November 6, 2022
All Saints Sunday
Worship at 9:30 am
Fellowship and Learning Hour Following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl

Assisting Ministers: Blair Goodlin and Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz

Music Intern: Ike Harijanto

Lectors: Mary Browne and Lily Micale

Altar Guild: Richard Ford

Usher: John Aden

Livestream: Miles Kirschner

Tellers: Mary Browne and Becky Lerud

Bread Bakers: Judd family

Coffee Hour: Leah Snavely

Acolytes: Eleanor Lee, Greta Lee, and Louis Young

From the Vicar

Listening Deeply,
sometimes – in another – you can hear
the sound of a hermit, sighing
as he climbs a mountain trail to reach a waterfall
or a buddhist nun reciting prayers
while moonlight falls through the window
onto an old clay floor,
and once in a while, a child
rolling a hoop through the alley way of Tokyo,
laughing,
or the farmer pausing in a rice field to watch geese fly,
the thoughts on his lips he doesn’t think to say.
- Dick Allen

This poem stirs my imagination. I smell the musty earthiness that accompanies the crunch of leaves on a mountain trail. I can feel the cool dampness of waterfall mist and the ache of knees on a worn floor. I hear the contagious laughter of that child, and I feel the sun on my face, lifting my eyes to see the migratory formation. I see the wonder and beauty of creation, and I see Creator.

But then as I reflect further… Why does the hermit sigh? What is on that nun’s mind as they recite? Why does the child play alone? Does the farmer have someone with whom to share his thoughts? I want to know these people better. What are their stories?

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1 John 4:16

It isn’t hard to see God in the beauty of nature, majestic or miniscule. How about seeing God in the imperfect, unlikely neighbor? This week, will you join me in seeing God’s love in the unexpected along with the engaging?

- Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Save the Dates

Saturday, November 19 - CCA Thanksgiving Baskets at Casa de Oración Y Adoración, 11:30 am

Sunday, November 27 - First Sunday of Advent; International Potluck in the Scandinavian Tradition and Craft-Making following worship

Sunday, December 4 - Service of Lessons and Carols at Battel Chapel, 5:30 pm

January 13-16 - Bethesda at Camp Calumet

Pastor Tim and Vicar Gabrielle are away for the annual synod convocation Monday through Wednesday, November 7-9. For urgent pastoral care, contact Pastor Kari Henkelmann Keyl at (603) 533-5274.

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.

Super Saturday

All Bethesda youth and families are invited to gather on Saturday, November 5 at 4:45 pm for Super Saturday! We will play outside (weather permitting), watch age-appropriate movies, and eat pizza, salad, and ice cream. You are welcome to bring snacks to share.

RSVP with Priscilla (Priscilla.Melendez@trincoll.edu) if you can attend, but show up anyway if you forget. And feel free to invite family and friends!

All Saints Remembrance this Sunday

You are invited to light candles at stations around the sanctuary during communion Sunday for prayer and to remember those who have died. We will also provide space during the prayers to name those who have died. Bethesda especially remembers Xavier Deeney, who died March 3, 2022.

Sunday Forums: Stewardship Series

This Sunday at 11:00 am in the Parish House Living Room, Dianne Witte will lead the final stewardship forum on the book Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life, by Mark Allan Powell. Although the stewardship series is drawing to a close, books are still available for pick-up at the office by emailing Leigh Cromey ([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, November 9.

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)

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 Saints.

Questions? Ask Pastor Keyl.

Branford Labyrinth

Following the catered stewardship luncheon next Sunday, November 13, Confirmation youth and families invite all from Bethesda to join them to walk the Branford Labyrinth, leaving around noon. Walking a labyrinth is an ancient contemplative prayer exercise. Carpooling will be encouraged. For more information contact Dan Cortright at [email protected]. 

CCA Thanksgiving Baskets Saturday, November 19 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

All are invited to assemble Thanksgiving Baskets for clients of CCA Saturday, November 19 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Casa de Oración Y Adoración on Columbus Avenue in New Haven. For more information or to car pool, please contact Priscilla Melendez at [email protected].

First Sunday of Advent is November 27

Bring lunch to share and make crafts

Bethesda is resuming its custom of a potluck after worship on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, along with craft-making. If you are able to staff a craft table, please contact Nora Lee at [email protected]. Possibilities include: homemade ornaments, wreath-making, or whatever you might like to offer.

Welcoming New Members
We are excited to welcome the following new members to Bethesda this Sunday:

Susan Bormolini is a Connecticut native, born and raised in Naugatuck. She earned her BSN at Wagner College and worked as a registered nurse for 48 years. Twenty of those years, she served as a parish nurse in both Connecticut and Vermont. Sue was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rutland Vermont and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livermore California. A long time friend of the Pastors Keyl, Sue resides in Ashlar Village in Wallingford.

Jeff Hazewinkel is the Manager of Music Programs and Concert Production for the Yale ISM continuing his decades-long career as an arts administrator. The highlight of this work was securing an invitation for the Valparaiso University Chorale to perform in Wittenberg Germany on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the only international choir to receive such an invitation. Jeff has studied music and business at Valparaiso and anticipates being consecrated a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2023 under the auspices of the Lutheran Diaconal Association. The focus of his diaconal ministry is two-fold, technology in worship and educational programs highlighting the rebuilding of the church in the former East Germany.

Marietta Meyer grew up in Ohio and moved to Stamford 42 years ago. She recently relocated to Orange. A retired teacher, Marietta enjoys quilting and reading, and has been active in a variety of ministries in her former church home. 

Mary Ann Nelson was born in Brooklyn, grew up on Long Island and has lived in New Haven for about 45 years, working at Yale. She ran competitively and is an avid reader. Mary Ann loves New Haven for its diversity, culture and beautiful walking streets and architecture. She was deeply moved by the care and concern Bethesda congregants showed when she was ill recently.

Reformation Concert raises voices and donations for DESK

On Sunday, Oct. 30 an enthusiastic crowd of 104 gathered in Bethesda’s sanctuary for the Bethesda Music Series’ annual Reformation Concert. The benefit performance raised over $1,800 for New Haven’s Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK).

The Bethesda Choir was joined by vocal soloists mezzo soprano Kayla Cook, tenor Patrick McGill, and bass Alex Patrie, as well as guest choristers and an orchestra of local musicians and congregation members, to perform J. S. Bach’s Cantata No. 33, “Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ,” along with Felix Mendelssohn’s “Verleih uns Frieden,” and Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s “The Ground.” Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, played by Bethesda’s music director Stephen Gamboa-Diaz, and a mass singing by choir and audience of the traditional Reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” rounded out the concert.

This year’s concert also featured guest conductors leading the ensemble. Matthew Cramer, a New Haven-based choral conductor and bass, opened the concert with the cantata. Daniel Velme, a conducting student of Gamboa-Diaz at Southern Connecticut State University, directed the Mendelssohn. Ike Harijanto, Bethesda’s music intern, closed the program with “The Ground.”

The Bethesda Music Series expresses its thanks to everyone who attended the concert and gave generously to benefit DESK. If you would like to add a donation, you can do so electronically at Bethesda’s donation page, or by cash or check (with a memo “Bethesda Music Series - DESK”) given during the offertory.

The series’ next concert features St. Luke’s Steel Drum Band on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m. and will benefit Christian Community Action.

The Food Project for CCA’s food pantry during October 2022 
The FeedNE2022 challenge from Thrivent has been completed with shouts and praise. Over 750 food items were donated to CCA’s food pantry. The report has been submitted and CCA should receive the additional incentive of $500.00 from Thrivent. Bethesda has been very generous, and creative, in the variety of food items contributed. In addition to all the staple food, Bethesda’s Giving Garden contributed fresh produce during the first three weeks of October. CCA genuinely thanks Bethesda for the many paths of support it regularly receives for their programs.

Empowered by the Spirit Stewardship Emphasis is Underway!

Bethesda is deepening our connection to faith and giving these weeks, culminating in the Response Sunday, November 13th, with a catered lunch following worship. The Stewardship Team is leading forums on the book Giving To God. We are hearing testimony each week during worship. And we have prepared materials in the links describing this year’s theme and process, along with a fillable card with your intention to give during the 2023 year for Worship Offerings. You may input your intention on Breeze, use the pledge card, or indicate your plan via email or postal mail. 

The Breeze pledge form can be accessed here: https://bethesdanewhaven.breezechms.com/form/pledge20225

Questions? Email Blair Goodlin [email protected] or Calli Micale [email protected], Dianne Witte [email protected] or Pastor Tim [email protected].

Bethesda's Youth are making pies! (Sunday is the last day to order!)

We hope you can help send our confirmation class to the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! To help us get there, we are making pies just in time for holiday celebrations. Please use this form to order your Apple Crumb or Pumpkin pies (or both!). The last day to order will be November 6. 

Pies will be made by the youth and frozen. 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 pick up on Sundays November 13 and 20.

Thank you!

- Greta, Henry, Lily, and Louis

Note of Gratitude from Maeve Schurz
Former Vicar Maeve Schurz sends her gratitude for the love and support from Bethesda's at this time.  See the card in the narthex this Sunday.

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.

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].

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; Carole DeVore; 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 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, and Vicar Gabrielle Brown. 

For those marking the anniversary of their baptism: Louis Young, November 4, 2012.