At Bethel, we provide many opportunities for people to connect with one another and with God. Join us for worship any time, or check out our small groups, programs and ministries. If you’re just visiting our site, we hope these pages will inspire you and we wish you God’s peace and blessings.
If you're thinking about joining us for worship, we hope that the information below will help you to feel comfortable and at home with us, from the very first time you visit. Also, please don't hesitate to call or 
e-mail us if you would like to learn more about us.
 |
|
|
| Founded |
1820 |
| Vision |
A community maturing in faith and building passion for Christ |
| Pastors |
The Rev. Dr. David N. Young and the Rev. Heidi David-Young . . .
'Pastor Dave' and 'Pastor Heidi' |
| Members |
Membership of about 300 households (or around 650 individuals); average Sunday worship attendance is around 350. |
| Location |
2077 North Frederick Pike, Winchester, VA 22603 - (Get a map here) |
| Services |
Regular Schedule resumes September 12, 2010
Blended Worship at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.; Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
A Nursery is provided every Sunday. Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday. 'Blended worship' is a variety of worship and music styles.
Summer Schedule - (after Memorial Day, through Labor Day)
June 6 - September 5, 2010
Blended Worship at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Both services the same ... more blended than traditional. No Sunday School during the summer.
|
| Facilities |
A beautiful 10-acre site once home to a century old apple orchard. Our facilities include the main Sanctuary, an educational wing, a newly constructed Christian Learning and Leadership Center, a large, covered picnic area and lots of green, open space outside. Plenty of parking, too. Photos are available under the ABOUT tab above. |
Handicap
|
Yes, wheelchair accessible |
Trend
|
Membership & ministries growing, facilities recently expanded |
| Programs |
We offer dozens of different ways you can get involved in our faith community. We have activities to suit every preference and a variety of interests. We invite you to learn more about these opportunities to serve others under the MINISTRIES tab above. |
| The Web |
Please bookmark our daily newsletter — www.bethelwinchester.com/daily — a fascinating blend of Bethel news, national & world news, stories about life & living, humor, entertainment, fun, and community information. It's all the best news on the Web—all in one place—and downright fun to read! |
|
|
Our Location and Directions
Bethel Lutheran Church is located at 2077 North Frederick Pike (Route 522), Winchester, Virginia, 22603. We are on Route 522 North, about a mile north of the intersection of 522-N and Route 37. Get a map.
What to Expect at Worship Services
All are welcome! 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're a one-time visitor or considering making Bethel your church home, we'll follow up with you according to your wishes.
Our worship services include a blend of traditional and contemporary music and worship styles. We offer Holy Communion weekly. We print each service entirely in our weekly worship bulletin, which includes all prayers, readings, and music, so it's easy to follow along.
What to Expect During the Service
From the earliest days of the Christian church, worship has been marked by a pattern of gathering, Word, meal, and sending. These basic elements constitute the center of our worship services at Bethel.
Gathering -- We begin our services with music and prayer, as people from diverse backgrounds gather in unity, seeking God's peace and presence.
Word -- We listen to readings from the Bible, and hear the good news of God and are challenged to be transformed by it.
Meal -- Welcomed to the Lord's table, each of us is united with God, with each other, and with the church's mission in the world. We offer the bread and wine of communion to all baptized and communing Christians. All others are invited forward for a spoken blessing.
Sending -- We are invited to leave in peace, sent out to serve in word and deed: to tell others about the good news we have heard, to care for those in need, and to share what we have received with the poor and hungry.
What to Wear
At Bethel, you'll see people in everything from jeans, to business casual, to dresses and suits. Wear what you would feel comfortable wearing for a large meeting or gathering.
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. Please feel free to pick up a Children's Worship Bag at the two entryways to the sanctuary. These bags offer age-appropriate reading, coloring and craft materials related to Bible stories.
Also, we offer child care for children through age three, on Sunday mornings from 8:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. 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.
A couple of times a month, we offer children's sermons. On alternate Sundays, we invite school-aged children to hear their own version of the sermon as they leave worship prior to the readings, and return following the sermon.
About Sunday School
Our Sunday School classes are held from September through May, starting at 9:45 a.m. In addition, we have several classes and study groups that meet throughout the week. We offer classes for all ages, and with a wide variety of topics and approaches toward Christianity, the Bible, and how we can live out our faith. We welcome newcomers and visitors. Please see an usher if you would like to visit a class.
Becoming a Member
Membership at Bethel normally follows participation in a series of Inquirer classes held two or three times each year. If you are interested in learning more about this congregation, ask us (Visit our 'Contact us' page), or if you are at a worship service, you may fill out a Welcome card located in the pew rack, and we'll follow up with you, according to your preferences. And of course, you can explore this website.
