When the Gospel says that the Word has become flesh, what is the promise of that for us? How does that reality also give our lives purpose?
Listen to Pastor Nate’s full sermon from June 14 by clicking the sermon tab above.
What is God revealing to us about being Church right now? What does God want you to discover about your life of faith?
Check out the “Sermon” tab above to listen to Pastor Gary’s full sermon for June 21.
“You Cannot Take my Cross” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
The world as we know
it is changing. Statues are being taken down, fight songs changed, traditions
scrapped, and mascot names abolished. And whether we are doing these things for
the right or wrong reasons, the world we currently live in will look much
different over the next few years.
As I watch the media
flood our lives with news of racial tension, violence, political agendas, and
dark history, it becomes apparent that many things from the past were
detrimental. Some were rooted in inequality, some were formed by pushing down
others, and some just do not make sense in today’s world. But no matter how
each of us has been shaped by the past, no matter what our personal beliefs
are, and no matter if we want to see some of these things change or not, it is
going to happen.
So, where can we find
stability in a changing world? Where can we find comfort when we find out
something we loved was based on hate, inequality, and prejudice? And where can
we turn when we feel like the life we once knew has perished right before our
eyes?
My friends, there is
one tradition I promise you can hold on to. There is one icon I am proud to
uphold. And there is one representation I will not allow anyone to take from
me. There is a structure that has endured every test, weathered every storm,
and overcome every obstacle. And when I think about this rare artifact, rooted
in nothing more than love, I am overjoyed by the mere sight of it.
This would be the
cross. Yes, I understand that there was plenty of hatred, bigotry, and violence
associated with the cross, but when you think of the man that was crucified on
it, there is no denying it’s significance in today’s world. You see, Jesus did
not care what color your skin was. He did not care if you were male or female.
He did not care if your family was poor or wealthy. And he did not care if you
believed in his word or followed his dreams. He had a mission, and that mission
was nothing more than to love everybody as his own, forgive all their sins, and
ultimately pay the price to save us all. That cross stands tall, symbolizes His
love for this world, and is based on principles we can be proud of.
Two rugged pieces of
wood. A man who loved His people so much He was willing to sacrifice
everything. And a belief that erased all divisions, squashed hate, and provided
equality. This is the cross I believe in. This is the cross that will always
have people who hate it, but is not entrenched in inequalities, political
agendas, or greed. A symbol I can pick up, be proud of, and share with others.
And a story so iconic, that I choose to follow whatever Christ asks me to do.
So, if you see tears
in my eyes when I see that cross, understand that they encompass love,
sacrifice, and grace. Understand that this is a symbol we can share with others
in these dark times. And as we watch our traditions crumble before us, as we
watch our statues get taken down, and as we watch our world change before our
eyes, remember the cross and the promises it has for our lives.
I will share my cross.
I will let my light shine through caring conversations, generosity, and
writing. And I will never be ashamed of this powerful symbol representing hope,
faith, sacrifice, and love. You can take away the traditions I grew up with,
you can question my personal beliefs and feelings, and you can disagree with my
view on this world, but there is one thing you cannot, and will not, ever take
away from me. You cannot take my cross!
The Evangelical Lutheran Worship book is not just a hymnal but also a beautiful prayer book. Every Monday for the week’s moving forward, Pastor Nate will be posting an image like the one above with a quote from one of our great church hymns. You are invited to use these posts as an opening to prayer– connect with God through these poetic expressions of worship and prayer.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Our journey through the liturgical seasons continues. This week it’s the season of Easter and we will be looking at the Jesus Storybook Bible’s story “A New Way to See”
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
“The Soil of Doubt” by Pastor Nate
“The Soil of Doubt” by Pastor Nate
I had a friend ask me the other day to recommend some inspiring and encouraging Bible passages for a friend of theirs who is in a difficult place of doubt and questioning.
As I combed through my Bible, looking over the many underlined verses, I came across a few that spoke about doubt in some ways but nothing seemed to quite fit the situation.
But in the process of searching, I realized something – isn’t the entire message of Jesus about how God not only overcomes our doubts but also turns them into something beautiful? Let me explain…
The disciples were a rag-tag bunch of tax collectors and fisherman who probably doubted that their lives would ever amount to anything. And yet they were an integral part of God’s mission.
Originally, the Apostle Paul so vigorously doubted the Christian message that he persecuted anyone who believed it. And yet God used him to start churches throughout the world.
During Jesus’ years of ministry he encountered and healed those who were sick or hungry or outcast– all people who doubted that their life could ever be changed.
And then, through the death and resurrection of Jesus’ we hear a clear message from God: that we should never have a reason to doubt God’s love for humankind.
“Doubt is not the opposite of faith but rather an aspect of it.” – Paul Tillich
One of my favorite quotes comes from the famous theologian Paul Tillich who once wrote, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith but rather an aspect of it.” In our world where we strive to know and prove everything without “a shadow of a doubt”, the religious concept of faith can become blurred. We seem to forget that the very word “faith” implies that we are believing without full confidence– that we are putting our faith in something not fully known. If we had absolutely no doubts then what would we take on faith?
As troubling as our doubts can be, there is hope, because God has always worked with individuals who doubt and so that means God will surely work with our doubts as well. In fact, I believe that we should stop seeing our doubts as a way we have fallen short, but rather see them as an indication of where God will work in us next.
After all, it’s within our doubts that God plants the seeds of faith. As Paul Tillich also said, “The old faith must die, eaten away by doubts, but only so that a new and deeper faith may be born.”
May we learn to live with the tension of faith and doubt, and rejoice on the day when Jesus creates something even more beautiful from the soil of our doubts. Amen.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Sermon June 21, 2020 – Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary’s full sermon for June 21,2020 based on Jeremiah 31:7-9 and Luke 4:31-37
What does God want us to discover about our life of faith? What new insights is God revealing to us during these difficult times?
(Source: https://player.vimeo.com/)
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
“Fingerprints of God” by Justin March
Justin March leads the Bethany Lutheran Church Men’s Ministry and sends a weekly email message to the Men’s group every week. Justin has generously permitted us to post his weekly reflections here.
God’s fingerprints
were everywhere! As I reflect on the vacation my family and I took last week,
these four words keep running through my mind. Four words that sound simple,
maybe even obvious, but four words that remind me how forgiving, gracious, and
loving God truly is.
God’s fingerprints
were in the waters. As we rafted down the Yellowstone River, I was reminded
that although the waters can be rough, if we trust in one another, work
together, and have faith, we will arrive safely to our destination. As we stood
on the shores of His beautiful lakes, I was reminded that when we slow down, we
will find peace and tranquility. As we sat in the hot springs, I was reminded
that my impurities needed to be let out, the toxins emptied, and the pores
opened so that new waters could enter and rejuvenate my spirit. And as the
waterfalls took our breath away, I was reminded of my baptism and how the
waters God has created will pour over me and wash away the sins the world has
covered me in.
God’s fingerprints
were in the geysers. Sometimes these geysers were hot, bubbling with water or
mud, and even exploding when the pressure became too much to subside. But
sometimes the geysers were calm, and you could see the brilliant colors in the
pools they created and the beauty they left for all to see. As we visited all
these amazing wonders in Yellowstone, I was reminded that God created them to
be unique, just as he created us. He understands that sometimes we will be
angry, and the pressures of life will make us explode, but there will also be
moments where we will be calm, and the brilliance of our light will be shared
with others.
God’s fingerprints
were in the mountains. Some were rocky, some were lush, some were large, and
some were small. Some were brown, some were black, some were red, and some were
purple. But no matter how different each mountain was, they all were beautiful,
and I was reminded that God created us in many different shapes, sizes, and
colors. And no matter how different each one of us is, His creation makes us
all beautiful, and we need to learn to accept one another, forgive one another,
and love one another as much as He loves all of us.
God’s fingerprints
were in the animals. As we traveled through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons,
this was the first time I had encountered so much wildlife living together.
Uncaged, free to roam, and living in harmony. It reminded me that God gave us
the freewill to do the same. We are the ones who built the walls, divided the
land, and separated from one another. Maybe it is time to break down those
barriers and live in harmony once again.
God’s fingerprints
were in the people. As I met people from all over the globe, and listened to
their stories, I became educated about other cultures, engaged in other
lifestyles, and appreciative of different beliefs. I was blessed to spend time
with a loving family. We were able to slow down, form deeper bonds, and love
the ones God surrounds us with. And by the end of the trip, I understood how He
uses those around me to give me different perspectives, teach me about
sacrifice, and cherish each moment.
God’s fingerprints
were everywhere! Without the distractions of work, viruses, protests, media,
and cell phones, I was able to focus on what really mattered in life. I was
able to feel His breath, hear His words, and enjoy His creation. My friends,
there are many things in this world that keep us from God. But when we take the
time to listen, when we are open to what He wants to show us, and when we slow
down for a few moments to walk with Him, His beauty arises and blesses us like
nothing else can. Take some time this week to search for His fingerprints, and
allow yourself to be overcome by the grace and love God has in store for you!
The Evangelical Lutheran Worship book is not just a hymnal but also a beautiful prayer book. Every Monday for the week’s moving forward, Pastor Nate will be posting an image like the one above with a quote from one of our great church hymns. You are invited to use these posts as an opening to prayer– connect with God through these poetic expressions of worship and prayer.
This week we explore the season of Lent as we continue through the liturgical seasons of the church year. Our story for the children’s sermon this week is “Running Away” from the Jesus Storybook Bible.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
“Power in the Beauty” by Pastor Nate
The other day I had a friend share with me an interesting fact about Niagara Falls. Apparently, much of the water that flows down the Niagara River towards the falls is diverted. The water is directed elsewhere, away from its typical path in order to be used for electrical power.
This is always the case. Except, and this is the “interesting fact” part, during the summer months. During the summer, a far smaller amount of the water is diverted, not because we use less electrical power in the summer– if anything our air conditioners and fans cause us to use more power – but because the summer months are the peak tourism times at Niagara Falls.
Now, when my friend told me this I thought it was one of the dumber things I had ever heard. I’ve seen the Falls during January, when supposedly more water is diverted away, and believe me it is still very impressive. Why would anyone go to all the trouble (and surrender so much potential energy) by letting more water flow during tourist season?
But, before I could even make this argument to my friend, he said something that made me reconsider: “Isn’t the real power of Niagara Falls not the electricity that it can produce but it’s overwhelming beauty?”
It’s the same with much of what happens at church. As a Pastor, I put a lot of effort into creative new ideas, clever sermons, and moving worship services, but ultimately the real power of Christianity comes through the simple beauty of its message.
“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:24
The simple yet beautiful Christian message is this: Christ died for us. Through ordinary bread and wine we proclaim this beautiful truth at Communion. But we also proclaim this powerful truth in all sorts of simple ways: through water at baptism, through the words of Scripture, through the act of gathering together in community– these are simple practices that illustrate and proclaim the powerful truth of God’s love for us.
May we discover the simple, yet powerful beauty of God in our lives. Amen.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Sermon June 14, 2020 – Pastor Nate
Pastor Nate’s full sermon from June 14, 2020 based on John 1.
This is part 2 in our series on the Liturgical Seasons. This week we enter the season of Christmas and read the Christmas story as described in John’s Gospel.
When the Gospel says that the Word has become flesh, what is the promise of that for us? How does that reality also give our lives purpose?
(Source: https://player.vimeo.com/)
Affirmations have been proven to provide great emotional and psychological benefit. The Bible is filled with hundreds of powerful passages that can be read as God’s affirmation of you. Take a quiet moment to read the above passage several times. Imagine God sitting with you and speaking the words directly to you. Let this affirmation rest in your heart and mind today. Return to these words from God again and again throughout your week.
Our journey through the liturgical seasons continues as we explore the season of Epiphany. This week our children’s message includes GPS mishaps, maps, stars, and the story “King of Kings” from the Jesus Storybook Bible.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)