Bethel Banner – March 2014
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – March 2014 In this issue: 1) Lent worship schedule and topic 2) What is a “Wordle”? 3) Using Bethel’s facility as a “Kingdom Resource”!
God’s Kindness
Before the world began, God planned to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save us from our sin so that we can be His children. Our sin does not surprise God at all. He is not shocked when we fail, because He knew we would sin and His Son would … Read more
The Gospel of Matthew — A “Wordle”
What is that collage of words just outside the youth room? When did that get there? What does it mean? Last fall the youth from our church and others took time during the EPIC Lock-In to paint a mural on the wall outside of the youth room. They wanted to paint a mural for the … Read more
Bethel Banner – February 2014
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – February 2014 In this issue: 1. Bethel’s Living Nativity pictures 2. Valentine’s Dinner on February 21 3. LAMP Mission trip to Cat Lake Ontario
At the Beginning of Each Day
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not once for all, but a continuous reality every day of our lives. Personally I find it very helpful to begin each day by committing it to my God, even before I get up from bed, thanking God that I belong to Him and that He knows what … Read more
Celebrate the Lord – Colossians 3
Here at Bethel we believe that God has given us all a WaterLife. The idea is simple: through your baptism, God has given you a new life in Him that is marked by grace and forgiveness. We are freed to serve God with our life and resources! Part of that WaterLife is to be involved … Read more
Bringing them to Baptism
There are few things that get me more excited than a baptism. Seriously, it’s thrilling. I find it especially exciting when I get to perform the baptism, but just witnessing someone’s new birth in the Triune name of God does it for me too. It’s such a deep reaction. It must be the Holy Spirit … Read more
Regarding my Call
Dear Members of Bethel Lutheran Church, As you know, on December 29, 2013 Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, MN called me to be their Senior Pastor. Over the last three weeks my family and I have sought God’s guidance in choosing whether to remain at Bethel in St. Paul or to accept the call to … Read more
Deliberating a Call
Dear Members of Bethel Lutheran Church, In our church body, congregations looking for a pastor can choose to have a pastor assigned from one of our seminaries or consider “calling” a pastor who is serving another congregation. This process is facilitated by our District who helps congregations to find qualified pastors who best fit the … Read more
“Jesus’ Baptism IS our Baptism”
In Jesus’ great commission, he tells his disciples to be “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:20). So, over the last year, we have paid close attention to Jesus’ commands in Matthew so that we can be disciples who make disciples. It’s amazing how Jesus teaches us everything we need to … Read more