A message from Bethlehem...

 

 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

"Still fed by God, still feeding others"

 

Bethlehem:  The Place of the Manger

 

Martin Luther described the Holy Bible as the "cradle of Christ"...in other words: The Manger.

 

Not only at the Christmas stable, but all year-round, God's people are fed at this Holy Cradle.

 

We are nourished at this Holy Table.

 

We are watered at this Holy Font.

 

At Bethlehem our shared mission is to 

Discover, Celebrate, and Share

Please join us as we do God's work

in Christ's name for the life of the world. 

 

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church congratulates and celebrates

the election of Bishop-elect Leila Ortiz.  

The Rev. Leila M. Ortiz was installed on October 12, 2019, as the first woman and Latina Bishop of the Metro D.C. Synod at Memorial Chapel - 49 years, almost to the day, after Rev. Elizabeth Platz became the first woman ordained in the Lutheran Church, in the very same chapel.

Join us in celebration of our history of firsts and in prayerful hope for a day when "first woman" or "first Latina" is no longer a necessary preface.

 

To read more about Rev. Ortiz...

 

View the Installation Worship Service

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Lutheran World Relief is rushing aid to the Bahamas

 

"Everything’s gone. There’s just so much heartache and death everywhere," one mother said. "I just don’t know what we’re going to do."

That was before a tropical storm warning was issued for the Bahamas, which could dump as much as 2 to 4 inches of rain — and in some areas up to 7 — across the already decimated island chain.

Survivors are still in shock and reeling from the utter devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Entire towns have been wiped out — shattering lives. And the search for the missing is ongoing. The death toll could be staggering.

Torrential rains will only add to the desperation the Bahamian people are feeling.

 

Give to LWR Now

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“For Such a Time” 

 

In her 2019 message to ELCA synod assemblies, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares what it means to be called "for such a time as this."

 

 

 

Annual Report video

The ELCA churchwide organization works

with synods and congregations to be church

for the sake of the world. The annual report

video highlights some of this work done

globally, domestically and in our neighborhoods.

 

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a

Reconciling in Christ Congregation

since December 3, 2017.

 

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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Bethlehem Hosts Lutheran Social Services

of the National Capital Area!

 

Since 1917 LSS/NCA has bold served, confident in the knowledge that every small gesture is a miracle.   LSS welcomes families and children who see refuge from war, poverty and persecution, engaging the community to gather the resources refugee families need, providing support, compassion, and hope as they build new lives and new homes in the Washington DC Metro area.  Beginning in September, BLC will host the offices of this vital ministry.  We are excited and honored to welcome LSS/NCA Refugee Services to Bethlehem!

 

   The Refugee Crisis

- 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