Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Dear Members and Friends,
The early church had two key figures that energized the new Christian community. Peter and Paul were the clear leaders of those who embraced the Good News of Jesus Christ. Peter was the head of the church in Jerusalem. Paul was the most prolific missionary of all time, as he brought the gospel message to the non-Jewish world.
Peter and Paul were probably as different as two people can be. Peter was a rugged fisherman, with little to no education. He was confident and bold, and he certainly was perceived as a leader among the disciples. Paul was a Pharisee who spent years studying the Torah and the Works of the Prophets. He was a scholar who knew God’s Word intimately. He is described, however, as physically weak and his speech is referenced as unremarkable. Paul himself writes of a recurring physical ailment that he referred to as a “thorn in the flesh”, and this weakness provided a lesson for him.
Peter and Paul appear to have little in common with respect to their personalities and their physical abilities, yet they shared something that enabled them to have a profound impact on the world. Peter and Paul not only believed the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, but they were also passionate about that message. They truly shared a passion for spreading the Good News and serving the risen Lord with their life, and this is what made them successful in their mission.
At Bethlehem, in addition to our wonderful worship and fellowship experiences, we support three main ministries. We have our school, our senior center, and our Healing Center. Over the last three years we have had a change in leadership in each. We have Todd Fliedner as the Executive Director of the Bay Ridge Center. We have Noeline Maldonado as the Executive Director of The Healing Center. We now have Michelle Miano as the principal of LES. I don’t believe anyone would disagree that Todd, Noeline and Michelle probably have as little in common with each other as Peter and Paul. But, just as Peter and Paul shared a passion for their mission, so do Todd, Noeline and Michelle. We could not ask for people more passionate about their jobs and we are blessed to have them in their key roles.
As the summer comes to a close and our ministries come alive in a powerful way, please keep these wonderful leaders in your thoughts and prayers. We are grateful for their passion, and we will support them in any way we can.
In the Lord's service,
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Pastor Paul's September Message
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
