It seems to me we travel through life generally seeking our own self-interests. When we consider what kind of impression we want to leave with people, we naturally want to leave a positive impression of ourselves. Now, that’s not all bad. Nobody wants to spend time with someone who leaves them with a bad impression … Read more
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – March 2013 In this issue: 1. Holy Week Worship 2. Feed My Starving Children 3. Leadership Team Positions open for nomination
Have you ever wondered what the big deal is about the name of God? It’s everywhere, but what does it mean? At the beginning of our worship we invoke the name of the Triune God. We baptize in the Triune name of God. Christians bear the name of God and praise the name of God. … Read more
News at Bethel! Bethel Banner – February 2013 In this issue: 1. Urban Plunge 2. Lenten Worship at Bethel 3. Bible Bowl
Two of my favorite parables recorded in the Bible are the parable “A Treasure Hidden in a Field” and “The Pearl of Great Price”. They are the shortest parables we have and contain a simple message. In each parable, someone finds something of great value. They go away and sell everything they have to obtain … Read more
Have you ever read Luther’s Large Catechism? Many of us are familiar with Luther’s Small Catechism from our time in confirmation, but what is the Large Catechism? The Large Catechism is a collection of sermons that Luther preached expounding on the catechism. It was published to aid teachers and parents in sharing the faith with … Read more
At some point in our lives, we must all decide if we are going to conform to the world’s expectations for our lives or rebel against them. For many of us this decision comes in high school. We are met with so many decisions on every level of who we are. Will I accept what … Read more
Lately I’ve been reading a book entitled Greek for the Rest of Us. It’s a book that teaches a person to utilize the vast amounts of Greek bible study tools without actually learning to translate Greek. In the opening chapters of the book, the author explains why we have different translations and the pros and … Read more
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 One of my responsibilities here at Bethel is to … Read more
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at … Read more