For Newcomers or Visitors
It is with great joy that The Epsicopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea welcomes you. We are glad you are visiting our website and we hope you find our community friendly and hospitable.
We offer a wide array of parsih opportunities for worship, prayer, service, education, and growing in the spirit and mind of Christ.
Worship is central to the life of Bethesda-by-the-Sea as we join together to adore God, hear His word, offer prayers for ourselves and each other, and celebrate the sacraments.
If you are unfamiliar with our service, please feel free to ask for assistance from an usher, a parish greeter, or anyone sitting near you.
All baptized Christians are invited to participate in the Holy Eucharist when visiting Bethesda-by-the-Sea. It is not necessary to be a member of the Episcopal Church in order to receive Holy Communion.
When you kneel at the altar rail, place one hand over the other and receive the bread in your open palm, then lift it to your mouth. Take the chalice by the base and guide it to your lips.
Persons who have not been baptized are welcome to come to the altar rail and kneel to receive a blessing. Cross your arms on your chest as a sign that you will not receive Communion.
Please allow us to get to know you by emailing a member of our clergy or staff.
About The Customs, Practices, and Traditions of The Episcopal Church:
The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea is a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida which extends from Jensen Beach to Key West and as far west as Clewiston. The Diocese is divided into 6 Deaneries: North Palm Beach, South Palm Beach, Broward, North Miami-Dade, South Miami-Dade, and the Keys.  Bethesda-by-the-Sea is a part of the North Palm Beach Deanery. Within the North Palm Beach Deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida are 19 churches - from Jensen Beach to Wellington, from Palm Beach to Clewiston. United by Baptism, the diocesan bishop, The Book of Common Prayer, and canon law, they include all sorts and conditions of people. One is certain to find among and within these congregations some lay people, clergy, and customs that one can relate to quite well, and one will encounter those that are irritating at best. Rather than accommodating (and perhaps celebrating) inevitable differences while trying to remedy true deficiencies, "church vagabonds" drift from one parish to another in search of the perfect congregation. They might remember Fr. Andrew Greely's caution, "Search for the perfect church if you will; when you find it, join it, and realize that on that day it becomes something less than perfect."
[from "Context: Martin E. Marty On Religion And Culture,"]
prepared by Canon Nolan
MORE...
The Bishop's Call To The Diocesan Family
- One minute of silence at each service to pray for the leaders of the world, all who labor for peace, and those in the military
- One day of fasting per week for peace by ALL members of our diocesan family
- Parish prayer ministries to develop special opportunities for prayer in their parish
- Communicate and share special events and fruits of prayer opportunities with the diocesan office
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