The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.... Matthew 13:31-32
THEN
On July 27, 1887, a small group of Swedish pioneers to Templeton began worshiping in the living room of a local house. Amid small hotels, general stores, blacksmiths, and saloons, Bethel Lutheran Church was born. Not long afterward, ground broke for the sanctuary. The railroad would bring more intrepid settlers to the end of the line where in three short years, the building was completed. With bricks made from Salinas River mud, the altar and pulpit carved from redwood, a massive bell ringing for the neighborhood to this day, Bethel has gathered the faithful for over 130 years. Under the shade of heritage oaks, it has sheltered the joys and sorrows, the struggles and the wisdom of generations.
NOW
Over its history on the Central Coast, Bethel has weathered economic crises, war rations, Spanish influenza, social unrest, earthquakes, and drought. The resilience of the people and their reliance upon the God of grace has nurtured not just the people here, but all those connected to us. Today, the church thrives with the many gifts of its people. We are the best of small church: vibrant, inter-generational, alive.
We look to prayer, a fresh hearing of God's Word, and the sharing of our Lord's presence at the Table....all to sustain our communal life together. We both cherish our heritage and transform for the future by the joy of our service.
Photo Credits: Missy Schwartz and Reverend Amy Beveridge