Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Pastor Paul's Christmas Message
Dear Bethlehem Family,
During the Thanksgiving weekend, I was invited to the annual Christmas tree lighting in the town square in Princeton, New Jersey. It sounded festive to me. Princeton is a charming old town with shops and historic buildings. A little hot chocolate and Christmas music seemed like a nice way to ring in this wonderful season. Quite a large crowd gathered in the square for the musical program. It began with a four person band playing and singing some popular holiday music. The Princeton High School chorus was next, and then there were a number of songs played on dueling pianos with ice sculptures in front of them. Every song prompted applause from the gathering, but I kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting. How about a Christmas carol? How about a song that mentions Jesus’ birth? Give me something more than Santa, Rudolf, Frosty, “Let it snow” and “Baby, it’s cold outside.” Nope, not a single mention of Jesus at the event. Santa showed up to count down to the lighting of the tree. Disappointing, pathetic and void of any spiritual content.
Last Tuesday, LES gathered for the lighting of the creche in front of our school. Students read the various parts of the Christmas story and each was followed by a Christmas carol associated with the reading. The sidewalk was packed with children and their parents. Last Sunday was Christmas Carol Sunday at Bethlehem. Gary Solberg narrated the Christmas story and the congregation sang 12 Christmas carols to proclaim the Messiah’s birth. Uplifting, joyful and Spirit-filled!
Christmas is a holy day in which the focus should be on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The world is filled with distractions, but not here. At LES and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Christ is at the center. So, come and join us celebrate Jesus’ birth. On Sunday, December 21st, our Sunday School children act out the story and our choir sings the message. On Wednesday, December 24th at 11:00 p.m., “Silent Night” by candlelight and “Joy to the World” proclaim the Good News. We worship on Christmas Day at 10:30 a.m. to rejoice in our Savior’s birth.
In Princeton, New Jersey, the Christmas tree was lit, but the Light of the World was nowhere to be found. I guarantee you, every time you come to Bethlehem, the Light of the World is shining brightly.
In the Lord’s Service,
Christmas Pageant (12/21)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Morning Service
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Come home
to Bethlehem!
