Come Visit bethlehem

Worship Service is held at 9:30 am every Sunday in the summer months (from Memorial Day to Labor Day), and at 8:15 am and 10:45 am the rest of the year.




Strong in Faith. Boundless in Love. Bold in Service.



Coming Events

 


Congregation Council Forum

There will be a special Congregation Council Forum this Sunday, February 17, in between services at 9:30 a.m. regarding the recommended change to the worship schedule. You are encouraged to attend this meeting for discussion on the changes and are also encouraged to direct any questions, thoughts or concerns to any member of the Congregation Council.  


Lenten Small Groups

In what ways does God act in our lives with boundless love and mercy? How does God call us to live with boundless love and in unlimited kinship with all of God’s people? Explore these questions in a Lenten small group. Small groups begin the week of March 10th. The groups will use scripture and the book Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle (available at Bookies (10324 S. Western Ave.) or on Amazon), to explore the Lenten theme of “Boundless.” Groups will meet at church on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday nights at 8:00 (after worship), and at member’s homes on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Look for the sign-up sheets in the narthex.


Gather Bible Study

The Gather Bible Study group will meet Monday, February 18, at 9:30 a.m. at Bethlehem. All are welcome to join us. For more information please contact Marilyn Klein at 773-238-1856.


Do You Know How Your Diet Affects the Planet?

On Sunday, February 24, at 11:45 a.m., after the late service, the Environmental Committee will host a meatless potluck meal. We’ll put our knowledge into practice and you will be surprised by the many delicious dishes that can be enjoyed without any meat in the recipe. If you would like to contribute a meatless dish, please feel free to do so.  A sign-up sheet is available on the bar in Good Samaritan Hall. 


Trivia Night

Show us how smart you are Friday, February 15, at the Hustle Chicago Trivia Night Fundraiser at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) in Good Samaritan Hall. Bethlehem member, Paul Williams, will once again participate in the Full Climb at the former John Hancock Center in the Hustle Chicago event to help raise money for lung disease research and education and this event will help support him in this effort. All are welcome to come and play - it was tons of fun the last time it was held – don’t miss it. Bring your own team or come on your own and play with a team of new friends! The cost to play is $5 per person. The top two teams will win cash prizes. Fat Tommy’s Restaurant will be selling delicious dinner items, and there will be raffle prizes with the proceeds going to the Respiratory Health Association. You may also make a donation at Paul’s fundraising site: pwilliams.webs.com. 


"G-Dog" Movie

You are invited to a screening of the movie “G-Dog,” a documentary about Father Greg Boyle and his work, to be shown at St. Barnabas Catholic Parish next Sunday, February 24, at 3:00 p.m. “Father G,” as he is often referred to, heads Homeboy Industries in East Los Angeles, the largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program in the world, and is the author of two best-selling books about his experiences in the poor and violence-prone neighborhoods where he began his ministry 30 years ago. Father Boyle will also speak at St. Barnabas Church on April 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm for the annual You Are My Neighbor Event.  Please click on the following link for other You Are My Neighbor related pop up events -http://youaremyneighbor.info/?mc_cid=97b9241a2e&mc_eid=08183b645e


SW Chicago Homeless Services Dinner

We will serve our next dinner at the shelter on Thursday, February 21.  Our main dish will be tacos and volunteers are needed to help provide the accompaniments (refried beans, Spanish rice, tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, onions, etc.) and desserts. Volunteers will also be needed to help serve.  Please look for the sign-up sheet located in the narthex.   Please contact Susan Evans in the church office with any questions. 


Bethlehem Scholarship Funds

Bethlehem has scholarship funds available to members who will be full time undergraduate college/university students in the 2019-2020 academic years.  The application form for Bethlehem Scholarships are available here. The deadline for application is April 28. Awards are decided by the Scholarship Committee shortly after the deadline, announced at the June semi-annual meeting, and distributed in late August. If you have questions, please email scholarship@bethlehem-chicago.org


Do you need…?

Are you or someone you know in need of any medical aids such as crutches and walkers or a wheel chair? We have several of these items available that have been donated to Bethlehem over the years and we would welcome a new home for them. These items can be very expensive if one was to buy them outright, in addition to insurance deductibles, etc., but we are happy to place them into a good home for someone who may need them. Delivery is available. Please contact Susan in the church office or Bill Evans @ 312-315-6289 for more information. 


Click here for this month's calendar.

Welcome Statement

We invite you to explore the faith community of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago. We are a Christian community committed to welcoming all, worshiping God, growing in faith, and loving and serving others with the love of Christ. We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.


Bethlehem is a Reconciling in Christ congregation. We welcome into full participation in our life and ministry

  • People of all races and ethnic groups
  • People of all ages and economic levels
  • Single parent and double parent families; people without children; single individuals
  • People with differing abilities (Bethlehem is handicapped accessible)
  • People of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

We seek to be a community that is boundless in love. You are welcome here and invited to grow in faith, love, and service within this community of faith.

About us

Our mission is to be Strong in Faith. Boundless in Love. Bold in Service. 


Bethlehem is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, rooted in the Beverly -Morgan Park neighborhood on Chicago's far southwest side. Born through the consolidation of two congregations in 1997, we have a history that extends back to the foundation of our predecessor congregations in 1977 and 1875.


Today we thrive as a flexible, mission-spirited congregation that seeks to put our faith into practice in daily life. Bethlehem values hospitality and genuine care for others. Our worship is at once reverent and comfortable. We value strong preaching that connects the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our lives and world. We read the Bible as God's good news for all. 


We value the gifts of people of all ages -- children, elders, young adults, and every stage in between. We strive to be a community that knows how to talk together about important topics in ways that are respectful of all voices. The best way to get to know us is to come and see! 






STAFF AND LEADERSHIP


  • Jennie English-dumont

    PASTOR

    Pastor Jennie began her ministry at Bethlehem in 2008. She is a passionate preacher, a committed teacher, and loves watching people use their God-given gifts at Bethlehem and in the world. A native of the northwest side of Chicago, she enjoys living in Beverly with her husband and their young daughter. She served her first call in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for almost 7 years. She is a graduate of Luther Seminary (M.Div.) and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (Th.M. in Old Testament), as well as Gustavus Adolphus College. She enjoys gardening, reading, running, live music, and spending time with family and friends. 


    Contact Pastor Jennie at Pastor@bethlehem-chicago.org


  • David ritter

    DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

    David has served as Bethlehem's organist since 2011. In 2013 he became the Director of Music. David seeks to enhance the congregation's worship experience each week through music. Working with the Pastor and the worship committee, he selects hymns and songs from a variety of different traditions and cultures. He directs the choir, which not only provides a musical offering most weeks, but also helps to lead the assembly’s singing and worship. He enjoys working with other musicians in the congregation whenever possible. 


    David is a lifelong Lutheran with 45 years of experience as a church musician. He has served congregations of various denominations in the Midwest and southeast and is a graduate of Indiana University (MMus) and Valparaiso University. He is also a full time CPA and enjoys singing in the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.

     



  • SUSAN EVANS

    OFFICE MANAGER

    Susan Evans has worked as Bethlehem's faithful office manager nearly since the start of the consolidated congregation. Hers is the friendly voice you hear when you call the church office. She manages the congregation's communication via the weekly worship bulletin, monthly newsletter, regular email blasts and more. She keeps everything at Bethlehem running smoothly. 


    Contact Susan at bethlehemevangelical@bethlehem-chicago.org

I'M NEW

We're glad you found us! Below are some questions we often get from visitors and newcomers, along with our responses. If you have other questions or need information you cannot find on our site, please call or send us an email. We'd love to hear from you and hope to see you soon!


Do I have to be a Lutheran to attend services?

 

Nope. We welcome visitors from all faith backgrounds, as well as visitors who don't currently subscribe to any particular religious faith and just want to hear and know more about the Christian faith. Even our members come from very diverse religious (and non-religious) backgrounds.


How should I dress for Sunday services?

 

Be yourself – be comfortable. You will see worshipers in anything from jeans to their "Sunday Best".

 

Should visitors or newcomers participate in communion?

 

It is up to each individual worshiper. We practice open communion every Sunday, welcoming all who believe in Jesus to join in communion at the Lord's table. This includes welcoming children of all ages at the table.

 

Am I expected to put something in the offering plate?

 

We do not expect visitors to contribute an offering. Offerings are given of free will and are not considered payment for attending services.

 

Can I bring small children to Sunday services?

 

Please do! Many families with small children regularly worship together in the sanctuary during Sunday services. If you prefer, children 4 and under may spend service time comfortable and well-supervised in the nursery. Little ones typically return for the Children's Sermon and join their parents for communion. The nursery is attended during the 10:45 am service during the school year and at the single 9:30 am service during the summer, though it is available to you and your child at any time.

 

I have many questions about religion and what spiritual path is right for me. How do I find answers to these questions?

 

Questions and the discourse they provoke are important parts of helping each of us define who we are and what choices to make. Our Pastor would welcome your call or email to discuss your questions and offer spiritual guidance. Click on the "Contact Us" section of this site for Pastor Jennie's contact information. You may also find that attending services and joining one of our small discussion/study groups will bring the clarity you seek. Whether it's one-on-one with our Pastor, within a small group, or just between you and God...keep asking those questions!

HOW TO FIND US


Driving Directions


Click here for Mapquest Driving Directions to help you find your way from home to our neighborhood. Please use our driving directions below and refer to the dashed red lines on the map to the right for the most direct route to the church once you are in the neighborhood. Our directions (and map) consider one way streets, dead ends and traffic barriers which mapquest does not.


Most Direct Route

From Western Avenue: East on 91st St., then right (south) on Oakley Ave. 3 blocks to the church which is on the south east corner of 94th and Oakley.

Street parking is permitted without restriction in our neighborhood.

Our building is handicap accessible. A wheelchair ramp is located at the Oakley worship entrance.