Ministries & Activities
Our Mission
To serve God and God's people. To live our faith daily through worship, and providing education, support, nourishment, compassion, good counsel, love, and service to the larger community - welcoming all who join us in this mission.
Bethlehem is an active part of the Bay Ridge community through a wide variety of programs and services. We have a hundred year tradition of service that is kept alive to this day through an involved congregation.
Bethlehem is run by a Church Council. Our work and activities operate through our Commissions, which include the Bay Ridge Center and the Lutheran Elementary School of Bay Ridge, as well as those listed on the Pastor & Council page of this website.
What's available for you at Bethlehem?
For Everyone: Sunday Service, Spiritual Guidance, Good Fellowship, Support, Coffee Hours, BBQs, Community
For Children: Lutheran Elementary School of Bay Ridge, Sunday School, After-School Program, Youth Organizations, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts
For Seniors: Bay Ridge Center, AARP, Meals-on-Wheels, Monday to Saturday Lunch Program, Computer Classes, Arts & Exercise Classes, Benefits Planning, Theatre, Day Trips
For Special Needs: The Healing Center, Alcoholics Anonymous, Emergency Food Pantry
Main Ministries
The Bay Ridge Center
Since 1976 the Bay Ridge Center's mission has remained unchanged: to improve the quality of life for the area's senior population, assist the needy and stabilize those most at risk in their homes and neighborhood. For more information see our Bay Ridge Center page or go to www.bayridgecenter.org.
Marianne Nicolosi, Executive Director
Lutheran Elementary School
of Bay Ridge
Lutheran Elementary School of Bay Ridge has been a place of education, enlightenment, respect, caring and concern since 1957. We offer a high quality education to a multi-religious school population in a nurturing, yet challenging environment. Classes are for children from nursery through 8th grade. For more information see our Lutheran Elementary School page or go to www.lesbayridge.com.
Lorraine Tuccillo, Principal
The Healing Center
The Healing Center is dedicated to the intervention and prevention of family violence and abuse. It has been serving people of diverse faiths, cultures and personal experiences since 2000 and has been a part of Bethlehem's ministries since 2008. For more information see our Healing Center page on this site or go to www.thehealingcenterny.org.
Antonia Clemente, Executive Director
Activities
The members of Bethlehem also participate in a variety of other Church ministries and activities throughout the year. Here are just a few...
Koinonia: Located in Highland Lake, NY, this year-round camp is available for young and old. Retreats, Summer Camp and Advent weekends all take place on Koinonia's 1,200 acre forested location in the Catskill Mountains (photo right).
Dorcas Guild: Our women's club meets monthly to plan and support various charitable activities.
Bethlehem Youth Organizations: Our youngsters (grade 5 through college, and young adults) experience a healthy outlet through monthly events and activities that include ice skating, day-trips, movies, weekends at Koinonia, Christmas caroling, and volunteer opportunities in the community. We now have three separate Youth Groups: Pre-High School, High School and Young Adults (21+).
Church BBQ: Held each spring and fall in the parsonage back yard with Pastor doing the honors at the grill.
Fellowship Coffee Hours: Every Sunday we find a reason to get together for coffee and good fellowship after Sunday service.
Syttende Mai Parade: Bethlehem's Church, school and Bay Ridge Center all turn out in force for the annual Norwegian Independence Day parade (Sunday closest to May 17th).
Roller skating: Sunday School'ers get to rock and roll after service on special occasions.
Fun: Annual Christmas sale, Penny Carnival, and other events throughout the year.
Annual Meeting: Every January/Februrary the congregation elects members of the Church Council, who will direct Bethlehem's activities.
Reformation Sunday: On the last Sunday in October we mark the Protestant Reformation that began on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther challenged the practices of the Roman Catholic church.
Scout Sunday: We honor our Boy Scout Troop 9318 and Cub Scout Pack 518 and their leaders.
Christmas: The holidays are especially meaningful at Bethlehem. Our Sunday School children teach us about the true meaning of Christmas during our Christmas Pageant on the Sunday preceding Christmas. Our late night Christmas Eve service with a pre-service concert, and Christmas Day service are renowned throughout the area.
Not to mention... our Easter Sunday Breakfast, Passover Sedar, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, special musical presentations by our Choir, and Coffee Hours on most Sunday's following service.
Please visit our Calendar page to see what's going on at Bethlehem Lutheran Church this month.
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