Category: Sermons
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Who Is Christmas For? (Luke 2:1-20)
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…
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Mary the Virgin Mother (Matthew 1:18-25
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…
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Advent Midweek 3: Bathsheba the Adulteress (2 Samuel 11:1-5)
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…
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Funeral of A. Lorraine Roosa (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
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…
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Joy Where Only Faith Can Find It (Matthew 11:2-15)
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…
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Prepare Your Hearts for a Real Savior (Matthew 3:1-12)
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…
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Advent Midweek 1: Rahab the Harlot (Joshua 2:1-11)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Advent Midweek 1 – November 30, 2016 Text: Joshua 2:1-11 Rahab had the faith to recognize “God in the heavens above” She saw which nation the Lord was with, and threw her lot in with them. She confessed her faith by asking for protection when Israel invaded Jericho. She…
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Blessed is Our King Who Comes! (Matthew 21:1-11)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR First Sunday in Advent + November 27, 2016 Text: Matthew 21:1-11 Advent is all about the coming of our Lord. He came in the flesh, just as was promised. He comes again in great glory, just as was promised. When He enters into Jerusalem, He shows us what sort…
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Thanking God for His Blessings in Christ (Psalm 67)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Thanksgiving Eve – November 23, 2016 Text: Psalm 67 “God bless you!” “I feel truly blessed.” “God has blessed them with children.” You hear phrases like this all the time from people. But think about what is being said. We say “God bless you” when someone sneezes, wishing them…
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Watching and Waiting for the Lord (Luke 21:29-36)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR 26th Sunday after Pentecost + November 13, 2016 Text: Luke 21:29-36 Trying to stay awake is hard sometimes. Parents of newborns know what it’s like to have to run on fumes, not getting the sleep they need but still needing to press on with daily life. Sometimes they’re caught…