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8:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Wiggle
'n
Worship,
A Service for children & their families
9:30 a.m.
It's not easy visiting a new church for the first time. Will the people be friendly? Will they be too friendly? Will I be able to remain somewhat inconspicuous? Will my kids enjoy it? Am I welcome even if I'm not sure about my faith and organized religion?
As pastor, I want to make your experience at Bethlehem enjoyable and "user-friendly." My hope is, that no matter where you are in your faith and experience with church, you will find it easy and non-threatening to worship here.
When you arrive at Bethlehem for either the 8:30, 9:30 Wiggle 'n Worship, or 11:00 service on Sunday, please park in the lot behind the church and look for one of our visitor parking spaces. There is good signage to help you find your way.
When you come into the building you will find friendly people who will say "hello" and answer any questions you have. As you approach the worship space, someone will give you a worship program or "bulletin" that has everything you will need to follow along and participate as you wish. It also has a separate announcement sheet.
You may want to check out the nursery located on the ground floor. Children are always welcome to sit with you during church (and many do). Bags with quiet things for kids to do are available as you walk in. About 12 minutes into the late (11am) worship service, we have a children's message geared just for little ones. After this, there is a chance for children ages 3-5 to leave the service to attend a class called "Kids of the Kingdom." You are welcome to come with your child, especially the first time.
Children and their families are also invited to join us in our new
Wiggle
'n
Worship
service, a 20-30 minute service with upbeat music, a message designed
for the children, and no "shushing" allowed.
Our worship usually begins with a welcome a few remarks about the service and the church. Then we prepare for worship by taking a moment to ask God to forgive us and help us and I say a few words assuring us that God's love and forgiveness is real. If you are familiar with Lutheran worship, the style will be very familiar to you as "liturgical" which means it has a predictable pattern that varies throughout the year.
We continue with a song or two, which may be printed in your bulletin, or it may direct you to a book that is in the pew in front of you. At Bethlehem we sing a wide variety of traditional, contemporary and spiritual songs that inspire the heart and mind.
Next, I say a prayer and we listen to a few readings from the Bible. The Bible is our source of purpose, direction and inspiration. Every Sunday we read from the Old Testament, we read or sing a psalm, and we read from one of the Gospels and from elsewhere in the New Testament.
The message that follows is based on the Bible readings, relating them to our lives today using interesting quotes and relevant stories.
We continue by reading a statement of our faith called the Apostles Creed. Prayers are led by one of our members and we greet each other by shaking hands to share God's peace. At the Offering, members and regular attendees will put their offering in the plate as it passes by. Please feel welcome to be our guest and do not feel pressure to give. If you wish to put something in the plate as it goes by, consider using the tear off back page of the worship folder. You may, if you wish, leave us your name and we would be happy to get you more information about our church.
Each Sunday, we offer Communion (also known as The Lord's Supper or the Eucharist - from the Greek for thanksgiving). Here we celebrate in a way that Jesus taught us, understanding that God is present in the bread and wine. These are tangible ways we can experience God's love and grace. If you are a baptized Christian and have had communion elsewhere, you are welcome to come forward. Children are always welcome to come with their family for a blessing. If you are not sure you would like to have communion, please feel no pressure to come up. Instead just sit back, listen to the music and relax.
Our service ends with a blessing and a song. Acolytes put out the candles on the altar and carry the cross. After the service we hope you'll stay around for a cup of coffee and a nosh. Sunday morning is about worship but also about our relationships with each other. Bethlehem is a warm and inviting place to come. People often remark about how friendly it feels.
Thank you for your interest in Bethlehem. I hope you'll stop by this Sunday. If you do, please tell me you read this on the internet.
Pastor Phil Hirsch
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