January 29, 2023
Worship at 9:30 am

Reconciling in Christ Sunday
Fellowship and Learning Hour Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Rev. Scott Harris
Preacher: Vicar Gabrielle Brown
Assisting Minister: Maggie Astrup
Organist: Martin Jean
Music Intern: Ike Harijanto
Altar Guild: Richard Ford
Lectors: Marietta Meyer and Elaine Ramshaw
Usher: John Aden
Livestream: Blair Goodlin
Tellers: Ray Bussolini and Blair Goodlin
Bread Baker: Keyl family
Coffee Hour: Leah Snavely

From the Vicar

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Have you checked out our website recently? It is here that Bethesda’s outward-facing image is named:

Bethesda Lutheran Church is centered in the grace of the Word and the Sacraments which nurture learning and growth in faith and service. Through our life together we are encouraged and strengthened to offer our finest gifts as a daily witness to God’s reconciling love in Christ.

Bethesda welcomes people from all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultures, races, and nationalities and welcomes everyone to fully participate in the sacramental and general life of our congregation.

This week is Reconciling in Christ Sunday, and Bethesda is celebrating - twenty years ago, at the annual meeting on January 26, 2003, Bethesda voted it’s commitment to Reconciling Works’ Affirmation of Inclusion. At our annual meeting this February, we will have the opportunity to renew our commitment to gender and racial justice. And at Forum this Sunday, will explore what it means today to be a Reconciling in Christ congregation.

Meanwhile, 5,623 miles from Bethesda, Pastors Keyl were privileged to be present for the ordination of Sally Azar, the first Palestinian woman to be ordained into the Evangelical Church of Jordan & Holy Land. Some of us live-streamed this historical moment on a phone in the sacristy before worship this past Sunday. Even on that tiny screen, the joy was palpable. If you missed it, you can view video here.

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In this week’s gospel, Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes. How do you hear these timeless words today? I invite you to reflect on God in our midst - at ordinations and affirmations and in your own experience.

God be with you.

Coming Up at Bethesda

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.

Greetings from Bethlehe

Kari and I are staying at a guest house connected to a Lutheran Church in Beit Jala, which is a satellite town near Bethlehem. From here we can travel to see friends and favorite places by public transit or taxi, or a combination.

We thoroughly enjoyed our participation in Sally Azar’s ordination, from the procession outside the church with a scout band lining the street, to all the pastors and bishops from many places, including ELCA Presiding Bishop. Since we have developed close relationships with church folks in our companion synod, we were exchanging hugs and kisses before the ordination and afterwards at the reception.

Pastor Sally is poised to serve the church here. She is gifted and articulate. We were privileged also to spend lunchtime with her father Bishop Ibrahim, her, and her family this past week, and to confirm our longstanding love and support for one another. Sally was thrilled to receive a gift certificate to the Casual Priest in the amount of $680, a combination of monies from the New England Synod and Bethesda. She really needs to acquire clergy attire!

Being here just the two of us enables us to immerse ourselves in the culture and to see sights at our leisure, but mostly to engage in conversation with old friends while making new friends. And it also helps me to better prepare for the companion synod tour group I am leading next week.

As usual, we will have many stories to share with you when we return, stories that we hope will make you better understand life in a divided country, the witness of Christians here, and to shape our prayer for peace with justice.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

Pastoral Care While Pastor Tim is Away

Pastor Tim and Pastor Kari left Thursday, January 19 to attend the ordination of Sally Azar as pastor in our companion synod the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Pastor Kari returns February 1st. Pastor Tim will then lead a group of 29 on a companion synod trip (including Vicar Gabrielle) and return on February 15. Vicar Gabrielle (719-352-8918) will be available for pastoral care until February 1. Pastor Kari (603-533-5274) will be available from February 2-15. Pastor Josh Sullivan from Christ the Good Shepherd in Hamden (860-748-3837) will be available throughout.

Dinner Church

Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm on Zoom

Zoom in from your kitchen or dinner table for conversation, prayer, and reflection. We will be reading the upcoming Sunday morning Bible texts as our scripture. Have a Bible on hand. Look for the texts each week in the enews.

First Reading: Micah 6:1-8
Psalm: Psalm 15
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Click here to join on Zoom

Upcoming Forum Schedule

January 29: Reconciling in Christ with Vicar Gabrielle Brown
February 5: Bethesda Caretakers Leah Snavely and Cameron Kritikos
February 12: Finances and Budget with Linda Cortright (important annual meeting info!)
February 19: Annual Meeting, no learning hour
February 26: Report from Vicar Gabrielle, Kari, and Pr. Tim about their trip to the Holy Land

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study continues to discuss NT Wright's Acts. The next gathering will be Wednesday, February 1 at 8:00 am.

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)

St. Luke’s Steel Band Concert to Benefit Christian Community Action
Sunday, Feb. 26, 4:30PM

On Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m., Bethesda’s sanctuary will ring with the soul-filling sounds of St. Luke’s Steel Band in a concert to benefit Christian Community Action (CCA). Admission is FREE; free-will donations will be taken to benefit CCA. Reception to follow.

Under the direction of Kenneth Joseph, St. Luke's Steel Band has a reputation as one of the area's most exciting performing ensembles. Their repertoire includes soca, calypso, reggae, classical, sacred, jazz, popular and island folk music.

Updates to Bethesda's Constitution

Bethesda's constitution conforms to the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations. The model constitution is amended at the ELCA's triennial Churchwide Assembly. Amendments approved at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly will be brought forth for approval for our constitution at our February 19 annual meeting. You can see the changes HERE. Once approved, they will go into effect immediately. The Council is considering further amendments to areas where the model constitution allows congregations to fit the document to their circumstances. Stay tuned!

Annual Meeting Scheduled for February 19

Bethesda’s Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 19, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Campanius Room following the worship service. The agenda for this meeting will include reports of ministry in 2022, adoption of the 2023 budget, elections for new members of Council and the Nominating Committee, and adoption of changes to Bethesda’s Constitution based on updates to the ELCA Model Constitution. As always, there will be a potluck meal and lots of coffee to keep everyone sustained through the meeting.

Ordination of Claire Repsholdt

All are invited to attend the ordination of Claire Repsholdt, YDS MDiv ’21 and Bethesda House Ministry Liaison 2019-2021. The service will be held on January 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at The Interchurch Center (61 Claremont Ave, New York City). A reception will follow. The color of the day is red.

Blessings for Pastor Claire!

Upcoming Commemorations

Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith
Friday, January 27, 2023

Women as well as men were important Christian leaders from the beginning, as demonstrated by these coworkers of the apostle Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, lent her home for a church; Dorcas was known for charitable works; and Phoebe was a deacon in the church at Cenchrae.

Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274
Saturday, January 28, 2023

One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church's history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Aquinas was also a hymnwriter.

Presentation of Our Lord
Thursday, February 2, 2023

Forty days after the birth of Jesus we mark the day Mary and Joseph presented him in the temple in accordance with Jewish law. There they were greeted by Simeon, an aged priest who offered the song "Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace," as well as by the prophet Anna, who spoke of the redemption of Israel.

Ansgar, Bishop of Hamburg, missionary to Denmark and Sweden, died 865
Friday, February 3, 2023

A monk who helped bring Christianity to Scandinavia, Ansgar returned to Germany where he was named bishop of Hamburg. He is remembered for his love for poor people.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Rachel, daughter of Mary Browne; Pastor Ruth Drews; John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; 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 House and Yale Divinity School students.

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, Calli Micale, Vicar Gabrielle Brown, and Jeff Hazewinkel (in formation for consecration as deacon).

For the ELCJHL and those traveling on the companion synod trip in the Holy Land, including Pastor Tim and Vicar Gabrielle.

For Claire Repsholdt at her ordination on Saturday, January 28.