #10 of N. T. Wright's Romans which corresponds to The Letter to the Romans 4:1-25.

If we finish we will continue with Wright's chapter 6 which corresponds to The Letter to the Romans 5:1-21.

To access the call on Zoom, join from PC,Mac, Linux, IOS or Android: https://yale.zoom.us/j/96108886279

or Telephone: 203 432 9666

Meeting ID:  961 0888 6279

Stewardship Emphasis October-November, 2023

October 18, 2023
Feast Day of Luke, Evangelist

Thus says the Lord, the one who created you, O Israel, who formed you, O Jacob: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” -Isaiah 43:1

Dear members of the body of Christ at Bethesda,

We are called!

God created us with gifts and called us through baptism into communities of faith where we can share those gifts. In this season, we are pausing to notice some of those gifts within ourselves and our communities, pausing to see what God might be up to in our midst.

As we consider the many ways we offer ourselves and our time, we encourage you to notice how others in our congregation and community are making an impact by being the person God created and called them to be. There is a display at church where you are invited to name ways you see people using their gifts to serve others, bring beauty to the world, share kindness – anything that represents them being who they are in ways that positively shape our common life. At the display you’ll find post-it notes to write those down. If you can’t make it in person, send them by postal mail or to [email protected].  As each individual gift is shared we will begin to see a deeper picture of the ways God has created and called us as a whole faith community.

As we look then at what we are being called to in this place and time, we also offer our financial resources to support the ministry to which we have been called. We invite you to prayerfully consider an increase of one-half percent of your income to offer to the church in the coming year. You might especially consider how you might grow by a percentage or stretch a bit further as you respond to God’s call to share your gifts. As a way to note your commitment to yourself and to help the congregation think about its capacity for mission in the coming year, we invite you to fill out an intentional giving card (found here Stewardship Pledge Form 2024.pdf) and bring it to worship with you on or before Sunday, November 12, or mail or email it to the church office (see email above) in advance. Alternatively, you can pledge online using this link Online Stewardship Pledge Form 2024. Then join us on November 12 for a special potluck celebration after worship.

Throughout these weeks we are reflecting in worship and in other parts of our ministry about this question of the gifts we are being called to share. We hope you can join us as we celebrate God’s movement among us.  

In Christ,

Pastor Keyl and the Stewardship Team (Callie Micale, Marietta Meyer, Dianne Witte, and Blair Goodlin)

Click here for online stewardship pledge form

Super Saturday November 11

Dear Bethesda families and friends:

So glad to be celebrating our first SUPER SATURDAY of this fall On Saturday, November 11 @ 5:00 PM in the Parish House living room. As always, we will play outside (weather permitting), will eat pizza, salad, and ice cream. And YES, we will watch an age-appropriate movie (suggestions for movies, please). You are welcome to bring snacks or something to share. I will bring salad and ice-cream.

Invite your family and friends!!! And thanks be to God for the opportunity of being in community!!

Also mark your calendar for the CCA Thanksgiving Basket Assembly Fun on November 18 from 11:30-1:30 at 555 Columbus Ave. More information later.

Best wishes,
Priscilla

RSVP if you can come, but come anyway if you forget to respond.

We Need Volunteers for November

Email administrative assistant, Tyler Fair ([email protected]) to volunteer for needed roles!

Thanks for volunteering and signing the orange binder! The following roles need filled for November 5th: 2 readers, altar guild, 2 ushers, tellers, livestream

Bethesda Pews

In order to more comfortably accommodate an orchestra and other large gatherings, some front pews have been removed and temporarily placed along the eastern wall of the sanctuary. Members of the executive committee are working on finding a place to take them to avoid tossing them in a landfill. If you are feeling nostalgic and would like one, please reach out to Leigh ([email protected]) to indicate your interest. A piece of Bethesda’s history could be yours!

Soup at Home is BACK!!

You are cordially invited to our first SOUP DINNER gathering to share soup, bread, salad, dessert, and conversation on Friday, November 3rd at 6 PM at Priscilla and Aníbal’s home (59 Nutmeg Hill Rd., Hamden).

Bring your bowl and bring one of these items if you wish:

- Soup Volunteers:

  - Meléndez/González
  - Judds
  - Need one or two more

- Bread
- Salad
- Dessert

- Wine (if your bottle is not consumed, you can bring it back for the next Soup at Home)

Best wishes,
Priscilla & Aníbal

RSVP:

[email protected]  or [email protected]

Reformation Day Lecture at YDS

United Lutheran Seminary President Guy Erwin will give a lecture titled “A Mirror of Compassion and Mercy: The Passion of Christ for Luther and Today” on Tuesday, October 31, at Yale Divinity School

Erwin’s lecture will take place at 4 p.m. in Niebuhr Hall.

The Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin was appointed president of United Lutheran Seminary and Ministerium of Pennsylvania Chair and Professor of Reformation Studies on August 1, 2020. Prior to this appointment, he was fourth bishop of the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

President Erwin is the ELCA’s first gay, partnered bishop and the first openly gay male to serve in that office in the churches of the Lutheran World Federation. As an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, on whose reservation he was born in Oklahoma, he is the first Native bishop in the ELCA.

The lecture is sponsored by the Lutheran Studies Program at Yale Divinity School.

Bethesda’s Youth are making pies!

We hope you can help send our confirmation class to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! To help us get there, we are making pies just in time for holiday celebrations. We will be making pumpkin and apple crumb pies and selling them on Sunday, November 12. No advance orders this year.

Pies will be made by the youth and frozen before baking. Each pie is $20, and payment may be made by cash or check (made out to Bethesda with “Youth Fundraiser” in the memo line), or online by selecting “Youth Fundraiser” from the drop down menu. Pies will be available for sale on Sunday, November 12 with any unsold pies available on November 19th.

Thank you!

~ Greta, Henry, Lily, and Louis

Learning Hour Sunday after worship for all ages

Learning Hour begins after worship for these groups (snacks provided):

 - Children in Primary Grades (or younger, too!) meet with Elaine Ramshaw and Nora Lee. They gather in the yellow classroom at the end of the education wing on the right for songs, stories, and sharing.

 - Confirmation Youth (Middle School) meet with Dan Cortright in the Muhlenberg Room at the end of the education wing on the left to continue their exploration of the resource Manna and Mercy.

 - Under Learning Hour, paste Confirmation Youth (Middle School) meet with Dan Cortright and Pastor Keyl in the Muhlenberg Room to talk about Martin Luther and the Reformation; replace the last bullet with There will be no forum today

On a recent Sunday, the children in grades 2 and 3 were delighted to learn about the Passover story from a Jewish Yale undergrad, Chloe Shiffman. She brought her love of teaching Hebrew School and her joy for being with children. She taught two songs: a beautiful Miriam’s Song and a fun Frog Song. The kids enjoyed drawing one of the ten plagues or making up a plague of their own. We are grateful for Chloe’s enthusiasm for sharing her faith traditions with us! And we are thankful for Elaine for setting up the visit!

MEF Matching Grant in support of Student Ministry

Join the Mission Endowment Fund in supporting Bethesda's Student Ministry fund. Your dollars will be doubled!

Bethesda has hosted a series of three Vicars in as many years. They have each enriched our community in countless ways, not to mention the opportunities, challenges and learning that we provided for them! While we are taking a break from that ministry currently, there is a small negative balance in the student ministry fund for items already paid out. Your contributions will help satisfy this commitment.

The MEF grant will match all donations up to $2,800. Please donate today by designating "Student Ministry Fund" through Tithely, PayPal or by check.

Facilities Work Day November 4th

Thank you to Richard Ford for painting the bridge railing this week!

There will be a facilities work day on Saturday, November 4th. The plan is to work on cleaning up the area behind the chapel/education wing and to do vine removal on the side of the chapel. Let's plan to meet at 8am as long as the weather is good and work for just a few hours. Please bring tools, gloves, etc if you're able to join.

Pastoral Care

If you’d like to meet with Pastor Keyl, please make an appointment through Bethesda’s administrator Leigh Cromey [email protected]  or by calling (203) 787-2346 most weekday mornings. Pastor Keyl can meet at your home, at Bethesda, or over a cup of coffee somewhere.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Michele Meyer, daughter-in-law of Marietta Meyer; Ray Bussolini, Pastor Betsy Williams, Les Swenson; Linda Johnson; John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; Marie Gray; Sonja Krummrey; Maureen Anderson; Shirley Farm; Anne and Lee Keck; Kay Leone; Molly Dinneen; Matthew H., cousin of Tyler Fair.

For those who mourn: Gail Denardis and family, at the death of her stepson Paul Denardis on October 24.

Thanksgiving for Baptism: Louis Young at the anniversary of his baptism, November 4, 2012.

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 House and Yale Divinity School students.

For our Ecumenical Partners Worldwide: Canada, USA. The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year.

Pray for an end to violence in the Middle East: Donations are being received from Lutheran Disaster Response, or you may give through Bethesda, memo: “ELCJHL”.

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 or seeking candidacy for rostered leadership in the ELCA: Natalie Benson, Tyler Fair, Calli Micale, Tim Bergeland, Jordan Baker.