News

Red Rocks Christmas Lights

On December 13th, Youth (grades 6–12), you’re invited to a night of Christmas magic at Red Rocks! We’ll meet at Bethany at 6:00 p.m., head to Christmas in Color at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre for a breathtaking drive-thru light show set to your favorite holiday tunes, then grab dinner together afterward. We’ll be back at Bethany by 9:00 p.m. It’s an easy, fun way to soak in the season, make some memories, and enjoy time with friends.  To reserve your spot register here.

Sermon Talk Back

Sunday, Dec 14 11:20-12:00 in Room 210. Gather with Pastor Gary for a Sermon Talkback. We will have open conversation about the sermons from Nov 30, Dec 7 and Dec 14. This is an opportunity to offer comments, ask questions, or get further details on the scripture passages or what was proclaimed in the sermons.

Young Adults Top Golf Outing

On December 14 at 12:00pm-2:00pm, join in for our monthly Young Adult get together.  This month we are going to Top Golf in Centennial.  Even if you're not a golfer, come spend time in fellowship with other Young Adults at Bethany.  $10 a person, sign up here to reserve your spot!

Senior High Mission Trip - San Diego

Where & What: Drive from Denver to San Diego to partner with Serve Boldly at the U.S.–Mexico border. We’ll serve with local ministries, hear from community leaders, pray together, and reflect on how faith calls us to love our neighbors.

Why it matters: Grow in empathy, teamwork, and courage. Discover how Lutheran faith shows up in real-world service and advocacy.

Who: Current 8th-12th graders. Adult leaders from Bethany will chaperone.

Register: Deadline Jan 18, 2026.
Questions: nate@bethany-denver.org or kevin@bethany-denver.org

Click Here to Register

Bethany Foundation Grants

This year the Bethany Foundation awarded $48,211 to 14 organizations. For a list of the organizations check out the Bethany Foundation Page.

Toddler Sock Collection

Throughout the month of December Bethany will be collecting NEW Toddler and Children's socks. These will be donated to Wholly Kicks, a local non-profit whose focus is to mentor and build relationships in “walking with” individuals experiencing economic disparity. Donation boxes will be located at both the North and South church entrances . Thank you for your generosity!

LFS End of Year Update

Together, We are the Difference

As this year ends, we reflect on all that has occurred over that past year and realize none of it is possible without the communities that support us. Because of your support, we have been able to continue serving 4,523 refugees; support 632 refugee youth with school supports that help them make up the difference from interrupted and nonexistent education and provided legal representation for 888 clients. LFSRM’s foster care program provided 140 domestic children and 78 unaccompanied refugee minors with a safe and loving home. 73 older adults were provided with high-quality guardianship services that allowed them a higher quality of life and some life autonomy. KPC Family Resource Center provided 183 children with high-quality respite care and 106 families with on-going case management to help them address things impacting their family’s stability. CareHouse reduced the exposure of 422 children to family violence by 98%, providing supervised family time and places for high-conflict parents to safely exchange their children.

All of this is made possible by you!

Christmas Decorating

When: Sundays, Dec 14, and 21.

We need lots of Christmas elves to decorate the inside and outside of the church after the 10:00am services during Community Time. Each Sunday we'll add more decorations. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday where we will assume decorating tasks assigned throughout the church to make it as easy as possible. Let's make the church sing with tidings of great joy! Questions? Please contact Kristin at kmjanicek@aol.com.

Women of Bethany January event

Our next Women of Bethany get together will be on Thursday, January 8th. Leslie Stevenson has planned a wonderful event for us (thank you Leslie!): 10:00am -11:30am we will have a docent guided tour of the Governor’s Residence located at 400 E. Eighth Ave Denver, 80203 Parking is on the SW corner of 8th and Logan to the west of GR. Carpooling from Bethany is suggested. We will go to Lunch (at 12:00 noon) after the tour to Syrup Restaurant 410 E Seventh Ave Denver, 80203 There is very limited close parking at Syrup Restaurant but it is only about a 2 block walk from the Governor’s Residence.

Click Here to Register

Senior Ministries

The gatherings continue on Tuesdays through May 19, 2026

10:00am-1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. 

Any special activities will be communicated via our email list. If you'd like to be on the email list, contact Janet Boss at Janetb@Bethany-Denver.org. Join us for community fellowship, chapel, and lunch.

Lunch is served at Noon each week, for a suggested donation of $10/person. Payment can be either online or by check/cash.

Click here for the November/December schedule

Nursery now Staffed!

Bethany's Nursery is now staffed EVERY Sunday during worship services! Please welcome mother and daughter duo, Amber and Elana Kahn! They are excited to meet you and your young children!

Bethany's Outdoor Children's Christmas Pageant

Bethany's Outdoor Children's Christmas Pageant and LIVE animals - Dec. 24 at 1:30 pm. Everyone is welcome Christmas Eve for a special NO Rehearsal Christmas Pageant where EVERYONE helps in the telling of the ancient nativity story. Children are invited to come to church dressed as s stable animal, wise person (king or queen), angel, shepherd or sheep. Some simple costumes will also be available before the service. Following the service there will be hot cocoa, candy canes and cookies to decorate!

Service of Remembrance

SERVICE of REMEMBRANCE The holiday season is usually full of anticipation and excitement. When someone is missing from your celebrations, those feelings often change to dread, sadness and loneliness. Those grieving often long to share stories and want to hear the name of their loved one spoken. Bethany will host a Service of Remembrance at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, in the chapel. We will name our loved ones out loud as part of the service. Please join us to honor your grief and your loved one. If you are not sure that we are aware of a loss in your life, please send an email to office@bethany-denver.org to submit a name by December 25. For further questions, please contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.org.

Upcoming worship services

We know that many are already making holiday plans, we hope worshipping at Bethany is part of those plans! Here are our upcoming special worship services:
Christmas Eve – 11:00am, 1:30pm (Outdoor Christmas Pageant), 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 7:00pm

Christmas Day – Recorded – drops at 6:00am

Sunday after Christmas – 12/28 – only 10:00am service

Service of Remembrance – 12/28 – 11:30am in the Chapel

Epiphany Sunday – 1/4 – only 10:00am service

Financial Update (July-November)

Budgeted Income -  $587,000

Actual Income -  $615,000

Budgeted Expenses - $890,000

Actual Expenses - $839,000

 Thank you for your continued support of Bethany's ministry!

End of Year Giving

As you prepare to make gifts of gratitude, and in your end-of-year giving, here are some helpful tips to remember.

IRA Required Minimum Distributions, if given directly to a charity, are tax free. Avoid Capital Gains taxes by donating gifts of stock directly to a charity. Charitable Gift Annuities are great options for donations. As always, consult your tax advisor for all legal advice.

Please complete this form and inform the Bethany accountant at joshua@bethany-denver.org when you plan to utilize one of the forms of giving above. We do not always receive your information with the gift.

For more thoughts on Generosity check out this podcast with Pastor Gary and former Exec Council Treasurer Steve Heuer

Christmas Poinsettias

You can make a donation to purchase a poinsettia plant for Bethany's Christmas decorations in our worship spaces. Envelopes are available at the Mission Center desk or you can use the Christmas Poinsettia fund in the electronic giving menu. Please be sure to denote how you would like to see your name and who you are giving in honor or in memory of for the Christmas bulletins. Deadline is Dec 14.

Lyn McAuliffe

A funeral for Lyn McAuliffe will be held on Friday, December 12 at 11:00am in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. This service will be livestreamed. Our prayers are with Kevin's family and friends at this time.

Florene Betten

A funeral for Florene Betten will be held on Monday, December 15 at 1:00pm in the Sanctuary, followed by a graveside service and then a reception in the Fellowship Hall at 3:00pm. This service will be livestreamed. Our prayers are with Florene's family and friends at this time.