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.
Come Visit bethlehem
Coming Events
Adult Study - Environmental Group
As we concluded our Season of Creation observance Adult Study participants began to consider how we move forward and take action. You are invited to join the conversation this Sunday, October 14, at Adult Study at 9:30 a.m. We will continue to craft a plan of action we can take as a congregation and individually to be better stewards of our environment and respond to climate change. Talk with Harry Meyer or Pastor Jennie if you are interested in getting involved and are unable to attend on Sunday.
Communion Class
Kids of all ages are welcome to the communion table at Bethlehem. We believe that God's grace comes to us as a gift and this gift is welcome to all who open their hands to receive it. However, we also believe that it is important for children to have an understanding of how God comes to us in the sacrament. On Saturday, October 20, kids are invited to come with their parents to learn more about the sacrament of Holy Communion. The class is hands-on, informative, and fun. The next day, Sunday, October 21, we will celebrate the gift of Holy Communion with the children who participated in the class. Please let Pastor Jennie know if you plan to attend.
Sundays Together Event
On Sunday, October 21, there will be a Sundays Together event between services at 9:30 a.m. We will be welcoming new members that day. In addition, you are invited to help make the caring cards that we send out to our members and friends with words of encouragement and inspiration. Join us in the fun and fellowship as we work together to send our love and caring message to someone in need. No special talent is needed! We will have supplies, but if you have scrapbooking materials you’d like to donate, we would appreciate them. Look for the project tables in Good Samaritan Hall from 9:30 -10:30 a.m. For more information, please contact Cathy Oller at 773-233-0090.
Envelope "Opt-Out"
Sunday, October 21, is the deadline to opt-out of receiving the traditional boxed offering envelopes in January. In an effort to help reduce costs and to be more environmentally friendly, we are giving the opportunity to congregation members to use alternatives to traditional offering envelopes, such as one of our automated systems (Simply Giving/Credit Card) or using a yellow pew envelop/one of your own. Please contact the church office by October 21 if you would like to be added to the opt-out list or for more information.
Feed My Starving Children - Service Project
Bethlehem's confirmation class invites you to join them on a service day at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora on Saturday, October 27. Feed My Starving Children is a Christian organization that sends ready to eat meals to children experiencing malnutrition and food insecurity around the globe. Volunteers work as teams to pack the dry items in these ready to eat meals. You can learn more at FMSC.org. We will leave Bethlehem at 12:45 p.m. to drive to FMSC’s Aurora facility. We will pack from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and be back at Bethlehem around 5:00 p.m. Kids as young as Kindergarten can participate, as long as we have the right adult/child ratio. Bring the whole family! We have reserved 25 spots and hope to have them all filled. Sign up in the narthex or with Pastor Jennie.
Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting
The Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting to approve the 2019 budget will be held on Sunday, November 18, at 9:15 a.m. in between worship services.
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
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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
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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.
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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.
