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Services

Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at 7:30, 8:30, and 11:00 a.m. The 7:30 service is entirely spoken and has somewhat of the character of a "house communion." The choir ordinarily sings at the 11:00 service.

See the congregation's calendar for times of special services, such as those of Lent and Holy Week: Midweek services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.

Congregation members take part as lectors, ushers, acolytes, greeters, communion preparers, cantors, choir, and giving the children's sermon. A worship committee coordinates these activities and oversees this area of church life. YnC organizes the children's participation as acolytes.

Communion is open to all our Christian visitors, regardless of whether they come from a Lutheran church home. As someone has said, "This is the Lord's table, not ours." Lutherans traditionally welcome children to take Communion only after a period of instruction, which usually takes place in the 5th grade. Until then, they may come forward to receive a blessing. If they wish, they may signal this by crossing their arms over their chest ("St. Andrew's Cross").

Children are welcome in church. The YnC ministry provides "church bags" with activities to engage younger children—these are to be found near the front door. There is a nursery for the very youngest children. Children 3-5 are invited to leave the sanctuary after the children's sermon, to go downstairs for an enrichment time (about 15 minutes) before returning to the service.

Music

Bethlehem has long cherished the tradition of using fine music in our worship--with congregational singing, choir, organ, and other instruments. The choir welcomes you to participate. Choir normally holds practices twice a week (Wednesday evening at 7:00, and Sunday morning at 9:30) and performs at the 11:00 service under the direction of our precentor, Woosug Kang.

Special occasions such as Advent and Easter call for special music. On Reformation Sunday last year, the choir performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Reformation Cantata, Ein' Feste Burg, BWV 80. On Easter 2008 the choir will sing Schubert's Mass in G minor during the 11:00 service. Bethlehem's 2-manual, 12-rank pipe organ was rebuilt in 1996 by Indianapolis pipe organ builders Goulding and Wood, Inc.

Art

The English Gothic sanctuary is adorned with many works of art, mostly locally made by Pastor Elder and members of the church. Note especially the large array of hand-painted shields mounted on the ceiling, the altar's triptych, the banners and altar cloths, and the stained-glass windows.