A message from Bethlehem...

 

 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

"Still fed by God, still feeding others"

 

At Bethlehem our shared mission is to

Discover, Celebrate, and Share

Please visit us and experience the connection.

 

This is Christ's Church.

There is a place for you

here at Bethlehem

(which means "House of Bread").

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. 

 

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“God’s work. Our hands.' Sunday is Sept. 8, 2019.

This day is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

This year Bethlehem will participate in a local clean-up project in our neighborhood.  Everyone Welcome!

 

We also invite you to participate in the Interfaith Unity Walk.

In this season of violence, hatred and division, the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington is offering its 14th Annual Unity Walk, a powerful act of humility and community. As their literature says "today more than ever, our friendship and unity is critical...join us...as we visit houses of worship and other religious centers in a public celebration of diverse faiths and cultures within our community."

 

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church congratulates and celebrates the
election of Bishop-elect Leila Ortiz.  

Rev. Ortiz is the first woman to be elected in our Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod.  She succeeds Bishop Richard Graham who is retiring in the fall, 2019.  Bethlehem thanks Bishop Graham and wishes him the best in his retirement.

 

To read more...

 

 

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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