95th Anniversary Edition

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” -Hebrews 13:8

This Sunday our congregation will be celebrating its 95th anniversary.  95 years… you know, a great deal can change in 95 years.

In October of 1930, the Philadelphia Athletics won the World Series, have you ever heard of them?

The first, yep very first, American football game was played indoors.

And much more seriously, our country was deep in the throes of what would come to be called the “Great Depression.”

Amid all the developments and all the challenges, a new Lutheran congregation was born in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania.

I delight in the fact that a group of Lutheran Christians had the confidence and faith to inaugurate this grand plan when the entirety of the country was contending with an intense level of scarcity.

As the saying goes, “The Lord will provide.”  The Lord did, and the Lord has, and we are truly blessed to continue meaningful ministry in this place.  We are justified in celebrating what has been

and we are right to joyfully anticipate what will be.

Here we are in 2025, and while much has changed in 95 years, there are some things that remain the same… the love and grace of Christ, and the indisputable reality that this is a perfect time to be Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Glenshaw.

Thank you to all of you, your heartfelt prayerful investment in this community of faith will continue to make a difference, and we will be blessed to make a few more memories as well.  I can hardly wait!

Question for reflection: What does our congregation mean to you?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

O God,, our help in ages past, we trust that your goodness and guidance are ever-present.  And as our faithful forebears paved the way for our life in the church, we ask that you would equip us to help lay the foundation for the next generation.  In Christ’s name we pray, amen.