LGBTQI+ Friendly Easter Service 2023
Sunday, April 9 at 10:00 AM
Progressive Christian churches celebrate Easter to remember the resurrection of Jesus and its meaning for us today.
At Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ, we welcome people of all ages, races, religions, sexes, genders, preferences, expressions, and sexual orientations to celebrate Holy Week with us!
Gay Friendly Easter Service Sunday, April 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM
LGBTQI+ Affirming Easter Service 2023
The resurrection of Jesus was a shocking claim. Today, the claims of progressive Christian churches have their own shock value. The majority of Christian churches in America do not allow practicing homosexuals to be members, leaders, or staff. But at Bethel, we believe such practices are discriminatory and immoral. A shocking claim, indeed!
We welcome you, no matter where you are on life's journey, to celebrate Easter in a loving environment where you will be accepted and affirmed. Join us Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM.
A Progressive Church Near Me?
We're convenient to Portland's west side, right in the heart of downtown Beaverton, just south of the Beaverton City Library at the corner of 6th and Watson Avenue.
Bethel Congregational United Church of Christ
5150 SW Watson Avenue
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 646-1191
Holy Week 2023
Palm Sunday Service
April 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Holy Week begins with worship Palm Sunday. There is the opportunity to worship in-person with masks and singing as well as the opportunity to worship from home via Zoom and Facebook.
If you choose to worship in-person, as you enter the church, you will pick up palms to wave from your seat during the processional.
Worship will conclude with the building of the cross (made from the trunks of our Christmas trees). The service will end in silence.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM
The Maundy Thursday worship service draws its purpose and themes from historical events that our Christian tradition believed happened on the Thursday before Easter. It is a reenactment of the Last Supper. “Maundy” is the English form of the Latin word meaning commandment. Jesus’ new commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you,” is the focus of Maundy Thursday.
Our celebration of Maundy Thursday includes the Office of Tenebrae, which means "shadows."
The Office of Tenebrae re-enacts, through readings from the gospels, Jesus' struggle with the impending reality of his death, the flight of the disciples, the crucifixion, and burial in the tomb. With each reading from Scripture, candles are extinguished, and the lights in the sanctuary are dimmed until all is in darkness. We leave the sanctuary in silence.
This service will be offered on Zoom and Facebook for those who would like to participate from home. If you are participating from home, we encourage you to have a candle with you to use during the service.
Good Friday Quiet Prayer
April 7, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Join us for a time of quiet prayer in Bethel’s chapel.
Easter Sunday Service
April 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM
This all-generational hybrid worship will celebrate Christ’s resurrection with special music, prayers and liturgy. Our sanctuary will be flooded with color from flowers given in honor or memory of loved ones. An invitation to sing Handel’s Halleluiah Chorus will conclude worship. You can join via Zoom or on Facebook. And be sure to join us after our Easter Morning Celebration for an Easter Egg Hunt for children of all ages.