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Bethlehem News

Bethlehem is Growing! - January 2013 


Sadly, many congregations are seeing a decrease in Sunday attendance. In fact, of the 208 ELCA congregations in NYC and Nassau County, just 37 are growing.  But, here in Bay Ridge, Bethlehem is growing! 

 

Why?  Maybe it's our uplifting worship service, our music, our choir, our special presentations and events, our status as a Reconciling in Christ congregation open to all sexual orientations, our coffe hours, or our active involvement and support for LES, the Bay Ridge Center, The Healing Center or other community activities.

In 2012 we averaged 99 attendees.  According to ELCA, from 2005 to 2010 only 8 other congregations in all of New York City saw a greater percentage increase than ours.   Bethlehem is blessed with an active, committed, and growing congregation!

 

Bethlehem welcomed nine new members at our Sunday, June 17th service.  Shown here with Pastor Paul are (L-R): Annemarie Larsen, Irene St. John, Ruth Wohltjen, James & Georgette Larsen with their son Hunter, and Laura Valsamedis with her son Eric and daughter Emily.  Welcome to all! 

"Be A Blessing" - Nov through Dec, 201
Once again, Bethlehem's members brought in their gently used winter outerwear for the families of The Healing Center and were "A Blessing" for those in need.   

 

"The Fruit of the Spirit" - April 29, 2012

A special performance, "The Fruit of the Spirit in Words and Music," was presented with organ and full Choir during our Sunday, April 29th service.  Based on Paul's letter to the Galatians, it featured hymns along with narration.  Galations 5:22 eloquently presents a simple statement of the nine visible attributes of a good life and serves as the inspiration for this special musical presentation:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  


Food Pantry in the New York Daily News - Nov 13, 2011
Calling it one of New York's "neighborhood miracle workers" the New York Daily News highlighted the work of our emergency food pantry. 
   
  

 

Favorite Hymn Sunday - Nov 13, 2011

On Sunday, Nov. 13th we started a new Bethlehem tradition -- Favorite Hymn Sunday.  For the last few months we've been accepting "nominations" for favorite hymns and the best of the best were sung by our choir (and the rest of us).

 

Adult "Confirmation Class" 

Are you an adult who wants to learn more about the Bible? Wonder what our young people are learning in Confirmation Class?  Want to join in some interesting discussions about what we believe?  Then, come to Pastor Paul's Adult Confirmation Class (usually the last Monday of the month, but check our Calendar).  We meet in the Joy Room of the Parsonage at 7:00pm.  Refreshments are served.

  

Youth Group Growth

With our congregation growing and Sunday attendance way up it makes sense that membership in our Youth Group would follow suit --- and it has!  As a result, we now have three separate sections to better serve our younger members:  Pre-High School, High School and our new Adult (21+) group, which already has more than 20 members.  Each has regular monthly (if not more frequent) get togethers, field trips and fun in our Parsonage's Joy Room.  If you or your son/daughter want to learn more, just talk to Pastor next Sunday.  

History Needed
Bethlehem is steeped in history, but we are putting out a call for more.  Please take a moment to read our History page and the Archives page attached to it. 

- Do you notice anything missing?
- Know some fact about our church or pastors that we left out? 
- Where did a particular pastor come from or go to?
- Do you have any old photos of the people and events at Bethlehem?  Or any old copies of our newsletters? 

Let us know. We would greatly appreciate hearing from you.  Please contact our webmaster with any information.

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Sunday Service: 10:30 am
Fourth & Ovington Avenues - 718-748-9502

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