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We’re here and ready to welcome you to the Bethlehem Church family. Our congregation is a diverse group of open individuals who honor God by accepting all.
As a member of the Bethlehem Congregation you are loved for your differences as much as your similarities. From our intergenerational center to Pub Theology, we’re working to build community and foster a welcoming culture throughout. Join us on Sundays and throughout the week.
We believe growing in the stories of Jesus Christ within a welcoming community of faith is important for people of every age. While we needed to make some adjustments to our traditional programming during the pandemic, please know we are committed to finding creative opportunities for all to belong and grow. Please contact Pastor Karsten if you have interest in exploring youth group activities with our youth, confirmation classes, communion discovery classes for families (called Families at the Table), baptismal preparation classes, and other special events. On Sunday mornings we have created a “Community Space” in the sanctuary for children to further explore worship and spiritual discovery through coloring activities, books, and other activities.
We have hybrid opportunities for gathering, connection, and growth:
+We often gather after monthly for pizza and salad (Pizza Sundays).
+We meet either in-person or via Zoom for what we call, “Pub Theology.” This gathering offers intentional space to hear of each other’s journey of life and faith. This gathering often meets on Sunday evenings.
+On many Tuesday evenings, we meet via Zoom for a book discussion. Past authors have included, Brene Brown, Mary Oliver, Barbara Brown Taylor, Brian Walsh, Sylvia Keersmat, Rachel Held Evans, Richard Rohr, Kate Bowler, Henri Nouwen, and Nadia Bolz-Weber.
+On Thursday mornings we meet via Zoom for a pastoral Bible Study open to all (11 am – 12 noon).
+Other virtual gatherings have included sessions on non-violent communication, Sunday School classes involving Bonhoeffer’s life and teachings, and other types of classes.
Please contact Pastor Karsten to suggest new ideas, to learn of the current opportunities, or to request a Zoom link for any of our online groups.
Bethlehem is part of nearly 1000 communities connected to the ELCA who have made a public commitment to welcome, include, and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. In short, we are fully committed to helping all people experience the amazing love of Jesus Christ.
Bethlehem is a congregation of the Evangelical Church in America. The ELCA is one of the largest denominations in the United States with nearly 4 million members and 10,000 congregations in the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Many of the congregations of the ELCA have heritage rooted in the Northern European nations that have heavier Lutheran histories, like Scandavia and Germany. The ELCA is now a denomination that strives to be culturally diverse and impactful in how the gospel is embodied. The ELCA is committed to ecumencial partnerships and is in fuller participation with the Episcopal, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian (USA), United Church of Christ, and Reformed (RCA) churches.
While the concept of Intergenerational Centers is fairly new, the reality of multiple generations living, working and playing together is as old as families themselves. In our busy and mobile world we have often lost sight of the benefits and importance of the young and old being together. Early research in this concept suggests significant benefits for young and old alike.
An intergenerational center consists of a wing dedicated to the care and education of young children and another wing dedicated to the care and enrichment of the elderly. What makes it intergenerational is that programming is intentionally designed to encourage the children and elders to be together at various times during the day for activities as well as organic interactions.
10:30 am – Worship and Communion
Neighborhood Engagement and Social Justice
Bethlehem is strongly committed to addressing issues of injustice, racism and poverty in our community. We strive to support people to live independent, dignified and sustainable lives. We also are also committed to partnering with agencies and ministries to build a healthy, flourishing community for everyone. In the ELCA, we talk about “God’s work; our hands.”
These commitments include:
● The Bethlehem Intergenerational Center, which provides high quality care for children and adults in the core city.
● The creation of the Heartside Neighborhood Collaborative Project in 2009, which has increased communication and collaboration between ministries, agencies, government, and neighbors. We continue to host monthly agency meetings in our sanctuary, usually on the first Thursday morning of the month.
● Monthly work crews serving at Feeding America West Michigan with additional opportunities to serve at the monthly distribution of Neighbors for Neighbors in Heartside Park. Bethlehem continues to engage opportunities with Together West Michigan.
● The use of space for Michigan United’s work involving citizenship classes and No Surrender running club/mentoring program.
● Other types of activities and partnerships have included building a home through Habitat for Humanity, refugee resettlement support through Samaritas, Hunger Walk, Alzhemier’s Walk, providing meals at Hope Lodge, and financial support of the Heartside Fund as well as synodical and global ministries connected to the ELCA.