Welcome to Shorts Sundays at Bethlehem Lutheran Church

We’ve shortened our service and moved downstairs for the hot days of July and August—and we’re encouraging our community to feel free to dress comfortably (yes, shorts in church!).

Since our regular worship service is shorter this summer, we are offering several other worshipful activity options that people can do before the service, after the service, and during the week. We are calling this “Open Space”—a time to open some space in your life and your heart to experience God and to remember that we don’t just worship God an hour on Sunday mornings, but in many ways and with our whole lives. You are free to choose any of the options, try several, or spend the time in whatever way is most meaningful and helpful for you.

Information and instruction cards can be found near each of the stations to help you. Ask the ushers or Pastor Erik to help direct you. Thank you for helping us maintain the upstairs sanctuary during this time as a place for quiet meditation and prayer.

Below you will find the latest list of Open Space options with the previous weeks below them.


Sunday, August 24, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday August 24th


Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

Prayer with Rocks (this week only!)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

After the Service (10:05-noon)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Prayer with Rocks (this week only!)

Silent Prayer

Downstairs

Discussion of readings and sermon (southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Outside

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood

In the world and all this week

Continue gathering coins for World Hunger (bring your collections on Aug 31st)

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday August 10th


Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

Jesus Prayer (this week only)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

After the Service (10:05-noon)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Jesus Prayer (this week only)

Silent Prayer

Downstairs

Discussion of readings and sermon (southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Outside

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood

In the world and all this week

Continue gathering coins for World Hunger (bring your collections on Aug 31st)

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday August 3rd


Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests


After the Service (10:05-noon)


Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Silent Prayer


Downstairs

Help a child gather coins and explain to them about giving to World Hunger

Discussion of readings and sermon (southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Prayers and Cares (10:45--northwest corner table)


Outside

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood


In the world and all this week

Begin gathering coins for World Hunger

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed


Sunday, July 27, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday July 27th

(blue links can be clicked to play along at home)

Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

“Breathing Prayer” (Sighs too deep for words)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

After the Service (10:05-noon)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Silent Prayer

“Breathing Prayer” (Sighs too deep for words)

Downstairs

Discussion of readings and sermon (northeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Outside

Gardening Prayer (info in the hallway)

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood

In the world and all this week

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday July 20th

Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

After the Service (10:05-noon)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Silent Prayer

Downstairs

Discussion of readings and sermon (northeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Outside

Gardening Prayer (info in the hallway)

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood

In the world and all this week

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed

Information and instruction cards can be found near each of the stations to help you. Ask the ushers or Pastor Erik to help direct you. Thank you for helping us maintain the upstairs sanctuary during this time as a place for quiet meditation and prayer.

Have a suggestion for a station? Talk to Pastor Erik

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Open Space options for Sunday July 13th

Before the Service (9:00am-9:25am)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Organ Prelude for silent prayer (begins at 9:15)

Downstairs

Prayer in community (9:15, southeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

After the Service (10:05-noon)

Upstairs Sanctuary (silence, please)

Prayer around the Cross

Listen to past sermons

Take audio tour of Balazs “Life of Jesus” windows

Silent Prayer

Downstairs

Discussion of readings and sermon (northeast corner table)

Fellowship and welcoming of visitors and guests

Outside

Gardening Prayer (info in the hallway)

Take a short (or long) prayer walk around our neighborhood

In the world and all this week

Bring communion to someone who is ill or homebound (talk to Pastor Erik or Rose Griess)

Invite someone to lunch and get to know them better (how about a visitor?)

Meet a neighbor at Movie Night on Wed