March 26, 2023

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Worship at 9:30 am

Fellowship and Learning Hour following Worship

Presiding Minister: Pastor Tim Keyl

Assisting Minister: Chris Wigren and Vicar Gabrielle Brown

Music Director: Stephen Gamboa-Díaz

Music Intern: Ike Harijanto

Altar Guild: Richard Ford

Lectors: Richard Ford, Priscilla Meléndez, Aníbal González, and the Marchand family

Cantor: Ike Harijanto

Ushers: Miles Kirschner and Becky Lerud

Livestream: Blair Goodlin

Tellers: Richard Ford and Martin Gehner

Bread Baker: Lee family

Coffee Hour: Leah Snavely

Stations for Anointing: Vicar Gabrielle Brown and Jeff Hazewinkel

From the Vicar

Sometimes life throws us a curveball.

In this excerpt from God, Improv, and the Art of Living, by Maryann McKibben Dana. Bob and Kelly are thrown together on stage for some improv:

Bob rolled his hands into fists, licked them, and rubbed them on his face. 

From my comfortable place observing from the back line, I deciphered his motions instantly. I know what it looks like when a cat washes its face with its paws. I was impressed: a non-human character!  This should be interesting.

Kelly looked at him for a long moment. It was clear she had no idea what he was doing. … Then she spoke.

“You’re right. Rubbing the ice cream cone on your face is really great!”

For an instant, Bob was taken aback - we all saw the shock flicker across his face. Wow, did she read that wrong? Now what?!

And then - because this is what you do in improv - he went with it. In an instant, he pivoted from being a cat taking a bath to being a person who smeared ice cream on his face. 

“Well, I find that the cream and sugar are great for my complexion.”

Bob didn’t know Kelly was clueless about cats. When Kelly tossed back ice cream, of all things, Bob ran with it. That’s how improvisational comedy works.

In the most ordinary conversations, our assumptions may be misunderstood. Our perspectives can be challenged. What an opportunity to take a page from the Improv Rule Book and go with it. Be curious. Experience some of what that neighbor knows and feels. 

God created humankind to be in relationship. And when we engage connection with open mind and hearts, we skip one more step towards our own potential. Ways to love all our neighbors. Ears that hear those who cry out. Or those who keep silent. A helping hand. Understanding that even those who get on our last nerve are also beloved children of God. 

So, when life launches a curveball, when we’re faced with the unexpected, we can be confident that God has created us for one another. 

+ Vicar Gabrielle

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.

Super Saturday! March 25

Arrive at 5:00 pm for snacks and games or playing on the playground.

Bring snacks to share!

Then we will order pizza and watch a family-friendly movie together. Will there be ice cream??

Families and folks of all ages are welcome to gather in the Living Room for this cherished Bethesda tradition! See you there!

Soup Suppers in Lent - Theme: Traveling Stories

6:00 pm every Wednesday in the Campanius Room

Sign-up to bring soup to share – one meat-based, one vegetarian. Others may sign-up to bring loaves of bread to share.

This week Becky Lerud will be sharing her travel story.

Traveling Stories

The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a habitable land; they ate manna, until they came to the border of the land of Canaan (Exodus 16:35).  

The number forty is a compelling number in the Bible. The time in the wilderness, time apart, time wandering, time on the way to the land of promise each inform our own experiences, particularly in Lent. During Soup Suppers, we will reflect on traveling stories, from scripture, from authors, and from each other. Do you have a travel story to tell? To the home of your ancestors? To a far-off land? On a vacation? Sign-up to tell your stories one week at Dinner Church, or just show up. Questions? Contact Pastor Keyl at [email protected].

Lenten Book Club for Adult Forum/Confirmation Class

Join the Adult Forum and Confirmation students each Sunday in March to discuss the book The Story of More by Hope Jahren. Each Sunday we will focus on a different section of the book. Our conversations will include opening devotionals from Confirmation students. Copies of the young adult version of the book are available from Dan Cortright. We hope to donate these copies to area middle schools after our book club.

In our final week, March 26, our topic we be "The Story of Less," Ch 18-19, Appendix 

Bible Study on Zoom

Bethesda's Bible Study continues to discuss NT Wright's Acts. The next gathering will be Wednesday, March 29 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)

Palm/Passion Sunday next Sunday, April 2

The Palm Sunday liturgy will begin outdoors on the St. Ronan side bridge to the narthex, weather permitting, by 9:30 am. The Passion Reading for that Sunday will include a dramatic reading from Matthew’s Gospel. Following worship, there will be craft-making stations for all ages and a potluck luncheon with food that you bring.

Holy Week Services

See the schedule for the Three Days’ liturgy on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, with noon and evening services on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 8 will continue with Bethesda’s most creative and dramatic liturgy of the year

All are welcome to gather in the paved circle by 8 pm for the Easter fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle. Participation at the service will be from a variety of people from the greater Bethesda community: children, Bethesda’s choir, LuMin campus ministry, Yale Divinity School, and Bethesda House. Joining us this will also be friends at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church and its choir. Following this feast of feasts, a reception will be held in the Paris House Living Room. If you’d like to help set-up beginning at 10 am, help with stage crew, or help in any other way, contact Pastor Keyl at [email protected]. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, courtesy of a Thrivent Action Team grant.

Easter Sunday, April 9

Easter Sunday will begin with breakfast at 8:30 am. This year, we are inviting you to bring some dishes to share and also inviting a prep crew for Saturday morning the day before and Sunday the day of. Caretakers Leah Snavely and Cameron Kritikos will be coordinating the breakfast. To help, contact them at [email protected]. 

Easter Eucharist will begin at 10 am. Children are invited to gather in the narthex at 9:50 am to hold bells and join in the procession at the Gathering Hymn to ring at the return of the Alleluia. 

Easter Prep - Families Welcome!

Calling all children and their grownups! Saturday, April 8 at 10 am meet in the Campanius room to color eggs and help with Easter basket preparation. No experience necessary!

Order Olive Oil from LWF

Time to order Olive Oil through Lutheran World Federation to support the LWF Vocational Training Program and help to reduce the fees of students.

Click here to access the on-line order form. Please place your order by April 2. Additional order forms are available in the narthex.

Two size options:

250mL of olive oil in a plastic bottle - Price: $15.00

750mL of olive oil in a plastic bottle - Price: $35.00

Order Easter Flowers

It is the time to order flowers (tulips or daffodils)! Order using the link below and pick them up after worship on Easter Sunday. There are forms in the narthex or click here to order flowers.

Bethesda Nursey School Plant Sale

It's Plant Sale time again! Help us fundraise for Bethesda Nursery School by purchasing beautiful hanging baskets, flowers, vegetables and herbs, all available again this year thanks to Hamden’s own Paradise Nursery. Paradise is a high quality, family run business, and we’re sure you’ll love these plants. 

Your plants will be ready for pick up at Bethesda from Wednesday, May 10 through Friday, May 12.

Order here!

Constitution Review

Those who attended the annual meeting approved amendments to Bethesda's constitution that were passed at the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The preparation for that vote prompted the Council to review sections of our constitution that we could amend to align better with our current ministry. Ian Bjorkman, Ellen Doon, Dianne Witte, and Clarissa Wylie Youngberg have agreed to serve on a task force to undertake that review this spring. Their first meeting will be next Thursday, March 30, on Zoom. If you are interested in joining the task force, please contact Dianne. Click on the link to access Bethesda's constitution as approved on February 19, 2023.

Looking for a Calligrapher

Until we get a plaque where we can inscribe the names of those whose ashes are interred in the memorial garden, we’d like to record those names in the memorial book which sits under glass in the narthex. Is there anyone who does calligraphy or has really beautiful handwriting who would be willing to do this small but significant artistic task? If you could do this yourself, or know someone who can, please contact Elaine: [email protected]

Young Adult Research Project

Norlene Jackson, a YDS student, is conducting a project on Young Adults and the Church, with Bethesda as her particular focus. She will be conducting confidential interviews and surveys for her projects, as well as observing various groups that include young adults at Bethesda.

Return Lutheran World Hunger Boxes Next Sunday!

Please return your Lutheran World Hunger barn and pig boxes (filled with change, or even dollar bills!) by next Sunday, April 2. Boxes are still available for pickup in the narthex.

Exciting news: a generous donor has agreed to match our donations, doubling our impact!

Congregational Watershed Discipleship

Mark your calendars - on Sunday, April 30th at 11:30 am, Bethesda will host Rev. Dr. Nancy Wright, who will preach and lead an interfaith workshop on Congregational Watershed Stewardship.

Upcoming Commemorations

Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980

Friday, March 24, 2023

Romero was deeply concerned with injustices evident toward the poor and powerless in El Salvador, and worked forthrightly against political repression. He was assassinated while presiding at the eucharist in a chapel near the cathedral in San Salvador.

Annunciation of Our Lord

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. The ancient church believed that this was also the date of the world's creation and of Jesus' death on the cross.

Hans Nielsen Hauge, renewer of the church, died 1824

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Hauge was a layperson who wished to revitalize the church in Norway. As a result of a mystical experience, he felt called to preach. Many professionals in the church feared his motives and influence, and he was imprisoned for leading unauthorized gatherings.

John Donne, poet, died 1631

Friday, March 31, 2023

After finishing his education at Oxford University, Donne seemed headed for a career in the English public service. But a series of circumstances led him into the ordained ministry. He is well known as a writer of both secular and sacred poetry.

Prayer Requests

For healing and strength: Lynn Arezzini; Pastor Kari Henkelmann Keyl; 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 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).

Those preparing for baptism: Karim Ibrahim