1. Do you have two churches?
2. How big is your church?
3. How old is your church?
4. How many services do you have and at what time?
5. What are your services like?
6. What is “traditional” worship?
7. What is “contemporary” worship?
8. Do you have childcare?
9. How do I become a member?
10. Is the church handicap accessible?
11. Do you offer Sunday School?
12. Do you have youth activities?
13. When do you start confirmation?
14. What should I wear to church?
15. Do I have to be a member to participate?
16. Do I have to be a member to schedule a baptism?
17. Do I have to be a member to schedule a wedding?
18. What are the church office hours?
19. How do I contact the church?

1. Do you have two churches? Back To Top
Bethlehem entered into a contractual agreement with Augustana in Elizabeth in 2002 for pastoral services. This relationship between a large urban congregation and a small rural congregation is unique and has given both congregations insights into the larger church body. Bethlehem’s pastoral team shares responsibilities as outlined by the Letter of Agreement (which includes worship leadership, preaching, visitation, confirmation, youth ministry, and administration). The two congregations celebrate their relationship with an annual joint worship service and pot luck picnic.

2. How big is your church? Back To Top
Our 2007 annual report listed 2577 baptized members and 1890 confirmed members. Our average Sunday morning worship attemdace is between 400-500 September through May.  We are large enough to offer a rich variety of ministries and excellence in music, teaching, amd mission opportunities; yet small enough to care for every member.  

3. How old is your church? Back To Top
Bethlehem Lutheran church is 136 years old. On February 18,1872, Kongsberg Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. Johan Bergh in rural Ottertail County. Then the Evangelical Lutheran Our Savior’s Congregation (made up of six families) was organized under Pastor Bergh’s supervision on August 13, 1872 in Fergus Falls. Their first place of worship was upstairs over a store, and the furnishings consisted of a chair, a small table, and a few rough benches. (Our Savior’s and Kongsberg, together with Tordenskjold and Sarpsborg Congregations, constituted a parish served by Pastor Bergh.)

4. How many services do you have and at what time? Back To Top
We have two service Sunday mornings, 8:30a.m. and 10:45a.m. During June, July, and August we have a mid-week worship service at 5:30p.m. with the same preacher/presider as the previous Sunday. During Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Holy Week, and at Thanksgiving we have special worship services for the community.   

5. What are your services like? Back To Top
You will find an opportunity at Bethlehem worship services to hear God’s word, to sing, to pray, to share in the sacraments, and to receive God’s gifts. We have two distinct worship styles offered at Bethlehem each Sunday morning “Traditional” and “Contemporary”.

6. What is “traditional” worship? Back To Top
The 8:30 a.m. worship service is accompanied by the organ as the principle instrument, and the congregation sings traditional hymns and liturgies.

7. What is “contemporary” worship? Back To Top
The 10:45 a.m. worship service is contemporary in style and accompanied by a “worship team” playing guitars, drums, keyboard, violin, etc.

8. Do you have childcare? Back To Top
Yes, we offer Sunday morning child care. Our Nursery is located on the lower level in the northeast wing behind the kitchen. We have child care for newborns to children age four throughout the morning.

9. How do I become a member? Back To Top
We welcome all inquiries about the Christian faith.  We recognize that the journey of faith is unique to each person, but there is a common bond in the search for God’s will and God’s way with God’s people. We facilitate membership conversations in groups and with individuals that will include the following.

• What does it mean to be an inquirer into life’s deepest questions?
• What does it mean to be a Lutheran Christian?
• How did Bethlehem grow and thrive?
• What does the Bible say / mean?  What stories does it tell?
• What does the church teach?
  
• How does worship and serve? 

Two New Member Sundays are planned each year (fall and spring) with ample opportunities before and after to discover new relationships and activities. To visit with a pastor about membership please call the church office at 736-5614 or  send an email to blc@prtel.com.

10. Is the church handicap accessible? Back To Top
Yes, Bethlehem has an elevator that makes all levels of the church handicap accessible. We provide hearing devices for the worship services.

11. Do you offer Sunday School? Back To Top
We welcome all children to our Sunday school program 3 yr. old – senior high. We strive to offer children a positive learning environment where their faith is nurtured and strengthened. We seek to model Christian community through safe, caring relationships and shared experiences among students, teachers, parents, pastors, and others in the congregation. Sunday school meets between the two worship services from 9:30 – 10:30 throughout the school year.

12. Do you have youth activities? Back To Top
We have three youth groups at Bethlehem, senior high cell group, middle school confirmation program, and upper elementary after school programs. Our main Fellowship and Discipleship programs are on Wednesdays and Sundays:

• 9:12--Cell Group, Weds 6:30-8 pm
• 6:8--Confirmation, Weds 6-7:30 pm
• 4:5--After School Program, 2nd & 4th Weds 3:30-5 pm

Our youth are also involved in...
Ski Trips, Summer Softball League, Baseball Games and Water Park & Valleyfair Events, Worship Team, Musicals, Acolyting, & Preaching, Youth Gatherings, Bible Camps: Luther Crest & Christikon, Student Leadership: Youth Team, VBS & Day Camp, Service Projects: Souper Bowl Sunday, Operation Bootstrap Africa Walk, Community-wide Events & Trips: Homeless Night, Famine, Middle School Mission Trip, Our Senior High also goes on Mission & BWCA Trips and National Youth Gatherings.

13. When do you start confirmation? Back To Top
Confirmation begins in 6th grade.

14. What should I wear to church? Back To Top
Bethlehem does not have a dress code, wear what is comfortable for you.

15. Do I have to be a member to participate? Back To Top
No, we welcome all of God’s people to our ministry and mission. We will respect your entry into our ministry and encourage you to consider all of its challenges, opportunities, connections. 

16. Do I have to be a member to schedule a baptism? Back To Top
Bethlehem requires a conversation between the parent(s) and pastor about the sacrament of holy baptism. We welcome all such conversations so that there can be an understanding of the meaning of holy baptism and our response to God’s grace given in baptism. 

17. Do I have to be a member to schedule a wedding? Back To Top
No, but a conversation between the couple and the pastor is required to understand and teach about the connection between the marriage, wedding, faith, worship, and commitment.

18. What are the church office hours? Back To Top
From September through May the office hours are Mon-Fri 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m. and 1:00-4:30p.m. June through August the office hours are Mon-Thu 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m. and 1:00-4:00p.m. and Fri from 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m.

19. How do I contact the church? Back To Top
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
102 West Junius Ave
Fergus Falls MN 56537
Phone: 218-736-5614
Fax: 218-736-5615
blc@prtel.com
www.bethlehemff.org