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Resurrection Life Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25–26 This passage summarizes the essence and power of the Gospel. Through Christ, we have the promise of the resurrection and eternal life. Through Christ, we have the assurance that our life with God will live beyond our physical demise. I have shared this powerful promise countless times at funeral and memorial services over the years and I have always found it moving and reassuring. This passage taken in its context, also demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and love for those who have lost a loved one. Jesus’ compassion and presence can be just as important for us to remember as the promise of eternal life. Join us Sunday as we recount the story of Lazarus and the promise of resurrection. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Eyes Open As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:1–2 The Bible is filled with blessings and curses. Frequently, Biblical writers and characters attribute their life circumstances to whether they are blessed or cursed in God’s eyes. Those who spoke with Jesus about the blind man in John 9, presume someone’s sin was responsible for the man’s blindness. Jesus challenges this assumption and not only brings sight to the man, but allows us all to see a different way God interacts with the world. Join us Sunday for an eye opening experience! Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

At Well Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10 When Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, they have a life changing conversation. Jesus shares with her the good news of what God is doing through the life and ministry of Jesus. He came so that a world thirsting for meaning, purpose, and salvation would find an endless wellspring of living water. Jesus abundantly provides for our basic and eternal needs, from which the supply is endless. Join us Sunday as we consider our own hunger and thirst than can be fully satisfied by Jesus. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

For the World Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” John 3:1–3 Jesus’ teachings and ministry were confounding for most people. Even the disciples often misunderstood Jesus, so it is no surprise that Nicodemus struggles to understand what Jesus meant by “being born from above.” Jesus was the Messiah, the full revelation of God, the Word made flesh that lived among us. Sometimes we struggle in our faith because we want to understand God, Sunday’s gospel reminds us that is more important for God to understand us and the world, “For God so loved the world he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes…” Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Testing Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. Matthew 4:1-2 Matthew 4:1–2 The first Sunday of Lent always features the story of Jesus’ temptation. For 40 days, Jesus is tempted, or tested, by Satan who seeks to entice him with the offer of human power. What is interesting is the Jesus was led by the Spirit into this time of testing. He needed this time in the wilderness to grow in his capacity to withstand the testings of Satan. In so doing, Jesus emerges spiritually powerful and confident to carry out his mission and ministry. Join us Sunday as we continue our journey of Lent and consider the spiritual tests in our lives. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Ash Wednesday Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Transfiguration Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Matthew 17:1–2 There are many stories in the gospels that demonstrate the humanity of Jesus, the story of the Transfiguration, not so much. Mountaintops are often the spaces where people encounter the divine in scripture, so this story has all the elements of a “God moment” for the disciples. Peter, James, and John were able to witness Jesus’ transfiguration in order to bolster their faith and empower their witness once they came down from the mountain. Join us Sunday as we consider the mountaintop moments that change our lives. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Called to God's Standard “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21–22 This Sunday we complete our sermon series “Called to Be” with another look at the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus offers a strict interpretation of the commandments which requires more than refraining from a negative action, but rather active steps that demonstrate love of neighbor. The above passage is simply the first of several teachings which gets to the nature of human conflict and offers a moral vision for what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Join us Sunday as we consider what this means for us. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Called to Shine In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 Last week we heard, in the Sermon on the Mount, who Jesus called blessed: the poor, the meek, the peacemakers. This week, Jesus offers a mission statement for the church: let your light shine! In a dark world we have the ability to bring light and love and in so doing, we point others to the glory of God. What an awesome invitation and responsibility! Join us Sunday as we consider some concrete ways to let our light shine. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Called Blessed When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:1–3 The Beatitudes of Jesus reveal what the kingdom of God will be like. Those who are poor, mourning, and reviled will be blessed or happy. Those who work for peace, strive for faith, and show mercy will be blessed. To a large extent this is a reversal of the world we live in. Too often those in poverty are ignored. Those who show mercy are considered weak and peacemaking seems an impossible task. Jesus declares the most vulnerable, hurting, and hated blessed. This is God’s good news for the world. Join us Sunday as we consider the implications of God’s kingdom reality for our lives. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Called to Follow As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18–20 It always amazes me how the disciples immediately left their lives to follow Jesus. They left their jobs, their communities, their families, and any sense of control of their lives. They placed their complete trust in Jesus and committed their lives to following him. What would it take for us to completely trust Jesus and follow? How would our lives be different if we simply trusted a bit more? Join us Sunday as we consider our call to follow Jesus. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Called to Faith God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9 This Sunday we will begin a 5-week sermon series entitled “Called by God.” Each week we will explore a different aspect through the appointed readings of the lectionary. Our first week focuses being called to faith. We might think of faith as something we do, but we can also think of faith as something God does within us through the Holy Spirit. On my own, I may struggle with my faith but since God is at work in my life my faith grows. See you Sunday! Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Baptism of Our Lord And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16–17 Sunday’s gospel text depicts the baptism of Jesus by John. Jesus’ baptism becomes the springboard for his public ministry after which he will call disciples, heal people, teach, and reveal God’s glory. Jesus’ baptism provides a model of faith for us. In baptism, we too are called children of God. In baptism, we too are called to live out our faith. In baptism, we too are given new life. Join us Sunday as we consider the power of baptism! Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Name of Jesus Message delivered by Chris Christensen.

God in Flesh In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people… And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:1–4,14 On Sunday we will hear John’s version of the Christmas story. Rather than angels, shepherds, and a new born, John’s gospel features the Word made flesh. Jesus was God incarnate, present before time began and an integral part of the creation story. Join us Sunday as we consider what the eternal Word means for us today. We will also sing some well known Christmas songs we did not sing on Christmas Eve. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Born for Us In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8–12 On Christmas Eve we will hear the familiar story of Jesus’ birth, sing songs we know by heart, and light our candles in the dark. There is something deeply comforting about the traditions of Christmas. Yet, the story of Jesus’ birth still amazes me. God chose to enter into the world in the most humble way and God chose lowly shepherds to be witnesses. This sends a powerful message about who God is and what God values. Join us at either 5pm or 9pm as we worship and celebrate! Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Go Be In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 As we conclude our sermon series in the season of Advent, we have articulated different visions for our faith life. Come See, focuses on being an invitational church. Come Be, creates the space for people to rest and be accepted as they are. Go See encourages us to look for God’s work in the world. Go Be provides the encouragement and nudge to be a light in an often dark world. Sometimes we are the instrument of God’s handiwork. We all have a gifts and all have a role to play in building up the Kingdom of God. We are God’s plan “A” and there is no plan “B.” Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Go See Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 With eyes of faith we can see God’s work all around us. Sometimes we may miss the everyday evidence of love, kindness, and mercy that occurs because we get caught up in our busyness. But if we take a moment and “Go see” what God is up to in the world we will be encouraged and uplifted. Join us Sunday for more! Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Come Be Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Life is hard and sometimes what is most needed is a break from it all. When we gather for worship we enter a space we call the sanctuary. This word connotes a sacred space for worship, but also means a safe place. We need sanctuary in our life, where we can be accepted and feel safe. Jesus invites us into relationship where we can hand our burdens over and be ourselves. Join us Sunday as we consider this for ourselves and for Bethel’s future. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Come See Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:46 In Advent, we have a sermon series focusing on the scriptural themes from the capital campaign. “Come See” is the invitation Philip shared with Nathanael to meet Jesus. Come See for yourself who this Jesus is and the difference he can make for your life. Come See also offers us the opportunity to invite people to Bethel as we Do Life Together. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.