You will find an opportunity at Bethlehem worship services to hear God’s word, to sing, to pray, to share in the sacraments, and to receive God’s gifts. Bethlehem offers two different worship styles, traditional and contemporary. The 8:30a.m. worship service is accompanied by the organ as the principal instrument, and the congregation sings traditional hymns and liturgies. The 10:30a.m. worship service is contemporary in style and accompanied by a “worship team” playing guitars, drums, keyboard, violin, etc. Holy communion is offered the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month. Your gifts, your faith, your children, your joy, your doubt, your sorrow, your fears are all welcome. Together we are the Body of Christ whether at home or in the car, at the lake and on the radio or watching live stream at your homemade altar.

We invite children to participate in worship services and encourage their sense of belonging within our worshipping community. We know that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, and to one another. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.” Let them know they are home here, and that this is just as much their house as it is ours. If you have young kids in worship, bring them to the PrayGround! Located at the front of the sanctuary. We want our children to be able to engage in worship – just like they do during the children’s sermon; we all love that, right? – and in order for them to be engaged, they need to be able to see. In the PrayGround kids are able to see and free to wiggle!

Sunday morning childcare – We have a spacious Mother’s Room equipped with a changing table and comfortable seating to use while nursing your child. The Mother’s Room is located in the northeast corner, behind the sanctuary.

We welcome all inquiries about the Christian faith. We recognize that the journey of faith is unique to each person, but there is a common bond in the search for God’s will and God’s way with God’s people. New Member Sundays are planned throughout the year, with ample opportunities before and after to discover new relationships and activities. To visit with a pastor about membership please call the church office at 736-5614 or send an email to blc@prtel.com.

Yes, Bethlehem has an elevator that makes all levels of the church handicap accessible. We provide hearing devices for the worship services.

We welcome all children to our Sunday school program 3 yr. old – 5th grade. We strive to offer children a positive learning environment where their faith is nurtured and strengthened. We seek to model Christian community through safe, caring relationships and shared experiences among students, teachers, parents, pastors, and others in the congregation. Sunday school meets upstairs in the My Place room at 9:30am for large group opening with songs. After the large group opening, all students are dismissed to their classrooms. We offer a rotation style Sunday School where students will learn the same story for 3-4 weeks from different aspects. Groups are divided by the student’s grade and classes include Kitchen, Arts & Crafts, Movie, and others.

We have three youth groups at Bethlehem, senior high, middle school, and an upper elementary after school program called Ignite 4:6 for fourth through sixth grade. We’ve had to scale back how often we meet due to the pandemic. Here are how our three groups currently look like.

• Blaze 9:12–Senior High Youth group that meets 2-3 Wednesday nights a month with activity nights scheduled throughout the year.
• Fuel 6:8—Middle School Youth group that meets late afternoon/early evenings 2-3 times a month on a Sunday Night. Activity nights for this age group are also scheduled throughout the year
• Ignite 4:6–After School Program, every other Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00p.m. during the school year.

Our youth enjoy many other fellowship opportunities…
Ski Trips, Baseball Games, Water Parks, Valleyfair, ELCA Youth Gatherings, Bible Camps: Luther Crest, VBS, Service Projects, Middle School Mission Trip, and house boat trips just to name a few.

Confirmation begins in 7th grade.

Bethlehem does not have a dress code, wear what is comfortable for you.

No, we welcome all of God’s people to our ministry and mission. We will respect your entry into our ministry and encourage you to consider all of its challenges, opportunities, connections. 

Bethlehem requires a conversation between the parent(s) and the pastor about the sacrament of holy baptism. We welcome all such conversations so that there can be an understanding of the meaning of holy baptism and our response to God’s grace given in baptism. Contact the church office, at 736-5614, to set up a time to meet with a pastor.

No, but a conversation between the couple and the pastor is required to understand and teach about the connection between the marriage, wedding, faith, worship, and commitment. Contact the church office at 736-5614 to get further information. 

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
102 West Junius Ave
Fergus Falls MN 56537
Phone: 218-736-5614
Fax: 218-736-5615
blc@bethlehemff.org
www.bethlehemff.org