worship with bethlehem

All are invited to worship with Bethlehem on Sundays at 9:30 AM. 

Worship is currently available both in-person and online. To attend in-person, pre-register on the registration page.  Online worship can be found on Bethlehem's Facebook Page. Use the Live tab to access the video easily.  You do not need to be a member of Facebook to view the services. Worship will also be posted to the web page on Sunday mornings. Worship is also available by phone by calling 773-932-5545.


Worship for Sunday, April 12, 2021, will be offered online, ONLY.


All in-person services require advanced registration.

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

  • People of all races and ethnic groups
  • Families of every kind
  • People with differing abilities
  • People of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

The best way to get to know us is to come and see!


News and announcements

Please see the Events Page for coming events.


Worship with us this Sunday


Planning to worship in-person?

Pre-register for the service at this link.

Make sure you are familiar with the protocols by reading this letter. Please note that this Sunday we will begin entering by the double red doors.

Any questions or need help getting registered? Call the church office at 773-445-7558.

Plan to arrive a little earlier than usual on Sunday.


Planning to worship virtually? Bethlehem’s online worship service will continue with a live stream.  To make viewing the service easier, follow these instructions. These apply to those who are members of Facebook. Those who are not members should be able to go to our page at 9:30 and view the live video.

  • Go to Bethlehem’s page. Please be sure you “like” the page. Click the button with three dots. Select “follow settings”. Under “Notifications” choose either “standard” or “highlights.
  • Before Sunday, look for the scheduled live video post on Bethlehem’s Facebook page. Click “Get reminder” on the post.
  • When Bethlehem goes live you should receive a notification that will take you immediately to the live stream video.


All live stream videos will be able to be accessed after they are completed. Go to the “live” tab on our Facebook page to access all past videos. Live streaming will also continue after we have returned to in-person worship.


Call in worship: Do you know someone who wants to participate in our worship but does not have access to a computer or other streaming device? We have set up a live streaming phone number: 773-932-5545.


People can call the number and listen to the entire service both in real time (at 9:30 Sunday mornings) or after the service is over. People can opt in to have the service call them when worship is starting! Please share this information with friends who might be feeling particularly isolated without internet access at this time. 


All in-person services require advanced registration.




Covid19 Vaccine Appointment Assistance

If you are in need of assistance scheduling an appointment for the Covid19 vaccine, please contact Susan Evans in the church office. She has had great success in obtaining appointments for those in need. Also, if you need help in getting to and from your vaccine appointment there are several church members who have offered to help in getting you there.


Do You Have...?

Have you recently upgraded your mobile phone, tablet, or television? Bethlehem is looking for a smart phone or table to use with wifi to broadcast our weekly worship live stream. We also are looking for a "smart" TV that allows cordless mirroring of a phone or tablet. If you have one you would be willing to donate, please contact Pastor Jennie. Thank you!


Share the Harvest Planting Day

On Saturday, May 29, join us as we transform the southeast garden into the lush Share the Harvest Garden. The produce that we grow helps to feed our hungry neighbors who lack the resources to buy fresh vegetables. We welcome all levels of skill and ability and instructions and supplies are provided. All we need is YOU! We start at 9:00 a.m. and are done by noon – or as long as you are able.  


Bethlehem Card Ministry

Our card ministry continues to bring joy and hope to those who need a special message. If you know someone who would benefit from receiving a card, please email Bill Evans at wm.evans@sbcglobal.net or contact the church office.


Can You Help?

South Suburban PADS has received CARES ACT funding to move 50+ homeless households into their own apartments. They need your help to donate new or gently used cooking gear, dishes, sheets, towels and other household furnishings to those moving into apartments. The Beverly Unitarian Church Social Action committee is collecting items on PADS' behalf. You may drop items off at the BUC church office (10244 S. Longwood Dr.) Wednesday and Friday mornings. For more information, please contact Liz Agbarah at eagbarah@sspads.org or by calling 708-539-3379.


Live Stream Volunteers

Paul Williams has been faithfully working the worship live stream camera every Sunday since this past summer. Many people have appreciated the wonderful job he has done helping us to stay connected through our virtual service. As we move to in-person worship, the live stream will continue to be a vital to the worship lives of many of our members. We would love to train an additional 2-3 volunteers to share this job. If you know how to use a smart phone, you will be able to work the camera. If you would be willing to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Pastor Jennie or be in touch with Paul. We hope to hear from you!


Annual Reports

The semi-annual congregational meeting will be held in early June. The deadline for committee chairpersons to submit their reports to the church office to be included in the report packet is Monday, May 17.


Talking Together about Race

Saturday, May 22,

10:00 a.m.

Crystal Lewis and Pastor Jennie invite you to join them for another Talking Together about Race conversation. Very often our conversations about race fail before they begin because we are using the same words to mean different things. This conversation will begin with defining terms like "racism," "white privilege," and "implicit bias. " We then will all join in conversation around our experiences with these terms and what they represent. You do not need to have attended the prior conversations to participate in this one. The conversation will take place via Zoom.


Continuing Contributions

Members who normally contribute to our budget are encouraged to please continue to do so either by mailing a check to the church office or by making an on-line contribution.  Detailed instructions on how to do this, follow below. 


At the upper right corner of the home page is the word Donate. Click that and scroll down on the next page to the words MAKE A DONATION and click that. Scroll down again and it leads to a series of blue boxes with a range of amounts from $10 to $500 or a box where you can type in your own amount. Click one of these boxes and you are given a credit card option where you can type in your name, card number, expiration date, and CVV2 ( the security number from the back of your card), and your billing information (the envelope number is optional). Finally click the blue option that reads Make a Donation.


You may also see a tutorial video on on-line giving by clicking this link.


For more information about upcoming events, please see the Events page..


Click here for this month's calendar.




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 se9401@ameritech.net

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 service and 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.