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Pastoral Care

I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15)

Baby Dedications

And Hannah said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

We believe that a child must be trained and guided in the ways of Jesus until he understands and is able to make a quality decision to personally accept Christ as his Savior. As an act of faith, while they are infants, we dedicate our children to the Lord (I Samuel 1:1-28). Through this ceremony, we stand in agreement with Godly parents and Godparents to form a circle of love and guidance around the child. We recommend that baby dedications be conducted within six months of the infant's birth.

If you desire to have your baby dedicated, please see the Pastor for counseling and scheduling. It is extremely important that the family understands the significance of the Promise being made before God; therefore, we ask that the parents and Godparents attend one counseling session with the Pastor prior to the Christian dedication service.

Baptism

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19)

Baptism is a wonderful part of the Holy sacraments of the Christian Church. John the Baptist baptized Jesus with water, and Jesus called believers to baptize new converts in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28).

In Bethlehem, baptism is not a mere ceremony done by tradition. Rather, full immersion of a believer in water symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; it is the means through which believers demonstrate our faith in the risen savior, as well as our death to sin and resurrection to a new life. Baptism, then, is an outward sign of inward change.

We are excited that you are joining with this body of believers as we strive to be the disciples that Jesus has called us to be and witnesses to all the world of God’s goodness.

Church Membership

“So continuing daily with one accord…and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

The membership of Bethlehem Baptist Church is composed of persons who confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and who join by baptism, letter, Christian experience or watchcare. Persons coming into the Church for the first time are received as candidates for baptism, upon the public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. Persons who come from a nonChristian church or religion must join Bethlehem by baptism.

A person who joins by letter comes to Bethlehem as a member in good standing with another Baptist church. We will typically notify the church where the person is currently a member of that person's intention to join Bethlehem.

When a person joins by Christian experience, he or she comes to Bethlehem as a member of another church of the Christian faith.

When a person joins by watchcare, he or she maintains membership with another church of Christian faith, while connecting with and adhering to Bethlehem’s mission and doctrinal statement.

The most common way to indicate your desire to become a member of Bethlehem is to walk down the aisle during Sunday morning worship to make your request known to the Pastor. You may also speak with the Pastor, or any minister or deacon at any other time. We will gladly lead you as you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and join with us in serving God and demonstrating His love to the world.

Funerals

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy’” (John 16:22)

Upon the death of a member who is to be memorialized at Bethlehem, please contact the church leadership call the Pastor immediately. Bethlehem Baptist Church will assist in any planning and programming of the service as necessary. Dates and times for funerals will be arranged with the Pastor. By contacting us before you make plans with your funeral director, you will find that pastoral guidance and support will not only aid in your spiritual comfort but will also help guide you through the planning process during this emotional time.

Holy Communion

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, „This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.‟ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, „This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.‟ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord‟s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

In Bethlehem, Holy Communion is celebrated on the second Sunday of each month during morning worship service. All believers in right standing with God are invited to the Lord’s Table. The Pastor, Ministerial Staff and Deacons administer Holy Communion, and the Deaconess prepare the table. Any members who desire communion to be served in private should make their requests known to the Pastor or the Deacon Ministry.

Hospital Visitations

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ … And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)

If you or a relative is hospitalized and in need of a visit or assistance, please contact the Pastor, one of the deacons, or the Church Clerk so that we may coordinate a visit.

Weddings

“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Genesis 1: 24)

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We pray for your success and happiness as you embark upon the Holy Covenant of marriage. We want to do all we can to help make your celebration as special as possible.

The Pastor is available to all members of Bethlehem Baptist Church for weddings. Couples must first participate in premarital counseling with the Pastor. This counseling helps to examine, undergird, and reinforce the couple’s readiness to take and to keep the sacred Covenant vows of marriage.

Please call the church to schedule your premarital counseling sessions and discuss further details with the pastor. Couples should expect to attend a premarital interview at least nine months before your desired wedding date, and then at least four counseling sessions with the Pastor. Assuming that all is in order after the pastoral interview and premarital sessions, your wedding date will be scheduled and the date secured on the Church calendar. You will also be informed of any fees or requirements regarding the ceremony and use of the church facilities.