Worship

Scripture Pervades

We recognize that a more formal and liturgical form of worship can sometimes be challenging for visitors. With this in mind, we provide a bulletin with page numbers to the appropriate place in the red hymnal (The Lutheran Hymnal). If you're struggling, someone nearby or one of the ushers will be more than happy to help you.

We believe that what God does in worship should inform the way we worship. Because worship is the receiving of God's gifts that are delivered through His Word, you'll notice that Scripture pervades our liturgy. The liturgy is simply an arrangement or order of Scriptural texts, poems, creeds, and hymns in which God's people encounter their living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Also, the repetition of the liturgy helps form our memory in faith. You might even find yourself singing a song from the liturgy during the week!

Reverence

For us, worship is not a show to be done with the goal of entertainment. The point is not pomp and circumstance either. Rather, our ceremonies (standing, bowing, hymnals, and the like) are driven directly by our conviction that God Himself is present in His risen Body and Blood for us. That He speaks in His Word and the Absolution, and that He is paying close attention to our prayers. Our services are not spontaneous, but rather planned and deliberate, resembling the way Christians have been worshipping for centuries. In other words, it is formal in its tone rather than chatty, and that it takes up topics of the utmost importance and eternal consequence.

The Word of God is preached through Law and Gospel. Our pastor's sermons are also planned and deliberate. He prepares all week for the sermons with intentional study, always seeking to be relevant and preach sermons that are contemporary to the needs of the people, taking note of what is going on in the culture around us.

Distinctly Lutheran

Some Lutherans in America have taken up the trappings of the dominant Protestant culture in America, or worse, the entertainment industry. We have resisted–not because we are just conservative and reject change for the sake of doing things the way they "have always been done." But rather, we are fully committed to the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Concord, the study of the historic liturgy, and therefore receive our Lutheran heritage, including ceremonies, as grateful recipients.

Liturgical worship, in one form or another, has a four-thousand-year-old history dating back to the tabernacle worship of God's people in Exodus and was continued on in the apostolic church. This form of worship shouldn't be cast off lightly. It is something we cherish, for it keeps the Gospel of Jesus Christ ever before our eyes.

Holy Communion

Here at Bethany we practice closed communion (please click here for further explanation of this practice). If you are not a member of Bethany we ask that you please speak with Pastor Buvinghausen before the communion service. If you have any questions about our teachings or would be interested in classes to learn more about them, please speak with Pastor Buvinghausen.

Children in Worship

At Bethany Lutheran Church, we want your kids in the Service and not out! We are very happy that you are here today! We want you to feel at home.

First, please relax. Enjoy your time here. Jesus knows that children tend to wiggle and squawk a bit, so please don't feel embarrassed by it. Your children are welcome at Bethany.

To make it a bit easier on your family, please dare to sit toward the front where your children can easily see what's happening at the front of the church, note the colors, smell the candles, watch the pastor, wonder about the stained-glass windows, and embrace the action at the altar. What Jesus does here promises to engage them.

As we go, softly explain the Liturgy to your children, encouraging them to chime in on their parts: Amen! Lord have mercy! And with thy Spirit! I believe! Our Father! All of that belongs to them too.

Be sure to sing and say and pray your parts too as you stand and sit. Your children learn by following your lead.

If you and your child must leave, please hurry back. We want you and your children here very much.

If you need a little help, just ask. There are lots of folks here who will lend you a hand. Please know that while you are caring for your children, the rest of us will be rejoicing in Jesus' words, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16).

We know that your children are a gift to the Church, so we will do our best to welcome, smile, encourage, help, and bless you all. Welcome to Bethany!