Adult Ministry

Learning, growing, serving — together in community.

Dig deeper. Wrestle. Share conversation about God, the Bible and life topics that matter.

Bethlehem offers a variety of small group opportunities, bible studies, short-term classes, and support groups for adults who want to take the next step.

What is your next step?

Use the links on this page to explore the many opportunities for adults at Bethlehem. If you can’t find what you are looking for, contact us and we’ll help you connect.

Bible Study Opportunities

Sunday Bible Study

(MPLS/Hybrid) Sundays, 9:00 am

The Sunday morning Bible study gathers each week in person and online to engage with the day’s text. A lively conversation is at 9:00am with participants in Langemo Lounge (Mpls) and on Zoom. Discussion questions are emailed ahead of time, but drop-ins are welcome. Then come to worship and see what new insights are gained in the context of sermon and song. Contact Pastor Kris to be added to the group. 

Contact Pastor Kris

Wednesday Bible Study

Wednesdays, 10-11:00 am, Zoom

Bethlehem’s pastors take turns facilitating this weekly exploration of the upcoming preaching text. Folks from all of our ministry expressions and beyond join by Zoom to hear the story, pray together and share conversation related to the text – it’s original context and our context today. Participants can attend occasionally or on a regular basis. No pre-work necessary – just have a copy of the text with you and log in!

Note: This event used to be called “Dwelling in the Word”, so if you’re already registered for that, you’re registered for this, too.

Register

“Gather” Women’s Bible Study with Pastor Kris

Connect with other women through Bible study on the third Wednesday of the month. Led by Pastor Kris, we’ll use the ELCA’s ‘Gather’ magazine to explore “Holy Places” in the fall and “Scripture and Nature: Teachers of Faith” in the new year. The group meets at 2pm at the Minneapolis campus and on Zoom. All are welcome!

Register

Small Groups

Bethlehem is a big community in a few different locations, so small groups help us stay connected in meaningful ways. We can help you form a small group together with folks you already know or those with whom you share an affinity, interest, or stage in life.

A few times each year, we curate small group curriculum to accompany the worship sermon series. It’s a chance to meet weekly or worship together. There’s also a digital library with a variety of resources for groups to use at their own pace. Your group decides when, where and how often to meet and what kind of study materials or rituals make sense for your members.

We encourage at least one member of your group to register by contacting Sue Lungstrom. They will keep you up to date about new curriculum, cheer your group on with ideas and support, and introduce you to potential members with similar interests.

Adult Ministry Groups – Minneapolis Campus

Parents of Beloved Teens

The Parents of Beloved Teens group gathers to learn and provide support as we navigate the adolescent years, from middle school on up through the YA years.

This group meets weekly, on Wednesday evenings in the Harrisville Room at the Minneapolis Campus. 6:30 – 7:45 pm. 

Please join the Realm group and group leader, Becca Totzke will contact you, or show up on Wednesday nights. All are welcome.

 

Join Realm Group

SALT (Seniors Active in Life Together)

If you are 50 years or older, come be an active part of Bethlehem’s ministry in SALT and get to know other seniors in our congregation. The ministry of SALT sponsors activities including learning experiences, meals together, trips and more. In recent years we have visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts museum, traveled to New Ulm for a concert by Bethlehem’s Mark Paisar, held service events as well as Valentine’s and Christmas dinners, and more. We make scholarship funds available so that everyone can participate.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming SALT events email Diane Waarvik ([email protected]) to be added to the group’s communications.

Men’s Small Group

Calling all Bethlehem men: You’re invited to join us for our next BLCTC Men’s Small Group event. This group meets the third Thursday of each month, for a lunch gathering at 11:45am at the Minneapolis campus. This group gathers to create relationships, discuss life’s blessings and challenges, and grow in faith. Topics will be relevant for men, in particular for husbands and fathers. To get connected with the group, please email [email protected].

Women’s Book Group

Love to read? Consider joining the weekly Wednesday Evening Women’s Book Group. The group meets in person each Wednesday at 6:45 pm (Henderson Conference Room, Minneapolis Campus) and can add Zoom options for those who prefer to join remotely. Contact Pastor Kris, [email protected], to be added to the group.

Womens Day of Service

One Saturday each year, women of all ages from both campuses gather to make a difference in the world. Their impact will be felt not as a grand gesture, but rather as an accumulation of little things that make a big difference. Women will be finishing quilts to send to people who need a warm blanket.  Others will roll bandages for a mission hospital overseas – such a simple thing, but critically important for patient care.  Others will assemble Newborn and Hospice Kits. The items in these kits are everyday things, little things we often take for granted here, but such a blessing to the people who receive them across the world.

Join the Women’s Day of Service group on Realm to stay up to date on all things WDOS!

WDOS Realm Group

Adult Ministry Groups – Minnetonka Campus

Friday Boys

Friday Boys have been meeting at the Minnetonka campus for years. This casual, fun loving group of guys gathers on Friday (of course) mornings from around 9-10:00am, and share a time of fellowship and conversation. And coffee. Lots of coffee.  

All friends and members of the Bethlehem community are welcome to join. No registration is necessary. Questions? Contact Sue Lungstrom ([email protected]).

Quilters

Did you know there is a group of folks who get together on the first and third Monday of the month at the Minnetonka Campus to quilt together?  If you are a veteran quilter, or have always wanted to learn this craft – please join!  They start at 9:00am. There is even an amazing room on the third floor dedicated to quilting.

All friends and members of the Bethlehem community are welcome to join. No registration is necessary. Questions? Contact Sue Lungstrom ([email protected]).

Friday Gals

Friday Gals is a newly formed group that has come out of the Women’s Circle. This group meets on the second Friday of each month in the Mtka campus conference room from 9:00-10:30.

They start out with coffee and conversation, and around 9:30 begin “Bible Chat”. Bible Chat is a light, easy going time of talking about all sorts of things we wonder about, are curious about or just enjoy talking about! 

All friends and members of the Bethlehem community are welcome to join. No registration is necessary. Questions? Contact Sue Lungstrom ([email protected]).

Staff Contacts

Minnetonka Campus Pastor

Meta Herrick Carlson (she/her)

Phone: 612-312-3403
Minnetonka Campus Administrator

Sue Lungstrom

Phone: 952-935-3419
Pastor of Congregational Care & Adult Ministry

Kris Tostengard Michel

Phone: 612-312-3410
Director of Health & Wellness

Diane Waarvik

Phone: 612-312-3375