Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Month: December 2016

  • No One Can Name Themself a Child of God (John 1:1-14)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Nativity of Our Lord + December 25, 2016 Text: John 1:1-14 Who has the authority to make someone a child of God?   Who is a child of God, a Christian?  Who makes that declaration?   Not what family you come from, whether a Christian home or not.  This…

  • Who Is Christmas For? (Luke 2:1-20)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Christmas Eve + December 24, 2016 Text: Luke 2:1-20 What are the ideals of Christmas?  “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,” getting to spend Christmas with family, getting and giving the perfect presents, hot cocoa, sweets, and ugly sweaters. We have these dreams, but they become expectations—even demands of what…

  • Mary the Virgin Mother (Matthew 1:18-25

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday of Advent + December 18, 2016 Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Review: In the genealogy of Jesus, there are certain names which stand out.  The Holy Spirit is drawing our eyes to these five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.[1]  During the midweek services, we’ve been exploring why these…

  • Advent Midweek 3: Bathsheba the Adulteress (2 Samuel 11:1-5)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Advent Midweek 3 – December 14, 2016 Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-5 11 iIn the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 It…

  • Funeral of A. Lorraine Roosa (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

    Funeral of A. Lorraine Roosa (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Funeral of Alta “Lorraine” Roosa – December 12, 2016 Text: 2 Timothy 4:7-8   Fought the good fight – Lorraine lived a life of many struggles, yet the Lord sustained her through them all.  94 years of struggles.   It’s never easy for a child of God, an heir of eternity…

  • Joy Where Only Faith Can Find It (Matthew 11:2-15)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday of Advent + December 11, 2016 Text: Matthew 11:2-15 The theme for this Sunday is JOY – Historically the first word heard was “Gaudete!” (Latin for Rejoice) – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)   But in the Gospel we have a…

  • Advent Midweek 2: Ruth the Moabite (Ruth 1:6-17)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Advent 2 Midweek – December 7, 2016 Text: Ruth 1:6-17 Ruth was a woman without an earthly family.  Sin and its effects had caused her to lose her husband and she also lost her home and inheritance.   With Naomi she found a family. Yet with Naomi’s God she found…

  • Prepare Your Hearts for a Real Savior (Matthew 3:1-12)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday in Advent + December 4, 2016 Text: Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist’s appearance is jarring.  There’s no getting comfortable around a man who wears camel fur and eats nothing but bugs and honey.  John is not someone you would want at your holiday party.   There’s also no…