October 2, 2022
Autumn Sundays
Worship at 9:30 am

Fellowship and Learning Hour Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl
Assisting Minister: Vicar Gabrielle Brown
Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz
Music Intern: Ike Harijanto
Lectors: Martin Gehner and Becky Lerud
Altar Guild: Priscilla Meléndez
Ushers: Linda Cortright and Liz Harnett
Livestream: Miles Kirschner
Tellers: Leslie Dunn and Miles Kirschner
Bread Bakers: Lee family
Coffee Hour: Linda Cortright

From the Vicar

I thought I’d lost my rudder. Drifting, the direction of my path determined by the pummeling of to-do lists and deadlines and timelines. My day was overtaken by busyness, from beginning to end.

I find myself in this unpleasant place now and then. I drift from my center. And if I don’t pay attention, the have-to-do’s drag me along even farther from life-giving energy and light. I could purposefully attack all the planning and lists and scheduling, but it won’t make a difference. I’ll still feel as if I’ve lost sight of purpose.

Have you ever been in that place?

Time to remember what centers, and set eyes right there. Realign.

For me, that means finding God in the ordinary. I make time to be intentional and experience the majesty that is all around me and usually relegated to background status.

The precise design of the nib of my fountain pen. The ROYGBIV wavering in a lawn sprinkler.

The waxy shininess of a holly leaf. The intriguing bird call that I just can’t quite name. The tickle of pathside greenery brushing against my ankle. Water, from mist to monsoon.

And that which at first glance seems simple becomes instead astoundingly and intricately interconnected. I am reminded that I am part of the ever changing dance of complexity that is created and creator, unimaginable love and infinite grace, restoration and relationship. I recall God’s gift in precious Son and present Spirit.

The to-do lists and the busyness remain just as they were. The tasks and checklists haven’t changed. But the Why is renewed. How I use my time, talents, and resources as a response to the grace of God reframes. I find purpose in the experience.

I have retrieved my rudder. And I hope you have, too.

Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Love all Creation
The whole of it and every grain of sand
Love every leaf
Every ray of God’s light
Love the animals
Love the plants
Love everything
If you love everything
You will perceive
The divine mystery in things
And once you have perceived it
You will begin to comprehend it ceaselessly
More and more everyday
And you will at last come to love the whole world
With an abiding universal love.
–Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Coming Up at Bethesda

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.

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.

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, a photo, 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.

Upcoming Sunday Forums

On Sunday, October 2, Pastor Keyl and Prisiclla Melendez will speak about our connections with the New England Synod and the ELCA. Pastor Keyl attended the Churchwide Assembly and a Peace Not Walls Conference in August, and Priscilla Melendez serves on the New England Synod Council.

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.

Lutheran Disaster Response for Puerto Rico

In the wake of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, please consider donating to relief efforts through Lutheran Disaster Response.

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.

Council Corner

From the teens’ successful diaper drive to the launch of the new website to a joyful apple-picking afternoon, the Council was delighted with Bethesda’s busy autumn. Kudos to Treasurer Linda Cortright for successfully completing Bethesda’s application for a loan from the ELCA’s Mission Investment Fund. The money will pay for chimney repairs, which are about to begin, and for the work of consultants with Partners for Sacred Places, which will now commence. Linda noted that Bethesda’s giving and expenses are slightly below budget, and special gifts were encouraged to support Vicar Gabrielle’s internship and to meet our live streaming expenses. Council members were notified that consideration of amendments to Bethesda’s constitution would begin in October, in preparation for presentation at the congregation’s annual meeting. 

– Dianne Witte, Secretary

Thank You from The Diaper Bank of CT

Thank you to the Bethesda Community — especially the high school youth who organized the diaper drive — for your generous donations to The Diaper Bank of CT. Click here to view their letter of gratitude.

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.

Apple Picking at Lyman Orchards, Sunday, September 25

(John Aden won the self-proclaimed award for most picturesque apple. Congratulations, John.)

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

Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226
Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching "using words if necessary." Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God's creation.

Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, died 1864
Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Fliedner helped to bring about a revival of the ministry of deaconesses among Lutherans. He was influenced in this by Moravian deaconesses he had met. The motherhouse he founded in Kaiserswerth, Germany, inspired many around the world to take up this ministry.

William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536
Thursday, October 6, 2022

Tyndale was ordained a priest in England, and wished to translate the Bible into English. He was opposed in this by King Henry VIII, causing him to flee to Germany. He completed the New Testament in 1525, but before he could finish the Old Testament, he was tried for heresy and burned at the stake.

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.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; Carole DeVore; Johannes Bollmann (YDS exchange student from Copenhagen); 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.