Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church | 125th Anniversary

       On Sunday, June 22, 2014 Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan celebrated its mission of 125 years of Christian ministry.  How wonderful is that?  Very!  Thanks be to God.

      
     Bethany Lutheran Church is Keith's family's church.  Keith and his sisters and brother all went to Bethany Lutheran Church and Elementary School.  We all were married at Bethany.  Bethany has become my church as well. We are co-members now.  I was confirmed at Bethany.  Erich was baptized at Bethany.  My mother's memorial was at Bethany.  Bethany is not just a building------its the Lord's house of worship. 

                                               Praise be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 122:1
A song of  ascents.  Of David.
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."

     We arrived early for the 125th anniversary service at Bethany.  Walking through the school and church brought back so many memories.  The memories for Keith---- are of his childhood.  Keith's third grade teacher was there and when we met up with her she said to Keith, "I remember you looking up at me with those big blue eyes."    She just loves Keith!  The memories for me----being welcomed into the family of God at Bethany and the many, many services that we have attended as a family.   Keith took pictures of the church and school before the service.  While I was sitting in the pew, I could hear the people in front and back of me talking about their Bethany memories. They were talking about the street that they grew up on, and memories of attending Bethany's school or their children attending school. 

      I also thought about some of the people that I met when I became a member who are no longer with us. I can still see Keith's kindergarten teacher---- sitting in the front pew with her perfectly coiffed hair.  I recall the scent of her perfume [Youth Dew] and what a lovely lady she was.   There are so many other saints who are no longer with us, but are not forgotten.  So for a moment, I felt sad, thinking of those who are no longer with us because I miss them.  I also thought about how time is fleeting.  Keith and I were married almost 17 years ago and  we were blessed to still have our fathers with us and my mom.  Now Erich is a teenager and he's almost as tall as I am, and people were commenting how tall he has gotten since the last time they've seen him.

 Keith took this picture of his third grade teacher walking towards the choir. 

 Keith's mom sings in the choir also.

                                    Panoramic view of the church from the back balcony of Bethany.

Last Supper in the narthex.

Erich in the doorway of Keith's classroom.

What a blessing to be able to return to Keith's elementary school.  Its like a time-capsule.

      There were over 300 people in attendance for Bethany's 125th anniversary.  The service was absolutely beautiful.  It was wonderful to see our many friends at Bethany. 

                                 Former and Present Pastors of Bethany Lutheran Church

      I'm so glad that God has blessed Bethany with Pastors and members who are dedicated to the outreach mission and ministry of sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the community. 

May God continue to bless their missionary work, through His grace and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Amen 

~Marcie