Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Author: Bethlehem Lutheran

  • Fourth Sunday in Advent (Rorate Coeli)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15–19 | Philippians 4:4–7 | John 1:19-28 Text: John 1:19-28 There is something diabolical in us that fears that John the Baptist will ruin Christmas. He disrupts things. John is not here to help you have fun. Rather, he is trying to help you prepare for the Last Day and the Lord’s return.…

  • Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Isaiah 40:1–11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 | Matthew 11:2–11 Text: Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist (whose birth we have been hearing of during our midweek services) winds up in prison some time after Jesus began His ministry at the Jordan River.  Yet, even while in prison, John still has his loyal disciples.  No doubt…

  • Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Malachi 4:1–6 | Romans 15:4–13 | Luke 21:25–36 Text: Luke 21:25-36 “Encouragement and Instruction for the Last Days” Talk of the end of the world again?  Didn’t we just have that less than a month ago?  This topic can leave us weary (possibly) disappointed that the end has not yet come.  Isn’t this what…

  • First Sunday in Advent (Ad te levavi)

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Jeremiah 23:5–8 | Romans 13:11–14 | Matthew 21:1–9 Text: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Romans 13:11-14 The Lord promises three things through the Prophet here: Salvation, security, and righteousness.  We know salvation most of the time from the lack of it.  Nobody asks to be saved from good days, joys, and pleasures.  Instead, people cry out to…

  • Last Sunday of the Church Year

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Isaiah 51:4–6 | Jude 20–25 | Mark 13:24–37 Text: Mark 13:14-37 “Watching in between the Shadows of the Cross of the Last Day” What do we do with this information about the end of the world? We heard our Lord say last week to be on our guard and to expect many and great…

  • Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Daniel 12:1–3 | Hebrews 10:11–25 | Mark 13:1–13 Text: Mark 13:1-13 About 30 years ago, the pop group R.E.M. popularized the phrase, “It’s the end of the world as we know it; and I feel fine.”  At the time, they were reacting to political movements and the end of the Cold War.  From their…

  • All Saints Sunday

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Revelations 7:2-17 | 1 John 3:1–3 | Matthew 5:1–12 Text: 1 John 3:1-3 St. Paul writes to us, “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)  While…

  • The Festival of the Reformation

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    The word of the Lord endures forever. ~1 Peter 1:25

  • Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Jeremiah 31:7–9 | Hebrews 7:23–28 | Mark 10:46-52 Text: Mark 10:46-52 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  The Gospel last week ended with this ominous statement from Jesus.  While thinking about the rich young man who refused to benefit the poor with his wealth, we might hear it…

  • Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

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    Bethlehem Lutheran
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    Readings: Ecclesiastes 5:10–20 | Hebrews 4:1–13 | Mark 10:23–31 Text: Mark 10:23-31 Covering points from Formula of Concord – Article II on Free Will Last week, we heard the rich man go away from Jesus disheartened by His invitation, “Follow me.”  It was quite sad, and actually remarkable that this is the only time in…