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WORSHIP

Begin by attending a Christ-centered worship service at Bethlehem. In our various styles of worship, we are certain you will experience the fullness and value of weekly corporate worship. At Bethlehem Lutheran Church we have both large group and more intimate worship settings as well as special services and festivals throughout the year.

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SCHOOL

Our School Ministry at Bethlehem is a vital component to what the Bible calls discipleship. We believe that a Christ-centered education offers the opportunity for each child in our school to reach his or her God-given potential. Request an information packet from our school office or make an appointment for a personal tour.

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LIFEGROUPS

LifeGroups are simply how we share life together as the body of believers at Bethlehem. You can learn more by clicking on the icon to the right and searching for LifeGroup Opportunities. You’ll find information on Bible studies, common interest groups such as biking or other activities, as well as service options within the church and our community.

Who is Bethlehem Lutheran?

Bethlehem is always seeking to find the best ways to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and love on our community. Because of this, we have worked hard as a Christian community to develop the best strategy to accomplish these goals. Below, we want to share with you that strategy. The button below provides you with the latest Bethlehem Lutheran Church & School strategic plan for ministry. We hope this gives you a little insight into who we are and what we are eager to accomplish in our congregation and our community in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our mission here at Bethlehem is simple. We put it this way:

We exist so that as many people as possible are becoming fully alive in Jesus.

We believe that the Christian life is more than just a part of us, it is all of us. It is a way of life that is filled with the abundant love, mercy, and faithfulness of an amazing God. Because of this, we feel it is our mission to help everyone we meet to experience the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.

A community of believers, freed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that:

• Is alive with worship that faithfully delivers God’s gifts, engaging the participants in such a way that their lives are radically transformed;
• Offers school ministries for families who want to experience the very best for their children – spiritually, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically; and
• Propels people along a discipleship pathway that cultivates an insatiable appetite for growth in their relationship with Jesus and an unquenchable passion for connecting people to Jesus who do not know him yet.

Born in the heart of the Great Depression, Bethlehem emerged as a dynamic ministry committed to people becoming fully alive in Jesus. In 1930 Pastor Martin Nees gathered the first members in a storefront in Wheat Ridge. Within three years land was acquired at the corner of 22^nd and Wadsworth, a plot that would expand to house the current campus in Lakewood. It began with a small basement structure where Pastor Nees and his family lived. That first space served as the foundation for the 150-seat chapel built just 4 years later. School ministry has always been important to Bethlehem and on its 10^th anniversary, the first classroom building was constructed and the ministry staff grew.

Pastor Martin Mayer followed Pastor Nees in 1948 and ushered in a period of tremendous growth. Pastor William Remmert served briefly from 1959 to 1964, followed by Pastor Robert Zehnder who led the ministry team for almost 27 years. God continued to bless Bethlehem with increase. Multiple building projects expanded the church and school facilities, including the current sanctuary, gym, and a significant portion of the school space. Pastor John Koczman provided ministry leadership briefly after Pastor Zehnder. In 1995, Pastor David Langewisch, a former vicar and assistant pastor, was handed the reigns as Senior Pastor. Many faithful associate and assistant pastors, ministry directors, principals, teachers, and staff have been a part of Bethlehem’s success through the years. In 2014 Pastor Drew Ross came from Florida, giving the ministry two senior Pastors.

Significant building projects have continued to position Bethlehem as a community hub and a regional resource for the Gospel. Focusing energy on the core values of Remarkable Worship, Intentional Discipleship, and Significant Relationships, space has been prioritized for a growing Early Learning Center and school, a 200-seat chapel and 800-seat sanctuary, an expansive commons/multi-purpose space, and all of the facility needed to support this community locked in on helping as many people as possible become fully alive in Jesus.

Bethlehem is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and it part of the Rocky Mountain District.