First Time Guests

Everyone is welcome at Bethlehem! You will be warmly greeted and treated with friendliness and dignity. We do not expect you to contribute to the collection on Sundays, as you are our guest. We hope that you will find us as a joyful people trying to please the Lord.

As you enter our building, you’ll find information about us on the round table in the foyer. The auditorium has plenty of seating, and you may sit wherever you wish. When classes begin, you may stay in the auditorium class, or we can direct you and your family to others classes that are offered.

God’s invitation to be a part of His family is for all. Please come and be our guest!

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… – 1 John 3:1

What We Believe

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. How we worship, what we preach, and how we live our lives must be according to what the Bible says in order to please God. We worship every Sunday by singing praise to God, praying to God, preaching the word of God, observing the Lord’s supper, and giving as we have been blessed.

We also believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and one must obey Him in order to be saved. In the Bible, He teaches that one must hear His word, believe in Him, repent of sins, confess that He is the Son of God, and be baptized (immersed) in water to have one’s sins washed away. If we do this, the Bible says that Jesus adds us to His church. There is also the responsibility to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus for the rest of your life.

Our mission as the church is to teach others about the love of Jesus, so they may have the hope of eternal life in heaven.

History

Bethlehem is rich in history in Rutherford County. The original congregation dates back to 1879. The congregation assembled in Jordan School on the banks of Bushman’s Creek on the west side of the present highway 96.
In about 1882 the congregation built their original building out of logs that were harvested from the lot where the church was built. This location was about 200 yards north of the present church.
In 1911 the original building was remodeled. It was torn down in 1938 and a new building was erected and then occupied by July 27, of the same year.
In 1969 the congregation sold their building and land for The American Marine Company. The church relocated to its current location on 3 acres in 1969.
The original building has recently gone through renovations bringing the entire building up to date. In 2011 a new 4600 square foot pavilion was added along with additional parking.

*Excerpts from “History of Rutherford County Churches Of Christ” by Louise Wiser.