MINISTRIES at Bethlehem Lutheran
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Several members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church participate in a prayer shawl ministry whereby crocheted and/or knitted full size shawls are made and given to people both within the community and within the church family to bring comfort at a time of need. Pocket size prayer shawls are also available in our narthex for anyone who would like a small reminder for their pocket of Christ's continual love for all people.
Social Ministry Committee
Our Social Ministry Committee extends Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, aged, unprivileged and to all in need of aid to body or soul.
Acts 20:35 "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Please join us in Christian love to help those less fortunate.
Sharing God's Love: This is our local food pantry that we support. We collect and donate food, school supplies and birthday bags for this worthwhile ministry.
Social Ministry Care Fund: Funded solely by donations from our members, this can be used to help members going through difficult times with needs such as medicine, bills, etc.
Transportation: The Social Ministry Committee is happy to arrange rides to Sunday School and Church Worship services.
Quilt Ministry: Bethlehem Lutheran has a fabulous Quilt making team that creates beautiful quilts to distribute to various organizations such as Epworth Children's Home, Toby's House, etc.
Cards/Visits: We periodically send cards and make visits to cheer homebound and nursing home members.
Operation Inasmuch: Each year in March, churches move out of the seats and into the streets to serve their neighbors in need. It's a time for everyone to do hands-on ministry outside the walls of their buildings. Groups from different congregations join forces, plan projects, and spend time working together.
Lenten Offering: This year we sponsored a One Love Campaign to benefit Lutheran Services of the Carolinas. We created a cross of boxes that members filled with donations which raised $1341 for LSC.
Adopt-a-Highway Litter Pick Up: We have a quarterly litter pick-up to beautify the area around our church (from 10,000 Broad Road to Salem Church Road).
Lutheran Campus Ministry at UofSC: We serve dinner to the students before a worship service on Sunday.
Giving Tree: During the Christmas season, we put up a Christmas tree in the narthex with names of needy children in our community. Members and visitors are invited to take a name and buy gifts for these children.
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Music Ministries
Choir
Welcome to Music Ministries! We currently have Choir and Handbells, as well as many Instrumentalists who share their talents during some of our worship services. Our congregation is blessed to have many who share their musical gifts!
The Choir is made up of congregational members who volunteer their time to help lead worship each Sunday and prepare special music to enhance our worship experience. Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises.(Psalm 47:6) ALL are welcome to join us for Wednesday evening rehearsals at 7:00pm.
Handbells
Members of our Handbell group work to prepare music for special worship services, like Christmas and Easter, but we also enjoy preparing some pieces for preludes and offertory during our weekly worship service. We have a 3-octave Malmark handbell set and always welcome new ringers to join us on Wednesdays at 6:00pm.
Education Ministries
Our Christian education programs cover all ages. We offer Sunday School instruction each week from Nursery to adult. There are Confirmation classes for our middle school children. Bethlehem Lutheran also hosts a Bible Study group which meets weekly!! Come and see which programs interest you and let us help you grow in your faith.
Sunday School
Bethlehem Lutheran offers engaging programs for younger children as well as in depth discussion for adults. Classes are offered from 9:30 – 10:15AM each Sunday. Our trained and caring staff of teachers utilizes the Sparks Activate Faith curriculum, the Holy Moly curriculum and the Connect curriculum (all from Augsburg Fortress).
Confirmation
During 7th-9th grade our youth attend confirmation classes twice a month with the pastor. This is their opportunity to begin to explore their faith at a deeper level. Baptism, Holy Communion, the church year, Bible study, Luther and the Reformation, the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments and Lord's Prayer are their areas of focus.
Youth Ministries
At Bethlehem we believe that learning about Christ can be fun and enjoyable, especially when learning with friends! Feel free to read about our many youth opportunities below and we can't wait to have you join us!
Little Lutherans
At Bethlehem we believe that it is important for children of all ages to be part of a youth group. Lil' Lutherans is our youngest group (3-3rd grade). They meet once a month for Bible lesson, craft, snack and activity. Each meeting is like a mini Vacation Bible School.
Adventurers
This is our 4th-6th grade youth group. They meet twice a month for Bible lesson, craft, snack and activity. Our Adventurers train to be service assistants: acolytes, crucifers and communion assistants. They perform plays for the congregation and love to have sleep overs at church.
Lutheran Church Youth (LCY)
The LCY group meets many times throughout the year for service events, recreation and during the school year each Sunday at 9am for Sunday school with the pastor. They serve as worship and service assistants, host Trunk-or-Treat, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and Easter breakfast. Our LCY attend synodical events and the ELCA nation youth gatherings.
Fellowship Ministries
Welcome to the place to discover many of the Fellowship Ministries that take place regularly at Bethlehem. Come and be part of the fun and fellowship. Please check our calendar on the home page for dates of our get-togethers.
Keisler Circle
This is a wonderful group of ladies who gather for a traditional Lutheran Womens' circle. They meet once a month at homes for dessert and a program. They work hard to keep our church kitchen stocked and clean, they help organize our annual Home Coming event, make lovely linens for worship and are a great support to one another and our congregation.
Lutheran Men
South Carolina Lutheran Men are very active in fellowship and in providing interest free loans to mission start congregations within our synod. The Lutheran Men at Bethlehem meet monthly for a program and for some of the best food in town. This group is for men of all ages and sometimes the ladies get invited to come have supper too.
Starlighters
This began as our seniors' group but has grown to include many "not so senior" folks too. Starlighters meet once a month for a program or trip and always there is a meal involved. This group is for anyone who would like to have fun with a great group of people and who can meet during the day.