Coming Up at Bethlehem...

The Season of Pentecost at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

In the church year, Pentecost is a time that we pause to reflect on the global community of which we are a part – a community of people living out our faith, serving our neighbors and sharing God’s love with the world.  The wind of the Holy Spirit both forms the church and urges us outside the walls of the church to carry on the mission and ministry of Christ in the world. 

 

   June 20, 2018 - World Refugee Day

- According to the UNHCR, there are 65.3 million forcibly displaced people around the world.

- On average, 42,500 people per day flee their homes to seek protection within the borders of their own country or other countries.

- The civil war in Syria has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime, with 45% of the Syrian population displaced—over 11 million people.

- 86% of the world's refugees are hosted by developing countries.

- Of the 20 million refugees worldwide, 51% are under the age of 18.

How can you help? Consider supporting these organizations:

Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area: WWW.LSSNCA.ORG

Lutheran World Relief: WWW.LWR.ORG

Lutheran Immigration and Relief Service: LIRS

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Video Message from Pastor Dan!

 

See you soon, BLC!  

Letter from Pastor Dan

 

 

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 ELCA Statement on Family Separation

 

CHICAGO (June 7, 2018) –  ...Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news.

 

We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the household as an estate blessed by God....

 

Read the full response here

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 In faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, mindful of our Lutheran emphasis on grace, and rejoicing in the celebration of our shared baptismal journey, we welcome as members of our extended family all those who have ever felt excluded by the Church because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, physical or mental challenges, financial resources, or family status.

 

Our Affirmation of Diversity and Inclusion

 

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At Bethlehem, our work is Building Lives.
     Through Worship, Mission,

          and Connection.

          

Please visit us and experience the connection!

This is Christ's church.

There is a place for you here.

We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person--questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.