GET INVOLVED
Expansive Church
Ministries
Music
Worship Leadership
Missions
Online Giving
At Bethlehem…
There are so many ways to get involved at Bethlehem Lutheran! From serving in our ministries and missions, to church leadership, online donations, and more—your time and support is a gift to God and a gift to our community. It’s also a great way to get to know your fellow congregants!
Explore the opportunities by clicking on the colored tabs above or keep scrolling.
Expansive Church
EXPANSIVE CHURCH 2023!
Innovative Idea? Passionate about social change? BLC’s Expansive Church 2023! wants to fund it!
Grant applications are open! Click here to access an online application or here for a printable PDF applications. Printed applications should be dropped off or mailed to church office at 1145 N 5th Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174. Please attention applications to Deacon Heather Feltman.
What is Expansive Church 2023!?
Part of Bethlehem’s mission is to go out into the world and share God’s love! The Expansive Church 2023 grant ministry is one way Bethlehem has chosen to extend God’s love to our surrounding communities!
What You Can Do:
-Contact your favorite nonprofit that is working to positively impact a social concern important to you.
-Share this initiative with anyone who might be interested in applying. You can share this handout and it will direct folks to the grant guidelines and application.
-Pray for Bethlehem’s Expansive Church grant review team and all those who apply.
-Direct any questions to Deacon Heather.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EXPANSIVE CHURCH 2023!?
Expansive Church 2023! is an outreach initiative of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL. This program is an incubator or an accelerator for entrepreneurs and nonprofits with innovative ideas to address social issues.
This initiative seeks grant applications from entrepreneurs and nonprofits with business models that address social issues and/or community needs. A selection process defined by a team of Bethlehem disciples will determine eligibility and grant awards in December of 2023.
Key Dates for Expansive Church 2023!
Sept 1: Grant Applications Open
Nov 1: Deadline for Grant Submissions
Dec 20: Grant Recipients Announced!
Expansive Church in the news:
St. Charles Church Accepting Grant Applications—Kane County Chronicle
St. Charles Church Creates Grant Opportunity—Kane County Chronicle
For more details on Expansive Church 2023!, click here.
Ready to apply? Fill out a grant application here.
EXPANSIVE CHURCH, KIDS!
At BLC, we strive to instill giving hearts in our youth. During the Expansive Church 2023! initiative, we have challenged our children to make Noisy Offerings to contribute to the funds that will be granted to support our local communities! So far, BLC youth has raised over $500!! Way to go!
Ministries
ADULT
Whether you’re looking for larger group activities or more intimate small group discussions, there are many opportunities for learning, friendship, and growth here at Bethlehem! To learn more about our current groups and offerings use our Contact Us form to let us know what your interests are or call our church office at 630-584-2199.
YOUTH
The Middle School Ministry, also called Confirmation, is focused on educating our 6-8th graders about what it means to belong to a community of faith. The program begins in the fall of the 6th grade year and concludes in the spring of the 8th grade year. Each year, particular focus is given to a part of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism as well as stories, characters, and themes from throughout Scripture. We place particular emphasis on how scripture and theology intersect with our daily lives.
Our High School Ministry ignites our students’ faith into action. At Youth Group hangouts, we seek to challenge what the students know, what they believe, and what they question. We meet every Sunday from 6–8 p.m. in the Youth Room from September–April, and during the summer for scheduled hangouts.
If you’ve graduated from high school and are under 25, we invite you to join our Young Adult Ministry. It’s important for our young adults to have ways to stay involved in church life after high school and we recognize that many of our young adults are busy or away from home. We seek to provide opportunities for our young adults who are passionate about serving the community, growing in faith and fellowship, having fun, and staying connected!
If you have any questions about our Youth Ministries, please contact Pastor Paisley.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (GRADES K–5)
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
At Bethlehem, we believe our children offer us a glimpse of God’s love on Earth, and we empower them to make a difference in the world around them, serving God in their own lives. Our weekly Sunday School, Stepping Stones milestone classes, and Vacation Bible School allow children to learn about God’s love while feeling a part of a special community and making lasting friendships. For additional information on the programs below, please contact Pastor Paisley.
Sunday School
Bethlehem offers Sunday School at 10:45 am each Sunday morning, with classes for children 3 years old through 5th Grade. Quality background-checked and vaccinated volunteers and a Montessori-like model make this an excellent environment for growing in God’s love.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a multi-year journey to support parents and children who are growing in faith. Annual milestones allow families to explore faith connections together. The program, which is for infants, toddlers, and elementary students, offers one designated program to each age or grade during the school year. Click here to read more about this program or to sign your child(ren) up for their appropriate Stepping Stone.
COMMUNITY CARE MINISTRY
Home Communion Ministry consists of a team of disciples who visit and bring Holy Communion monthly to those who are no longer able to attend worship. These visits are a vital connection to our body and Christ’s love. To request the care of the Home Communion Ministry or to learn more about serving, please contact Pastor Jean Duran.
Music
Here at Bethlehem, we’re proud of our diverse and active music program! We invite all who are interested to find an ensemble that brings them joy. Psalm 100 tells us to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” Not “perfect” or “flawless” noise—but joyful. We hope you can join us!
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Director of Worship and Music David Lincoln.
Senior Choir
Bethlehem’s Senior Choir frequently participates at our worship services in the Sanctuary. This adult ensemble—high school plus—rehearses at 7:00pm on Wednesdays in the choir loft and we are always looking for new singers! Please join us at any time—this is not an auditioned group.
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Director of Worship and Music David Lincoln.
Youth Music Ministry
Joyful Noise meets Wednesdays from 4:30-5:15pm, grades K-5
The Joyful Noise music program will engage K-5th graders in multi-dimensional music making including singing, bell ringing, dance/movement and sign language. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Director of Worship and Music David Lincoln.
Youth Bells meets Wednesdays from 5:15-6:00pm, grades 6-12
Led by Linda Culley, this choir is for grades 6-12 who have a basic knowledge of music. In addition to learning music, members will build friendships, learn teamwork, enhance the worship experience, all while having fun. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 5:15-6 in the choir loft. They will participate in Bethlehem’s worship services approximately once a month, as well as special and festival services. For questions or more information, please contact Linda Culley. Sign up here.
Youth Music Helpers assist Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30pm, grades 6-12
6th-12th grade musicians can share their gift of music and develop leadership skills through helping with Joyful Noise rehearsals or instrumental rehearsals. Sign up here.
Sounds of Joy Handbells
Sounds of Joy Handbells is led by Michelle Fisher and participates in Bethlehem’s worship service at least once per month in addition to special and festival services. Sounds of Joy plays a wide variety of music using a 4+ octave range of bells and hand chimes. If you would like to learn more about joining this group, contact Michelle Fisher.
Praise Team
Bethlehem’s Praise Team consists of singers, instrumentalists, and audio/video technicians. They typically rehearse on Thursday evenings and before worship on Sunday mornings. If you’re a strong singer, have experience playing drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, or other instruments in a contemporary worship setting, or if you’ve worked a sound board or PC during presentations, please contact our Director of Worship and Music David Lincoln.
Festival Choirs
Bethlehem “pulls out all the stops” on special seasonal occasions and invites anyone who is interested to join a choir. Christmas and Lent/Easter are good examples of times when special music is celebrated in the form of masterworks like an oratorio or requiem, or it may just be a time when we invite all of our ensembles to share their talents with the congregation. Be on the lookout for these special music invitations and please join in!
Worship Leadership
Serving in a leadership role during our worship services is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow congregants and support Bethlehem. Please see the opportunities below and be in touch with the designated contact person for more information. Thank you!
Communion Assistants
Congregation members are invited to participate as communion assistants at all of our Sunday services! There are no special qualifications. It is a joy to share God’s grace and forgiveness with others when serving the bread and wine in communion. Please contact Debby Klapmeier, who coordinates Communion Assistants, for more information.
Lay Readers
We invite all of our disciples to share God’s word at our worship services! Lay readers volunteer to read Bible verses during the service. And don’t worry! If you need help with any pronunciation, there is always someone there to help you. Please contact John Volkening for more information.
Ushers
Probably the largest of Bethlehem’s volunteer teams, we need ushers to distribute bulletins, collect registrations and offerings, assist with communion, and care for our congregations during worship. Please contact Bob Gehm or Jim Kautz for more information.
Greeters
Our greeters welcome members and guests to worship but are also available to provide direction and answer questions for newcomers. Please contact Pat Geaman for more information.
Altar Guild
Bethlehem’s Altar Guild is a dedicated group of disciples who prepare the altar and chancel area at all services to assist our pastors in serving God’s meal. Please contact our Alter Guild Coordinator Debby Klapmeier for more information.
Seasonal Worship Planning
A lot of thought and care goes into Bethlehem’s worship services! If you’re interested in being part of our long-range seasonal planning––including themes, art, environment, and overall worship design––please contact Pastor Paisley.
Missions
Bethlehem Lutheran Church believes in the importance of serving and loving our neighbors. Our congregants actively and regularly volunteer with local groups that provide food, shelter, and other important support and resources to community members in need. More details and sign up links are below. We hope you’ll join us!
Hesed House
Bethlehem serves Hesed House on the fourth Friday of even numbered months—February, April, June, August, October & December
Hesed House, at 659 River Street near downtown Aurora, is a center for ministries providing services for poor and homeless individuals and families. Housed in a building that was formerly the Aurora incinerator, this facility has now become a beacon of hope and light to hundreds of people who are struggling to rise out of poverty.
Every other month, BLC provides a hearty dinner for those living at Hesed House. The amount of food necessary to serve approximately 150 people costs $3000 per year, so your gift is truly needed and appreciated.
To help support this important mission, please make a donation here.
If you have any questions, please contact John Maisch at 516-236-3184.
Upcoming Service Dates
(click on the date you’d like to serve to sign up!):
October 27, 2023
December 22, 2023
Lazarus House
Bethlehem serves Lazarus House the 2nd Saturday of each month
Lazarus House, at 214 Walnut Street in St. Charles, serves unhoused men, women, and children each month by providing food, safe shelter, and education. BLC supports this important mission on the 2nd Saturday of each month by providing food to the residents of Lazarus House. We provide a main dish, salad or vegetable, dessert, fruit, milk, and juice. Questions? Please contact our BLC Coordinator for Lazarus House, Barb Ourada at brourada@aol.com.
To help support this important mission, please make a donation here.
We are also in need of overnight volunteers. If you are interested and available or have any questions, please contact Megan Lopez at volunteer@lazarushouse.net or call 630-587-2144.
Upcoming Service Dates
(click on the date you’d like to serve to sign up!):
October 14, 2023
November 11, 2023
December 9, 2023
Lutheran Social Services
Bethlehem has a relationship with the Lutheran Social Services of IL (LSSI). Throughout the year, Bethlehem will host educational sessions or volunteer opportunities that help LSSI complete its mission.
LSSI Needs Foster Parents
During the pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to recruit foster parents, and to place children in need of foster care. LSSI continues to address these circumstances, but you can help! Please share this video from a Rockford TV station, and direct people interested in becoming a foster parent here. The need for foster parents spans statewide.
Therapeutic Foster Parents Needed in Aurora, Rockford, and Chicago
Be a part of a successful pilot program at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) by becoming a therapeutic foster parent through programs in Aurora, Rockford, and Chicago. Therapeutic foster care places children with histories of severe trauma and emotional/behavioral needs in family treatment homes where they receive more one-on-one care and attention. The program is evidence-based and provides short-term, intensive support for these children, so that they can thrive in a family home. Therapeutic foster parents receive intensive training, 24/7 support, and a generous daily stipend, and they are part of an evidence-based treatment team. Learn more here.
To learn more about Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, please visit their website at www.lssi.org
Fox Valley River Initiative
The Fox River Valley Initiative (FRVI) is a growing broad-based group of non-partisan, everyday citizens dedicated to resolving pressing social problems facing our communities in Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and Elgin.
Since its founding in 2010, FRVI has grown to 21 member organizations across the Fox Valley—all churches and institutions that care about change for the common good in our community.
Fox River Valley Initiative is not a one-issue organization. We want to discover what keeps Bethlehem disciples up at night, what breaks their heart, and how we might work together to make a difference in the Fox Valley. We have an active listening campaign happening now!
Previous listening campaigns at Bethlehem and other institutions identified common concerns: mental health, affordable housing, and criminal justice. The FRVI is based on relationships–both within our member groups and in the larger public arena. We have partnered with the sheriff’s office, the state’s attorney, local police departments and local city councils. If you’d like to learn more visit the FRVI website here.
For questions or more information about Fox River Valley Initiative, please contact Dori Collins 630-441-3843 or dorierwincollins@gmail.com.
Online Giving
You can support any of the ministries and missions above by giving online.
- Open your Zelle account or app.
- Enter leslie@bethlehemluth.org as the recipient—Leslie is our financial assistant.
- Confirm that “Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church” is listed as the recipient.
- IMPORTANT: On the “Notes” line, please list how the money should be credited. Examples: Annual Giving, Expansive Church, or VBS. If the payment is to be split, please consider doing more than one payment or note how much should be credited to each.
- Leslie will receive the payment and credit it to your account. Please contact her at leslie@bethlehemluth.org if you have any questions.