October 1, 2023
Fall Worship
Worship at 9:30 am
Followed by Fellowship and Learning Hour

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl
Assisting Minister: Elaine Ramshaw
Organist & Music Director: Isaac Lee
Lectors: Marietta Meyer & Cynthia Jones
Altar Guild: Linda Cortright
Livestream: Miles Kirschner
Tellers: Martin Gehner & Blair Goodlin
Ushers: Rebecca Lerud
Bread Baker: Rebecca Lerud
Coffee Set-Up: Leah Snavely

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

From the Pastor
A Season of Generosity

O extravagant God,
in this ripening, red-tinged autumn,
waken in me a sense of joy
in just being alive,
joy for nothing in general
except everything in particular
….and that all at first and last
is grace.
–Ted Loder

You crown the year with your bounty;
 your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
 The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
 the hills gird themselves with joy,
 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
 the valleys deck themselves with grain,
 they shout and sing together for joy.
–Psalm 65:11-3

If you go apple-picking on Sunday, if you’ve ever been apple-picking, then you might see the joy on a child’s face that delights in seeing fruit on a tree! You also might crack a smile at the giftedness of creation that provides sweet, crunchy fruit from the orchard for our benefit.

The earth is amazing. The fall season is a wonder, as leaves turn so that trees may store up their sugar for the colder months ahead. And in that turning, we find joy in the color palette on the maples, oaks, and sycamores in our yards and the woodlands around us.

God is known as a giver. Our place with God, beloved, safe, and saved, is named by scripture and Luther and so many others as grace, which itself means a gift.

With me, in this season of generosity, relish our world, our community, and our faith as gifts from God. Get ready to notice generosity in our upcoming Stewardship emphasis.

Notice any opportunity to foster relationships, gather in prayer, play a role in worship, help with ministry at Bethesda, and give money in offering as a way of giving thanks and praise.

God is generous.
Bethesda is generous.
The earth is generous.
Pastor Tim Keyl

 Blessing of Animals, Sunday, October 8, 4:00 pm on the grass in front of the Parish House.

Near the commemoration of the great lover of animals and creation, St. Francis (October 4), Bethesda offers blessings for your pet on the grass in front of the Parish House. Bring your cat, dog, iguana, fish, or what have you to hear stories, share our love for animal companions, sing a song, and receive a blessing.

Council Corner Oct. 2023

At the September Council meeting we devoted a great deal of time to conversations about our future together. We celebrated our vibrant ministries and continued to take note of the toll our aging building takes on our staff and finances.

We learned of our successful application for the FEMA non-profit security grant, led by caretaker Leah Snavely and Dianne Witte. Though we did not have the total amount of our award, council agreed to move forward with beginning repairs. This is a reimbursement grant: we will pay for the repairs and request payment from FEMA paid out in two installments.

We continue to encourage Bethesda members and friends to contribute to the Bethesda’s Sustainable Future Fund to pay back our Mission Investment Fund loan that the congregation approved in 2022 to pay for masonry repairs and the feasibility study with Partners for Sacred Places. Additionally, the Mission Endowment Fund has offered a matching grant up to $2800 to encourage contributions to the Student Ministry Fund.

As a council, we remain hopeful for an opportunity to repurpose our building and property with a partner who shares our ministry goals. To this end, several members of Council are researching and meeting with folks that may shine light on a path forward for our sustainable future together.

The council is grateful for your continued prayers and we invite your questions and suggestions at any time.

Call to join the choir!

The Bethesda choir is open to all who love to worship and sing! We meet on Thursdays at 7pm in the choir room. No audition is required but musical training is appreciated. We are committed to learning, improving, and growing as a community.

Whether you are new to the church or a seasoned congregant, I encourage you to take the plunge and lend your voice to enhance our collective worship experience. Instrumentalists are also welcome to offer your musical talents.

The first Thursday of every month is our “Join-the-choir” welcome session. Do drop by and try it out for a night. No commitment required. Come and meet kindred spirits who share a love for music!

For more information or queries, please write to Isaac Lee, Music Director, at [email protected]

Regards,

Isaac

We Need Volunteers for October

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

The following roles need filled for October 8th: assisting minister, usher, 2 tellers, livestream, coffee hour set-up

Apple-picking Sunday, October 1 following Learning/Fellowship Hour

Bethesda’s somewhat annual apple-picking will follow learning/fellowship hour on Sunday, October 1, 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 kettle corn, 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].

CCA Update!

CCA is requesting donations of cereal for the month of October!

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.

- Youth, young adults, and all others meet with Pastor Tim and Pastor Kari Henkelmann Keyl in the Parish House Living Room all the way through the education wing and through the Dining Room to the room facing St. Ronan Street side. There, they will lead reflections on the Community of Taizé after their one week retreat this past summer. After you grab coffee and refreshments in the Campanius Room, find your way to the Parish House by 11:00 am.

Constitution Update

Earlier this year the Council suggested there may be sections of Bethesda's constitution that could be amended to more accurately reflect our current ministry. After a preliminary meeting in May, a task force began a comprehensive review of the constitution this month. The group will conclude the review in early October and recommend changes for Council members to consider at the October 23 meeting. Updates approved by the Council will be brought to the congregation for approval. Those ably serving on the task force are: Ian Bjorkman, Ellen Doon, Blair Goodlin, Pastor Tim, Dianne Witte, and Clarissa Youngberg.

Memorial for Gene Outka at Yale Divinity School’s Marquand Chapel

Saturday, October 7 at 10 am Pastor Keyl will preside at a Memorial Service for Gene Outka, Dwight Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Christian Ethics.  Your prayers and presence are invited, prayers particularly for his children Elizabeth and Paul Outka and their family.

Bethesda At The Bowl

October 21, 2023

Who? Everyone and anyone interested in the outdoors, Yale football, historic stadiums, food, drink, fun, games and fellowship. This is a family friendly event. Parents, bring your kids. Kids, bring your parents. And feel free to bring friends as well – the more the merrier. Yale Students are very welcome.

What? Two Outstanding Events! The football game itself (Yale v Penn) and Pre-Game Tailgating (Bethesda Style). General Admission tickets for the game are $16 for Adults, $14 FOR Seniors (62+), and $8 for Youth (3-12). We will purchase the needed tickets at the game – no need to buy any in advance.

When? The game starts at noon on Saturday, October 21st. Tailgating festivities begin at 10:00am. At 11:30am we will walk over to the stadium, grab any needed tickets, and find a place to sit in the Yale Bowl. Kickoff is at noon.

Where? The game is held in the famous Yale Bowl (which, if you have not been there, is a bit like traveling 100 years back in time to the beginnings of football) located at the corner of Chapel and Yale streets. Tailgating will be held in Parking Lot D. Driving access to Lot D is from Derby Avenue (not Chapel Street as in years past). Parking is $10/car. There are free shuttle buses from Payne Whitney Gym to the Yale Bowl. (You can still park outside of the permit zone in Westville and walk to Lot D if you want.) To find the tailgate location in Lot D, look for the Luther Rose Flag on a flagpole. Backpacks, Camera Bags, Binoculars Cases, Diaper Bags are not allowed in the stadium. Only small, hand held purses are allowed. Clear bags are OK.

Why? Fun! Fellowship. Enjoy the outdoors

How? If you have questions or are interested in attending BATB, please contact Don Youngberg - at church, at [email protected], or (203) 464-3208. Feel free to bring something to share at the tailgate – think of it as a bit of a potluck.

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.

Bible Study

The Bible Study group meets every other Wenesday morning from 8 - 9 am on Zoom and is currently studying St. Paul's letter to the Romans. Our leader is Maura Stavovy, a longtime friend of Bethesda. We are using N. T. Wright's study guide Romans.

Our next gathering will be on Wednesday, October 11 at 8 am. We will begin with Chapter 3 (page 23, question 8) in the study guide. Please Read Romans 2:17 through 3:8..Then we will move on to Chapter 4 in the study guide. Please read Romans 3:9-31.

Zoom information: https://yale.zoom.us/j/96108886279

 Or Telephone?203-432-9666 (2-ZOOM if on-campus) or 646 568 7788

 Meeting ID: 961 0888 6279

New Members

Are you new to Bethesda and want to learn more? Pastor Keyl is offering new member sessions on Sunday October 8, 15, and 22 at noon in the Parish House Living Room with lunch provided each week. Come, discover how Bethesda is serving God and the people of God around New Haven. Get to know others and build relationships. New members will be received on All Saints Sunday, November 5 at worship. If you are a student, you are welcome to attend even if you’d like to keep your home church affiliation. Please RSVP to Leigh Cromey at [email protected] for any one, two, or three sessions.

A Letter from The Diaper Bank of Connecticut

Dear Members of the Bethesda Lutheran Church Community,

The Diaper Bank of Connecticut wishes to sincerely Thank You for your donation received in September, 2023 consisting of,

Infant & Toddler Diapers

Size 1 Diapers, 312

Size 3 Diapers, 26

Size 4 Diapers, 241

Period Supplies

Pads, 36

Adult Products

Women’s Underwear M, 15

Total: 682

Your generous contribution is instrumental in getting basic human needs to poor and low income families throughout Connecticut each month. Please visit our website, www.thediaperbank.org to learn more about our organization and to keep up-to-date on the work that is being accomplished due to supporters like you!

Sincerely,

Janet Stolfi Alfano, Executive Director

"Jazz Night at Bethesda" is Saturday, Oct. 7

The Confirmation class will hold its first fundraiser of the year on Saturday, October 7th! From 5:30 to 8:00 PM, the Campanius Room will be transformed into a jazz club with live music by Bethesda’s own Dave Arezzini, Richard Ford, and Chris Lee.

There will be a $10 entrance charge (what jazz clubs call a "cover" charge), AND a delicious pasta supper will be available for additional purchase. So plan on enjoying a tasty meal prepared and served by our terrific Confirmands!

All money raised will support Confirmation students attending the ELCA Youth Gathering.

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: Ray Bussolini, Pastor Betsy Williams, Les Swenson; Linda Johnson; Paul Denardis, stepson of Gail Denardis; John Ferreira, nephew of Chris Couture; George Arndt, father of Lynn Arezzini; Marie Gray; Sonja Krummrey; Maureen Anderson; Shirley Farm; Anne and Lee Keck; Donna Nardciso, friend of Michaela Natal; Kay Leone; Molly Dinneen; Matthew H., cousin of Tyler Fair

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.

Those who mourn: the family of Gene Outka, whose memorial service will be held at Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 am.

For our Ecumenical Partners Worldwide: We pray for Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela. The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us through every region of the world over the course of a year.

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