An Inclusive Congregation on Little Mack
Bethel Lutheran Church sits on Little Mack Avenue in St. Clair Shores, where it has anchored the same corner for more than 70 years. The surrounding neighborhoods have changed around it, but the church's self-described calling has stayed the same: to be "an inclusive community for all who are seeking a connection to Jesus Christ." That phrase runs across the church's front page, and the congregation lives it out at the door. Newcomers and longtime members, lifelong Lutherans and people walking into a church for the first time, all are welcome.
The building is easy to reach from I-94 or I-696, with two parking lots flanking the property on Frazho and Bon Heur Streets. Inside, a staff of ministry directors and a full-time pastor tend to a congregation that gathers twice each Sunday morning and stays active throughout the week with Bible studies, recovery meetings, craft circles, and community outreach.
Two Services, One Family
Bethel offers two Sunday services in the same sanctuary. At 9:00 AM a traditional service fills the room with organ accompaniment and the order of worship long associated with Lutheran congregations. At 10:30 AM a modern service takes over, with the praise band leading contemporary Christian songs that Praise Team Leader Mary Doll has been choosing and arranging since Bethel first introduced contemporary worship in 1991. Both services follow a common shape: Confession and Forgiveness, lay-read Scripture lessons, a children's sermon on most Sundays, preaching, and Holy Communion.
The first Sunday of each month is set aside as We All Worship Sunday at the 10:30 service. On those Sundays the children stay in the sanctuary for the entire service rather than heading down to Sunday School, a small change that gives kids more time learning the rhythms of worship and gives the rest of the congregation a fuller picture of itself across the pews. Each We All Worship Sunday closes with a coffee hour in the gathering space.
An Open Communion Table
Bethel practices open communion. Visitors do not need to be members of the church or Lutherans to receive the sacrament; the welcome extends to anyone who comes forward. Ushers direct each pew to the altar, where Pastor Jamey Authier offers the wafer as the body of Christ, with gluten-free wafers available on request. At the side, a communion assistant offers individual glasses of red wine or white grape juice, whichever the communicant prefers.
Where Children Belong
Children are woven into the life of the church rather than tucked away from it. On most Sundays during the 10:30 service, children ages 4 and up are dismissed after the greeting to follow their teachers downstairs to Sunday School, where lessons continue until pickup after the service. On We All Worship Sundays, the first Sunday of the month, children remain with their families for the whole service and help collect the 1st Sunday offerings. A children's sermon is offered on those Sundays.
For the youngest worshipers, busy bags hang on a rack near the sanctuary entrance. A confirmation program is also offered for 7th and 8th graders and adults who want to walk through the catechism with a small group.
A Welcome for First-Time Visitors
Bethel reserves special parking spaces for first-time guests, marked with green stars in the Frazho lot. From there the path leads past the bike racks to the main entrance, where greeters meet visitors at the door and direct them upstairs or to the elevator. Ushers hand each guest a printed program and a tan connection card that can be returned during the offering if the visitor would like a follow-up call or visit.
The atmosphere is intentionally low-key. The church encourages people to come as they are. Communion is open to all, no questions asked. After the service, the coffee hour is a chance to meet the pastors, ministry directors, and other members.
Growing in Faith Together
Adult education is woven into the rhythm of the week. Pastor Jamey leads a multi-week Bible study each season, gathering in the meeting room downstairs near the elevator. Recent studies have worked through the book of Genesis across eight Wednesday afternoon sessions. A book club meets on a Monday evening each month to discuss novels with a faith or historical bent, with recent selections including Geraldine Brooks's Caleb's Crossing.
Hands and Hearts in Service
Outside the sanctuary walls, Bethel is involved in the surrounding community in ways both large and small. Weekly Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings are hosted in the church gym near the Bon Heur parking lot entrance. AA meetings gather Monday through Saturday at 10:00 AM and Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM; NA meetings are held Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM. All are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
The church no longer operates its own food pantry, but its community resources page keeps an updated list of partner locations throughout Macomb County, including the Community Food Bank of Macomb County and a downloadable map of food distribution sites. Inside the congregation, members knit prayer shawls for those in need of comfort, meet on Wednesday mornings as the Koffee Klatchers to keep the building and grounds in good repair, and gather for Craft and Chat on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month to make beaded bracelets and other projects together. A series of used book sales throughout the year raises funds and gives old paperbacks a second home.
Music That Lifts the Room
Music sits at the center of both Sunday services. Organist and pianist John Leprich provides accompaniment for the 9:00 AM traditional service and has played for churches in the area for three decades. Mary Doll leads the praise team at the 10:30 AM modern service, a role she has held since Bethel first introduced contemporary worship in 1991. Together, the two musical streams give the congregation a way to mark the liturgical year and the wider rhythms of faith.
The People Who Lead
Pastor Jamey Authier, a graduate of Michigan State University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, came to Bethel after serving Lutheran congregations in Wheeling, West Virginia, and Clinton Township and Shelby Township, Michigan. He lives in Clinton Township with his wife, Tracey Milbauer-Authier, and their three children.
The lay leadership of the church is organized around ministry boards. Cheri Bayer directs Christian Education, Jackie Damron directs Youth, Mary Zerilli directs Worship, Karen Miller directs Outreach, Diane Grignano directs Member Care, Patti Timmins directs Stewardship, and Don Harnden directs Church Properties. Mike Turala serves as Executive Director and Karen Valeck as Assistant Executive Director, with Bob Ortman as Treasurer. Marlene Pitters, who has served Bethel for 36 years, runs the church office, and Kim Heaton serves as bookkeeper.