Sunday which is the Lord’s Day and the first day of the week is where the life starts. At Bethesda, each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. we celebrate the Holy Eucharist according to Rite I in The Book of Common Prayer. Without music and couched in the language of Elizabethan times, it’s a glad reminder of the continuity of life over the years, and many Bethesda folk are most comfortable with that way of starting the week. At the Sunday 9:00 a.m. service we move to Rite II Holy Eucharist and Sermon, and the singing of the youth choir adds to the congregation’s hymn-singing, as our organist and choirmaster, Hal Pysher, begins to work his weekly magic. And then at Sunday 11:00 a.m. service, with full choir and a congregation which has been singing hymns since they were young men and women decades ago, the church is filled with beauty.

Twice a month, on the Second and Fourth Sundays, we have a service of Morning Prayer and Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. On the Third Sunday of each month, the clergy offer healing — with laying on of hands and anointing — for all who wish, either for themselves or on behalf of others. The Biblical "Pool of Bethesda" was a place where Jesus healed people, and an angel was said to move the waters of the pool so that people could be healed - the angel whose statue graces the Garth. In addition to the Third Sunday, each week there is a 12:05 p.m. Wednesday service of Holy Eucharist and Healing, so that we keep faith with one of Bethesda’s original purposes.

Tuesdays begin with Bible study at 7:15 a.m., at which the preacher for the following Sunday examines the "propers" (assigned readings) with parishioners. You have no idea how many sermon topics are generated in that group, which then attends the Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist followed by breakfast.

On Wednesdays at 12:05 p.m., as mentioned, there is the weekly service of Holy Eucharist and Healing.

And on Fridays at 12:05 p.m., Holy Eucharist often includes Holy Baptism, as all baptisms at Bethesda are in the context of a regular church service.

On Saturdays, Holy Matrimony (one or more) is often the "featured attraction", and, though not a part of the regular pattern of worship for parishioners, these services are integral to the life of the community of faith. So...there is a regular pattern to our common life according to The Book of Common Prayer. None of us does all of it, but we play our parts in the on-going and up-building worship of the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, week in and week out, year by year, to the greater glory of God!

If you are unfamiliar with our service on Sunday, 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.