Ministries Education See Schedule/More Information... The Parish Education Committee at Bethlehem is responsible for developing and supervising all the learning ministries of the congregation. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Day Camp, Confirmation, Adult Studies, the GYFTS program (Growing Young Families Together Socially), and Youth learning ministries all fall under their purview. Evangelism The Evangelism Committee divides their efforts between out-reach beyond the members of Bethlehem and in-reach to active and inactive members. The committee is responsible for new member orientation, the pictorial directory, planning social events, training everyone in hospitality (name tags, greeting, good signage), adequate transportation, and the church archives. Evangelism See Schedule/More Information... The Evangelism Committee divides their efforts between out-reach beyond the members of Bethlehem and in-reach to active and inactive members. The committee is responsible for new member orientation, the pictorial directory, planning social events, training everyone in hospitality (name tags, greeting, good signage), adequate transportation, and the church archives. G.Y.F.T.S. See Schedule/More Information... G.Y.F.T.S. (Growing Young Families Together Socially) is a monthly gathering of the youngest families of the congregation - ages newborn through 4th graders and their parents and siblings. Events are planned to entertain and educate, but the main function for the gathering is Christian fellowship. In the past, GYFTS has held Halloween and Christmas parties, an Easter egg hunt, a summer cook-out, ice cream sundaes at the beach, an educational/spiritual time of preparing your yards and your lives for fall, and a movie night. H.O.P.E. See Schedule/More Information... The H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) Committee is the congregation's social action committee. Members on the committee are involved in Habitat for Humanity, the local Food Shelf, Christmas gifts for the needy, gifts and cards and visits for shut-ins and nursing home residents, organizing the church's deep cleaning days, and generally being ready to respond whenever a need is expressed. Mission See Schedule/More Information... The Mission-Benevolence Committee is essentially a group of advisors who gather once or twice a year to review the mission priorities of the congregation as they relate to the line item expenditures in the annual budget. Currently, Bethlehem shares mission support gifts with the ELCA and the Northwest Minnesota Synod, as well as with Luther Crest Bible Camp, Pioneer Retirement Community, Lutheran Social Services, the rural internship program of the Otter Tail County, Otter Tail Conference, and the Fergus Falls Ministerial (now called the Shepherd's Network). Bethlehem also regularly supports ELCA seminary students related to the congregation, and supports an ELCA missionary through the Missionary Sponsorship program of the ELCA. Stewardship See Schedule/More Information... The Stewardship Committee is responsible for interpreting the mission and ministries of the congregation and the larger church. Each year in the fall there is fund appeal to challenge and encourage congregational members to support the mission of the church. This year the theme is Where Your Heart Is, based on the verse from Matthew - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. WELCA See Schedule/More Information... The Women of the ELCA (WELCA) includes all confirmed women of the church. Eight groups, or Circles, minister to Bethlehem's home-bound members, and meet monthly for Bible Study and event planning (i.e. Bazaar, Salad Luncheon). Worship & Music See Schedule/More Information... The Worship & Music Committee coordinates all music and worship services at Bethlehem. The musicians, directors, accompanists, altar guild and pastoral staff join with the Committee to address all aspects of our worship life. Bethlehem has a proud tradition of vocal, instrumental and service groups which lead the worship of the congregation. Youth Groups See Schedule/More Information... Sr. High Group meets at 7:30pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month during the school year. We talk about current events and how to apply faith to life, we have fun together and plan future trips, we serve through worship leadership and community service. The group is open to anyone in 9th-12th grade, and is a place where you're encouraged to live in the world as a chosen and loved creature of God. During the school year, the Jr. High Group meets primarily as part of Bethlehem's Confirmation program (for a more complete description, see the Education section on the Ministries page). Each month we learn, have fun, and serve the community together in both large and small groups. We are already planning for next summers trip to Christikon camp in the mountains of southern Montana, and we will offer a number of fun local trips as well (i.e. tubing the river, attending a Redhawks game) during the warm summer months. The Explorers (5th-6th graders) gather periodically during the year to have fun together. Typical events include watching movies, playing indoor or outdoor large group games, traveling to Perham for a night of swimming, roller-blading and basketball at their community center, etc.