Bethel Lutheran Church ELCA

09/06/2026

PRAYER GROUP MEETS ON SEPTEMBER 8th: ALL ARE WELCOME!

Please join us for prayer at 10:30 am in the Memorial Room on Tuesday, September 8th. This group is open to anyone who’d like to join in thanking God for our blessings and in praying for friends, family, our church, our nation, and the world. Hope to see you there!

09/06/2026

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH- OUR SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
10:30 am: In-person and Online Worship via YouTube every Sunday.
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHjlzi11kPuIisbO5terDDQ
11:45 am: Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall

Est. 1917

09/03/2026

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDIES IN SEPTEMBER:

All women are welcome to attend one of our Bible Studies! We have two groups going, so you can do an evening study in the comfort of your own home or meet in person in the morning…or both. We’d love to have you join in!

In September, both groups will start a new, 3-part study from the Gather magazine entitled Bold Faith on an Unexpected Journey. The first session, Encountering God in the Wilderness, starts on page 31 of the magazine’s Fall issue.

Tuesday, September 8th, 7:00 pm: The Esther Bible study meets online via Zoom. If you haven’t been on the Zoom list for this study before, please contact Sheila Lynch.

Thursday, September 17th, 10:00 am: The Naomi Bible study meets in the Memorial Room at Bethel. Following the study, they join in fellowship as they eat lunch together (please bring your lunch with you).

09/02/2026

Join us at the Downing Planetarium on Sept. 19th

Imagine the ultimate space vacation! The Downing Planetarium at Fresno State offers a presentation that lets you do just that. You can discover our solar system through a new set of eyes, in a family from another star system seeking the perfect vacation spot. Fly over the surface of Pluto, our favorite former planet. Dive off the ice cliffs of Miranda. Sail through the rings of Saturn. Feel the lightning storms of Jupiter. Walk on the surface of Mars. Which destination would you choose? Don't miss this solar system journey for space travelers of all ages!

When: Saturday, Sept. 19th, 2 pm (under 1 hour)
Cost: Adults - $6; Seniors - $5 (65+)
Students w/ID - $4; Children - $4 (ages 3-12; under 3 are free)
* Please pay Maria in the office by Thursday, Sept. 17th

Location: 5320 N. Maple Ave at Fresno State (corner of San Ramon and Maple, just south of Barstow); FREE parking in the P15 lot, next to the Planetarium

09/02/2026

Yard Sale Wrap-up and Thanks…

Our yard sale on August 8th and 15th was a great success! It brought in $652 for the church, but more than that, it led to conversations with our neighbors and a chance to get to know some of them a little bit better.

Now, our leftover items are blessing people through 12 different schools and non-profits…Lowell and Fremont Elementary Schools, Fresno High School, Catholic Charities, Evangel Home, La Tienda Guild of Valley Children’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, Neighborhood Thrift (employs neighborhood people), Discovery/Cancer Society, Ladybug Boutique (benefitting The Light House Recovery Center), Fresno Mission, and Gracebound (homeless outreach).

Many thanks to Minerva Sewell for spearheading this event with John at her side; to the volunteers who sorted, set up, and priced merchandise; to those who were on-hand to sell and clean up; and to all those who donated their gently-used items. We appreciate you!

09/01/2026

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: 10 AM ON WEDNESDAYS, SEPT. 2nd, 16th, and 30th

Our men’s Bible study group meets every other Wednesday in September at 10 am in the Memorial Room. They’re having a great time deepening their relationships with God and with one another as they continue to view and discuss episodes of the Gospel series, The Chosen.

Come and bring a friend! Or two!! Or three!!! To enter, please use the Memorial Room door that goes out to the parking lot. And if you have any questions, please talk with Stan Marks.

08/27/2026

SYNOD WOMEN OF THE ELCA ARE “RETREATING”
SEPTEMBER 11TH-13TH IN DANVILLE (IN THE EAST BAY AREA)

Women from all over the Synod – which stretches from Porterville through northern California and the northern half of Nevada – will be gathering for a spiritual retreat the second weekend in September.

The theme is I Am Worthy. The speakers are Rev. Sara Wilson, Rev. Sarah Street (no, you don’t have to be named some form of Sarah to attend!), and Regina Banks, JD. Rev. Katy Grindberg will lead Sunday worship. It’s being held at the beautiful San Damiano Retreat Center. There are no business meetings, just a weekend of soaking in God’s love. And you get 6 meals, a room, and the whole program for just $185!

Sheila Lynch went to the Synod women’s gathering last year and had a terrific time, and would love for others to join her this year. There’s a registration form available, or talk with Sheila for more details.

08/23/2026

WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH- OUR SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
10:30 am: In-person and Online Worship via YouTube every Sunday.
YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHjlzi11kPuIisbO5terDDQ
11:45 am: Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall