Who are Bethel Luherans?

Bethel was founded in 1820 by a group of German Lutherans who migrated to this area from Pennsylvania. Since then, our community of faith has worshiped in four different locations, including the current location, situated on a beautiful nine-acre site in an area once known as Albin Village.

Bethel is a part of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

We’re Glad God Has Brought You Here!

 

Our Mission Statement

 A community growing deeper in faith and wider in love! (Ephesians 3: 16-17)

Our Vision Statement

 

As disciples of Jesus, we strive to live the three-dimensional life of Jesus: UP, IN, and OUT  (Mark 9: 2-29)

Jesus lived a 3-dimensional life of faith — one that related closely to the Father, one that taught and lived within a community of disciples, and one that reached out beyond himself and the disciples to love and serve others.

At Bethel, we seek to emulate this 3-dimensional life of Jesus.  The words we use to help us remember this and model our lives after Jesus are UP, IN, and OUT!

The UP dimension are those activities and actions that keep us connected to God, i.e. worship, bible study, prayer, etc.
The IN dimension is where we find support and learning and growth within our Bethel community of disciples.
The OUT dimension is when we focus our energies outside our doors and into the world so as to bring the Gospel message of grace to others and to serve with and among those in need.
Therefore UP, IN, and OUT is the language we use at Bethel to determine if our lives together and collectively are being most fully formed into modeling Jesus.
Find our more with this wonderful short video about THE JESUS PATTERN.
So, who are Bethel Lutherans?

 

At Bethel, all are welcome and you’ll find a friendly and open community here.  We pray that our time together will fill you with a sense of hope and peace. Whether you are a one-time guest or may be considering making Bethel your church home, we believe you will find a congregation who loves Jesus, loves each other, and loves participating in Jesus’ shenanigans of grace, mercy, hope and love (which most certainly includes you!).

 

Our worship will include traditional music, praise music, sacred music, formal liturgy, and less formal liturgy.  We like to call what we offer here at Bethel No Labels worship! Our worship ensemble loves to praise Jesus and because we have been blessed with so many talented musicians and singers, we have simply decided to use them all — to the glory of God!

We offer the sacrament of Holy Communion weekly. We print each service entirely in our bulletin and both morning worship services are the same, so come to either, whichever suits your day!

What to Wear to Any Gathering at Bethel

At Bethel, you’ll see people in everything from jeans, to business casual, to dresses and suits. Wear what you would feel comfortable wearing. We are excited to have you, as you!

Children at Worship

Infants and young children are welcome at worship!  We encourage families with young children to sit near the front of the church so they can fully participate. We invite you to pick up a Children’s Worship Bag at either of the two entryways to the sanctuary.  These bags offer age-appropriate reading, coloring and craft materials related to Bible stories. And we often offer Children’s Sermons during worship as well.

We provide a fully staffed, professional child care for children on Sunday mornings .  Our well-trained nursery staff is eager to welcome young children! Using the nursery gives parents the ability to be attentive to the Word of God and it gives an active young child the opportunity to interact with peers, and to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of attending church. Please see an usher for assistance.