Welcome

Welcome from the community of faith at Bethany Lutheran Church of Nevis. We hope that through this website you will learn more about the ministry of Christ that is at the heart of Bethany. Our desire is that God's Word of mercy and grace, given freely to all people through Jesus Christ, be made known in this community and throughout God's world. If you are visiting in the Nevis area please join us for worship. If you live in the area and do not have a church home, please accept our invitation to join us for worship and discover the ways in which the ministry of Bethany might help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

"God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9)

 

Sunday Worship Service

The Lord's Supper served at each service.

9:00 AM

Fellowship Time & Sunday School

10:15 AM

Vision Statement

We are followers of Christ equipped with gifts by the Holy Spirit, sharing the Biblical witness with all people.

Mission Statement

We will make disciples of Jesus Christ ; identify and apply spiritual gifts; and welcome and invite others to be followers of Christ.

Maps / Directions

Staff / Contact Information / Email Us

100 3rd Ave. PO Box 137
Nevis, MN 56467
218-652-2030

Office Email: secblc@arvig.net
218-652-3355 (Fax)

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Bethany Lutheran Church

Church Leadership

Northwestern Minnesota Synod

Picture of Church

Brief History of Bethany

Bethany Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [ELCA]. Bethany was founded in 1904 by Norwegian immigrants living in Northern Minnesota and has grown to a baptized membership over 500. The church has seen many changes between 1904 and 2008. It has been known as The Norwegian Church, The American Lutheran Church (ALC) and now the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Bethany has sung from a number of different hymnals, the black book, the red book, the green book, and others.

The church buildings have gone through a number of changes. The sanctuary was remodeled in 1948, and again in 1994. An entryway eliminating outdoor steps and providing a gathering place was added in the late 60's. The church parlors or fellowship hall was originally the first Nevis school. It was added onto in the 70's to provide additional classrooms. The two buildings were later joined together through a construction project in 1994. This project added office space, a new sacristy, classrooms and altar area renovation.

In May of 2007, Bethany began work on the present facility. On June 4, 2007 Bill Speer, Mission Builder Project Manager gave his first report to the congregation. On Palm Sunday 2008 the congregation held its first worship service in the new church. On June 1, 2008 after logging approximately 10,000 volunteer hours we dedicated the facility, rejoicing as we move forward in faith.

Future Plans for Bethany

Introduction: The Council and Committee Chairs met in a retreat setting on October 10, 2009. The focus of the retreat was to review the vison statement, mission statement and to write new goals for 2010. Changes were made to both the vision and mission statements to update them to where we think we need to go.

Following the updates to these statements, goals were written for the year 2010 which will be used to develop a budget and will be monitored by assigned sponsors.

2010 GOALS FOR BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 

• Create a job description for a volunteer coordinator and hire at maximum at 10 hrs. per week - Mutual Ministry
• Spiritual Inventories, provide opportunities for the different groups, communicating the gifts to the different committees. - Stewardship
• Send cards to five (5) inactives per month - Evangelism
• Revisit congregational time and talent sheets annually - Stewardship
• Increase number of people in regular Bible study by 25% - Education
• Baptism of a non-infant-Pastor A.J.
• Invitation Sunday - Evangelism
• Addition of one or more small groups - Evangelism

FIVE YEAR GOALS FOR BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

It would be fair to characterize the focus of the 5 and 10 year thoughts as reaching out to our own members and to the greater community as a whole.

• Plan for building addition
• Memorial garden
• Leader in the Nevis community & Synod
• Debt paid by 2011
• Weekly community meal
• Church van
• Parish nurse
• Annual picnic
• Visitation of inactive members
• More Bible studies
• Social Justice committee established
• Latch key and adult daycare
• Stephen Ministry —Befriender Ministry
• Activities for seniors
• Radio broadcast of Sunday worship service

TEN YEAR GOALS FOR BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

• 50% of giving for missions
• Bethany Habitat for Humanity home built
• Missionary overseas
• 750 community members
• Simulcast of weekly worship service
• Start a sister church
• Senior assisted living
• Five-day-a-week Preschool
• Completion of new addition
• Daycare Center
• Prison Ministry/Adult Mentorship
• Be more green