Carrie’s Chapel at Bethesda features beautiful stained-glass windows and original artwork.
At Bethesda, spiritual care is an important part of the care we provide, as we strive to enrich all aspects of life for those we serve, including body, mind and spirit. The Mission of Chaplaincy, through Christian faith, is to foster hope and integrity in residents, tenants and staff by attention to Word, sacrament and visitation in partnership with staff, families and parishes.
Bethesda employs two non-denominational, pastoral care chaplains, Pastor Mary Hovland and Pastor Bill Miller, who are trained, certified, and called by the church for work in a long-term care setting. The chaplains work in partnership with our residents and tenants, and their families and parish.
Pastoral ministry at Bethesda
While the chaplains’ ministry work has changed during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, they continue to offer spiritual care to residents, tenants and staff. To read about the role our chaplains serve in the overall healthcare Bethesda provides, click here.
Virtual Sunday worship
Pastor Mary and Pastor Bill record a weekly worship service in Carrie’s Chapel at Bethesda Grand that is shown at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on Bethesda’s Facebook page and shared on Bethesda’s public YouTube channel for the community to view. The worship service and other spiritual care videos are shown on Channel 900 for Bethesda residents to watch on their own TV. Each pastor preaches two times a month, sharing God’s Word through scripture readings and song.
Click on a date below, to watch a worship service:
- Worship service: Jan. 17, 2021
- Worship service: Jan. 10, 2021
Pastor’s Corner: Bible study and music
During Pastor’s Corner, our two pastors spend time delving deeper into God’s Word. Each pastor shares a Pastor’s Corner twice a month, expanding on the reading and gospel from the Sunday prior. These videos, which include prayer, scripture readings, reflection, and hymn singing, are about 30 minutes. The Pastor’s Corner videos are shown on Channel 900 for Bethesda residents/tenants to watch on their own TV. All Pastor’s Corners are posted publicly on Bethesda’s YouTube channel for everyone to enjoy.
Click on a date below, to watch Pastor’s Corner:
- Pastor Bill: Jan. 18, 2021
- Pastor Mary: Jan. 11, 2021
Hymns of Bethesda
Music is an important and integral part of ministry and worship. Many residents, tenants and their family members enjoy singing hymns, whether it’s new ones they haven’t heard or old favorites that they love. Pastor Bill has recorded 20 packets of hymns from Bethesda’s hymnal. In addition, Pastor Bill and Pastor Mary recorded six packets of Christmas hymns* (#21-26). Listen to, watch, and sing along with each collection of hymns by clicking on a link below:
Holy Humor
If you need a pick-me-up for the day or if you haven’t heard a good Ole and Lena joke in a while, Pastor Bill shares funny (clean) jokes and amusing stories titled, Holy Humor. Each video is about 10 minutes. Click on a link below to watch the video on our YouTube channel, and chuckle along with Pastor Bill, who demonstrates that laughter is good for the soul. Proverbs 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine.”
Pastoral care and office hours
Our chaplains stay in touch with residents and tenants, and they provide spiritual care to all those who seek it.
- Both Pastor Mary and Pastor Bill continue to visit with residents and tenants, and lead them in prayer and Bible studies in our different neighborhoods and buildings.
- Bethesda distributes “Our Daily Bread” devotional books to each resident who desires one.
- For pastoral information or assistance, please contact our chaplains by email at chaplains@bethesdawillmar.com, or by telephone at (320) 214-5671.
Bethesda is a social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, affiliated through Lutheran Services in America and encourages individuals from all faiths and denominations to be a part of our center. Bethesda is supported by an ecumenical group of 25 area churches including Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Presbyterian and Methodist. To learn more, visit our Member Churches page.
Contact us for more information
