Through the years, the people of Bethlehem have gathered to celebrate, sing, and share in Christian community. Today, the rhythm of Christian life continues — in and through the gifts of this generation.
The Journey of Faith Continues.
SINCE 1878
Our Beliefs
In worship, the people of Bethlehem gather to hear the Word of God, to receive the sacraments of God’s grace, and to nurture one another in Christian community.
The journey of faith is a lifelong pursuit, but Christ leads the way. God's living Spirit sustains and strengthens us as we follow Christ's call forward in service to God and one another.
Bethlehem is a family-oriented faith community where all ages and perspectives are valued and respected. We're a distinctly Lutheran community, where grace speaks with authority (often). We're a community of broken people, called to something more, and there faith meets us.
What it means to be the ELCA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a diverse and ever-changing body of faithful people who have a heart for participating in God's work in the world. God gifts each one of us in various ways for the purpose of living as reflections of Christ right where we are. For more on the ELCA, visit this site. Below is a list of churchwide values that BLC affirms and strives to embody:
Forgiveness and Reconcilliation
We are reconciled to God by God's forgiving mercy. Forgiveness and reconciliation flow from what God has made us to be in Jesus Christ and what God is doing with us in the world. As a people of God, we embody forgiveness in speech, action and relationships, and our ministry in reconciliation is foundational.
Dignity, Compassion, and Justice
Each person is created in God's image. We respect this God-given right to dignity and, inspired by the life of Jesus, show love and compassion for all people. Through proclamation of the gospel, through worship and as servants of God working for healing and justice in the world, we uphold and seek to protect the dignity and human rights of all people.
Inclusion and Diversity
As Christ's church, we value the richness of God's creation and offer a radical welcome to all people, appreciating our common humanity and our differences. We are a church that does not view diversity as a barrier to unity. We recognize and will challenge dynamics of power and privilege that create barriers to participation and equity in this church and society – for women, people of color, minority ethnic groups, people with disabilities, people who are marginalized or living in poverty, and the LGBTQ community.
Courage and Openess to Change
Because we trust in God's promise and understand faith to be a living, daring confidence in God's grace, we are emboldened to embrace learning and change in our spiritual and institutional journey as church. This means we are open to new ways and willing to take risks to discover God's plan for this church.
Faithful Stewardship of God's creation and Gifts
As church together, faithful stewardship is about holding to God's purpose and ensuring the responsibilities and resources that God has entrusted to us are used with great care and with accountability to God, to each other and those served by this church.
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A Lutheran Voice
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s story is both ancient and timely. It’s a story of a powerful and patient God who has boundless love for all people of the world. It’s a story that brings deep meaning, comfort and strength to a growing community of people who live in modern, often unsettling times.
