All the baptized have a calling in God s world. God calls not just pastors and deacons but also the youngest child, like Samuel.

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All the baptized have a calling in God’s

world. God calls not just pastors and

deacons but also the youngest child, like

Samuel. The story of the calling of

Nathanael plays with the idea of place.

Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because

he comes from Nazareth. But where we

come from isn’t important; it’s where—or

rather whom—we come to. Jesus refers to

Jacob, who had a vision in a place he called

“the house of God, and . . . the gate of

heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is

the place where Nathanael will meet God.

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Welcome to worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. We hope that your worship in our community strengthens your faith and

brings you peace and joy. Bethlehem has adopted an affirmation of welcome to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities and is recognized as Reconciling in Christ (reconcilingworks.org). We welcome everyone regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental challenges, financial resources, or family status, and we invite everyone to participate fully in worship and all that is ours in Christ.

Candles are a visible sign of our prayers. Feel free to light a candle during the worship time or before the service. All candles may be extinguished after worship is concluded, signifying that our loving God has heard our prayers.

Children are always welcome! We love having children participate in worship and they are encouraged to sing and read along.

Worship Services are currently held via Facebook Live. Everyone is welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at:

https://www.facebook.com/BethlehemBLCLife

Bethlehem Lutheran Church A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

since December 3, 2017

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

8922 Little River Turnpike – Fairfax, VA

Church Office 703.978.3131 blclife.org

Welcome!

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W

ORSHIP

N

OTES

A Special Welcome to All Our Guests! The name of our church, Bethlehem (Hebrew for “house of bread”), reminds us that Jesus always feeds us through our good times…and especially through our difficult days, our drought. A shepherd, like the shepherds around Bethlehem, both nudges the sheep and lovingly watches over them in danger. Our hope is that you are both nudged and comforted today by the amazing grace of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Please plan to stay with us after the service for refreshments and conversation. We are thankful that you are here!

Large Print: A few large print copies of this service are available from the ushers.

Sermon Podcasts and Manuscript: Podcasts of the sermon can now be downloaded in iTunes, search: “Pastor Dans Sermons”. The audio file, manuscript, plus a discussion forum is at Pastor Dan’s blog,

www.themangerfairfax.blogspot.com

An Invitation: Are you looking for a church home? If so, we invite you to become part of this wonderful community of faith. Come back again! Would you like more information about our ministry? Please visit our website www.blclife.org or make an appointment with Pastor Dan. Our Cover for this Sunday: Image: Curious children. Copyright Ó iStock/splendens. Used by permission.

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ETHLEHEM

L

UTHERAN

C

HURCH

Discovering, Celebrating, Sharing

P

RELUDE

“Be Thou My Vision” Lloyd Larson

W

ELCOME

The pastor welcomes all and shares any notes pertaining to the worship.

C

ONFESSION AND

F

ORGIVENESS

All may make the sign of the cross (signified with this ☩), the sign marked at baptism:

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters,

whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation. Amen.

Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God. Silence is kept for reflection.

(Scripture used in the liturgy)

(I John 1:9) (Romans 15:7)

(Psalm 33:5)

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Holy God,

you search us and know us.

You are acquainted with all our ways.

We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin— our own sins and the broken systems that bind us. We turn inward, failing to follow

your outward way of love.

We distrust those who are not like us. We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider generations to come. Forgive us, gracious God,

for all we have done and left undone. Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;

receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.

How vast is God’s grace!

Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away

and we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven.

In the wake of God’s forgiveness,

we are called to be the beloved community living out Christ’s justice

and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen

.

(Romans 15:7)

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G

ATHERING

H

YMN

The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song.

“Will You Come and Follow Me” Hymnal 798

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K

YRIE

Sing through 3 times

G

REETING

The presiding minister and the assembly signal the gathering of God’s people with the ancient Trinitarian greeting.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)  

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P

RAYER OF THE

D

AY

Let us pray.

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, most merciful redeemer, for the countless blessings and benefits you give. May we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

F

IRST

R

EADING

:

1 Samuel 3:1-10

At a time when visions are rare and unexpected, the LORD comes to Samuel and calls him to speak the divine word. Though just a boy, Samuel responds to God obediently, as Eli the priest has taught him to respond. This marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry.

A reading from First Samuel.

1

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the L

_ORD

under Eli. The word

of the L

ORD

was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

2

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he

could not see, was lying down in his room;

3

the lamp of God had not

yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the L

ORD

,

where the ark of God was.

4

Then the L

_ORD

called, “Samuel! Samuel!”

and he said, “Here I am!”

5

and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you

called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went

and lay down.

6

The L

_ORD

called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and

went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I

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did not call, my son; lie down again.”

7

Now Samuel did not yet know

the L

ORD

, and the word of the L

ORD

had not yet been revealed to him.

8

The L

_ORD

called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went

to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that

the L

ORD

was calling the boy.

9

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie

down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, L

ORD

, for your servant

is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10

Now the L

_ORD

came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel!

Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Word of God, word of life.

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P

SALM

:

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 The Psalm is read responsively

1_L_ORD_{, you have searched me out;}

O LORD, you have known me.

2_{You know my sitting down and my rising up;}

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3_{You trace my journeys and my resting-places}

and are acquainted with all my ways. 4_{Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,}

but you, O LORD, know it altogether. 5_{You encompass me, behind and before,}

and lay your hand upon me.

6_{Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;}

it is so high that I cannot attain to it. 13_{For you yourself created my inmost parts;}

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14_{I will thank you because I am marvelously made;}

your works are wonderful, and I know it well. 15_{My body was not hidden from you,}

while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.

16_{Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them} were written in your book;

my days were fashioned before they came to be. 17_{How deep I find your thoughts, O God!}

How great is the sum of them!

18_{If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the} sand;

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S

ECOND

R

EADING

:

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Paul helps the Corinthians understand that God has claimed the entirety of their lives through the death of Christ. Hence Christian relationships and conduct, including areas of human sexuality, are to reflect the reality that we belong to Christ and that the Holy Spirit lives within us.

A reading from First Corinthians.

12_{“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All} things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13_{“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God} will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for

fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14_{And God raised} the Lord and will also raise us by his power. 15_{Do you not know that} your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16_{Do you not} know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” 17_{But anyone united to the} Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18_{Shun fornication! Every sin that a} person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19_{Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy} Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20_{For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your} body.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

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C

HILDREN

’

S

T

ALK

A time for children to hear what is at the heart of the texts for today.

Baptismal Covenant Splish Splash

Intro:

God gave us a gift to set us free

When the waters were poured down on you and me...

Refrain:

It’s our baptismal covenant

splish splash

is pretty much how it went Our baptismal covenant

splish spalsh

is pretty much how it went When God said first I love you

And it got through So we can’t help but do these five parts, true…

1: The first is tolive among

God’s faithful people

So show up and come out

Not once but regularly-Oh! [Refrain]

2: The next is tohear the Word and

share the Meal,

That means we go to church to pray, eat, listen and heal. [Refrain]

Music and Lyrics by Pastor Dan Roschke

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The assembly welcomes the Word with songs. Holy Scripture is brought down into the midst of the people, symbolic of the Living Word dwelling in our midst.

G

OSPEL

A

CCLAMATION

G

OSPEL

:

John 1:43-51

In John’s gospel, Jesus’ ministry begins with the call of disciples, who then bring others to Jesus. Philip’s friend Nathanael moves from skepticism to faith when he accepts the invitation to “Come and see.”

The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

43_{The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said} to him, “Follow me.” 44_{Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of} Andrew and Peter. 45_{Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have} found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46_{Nathanael said to him, “Can}

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anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47_{When Jesus saw Nathanael}

coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48_{Nathanael asked} him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49_{Nathanael replied, “Rabbi,} you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50_{Jesus answered, “Do}

you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51_{And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell} you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

S

ERMON

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H

YMN OF THE

D

AY

The assembly responds to and proclaims the spoken Word of God now in song. The Hymn of the Day might be understood as the congregation’s sermon.

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N

ICENE

C

REED

AUGMENTED WITH SENTENCES FROM

M

ARTIN

L

UTHER

K

ING

,

J

R

.

The Metro D.C. Synod Racial Equity Team has graciously put together a version of

the Nicene Creed with quotes from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. woven in.

Thank you Amanda Webber for crafting this wonderful creed in honor of MLK Day.

All are welcome to utilize this resource especially for worship this Sunday to

commemorate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

With the whole church, let us confess our faith.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe also in a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, with one being in the Father; through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Polite; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe also in a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all people are created equal.”

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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in a holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

We believe also that with this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of kinship.

With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

When we let freedom ring, when we let is ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black and white, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”.

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P

RAYERS OF

I

NTERCESSION

Having received the Word of God’s relentless grace and faithfulness, we can’t help but turn outward and pray for others. The love of Christ compels us. The minister leads the congregation in prayer.

Each petition of the prayers concludes: … let us pray.

Have mercy, O God. The prayers conclude:

Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

P

EACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

Offering the peace of Christ is far more than a quick hello and “How ya doin’?”: It is the embodiment of conflicts forgiven, wars ended, even death destroyed. Jesus’ resurrection offers true peace.

O

FFERING Loving God,

we joyfully release what you have entrusted to us¾our selves, our time

and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(John 20:19) (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Gathering

Word HOLY COMMUNION CONNECTION

Sending

(2 Corinthians 9:7) (Romans 8:26)

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O

FFERING

M

USIC

John Meyers, piano

“Tarantella Op. 157, No. 1” Spindler 1 & II

The Offering is one of the "consequences of God's grace" (Christ in our

Home daily devotion for July 14, 2020). All are invited to respond to

God with joyful hearts by giving regularly, tithing (giving proportionally), and/or donating to the ministries of Bethlehem Lutheran in Fairfax, VA at BLClife.org (left hand column). You can now also Give-by-Text: 844-804-9092. (Simply text “assist” to this # and follow the instructions. This can easily be set to repeat each week.) Thankful for your faithfulness and trust in God.

G

ATHERING OF

G

IFTS

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O

FFERING

P

RAYER

The minister leads the following prayer. Let us pray.

Silence is kept for reflection. O God,

receive these gifts as you receive us:

like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide. Nourish us anew in your tender care,

and empower us in faithful service to tend to others with this same love, through Jesus Christ, our saving grace. Amen.

H

OLY

C

OMMUNION

C

ONNECTION

(Exodus 35:5)

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L

ORD

’

S

P

RAYER

Lord remember us in your love, and teach us to pray.

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A

NNOUNCEMENTS

Brief announcements may be made, especially those related to the assembly’s participation in God’s mission in the world.

B

LESSING

The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing. God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you;

and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace. Amen.

(Numbers 6:23-26)

Gathering Word Holy Communion Connection SENDING

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S

ENDING

H

YMN

“Here I Am, Lord” Hymnal 574

All children are invited to pick up an instrument and add joyful sounds to our Sending Song. Following the cross of Christ, the children lead the assembly back out into the world in service and hope.

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D

ISMISSAL

The minister sends the assembly out and into mission. Fed and forgiven, our feet now follow our prayers. Go in peace, serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

P

OSTLUDE

“Jesus Loves Me” William B. Bradbury

Special Nicene Creed with sentences from Martin Luther King, Jr., from Metro D.C. Synod’s Racial Equity Team

Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License. Hymns reprinted with permission of CCLI License No. 14519, LicenSingOnline No, 600997, and OneLicense No. A-701485 Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the

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Coming Up Next Week

Readings for Sunday, January 24, 2021

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Repentance at Nineveh

Psalm 62:5-12

God alone is my rock and my salvation. (Ps. 62:6)

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Living in the end times

Mark 1:14-20

The calling of the disciples at the sea

Birthdays Last Week

Katie Bryan, January 10th

Zoe Parker, January 10th

Birthdays This Week

Joe McKinney, January 17th

Joseph Beal, January 19th

Karla Kelly, January 20th

Baptismal Birthdays this Week

Helen Crum, January 19th

Michele Meyers, January 20th

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This Week’s Commemorations

Antony of Egypt, renewer of the church, died around 356

Sunday, January 17, 2021

One of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers, Antony gave away his sizeable inheritance and became a hermit. Later he became leader of a group of monks who devoted themselves to prayer, worship, and labor.

Pachomius, renewer of the church, died 346

Sunday, January 17, 2021 Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.

Confession of Peter

Monday, January 18, 2021

Today the church remembers the apostle Peter's great acknowledgement of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This festival serves as a fitting beginning to the week in which we particularly pray that all Christians might be united in faith and witness.

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Henry, Bishop of Uppsala, martyr, died 1156 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 When Erik, King of Sweden, determined to invade Finland for the purpose of converting the people there to Christianity, Henry went with him. Henry is recognized as the patron saint of Finland.

Agnes, martyr, died around 304 Thursday, January 21, 2021

Agnes was a girl of about thirteen living in Rome. The details of her martyrdom are not clear, but she gave witness to her faith and was put to death as a result, most likely by the sword. The church has honored her as one of the chief martyrs of her time.

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Hymn Notes

"Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go?" Isaiah 6:8

Daniel Schutte (1946 - ) wrote the hymn Here I Am, Lord in 1979 for

a diaconal ordination. It plays off the potency of Isaiah 6:8 "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, 'Here am I; send me!' " ---followed by God's hard words, "Say to this people: 'Keep listening, but do not comprehend.' " These potent and hard words are blunted in the latter part of the twentieth century by hymns like this that place the words of God in the congregation's mouth. Note the first-person pronoun in the refrain, where “I” no longer refers to God but to the singer.

Daniel Schutte, who wrote both text and music, was born in Wisconsin and studied at St. Louis University, the Jesuit School of Theology in California, and the Graduate Theological Union. He became a Jesuit priest and served in many areas. He now resides in San Francisco where he is composer in residence at the University of San Francisco and continues his work of composition, as well as giving concerts and workshops.

vcs

Excerpt from Hymnal Companion

Excerpt from “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen

Excerpt from “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen and “Then Sings My Soul” by R. J. Morgan, and Hymnal Companion.

Excerpt from “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen and Hymnal Companion Excerpt from “Hymns” by W. J. & A. Petersen and “Then Sings My Soul”

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BLC PRAYER RING

Prayer requests are given to members of our Prayer Ring by email, including whatever details you choose to provide about your prayer need, and are also printed in our Sunday bulletin without details, so that our congregation may join in the prayers.

Remembering Friends (people who are unable to come to church)…

Sylvia Betty Michele

Prayer Concerns…

Dave Bonnie’s sister

May Mattie (Shelley)

Rosemary (Bonnie) Claudia (Bonnie)

Bonnie Debbie (Marylou)

Val Davonn (Bonnie)

Ruth Jessica (Janet)

Margaret Duke (Bonnie)

Christy (Shelley) June (Michele)

Sandy and family (Kristin) David (Ron & Cindy)

David (Pastor Dan) Elizabeth (Marie R.)

Bill (Bonnie) Benjamin (Amy)

Jay Gene & Vivian

Sharon Deb (Ann)

Cecilia Paul (Michael)

Shelley’s boss Patty & family

Barb (Debi) Paula (Debi)

Calista (Kaj) Yvoune (Kaj)

Mike

Please pray for all those at home and overseas in the armed, diplomatic, and humanitarian services of our country, and for their families:

Kathryn Chris Kathy

Logan (Bernice’s grandson)

Nick (Janet’s nephew)

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B

ETHLEHEM

L

UTHERAN

C

HURCH

8922 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 703.978.3131

e-mail: bethlehemlutheran1@gmail.com

website: www.blclife.org Ministers: People of the Congregation

Pastor: The Rev. Daniel Roschke

email: pastor.blcfairfax@gmail.com

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, and as arranged Pastor Dan’s Blog: https://themangerfairfax.blogspot.com/

Minister of Music: Esther Cho Music Accompanist: Jenny Kong

Administrator: Marie Bakke

email: bakkemarie@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ congregation

since December 3, 2017