Welcome to Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven, CT

Ecumenical Hymn Festival for Habitat

February 5: Christianity in China.
Oscar Lied will give a presentation on his experiences living and traveling in China, and the state of Christianity there. Oscar has lived in China twice and last year he took a traveling seminar at Yale which included visiting several churches and seminaries in different parts of the country.

Bethesda Youth:

Today –- February 5: Confirmation youth meet with Pastor in his office. Older youth meet with Meg in the Chapel to work on a skit for the Restore- Renew - Share Brunch

Saturday, February 4 - 10 am – noon.

Planning sessions for Lent, Holy Week, Vigil and Easter in the Muhlenberg Room. Bethesda’s Music Director Lars Gjerde and Pastor Keyl will host a planning session for those interested in filling out the coming season of renewal in Christ. We will generate ideas and projects related to our worship space, rituals, worship leadership, and song. Like art? Ritual? Dramatic reading? Decorating? Singing? Setting up a room? The Bible? Coffee? Come to this brainstorming session. If you can, let Lars music@bethsdanewhaven.org or Pastor pastor@bethesdanewhaven.org know if you plan to come, or even if you are interested and cannot come.

Saturday, February 4 - 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Super Saturday Family Gathering in the Living Room. Join us for a fun afternoon of conversation, games, movies and PIZZA. Please bring a salad, munchies, or dessert to share. Please let Priscilla know if you can come (Melendezp1@southernct.edu). Priscilla has recently lost tons of addresses from her email, so invite others who may not have heard!

Worship Ministry Fair Sunday,
February 12 and 19
Preparing the altar; writing prayers; handing out bulletins; baking bread; offering bread and wine at communion; smiling and greeting people; reading God’s Word aloud. These are just some of the activities that happen each week as the Sunday assembly gathers for worship. If you have never participated in these worship leadership roles and would like to learn more or sign up, look for representatives at tables in the narthex and in the Campanius Room on Sunday, February 12 and 19 after worship. For more information, contact Pastor Keyl at pastor@bethesdanewhaven.org.

Acolyte Ministry Training
Sunday, February 12 at noon.

Acolytes light candles and carry things. They assist pastor and the congregation during worship each Sunday. We are delighted that children and youth are participating in this ministry. Current acolytes and those interested in serving are invited to a training at noon on Sunday, February 12, beginning with a pizza lunch. If you think you can carry the Lectionary Book in procession, then you may just be the right person to be an acolyte. Contact Pastor Keyl if you plan to attend at pastor@bethesdanewhaven.org.

Sunday	10:45 AM	Fellowship
	11:00 AM	Learning Hour
	11:00 AM	Mission Endowment Fund
	4:00 PM	Hymn Festival
Monday	7:30 PM	Sarah Circle
Tuesday	5:30 PM	Messenger Training
	6:30 PM	Steering Team
	7:30 PM	Campaign Leadership Team
Wednesday	10:00 AM	Messenger Training
	7:00 PM	Messenger Training
	7:30 PM	Choir rehearsal
Thursday	10:30 AM	NH Conference Clergy
	6:00 PM	Learning/Living



Join Our Email List Email:

First time at Bethesda?
Looking for a Church Home?
Be sure to pick up the Welcome Folder
available in the Narthex

If you are interested in becoming a member or an associate member of Bethesda, please speak to Pastor Keyl or Nora Lee following the service. An Inquirers’ Class will be forming soon.

Remember to wear your Nametag!
Please look for your special name tag
available in the Narthex.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study:

The current series of Book of Faith sessions focuses on the Holy Spirit. Titled “Blowing in the Wind” the individual sessions will lead our studies into topics like the Spirit speaks. We are called to go and witness to the Good News as Jesus teaches us about faith, love and hope in action for daily life. The next meeting will be on February 15, 2012 in the Parish House Living Room and will conclude this series. A new series will begin on February 29 and continue bi-weekly.

Everyone is invited to join us from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. as we gather for early morning greetings, a light breakfast, Bible readings, and lively discussions.

Remember that You Are Dust:

Ash Wednesday is February 22, with liturgies at noon and 7:30 pm in the Church Nave (the worship space)
Ash Wednesday is the Christian equivalent of Yom Kippur, a Day of Atonement. On our knees we will confess our human faults and sin. We will be reminded of our mortality with the tracing of the cross with ashes. We will begin the march toward Lenten renewal, wizened, and heading toward Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem. Join others on this holy day.

On Wednesdays in Lent we will continue to gather in prayer at two times:
Noon in the Chapel followed by a shared bag lunch; and
6:00 pm with soup supper in the Campanius Room, followed by a time of conversation and prayer in the Chapel at 7:00 pm.

Bring back last year’s palms by February 19

If you have palms from last year at home, bring them back and place them in a basket in the narthex by February 19. They will be burned and made into ashes for Ash Wednesday. Thanks!

YDS student brunch after worship Sunday, February 19
Yale Divinity students are invited to a brunch after worship on Sunday, February 19, at around 11 am, in Bethesda’s Parish House Dining Room. Abby Ferjak will be preaching that morning at the 9:30 am Eucharist. Pastor Keyl will host conversation about strengthening Bethesda’s connection with the Div School. RSVP’s are helpful, but not required by contacting pastor@bethesdanewhaven.org.