Worship Across Three Locations
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities (BLCTC) is one congregation that gathers in two sanctuaries in the western Twin Cities and supports a third worshipping community called Spirit Garage in south Minneapolis. The congregation describes itself as "one church with three sites," and the regular rhythm of worship, learning, and service flows across all three.
Sunday worship is offered at four services across the three sites. At the Minneapolis Campus (4100 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409; 612-312-3400), worship is held at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. At the Minnetonka Campus (16023 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55345; 952-935-3419), the single Sunday service is at 9:30 AM. Spirit Garage, the church's contemporary worshipping community, meets at 10:30 AM at Meraki, 100 W. 46th Street in Minneapolis.
A single livestream runs on the church's YouTube channel. On the first Sunday of each month, the livestream originates from Minnetonka at 9:30 AM. On all other Sundays, it comes from Minneapolis at 10:30 AM. Subscribing to the channel delivers notifications whenever worship goes live.
Minneapolis Campus building hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Minnetonka Campus building hours are Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Staff remain reachable by email and phone outside building hours.
Mid-week rhythms gather across all three sites. A Sunday-morning Bible study meets at 9:00 AM in Langemo Lounge at the Minneapolis Campus and online via Zoom. On Wednesday mornings, The Preacher's Table gathers on Zoom from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. On Thursday mornings, Theology on Thursdays meets at the Minnetonka Campus from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Wednesday evenings belong to community dinners, intergenerational classes, and youth programs at the Minneapolis Campus.
A Congregation Born from Two
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities is a consolidated congregation founded in 2016. It was formed from the merger of Bethlehem Lutheran Church (organized in 1894) and Minnetonka Lutheran Church (organized in 1953), two congregations that chose to become one congregation with two campuses. Spirit Garage, established in 1997, is a worshipping community and a ministry of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem carries inherited histories of showing up for local food and housing ministries and global refuge and education ministries, liturgical music and whole-hearted worship, a welcome table and intergenerational community. The two congregations had developed their own expressions in their own neighborhoods for more than a century, and those seeds continue to bear good fruit at each location, with contextual creativity in each community and a shared commitment to being one church.
Alive Together: Vision, Mission, and Values
Bethlehem's vision is Alive Together: A New Creation in Christ, drawn from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18: "When we are alive in Christ, there is a new creation. The past is the past, and everything is becoming new! God has done it all!" Every gathering is a fresh start, and every day is an invitation to embrace what God is calling the congregation to do.
The mission is shaped by three movements. KNOWN by God and by each other, recognizing that every member of the community matters. CHALLENGED together to understand God more fully, choosing at times to be uncomfortable and entering into conversations with those who agree and those who do not. SENT as ambassadors of God's healing and wholeness, bringing the experience of new life to neighbors next door and across the world.
Five values shape the work of the congregation. Radical Hospitality is the practice of setting tables for people who never thought they would sit together, drawing on a centuries-old Benedictine tradition of welcoming all into community. Whole-Hearted Worship brings exuberant praise, grace-filled words, outstanding music, and shared prayers to draw the community together. Christ-Centered Relationships emphasize reconciliation and growing in relationship with God and with one another, embracing relationships over being right. Compassionate Service follows the example of Jesus in Matthew 20:28, working for change wherever systems fail to meet people's basic needs. Transformational Generosity is the commitment to share time, talents, and treasures in ways that transform both the community and the giver.
As a Reconciling in Christ community, the congregation seeks to practice radical hospitality for all, especially for those who have been harmed by the church. Bethlehem rejoices in the diversity of God's people, embracing those of all gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, races, cultures, ages, abilities, relationships, and financial situations.
Children, Youth, and Families
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (CYF) help families worship together, connect with church friends, and give space to kids and students to grow in their gifts. The motto: Like God's word, Follow Jesus, Share the Holy Spirit.
Minneapolis Sunday Mornings. A staffed nursery for children 6 months to 4 years is open from 8:45 to 11:45 AM year-round. Families are also welcome in the Prayer Grounds in the sanctuary or in a nearby family-friendly space. ECHO Jr. is a bridge between the nursery and ECHO for children 3 to 6 years old, meeting at 9:00 and 10:30 AM with Bible stories, a small lesson, and playtime alongside older youth leaders. ECHO Sunday School gathers children ages 3 through 5th grade at 9:00 and 10:30 AM; on the second and fourth Sundays, Extended ECHO gives kids extra time together after worship with pickup in Iverson Hall.
Minnetonka Sunday Mornings. Encore Jr. is a special gathering for newborns to age 3 and their caregivers, with stories, music, movement, play, and connection with other families. Encore helps children ages 3 through 2nd grade connect worship with daily life through Bible stories, prayer, art, creative activities, and snacks. Prelude, a new monthly gathering for 3rd through 5th graders, meets before worship with confidence-building Bible skills, questions, and faith connections.
Wednesday Evenings at Minneapolis. Itty Bitty Get-Togethers invite families with children newborn through age 5 to play, sing, and read a book together on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 PM (September through May). Spark Class is for kindergarten through 2nd grade, and Connect Class is for 3rd through 5th grade; both meet from 6:45 to 7:30 PM and use age-appropriate Bibles as guides for exploring Bible story mysteries, deepening peer relationships, and serving the community. The Baby Book Club sends a faith book, an activity, and a spiritual practice to enrolled families each month from September to June.
Sacrament Preparation. Baptisms are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, with a required Saturday morning class via Zoom for parents and sponsors. First Communion training is offered in the fall and spring, with an online independent-study option through Google Classroom. Children receive First Communion during worship services at the Minneapolis Campus.
Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12). At the Minneapolis Campus, Brunch Bunch (6th-8th grade) and Breakfast Club (9th-12th grade) gather between Sunday services in the Viking Room for breakfast snacks, joyful conversation, and prayer. Confirmation classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM for grades 6 through 9, walking students through the Bible, Luther's Small Catechism, small groups, and large-group teaching. Youth Group gathers 9th through 12th graders in the Viking Room each Wednesday at the same hour. Youth Choir (grades 6-12) and Youth Handbell Ensemble (grades 6-12) rehearse Wednesday evenings. A Middle School Retreat takes students in grades 6 through 8 to Shores of Saint Andrew Bible Camp each fall, with bus transportation from the Minneapolis Campus.
Minnetonka Youth. Tonka Youth Leaders gathers students in grades 5 through 12 to learn leadership skills for volunteering at events and ministries. Created Creative is a hands-on, art-based confirmation program for grade 5 and up, held the first Sunday of each month. Emmaus Pairs, a first-Wednesday intergenerational program for grades 5 through 12, pairs students with trusted adults for conversations and games inspired by Scripture.
Music, Choirs, and the Bethlehem Music Series
"Few things stir within us a greater sense than does beautiful music. It has the power to awaken our senses, to stimulate our intellect, and to break our hearts." The Music and Choirs ministry welcomes anyone with a passion for music, from beginners to seasoned musicians, with choirs and handbell ensembles at both campuses and Spirit Garage.
Adult Choirs. The Women's Choral Ensemble (high school to adult) rehearses Mondays from 6:45 to 7:45 PM at the Minneapolis Campus Choir Room, singing classical works, gospel, hymn arrangements, and contemporary anthems. The Chorale rehearses Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:15 PM at Minneapolis, singing most Sundays as well as festival days (Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Easter). The Chancel Choir (middle school to adult) rehearses Wednesdays at the Minnetonka Campus. The Men's Choir rehearses Sundays from 10:00 to 10:30 AM at Minneapolis and sings in worship once a month.
Handbell Ensembles. The Minneapolis Handbell Ensemble (high school to adult) rehearses Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. The Minnetonka Handbell Ensemble rehearses Wednesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 PM. The Youth Handbell Ensemble (grades 5-12) rehearses Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:00 PM.
Children's and Youth Choirs. KinderChoir (ages 4-5) meets Sundays from 10:00 to 10:30 AM at Minneapolis. Cantate Choir (K-5th grade) rehearses Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45 PM. The Mustard Seed Singers (3 years through 5th grade) rehearse the first Sunday of each month at Minnetonka. The Youth Choir (grades 6-12) rehearses Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:20 PM.
Bethlehem Music Series. For more than 40 years, the Bethlehem Music Series has presented Dixieland, classical organ, choir concerts, puppeteers, storytellers, and other artistry, making it the longest-running series of its kind in the Twin Cities area. Concerts are free and interactive, with artists offering insights before performing. Free valet parking is offered, and nursery care is available for ages 3 months through 3 years.
Music Staff. Mark Paisar serves as Director of Music. J. Aaron McDermid directs the Bethlehem Chorale and Men's Choir. Michael Olsen directs the Chancel Choir and Handbell Ensemble. Julia Fahey directs the Minneapolis Youth Choir. Mindy Mennicke directs the Minneapolis Children's Choir and Youth Handbell Ensemble. Alicia Semelis and Ron Jay co-direct the KinderChoir. Diane Tuseth is the Minnetonka Organist. Andy Pokel is the Spirit Garage Music and Creative Director.
Adults: Bible Study, Conversation, and Service
The Adults ministry gathers adults for study, conversation, and service through small groups, Bible studies, classes, and support groups.
Bible Studies. The Sunday morning Bible study meets at 9:00 AM in Langemo Lounge at Minneapolis and online via Zoom, with discussion questions emailed ahead of time. The Preacher's Table gathers on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Zoom with one of the pastors. Theology on Thursdays meets Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Minnetonka, pulling on Christian scripture, other sacred texts, early church writings, and lived experiences to contend with assumptions about faith. Ripped from the Headlines is a Wednesday-evening Bible study series at the Minneapolis Campus.
Seniors Together. This ministry, formed from the merger of SALT (previously Minneapolis) and Free Spirits (previously Minnetonka), invites adults 50 and older to stay active and connected across both campuses. The group has visited the Spam Museum in Austin, toured Collegeville to see the St. John's Bible, hosted bingo parties, volunteered at Global Health Ministries, and gathered for picnics and learning opportunities. Scholarship funds are available so everyone can participate.
Other Adult Groups. Parents of Beloved Teens meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 PM in the Harrisville Room at Minneapolis. The Women's Book Group gathers Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:00 PM in the Henderson Conference Room at Minneapolis (with Zoom options), reading books like Night by Elie Wiesel and Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser. The Bethlehem Knitters meet the second Thursday of each month at the Minneapolis Campus for charitable knitting projects including baby hats, prayer shawls, and chemo caps. Quilters meet the first and third Monday of the month at the Minnetonka Campus. Friday Boys gather Friday mornings at Minnetonka for coffee and conversation. Friday Gals meets the second Friday of each month at Minnetonka for coffee and Bible Chat. Day of Service is a yearly Saturday gathering where members of all ages make newborn kits, hospice kits, and quilts for those in need.
Small Groups. Small groups meet weekly, choosing their own rhythm, materials, and format. The congregation curates curriculum several times a year that connects with sermon series themes.
Care Ministries and Mental Health Connect
Care Ministries focus on the wellbeing of the congregation's mental health and on caring for one another in times of struggle. The ministry works to reduce the stigma of mental illness and addiction through education, support, and resources, with the conviction that the church should be a sanctuary, a safe place where people can experience God's peace and love.
Congregational Care. Healing Touch is a gentle, complementary energy therapy offered at no charge. Parish Visitors are trained to provide compassionate listening through visits and phone calls to those experiencing life transitions, health issues, or other circumstances. Home Communion brings communion to those unable to attend worship. The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates beautiful shawls as a gift of love; each shawl has been made and prayed over.
Mental Health and Addiction. A dedicated ministry team focuses on education, advocacy, and resources for individuals living with mental illness or substance abuse disorders and those who care for them. The team connects people with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line (text MN to 741741), Mental Health Connect, NAMI-Minnesota, Hennepin County Adult and Child Protection, Domestic Violence services, AA groups, the Metro Shelter hotline, Hennepin County Front Door, and COPE (the county's Mobile Crisis Team).
Mental Health Connect. Mental Health Connect (MHC) is a collaborative of faith-based communities housed at Bethlehem. Navigators help individuals and families obtain mental health treatment, resources, support, and education. Navigators are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by calling or texting 612-642-1220, by email, or through an online form. MHC also partners with Bethlehem's Fine Arts Ministry to host art-based events like the Yellowbird Gallery Showing, which explores the connection between art and healing.
Starfish Ministry. Founded in 2011 as a partnership between Bethlehem and Judson Memorial Baptist, Starfish provides emergency financial assistance to families in crisis, often paying rent or utility bills directly to keep individuals housed. The phone line opens on the first day of each month, with monthly budgets typically exhausted within the first days. Call 952-686-4124 on the first day of an upcoming month to apply.
Community Connections: Food, Housing, and Global Partners
Community Connections reaches beyond the walls of the church to engage with neighbors, focusing on health, housing, hunger, and education. "To be the church of Jesus in this time and place means listening and learning, changing, and growing."
Food Shelf Partnerships. The Minneapolis Campus partners with Community Emergency Services (CES), supporting Home Delivery to the homebound and Meals on Wheels to seniors. The Minnetonka Campus partnership with Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) dates back to 1971 and works to create a healthy and stable community where everyone has the resources to thrive. Both food shelves welcome volunteers and donations; food can be dropped at either campus year-round.
Local Housing and Service Partners. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has been a partner for more than 25 years, with Bethlehem members participating in home builds. Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative brings together nearly 90 congregations to end homelessness through housing, shelter, and advocacy; Bethlehem hosts Families Moving Forward and provides financial support. Our Saviour's Community Services opens doors to those seeking housing and supportive services and offers English language classes for immigrants and refugees at the English Learning Center.
Global Partners. Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM) hosts transformative trips to Guatemala (climate intervention) and India (interfaith dialogue). Global Health Ministries (GHM) partners in 13 countries, supporting hospitals, clinics, and community-based outreach; Bethlehem's 2019 Opening New Doors capital campaign funded a new well at Ejeda Hospital in southwestern Madagascar. Holistic Ministry of Children of the Horn of Africa (HMCHA), founded by Megersa Kumbi in 2007, supports education, mentoring, financial aid, and clean water for four Ethiopian villages.
Reconciling in Christ: An Intentional Welcome
Bethlehem is in the early stages of becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation, supported by Reconciling Works: Lutherans for Full Participation, an ELCA-aligned organization with more than 40 years of experience guiding congregations through the RIC process.
The RIC Core Team, formed in November 2024, has engaged in more than 100 one-to-one conversations with members across both campuses. The team has led educational sessions including a Bible study with Rev. Emmy Kegler on the "clobber verses" often used to condemn LGBTQIA2S+ people, and conversations with Bethlehem youth. The congregation's next steps include drafting a welcome statement that is intentionally welcoming to LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities, eventually bringing the process to a congregational vote.
Becoming a Member and Getting Connected
Joining Bethlehem is a practical expression of membership in the body of Christ. There are no required pre-work classes before joining, though new members are encouraged to attend a new member class offered twice a year to meet pastoral staff, lay leaders, and other newcomers. New members are welcomed during a worship service with a blessing, a photo or video, and a fellowship time afterwards.
The best way to stay connected is through Realm, the church's database. Members can sign up for groups, manage privacy settings, find others in the community, and give securely online. Two weekly all-church emails are sent each week, with Tuesday emails including a worship forecast and Saturday emails including worship resources. West Word is a weekly email specific to the Minnetonka Campus from Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson. A Realm group called Field Guides connects new members with seasoned leaders who help them navigate communication, programming, and service opportunities.
Pastor Heather sends a "Something to Think About" text message every Tuesday with a thought, a question, and a short prayer. Pastor Heather's Text Club is open to those over 18.
Giving to Bethlehem happens through Realm (one-time or recurring), by texting BLCTC to 73256, by stock transfer, or by qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. The Bethlehem Foundation supports planned giving and the church's long-term financial story, alongside the annual operating budget and three-year capital campaign.
Through Faith and Neighboring Practices, Bethlehem is participating in a 2025-2027 cohort with the Minneapolis Area Synod, gathering a core team of members from both campuses to develop habits of curiosity and attention for the neighborhoods around each location.