I'm New to BLC

If I show up, where do I go?

Great question! If you park on the "upper side" of our parking lot (the side where the playground is located), you will find a sidewalk that takes you to a concrete pavillion. There you will have the option to enter two buildings. The building to the left is our "Family Life Center (FLC)." This building hosts a venue space upstairs, restrooms, and a kitchen. In the lower level of the FLC are several rooms where small groups meet for faith formation, our staff offices, restrooms, a space for infants & toddlers, and a common space for meetings and larger gatherings.

If you enter the building to the right as your standing on the concrete pavillion, that is our sanctuary building. In that building you will find the common area where coffee is located, another space for infants & toddlers, our worship space, restrooms, and two meeting rooms behind the worship space. 

Ok, I know the "where," so "what's" the Sunday morning schedule?

9am-10am are our various faith formation gatherings. Most of these gatherings take place in the lower level of our Family Life Center.

10am-10:30am is our "Coffee & Friends" social time. Coffee is located in the common area as you enter into the sanctuary building.

10:30am is our worship time. There is only one Sunday morning worship service at BLC.

**Also, because you may be wondering about children & worship...we incorporate children into our worship experience. Their participation is important (they might teach the adults a thing or two!) However, if you find that your child needs a change of scenery, we have a kid-friendly space at the back of our sanctuary with windows and audio so that families can switch it up and still feel connected to worship.**

Speaking of worship, what's that like?

Worship ususally lasts around an hour. Our worship style is "blended." We incorporate both traditional worship elements, while also incorporating more modern elements such as music, biblical translations, and responsive readings. We do celebrate Communion together every Sunday (and all are welcome regardless of age or identity at Jesus' table).

Who will I encounter at BLC?

Bethlehem is a congregation with a very unique composition! There are people of various generations present every week. There are students, those in the workforce, and others who are retired. There are people from multiple counties (usually there are folks from at least 6 NC counties present). There are people who work in a variety of professional fields: from education to engineering; from medical to marketing; from administrative to IT solutions, there is diversity there. There are folks who dress very casual, and others that dress more formal. For the record, there is no expectation of attire. Our only expectation is that you will feel loved by the people around you!

You mentioned "feeling loved..." will BLC love me?

Absolutely, yes! We are a faith community that is welcoming and accepting of all people. We affirm that every human being is created in God's image, and therefore, every human being is sacred! You are sacred. You are important. You deserve to know that you are loved and to have opportunities to experience love in your life and faith journey.

No matter what you look like or sound like; no matter where you or your family come from; no matter who you love or how you identify; no matter what opinions you hold or questions you have; no matter what gifts you possess or insecurities you carry with you; no matter how confident of a faith you claim or your questioning of God's existence; you are welcomed and loved here. 

If that gives you a sense of comfort, or a curiosity to want to know more about BLC or to get involved then click on the button at the bottom of this page that says "Connect with us." After you complete a quick google form, we will reach out to see how we can walk alongside you in life and faith!

So, that question I've been trying to avoid...what's a "Lutheran?"

Glad you asked! First and foremost, anyone who identifies as "Lutheran" is indentifying as "Christian." The term Lutheran is description that links the beliefs and history of BLC back to a fellow named Martin Luther. He was one of the pivotal voices in the Reformation movement of the 1500's. Lutheran understanding of God is deeply rooted in the concept of grace. It's by grace that we believe we are saved (not by our own actions or doing). It is grace that empowers us to be bold and to live our faith out loud in word and action. It's grace that guides us along life's path; giving us joy in the celebrations of life and what hold us up in the most painful moments of life as well. It's the grace of God, revealed to us in Jesus that draws us together in community with God, with each other, and with our neighbors. We could talk more about this grace stuff, but maybe that's a good kickstarter for a conversation another time!