Bethlehem Lutheran Church Indianapolis

Services

Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday at 7:30, 8:30, and 11:00 a.m. The 7:30 service is entirely spoken and has somewhat of the character of a "house communion." The choir ordinarily sings at the 11:00 service.

During the summer, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, worship is at 7:30 and 9:30 a.m.

See the congregation's calendar for times of special services, such as those of Lent and Holy Week: Midweek services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.

Congregation members take part as lectors, ushers, acolytes, greeters, communion preparers, cantors, choir, and giving the children's sermon. A worship committee coordinates these activities and oversees this area of church life. YnC organizes the children's participation as acolytes.

Communion is open to all our Christian visitors, regardless of whether they come from a Lutheran church home. As someone has said, "This is the Lord's table, not ours." Lutherans traditionally welcome children to take Communion only after a period of instruction, which usually takes place in the 5th grade. Until then, they may come forward to receive a blessing. If they wish, they may signal this by crossing their arms over their chest ("St. Andrew's Cross").

Children are welcome in church. The YnC ministry provides "church bags" with activities to engage younger children—these are to be found near the front door. There is a nursery for the very youngest children. Children 3-5 are invited to leave the sanctuary after the children's sermon, to go downstairs for an enrichment time (about 15 minutes) before returning to the service.

Music

Bethlehem has long cherished the tradition of using fine music in our worship--with congregational singing, choir, organ, and other instruments. The choir welcomes you to participate. Choir normally holds practices twice a week (Wednesday evening at 7:00, and Sunday morning at 9:30) and performs at the 11:00 service.

Special occasions such as Advent and Easter call for special music. Bethlehem's 2-manual, 12-rank pipe organ was rebuilt in 1996 by Indianapolis pipe organ builders Goulding and Wood, Inc.

Art

The English Gothic sanctuary is adorned with many works of art, mostly locally made by Pastor Elder and members of the church. Note especially the large array of hand-painted shields mounted on the ceiling, the altar's triptych, the banners and altar cloths, and the stained-glass windows.

Worship Ministry Leader:
John Seest

Precentor:
Peter Rogahn

Precentor Peter Rogahn

Peter Rogahn, a native of Austin, Texas, enjoys an active career as an organist, pianist, choral conductor, and teacher. As a child, Peter displayed an extraordinary interest in the organ. He began lessons at the age of 14 with Harold Rutz of Concordia University in Austin, and served as organist for several churches in the Texas area.

During his senior year in college, Peter won the annual Senior Honors Concerto Competition and performed Samuel Barber’s Toccata Festiva with the Concordia College Orchestra. In addition to receiving 2nd prize at the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists scholarship competition in 2005, Peter also received first prize ratings from the Texas Federation of Music Clubs State Festivals in organ and hymn playing from 2000-2003. He has performed recitals throughout the Texas and Midwest regions.

Peter holds a Performer Diploma and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University where he studied with Christopher Young. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College where he studied with Peter Nygaard.