Holy Communion (Said)
2025-12-11 12:10, 2025-12-18 12:10, 2026-02-05 12:10 (America/New_York) | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
Resources
1979 Book of Common Prayer
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Church Decorating for Advent / Christmas
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866

The Third Sunday in Advent
2025-12-14 | NY
Advent is the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity (the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas), and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”
During Advent, we traditionally light special Advent candles, as symbols of our preparation for Christ’s coming. Every Sunday, we light one of four candles, each symbolizing one of the Sundays in Advent. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas Eve.
The candles come in three colors: purple, pink and white. The purple candles symbolize repentance. The pink candle symbolizes joy. The central candle is called the Christ candle and is not lit until Christmas day.

The First Candle (The Candle of Prophecy/Hope) – The first candle is sometimes called the candle of prophecy because it symbolizes the promises the prophets delivered as messages from God; promises that foretold Christ’s birth. Others consider the candle to be a symbol of the hope we have in Christ and so it is called the Hope candle.
The Second Candle (The Candle of the Way) – The second candle shows that Christ is the Way. Christians are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them the way out of darkness.
The Third Candle (The Candle of Joy) – The third (pink) candle indicates that the only lasting Joy to be found in life on earth is through Christ. All other joy is fleeting and does not last.
The Fourth Candle (The Candle of Peace) – The fourth candle reminds that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people’s hearts. Without Christ, there is no peace in this world.
The Fifth Candle (The Christ Candle or Christmas Candle) – The fifth candle represents Christ himself who is born to save people from their sins. It is a celebration of the fulfillment of prophecy as represented in Christ’s birth and the hope for the final fulfillment when Christ comes again and all Christians join him.

Collect
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Appointed Readings

Isaiah 35:1-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
Psalm 146:4-9

Worship Services for the Third Sunday in Advent

Sunday 8am, Sunday 10am
About the image
“Triumph of the Name of Jesus” by Giovanni Battista Gaulli circa 1672-1679.
Ceiling fresco in the nave of the Church of the Gesù in Rome with stucco figures.
Resources
Parking and Accessibility
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Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
2025-12-14 08:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This said service of Holy Eucharist occurs most Sundays at 8am. It is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, a short sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Read more about the Third Sunday in Advent
Resources
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or a Credit Card

Sung Eucharist and Pageant
2025-12-14 10:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This sung Eucharist is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, congregational singing, a sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Read more about the Third Sunday in Advent
Resources
Service Bulletin
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or Credit Card

The Fourth Sunday in Advent
2025-12-21 | NY
Advent is the first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord’s nativity (the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas), and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”
During Advent, we traditionally light special Advent candles, as symbols of our preparation for Christ’s coming. Every Sunday, we light one of four candles, each symbolizing one of the Sundays in Advent. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas Eve.
The candles come in three colors: purple, pink and white. The purple candles symbolize repentance. The pink candle symbolizes joy. The central candle is called the Christ candle and is not lit until Christmas day.

The First Candle (The Candle of Prophecy/Hope) – The first candle is sometimes called the candle of prophecy because it symbolizes the promises the prophets delivered as messages from God; promises that foretold Christ’s birth. Others consider the candle to be a symbol of the hope we have in Christ and so it is called the Hope candle.
The Second Candle (The Candle of the Way) – The second candle shows that Christ is the Way. Christians are lost in sin and Christ is the Light sent into the world to show them the way out of darkness.
The Third Candle (The Candle of Joy) – The third (pink) candle indicates that the only lasting Joy to be found in life on earth is through Christ. All other joy is fleeting and does not last.
The Fourth Candle (The Candle of Peace) – The fourth candle reminds that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people’s hearts. Without Christ, there is no peace in this world.
The Fifth Candle (The Christ Candle or Christmas Candle) – The fifth candle represents Christ himself who is born to save people from their sins. It is a celebration of the fulfillment of prophecy as represented in Christ’s birth and the hope for the final fulfillment when Christ comes again and all Christians join him.

Collect
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Appointed Readings

Isaiah 7:10-16
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Worship Services for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sunday 8am, Sunday 10am
About the image
The Birth of Christ, Holy Family, Trinitas Terrestris.
Tapestry from circa 1500-1525, possibly woven in Brussels. Image courtesy of the Getty’s Open Content Program.
Resources
Parking and Accessibility
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Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
2025-12-21 08:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This said service of Holy Eucharist occurs most Sundays at 8am. It is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, a short sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Read more about the Fourth Sunday in Advent
Resources
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or a Credit Card

Study of "Mere Christianity"
2025-12-21 09:00, 2026-01-11 09:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
From scholarly literature to children’s fantasy, C. S. Lewis is one of the most profound authors of the last century. His classic work, Mere Christianity explores the great questions of life from a Christian perspective and is valued by people of all traditions. Jon Kimmel leads our study of this rich text. Join us on the following Sundays at 9am: Oct 19th, Nov 16th, Dec 21st and Jan 18th. To register, please contact the church office.

Lessons and Carols
2025-12-21 10:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This sung Eucharist is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, congregational singing, a sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Learn more about the Fourth Sunday in Advent
Resources
Service Bulletin
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or Credit Card

Christmas Eve
2025-12-24 | NY
Christmas (in old English, Cristes maesse) is celebrated on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, commemorating the Incarnation of the Word of God in the birth of Jesus Christ; it is also called The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas Day is one of the seven principal feasts. The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day until Jan. 5, the day before the Epiphany. The season includes Christmas Day, the First Sunday after Christmas Day, the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and may include the Second Sunday after Christmas Day. In many parishes, the main liturgical celebrations of Christmas take place on Christmas Eve.
Collect
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Appointed Readings

Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Psalm 96

Worship Services for Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve – Eucharist and Carols 4pm, Christmas Eve – Sung Eucharist of the Nativity 10pm
About the image
“The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel” by Duccio di Buoninsegna circa 1482 – 1485.
From the National Gallery of Art.

Resources
Parking and Accessibility
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Christmas Eve Eucharist and Carols
2025-12-24 16:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This sung Eucharist is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, congregational singing, a sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Resources
Service Bulletin
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or Credit Card

Christmas Eve Blessing of the Crib and Sung Eucharist
2025-12-24 22:00 | NY

Christmas Day
2025-12-25 | NY
Christmas (in old English, Cristes maesse) is celebrated on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, commemorating the Incarnation of the Word of God in the birth of Jesus Christ; it is also called The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas Day is one of the seven principal feasts. The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day until Jan. 5, the day before the Epiphany. The season includes Christmas Day, the First Sunday after Christmas Day, the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and may include the Second Sunday after Christmas Day. In many parishes, the main liturgical celebrations of Christmas take place on Christmas Eve.
Collect
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Appointed Readings

Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14(15-20)
Psalm 96

Worship Services for Christmas Day

Christmas Day 9am
About the image
“The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel” by Duccio di Buoninsegna circa 1482 – 1485.
From the National Gallery of Art.

Resources
Parking and Accessibility
Give via Paypal or Credit Card

Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
2025-12-25 09:00, 2025-12-28 09:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This said service of Holy Eucharist occurs most Sundays at 8am. It is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, a short sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Resources
Service Bulletin
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or a Credit Card

Holy Eucharist (Rite I)
2026-01-04 08:00, 2026-01-11 08:00, 2026-01-18 08:00, 2026-01-25 08:00, 2026-02-01 08:00, 2026-02-08 08:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, welcome!
This said service of Holy Eucharist occurs most Sundays at 8am. It is a Rite I service, meaning that it uses the more traditional language of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. This service includes lessons, prayers, a short sermon, and Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to make their communion in The Episcopal Church.
If you aren’t yet baptized but are considering it, let us know! Contact us and we’ll be happy to talk about it.
Resources
Parking and Accessibility
Give via PayPal or a Credit Card

Sung Eucharist (Rite I) and Sermon
2026-01-04 10:00, 2026-01-11 10:00, 2026-01-18 10:00, 2026-01-25 10:00, 2026-02-01 10:00 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866

Annual Meeting 2026
2026-02-01 11:00 - 12:45 | Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
Bethesda’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, 1st February following the 10am service.
