Click here to get a map and directions to our location.
| FAQ |
How many services worship opportunities are available at Bethel?
Bethel offers two worship services every week, Saturday evenings at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Additional services are held during certain seasons, such as Christmas, Easter, Lent and Advent.
How often is communion offered?
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is offered at every regular service. All Christians who confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and who believe that He is truly present in the sacrament in the bread and wine are welcome to receive communion. No prior notification of the church is necessary. We also recognize that receiving the sacrament is a matter of personal conscience. Feel free to "sit out" the sacrament at any service.
How big is the church?
Bethel has 250 members. We have a large facility with ample room for worship, meetings, and social events. The church is located on several acres of land and includes a small playground. Plenty of free parking is available.
What is the church's neighborhood like?
Bethel is located at the edge of the Plum Grove Estates community along the West Frontage Road to Route 53. We are easily accessible from all major expressways. (See map.) Our next-door neighbor is St. Mary's Egyptian Coptic Church. We share our parking lot with them. The church is located on several acres of landscaped grounds and includes a playground.
What style of worship do you use?
Our worship style is flexible and evolving. Our basic style is traditional, but somewhat informal. Music is provided by an organ or piano, and on some occasions, by a small brass and string ensemble. We are using the new Evangelical Worship Book, which offers a variety of liturgies and musical styles.
What's the music program like?
Bethel has a brand-new organ that is an integral part of our worship life. We also have a small string and brass orchestra that plays regularly. Adult and children's choirs perform regularly, as does our hand bell choir. All these groups welcome any new members. Our choir director, Lois Gotha, conducts occasional training in hand bells.
What is the youth program like?
Bethel has a small, but active youth program. In addition to Sunday School and Confirmation Class activities, we offer "Bible Buddies", a during-worship activity for young worshippers, and Jesus and Me (JAM) monthly during the school year. The Pastor also invites children to come forward for a children's sermon.
What is the easiest way to contact Bethel?
You can reach the church office by phone, fax, or email at any time. While the office is staffed for only part of each day (Monday through Friday morning between 9:00 and noon), the answering machine is checked regularly.
Phone: 847-397-4372.
Fax: 847-397-4619
Email: bethellutheranchurchil@comcast.net
Also you can go to the "Contact Us" link for the names of church council members.
How do I join Bethel?
Just ask. Throughout the year, "New Member Orientations" are held for individuals and families who are interested in becoming members of Bethel. This four session orientation where the teachings, policies and practices of the church are shared. Please call the church office to find out when the next orientation is scheduled. These orientations are open to people coming from both Lutheran and non-Lutheran backgrounds.
How do I transfer my membership from another church?
For those who belong to other Lutheran churches, we write to your former church to request a letter of transfer. Your prior church will then send us your records. For non-Lutherans, we write to your former church, asking for a copy of your records.
I've never belonged to a church before? Can I join anyway?
Absolutely! Members of Bethel Lutheran church are from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are an open community of faith, and we invite all people to come and be a part of our fellowship, as we seek to grow in our faith and spiritual lives. We only ask that individuals seeking to become a part of Bethel attend a new member orientation.
Do I have to be a member to receive communion?
No, you do not. We practice what is called "open communion." We invite all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and who believe that He is truly present in the sacrament, in the bread and wine, to come to the Lord's Table to receive Christ's body and blood. Children may receive communion after they have attended a first communion class taught by the pastor when they are in the fifth grade, or if they come from a church where they have already been receiving communion. Children not old enough to receive communion are invited to the altar to receive a blessing.
How do I arrange to have my child baptized?
Baptisms for children and adults are held during one of the worship services, either on Sunday morning or Saturday evening. Persons interested in baptism should call the office to speak with the pastor. Baptisms are for individuals who are or will be a part of the church and active in the life of the congregation.
I was never baptized as a child. Is it too late?
Absolutely not. It is never too late to be baptized. We understand Baptism as a beginning, a fresh start. Whether one is an infant, child, teen, or adult, we offer this sacrament, which begins one's journey in Christ and the life of the church. Contact the pastor if you wish to be baptized.
How old do my children have to be to be confirmed?
We offer confirmation instruction for children when they are in junior high school (7th or 8th grade). We also confirm older teens or adults. Our regular confirmation class for junior high students is a two-year program.
Bethel offers two worship services every week, Saturday evenings at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Additional services are held during certain seasons, such as Christmas, Easter, Lent and Advent.
How often is communion offered?
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is offered at every regular service. All Christians who confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior and who believe that He is truly present in the sacrament in the bread and wine are welcome to receive communion. No prior notification of the church is necessary. We also recognize that receiving the sacrament is a matter of personal conscience. Feel free to "sit out" the sacrament at any service.
How big is the church?
Bethel has 250 members. We have a large facility with ample room for worship, meetings, and social events. The church is located on several acres of land and includes a small playground. Plenty of free parking is available.
What is the church's neighborhood like?
Bethel is located at the edge of the Plum Grove Estates community along the West Frontage Road to Route 53. We are easily accessible from all major expressways. (See map.) Our next-door neighbor is St. Mary's Egyptian Coptic Church. We share our parking lot with them. The church is located on several acres of landscaped grounds and includes a playground.
What style of worship do you use?
Our worship style is flexible and evolving. Our basic style is traditional, but somewhat informal. Music is provided by an organ or piano, and on some occasions, by a small brass and string ensemble. We are using the new Evangelical Worship Book, which offers a variety of liturgies and musical styles.
What's the music program like?
Bethel has a brand-new organ that is an integral part of our worship life. We also have a small string and brass orchestra that plays regularly. Adult and children's choirs perform regularly, as does our hand bell choir. All these groups welcome any new members. Our choir director, Lois Gotha, conducts occasional training in hand bells.
What is the youth program like?
Bethel has a small, but active youth program. In addition to Sunday School and Confirmation Class activities, we offer "Bible Buddies", a during-worship activity for young worshippers, and Jesus and Me (JAM) monthly during the school year. The Pastor also invites children to come forward for a children's sermon.
What is the easiest way to contact Bethel?
You can reach the church office by phone, fax, or email at any time. While the office is staffed for only part of each day (Monday through Friday morning between 9:00 and noon), the answering machine is checked regularly.
Phone: 847-397-4372.
Fax: 847-397-4619
Email: bethellutheranchurchil@comcast.net
Also you can go to the "Contact Us" link for the names of church council members.
How do I join Bethel?
Just ask. Throughout the year, "New Member Orientations" are held for individuals and families who are interested in becoming members of Bethel. This four session orientation where the teachings, policies and practices of the church are shared. Please call the church office to find out when the next orientation is scheduled. These orientations are open to people coming from both Lutheran and non-Lutheran backgrounds.
How do I transfer my membership from another church?
For those who belong to other Lutheran churches, we write to your former church to request a letter of transfer. Your prior church will then send us your records. For non-Lutherans, we write to your former church, asking for a copy of your records.
I've never belonged to a church before? Can I join anyway?
Absolutely! Members of Bethel Lutheran church are from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are an open community of faith, and we invite all people to come and be a part of our fellowship, as we seek to grow in our faith and spiritual lives. We only ask that individuals seeking to become a part of Bethel attend a new member orientation.
Do I have to be a member to receive communion?
No, you do not. We practice what is called "open communion." We invite all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and who believe that He is truly present in the sacrament, in the bread and wine, to come to the Lord's Table to receive Christ's body and blood. Children may receive communion after they have attended a first communion class taught by the pastor when they are in the fifth grade, or if they come from a church where they have already been receiving communion. Children not old enough to receive communion are invited to the altar to receive a blessing.
How do I arrange to have my child baptized?
Baptisms for children and adults are held during one of the worship services, either on Sunday morning or Saturday evening. Persons interested in baptism should call the office to speak with the pastor. Baptisms are for individuals who are or will be a part of the church and active in the life of the congregation.
I was never baptized as a child. Is it too late?
Absolutely not. It is never too late to be baptized. We understand Baptism as a beginning, a fresh start. Whether one is an infant, child, teen, or adult, we offer this sacrament, which begins one's journey in Christ and the life of the church. Contact the pastor if you wish to be baptized.
How old do my children have to be to be confirmed?
We offer confirmation instruction for children when they are in junior high school (7th or 8th grade). We also confirm older teens or adults. Our regular confirmation class for junior high students is a two-year program.
Confirmation is a very important on-going ministry in the Church as a whole and at Bethel. It really begins after baptism and continues through a person's life. Confirmation is the whole process of spiritual growth of an individual from the moment of their baptism until the time when he or she is able to say: "I am a child of God. I am a member of the family of God. I know Jesus as my living Lord and Savior."
Confirmation helps parents to fulfill the promises they made at their child's baptism, where they promised to faithfully bring their children to the service of God's house, teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the Holy Scriptures, and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith
For more information about confirmation classes, please contact the church office at 847-397-4372 or email the church at bethellutheranchurchil@comcast.net or the pastor at pastor.bethellutheran@comcast.net.
I am an adult who wishes to be confirmed. How do I go about that?
Contact the pastor for information about the next New Member Orientation sessions and adult study programs.
I have never belonged to a church before, and I have many questions about the Bible and the Christian faith. Where do I find the answers?
We offer many educational opportunities to learn about the Christian faith. The pastor is also available to meet with you personally to share information about our faith and to answer your questions.
A good source for personal research is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Web site at www.elca.org. Go to the Spiritual Center link on the home page for connections to sources about Christianity in general, the Lutheran denomination in particular. The Spiritual Center also contains resources for prayer, devotions, and help with life issues.
I want to be married at Bethel. Can I do that?
We welcome both members and non-members to use the church for weddings. Before the wedding, couples are asked to meet with the pastor for pre-wedding sessions. During these sessions, the pastor and the couple will discuss the specific plans for the wedding, the couples' relationship and the meaning of marriage and commitment.
Weddings held on Saturdays must begin no later than 3:00 p.m. because a regular worship service begins at 5:00 p.m.
Fees are charged for non-members for the use of the church, the pastor's time, and the services of the organist and a janitor. Fees are charged to members for the organist and the janitor. Please call the church office to schedule an appointment to meet with the pastor at least six months prior to your planned wedding date.
How do I arrange for a funeral?
The pastor of the church is always open to conducting funerals for both members and non-members. He does ask to meet with the family prior to the funeral to discuss the arrangements and to share feelings of grief and loss. He will conduct funerals either at a funeral home or at the church, depending on the wishes
of the family. Members of Bethel are encouraged to have their funerals held at the church. Please call the pastor whenever his services are needed.
My organization wants to use a room at Bethel for a meeting or special event. Can we do that?
The facilities of Bethel are available for use by members, non-members, and non-profit organizations in the community. There is a modest charge for non-members and organizations. Please contact the church office at 847-397-4372 or bethellutheranchurchil@comcast.net for more information.
I am going to be hospitalized soon. Can I arrange to have the pastor visit me while I'm there?
Yes. It is an important part of pastoral ministry to visit the sick either at home or in the hospital. Please call the church office and notify us about your hospitalization.
I have a personal spiritual concern. Can I talk privately with the pastor about it?
Absolutely. The pastor keeps regular office hours when he can meet with you to share your concerns in confidence. Evening appointments at the church office or your home are also available. Call the church office to arrange for an appointment.
How much money do I have to give to belong to Bethel?
Word and sacrament are free to all. We never tell anyone how much money to give as an offering. This is a matter for each individual to decide. We do encourage people to give as a sign of their gratitude for all the blessings God has given them. We do recognize tithing as a biblical model for giving. A tithe is 10% of one's income. This is a goal one can surely work towards as one grows in faith.
Your name is Bethel Lutheran Church of Rolling Meadows Meadows. Why does it have a Palatine mailing address?
Bethel is part of the City of Rolling Meadows. However, for years, it was actually in unincorporated Palatine township. The U. S. Post Offices considers it part of the 60067 ZIP code, which means we have a Palatine mailing address. Until the USPS changes its mind or the municipal boundaries change, we're officially, Palatine, 60067.
Back To Top