Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a community of faith, joined together in Christ through baptism. We include people of all ages. Some are new to the church. Others were born into it. Some are lifelong Lutherans. Others have joined us more recently.
We exist to equip every child of God to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means we:
Worship glorifies God and gathers us together where we are transformed by word as well as baptism and communion and prepared to serve.
“For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
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Worship is the heart of our congregational life from which everything flows. Worship provides an experience of the living God that deepens our faith and calls us to action in daily life. Worship shapes us with beautiful music, well-prepared leadership and thoughtful preaching. Worship stretches us to experience the living God in new ways but is always grounded in forming community and witnessing to an authentic Lutheran understanding of faith in Jesus Christ. Worship is energetic, thoughtful, intentional, and full of joyful noise.
We cultivate multiple ways to learn about and deepen faith for people of all ages and life stages, as well as those with varied faith experiences.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:26-27
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We provide opportunities for people to grow, learn, be challenged by and be invigorated in their faith in Jesus Christ and God’s free gift of grace made known in him. We reach out to people who are new to or curious about Lutheran Christianity and welcome and integrate them into congregational life. At the same time, we seek for all members to continually develop in their journey with Christ. Age-appropriate and intergenerational learning experiences are provided throughout the week, and encouraged for all according to their interest. Parents understand that they serve as role models and primary teachers for their children about the faith. They are encouraged and supported in this vocation by being actively engaged in their own faith development. The foundation for faith development is Biblical and consistent with Lutheran Confessions.
We develop multiple points of connection between faith and daily life that extends beyond worship.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
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God sends us into the world and equips us for action – in our community, in our schools, at our work, in our homes and everywhere we live. Serving, learning, sharing, growing and inviting others to join with us in all we do is vital to who we are as Christians. We witness to our faith through our words and actions and encourage members to humbly minister in their daily lives in ways that serve real and known needs. In all our life, we seek to steward God’s abundance.
We build and foster intergenerational relationships within the BLC family to cultivate a faith community in which each person is valued as a fellow child of God.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34
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Relationships matter for us. We know and love one another. We value one another even when we don’t agree. We share our joys and concerns. We pray for one another. We encourage each other to share our gifts with the church and community. Building relationships, growing new friendships and expressing care and support for one another is the work of the entire congregation.
We reach out to the world for the purpose of serving our neighbors near and far, especially those who are marginalized and easily forgotten.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14
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By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world today. We do this as part of a wider church as well as through our own congregationally-based ministries. We give permission to members to start ministries consistent with the teachings and traditions of our faith. We listen for the Spirit’s guidance, the congregation’s discernment and our neighbor’s needs to identify the life cycle of each ministry. In doing this we are attentive to the gifts and passions of congregational members and allow ministries to grow, adapt or end. We seek partnerships with others for the purpose of service. In all our ministry, we seek to manifest the gifts of the Spirit for the sake of our neighbors.
As we fulfill our vision and mission (to equip every child of God to follow Jesus as we Worship, Grow, Live, Care and Serve), we make the following commitments.
Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, as we live out our ministry we make these commitments:
Cultivate a safe environment that enables us to take risks and step outside our comfort zone.
We know that we have been given the gifts of God’s forgiveness and grace and are called to share them with others. We understand that people often react or don’t act at all because of fear. We want to create a church that believes a glorious failure is better than a mild success. We accept the changes that come as we find new ways to show and share God’s love in this time and place. We extend grace to all and believe that we are all trying our best.
Meet people where they are at all ages and stages of life.
We believe that BLC should reflect the gifts, experiences, faith stories and cultures of diverse ages and multiple generations. We desire to create an environment that encourages us to intentionally work, play, and worship alongside one another. We need to be aware of who’s missing and intentionally create spaces where we can learn from each other and share life together.
Recognize our God-given talents and put them to work in the world.
We believe that we all have gifts to share. We strive to use those gifts in the ministry of BLC and throughout God’s Kingdom. We value everyone’s contribution and understand that there are many different ways for us to respond to God’s gracious love, including through our daily actions as parents, family members, friends and employees; our commitments as citizens and community members; our efforts in social service and volunteerism; our voices offered in public witness for justice; and more.
Teach, encourage and learn from one another.
We take joy and comfort in the Word of the Lord. We know that a deep understanding of God’s Word prepares us to be witnesses in speech and in action of God’s rich mercy in Jesus Christ. We are curious about the perspectives of others and seek to find new voices to expand our understanding. We learn through many different means, such as Sunday School and Adult Education programs, book studies and discussion groups, personal daily devotionals, and conversation with family or friends.
Understand that we are in a relationship with the wider church.
We know that we cannot be church alone and we support the ELCA vision of fostering unity among the children of God for the sake of the world. We desire to develop our relationship with the Upstate Synod, the church-wide organization, and global partners. We understand that each congregation has a variety of gifts and we seek to use BLC’s unique gifts in cooperation and support of the wider church. This means facilitating the ecumenical and interreligious work of congregations, synods and church-wide ministries, supporting the reception of our full communion agreements, and accompanying others, including our interreligious partners.
Provide and allocate resources to fulfill our vision and mission.
We recognize that we are called to be faithful stewards of the tangible gifts God has so abundantly given to us, including financial resources. We strive to practice generosity in our daily life and in the life of the congregation. We understand that we should use all that God has entrusted to our care – our time, our talents and our treasures – to love God and our neighbors.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Upstate NY Synod of the of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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