Holy Week

During Holy Week the Church engages the mysteries of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection through liturgies that enact the key events in the last week of Jesus' earthly life. Join with the Bethlehem community as we observe these sacred days in ways that allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives in new ways and lead us into a life renewed. 

  • Palm Sunday, April 13, 9:30 AM

    Today we remember Jesus' triumphant entry to Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion. We will gather outside the church building in the north lawn (outside the red doors), where we will hear the processional gospel. We will parade into the church with palms and instruments. Our joy will turn to grief, as we hear the story of Jesus' Passion (arrest and crucifixion). We leave in silence. 

  • Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:00 PM

    Dinner Church

    Jesus ate his final meal with his disciples at the Passover table. There he gave them the commandment to love one another as he loved them and gave them the gift of Holy Communion. We will gather together around a potluck meal (sign up here to bring a dish)  for holy conversation, scripture reading, and a homily. We will process into the sanctuary for Holy Communion and to strip the altar, as we remember Jesus' arrest and abandonment by his disciples. A prayer labyrinth will be available. 

  • Good Friday, April 18, 7:00 PM

    Today we come to the climax of our Lenten observances as we remember the crucifixion of Jesus. We gather around the cross to remember God's act of sacrificial love. At the cross we are reminded that there is nothing in our human experience from which God is absent. At the cross, we recognize the lengths to which God will go to be with God's beloved children. We will hear the Passion read, have the opportunity to reverence the cross, and leave in silence, awaiting a new day. 

  • Sunday of the Resurrection, April 20, 

    9:30 AM

    God does not leave us in grief! Like the women who came to the tomb that first Easter morning, we come together to hear the amazing good news that Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! We gather with processions, special music, and Holy Communion as we rejoice in God's victory over the death and the promise of life renewed for all creation! Alleluia!

about the Theme: 

life renewed

What happens when we realize our dead ends are never really the end?


This Lent you are invited to explore what it means to live with hope in a broken and fragile world. We live as dusty mortals in a world bound by sin and, yet, we also live with the promise of a life renewed. Together we will look at the stories that mark the Easter Vigil, stories of times when it seemed people had come to the end of their story, only to discover something new was right around the corner. Ezekiel and the Dry Bones. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Lazarus in the tomb. Jesus on the cross. 


Through these stories we will find our sure and certain hope in God who brings resurrection and new life. Rather than a dead end ahead, we look forward to a life renewed. 

Worship opportunities

Lenten mid-week worship services will be offered both in-person at church and through live stream on Bethlehem’s Facebook page. Worship begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings and will be available for viewing on the Facebook page at any time. The service will include a conversation about the week's story and will run about an hour. There will be no separate Bible study on Wednesday nights.


March 5             Ash Wednesday: The End is Dust

March 12           The Unimaginable      

March 19           Bound and Free                                

March 26           At the Crossroads      

April 2                Exonerated    

April 9                What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?           



There will be no soup suppers this year.

Shared lenten discipline

This year the Bethlehem community is invited to a shared Lenten discipline of practicing daily devotions. Pick up a free copy of the daily devotional book, "Life Renewed" at church and commit to enjoying each day's scripture, short reflection, and prayer. You can use some tried and true habit techniques to help make the discipline stick:


  • Determine an amount of time you will do devotions each day and set a timer. Knowing it will only take 5-10 minutes can make it easier to start.
  • Write down a plan. Maybe use habit stacking, the practice of adding a new habit to an existing one. "After I brush my teeth each night, I will sit down and do my devotions." "While I drink my morning coffee, I will read the devotional book." "I will read my devotion before I check my email or phone."
  • You don't have to be perfect. One missed day does not mean you have failed! Just pick it up the next day!
  • That said, some people really enjoy earning a "streak." Use the commitment card inserted in your book to mark each day you practice devotions.
  • After 40 days of regular time with God, think about how you might integrate this new habit into your post-Easter life!


Each Wednesday night worship service will be focused on one of the devotions from the week. Bible study will be wrapped up with worship. You are invited to bring your devotional books with you, as there will be time for reading, reflection, and journaling built into the service.