About Our Church
Bethlehem Lutheran Church was founded by Finnish immigrants in 1896.
The congregation has been at its current site for nearly 50 years.
Today we are one of the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
About Pastor Gary Erickson
A graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, Pastor Erickson has served churches in Ohio and Illinois before coming to Bethlehem.
Pastor Erickson's background includes participation with the Lutheran Chapliancy Service, the Lutheran Family Mission, the Education Committee of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Illinois Statewide HIV/AIDS Education Network, and the Social Ministry Committee of the Northern Illinois Synod. He served as secretary of the Northern Illinois Synod from 2002 until 2010. Currently Pr. Erickson serves the Northern Illinois Synod as Companion Parish Coordinator, assisting the synod with international relationships in Tanzania and India.
Pastor Gary and his wife Pat have 2 adult daughters - Emily and Charlotte, and have happily become grandparents in late August with the arrival of a granddaughter.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church was founded by Finnish immigrants in 1896.
The congregation has been at its current site for nearly 50 years.
Today we are one of the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
About Pastor Gary Erickson
A graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, Pastor Erickson has served churches in Ohio and Illinois before coming to Bethlehem.
Pastor Erickson's background includes participation with the Lutheran Chapliancy Service, the Lutheran Family Mission, the Education Committee of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Illinois Statewide HIV/AIDS Education Network, and the Social Ministry Committee of the Northern Illinois Synod. He served as secretary of the Northern Illinois Synod from 2002 until 2010. Currently Pr. Erickson serves the Northern Illinois Synod as Companion Parish Coordinator, assisting the synod with international relationships in Tanzania and India.
Pastor Gary and his wife Pat have 2 adult daughters - Emily and Charlotte, and have happily become grandparents in late August with the arrival of a granddaughter.
Pastor Gary Erickson was guest preacher in the Kilpennathur Pastorate of the Arcot Lutheran Church, India. July 31, 2011