Bethesda United Church of Christ

06/12/2026

💧❤️ Join us this Sunday, June 14 at Bethesda United Church of Christ for Baptism Sunday! ❤️💧

This week’s sermon, “Spirit of Love,” explores the ways God’s Spirit opens our hearts to love more boldly and fully, calling us to build a community of radical belonging where all are welcomed, valued, and embraced.

We’ll also celebrate the joy of baptism during worship — a beautiful reminder of God’s love, grace, and the sacred connections we share as a community of faith.

Come be part of this special Sunday filled with love, hope, and celebration. All are welcome! 💒✨

06/10/2026

💒 What a truly wonderful Installation Service we had! 💒

On Sunday, June 7, Bethesda UCC officially installed Rev. Michael Streib at its new Settled Pastor with a spirit-filled and joyful service that was blessed in so many ways:

🌍Guests from all over our region, our country and the world joined us in person and online for our celebration!

🎶 Our special Installation Choir sang a heart-filled version of Mark Miller's "I Dream of a Church" and we all joined in joyful song praising God's faithfulness, God's presence in the midst of new dimension, as well as the Blessed Assurance of God's love.

📖 Rev. Jenn Macy delivered an inspiring sermon on the Story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), inviting the congregation to learn how to ask the right questions and become good neighbors to those who need one

✝️ Rev. Holly R. Jackson and Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, represented our wider church - alongside so many other clergy who attended - and officially installed Pastor Michael.

🎁 Members of BUCC led us wonderfully through various parts of the service as well as welcomed our new installed pastor with a beautiful stained glass-inspired stole!

👐🏾 Rev. Vertie Powers provided a powerful charge for Pastor Michael and BUCC providing deep wisdom, guidance and encouragement for their mutual ministry.

🍇Rev. Michael and Rev. Jenn led us in the ancient ritual of communion reminding us that we are all part of God's beloved community - within our church walls and far beyond!

It was a joyous day to remember!
And we are deeply grateful for
✨All who made this service possible
✨All who attended in person, online or spirit
✨ And for the Spirit of God moving in our midst, leading us to this moment and blessing on this day!

06/09/2026

🌈 Sunday Morning Recap at Bethesda United Church of Christ 🌈

What a wonderful day of worship, community, and joy on this Graduation & New Members Sunday!

We lifted our voices in song with:
🎵 Joyful, Joyful We Adore You
🎵 I Am So Blessed
🎵 The Trees of the Field
And the choir blessed us with their rendition of:
🎵 Sebastian Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring"

Our scripture reading was 1. Philippians 1:1-11, and Pastor Michael's sermon, "Spirit of Joy," explored the importance of leaning into joy, even when it feels frivolous or fragile. Drawing on Paul's ability to find joy even in prison, we were reminded that joy is one of the ways God's spirit sustains when times get hard.

Practicing what Pastor Michael preached, we "leaned into joy" and celebrate various people in our community:
✨ We honored graduates and those with educational milestones
✨ We thanked our own educators and caregivers
✨ We welcomed and celebrated two new members at BUCC!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the fest of joy! We hope to see you next Sunday! If this message resonates with you, we invite you to come visit us. All are welcome.

💙

06/05/2026

🎓✨ Join us this Sunday, June 7 at Bethesda United Church of Christ for Graduation & Celebration Sunday! ✨🎓

This week’s sermon, “Spirit of Joy,” reflects on the ways God’s Spirit invites us to lean fully into joy — even when joy feels fragile — and to practice celebration, gratitude, and praise in our daily lives.

We’ll also be celebrating our graduates and those reaching important life milestones, including new programs, accomplishments, and transitions. As the final Sunday before Pastor Michael’s Installation service, this will be a meaningful morning filled with hope, encouragement, and thanksgiving for all that is unfolding in the life of our church community.

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

🏳️‍🌈 In celebration of Pride Month, we proudly raised the Pride Flag at Bethesda United Church of Christ.

We believe that God's love is for everyone, and we are committed to being a welcoming and affirming community where all people are valued and embraced.

If you are looking for a church that affirms and celebrates who you are, we invite you to visit us. There is a place for you here.

All are welcome. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

05/31/2026

✨ Sunday Recap at Bethesda United Church of Christ ✨

What a wonderful day of worship, fellowship, and fun!

We lifted our voices in song with:
🎵 God Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary
🎵 The Presence of Our God Is Here
🎵 Spirit of Jesus, If I Love My Neighbor
🎵 Canticle of the Turning

Our scripture reading was 2 Timothy 1:6–14, and Pastor Michael's sermon, "Spirit of Power," explored what it means to reclaim our own power through justice, hope, and liberation. Drawing from Paul's words to Timothy, we were reminded that God has given us "a spirit not of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline," calling us to live boldly and work for a more just and compassionate world.

After worship, we enjoyed some creative fun together, tie-dyeing t-shirts and sharing plenty of laughter and fellowship.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We hope to see you next Sunday! If this message resonates with you, we invite you to come visit us. All are welcome.

💙

05/30/2026

🎶 Here's a glimpse of what it's like to worship at Bethesda United Church of Christ! Pastor Michael leads the congregation in singing "Let Your Spirit Come," filling the sanctuary with joy, hope, and community.

If you're looking for an uplifting worship experience and a welcoming congregation, we invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:30am. We'd love to welcome you! ❤️⛪

05/29/2026

🌈 Sunday Worship at BUCC 🌈
May 31 | 10:30–11:45 AM

Join us this Sunday as Pastor Michael Streib shares a powerful message titled “Spirit of Power.”

This sermon will explore how God’s Spirit empowers us to take action in the world, stand together in hope, and resist the forces that try to make us feel powerless. Through faith, community, and courage, we are reminded that the Spirit continues to move through us in transformative ways.

🎨 After worship, stay for Tie Dye Shirt Making — a fun and creative time for all ages!

At Bethesda United Church of Christ, everyone is welcome. Come as you are and experience inspiring worship, inclusive community, and the Spirit at work among us.

05/27/2026

✨ Additional Singer Spotlight: DeVonté Saunders ✨

We are honored to recognize tenor DeVonté Saunders, who shared his voice with us during last Sunday’s worship service.

Praised for a voice that “charms and thrills,” DeVonté studied Vocal Performance at Virginia Commonwealth University and is known for his expressive artistry and commanding stage presence. He has appeared in premieres of contemporary operatic works including Julie, Monster by Raphael and Niccolo Seligmann and Night Caps by Richard L. Rose.

DeVonté also performed in Loving v. Virginia by acclaimed composer Damien Geter with Virginia Opera in a production directed by internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.

Having recently relocated to the DMV area, DeVonté is excited to continue building musical connections and finding a church home within the community.

We are grateful DeVonté shared his remarkable talent with our congregation and helped make worship so inspiring. 🎶