you are welcome and beloved here.

Welcome to Bethany! Our community life is anchored in worship, strengthened by educational and fellowship activities, and expressed through ministries of love within and beyond the congregation. The Good News about Jesus is at the center of who we are and what we do and it inspires us to care for others and the world God has made. We strive to be Denver's congregation that fosters Christ-based relationships that transform individuals and communities.

Who We Are

We are a Lutheran congregation that serves, loves, and cares for our community as a means of imparting God's kingdom on Earth and sharing in the salvation and eternal life bought for us by Christ's precious blood.

What We Do

As a community, we worship (of course), pray, rejoice, mourn, hike, play games, grow, learn, laugh, do yoga, create, and much, much more.
Calendars
Bethany Arts & Events
Bethany Events
Worship
Faith Formation
Hospitality
Outreach
Other Events
Bethany Concerts Only

What's Different

Maybe change this one to something else... we are not particularly 'different'
Bethany was founded in 1908 when Denver was only 50 years old - we were the second Augustana Synod congregation established in Denver. Rev. Dr. Robert P. Acsell was called to be the first pastor of the church then known as “The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethany Church.” The first building was located at 32nd & Gilpin St. As the church membership started moving out of downtown Denver, a new location was purchased at our present site on Hampden Ave. Before an architect could be selected or building begun, the old church and parsonage was purchased so Bethany was a “church in exile” and worshipped in a school near Wellshire Golf Course until the new building was ready in 1958. Along the way, the Augustana Synod morphed into the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) which then later morphed into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In 1984, the Sanctuary was totally destroyed in a suspected electrical fire. Once again Bethany was a “church in exile”, and  worshipped at the Denver South Seventh Day Adventist Church near Porter Hospital until our current building was completed and opened in 1987. There are copies of a more detailed book about Bethany’s history, written by Rev. Carl Hansen, available in the church office if you’re interested in learning more!

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The Starburst

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MEET OUR STAFF

Gary Sandberg

Lead Pastor

Debra Uppendahl-Alba

Deacon

Nate Preisinger

Pastor

Janet Mortinsen

Director of Pastoral Care

Rick Seaton

Organist & Director of Music

Paula Wills

Sounds of Praise Director

Zach Rodasti

Cherub Choir Director

Kirk Schjodt

Chancel Choir Director

Nolan Oltjenbruns

Carillons Handbells Director

Matthew Eschliman

Assistant Chancel Choir Director

Laura Tribby

Children's Choir Director

Barbara Seaton

Bethany Arts & Events

Alex Rodasti

Children's / Youth Handbells Director

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

John Storm

Head of Product

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

John Storm

John Storm

Head of Product
Head of Product

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

John Storm

Head of Product

Ben Grimm

Token Hipster

MEET OUR ELECTED LEADERSHIP

Gary Sandberg

Lead Pastor

Debra Uppendahl-Alba

Deacon

Nate Preisinger

Pastor

Janet Mortinsen

Director of Pastoral Care

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

John Storm

Head of Product

John Storm

Head of Product

Ben Grimm

Token Hipster

Ben Grimm

Token Hipster

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Reed Richards

Founder & CEO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

Sue Richards

Co-Founder & CFO

John Storm

Head of Product

John Storm

Head of Product

Ben Grimm

Token Hipster

Ben Grimm

Token Hipster

Plan your visit!

We offer traditional worship on Sundays at 8:30 AM, and a more modern service Sundays at 10:00 AM that includes a separate Children's Worship during the sermon. Feel free to come to either service, and you will be received with open arms! Please stop by the Newcomer Nook before or after worship so we can meet and give you a welcoming gift. See you soon!