Live streamed services will continue to be available at 11:00 am every Sunday.
You can also see the recorded versions at a later time both on Facebook (click on videos)
or on YouTube (subscribe for updates and quick access).
You can also see the recorded versions at a later time both on Facebook (click on videos)
or on YouTube (subscribe for updates and quick access).
Dear friends in Christ,
God has made us one through our baptism into Christ. We do not ever exist on our own but always belong to God and thus belong to each other too. These past sixteen months have challenged and strengthened that bond yet by the grace of God we have remained one. Throughout this time, we have sought ways to express our unity as the people of God. Finally, we will be able to do that in new ways!
We rejoice that God has provided improvement to our situation in this Pandemic. Those in authority will be removing mandatory restrictions that were used to manage this Pandemic. Praise God! This will bring much needed relief for many of us and we give thanks to God for the blessing of worshiping in ways we have long missed. We rejoice at the chance to sing, socialize and care for one another without hindrance. We rejoice knowing that this change is a much needed one for us all.
We also know that not everyone of us can enjoy these new opportunities. For many valid reasons you will need to continue to take precautions for your safety or the safety of others. We acknowledge this as something you are doing in love and we commend you for it. We ask you to continue to seek a path to strengthen your bond with the rest of the Body of Christ and we will do the same until the day we all worship together side by side.
Since we are not all starting the journey to worship together from the same starting place we will be patient and sacrifice for each other as best we can. Starting July 4th we will start that journey by making the following changes:
1. We will focus on the things of God, gathering His people around Word and Sacrament, while bearing with each other in love through understanding and flexibility. We will work to bring the entire congregation together as soon as they are able; hopefully September.
2. We intend to spend the summer transitioning to a more permanent parish routine in the Fall. We will make step by step changes as it serves the Body of Christ best.
3. The first step will be:
a. 11am service will continue as it has been but allow people to be free of masks and social distancing. Socializing and singing will begin!
b. 9 am service will continue as it has been but singing will be allowed! For the sake of those who need added protection, masking and physical distancing will be requested of all who attend.
4. Only selective sanitization will be done but hand sanitizer will still be available.
5. We will review these changes and look to add more in the future.
Let us all give thanks to God for the relief the lifting of restrictions brings. Let us pray for each other during this time, especially for those who require continued caution. Let us ask God to teach us how to love each other in word and deed to unite us physically just as we are already united through Jesus.
In His Service,
The Leadership of Bethlehem
God has made us one through our baptism into Christ. We do not ever exist on our own but always belong to God and thus belong to each other too. These past sixteen months have challenged and strengthened that bond yet by the grace of God we have remained one. Throughout this time, we have sought ways to express our unity as the people of God. Finally, we will be able to do that in new ways!
We rejoice that God has provided improvement to our situation in this Pandemic. Those in authority will be removing mandatory restrictions that were used to manage this Pandemic. Praise God! This will bring much needed relief for many of us and we give thanks to God for the blessing of worshiping in ways we have long missed. We rejoice at the chance to sing, socialize and care for one another without hindrance. We rejoice knowing that this change is a much needed one for us all.
We also know that not everyone of us can enjoy these new opportunities. For many valid reasons you will need to continue to take precautions for your safety or the safety of others. We acknowledge this as something you are doing in love and we commend you for it. We ask you to continue to seek a path to strengthen your bond with the rest of the Body of Christ and we will do the same until the day we all worship together side by side.
Since we are not all starting the journey to worship together from the same starting place we will be patient and sacrifice for each other as best we can. Starting July 4th we will start that journey by making the following changes:
1. We will focus on the things of God, gathering His people around Word and Sacrament, while bearing with each other in love through understanding and flexibility. We will work to bring the entire congregation together as soon as they are able; hopefully September.
2. We intend to spend the summer transitioning to a more permanent parish routine in the Fall. We will make step by step changes as it serves the Body of Christ best.
3. The first step will be:
a. 11am service will continue as it has been but allow people to be free of masks and social distancing. Socializing and singing will begin!
b. 9 am service will continue as it has been but singing will be allowed! For the sake of those who need added protection, masking and physical distancing will be requested of all who attend.
4. Only selective sanitization will be done but hand sanitizer will still be available.
5. We will review these changes and look to add more in the future.
Let us all give thanks to God for the relief the lifting of restrictions brings. Let us pray for each other during this time, especially for those who require continued caution. Let us ask God to teach us how to love each other in word and deed to unite us physically just as we are already united through Jesus.
In His Service,
The Leadership of Bethlehem
