Come join the fun!
What are your special skills? Can you quilt, or sing? Maybe you would just like to learn something new or join a Bible study. Come, be apart of a committee, group or project. Find your passion, share your gifts.
Have you ever found yourself wondering what an abundant life would look like?
Our Abundant Life...
3-D Dining
& Breakfast Buddies
Bethesda has a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants to go out to dinner or breakfast. It happens once a month. A different local restaurant is chosen each month. We share a meal with friends and members. It is a time of relaxation and getting to know other members over a meal. It is a come-as-you-are event for food, fellowship and camaraderie.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
Church Picnic
Each August, come rain or shine, we have a church picnic. The Community Life Committee provides the main course (hot dogs, hamburgers or brats) and everyone else brings potluck salads or desserts. If the weather is good we have it outside on the lawn. If not, we simply move it into the fellowship hall. Bring your own beverage, dinnerware and camper chair!
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
Canada Fishing Trips
Imagine yourself in a small boat on your way to a cabin for a fishing trip in the Boundary Waters of Canada. One of our members has a gorgeous cabin there. She offers walleye fishing trips to Canada, for our church young adults. In addition she creates a Fishing Trip as a raffle prize for the Annual Fall Bazaar. It is a beautiful place and a special opportunity to be invited to visit. If you are lucky enough to go on one of these trips, be sure to take pictures at the Canadian Check-point with the border agents; you can only get there by boat, or small sea plane!
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”
– John 7:38
Operations Committee
Do you have gifts that inlcude careful observation, creative problem solving or simply a “let’s fix that” attitude? If yes, then picture yourself helping out on the Operations Committee for Bethesda. If there is an issue anywhere on the property, they will fix it! Sometimes they use their own ingenuity and other times they find just the right person or business to make the problem disappear. If you think like this, then you are welcome here!
“for they gave that to those who did the work, and with it they repaired the house of the Lord.”
– 2 Kings 12:14
Choir
The choir sings once a month during the school year, and music for the choir is chosen to match the skill of the group. Everyone is welcome to participate in choir, all abilities are welcome.
The Sunday music and choir are led by classically trained music director Mark Graf, who brings his years of vocal coaching and opera conducting experience into the mix.
The choir is accompanied by Karen Graf, who provides the perfect support with her many years of piano teaching and music therapy experience.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
– Colossians 3:16
Worship & Special Music
Music at Bethesda is uplifting, meaningful, and relevant to the scripture lessons of the day. When in person or listening online, you will hear modern arrangements of old favorite hymns and classical music from both the organ and piano. A blend of traditional hymns and praise songs are chosen for congregational singing. During summer months, the prelude is replaced with favorite hymns chosen by those in attendance.
Music Director, Mark Graf has been leading worship service music for 50 years, with over 20 of them at Bethesda.
13 “ The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud”
– 2 Chronicles 5:13
Men's Fraternity
We are a group of guys who meet regularly in our church library.
We meet twice a month, Saturday mornings at 9:00 am, during the school year. We also meet for breakfast at a local restaurant on occasion. We do book studies, both spiritual and secular and invite speakers to present on a variety of topics.
The men in our group come from different spiritual traditions, journeys and career paths. The most important gift of our little band of brothers is the gift to each other. The gift of fellowship. We have heartfelt and respectful conversations that include quite a bit of story-telling.
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
– 1 John 4:12
Personnel Committee
Personnel Committee is the glue that holds together staff and extra help needed at Bethesda. They love to recognize our great staff with our annual appreciation and coffee weekend. They fill the pulpit supply when our pastor needs a break or must be elsewhere. They create the budget that keeps the staff taken care of financially and they facilitate problem solving methods for issues and concerns amongst the employees.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
– Colossians 3: 23-24
Spiritual Life Committee
Our Spiritual Life committee has the privilege of sharing the Visitation Ministry with Bethesda members who request it. In addition we have planted flowers beneath the bell tower for Pentecost, ordered placemats for church events in the fellowship hall, order cards when needed and create welcome gift bags for new members. We welcome new committee members and new ways we can grow the work of our committee! Bring your ideas and join us!
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
– Romans 12: 3
Luther Crest Bible Camp
Luther Crest Bible Camp celebrates and welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, family structures, and faith backgrounds. In their words and actions, they strive to reflect God’s radical love and hospitality.
Together, we commit to building a community rooted in empathy, accountability, and mutual care — where every person is empowered to grow in faith, relationships, and confidence.”
– luthercrest.org
“This is the Lord’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.” – Psalm 118:23
Church Council
The Church Council at Bethesda is made up of representatives from all of the church committees. It is a hub that spins quietly in the background listening for potential needs and recognizing the blessings of a congregation filled with a love for each other, our neighbors and our neighborhood. It makes sure that we are all interconnected and all parts of our body work together, knowing that God has each appendage doing it’s part.
“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
– Romans 12: 4-5
Community Life
Community Life Committee arranges the following events: Lenten soup suppers, 3-D Dining, Breakfast buddies, Halloween Fun, Potluck Picnic, Blood Drives, Friends in Faith, Golf Scrambles, Love, INC Partnership, Butter Braids, Easter Breakfast, Luther Crest Camper Sponsorships,
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead..”
– James 2: 14-17
Parish Education Committee
In addition to other things, the Parish Education Committee hosts an annual Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday morning. We meet at the church on the Saturday before Easter to hide the eggs in the Education wing of the church. We have the kids gather the eggs after they eat Easter breakfast and before worship service.
We incorporate a variety of methods to help the congregation continue to grow and learn new ways to walk in the foot steps of Jesus.
Education can come in many forms, from formal classes to personal experiences volunteering.
Confirmation preparation, youth programs and senior student recognition all fall under Parish Education.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.”
– 2 Timothy 2: 15
Friends In Faith
Our Confirmation students choose a church member to be their “Friend in Faith”, throughout their confirmation journey. Both the pairs and the groups get together every month with activities that bond.
Top: FIF Card Making Class.
Bottom: FIF annual bowling party.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Halloween Fun
Members of Bethesda invite students from Alexandria Technical College and other groups to join us for a halloween event. We keep it warm and dry by having it inside. Candy galore to share with the community of families that stop by to trick or treat.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
Manna Bags
We are called to act, to live out our faith. Bethesda members keep Manna Bags in vehicles to offer to others in need. The bags contain: water, non-perishable food items and a list of resources.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, …
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25: 35-40
Quilt Making
What could be better than to snuggle into a warm, cozy, homemade quilt? Many families have grandmothers or aunts who hand down the patterns, block designs or quilts themselves as family tradition. The work that went into them carrying generations of tattered fingers and labors of love.
The quilters of Bethesda, design and build these beautiful heart-warming quilts for our senior graduates, as donations for our fall bazaar, and again, as donations to local non-profits and Lutheran World Relief.
Another kind of labor of love by many hands. Almost all of the supplies are donated, or Thrivent cards are applied for. The church bazaar also contributes some funding to this effort.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
– Colossians 3:23
Personal Care Kits
Mission Ministries collects items and funds to put together Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. The kits help people who have been in disasters or are simply in need. Each kit contains the following items:
1 thin dark-colored towel,
1 adult sized toothbrush
2 bars of soap equaling 8-9 oz
1 large toothed comb
1 nail clipper
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
– Hebrews 13:16
Bazaar
The church is buzzing with volunteers during the week of the Bazaar. The men, women and youth of the congregation work hard to prepare for the big event. On the day of the Bazaar, they all show up again to work a shift and help with sales and serving.
Many people of the Lakes Area have supported our Fall Bazaar for generations. We look forward to seeing the friends and community members that return year after year!
“For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building..”
– 1 Corinthians 3:9
Rebecca Circle
The Rebecca Circle group meets the second Thursday of each month to do a Bible study. After the study, they take up a collection and choose where to donate the funds. It goes to local places such as Someplace Safe, AAHS Food Shelf, Eagle’s Nest, Douglas County Outreach Food Shelf and more. A light lunch is served and fellowship is enjoyed.
1:30- 4pm
2nd Thursday of the month.
Fellowship hall of Bethesda.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
– Proverbs 3:27
Fellowship
Mission Ministries
One percent of the general fund offerings are put into a special account for the Mission Ministries Committee to use to help others. The guidelines to donate are to give locally, nationally and internationally throughout the year, as needs present themselves. In addition, this committee collects item donations to prepare Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief.
It is pure joy to find places to donate these funds to. We help people with a tragic need, go-fund-me events, cancer fundraisers, world disasters, wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, non-profits in need, families with unexpected expenses, funerals with no funds to bury loved ones. The money is freely given without any strings. If this sounds like a good deed for your heart, you are correct! Come join us and let these good works bless your heart too.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
– Acts 20:35
God's Work Our Hands
Luther Crest Clean-up
Each year, the ELCA encourages its member churches to serve their neighbor by completing a service project on a designated day.
Service activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
– 1 Peter 4:10-11 –
Ready to transform the life of someone else?
Bring your skills, gifts or a joyful willingness to learn, and find new meaning in a shared experience.
No perfect people allowed! Everyone else welcome here at Bethesda Lutheran Church of Alexandria, Minnesota.