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.
We invite children to participate in worship services and encourage their sense of belonging within our worshipping community. Children’s bulletins are available from the ushers. Children’s soft bags can be found in the entry area. “Taking Faith Home” inserts are added to the worship bulletin and are family-friendly devotions for the week ahead. A children’s message often precedes the sermon in the service.
Sunday morning child care – our Nursery is located on the lower level in the northeast wing of the parish ed building. We have child care for newborns to children age four throughout the morning.
Spark Activates Faith Our Bethlehem Sunday school kids will be learning from “Spark, Activate Faith”, a curriculum from Augsburd Fortress.
Spark is designed to fit all the different ways kids learn. Kids learn about their faith in different ways. Some kids learn best through hands-on activities. Other kids learn best through writing and reading activities. Still others learn best through a combination of activities. Spark has been designed by children’s education experts to accommodate all the different ways kids learn. Kids explore their faith through interactive activities and games, colorful lesson leaflets, creative art projects, and engaging music.
Each lesson is structured around a clear lesson focus statement. All kids explore the same Bible story each week, yet each age level focuses on the story in an age appropriate way. Each Bible story has a Lesson Focus statement for each age level, and all content reinforces that focus statement, making it easy for teachers to feel confident with what they are teaching.
Lectionary Model Spark follows the Revised Common Lectionary, meaning that each story lesson comes from a Bible story in the Old Testament, the Gospel readings, or Acts that kids will hear during worship. The age appropriate classroom leaflets offer interactive content that engages kids in the Bible story. Each leaflet also includes a "Faith at Home" activity to encourage faith discussion at home.
We will also be introducing art and drama lessons for each age group. Please call or e-mail Val (736-5614, valjohnson@prtel.com) if you are interested in being a part of this exciting new chapter in the education of our youth!
Bibles Bibles are presented to the children of Bethlehem three times during their Sunday School years:
3 year olds receive the Rhyme Bible at the start of their first Sunday School year.
2nd graders and their parents are given some instruction in the fall, and presented with the Beginner’s Bible during a special worship service.
6th graders receive the New Student Bible at the beginning of their confirmation years.
Children’s Groups:
Sunday School Choirs – The "Cherubs" choir are children ages 3 years-Kindergarten and the "Seraphim" choir are children 1st-4th grades, each choir will sing once a month during the late service under the direction of the Sunday school music director.
GYFTS (Growing Young Families Together Socially) events are planned throughout the year to give young children and their parents opportunities to connect with one another in a social setting.
VBS – Vacation Bible School is held for one week during the summer. Our 3, 4, and 5 year olds have a great time learning about Jesus through story, craft, music, snack and outdoor activities.
Parish Education Committee, is responsible for developing and supervising the education and programs for our children from infants through senior high school including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Day Camp, Basket Bonanza, Confirmation, and the GYFTS program. The committee meets the last Thursday of each month at 6pm
YouthOur Youth Ministry Mission Statement is:
Cradled by... Gathering in God's presence Reaching out to those in need Accepted and forgiven Called to follow Jesus Encouraging others to join us
We have three youth groups at Bethlehem, one for senior high, one for middle school, and one for upper elementary. They are aptly named after Bible verses:
9:12 Cell Group, Weds 7:30-9 pm “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but those who are sick.” Matthew 9:12
6:8 Confirmation, Weds 6-7:30 pm “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
We are eager to begin a new season for confirmation! Again this year we will be offering a light supper prior to confirmation starting at 5:45 pm in the fellowship hall. Our confirmation curriculum for this year will again be Here we Stand which uses online power point presentations together with contemporary film clips and music, skits, comedy, Bible Study, object lessons, and a theme for the day. Another book we use is a wonderfully wise and good humored The Lutheran Handbook (with a winking Martin Luther on the cover).
Wednesday Night Schedule 5:45p Light Supper (provided) 6:15p Small Groups (highs & Lows) 6:35p Large Group 7:05p Small Group
Curriculum 6th Grade: Old Testament (Pastor Stan) 7th Grade: New Testament (Pastor Kate) 8th Grade: Lutheran Theology and Doctrine (Jenny Johnson)
“What is required for my child to get confirmed?” you may ask… Each of the three years (the guides will track these):
1. Attendance at the following: - Confirmation Class - Worship (15 sermon notes/year or equivalent) - Advent & Lenten Family Confirmation - Sunday School (highly recommended)
2. Three service projects/year (Two with your small groups and one individual) - Options will be provided as part of Confirmation - Small groups will plan two together - You can also do one as a family - How to fulfill this requirement is entirely up to you.
3. Involvement in Acolyting and one or more of the following ministry areas: - Help with Communion (w/parent) - Greeting (w/parent) - Ushering (w/parent) - Reading the Lessons - Worship Team
4. Pastors Home Visits (6th graders)
4:5 After School Program for youth in grades 4th and 5th. We will pick them up at school at 3:30 pm and bring them to church for devotions, games, fellowship, and a snack. We have a great time come and check it out! Friends are welcome!!
Sept. 21- Parables of the Lost Oct. 5- The Unforgiving Servant Oct. 19- The Good Samaritan
Jesus taught in parables. We will be looking at 6 of Jesus' parables.
The Youth Team is responsible for developing and supervising educational programs, events, and activities for our youth starting in fourth grade through high school including fellowship opportunities, bible studies, mission trips, and funraising for local and global missions.
At Bethlehem we offer a variety of educational opportunities for adults that include bible studies and book groups.
Bethlehem Connects
Join us Sunday evenings this fall for food, fellowship, and Bible study. We'll start with supper at 5:30p.m. for the large group and then from 6-7p.m. You will have the opportunity to attend one of the small group Bible studies listed below. Child care is provided for the little ones. Begins Sept. 18, 2011
1. Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship - A 6 week Book Study to encourage readers to practice their faith in everyday life. Author Michael Foss provides six time tested marks of discipleship: daily prayer, Bible reading, weekly worship, Christian service, relationships that encourage spiritual growth, and giving in the spirit of generosity. Using Bible passages and real-life stories, Foss illustrates how each mark of discipleship enhances and supports the growth of a person's faith journey.
2. NOOMA - Rob Bell - DVD and Discussion Rain - Where's God when life isn't going like we want it to? Trees - Do our lives even matter? Sunday - Do we get so wrapped up in religion that we miss out on what's important to God? Kickball - If God really cares about us, why don't we have what we want? Luggage - Why is it sometimes so hard to forgive? Today - Can we become so consumed with the past that we can't see the beauty of today?
3. Heaven on Earth: Studies in Matthew - A 6 session Bible Study. Who does not want a heaven on earth or for love to come first in a cruel and broken world? This is the core meaning of Jesus' most important words in the Gospel of Matthew, describing for us the importance of love, so that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17). That means we do not have to wait to experience heaven after we die.
Bethlehem Connects on Sunday Morning...... Parenting: The Early Years - A 6 week DVD/Workbook Course begins September 18 at 9:45am in the Large Conference room. What kind of parent do you want to be? Who you are matters more than what you do. When your kids are all grown up, how will they remember you? In these six sessions, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott will take you through a parenting approach you won't find in any other parenting resource. In reality TV style, take a sneak peek at the real-life parenting moments and vulnerable questions from 20 families. Discover 10 Biblical traits that will make you a better person and a better parent. Then begin to intentionally pass on these key traits to your kids.
Bethlehem Connects on Wednesday Evenings...... Join us Wednesday evenings this fall for food, fellowship, and Bible study. We'll start with supper at 5:45p.m. in the fellowship hall with the confirmation students followed by the Bible study "Making Marriage Work." Child care is provided for the little ones. Starts Sept. 21.
Making Marriage Work - A 6 week DVD/Workbook course. Topics Include: Overcoming the myths of marriage, Fighting fair, Dealing with external pressures, Strengthening your faith. Real-life stories from married couples around the U.S. Expert teaching from Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott as seen on eHarmony Marriage, authors of Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts, and Your Time-Starved Marriage.
The Book of Faith Initiative encourages and enables good conversation about Scripture at the congregational level. The Book of Faith Initiative is an invitation to do what we have always claimed we do: read, study, reflect, and meditate upon the Bible together. Book of Faith is designed to initiate a conversation between the people of Bethlehem and their sacred book, the Holy Bible. The conversation is growing with new Bible study/book club options from Augsburg Fortress that are “hot off the presses”. More information about the Book of Faith Initiative can be found at www.bookoffaith.org.
Open Forum We begin the fall series on the language of faith by focusing on the King James Version of the Bible. This year marks the 400th Anniversary of the KJV. There were several competing translations in use in England in the 17th century. King James formed a committee of 47 professors to create a translation that was accurate, acceptable to all, and poetically beautiful enough for the king. Their translation, using Shakespeare's rich language, eventually brought new life to the church. Open Forum resumes Sunday morning, September 18 at 9:45am in the Chapel. Open Forums planned for October and November will deal with compassionate listening and public discourse; the way we speak to each other and the effects it has on our relationships. We will also learn about the actions of the NW MN synod and the ELCA church-wide assembly.
Bible Studies
Womens Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 9:00a.m. The Bible study is based on - Abraham, the Father of Three World Religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will study the patriarch, Abraham, by telling his story dramatically with the movie Abraham, meet Abraham's family and neighbors and follow him on his journey as he sets forth to go where God commands...to the Promised Land.
The primary book we will be using for our study will be Abraham, Father of All Believers by Stephen Binz. Supplementary material will be taken from Abraham, A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths by Bruce Feiler, The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill, and Son of Laughter by Frederick Buechner.
Augustana Connects on Wednesdays...... Augustana Lutheran Church in Elizabeth is connected to Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at 7am at Debbie's Kitchen. Bring your Bibles and prepare to enter God's story and see how your life is interwoven with God's. Our study continues this fall in the Book of Faith offering, Making Sense of the Christian Faith by David Lose. Everyone is welcome!
Bethlehem WELCA Bible Study "To Follow and to Serve: the Gospel of Mark" The theme verse for this year's study is, "Take heart; get up, Jesus is calling you." (Mark 10:49b). We will be exploring what it means to follow Jesus Christ, and through reading and internalizing His story, we will be called to a living faith and will be encouraging one another to a deeper understanding of how we are to serve.
Included in our study will be sessions on: Jesus early years in Nazareth, who truly are his mother and brothers, who truly has power and authority, thinking "outside the box" (or beyond the world's boundaries), what is in store for those who confess Jesus as Lord, and so much more. This study will parallel the reading of and the preaching on the Gospel of Mark beginning with the season of Advent in late November. The author of our study is Dr. Patricia Lull, whose voice is one that will be listened to very carefully by the ladies of Bethlehem's circles.
Men’s Bible study group
Young Women’s Bible study and book club
Augustana Apartment Bible study/book club
Book of the Month Club
September: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken is the true life story of Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. Then the war came, and the athlete became an airman embarking on a journey that would end in a doomed flight, a tiny raft, and prisoner-of-war camp. The Washington Post book review called the book "ambitious and powerful... gripping in an almost cinematic way.
We hope you will be able to find a copy of the book and read it prior to the book club meeting. If you are only able to read part of the story, come anyway. The more voices around the table, the better the discussion, the more insight we will all take away from the book, and the more fun we will all share. If you have trouble finding a book, talk to Pastor Kate.
The Bethlehem Book Club will begin meeting this fall the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30p.m. The first discussion will be September 28.
Upcoming Fall Book Club Selections: October: The Help by Kathryn Stockett November: Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Senior Ministry Bethlehem believes that we are never too old to live boldly and joyfully. We believe that we can set aside the misconceptions and myths about older adults. Bethlehem’s history is an active one with a variety of activities and ministries.
VSP (Very Special People) “55 and Better” is an organization of older folks who meet monthly for worship with Holy Communion, food, fellowship, and fun. The festive lunches in December and May and the field trips to interesting places are popular and looked-forward-to events. Women of the ELCA (WELCA) at Bethlehem Bethlehem’s WELCA involves all confirmed women of the church in Bible study, service projects, and fundraisers.
There are five circles that meet once a month for fellowship and Bible study. The women collect items for school, health, sewing, layette, and midwife kits to benefit Lutheran World Relief.
In the fall of the year, the women organize a bazaar and in the spring a salad luncheon to raise funds to support church projects and community needs. They also meet for dinner or brunch three times a year for special programs and in the middle of the summer for a picnic.
Bethlehem is part of Cluster 8 and attend (and take their turn hosting) fall and spring gatherings
Services in Mission/Social Action
Service in Mission awareness and opportunities are encouraged and supported in local and global contexts in the following ways.
Local
Habitat for Humanity
Fergus Falls Food Shelf
Meals by Wheels
Tree of Hope
Matthew House
Someplace Safe (Women’s crisis shelter)
Salvation Army (centered crisis and transient ministry)
Global
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Companion Synod Covenant between the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church-India and the NW MN Synod & Reach Orphanage
Operation Bootstrap Africa
Missionary support
Lutheran World Relief
Multiple Mission Trips have been made by Bethlehem members in recent years.
2008
Youth Mission trip to South Carolina
Youth Mission trip to Michigan
2007
Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast with the NW MN Synod / Lutheran Disaster Relief
2006
Mission Trip to the Gulf Coast with the NW MN Synod / Lutheran Disaster Relief
2005
Youth and Adult Mission trip to Alaska
Caring Ministry
Bethlehem promotes caring ministries within the congregation and beyond.
Parish nurses - The church employs two parish nurses who administer blood pressure checks, educate the congregation about health issues through the monthly newsletter, and participate in various events such as healing services throughout the year.
Stephen Ministry – Bethlehem has three trained Stephen Leaders and twenty-one Stephen Ministers who weekly visit people within and outside the congregation who are going through crises in their lives.
Friendly Visitors – Bethlehem has fifty-five home-bound seniors who enjoy a monthly visit from their “friendly visitor”.
Eucharistic Ministers – Bethlehem has an average of twelve – fifteen members who welcome Eucharistic ministers into their home Sunday morning who have directly from the Holy Communion service at church and distribute the sacrament to them.
Prayer Chain – Bethlehem has six prayer chains that receive prayer requests to pass the information along the chain of pray-ers.
Prayer shawls, Cards and Flowers, Christmas and Easter cards – Prayer shawls are knit and crocheted by members for people going through a crisis and then taken to them. They are wrapped in the shawl and in the prayers. Cards are sent to members at significant moments in their lives. Flowers are taken to members who are hospitalized. Christmas and Easter cards are sent to the home-bound members.
The pastors regularly schedule visits to the church’s home-bound members and give group communions to members living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Evangelism/Hospitality Ministry
Hospitality Ministry at Bethlehem is the "recognition that God comes to us through strangers and that by receiving another we open ourselves to the expanding message of an incarnate God." (Gerald Hoffman, Hospitable Community booklet, 1990, Augsburg/Fortress, p. 8)
We invite strangers to become friends at Bethlehem. "Hospitality is the very nature of God. To be of the body of Christ is to reflect an openness to receive others. We serve as Christ's hosts. Our status is a gift from a gracious God and is to be reflected in our lives." (Hoffman, p.10)
The primary focus of this ministry is to welcome new members who are making a transition into our community of faith. Twice each year we go through a formal time of welcome and entry. Throughout the year we practice relationship building, grow in Christian education, and participate in worship and service.
Sunday hospitality is another dimension of this ministry. Greeters, Food Servers, Church Bus Drivers, Eucharistic Ministers, Nursery Attendants, and Ushers all serve on Sundays throughout the year to welcome one another in Christ's name.
Worship & Music
Worship is central to the Christian life. Bethlehem’s Sunday worship gives shape to our week, rhythm to our life, and good news for our living. Word and Sacrament are the foundation for everything else that we do as Christians. We need the forgiveness God gives through Christ at the end of our week, and that same good news supports us throughout the following week until the next Sunday.
Bethlehem has a proud history of excellence in music. In recent years the music ministry has been enhanced and extended to include a Worship Team for the 10:45 Sunday worship, the remodeling of the Moeller Pipe Organ in 2007 & 2008, Adult and Youth choirs, and the periodic production of a youth musical.
Two distinct worship styles are offered at Bethlehem each Sunday morning. The 8:30 a.m. worship service is accompanied by the organ as the principle instrument, and the congregation sings traditional hymns and liturgies. The 10:45 a.m. worship service is contemporary in style and accompanied by a “worship team” playing guitars, drums, keyboard, violin, etc. All musicians have been using the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) hymnal for hymns and liturgies. Additional contemporary worship resources are used by the worship team to supplement the hymnal.
Holy Communion is currently offered the first, third and fifth Sunday of the month and all festival Sundays.
Our worship service is broadcast on KBRF radio (1250 AM) every Sunday, at 8:30 a.m. and for special mid-week services during Christmas and Lent.
We invite children to participate in worship services and encourage their sense of belonging within our worshipping community. Children’s bulletins are available from the ushers. Children’s soft bags can be found in the entry area. “Taking Faith Home” inserts are added to the worship bulletin and are family-friendly devotions for the week ahead. A children’s message often precedes the sermon in the service.
Sunday morning child care – our Nursery is located on the lower level in the northeast wing of the parish ed building. We have child care for newborns to children age four throughout the morning.
Why Worship? Worship is the people of God using the human speech of adoration for God and is addressed to God. Worship is God’s language heard by the worshipping assembly to inspire us and to equip us to live out both our earthly and heavenly lives and to bear witness to the presence of God in our lives. Worship is ritual; it is practiced repetition that offers order into the chaos of human existence by providing stability and integrity at the beginning of our week. Worship is prayer because it encourages two-way communication with our God who created us, loves, and abides with us.
Music Groups
Jubilee Choir: The Jubilee Choir is Bethlehem’s adult choir. The choir provides special music and worship leading at the 8:30 worship service. They also present a Christmas and Easter Cantata each year. The Jubilee Choir meets weekly at 7pm in the balcony. No audition is needed!
Triple Trio: The Triple Trio is Bethlehem’s women’s ensemble. It is comprised of 9 ladies and just celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary! The Triple Trio provides special music a the 8:30a.m. worship service once a month.
Joyful Noise: The Bethlehem Worship Team, Joyful Noise, is a worship band that leads music at the 10:45 Worship Service. The band rehearses each Wednesday at 8pm in the Sanctuary and is always looking for new members. The worship team offers a pre-service sing-along starting in the sanctuary at 10:30am.
Sunday School Choirs: The "Cherubs" choir are children ages 3 years-5 year/Kindergarten and the "Seraphim" choir are children 1st-4th grades. Both Choirs enjoy a music time during the Sunday School hour and also provide special music once a month at the 10:45 Worship Service under the direction of the Sunday School Music Director.
New Life Choir: The New Life Choir is open to young people in grades 1-6. It meets once per week and performs during the 10:45 church service once per month. Weekly rehearsal times will be from 5:15-5:45 p.m. on Wednesday nights and are held in the sanctuary. A New Life Choir Christmas Concert is held at the Broen Home Light and Life Auditorium in December and is a chance for the group to showcase many of their favorite tunes. An end of the year pizza party in mid May is a great way that we top off the year!! A New Life Choir t-shirt is provided to all participants. Students are encouraged to move, dance and sing God's praise while learning some great Christian songs! All 1st-6th graders who have a desire to sing are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Beth Monke at 739-9366
Middle School Musical: Once every two years, the Middle School students at Bethlehem have the opportunity to audition for and perform in a musical. Generally, rehearsals begin in mid August and performances are in September. Performance week generally includes 6 performances in Fergus Falls at various locations and one weekend overnight at a church in Moorhead that includes a Sunday morning performance as well. Musicals are light-hearted, but with a powerful message and have been a wonderful evangelical tool in our community. For more information, contact Beth Monke at 739-9366
Bethlehem Brass: The Bethlehem Brass provides excellent special music at Christmas and Easter and also special Sundays throughout the year.
Altar Guild: The work of the Altar Guild is to assist in creating and maintaing a climate of worship for the congregation. Through our worship service, we seek the message of the Gospel of Christ and respond to it. The preaching, liturgy, administering of the Sacrament all are for the primary purpose of communicating this message and responding to it. The communication is two-way, from God to us and from us to God. We build our churches, furnish our chancels in such a way as to help this communication. The flowers, candles, altar hangings with their symbols are not just decorations. Each is meaningful, and it is the duty of the Guild members to help members of the congregation understand the symbolism in their own church.
Stewardship
Stewardship, Finance, Lay Ministry Coordination, and Interpretation Ministries join together in regular planning to coordinate the ministry from Bethlehem’s Mission Center. Responsibilities include fall mission support commitment (Consecration Sunday style), Time & Talent invitations and coordination, communication and interpretation for the congregation and community, and assessment of financial situations and goals.
