At Bethany Lutheran Church, worship is a celebration of what God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior—His initiative in our life, His saving events throughout history. Worship is a remembrance, a reenactment-if-you-will, of God's redemptive acts for all people throughout history; it is also a joyful reception through faith, by God's people now, who live to proclaim His redeeming grace to all the world. The Lutheran understanding of "Gottesdienst" or "God's service to us" and "our service to God" are foundational to all that we do in worship. God first comes to us, and we respond in confession, joyful praise, prayer and humble faith.

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The Imposition of Ashes is an ancient custom begun centuries ago when those who had fallen away from the church desired to return and be restored into relationship with the community before the celebration of Easter. To bear witness to their contrition and faith they bore an ashen mark during the Lenten Season.

That custom is the basis of the tradition we observe to this day. We receive the sign of an ashen cross as a physical expression of our penitence, trust and desire to be one with Christ and His bride the church.

As a church we gather for Ash Wednesday (February 18th) worship on the Long Beach Campus at 9:00AM and on the Cypress Campus at 6:30PM.

You can also come to the Long Beach Campus Sanctuary between 7:30-8:30AM or the Cypress Campus Sanctuary between 12:00-1:00PM for Reflection, Meditation and Individual imposition of Ashes.

We’ve all heard the adage, “Clothes make the man.” Some say you can trace the notion clear back to Homer. The concept is fleshed out more fully in a line in Shakespeare’s Hamlet; and given complete familiarity by Mark Twain. At the core of the concept is the idea that appearance can influence both perception and behavior.

Long before either Shakespeare or Twain had crafted their works, St. Paul wrote that, “Jesus, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross.”

The eternal Son of God, took on human nature and put on the form of a servant. This action, His incarnation, certainly directed His behavior and as Isaiah states (chapter 53) is influenced perception of THE suffering servant.

By His grace, through faith, Jesus has covered us in His righteousness, dressed us in His likeness and calls us to be “His masks” in this world. These Garments of Grace influence our perception of one another and our behavior as His disciples.

Join us on Wednesdays during Lent (2/18 thru 3/25) ON OUR CYPRESS CAMPUS, 4321 Cerritos Ave. Cypress CA at 6:30PM as we gather to rejoice in the promise that our Lord has clothed us in His Garments of Grace.

Weekly Themes and Texts:

Ash Wednesday, (2/18) “Try this on instead.” Isaiah 61
Wednesday Lent I (2/25) “Look what I’ve knitted you.” Genesis 3
Wednesday Lent II (3/4) “You Look Marvelous” Genesis 37
Wednesday Lent III (3/11) “Swaddled” Luke 2
Wednesday Lent IV (3/18) “Filthy Rags” I Peter 2:24
Wednesday Lent V (3/25) “Garments of Grace” Revelation 3

Sunday Worship Update:

Our multi-site congregation will temporarily be a singular site for our Sunday schedule. While Bethany’s Holy Cross campus is undergoing transformation for future mission and ministry, our Sunday morning schedule will be completely on the main campus of Bethany (Long Beach).

Worship services will be at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00AM on Bethany's campus.

Communion: Those who believe the following statement to be true are most welcome to receive this sacrament: The Lord's Supper is celebrated at Bethany in the joyful confession that our Lord gives us His very Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins in this sacrament. God intends this gift for His children who recognize their sin, trust in Christ as their Savior, desire to live for Him alone and join in this joyful confession. *Contact the church office, (562) 421-4711, if you are in need of our ministry staff to bring communion to your home.

1st Sunday - All Services
2nd Sunday - 9:30AM Only
3rd Sunday - All Services
4th Sunday - 9:30AM Only

Women’s Bible Studies:

10:45-12:00PM
Rooms: #215 & Library
Lead by: Mary Kay Esswein (#215) and Sheri Esswein (Library)

Men’s Bible Study:

10:45-12:00PM
Room: Parish Lounge
Lead by: Bob Lange & David Akins

Livestream of Worship: We livestream our 9:30AM service. To watch live, please tune in at 9:30AM. As always, you may watch a recording of the Sunday service at any time on our YouTube channel.

Our YouTube

SUNDAY MORNING RESOURCE LINKS:

Nursery Care on Sunday Mornings:

We love kids here at Bethany! We offer nursery care during both our 8:00 and 9:30AM services. Infants through preschool kids love connecting with friends & enjoy the playing with the toys while listening to the service playing. We have a fantastic team that are highly qualified caretakers. Drop off starts at 7:50AM for the 8:00AM service and at 9:20AM for the 9:30AM service. Please make your way across Friendship Square (the courtyard outside) to get your child signed in and situated.

If this is your child’s first time this school year, fill out our Yearlong Children and Youth Ministry Permission Form. If you have any questions, please contact Alissa Brege at .

Additional Information:

Handicap parking and access to the sanctuary are readily available.

For more information on Bethany's Upcoming Events - Click HERE