Christmas Eve Schedule
4:00
P.M. Outdoor Service by the Creek (dress warmly!)
6:00 P.M. Traditional Candlelight
Service in the Sanctuary (with communion)
9:00 P.M. Candlelight Service with live nativity and
contemporary instruments.
Christmas Eve Worship!
4:00 P.M.
– Outdoor / Creekside
Service (just park in the back parking
lot and you’ll find your way)
We'll have some live sheep, a children’s time,
and hear again the story of shepherds & angels. Any children who come will have the opportunity to
sing “Away in the Manger” up front. If it's cold, wear coats; if it's raining, we'll go inside
the fellowship hall. Bring blankets to sit on (or
to warm you up) & if you’d rather not sit on the terraced, stepped ground, bring a lawn chair. We’ll have hot chocolate before & after the service!
.
6:00
P.M. – Traditional Candlelight Service
We’ll
have our beautiful traditional candlelight service in
the sanctuary complete with choirs, organ, piano &
Holy Communion.
.
9:00 P.M. – Candlelight Service with Live NativityWe’ll have a Praise &
Worship candlelight service in the Fellowship Hall with our band, Agape Road & Holy Communion.There will be a stable
with Mary & Joseph & baby…and shepherds bringing live animals at end!
Sunday Morning Schedule
8:00 A.M.
Traditional/Classic Worship Service in the sanctuary (no 8:00 A.M. service on Christmas Day)
9:15 A.M. Sunday School for all ages (no Sunday School on Christmas Day)
10:25 A.M. Praise and Worship (Contemporary) Service in the fellowship hall
What to expect at the
Traditional Worship Services (8:00 & 10:30 A.M.)
The Physical Space
The traditional worship services at Bethany begin with a greeter at the door welcoming you to worship and an usher
providing a bulletin. As you enter the sanctuary you'll see a large worship space with traditional wooden pews
complete with hymnals and bibles. You are welcome to sit in any of the pews - up front, in the back or anywhere in between.
There is also an overflow area in the rear of the sancturary where you are welcome to sit (though it may
be a bit more difficult to see). Children are welcome and encouraged to attend worship. We do have a "cry
room" near the back for parents who need a place to retreat with squirming youngsters.
There is a restroom (off the cry room area)
and close by in the main hallway of the church. We have handicap accessible restrooms in the new section of our
building (on the same level as the sanctuary).
Worship
Bethany uses the new ELW (Evangelical
Lutheran Worship) Hymnal published by Augsburg Fortress Press. We often have special music provided by one of our choirs
or other musicians. The format for the service is what we call "liturgical." Our liturgy is interactive
and gives congregation members an opportunity to sing and respond in a corporate fashion within the service. For a typical
bulletin, please follow this link.
Bethany
celebrates Holy Communion during the traditional service normally on the first and third Sundays of each month. Holy Communion is open to all baptized Christians who believe that Christ is truly present
with us in this meal. For those who wish to have grape juice instead of wine, it is available at the center
of the communion tray. Children who have reached at least the fourth grade may commune after attending a 1st
Communion class led by the pastor. If your child has received instruction in another church he or she is
welcome to commune. All children who aren’t communing are invited to come and receive a blessing
at the altar rail. (If you have any questions, please speak with one of the pastors.)