2026 Bethel Participation Opportunities

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Jesus lived a 3-dimensional life of faith -- one that related closely to the Father, one that taught and lived within a community of disciples, and one that reached out beyond himself and the disciples to love and serve others. At Bethel, we seek to emulate this 3-dimensional life of Jesus. The words that help us to do so are UP, IN, and OUT!

The UP dimension includes those activities and actions that keep us connected to God, i.e. worship, bible study, prayer, etc. The IN dimension is where we find support, learning and growth within our Bethel community of disciples. The OUT dimension focuses our energies outside our doors and into the world so as to bring the Gospel message of grace to others and to serve with and among those in need. UP, IN, and OUT are how we determine if our lives individually and collectively model the life and ministry of Jesus. This Ministry Participation Form provides you with opportunities to serve in these three areas.

Please put a check int eh box in those areas where you feel you can best contribute your time and talent to make a difference at Bethel and in the community.

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I am a Thrivent Member

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Worship Service Opportunities

Acolyte –During the gathering song, light the candles on the altar area. After worship extinguish the candles in the altar area. Youth (aged 7 and up) can participate, and training is provided.

After Worship Pick-Up - After worship, remove items left by worshipers and replenish visitor welcome cards and offering envelopes in the pew racks.

Altar Care – Wash and iron altar and sacramental linens as needed, set up Holy Communion and Holy Baptism elements, change seasonal altar paraments, banners and the cross drape and generally clean and care for the altar area. Training is provided.

Bread Baker - Team members bake the bread used during communion. Recipes are provided.

Children’s Sermon - Team members will share the Gospel with our children in a short, four-minute age-appropriate sermon. Training is provided.

Closing Building - It is extremely important to secure the security of our church facility. Assist in locking and closing the facility after Sunday morning services and Bethel events.

Communion Assistants – Serve as a host of the Lord’s Supper by distributing bread and wine to all who seek the gifts of God. Training is provided.

Liturgical Arts Team – The team members enhance the narthex and worship space with special displays that complement scripture or the church season.

Nursery & Child Care - During Sunday morning worship services, assist the nursery attendant in providing childcare for families with infants and young children.

Opening Building - It is extremely important to ensure the security of our church facility. Assist in unlocking and opening the facility early on Sunday mornings, and Bethel events.

Scripture Reader-Assist an Sunday worship by reading the scripture(s) of the day to the congregation. Training is provided .

Worship Greeter - Greet folks at the doors and give them a worship bulletin. Be cordial and welcoming. Point out the location of restrooms and childcare if needed. Prompt guests to fill out a visitor card. Team members are expected to arrive thirty minutes prior to worship and to remain in the narthex area to assist late arriving worshipers until after the “Gathering” song is completed. Training is provided.

Worship Usher – Assist all worshipers in locating seats in the sanctuary. Pass the offering plates to worshipers and bring the total offering forward to the altar area. Direct those who wish to receive Holy Communion to go forward row by row to the proper location. Team members are expected to arrive thirty minutes prior to worship and to remain available to assist late arriving worshipers until after the first Scripture Reading is completed. After completion of worship services, ensure all doors are closed and locked. Training is provided.

Worship Technology Team – From sound to video recording and livestreaming, and to running the video displays in worship, this Team works behind the scenes to bring the gospel to life and enhance our worship gatherings. Although basic computer skills are helpful, hands-on training is provided for this expanding ministry. This is a prefect role for anyone who likes to work “behind the scenes” from youth to adults!

Community Based Opportunities

CCAP Liaison (Congregational Community Action Project) - Help respond to the needs of our community. Coordinator will communicate with CCAP to help Bethel organize to help through giving of food and other basic needs.

Bright Futures Coordinator - Help respond to the needs of children at local schools. Coordinator will communicate with Bright Futures to help Bethel organize to help schools and needs of children through giving of food and other basic needs.

WATTS Planning and Coordination Team - Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter (WATTS) is a collaboration among local churches to provide shelter for homeless people during winter nights. Churches take turns hosting guests from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., either themselves, or in partnering with other congregations who are unable to house guests. This team will work with Bethel’s WATTS Coordinator to lead Bethel’s participation with WATTS.

Justice League-Continuing the work of the R.I.C committee, the new Bethel "Justice League" will work to organize, promote, and ensure our commitments to being and becoming, a welcoming and inclusive community of faith.

Harvest Sunday Helper - This ministry seeks to share with our parish and community, the beauty and bounty of God’s creation. Assist in selling produce and homemade goodies on Harvest Sunday to raise money for world hunger.

Global Opportunities

Global Missions Steering Team - The Global Missions Steering Team oversees Bethel’s involvement in missions beyond the borders of the United States. This activity serves and supports ministries in four different countries, including India, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Guatemala. In India, in association with Bethania Kids, we care for orphans. In Tanzania, we support Selian Lutheran Hospital and the Massae Girls School, as well as financially supporting students seeking higher education. In the Philippines, Concordia Children’s Services responds to the needs of abandoned and neglected babies and children in the metro Manila area. It also offers a Street Crisis Intervention Program providing a Christian-based learning program for children. In Guatemala, our goal is to build a long-term relationship between the youth of Bethel and the people of Antigua through the Escuela Integrada School. During Advent, Global Missions offers an alternative giving program to assist in raising money to fund our missions. Members of the Steering Team plan and organize mission trips to the above countries.

Children & Youth Planning Opportunities

Littlest Lutherans Planning Team (infant-5) – Help plan activities for our youngest members. Events would be held at least monthly.

Little Lutherans Planning Team (1st-4th) – Help plan events for this age group. Events would be held at least monthly. In addition, Team members will act as chaperones for events.

Junior Luther League Planning Team (5th-8th) – Help plan events for this age group. Events would be held at least monthly. In addition, Team members will act as chaperones for events.

Luther League Planning Team (9th-12th) – Help plan events for this age group. Events would be held at least monthly. In addition, Team members will act as chaperones for events.

Fellowship & Event Opportunities

Advent & Christmas Traditions Team - Help decorate the worship area for these seasons. Also, help organize and gather materials for a congregational activity of making Advent wreaths to foster an understanding of the four week period before the birth of Christ.

Congregational Life Team – Help organize events that allow Bethel members to enjoy time together. Events would be determined by the Team, but some ideas are Progressive Dinners, Movie Nights, Game Nights, etc.

Luther's Table-Topical group study of current issues through the lens of the Bible.

Receptions and Hospitality Team - Assist in providing light refreshments after worship services for special occasions such as Graduation, First Communion, New Members and Confirmation.

Shrimp Boil Event Team - Help take a lot of shrimp and boil it together with corn, sausage, potatoes, onions, and seasonings. The result is our annual Shrimp Boil. A favorite gathering for years, there is no one who leaves the table being hungry. This event is typically held in mid-September.

Small Group Ministry-To foster deeper community, personal connection, and spiritual growth among church members-providing a space for intimate Bible study, prayer, sharing personal experiences, and offering support and accountability within a smaller more focused group.

Third Friday Trivia Team- Help with setting up food tables, preparing food securing prizes and cleaning up.

Men’s Ministries Planning Team - Be a part of the Planning Team, praying about, discerning, and discussing God’s vision and mission for Men’s Ministries at Bethel.

Women’s Ministries Planning Team - Guide and coordinate applicable activities, while, together with others, praying, discerning, and discussing God’s vision and mission for Women’s Ministries at Bethel.

Property Committee & Facility Usage Opportunities

Furniture Set-Up/Take-Down - Whenever there is a large gathering or special event, assist in setting-up, moving and taking-down chairs and tables.

IT/Tech Team - Bethel has internet fiber back-haul, routers, servers, office desktops and laptops, CAT5 cabling and Wi-Fi hot-spots. Please consider assisting with occasional IT needs on this important team.

Property Committee - Interior – Help maintain the interior of Bethel by performing routine maintenance and other minor projects as needed.

Kitchen Coordinator: This team checks the kitchen before and particularly after each time it is used to see that the facility is clean, the trash has been taken out to the dumpster or left for a volunteer to take to the Convenience Center. The person also makes sure NO food has ben left either in the refrigerator or the freezer, on the counters or shelves. Bethel does keep a supply of plates, napkins and plastic knives, forks, spoons and paper towels. The office can facilitate this if they are notified.

Property Committee - Exterior – With the size of our facility and surrounding grounds, there is always required routine maintenance, as well as special projects that are required during the year. With the variety of tasks, all are welcome to assist in this very important ongoing activity.

Prayer & Study Opportunities

Bible Study Participant – For those interested in expanding their understanding of scripture by participating in the Disciple Bible Study series, the Women’s Bible Study, the Men’s Bible Study or the occasional Pastor’s Bible Study.

Intercessory Prayer Team - Meet with others to pray over any prayer requests and concerns that have been submitted in the worship and the prayer boxes. Join us as we offer the gift of prayer to those most in need!

Contemplative Prayer Team-Meet with others to pray using our minds and hearts and sometimes our imaginative ability, to recognize God's presence and fix our gaze on Him. We will seek to achieve a union with God characterized by quiet stillness, and simply resting in God's presence.

Music Ministries Opportunities

Worship Choir – The worship choir leads our congregation in song during worship and prepares music for special seasonal worship gatherings and events. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 6:30pm-8:30pm and Sunday mornings at 8:30am. While singing on pitch is important, no audition or musical training is required. This ministry is open to youth and adults.

House Band – The House Band is the primary instrumental leadership of music at Bethel. Our band consists primarily of a rhythm section (piano, acoustic and bass guitar, and drums), often supplemented with other instruments. Participation in this ministry is contingent upon audition with the Director of Music and band members. Regular rehearsal and worship participation expected.

Instrument Ensemble – At various times of year, our instrument ensemble prepares special music offerings for worship and special orchestral events. Instrumentalists should have an intermediate to moderately advanced playing ability, including music reading skills. This group rehearses as needed for presentations.

OffeRings Bell Choir – OffeRings is our chime and bell choir for high school students and adults. We meet Thursday evenings from 5:30pm-6:15pm, under the direction of Darline DeMott. You do not need to be able to read music to participate. OffeRings plays in worship approximately once a month including special Christmas and Easter selections.

Indoor/Outdoor Music Ministries Concert Series Event Team - You will be a part of the planning and leadership team as we bein what we hope is a regular concert series open to our community. With our renovated sanctuary comes the opportunity to host various indoor concerts throughout the year as well as utilizing Bethel Park for outdoor concerts. Concerts could be fundraisers for Bethel.

Learning & Sunday School Opportunities

Adult Forum Session Leader – If you are interested in leading a session or two during our Adult Forum (currently 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month, immediately following worship), please sign up here. Pastor Dave will contact you.

Sunday School Planning Team – Help plan the Sunday School program for ages birth-12th grade. Members will work together to select a curriculum, and recruit and support Sunday School Teachers.

Sunday School Teacher/Substitute – Help teach the Word of God and the Bible to our young members. Training and support are provided.

Vacation Bible School Planning Team – Help plan Vacation Bible School. Members will work together to select a curriculum and recruit and support Volunteers.

Other Activities

Building Faith Boxes - Help build Faith Boxes that are given to our children at Baptism, First Communion and/or Confirmation.

Church Office Volunteer- Assist the church office staff with mailings and other tasks as needed.

Driver – Provide transportation to help fellow Bethel members attend services on Sunday mornings. May also be contacted to help members get to medical appointments as needed.

Funeral Reception Preparation Team - Assist with dressing the tables, setting out food and beverages, then cleaning up afterwards.

Greeting Card Team - Through sending cards, we can share a word of joy and/or hope with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Address envelopes and send Greeting Cards to members and friends of Bethel, letting them know that others are praying for them, to wish them get-well and/or to celebrate special accomplishments. Birthday cards are only sent to non-adults.

God’s Work Our Hands Day Team – Held the 2nd Sunday of September, decide the activities Bethel will do to help others in our community and work with Staff to provide the supplies needed. The Team will also deliver items to community groups after the event.

Knitting Team - Through knitting or crocheting, use your hands to reach out to those in our congregation with comfort, solace, and strength in times of need. As these baby blankets and prayer shawls are made, we are praying for the recipient and hoping that when the item is wrapped around them, they will be reminded of God’s promise that he is always with us.

Social Media Team – This team serves to strategize and promote Bethel’s ministry via social media. You may be invited to post pictures from an event, serve as a “Digital Ambassador” who shares Bethel posts regularly or be the one who is “going live” from an event. This is for all ages and skill levels. Training is available.

Quilting Team (Pat's Piecemakers)- Can you imagine putting your children to bed at night with no cover to keep them warm? Working with others, by cutting, knotting, and sewing, make gifts that will provide comfort and warmth to folks across the seas. Lutheran World Relief knotted quilts are easy to assemble and there are ways to be involved even if an individual doesn’t sew. This team also makes quilts for our high school graduates, so they make take a piece of Bethel with them, comfort quilts for members facing health crises and special quilts as requested by the Pastor.

Shut-In Visitation - Working with Pastor Dave, bring Holy Communion to our home-bound members and friends. The expectation is that you will visit with the person to whom you are assigned at least once a month. No one will have more than two people assigned to them at any given time.

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