Worship is at the heart of what we do here at BLC! Everything we do here is nurtured and grown out of our worship. Visiting a church for the first time can be confusing and maybe even a little intimidating! Our hope is that this page can help make visiting a little more comfortable for you.
We will not embarrass you by asking you to stand up and introduce yourself! We will greet you with smiles and handshakes and we may be a little over- eager to welcome you…but we're just so exited you're here!
God accepts us as we are - no matter who we are, what we do, or how we dress. We do not have a dress code. Worshipers at Bethlehem wear anything from shorts and tee shirts, to slacks and golf shirts, to suits and ties. Please wear whatever you feel is most comfortable for you in this setting. (FYI, Pastor wears jeans every Sunday!)
We love children in worship! And we love all the amazing ways God created them to be, even if they are sometimes noisy, messy, cranky, and all other kinds of wonderful! However, if you do feel the need for some space of your own, we have a “Pray Ground” at the rear of the sanctuary. Unlike a nursery setting, parents are able to worship with their children and begin to teach them that this room belongs to them as well. Children’s activity bags are also available, which include crayons, color pages, and other fun stuff!
Everything you need to follow along at worship is in the bulletin! Even the music! But if you ever get lost, feel free to ask a neighbor or an usher for assistance. They'd be glad to help! Another option is to just watch what others do and follow them. Like most good things in life, worship takes practice, especially if our worship style is new to you. It's ok to feel lost. Trust us, we all do at times! And guess what? God’s ok with that!
All are welcome at the table. Like the gift of baptism, the gift of communion is not dependent on our ability to understand it; therefore, all ages are welcome. No matter your religious background or personal history, we stand at the table on equal ground, welcoming all to join us. When you leave the table, strengthened and nourished, know most assuredly that you carry Christ within you for the sake of the world. (We offer non-alcoholic wine and gluten free bread.)
After you have communed, you also have the opportunity to light a candle in prayerful remembrance of someone or for a special need.
The offering plates we pass around are an opportunity to actively respond to all God has given to us. By freely giving to support the church's mission, we can reach out to the community through Bethlehem’s ministries. We certainly do not expect visitors to put anything in the offering plate, but we won't refuse it either! Our work is just too important to refuse any help we can get!
If you would like to support the work done at Bethlehem, you can also donate online by clicking on “Give” at the top of the page.
The Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia,” which has special meaning in Christ’s church. It means gathering not only to visit and break bread together, but also, through those actions, create a loving community where we care for and support each other and build each other up so that, in partnership, we can bring koinonia into the world.
After worship, you are invited into the fellowship hall just across from the sanctuary, where you will find coffee, cookies, and a whole bunch of other yummy treats, both healthy and not-so-healthy selections! You'll also find a great opportunity to get to know us and have a great conversation. We hope you join us after worship!
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Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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