Bethlehem Connect January/February 2019 | Page 12

MINNEAPOLIS CAMPUS 4100 Lyndale Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55409 612.312.3400 MINNETONKA CAMPUS 16023 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55345 952.935.3419 [email protected] BUILDING HOURS Minneapolis Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 9 pm Sat. - 9 am - 4:30 pm Sun. - 6:30 am- 12 pm, 5:30-8 pm Minnetonka Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm Sun. - 8 -11 am SERVICE TIMES Minneapolis Sundays– 8, 9:15, 10:30 am & 7 pm Staffed Nursery available at 9:15 & 10:30 am Minnetonka Sundays– 9:30 am, nursery available Come Sing with the Women's Ensemble! Music fills the hearts and souls of our religious tradition. Our congregation has been blessed with generations of talented musical leaders, and we’ve made music ministry a major contribution to the community. We revel in singing together. We are delighted to listen to a variety of music. We even start our children on their choral journeys by age 4 or 5 and on through their school years. We have an acclaimed mixed-choral tradition. We have a Men’s Chorus. And now we have a blossoming Women’s Ensemble. Women of all ages and experiences are invited to participate. If you enjoy singing in the pews, here’s another “outlet” for your voice. If you sing in community choirs, this is an easy way to contribute to worship. If you sing in Senior Choir, share your leadership. If you, like so many of us, used to sing but haven’t in years, you’re welcome. If you are new to our congregation, and want to meet other women, consider this. Women’s Ensemble rehearses Monday at 6:45 pm and we sing once a month in worship. It's not an overwhelming time commitment —- but it can be a significant spiritual experience. The most momentous announcement in history was received by a young woman, Mary. And she immediately responded by singing praises to God. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. (Mary’s Song, Luke 1:46) The music of women has a special place in our Christian worship. It is a unique experience when women come together to sing — for singers and for listeners. Come join us! 125 years ago this January, a group of 285 Norwegian Lutheran men, women and their families met above a pool hall to sign the papers to begin a new congregation. “We who have submitted our names as interested in the organization of a congregation hereby declare ourselves organized as a Norwegian Lutheran Congregation.” On Sunday, January 7, 1894, Bethlehem Norwegian Lutheran Congregation held its first service in the heart of the Norwegian-American immigrant community near Franklin Avenue.