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# Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Lebanon, Oregon (LCMS)
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## Posts
- [Sermons](https://blclebanon.org/sermons/) - No posts were found.
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2026/07/05/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-4/) - Baptism of Baby Girl Grohn Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12 | Romans 7:14-25a | Matthew 11:25-30 Text: Matthew 11:25-30 The question is sometimes asked: What’s the difference between Israel of old and the Christian Church? More to the point, what happened to Israel and all the things God promised them? After all, God made a promise to
- [Fifth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2026/06/28/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-2/) - Readings: Jeremiah 28:5-9 | Romans 7:1-13 | Matthew 10:34-42 Text: Matthew 10:34-42 Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that He brings three things to those who follow Him: a sword, a cross, and a life. This is in the context of what Jesus told his apostles before sending them out, and those instructions and
- [Fourth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2026/06/21/fourth-sunday-after-pentecost-2/) - Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13 | Romans 6:12-23 | Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 Text: Romans 6:12-23 “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These words are spoken during the Imposition of Ashes at the Ash Wednesday Divine Service as Lent begins. The words are drawn from Genesis 3:19 in which God said to Adam, “By
- [Second Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2026/06/07/second-sunday-after-pentecost-2/) - Readings: Hosea 5:15-6:6 | Romans 4:13-25 | Matthew 9:9-13 Text: Matthew 9:9-13 Main message: The call of the Apostle/Evangelist Matthew; Matthew throws a feast and invites tax collectors and sinners. This offends Pharisees, to which Jesus points out that these are the very ones in need of a “physician” because they recognize the illness of
- [Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/06/14/third-sunday-after-pentecost-proper-6a/) - Readings: Exodus 19:2-8 | Romans 5:6-15 | Matthew 9:35-10:8 Text: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Three Sundays ago, we celebrated Pentecost—the day on which God sent the Holy Spirit upon the Eleven who then preached faith to three thousand souls. The purpose of the Pentecost season of the Church year is to continue in that theme of the
- [Commemoration of the
Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2026/05/31/commemoration-of-the-holy-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a | Acts 2:14a, 22-36 | Matthew 28:16-20 Text: Matthew 28:16-20 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It is impossible to fully comprehend the mystery of the Trinity. It isn’t a math problem to be solved—three in one and one in three, or a puzzle to be unlocked. It’s an article of
- [The Day of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2026/05/24/the-day-of-pentecost/) - Readings: Numbers 11:24-30 | Acts 2:1-21 | John 7:37-39 Text: Numbers 11:24-30 It takes some background to better appreciate the Old Testament lesson from Numbers 11. If Exodus gives us the grand design of God rescuing His people from slavery in Egypt, leading, forgiving and eventually dwelling in their midst, Numbers is the day-to-day struggles
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/05/17/seventh-sunday-of-easter-2/) - + Ascension Commemoration + Readings: Acts 1:12-26 | 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 | John 17:1-11 Text: John 17:1-11 Jesus prays in today’s Gospel, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” The Glory of God has been seen before this, most memorably
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/05/10/sixth-sunday-of-easter-3/) - Readings: Acts 17:16-31 | 1 Peter 3:13-22 | John 14:15-21 Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22 St. Peter’s first epistle to the Church is beautifully appropriate and informative for the Church today. It was first written to the Christians who were scattered after persecution grew more severe, and it was clear just how at-odds the Christian Gospel
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/05/03/fifth-sunday-of-easter-6/) - Readings: Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60 | 1 Peter 2:2-10 | John 14:1-14 Text: John 14:1-14 When Stephen found himself compelled to preach to the stiff-necked Jews and became the object of their wrath. Stephen’s ministry was short and sweet. What does it look like when the Christian is compelled to confess the truth of God’s
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/26/fourth-sunday-of-easter-3/) - Readings: Acts 2:42-47 | 1 Peter 2:19-25 | John 10:1-10 Text: Acts 2:42-47 “42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together
- [Third Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/19/third-sunday-of-easter-3/) - Readings: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 | 1 Peter 1:17-25 | Luke 24:13-35 Text: Luke 24:13-35 On the road to Emmaus is another scene after the Resurrection. It’s another way that Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples, so that they would know their hope is not in vain and that all He said before His passion is
- [Good FridayPaschal Vigil](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/04/paschal-vigil-3/) - ~ Service of Light ~ Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Exodus 14L10-15:1 | Jonah 3 | Text: Mark 16:1-8 The Gospel begins with proclamation. It is news of events that must be told and explained. Without the explanation, fear and uncertainty fill in. So much of the world seems self-evident to us, but it is only
- [Easter Sunrise](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/05/easter-sunrise-2/) - Readings: Exodus 14:10-15:1 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Excerpts from the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII The Person of Christ 16Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/05/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-4/) - ~ Easter Day ~ Readings: Acts 10:34-43 | Colossians 3:1-4 | Matthew 28:1-10 Text: Matthew 28:1-10 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. “After the Sabbath” is more than just a marker of time. Of course, after
- [Second Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/12/second-sunday-of-easter-4/) - Readings: Acts 5:29-42 | 1 Peter 1:3-9 | John 20:19-31 Text: John 20:19-31 HEARING IS BELIEVING, AND BY IT WE TOO ARE FORGIVEN AND AT PEACE. The disciples saw the Lord:Sometimes we get to thinking the disciples had an easier time, having Jesus with them in the flesh.We tend to think of that time as
- [Holy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/2026/04/02/holy-thursday/) - Text: Hebrews 9:11-22 We’ve been well-conditioned to look down on the idea of an intermediary. Having someone stand in your place is reminiscent of having to have a parent sign a permission slip or when you’re older to have a power of attorney sign your checks. No, for us, the ideal is to be able
- [ Palm Sunday ](https://blclebanon.org/2026/03/29/palm-sunday-6/) - Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 27:11-66 Processional Gospel & Text: John 12:12-19 The crowd had a legitimate reason to celebrate Jesus’ coming. They had witnessed an amazing thing: The way of all the earth (death) had been reversed! Sit with that for a minute: Death is a powerful enemy. It looms large
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Lent 5A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/03/22/fifth-sunday-in-lent-lent-5a/) - Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 | Romans 8:1-11 | John 11:1-45 Text: John 11:1-45 The Lord had an existing relationship with the family. He loved them. He cared about Lazarus in his illness, and the suffering he was enduring. (v. 5) We should keep this in mind, first of all, as we see what He does. Because
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Lent 2A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/03/01/second-sunday-in-lent-2a/) - Readings: Genesis 12:1-9 | Romans 4:1-8, 13-17 | John 3:1-17 Text: John 3:1-17 “For God so loved the world.,.,” (you know it, finish it!) This passage contains one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell. Let’s go deeper, though. Hearing these words of Jesus in context opens us up
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Lent 3A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/03/08/third-sunday-in-lent-3a/) - Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | Romans 5:1-8 | John 4:5-30, 39-42 Text: John 4:5-26 Ignorance about God is a serious problem. Now, very few people would actually say they don’t know much about God. More common is the idea that we know enough about God to get by. You know, as much as country music songs
- [Fourth Sunday of Lent (Lent 4A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/03/15/fourth-sunday-of-lent-lent-4a/) - Readings: Isaiah 42:14-21 | Ephesians 5:8-14 | John 9:1-41 Text: John 9:1-41 Baptism of Clint, son, and Confirmation of Seth, father There are times we do not understand God’s ways. Nevertheless, we can be certain that He desires the blind to see, the enslaved to be freed, the deaf to hear. Today’s Gospel offers spiritual
- [All Saints Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2025/11/02/all-saints-sunday-2/) - ~ observed ~ Readings: Revelation 7:9-17 | 1 John 3:1-3 | Matthew 5:1-12 Text: Revelation 7:9-14 In our country, we have various holidays that call to remembrance various aspects about what it means to be an American. We celebrate the Fourth of July as Independence Day, in which we call to mind the momentous events
- [Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/11/09/twenty-first-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Ephesians 6:10-17 | John 4:46-54 Text: John 4:46-54 Being a Christian requires faith, and a right faith will make you a Christian. This was demonstrated by the Samaritans who encountered Jesus along with the woman who was at the well: 39Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the
- [Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/11/16/twenty-second-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Micah 6:6-8 | Philippians 1:3-11 | Matthew 18:21-35 Text: Matthew 18:21-35 October 2, 2006 – Nineteen years ago, Charles Roberts took over a one room schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. Armed with a handgun, a shotgun, and a taser, he set about forcing the men, boys, and parents of infants to leave the classroom.
- [Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/2025/11/23/last-sunday-of-the-church-year-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 65:17-25 | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 | Matthew 25:1-13 Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The Church Year is a teaching tool for Christians. Often it gets misunderstood as something one has to do, or that Christians who don’t know about seasons like Advent and Lent are inferior. Certainly, it gives Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox
- [Second Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/07/second-sunday-in-advent-december-7-2025/) - Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 | Romans 15:4-13 | Matthew 3:1-12 Text: Matthew 3:1-12 Saint John the Baptizer’s appearance is jarring. There’s no getting comfortable around a man who wears camel fur and eats nothing but bugs and honey. But why? John is uncomfortable because of what his appearance brings up combined with what he preaches. He
- [First Sunday in Lent (Lent 1A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/02/22/first-sunday-in-lent-lent-1a/) - Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | Romans 5:12-19 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Genesis 3:1-21 Often, we try to get to the bottom of how things went so wrong: ~ Unexpected death of loved ones~ Cruelty toward other people~ Landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, and other disasters Maybe something like this is what brought us to seek help by walking
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2026/02/15/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-5/) - Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | Romans 5:12-19 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21 On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John have a great experience. They saw Jesus transfigured before their very eyes, so that “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” They saw Moses and Elijah speaking
- [Fifth Sunday after Epiphany (Epiphany 5a)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/02/08/fifth-sunday-after-epiphany-epiphany-5a/) - Readings: Isaiah 58:3-9a | 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 | Matthew 5:13-20 Text: Isaiah 58:3-9a 3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.4 Behold, you fast
- [Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Epiphany 4a)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/02/01/fourth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/) - Readings: Micah 6:1-8 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 | Matthew 5:1-12 Text: Micah 6:1-8 This is a good reminder from the Lord. Maybe you’ve seen it quoted places: 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to
- [First Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/11/30/first-sunday-in-advent-4/) - Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 | Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14 | Matthew 21:1-11 Text: Matthew 21:1-11 This time of looking forward to Christmas is called Advent (from the Latin for arrival). It’s called that because it’s about Jesus’ coming. He came in lowliness in the manger at Bethlehem, just as was promised. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and
- [Third Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/14/third-sunday-of-advent/) - Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10 | James 5:7-11 | Matthew 11:2-15 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 picture of persecution and uncertainty.
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Advent 4A)](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/21/fourth-sunday-in-advent-advent-4a/) - Readings: Isaiah 7:10-17 | Romans 1:1-7 | Matthew 1:18-25 Text: Matthew 1:18-25 The generation of Jesus Christ. What’s in the word generation? It depends upon those who came before it. No matter who our parents are or if they were the ones who raised us, they handed down various things to us—hereditary traits, perhaps even
- [Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/24/eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-2/) - ~ Lessons and Carols ~ Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14 | 1 John 4:7-16 | Luke 2:1-20 Text: 1 John 4:7-16 So much of Christmas tradition has become alienated from what this holy day actually commemorates. Some of it comes from past Christian influence, like Paradise Trees laden with fruit and the Eucharist’s food of immortality, like
- [The Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/25/the-nativity-of-our-lord-3/) - Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10 | Hebrews 1:1-12 | John 1:1-18 Text: Isaiah 52:7-10 We’ve become accustomed to associating this text with the Gospel because of St. Paul’s quoting it in Romans 10: 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14How then will they call on him in whom they have not
- [Feast of the Holy Innocents](https://blclebanon.org/2025/12/28/feast-of-the-holy-innocents-4th-day-of-christmas/) - ~ Fourth Day of Christmas ~ Readings: Jeremiah 31:15-17 | Revelation 14:1-5 | Matthew 2:13-18 Text: Matthew 2:13-23 So here we are, a few days after Christmas, and what we have in the lessons is the tail end of what we will hear next week – the departure of the Magi and the rage of
- [Second Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2026/01/04/second-sunday-after-christmas-3/) - Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-15 | Ephesians 1:3-14 | Luke 2:40-52 Text: Luke 2:40-52, Ephesians 1:3-14 “You’re not ready for that.” We usually don’t want to hear that. It’s the space in between how we perceive our own abilities and where an elder or an authority sees where we are. Youthful ambition only makes this humbling
- [The Baptism of Our Lord (Epiphany 1A)](https://blclebanon.org/2026/01/11/the-baptism-of-our-lord-epiphany-1a/) - Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 | Romans 6:1-11 | Matthew 3:13-17 Text: Romans 6:1-11 What is Baptism? If you ask Google, you get a definition like this: “Search AssistBaptism is a Christian rite of initiation that typically involves the use of water, symbolizing the admission of a person into the Church. It is often performed by sprinkling,
- [The Confession of St. Peter](https://blclebanon.org/2026/01/18/the-confession-of-st-peter/) - Readings: Acts 4:8-13 | 2 Peter 1:1-15 | Mark 8:27-9:1 Text: Mark 8:27-35 When Jesus questions the disciples, in the Gospel today, it’s a scene like a confirmation class. They give a bunch of different answers. Peter gives the only right answer: “You are the Christ.” In Matthew’s account, there’s a lot more dwelling on
- [Conversion of St. Paul](https://blclebanon.org/2026/01/25/conversion-of-saint-paul/) - Readings: Acts 9:1-22 | Galatians 1:11-24 | Matthew 19:27-30 Text: Acts 9:1-22 Hands are one of most important parts of who you are. Hands are how people work. The great woman of Proverbs 31 for example uses her hands to planting a vineyard, and puts her hands to the spindle to sew, and reaches out
- [Easter Sunrise](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/09/easter-sunrise/) - Readings: Isaiah 25:6-9 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Text: Zechariah 6:1-8 Joy Comes with the Morning Some of us are not “morning people.” I am, but others look at me like I’m weird. If we had an Easter Sunrise service at 6am, I’m afraid I might be the only one here! Now,
- [Sexagesima (About 60 Days until Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/02/04/sexagesima-about-60-days-until-easter-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: Isaiah 55:1-3, 10-13 At the beginning of Isaiah 55, before we hear this familiar proclamation about God’s Word, we hear God’s heart with a different analogy—one we can all appreciate: 1“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have
- [Second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/06/09/second-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Holy Baptism of Seth & Wayne Burton and Jonathan Womack Readings: Proverbs 9:1-10 | 1 John 3:13-18 | Luke 14:15-24 Text: 1 John 3:13-18 The word “love” has taken on a life of its own. It’s as if everyone has their own private dictionary of what they want it to mean. So many interpret it
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter / The Ascension of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/06/01/seventh-sunday-of-easter-the-ascension-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Ezekiel 36:22-28 | 1 Peter 4:7-14 | John 15:26-16:4 Text: Luke 24:44-53; John 15:26–16:4 Times of uncertainty, fear, and disappointment leave us grasping for something sure. One of the effects of the pandemic five years ago was that it left people vulnerable to clinging to any confident sounding voice, or anyone who has a
- [Reformation Day](https://blclebanon.org/2025/10/26/reformation-day/) - (observed) Readings: Revelation 14:6-7 | Romans 3:19-28 | John 8:31-36 Text: Matthew 11:12-19 In the 1730’s, there began a movement in the Colonies that was later called The Great Awakening. It came with convincing preachers, stirred spirits, changed morals, and huge revival meetings. It transformed the religious and moral landscape of the soon-to-be American colonies.
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/10/19/eighteenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-21 | 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 | Matthew 22:34-46 Text: Matthew 22:34-36 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The context of our Gospel places Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in Holy Week. He had entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey to
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/10/12/seventeenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Proverbs 25:6-14 | Ephesians 4:1-6 | Luke 14:1-11 Text: Luke 14:1-11, Ephesians 4:1-3 Not everyone who gathered around Jesus was there to simply to hear Him and be healed by Him. Some were there to watch Him and wait for Him to stumble. At one such instance, Jesus is at the house of a
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/10/05/sixteenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: 1 Kings 17:17-24 | Ephesians 3:13-21 | Luke 7:11-17 Text: Luke 7:11-17 The Holy Scripture records incidents of women who weeping over their barrenness (1 Samuel 1:10), of the Lord weeping over impenitence (Luke 19:41-44), of God’s people weeping over those who reject salvation (Phil. 3:18), and even Christ Himself weeping at the death
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/09/28/fifteenth-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16 | Galatians 5:25-6:10 | Matthew 6:24-34 Text: Galatians 5:25–6:10 After hearing our Lord’s Word from Matthew 6:24-34, it probably hits all of us as very relevant. Who of us has not been worried at one time or another about the outcome of things? If you’ve been able to get by without
- [~ Feast of St. Matthew ~](https://blclebanon.org/2025/09/21/feast-of-st-matthew/) - Readings: Ezekiel 2:8-3:11 | Ephesians 4:7-16 | Matthew 9:9-13 Text: Matthew 9:9-13 Today we’ll be following along with excerpts from a book called The Message of Matthew by Dr. Michael Green,[1] in a section called “What do we know about the tax collector?” Most of what we know about Matthew the tax collector comes from
- [Holy Cross Day](https://blclebanon.org/2025/09/14/holy-cross-day/) - Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | John 12:20-33 Text: John 12:20-33 Greeks seek wisdom, Jews seek signs. This is shorthand for what two particular groups of people are looking for out of their religion. They are still applicable to people today. There are those who seek a brand of religion so that they
- [Twelfth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/09/07/twelfth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24 | 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 | Mark 7:31-37 Text: Mark 7:31-37 “And they brought to [Jesus] a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after
- [Eleventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/08/31/eleventh-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Genesis 4:1-15 | Ephesians 2:1-10 | Luke 18:9-14 Text: Luke 18:9-14 In the hearts and minds of the faithful, this parable stands second only to the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). It is one of the most important because it contains the core message of our faith: that no man is holy
- [Tenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/08/24/tenth-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-11 | Romans 9:30-10:4 | Luke 19:41-48 Text: Jeremiah 7:1-11 Law in the Text The people were being duplicitous. It wasn’t their first time, either. Jeremiah was preaching to the Israelites about 150 years after the events of Elijah: 21And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/08/17/ninth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: 2 Samuel 22:26-34 | 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 | Luke 16:1-13 Text: Luke 16:1-9 This parable has been making people squirm since it was first on the Lord’s lips. To some, it offends because it seems like the Lord is advocating that we break the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not steal.” The manager cooks the
- [Second Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/27/second-sunday-of-easter-3/) - ~ Quasimodo Geniti ~ Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 | 1 John 5:4-10 | John 20:19-31 Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14 You’ve heard it said, “Seeing is believing.” This works most of the time. You wouldn’t buy a car if the dealer refused to show you the one you were buying. You wouldn’t work long for an employer who
- [Third Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2025/05/04/third-sunday-after-easter/) - ~ Misericordias Domini ~ Readings: Ezekiel 34:11–16 | 1 Peter 2:21–25 | John 10:11–16 Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16 Remember Peter, who was so promising? “18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) This Peter denied 3
- [Fourth Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2025/05/11/fourth-sunday-after-easter/) - ~ Jubilate ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 | 1 Peter 2:11-20 | John 16:16-22 Text: John 16:16-22 Scope of the next few Sundays: Preparing the disciples not just for the moment, but for the whole of the time of the Church, from Jesus’ Ascension to His return in glory. The next 3 Sundays aim us forward
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2025/05/18/fifth-sunday-of-easter-5/) - ~ Cantate ~ Readings: Isaiah 12:1-6 | James 1:16-21 | John 16:5-15 Text: John 16:5-15 It’s a recurring complaint about the Bible that it’s so ancient that it’s out of step with modern life. After all, the earliest authors wrote 3,500 years ago. It’s possible to take a mystical approach and say, like the Wheel
- [Sixth Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2025/05/25/sixth-sunday-after-easter-2/) - ~ Rogate ~ Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | James 1:22-27 | John 16:23:30 Text: Numbers 21:4-9 (read the text) It’s easy to chide the people and think, if I had been there, I wouldn’t have spoken against God and against Moses and Boy, did they get it for being grouchy! Good thing God doesn’t do that
- [First Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/06/22/first-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Readings: Genesis 15:1-6 | 1 John 4:16-21 | Luke 16:19-31 Text: Luke 16:19-31 This second Sunday into the season known as the Time of the Church begins with Jesus’ lesson about the rich man and Lazarus. It comes right after a dispute that Jesus was having with the Pharisees and their desire to justify their
- [Third Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/07/06/third-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Micah 7:18-20 | 1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Luke 15:1-10 Text: Luke 15:1-10 Sometimes, Jesus is offensive. Not offensive in the click-bait type of “even bad press is good.” Jesus is offensive because He sheds His holy light on what is ungodly in us. When Jesus brings that light to men, one of two things
- [Fourth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/07/13/fourth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-636-42/) - Readings: Genesis 50:15-21 | Romans 8:18-23 | Luke 6:36-42 Text: Luke 6:36-42 C.S. Lewis’ radio addresses during World War II, which eventually came to be the book, Mere Christianity, begins this way: Everyone has heard people quarrelling. Sometimes it sounds funny and sometimes it sounds merely unpleasant; but however it sounds, I believe we can
- [Fifth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/07/20/fifth-sunday-after-trinity-psalm-16/) - Readings: 1 Kings 19:11-21 | 1 Peter 3:8-17 | Luke 5:1-11 Text: Psalm 16 “I teach you how to shun and flee What harms your soul’s salvation,Your heart from ev’ry guile to free, From sin and its temptation.I am the refuge of the soulAnd lead you to your heav’nly goal.” (LSB 688:4) Psalm 16 is a wisdom
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/07/27/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Readings: Exodus 20:1-17 | Romans 6:1-11 | Matthew 5:17-26 Text: Matthew 5:17-26 Rules are great...when they apply to other people. That’s the way it is for sinners. As soon as the Law of God lands on our door, we squirm and writhe. In the Old Testament lesson. the verses immediately following the Ten Commandments show
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/08/03/seventh-sunday-after-trinity-3/) - Readings: Genesis 2:7-17 | Romans 6:19-23 | Mark 8:1-9 Text: Romans 6:19-23 Martin Luther wrote in a 1523 sermon: “Unbelief is the cause of all sin and vice, which have now taken the upper hand in all stations of life. How does it come to pass that everywhere there are so many foolish women and
- [Eighth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/08/10/eighth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew/) - Readings: Jeremiah 23:16-29 | Acts 20:27-38 | Matthew 7:15-23 Text: Matthew 7:15-23 You can tell a garden that is kept and tended from a garden that has been neglected. The tended garden shows careful attention, addresses weeds before they get out of hand and hurt the good plants preventing them from bearing fruit. The Lord
- [Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles](https://blclebanon.org/2025/06/29/feast-of-saints-peter-and-paul-apostles/) - Readings: Acts 15:1-21 | Galatians 2:1-10| Matthew 16:13-20 Text: Acts 15:1-12 Amidst the swell of information and ideas that freely travel in our day, it’s become quite overwhelming to discern truth from error. Often, it’s easier to simply say that everything is a matter of personal perspective. It can easily become rampant relativism, which says
- [The Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2025/06/15/the-holy-trinity-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7 | Romans 11:33-36 | John 3:1-17 Text: John 3:1-17 Every discipline that is undertaken by people has a technical language, a kind of jargon that is foreign to those outside the trade. ~ Electricians have code manuals that they have to be conversant in.~ Lawyers need to know technical terms, precedents, and
- [The Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2025/06/08/the-feast-of-pentecost-3/) - Readings: Genesis 11:1-9 | Acts 2:1-21 | John 14:23-31 Text: Genesis 11:1-9 What’s in your heart? If you’re honest with yourself, most of it’s not pretty! There’s a good chance there’s some anger toward your parents or teachers in there. Probably also some jealousy toward your friends or classmates who have newer cars, or bigger
- [Quinquagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2025/03/02/quinquagesima-3/) - (About 50 Days until Easter) Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: Luke 18:31-43 This text is sandwiched in between the Rich Young Ruler and Rich Zacchaeus (Luke 18:18-30; Luke 19:1-10). These provide a helpful juxtaposition to the announcement of Jesus’ suffering and His being recognized by the blind man.
- [Septuagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2025/02/16/septuagesima-2/) - ~ About Seventy Days until Easter ~ Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 The dictionary defines “grace” as God’s undeserved favor, as “God’s forgiving mercy” and “Gifts freely bestowed by [Him].”[1] So, we sing praises of God’s grace in Christ. We name congregations after it and we sing
- [Sexagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2025/02/23/sexagesima/) - ~ About Sixty Days until Easter ~ Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: Luke 8:4-15 Words are apt for misunderstanding. St. Paul’s sarcastic words in the last part of 2 Corinthians 11 could be misunderstood if you don’t understand the context and his intent. 18 Since many boast according to the
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/02/09/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-4/) - + Holy Baptism of David Herman Demarest + Readings: Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 The Feast of the Transfiguration was celebrated by Armenian Christians in the 5th century, but the commemoration as we know it today was standardized by Pope Callixtus III in 1456. It was to be celebrated on
- [Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/02/02/purification-of-mary-and-presentation-of-our-lord/) - Readings: 1 Samuel 1:21-28 | Hebrews 2:14-18 | Luke 2:22-40 Text: Luke 2:22-32 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Gnostics of the first century imported many strange ideas into the Christian Church. Named after their chief aim: knowledge/gnosis, they believed the story of salvation was that the stuff of this world was evil
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2025/01/26/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany-2/) - Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15a | Romans 12:16-21 | Matthew 8:1-13 Text: 2 Kings 5:1-15a There are many things which are remarkable about the interaction between Naaman and the prophet Elisha. First of all, we think that the Old Testament is just about Israel, and what’s this gentile doing in the story? Secondly, it’s a story
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2025/01/19/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany-3/) - Readings: Amos 9:11-15 | Romans 12:6-16 | John 2:1-11 Text: John 2:1-11 In the days of the Prophets, God used object lessons. Jeremiah presented signs of a ruined loincloth[1] and a broken clay flask.[2] Ezekiel shaved his head and beard and divided the hair in three portions.[3] Zechariah dressed as a foolish shepherd and threw
- [The Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/01/12/the-baptism-of-our-lord-3/) - Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | Matthew 3:13-17 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 What sort of God do we have? If you look at just general revelation, you will conclude that God is great and powerful, but unmoved by the needs of puny people like us. Only those who are a cut above catch the
- [Paschal Vigil](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/19/paschal-vigil-2/) - Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Exodus 14:10-15:1 | Jonah 3 | Mark 16:1-8 Texts: Genesis 1-2; 6-9; Jonah 3 From Clement of Rome, 1 Clement chap. v.—No less evils have arisen from the same source in the most recent times. the martyrdom of Peter and Paul. But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come
- [Maundy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/17/maundy-thursday-4/) - Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 | John 12:1-15, 34-35 Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jesus, being a God-fearing Jew, celebrated the Lord’s Passover every year—as a child and as an adult. But on the night in which He was betrayed, something fundamental was on the verge of changing. He was ending the covenant which God
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/20/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-3/) - Readings: Isaiah 25:6-9 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Text: Mark 16:1-8 Alleluia! Christ is risen! The two Mary’s saw the corpse taken down from the cross. They watched as their dead Lord was hastily wrapped in a linen shroud and placed in the tomb. “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Sunrise)](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/20/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-sunrise-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 25:6-9 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18 Text: John 20:1-18 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! No doubt you’ve seen it for a few weeks now. Easter sales, Easter dresses, Easter candy, Easter lilies. If you didn’t know better, you might think Easter is just another holiday with its
- [Good Friday](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/18/good-friday-4/) - Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 | John 18:1-19:30 Text: Isaiah 53:3-11 THE DEATH OF GOD’S SON IS THE PAYMENT FOR MY SINS AND BROUGHT ME PEACE. The Crucifixion as tragedy: No pronouns Isaiah 53:4-5 (alt): “Surely he has borne grief and carried sorrow; yet he was esteemed stricken, smitten, afflicted by God. But he was pierced for
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/13/palm-sunday-5/) - Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 26-27 Text: John 12:12-19 (Procession Gospel) In St. John’s account of Palm Sunday, we find out that the crowd was composed of two main groups, both of whom knew that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The verses immediately before what we heard in the procession
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/04/06/fifth-sunday-in-lent-2/) - ~ Judica ~ Readings: Genesis 22:1-14 | Hebrews 9:11-15 | John 8:46-59 Text: Genesis 22:1-14 “God, what in the world are You doing? I can’t handle this! I just got done with the last wrench You threw in the works!” There are times like this, where honestly, we have no idea what our God is
- [The Epiphany of Our Lord (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/2025/01/05/the-epiphany-of-our-lord-observed/) - Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:1-12 | Matthew 2:1-12 Text: Isaiah 60:1-6 “I’ve had an epiphany!” is usually something you say when you’ve made a new connection or come up with a possibly great idea. But that’s not where the word started. It comes from Greek, epi + phaino, meaning to “appear, give light” such
- [First Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/29/first-sunday-after-christmas-3/) - Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 2:22-40 Text: Galatians 4:1-7 What’s the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament? It’s not a difference where one is Law and the other is Gospel. Both are God’s Word and together make a complete picture of God’s work, so that some educated people call
- [The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/24/the-eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-3/) - Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 20:22-40 Text: Matthew 1:18-25 18Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19And her husband Joseph, being a just man
- [First Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/03/09/first-sunday-in-lent-2/) - ~ Invocabit ~ Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Father honored the Son. He didn’t just identify him as his Son when He spoke from heaven at His baptism. He claimed him. He called Him His beloved, expressing His love
- [Second Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/03/16/second-sunday-in-lent-2/) - ~ Reminiscere ~ Readings: Genesis 32:22-32 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 | Matthew 15:21-28 Text: Genesis 32:22-32 A few weeks ago, we heard the Parable of the Sower, where our Lord says: 13The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/03/30/fourth-sunday-in-lent-3/) - ~ Lætare ~ Readings: Exodus 16:2-21 | Galatians 4:21-31 | John 6:1-15 Text: Exodus 16:2-21 In 1 Corinthians 10, St. Paul makes the point that the journeys of Israel in the wilderness were written for our learning, specifically “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction,
- [Third Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2025/03/23/third-sunday-in-lent-2/) - ~ Oculi ~ Readings: Exodus 8:16-24 | Ephesians 5:1-9 | Luke 1:14-28 Text: Luke 11:14-28 Jesus’ teachings in today’s Gospel readings go from difficult to startling. It’s one thing to say that, in broad theological terms, that Jesus is the strong man who binds the devil, and leads captivity captive, while we are brought by
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/22/fourth-sunday-in-advent-2/) - ~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Philippians 4:4-7 No doubt this week, we will be hearing the phrase, “Merry Christmas.” Take a moment to think about it: Is this a statement or a command? I mean, what should you do when there’s nothing to be merry about? When
- [Second Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/08/second-sunday-of-advent/) - ~ Populus Zion ~ Readings: Malachi 4:1-6 | Romans 15:4-13 | Luke 21:25-36 Text: Luke 21:25-36 The return of Christ is utterly inconvenient. It ruins our plans for the future. It ruins all of our imagining that life will just continue as is has been. Most of all, it completely obliterates our delusion that we
- [Third Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/15/third-sunday-in-advent-3/) - ~ Gaudete ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 | Matthew 11:2-11 Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 It’s important to understand that Isaiah was not preaching at a time of peace in Israel. Not many chapters (chapters 36-37) before this, Isaiah has the job of announcing to the starving, besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem that the Assyrian
- [Holy Cross Day](https://blclebanon.org/2024/09/15/holy-cross-day-observed/) - ~ Observed ~ Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | John 12:20-33 Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing. Yeah...them unbelievers! Aren’t they terrible? Aren’t they foolish? But to us who are being saved, the cross is the power of God. Yes! Lift high the
- [First Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2024/12/01/first-sunday-in-advent-3/) - ~ Ad Te Levavi ~ Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8 | Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14 | Matthew 21:1-9 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 Christ, our Lord, is the promised King who reigns on the throne of David forever. So it is that, as He rode into the City of Peace to be executed as the King of the Jews,
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/09/08/fifteenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: 1 Kings 17: 8-16 | Galatians 5:25-6:10 | Matthew 6:24-34 Text: Matthew 6:24-34 We’re so stressed today. There are so many things to be worried about, fueling anxiety, so that you don’t even want to get out of bed! Can you relate? What I wonder is, Is it that the world is more complex,
- [First Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/06/02/first-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Genesis 15:1-6 | 1 John 4:16-21 | Luke 16:19-31 Text: Genesis 15:1-6 “The Here and Now for the Now and Not Yet.” St. Paul comments on these verses in Genesis by saying, “In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/07/07/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-july-7-2024/) - Readings: Exodus 20:1-17 | Romans 6:1-11 | Matthew 5:17-26 Text: Matthew 5:20-26 For centuries, the first thing those learning the Christian faith encountered has been the Ten Commandments. We think they are elementary, and therefore easy to do. After all, they sound so simple: You shall have no other gods. You shall not misuse the Name of
- [St. Mary Magdalene (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/07/21/st-mary-magdalene-observed-july-21-2024/) - Readings: Proverbs 31:10-31 | Acts 13:26-31 | John 20:1-2, 10-18 Text: Proverbs 31:10-31 Many admonishments in Scripture speak to human sins that are more commonly male: sexual immorality, guarding the tongue, fits of anger, etc. Yet, sin corrupts both men and women alike. The man who was possessed by a legion of demons in Mark
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/07/28/knowing-god-vs-not-knowing-him-july-28-2024/) - Confirmation in the Christian faith of Greta E. Gramzow and Ian A. Miller Readings: 2 Samuel 22:26–34 | 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 | Luke 16:1-13 Text: 2 Samuel 22:26–34 "Knowing God vs. Not Knowing Him" Those who don’t know Him see him as: Torturous and cruel Permissive and weak But those to whom the Holy Spirit
- [Eleventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/08/11/eleventh-sunday-after-trinity-august-11-2024/) - Readings: Genesis 4:1-15 | Ephesians 2:1-10 | Luke 18:9-14 Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 Consider the two ways of man in Genesis 4, exemplified by Abel and Cain: Man as creature—dependent and sinful, living alone by God’s merciful hand—versus man acting as judge of God and trying to cover up his misdeeds. How does God, our Creator,
- [Twelfth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/08/18/twelfth-sunday-after-trinity-august-18-2024/) - Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24 | 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 | Mark 7:31-37 Text: Mark 7:31-37 Were you there? Have you heard? Do you know the miracle that happened right here in the Decapolis today? Call your friends! Call your neighbors! You might even call your in-laws—this is so big! Breaking news! Jesus of Nazareth has opened the
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/08/25/thirteenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: 2 Chronicles 28:8-15 | Galatians 3:15-22 | Luke 10:23-37 Text: Luke 10:23-37 In the collect for today, we pray, “Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain what You have promised, make us love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/09/01/fourteenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Proverbs 4:10-23 | Galatians 5:16-24 | Luke 17:11-19 Text: Proverbs 4:10-23 We’re starting to see a pattern: Jesus points out Samaritans. Is it that He’s showing favorites? Are they the Good Teacher’s pet? Not because of who they are, but because of what they demonstrate. A flesh-and-blood story teaches much more effectively than a
- [Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2024/05/19/feast-of-pentecost/) - Readings: Genesis 11:1-9 | Acts 2:1-21 | John 14:23-31 Text: John 14:23-31 How will you manifest yourself to your own but not the world? By the keeping of the Word of Christ. Many have asked in previous generations how you can tell the difference between Christians and unbelievers. Is it the number of good things
- [Feast of The Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/05/26/feast-of-the-holy-trinity/) - Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7 | Romans 11:33-36 | John 3:1-17 Text: Isaiah 6:1-7; John 3:1-17 Who is God? That question is the foundation all religion, all spirituality, all philosophy, all science, and all human knowledge. The answer to that question affects how we understand everything. The atheist answers the question by saying no one is God.
- [Sunday after the Ascension (Exaudi)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/05/12/sunday-after-the-ascension-exaudi/) - Readings: Ezekiel 36:22-28 | 1 Peter 4:7-14 | John 15:26-16:4 Text: John 15:26-16:4 Following the format which Martin Luther taught to his barber, Peter, in the tract known as “A Simple Way to Pray” This is the Sunday after the Ascension of Jesus, and what it must have been like for the disciples! Their final
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/05/05/sixth-sunday-of-easter-rogate/) - Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | 1 Timothy 2:1-6 | John 16:31-33 Text: John 16:31-33 Isn’t it interesting that peace is usually the thing that everyone can agree on? You never see protests calling for war. Peace symbols adorn bumper stickers, but what sane person ever aspired to bloodshed? So also in the current political atmosphere, the
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2024/07/14/seventh-sunday-after-trinity-july-14-2024/) - Readings: Genesis 2:7-17 | Romans 6:19-23 | Mark 8:1-10 Text: Mark 8:1-10 “How can one [man] satisfy these people with bread in this desolate place?” (v. 4) Man’s Worry:Overpopulation will destroy the planetClean drinking water will be in shortage A massive disease will devastate the human population Exacerbated by evolutionary assumptions, the biggest common factor is
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2024/04/28/fifth-sunday-of-easter-4/) - Readings: Isaiah 12:1-6 | James 1:16-21 | John 16:5-15 Text: John 16:5-15 So much ink and words have been spent trying to convince the unbelieving world of the truth of the Gospel. So many ministries are dedicated to this purpose. So much effort is given to bringing non-committal, indifferent unbelievers to faith. Despite all this
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (1 Peter 2:11-23)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/05/12/fourth-sunday-of-easter-1-peter-211-23/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday of Easter + May 12, 2019 Text: 1 Peter 2:11-23 Two words describe the Christian: a sojourner and an exile. In the Old Testament, these were freighted terms. The idea of sojourning in a foreign land began with Abraham who was a foreigner in the land of Canaan,
- [Second Sunday after Easter (Quasimodo Geniti)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/04/07/second-sunday-after-easter-april-7-2024/) - Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 | 1 John 5:4-10 | John 20:19-31 Text: John 20:19-31 On the evening of the Resurrection, the disciples—at least ten of them—saw the risen Lord! Sometimes we get to thinking the disciples must have had an easier time because they had Jesus in the flesh. After all, what quality of teaching! What
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (Jubilate)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/04/14/fourth-sunday-of-easter-jubilate-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 | 1 Peter 2:11-20 | John 16:16-23 Text: Isaiah 40:25-31 On the night in which He is to be betrayed, our Lord taught His disciples, 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias Domini)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/04/14/third-sunday-of-easter-misericordias-domini-2/) - Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16 | 1 Peter 2:21-25 | John 10:11-16 Text: John 10:11-16 The name for this second Sunday after Easter is a mouthful: Misericordias Domini. It’s also a strange name, unless you’re a Spanish-speaker. Misericordias in both Latin and Spanish means “mercy.” It’s from Psalm 33:5, which we heard in the introit as, “The
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/24/palm-sunday-4/) - Readings: Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 27:11-54 Text: Matthew 27:11-26 It is a blessing to our faith that we meditate on our Lord’s passion yearly. A Christian faith that has a fuzzy view of the historical, fleshly sufferings of Jesus Christ will easily fall for suggestions that the Christian life is just the best of the
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/17/strongfifth-sunday-in-lent-judica-strong/) - Holy Baptism of Mathilda Goehring Readings: Genesis 22:1-14 | Hebrews 9:11-15 | John 8:46-59 Text: Genesis 22:1-14 “God, what in the world are You doing? I can’t handle this! I just got done with the last wrench You threw in the works!” There are times like this, where honestly, we have no idea what our
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/10/fourth-sunday-in-lent-2/) - Readings: Exodus 16:2-21 | Galatians 4:21-31 | John 6:1-15 Text: John 6:1-15 We began Lent in the wilderness. Jesus is alone and hungry. Then, the Devil comes along and tempts him. Hunger is evil, he seems to say: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread to feed you in
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/03/third-sunday-in-lent-oculi-2/) - Readings: Exodus 8:16-24 | Ephesians 5:1-9 | Luke 11:14-28 Text: Luke 11:14-28 This time of year, many of us are looking at spring cleaning. As more light comes in the window, the grime on the windows and the dust in the air is harder to turn a blind eye to. The first part of spring
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/02/25/second-sunday-in-lent-reminiscere/) - Readings: Genesis 32:22-32 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 | Matthew 15:21-28 Text: Genesis 32:22-32 One of our world’s favorite questions is to ask, “Where is God?” When the floods rage, where is your God? When the tornadoes touch down, where is your God? When tidal waves destroy, when earthquakes level cities, or people die, where is
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Day)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/31/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-easter-day-2/) - Readings: Job 19:23-27 | 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 | Mark 16:1-8 Text: Mark 16:1-8 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Easter mornings are always the best for Church. We sing louder than any other day. We sing, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia!” We shout for joy. We tell each other He is
- [Vigil of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2024/03/30/vigil-of-easter/) - Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:3 | Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 Exodus 14:10-15:1 | Mark 16:1-8 Text: Jonah 3 In the sophisticated thinking of higher critics, Jonah is not to be thought of as historically accurate. After all, how often has a fish been large enough to swallow a man? They doubt it because it seems too
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/09/25/fifteenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16 | Galatians 5:25-6:10 | Matthew 6:24-34 Text: Matthew 6:24-34 Why do you suppose the Bible so often speaks of God providing for His people in times of wilderness, drought, and famine? Abraham and Isaac were kept alive in famine. Joseph went ahead into Egypt so that many would be kept alive
- [Eighth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/07/30/eighth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Commemoration of Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr Readings: Jeremiah 23:16-29 | Romans 8:12-17 | Matthew 7:15-23 Text: Matthew 7:15-23 This exhortation to beware of false prophets is interestingly placed in the Sermon on the Mount. People often quote Matthew 7:1 “Don’t judge lest you be judged” as a way to stop theological discussion when they
- [First Sunday in Lent (Invocavit)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/02/18/first-sunday-in-lent-invocavit/) - Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Genesis 3:1-21; Matthew 4:1-11 The Apostle Peter warns us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by
- [Septuagesima (about 70 days until Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/01/28/septuagesima-about-70-days-until-easter/) - Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 Quite often, the airwaves are abuzz with talk of fair wages and proper compensation. Strong words come from politicians, talk show hosts, and probably in your own conversations, too. Everyone wants to get what’s owed to them, and as much as possible.
- [Quinquagesima (About 50 days until Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/02/11/quinquagesima-about-50-days-until-easter/) - Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 First Corinthians 13 is one of the most beloved passages of all Scripture. It is a favorite passage for weddings. It is written on knickknacks and tchotchkes we decorate our houses with. Pardon the pun, but we love this chapter
- [Quinquagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2023/02/19/quinquagesima-2/) - Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: Luke 18:31-43 The theme for Quinquagesima is “Grace is not easily understood” and you could broaden that to say that “God’s ways are not easily understood.” In the lesson from 1 Samuel, we saw that God’s choice for king of Israel is not
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Historic)](https://blclebanon.org/2024/01/21/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-historic/) - Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 Everyone hopes for heaven on earth. What can we do to hasten its arrival? What’s the “secret sauce” that nobody before has managed to discover, or how can I adjust my living so that I can be free of want? The twentieth
- [The Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2024/01/07/the-baptism-of-our-lord-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 | Matthew 3:13-17 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 Who is Jesus? That’s one of the questions that comes up when we consider the Baptism of Our Lord. Where can we look for an answer? To men? As the dialogue in Mark 8 with the disciples showed, even during His earthly
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2024/01/14/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany-2/) - Readings: Amos 9:11-15 | Romans 12:6-16 | John 2:1-11 Text: John 2:1-11 There are two Old Testament readings assigned for this Sunday. One is from Exodus 33:12-23. In that, we read: 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you
- [First Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/31/first-sunday-after-christmas-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Galatians 4:1-7 | Luke 2:22-40 Text: Luke 2:33-40 Joseph and Mary marveled about what was spoken about their son by Simeon. The Song of Simeon, known to us as the Nunc Dimittis, summed up the longing of the people of God since the very entrance of sin into the world. About
- [First Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/03/first-sunday-in-advent-2/) - ~ Ad Te Levavi ~ Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8 | Romans 13:(8-10) 11-14 | Matthew 21:1-9 Text: Matthew 21:1-11 Advent, as you may remember, means “coming.” Every year, we rehearse the coming of our Lord. Again, you may be familiar with His first coming in the flesh at Christmas, and His second coming on the Last
- [Second Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/10/second-sunday-in-advent/) - ~ Populus Zion ~ Readings: Malachi 4:1-6 | Romans 15:4-13 | Luke 21:25-36 Text: Luke 21:25-36 Let’s be honest, the things described in the end times are scary! They make even the worst terrorist attack seem like a hiccup, because it’s not just going to be in one city or a few cities. It’s going
- [Third Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/17/third-sunday-in-advent-2/) - ~ Gaudete ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 | Matthew 11:2-11 Text: Matthew 11:2-11 We hear from the Epistle to the Hebrews, “In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets, but now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.”[1] But what
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/24/fourth-sunday-in-advent-rorate-coeli-december-24-2023/) - ~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Luke 1:38-46 Pastor Dan Voth, edits by Pastor Miller The Gospel for today is set about 9 months prior to the birth of Jesus. Gabriel is perhaps not gone very long. Mary, though betrothed to Joseph, would still be living at
- [Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/24/eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/) - Text: Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave
- [The Nativity of our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2023/12/25/the-nativity-of-our-lord-2/) - Readings: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38 | Titus 3:4-7 | John 1:1-14 Text: John 1:1-14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Those few words describe the most important event in all creation. You would think that the universe being created out of nothing by the Lord simply speaking His Word would, by default, be the
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/07/23/seventh-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Genesis 2:7-17 | Romans 6:19-23 | Mark 8:1-9 Text: Mark 8:1-9 The Feeding of the 5,000 usually gets all the attention. It’s recorded in all four Gospels. It’s a spectacular miracle, feeding over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. John’s account even ties it to the Lord’s Supper. But why is there
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/07/16/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Exodus 20:1-17 | Romans 6:1-11 | Matthew 5:17-26 Text: Matthew 5:21-37 Our Lord Jesus cuts to the chase. He doesn’t sugar coat His message to lure people in with fluffy words, only to hook them. Right away, He gets to the heart of what needs to be said to the crowds, and it happens
- [The Presentation of the Augsburg Confession](https://blclebanon.org/2023/06/25/the-presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession/) - Readings: Micha 7:18-20 | 1 Timothy 1:12-17 | Luke 15:1-10 Text: Luke 15:1-10 What God says about Himself makes all the difference. If we start with the idea of what we think God is like, or what we think He would or should do, we will quickly fall into error. The Church is perpetually plagued
- [The Feast of the Visitation](https://blclebanon.org/2023/07/02/the-feast-of-the-visitation-july-2-2023/) - Readings: Isaiah 11:1-5 | Romans 12:9-16 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Luke 1:35-46 God has created each of us in His Image and Likeness to live by His grace through faith in His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. He was conceived and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Because of this, your entire life in body and soul—both
- [Fifth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/07/09/fifth-sunday-after-trinity-july-9-2023/) - Readings: 1 Kings 19:11-21 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | Luke 5:1-11 Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Persecution was a daily reality for third-century Christians in Rome. And in 258, the Emperor Valerian began another massive round. He issued an edict commanding that all bishops, priests, and deacons should be put to death, and he gave the
- [Second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/06/18/second-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Proverbs 9:1-10 | Ephesians 2:13-22 | Luke 14:15-24 Text: Luke 14:15-24 Lutherans are known for their potlucks (or “covered dish dinners” if you don’t want to mention luck). It brings people together at church. Eating is something we all have in common, regardless of differing opinions or backgrounds. In fact, it’s a widely-known church
- [First Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/06/11/first-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 15:1-6 | 1 John 4:16-21 | Luke 16:19-31 Text: Luke 16:19-31 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Last week, we confessed in the Athanasian Creed, “Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.” Today, we
- [The Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2023/06/04/the-holy-trinity/) - Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7 | Romans 11:33-36 | John 3:1-17 Text: John 3:1-17 You may think that faith is just a mental activity. It all happens in the mind, which assents to the proposition that there is a God, that this God is so favorably disposed toward us that He decided to send His Son into
- [Day of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2023/05/28/day-of-pentecost/) - Readings: Genesis 11:1-9 | Acts 2:1-13 | John 14:23-31 Text: John 14:23-31 Have you ever pondered how the message of the cross reaches you and me today? Every generation has to go through a period of learning. It’s not that we have to completely start from scratch. However, how could this message of Jesus’ death
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/05/21/seventh-sunday-of-easter/) - ~ Exaudi ~ Notes and Outline from Concordia Theological Monthly, April 1949 by Rev. Dr. Oswald Riess Readings: Exekiel 36:22-28 | 1 Peter 4:7-11 | John 15:26-16:4 Text: Ephesians 1:20b-23
- [Called to Confess](https://blclebanon.org/2023/05/12/redeemer-lutheran-church-gresham-or/) - ~ Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gresham, OR ~ ~ Friday Session~ Text: Romans 13:1-10 People love to be free of the burden of authority. School kids count the minutes before the bell on the last day of school. College freshmen rejoice to be free of their parents’ rules when they move into their own space. Women
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/05/14/sixth-sunday-of-easter-2/) - ~ Rogate ~ Holy Baptism of Maria Regina Cleveland Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | James 1:22-27 | John 16:23-33 Text: John 16:23-33 The name for this Sunday, Rogate, derives its name from the Gospel lesson, instead of first word of the Introit. Rogate in Latin means, “Ask (all of you), and you will receive, that your
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/05/07/fifth-sunday-of-easter-3/) - ~ Cantate ~ Readings: Isaiah 12:1-6 | James 1:16-21 | James 1:16-25 Text: James 1:16-25 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! From the moment we’re born and placed in our mother’s arms, we’re growing and learning. We learn from sights, sounds, and smells. We learn from things we do, and things that
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/30/fourth-sunday-of-easter-2/) - ~ Jubilate ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31 | 1 Peter 2:11-20 | John 16:16-22 Text: John 16:16-22 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Among the many promises of God, we have our favorites: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they
- [Third Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/23/third-sunday-of-easter-2/) - ~ Misericordias Domini ~ Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16 | 1 Peter 2:21-25 | John 10:11-16 Text: John 10:11-16 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. People sometimes say, “If you want it done right, you’ve gotta do it yourself.” Whether it’s cleaning the bathroom or fixing something that broke, sometimes this is true. Maybe that’s how
- [Second Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/16/second-sunday-of-easter-2/) - ~ Quasimodo Geniti ~ Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14 | 1 John 5:4-10 | John 20:19-31 Text: John 20:19-31 Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen from the dead, our paschal lamb has been sacrificed, our mouths are filled with Hallelujah’s/Praise the Lord.[1] But, what does all this mean for us day by day? What has really
- [First Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2023/02/26/first-sunday-in-lent/) - ~ Invocavit ~ Readings: Genesis 3:1-21 | 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 | Matthew 4:1-11 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 Doctors who fight infections are all too aware that having just one weapon isn’t enough. Viruses and bacteria each respond differently to medication. Sometimes a strain comes along that refuses to respond to treatment. Then, newer, stronger, and more
- [The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/24/the-eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-2/) - ~ A Service of Lessons & Carols ~ Readings: Genesis 3:8-24 | Isaiah 7:10-14 | Luke 1:26-38 | Matthew 1:18-25 | Luke 2:1-20 Text: Luke 2:1-14 You’ve no doubt heard it at least once so far, and maybe several times today: Merry Christmas! Merriam Webster declared the Word of the Year—the most looked-up word of
- [The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/25/the-feast-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38 | Titus 3:4-7 | John 1:1-18 Text: Exodus 40:17-21, 34-38 Focus: The difference between the tabernacle erected by men’s hands (even according to God’s command) is far surpassed by the tabernacle not made with hands by which the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. Function: That my hearers would better
- [Good Friday](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/07/good-friday-3/) - Readings: John 19:1-16a | John 19:16b-42 Text: John 19:1-42 Who is your King? Israel had often confessed this: “The Lord became king…when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together” (Deut. 33:5) “Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!” (Ps. 24:8)
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/09/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-2/) - Readings: Job 19:23-27 | 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 | Mark 16:1-8 Text: Zechariah 6:1-15 Crowned King and Priest Alleluia! Christ is risen! When the crowd saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, the crowd cheered. The Jews grabbed palm branches and waved them in the air. They threw their coats onto the road. They
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/02/palm-sunday-3/) - Holy Baptism of D.S. Grohn Readings: John 12:12-19 | Philippians 2:5-11 | Matthew 27:11-54 Text: John 12:12-19 (Procession Gospel) Many of our favorite English translations label this section the “Triumphal Entry.” But this term can be somewhat misleading. The Evangelist doesn’t call this a triumphal entry, because it isn’t one…yet. It definitely has the features
- [Paschal Vigil](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/08/paschal-vigil/) - Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34 P [To the bridegroom] Will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained it? Will you nourish and cherish her as Christ loved His body, the Church, giving Himself up for her? Will you love, honor, and keep her
- [Maundy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/2023/04/06/maundy-thursday-3/) - Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 | John 13:1-15, 34-35 Text: Exodus 12:1-14; John 13:1-15 (34-35) “The Nearness of God’s Redemption” In the Passover, God provided salvation from death by the substitute of another. But this couldn’t be the fullness. No lamb could take the place of a person, for how had a lamb
- [Septuagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2023/02/05/septuagesima/) - Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1-16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 No doubt, envy is a powerful emotion. It takes coveting up a notch, and is defined as, “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.” (Merriam Webster) The perception of another’s
- [Sexagesima (About 60 days until Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/2023/02/12/sexagesima-about-60-days-until-easter/) - Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | 2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9 | Luke 8:4-15 Text: 2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9 Hearing today’s Epistle lesson is like you came to church late, while St. Paul was already deep into his sermon. In fairness to those of us who didn’t start reading at the beginning of chapter 10, I’ll catch you up to
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2023/01/29/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-3/) - Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 I. The Transfiguration can best be understood in light of the cross, comparing the different features. Our desire is to stay at the Transfiguration because we’ve “arrived.” a. Immediately before, six days before, Jesus told His disciples, “Truly, I say to you,
- [Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (also Feast of St. James)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/07/25/eighth-sunday-after-pentecost-also-feast-of-st-james/) - Readings: Genesis 9:8-17 | Ephesians 3:14-21 | Mark 6:45-56 Text: Genesis 9:8-17 When people hear about the Flood, people in our culture might picture a boat with animals sticking out windows, and several people aboard. Other cultures record the same event: The Chinese have the story of the family of Fuhi, who lived during the
- [Seventh Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/07/18/eighth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Jeremiah 23:1–6 | Ephesians 2:11–22 | Mark 6:30–44 Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 Tick, tick, tick, tick goes the rollercoaster as it climbs its way to the sky. For a moment, there’s the feeling of exhilaration and weightlessness at the top. But you know that in just a split second, you will be hurtling down—maybe even
- [Commemoration of St. Thomas](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/21/commemoration-of-st-thomas/) - Readings: Ephesians 4:7, 11-16 | John 20:24-29 Text: John 20:24-29 Who was St. Thomas and why is he remembered? Thomas was one of the apostles. In the lists of the Apostles in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), Thomas is paired with Matthew, so perhaps when they were sent out in twos (Matthew 10:5-6), they
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/18/fourth-sunday-in-advent/) - ~ Rorate Coeli ~ Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 1:39-56 Text: Philippians 4:4-7 “The Lord is at Hand For You” Intro: It formed the theme for last Sunday, and now here it is again: Rejoice in the Lord always. Today focuses heavily on the reason for rejoicing in all circumstances: The Lord
- [Commemoration of Nicasius and Eutropia, Martyrs](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/14/commemoration-of-nicasius-and-eutropia-martyrs/) - Text: Romans 12:14-21, Luke 6:27-36 Who was Nicasius? Nicasius was a bishop in Rheims, on the frontier of the Roman empire. This area had a Christian presence dating back to 260 AD. In the new year’s eve of 407, a horde of Barbarians crossed the frozen Rhine River. To the Roman inhabitants of Gaul, it
- [Third Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/11/third-sunday-in-advent/) - ~ Gaudete ~ Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 | Matthew 11:2-11 Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 It’s been said that Isaiah is a reflection of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The first 39 chapters speak of God’s judgment against His wayward people and the nations of the earth. The 40th chapter begins the proclamation
- [The Feast of All Saints (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/11/06/the-feast-of-all-saints-observed/) - Readings: Revelation 7:2-19 | 1 John 3:1-3 | Matthew 5:1-12 Text: Revelation 7:2-19 Theme: The victory and salvation of the Church of all time belongs to the Lamb, which He has given to you. I. Reading the Book of Revelation is kind of like diving into the Old Testament. It seems to be full of
- [Reformation Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2022/10/30/reformation-sunday/) - Readings: Revelation 14:6-7 | Romans 3:19-28 | Matthew 11:12-19 Text: Matthew 11:12-19 Theme: The Reformation is about the natural beauty of hearing the Word of Christ in faith. They’re on the side of your head, but they don’t often get much attention (unless something is wrong with them). But on this commemoration of the Reformation,
- [First Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2022/11/27/first-sunday-in-advent/) - ~ Ad Te Levavi ~ Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8 | Romans 13:8-14 | Matthew 21:1-9 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 “Your King Comes to You” This is the beginning of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. This word, Advent, is handed down to us from generations of Christians before us. It means, “to come to” (ad +
- [Commemoration of Ambrose of Milan](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/07/commemoration-of-ambrose-of-milan/) - Readings: Ephesians 3:8-12 | John 10:11-16 Text: Ephesians 3:8-12 Who was Ambrose? What led the Church to remember him? Aurelius Ambrosius was born in 339 to a Roman Christian family in Gaul in modern-day Germany. His father was a praetorian prefect, or high-ranking administrator for the province. Ambrose was set to follow in his father’s
- [Second Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/2022/12/04/second-sunday-of-advent-december-4-2022/) - Readings: Malachi 4:1-6 | Romans 15:4-13 | Luke 21:25-36 Text: Malachi 4:1-6 Every day, we are reminded that the godless enjoy prosperity and ease. They are the ones getting their way in the senate, gaining favor in school and society. The boastful sneer at the Christians and speak evil of them falsely (calling them bigots
- [Growing in Faith](https://blclebanon.org/2022/11/30/growing-in-faith-st-andrew-john-135-42a/) - The Feast of St. Andrew Text: John 1:35-42a Who was Andrew? How is he remembered? Andrew was the brother of Peter, first a disciple of John and moved by the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Although he was the first to believe, he wasn’t as impetuous as his brother. The two of them were
- [The Feast of St. James of Jerusalem](https://blclebanon.org/2022/10/23/the-feast-of-st-james-of-jerusalem/) - Readings: Acts 15:12–22a | James 1:1-12 | Matthew 13:54–58 Text: James 1:1-12 Theme: The Lord rescued James from relying on his own understanding, and gave him heavenly wisdom to lead the Church after the Ascension. I. The followers of Jesus after the Ascension have become a mess. Conflict over circumcision (Acts 15:1-5), being driven away
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/10/16/eighteenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-21 | 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 | Matthew 22:34-46 Text: Matthew 22:34-46 Theme: Knowing the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, is a gift which He gives, not the fruit of our efforts to know Him. I. I remember trying to explain the Trinity to my friend, who was a young Christian. It wasn’t an
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/10/09/seventeenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Proverbs 25:6-14 | Ephesians 4:1-6 | Luke 14:1-14 Text: Luke 14:1-14 Theme: We exalt ourselves and our works, so God humbles us, so that He would exalt us through His Son. Intro: It all takes place in the Pharisee’s house. In formality, banquets had a protocol of where was proper to recline. The host
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/10/02/sixteenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: 1 Kings 17:17–24 | Ephesians 3:13–21 | Luke 7:11-17 Text: Luke 7:11-17 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The name for the town of Nain probably comes from the Hebrew word, na`im, which means “lovely.” It’s familiar to us in English as the woman’s name, Naomi (Ruth 1:2). In God’s wisdom, there’s probably
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/09/18/fourteenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Proverbs 4:10-23 | Galatians 5:16-24 | Luke 17:11-19 Text: Luke 17:11-19 A young man I know who just turned five said the other day, “We don’t give anything to God. He gives everything to us.” This warmed my Lutheran pastor heart to hear! Out of the mouth of babes you have prepared praise! Already
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/09/11/thirteenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: 2 Chronicles 28:8–15 | Galatians 3:15–22 | Luke 10:23-37 Text: Luke 10:23-37 It may surprise you that Martin Luther did not invent the question, “What does this mean?” Teaching the faith by asking questions is as old the Exodus, “And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you
- [Twelfth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/09/04/twelfth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Isaiah 29:17–24 | 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 | Mark 7:31-37 Text: Mark 7:31-37 How are you doing? How have you been feeling? This is how we greet people we care about. But how do we answer this question? We probably have an ideal that we’d judge by, kind of like if a medical professional told
- [Tenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/08/21/tenth-sunday-after-trinity-2/) - Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-11 | Romans 9:30-10:4 | Luke 19:41–48 Text: Luke 19:41-48 Zeal can be a beautiful thing. I have to say it is exhilarating being at Higher Things in the worship services with hundreds of voices exultantly singing beautiful, poetic meditations on the Word of God. With our voices declaring the mighty works of
- [Eleventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/08/28/eleventh-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 4:1-15 | Ephesians 2:1-10 | Luke 18:9-14 Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 This reading from Ephesians 2 is often a go-to passage for us as Reformation Christians. It beautifully covers the doctrines of original sin, election, God’s grace, faith, and even good works. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of Lutherans. These words, so often
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/08/14/ninth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: 2 Samuel 22:26–34 | 1 Corinthians 10:6–13 | Luke 16:1–9 Text: Luke 16:1-13 Luke 15 is one of the most popular chapters in this Gospel. It’s refreshing to hear the parables of the Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep, “And on His shoulder gently laid, And home rejoicing brought me.” (LSB 709:3). We
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/07/31/seventh-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 2:7-17 | Romans 6:19-23 | Mark 8:1-9 Text: Mark 8:1-6 What do you think about food? You like it? I do, too. I’m sure we could share some enthusiastic stories about our favorite meals. What would you do to get it? When we’re children, it’s given to us. But when we get older
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/07/24/sixth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Exodus 20:1–17 | Romans 6:1–11 | Matthew 5:17–26 Text: Matthew 5:20-26 For centuries, the first thing those learning the Christian faith encounter is the Ten Commandments. We may think they are elementary, and therefore easy to do. After all, they sound so simple: You shall have no other gods.You shall not misuse the Name
- [Fifth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/07/17/fifth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Confirmation of Landon Carter & Gwendolyn Zorko Readings: Genesis 50:15–21 | Romans 8:18–23 | Luke 6:36–42 Text: 1 Peter 3:8-15 St. Peter’s first epistle to the Church is beautifully appropriate and informative for the Church today. It was first written to the Christians who were scattered after persecution grew more severe, and it was clear
- [Fourth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/07/10/fourth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Genesis 50:15-21 | Romans 8:18-23 | Luke 6:36-42 Text: Luke 6:36-42 We are living in what could possibly be the most judgmental period in human history. Despite the efforts of previous generations to teach us not to be judgmental, the pendulum has swung back sharply and made us and the society we live in
- [Good Friday](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/15/good-friday-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 | 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 | John 18-19 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; John 19:30 “The Death of Jesus Changed How God Relates to the World” The Old Testament sure is bloody. People are dropping dead every other minute, it seems. Reading through the Old Testament, you will find that there are many manifest
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/22/sixth-sunday-of-easter/) - Rogate ~ Ask Readings: Numbers 21:4–9 | James 1:22–27 | John 16:23–33 Text: John 16:23-33 This Sunday differs from the other ones in Easter, with the Latin names that we've been seeing, Quasimodo Geniti and Jubilate and things like that, because in this one it doesn't come from the first verse of the Introit. It
- [Second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/06/26/second-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Proverbs 9:1-10 | Ephesians 2:13-22 | Luke 14:15-24 Text: Luke 14:15-24 If it wasn’t true before the pandemic, it is certainly true now: We are a people who are at odds with one another. Family members alienated from one another, friendships strained and breaking from sharp disagreements, and a media culture that would rather
- [New Revelation Bible Study](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/22/new-revelation-bible-study/) - The daily Bible study podcast, The Word of the Lord Endures Forever, by Pastor Will Weedon is starting on the Book of Revelation. If Revelation has ever left you uneasy or scared, Pastor Weedon's teaching style might bring you some much needed clarity.
- [The Feast of the Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/06/12/the-feast-of-the-holy-trinity-2/) - Readings: Isaiah 6:1–7 | Romans 11:33–36 | John 3:1–17 Text: John 3:1-15 (Isaiah 6:1-7, Romans 11:33-36) Trinity Sunday is a feast day to remember that God is transcendent, and in many ways for us, unknowable. He’s greater than us, and not just in the way that a king is greater than his servant, because He
- [Third Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2022/07/03/third-sunday-after-trinity/) - Readings: Micah 7:18–20 | 1 Peter 5:6–11 | Luke 15:1-10 Text: Luke 15:1-10 There are times in Scripture where we can see the truth of God’s work on the lips of His enemies. Consider how Caiaphas spoke of the Sanhedrin’s plot to kill Jesus in John 11: Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said
- [Second Sunday of Easter (Quasimodo Geniti)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/24/second-sunday-of-easter-quasimodo-geniti/) - Readings: Ezekiel 37:1–14 | 1 John 5:4–10 | John 20:19-31 Text: John 20:19-31 Alleluia! Christ is Risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Everything in the Bible from cover to cover hinges on Jesus Christ. Without knowing His birth, His life, His suffering, His death, and His resurrection, the Bible never quite adds up.
- [The Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2022/06/05/the-feast-of-pentecost-2/) - Readings: Genesis 11:1–9 | Acts 2:1-21 | John 14:23-31 Text: John 14:23-31 We often think of the Day of Pentecost in the past tense. Around May 11 in the year 33 (or 29),[1] “they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Day)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/17/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-easter-day/) - Readings: Job 19:23–27 | 1 Corinthians 5:6–8 | Mark 16:1–8 Text: Mark 16:1-8 (1 Cor. 5:6-8) Alleluia! Christ is risen! On Good Friday, I made the point that when Jesus was crucified, it was a change to the entire Cosmos. Everything about how God relates to this world has changed. On this holy day, we
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Sunrise)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/17/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-sunrise/) - Readings: Isaiah 25:6–9 | 1 Corinthians 15:12–25 | John 20:1–18 Text: John 20:1-18 Alleluia! Christ is risen! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The last we heard from St. John, he and St. Mary Magdalene were standing at the foot of the cross. He testified truly that His Lord had died and the spear
- [Sunday after the Ascension](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/29/sunday-after-the-ascension/) - Exaudi - Answer Readings: Ezekiel 36:22–28 | 1 Peter 4:7–11 | John 15:26—16:4 Text: John 15:26—16:4 From ancient times, this Sunday has been known as “Waiting Sunday”—the time in between the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, where they were commanded to wait for the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49) But before His passion, the Lord
- [Holy Saturday](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/16/holy-saturday/) - Paschal Vigil Holy Baptism of Matthew, Alonna, and Wyatt Reeves Readings: The Creation - Genesis 1:1-2:3 | The Flood - Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13 | Israel’s Deliverance at the Red Sea - Exodus 14:10-15:1 | A New Heart and a New Spirit - Ezekiel 36:24-28 | Jonah Preaches to Nineveh - Jonah 3 |
- [Maundy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/14/maundy-thursday-2/) - Readings: Exodus 12:1–14 | 1 Corinthians 11:23–32 | John 13:1–15 Text: John 13:1-17, 34-35 This Maundy Thursday, I want to address two things: The connection between the Lord’s Supper and the Passover, and why this night we read about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and commanding them to love one another. In delivering His people
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/15/fifth-sunday-of-easter-2/) - Cantate - Sing Readings: Isaiah 12:1–6 | James 1:16–21 | John 16:5–15 Text: James 1:16-21 The text is the epistle reading which we've heard where Saint James teaches the church, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/10/palm-sunday-2/) - Readings: Zechariah 9:9–12 | Philippians 2:5–11 | Matthew 26:1-27:66 Text: John 12:12-19 Among the four Gospels, St. John’s provides a unique perspective. Matthew (Matt. 21:1-9), Mark (Mark 11:1-11), and Luke (Luke 19:28-40) all contribute to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Yet, the Holy Spirit inspired John with additional commentary on events in the Lord’s
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2022/02/06/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-2/) - Readings: Exodus 34:29–35 | 2 Peter 1:16–21 | Matthew 17:1-9 Text: Matthew 17:1-9 There was a temptation for Peter, James, John, and the disciples to think of Jesus as merely human. True, they had seen His miracles, and heard Him call Himself the end-times “Son of Man.”[1] But they also knew His mother and family,
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2022/01/23/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany/) - Readings: 2 Kings 5:1–15a | Romans 12:16–21 | Matthew 8:1–13 Text: Matthew 8:1-13 “Our Father, who art in heaven” – The Small Catechism tells us, “With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence, we
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2022/01/16/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany/) - Readings: Amos 9:11–15 | Romans 12:6–16 | John 2:1–11 Text: John 2:1-11 Today, we’ll start with the end of the lesson: “This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” The Wedding at Cana is not primarily about marriage, or whether drinking
- [The Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2022/01/09/the-baptism-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Joshua 3:1–3, 7–8, 13–17 | 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 | Matthew 3:13–17 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 You’ll meet people who are skeptical about God and consider confident Christians arrogant for saying they know so much about knowing what God’s will is or what’s right and wrong. This plays out in two main ways. The first is
- [The Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/27/the-nativity-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Exodus 40:17–21, 34–38 | Titus 3:4–7 | John 1:1-18 Text: John 1:1-14 In dialog, God always goes back to the beginning, the foundation upon which He built. Consider these examples from Jacob, Moses, and the prophet Isaiah: “And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham
- [Second Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2022/01/02/second-sunday-after-christmas-2/) - Text: Matthew 2:13-23 The life of Christ has a twofold purpose. First and foremost, it is substitutionary. Everything that He did and suffered happened in our place, for our own good. As a result, we are saved from our sins, reconciled to God, and have true righteousness before God. We are saved by God’s grace
- [First Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/27/first-sunday-after-christmas/) - Text: Luke 2:33-40 Joseph and Mary marveled about what was spoken about Jesus by Simeon. Just before the reading appointed for today, Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have
- [The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/27/the-eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Genesis 3:8–15 | Genesis 22:15–18 | Isaiah 7:10-14 | Luke 1:26-38 | Matthew 1:18-25 | Luke 2:1-7 | Luke 2:8-14 | Luke 2:15-20 Text: Luke 1:26–38 In the first reading we heard tonight, this was what happened immediately after sin came into the world. Sin and death are not the natural state the world
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Rorate Coeli)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/19/fourth-sunday-in-advent-rorate-coeli/) - 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.
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (Jubilate)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/08/fourth-sunday-of-easter-jubilate/) - Readings: Isaiah 40:25–31 | 1 Peter 2:11–20 | John 16:16-22 Text: John 16:16-22 Alleluia! Christ is risen! There is a caricature of Christianity that says because Christ is risen, we should always be happy, always be looking up, and seeing the bright side of everything. It’s backed up by dreadful platitudes like, “God has a
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias domini)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/05/01/third-sunday-of-easter-misericordias-domini/) - Readings: Ezekiel 34:11–16 | 1 Peter 2:21–25 | John 10:11-16 Text: John 10:11-16 The Lord Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” This Sunday in the Church year has come to be known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” So, let’s to dig deeper into what this statement of Jesus means. Let us not just pass over
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/04/03/fifth-sunday-in-lent-judica/) - Readings: Genesis 22:1–14 | Hebrews 9:11–15 | John 8:42-59 Text: John 8:42-59 Jesus saw through their lip service. He had been teaching the Jews at the time of the Passover, the same one that was mentioned in last week’s Gospel from John 6. It all started out with Jesus saying to them, “I am the
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/03/27/fourth-sunday-in-lent-laetare/) - Readings: Exodus 16:2–21 | Galatians 4:21-31 | John 6:1-15 Text: John 6:1-15 The name, Laetare, comes from the first word of the Introit, “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; that you may nurse and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” It sounds great to invite people to rejoice,
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/03/20/third-sunday-in-lent-oculi/) - Readings: Jeremiah 26:1–15 | Ephesians 5:1-9 | Luke 11:14–28 Text: Ephesians 5:1-9 The art on the bulletin cover is unsettling. It’s disturbing to think of a demon possessing a person. It’s grotesque because that’s not what the human body was made for. The demon, whether it was visible or invisible—doesn't belong there. Neither should it
- [Reminiscere (Second Sunday in Lent)](https://blclebanon.org/2022/03/13/reminiscere-second-sunday-in-lent/) - Text: Matthew 15:21-28 Last Sunday, we heard Jesus teach us about His victory over the Devil on our behalf, and how we draw comfort in our own temptations and weakness as the Devil assaults us. Today, He teaches us about prayer. When it comes to the great examples of prayer in the Bible, you might
- [Invocavit](https://blclebanon.org/2022/03/06/invocavit/) - ~ First Sunday in Lent ~ Readings: Genesis 3:1–21 | Hebrews 4:14–16 | Matthew 4:1–11 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 The season of Lent is not a 6-week period of feeling bad for ourselves, bemoaning our inadequacy, or—God forbid!—feeling more pious than the rabble of the world. It is a time of teaching, of catechesis, that we
- [Septuagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2022/02/13/septuagesima-about-70-days-to-easter/) - (About 70 Days to Easter) Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5 | Matthew 20:1–16 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 The way of the world is based on merit. You get what you deserve, you don’t get what you don’t pay for. Years of service ought to be recognized and compensated. For example, in 2005, Delphi Automotive
- [Quinquagesima](https://blclebanon.org/2022/02/27/quinquagesima/) - Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1–13 | 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 | Luke 18:31-43 Text: Luke 18:31-43 These two accounts in St. Luke’s Gospel are arranged very intentionally. The disciples are placed side by side with a blind beggar. The disciples are sighted, but blind to see who Jesus is. The beggar is blind, but has faithful eyes
- [Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2022/01/30/fourth-sunday-after-the-epiphany/) - Text: Psalm 96 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works
- [First Sunday in Advent (Ad te levavi)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/11/29/first-sunday-in-advent-ad-te-levavi/) - 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
- [Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/12/third-sunday-in-advent-gaudete/) - 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)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/12/05/second-sunday-in-advent-populus-zion/) - 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
- [Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/2021/11/21/last-sunday-of-the-church-year/) - 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
- [All Saints Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2021/11/07/all-saints-sunday/) - 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](https://blclebanon.org/2021/10/31/the-festival-of-the-reformation/) - The word of the Lord endures forever. ~1 Peter 1:25
- [Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/2021/11/14/second-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year/) - 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
- [Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/10/24/twenty-second-sunday-after-pentecost/) - 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](https://blclebanon.org/2021/10/17/twenty-first-sunday-after-pentecost/) - 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
- [Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/10/10/twentieth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 | Hebrews 3:12–19 | Mark 10:17–22 Text: Mark 10:17-22 Covering Points From: Formula of Concord, Article VI - The Third Use of the Law You may or may not remember this from Catechism class, but there are three uses for the Law of God, and in this encounter that Jesus has
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/10/03/nineteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-2/) - Text: Mark 12:28-37 I think all of us would agree that idolatry is foolish. The idea of manmade gods is a ridiculous notion. The Lord, through Isaiah gives this illustration in chapter 44: He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/09/26/eighteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - + Holy Baptism of Blair Elouise Rosenbaum + Readings: Numbers 11:4–6, 10–16, 24–29 | James 5:1–20 | Mark 9:38–50 Text: Mark 9:38-50 (covering points of Formula of Concord, Article V – Law and Gospel) 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/09/12/to-shine-on-those-who-sit-in-darkness-and-the-shadow-of-death-mark-914-29/) - Readings: Isaiah 50:4–10 | James 3:1–12 | Mark 9:14-29 Text: Mark 9:14-29 covering points from the Formula of Concord, Article I – Original Sin “To Shine on Those Who Sit in Darkness and the Shadow of Death” Arguing, suffering from childhood, inability to help, exasperation, unbelief, convulsions, and near death—This is what the Lord Jesus
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/09/19/seventeenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Jeremiah 11:18–20 | James 3:13—4:10 | Mark 9:30–37 Text: James 3:13—4:10 (covering points from Formula of Concord, Article III – The Righteousness of Faith) “Even in Your Weakness, He is Strong to Save” Why do Christians act so unchristian sometimes? Bitter divisions and resentment separate people from the congregation, and congregations from one another.
- ["Good Works are Necessary (not for Salvation)"](https://blclebanon.org/2021/09/05/fifteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Isaiah 35:4–7a | James 2:1-26 | Mark 7:24–37 Text: James 2:1-26 (covering points from the Formula of Concord, Article IV – Good Works) “Good Works Are Necessary for Salvation.” Ever since the time of the Reformation lead by Martin Luther, good works have been a point of contention. The Reformers pointed out the gross
- [The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist](https://blclebanon.org/2021/08/29/the-martyrdom-of-st-john-the-baptist/) - Readings: Revelation 6:9–11 | Romans 6:1–5 | Mark 6:14–29Text: Mark 6:14-29 “Martyrs for Marriage” “Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” ~ Psalm 71:4-5 ~ In the + Name of
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/08/22/thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Isaiah 29:11–19 | Ephesians 5:22–33 | Mark 7:1–13 Text: Mark 7:1-13 In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were the religious guard for the nation of Israel. After the time of the Exile, and coming out as champions for righteousness after the Maccabean revolt, they held the Scriptures in the highest regard. However, they
- [Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/08/15/twelfth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Proverbs 9:1–10 & Joshua 24:1-2(a), 14-18 | Ephesians 5:6–21 | John 6:51–69 Text: Ephesians 5:6-21 “Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’”~ John 6:68-69 ~ Yesterday at
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2020/10/08/nineteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Reading - Matthew 22:1-14 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants,
- [Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist](https://blclebanon.org/2020/10/17/feast-of-st-luke-the-evangelist/) - "The winged bull (or ox), recognized as the animal of sacrifice, was applied to St. Luke because his Gospel emphasizes the atonement made by Christ's sacrifice of himself on the Cross. The bull (ox) is also synonymous with service and strength, which reminds us as Christians that we should be prepared to sacrifice ourselves in
- [Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 27A)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/11/08/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-proper-27a-november-8-2020/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Text: Matthew 25:1-13 What a mess the world is. Thank God that we have the Church. Thank God that we can confess, “I believe…in the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” Thank God for that
- [First Sunday in Advent (Series B)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/11/29/first-sunday-in-advent-series-b/) - Text: Isaiah 64:1-8 “Enough is enough!” When things get so bad, you’ve tried again and again, yet you can’t see any way through, you might throw up your hands and say, “Enough is enough!” Maybe you’ve been feeling that way lately? It could be the many maddening topics in the news—election fallout, coronavirus scare and
- [Second Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/2021/01/03/second-sunday-after-christmas/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: 1 Kings 3:4–15 | Ephesians 1:3–14 | Luke 2:40–52 Text: Psalm 119:97-104 When we see the boy Jesus in the Temple at 12 years of age, it’s clear he had an acuity for Scripture. After all, He was “sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
- [Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/01/10/baptism-of-our-lord/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Genesis 1:1-5| Romans 6:1-11 | Mark 1:4-11 Text: Mark 1:4-11 Now, you may think this is ten days late, but today we’re going to talk about beginnings. In the Beginning – Genesis 1:1-5 The Old Testament reading is the very beginning of the Bible. In fact, that’s the first Word written in
- [The Confession of St. Peter (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/01/17/the-confession-of-st-peter-observed/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Acts 4:8-13 | 2 Peter 1:1-15 | Mark 8:27-35 Text: Mark 8:27-35 Human opinions abound. In politics, in reaction to the pandemic, in parenting, in education. In each of these arenas, we each have strong convictions. Sometimes our views are so firmly held that we have difficulty even interacting
- [St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor](https://blclebanon.org/2021/01/24/st-timothy-pastor-and-confessor/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Acts 16:1–5 | 1 Timothy 6:11–16 | Matthew 24:42–47 Text: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Today, we commemorate Timothy, a young man of a mixed Jewish-Greek marriage, whose believing grandmother Lois, and mother Eunice, nurtured in him a messianic faith that was kindled when St. Paul came to Lystra (2 Tim.
- [Fourth Sunday after Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/2021/01/31/fourth-sunday-after-epiphany/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15–20 | 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 | Mark 1:21–28 Text: Mark 1:21-28 That Sabbath in Capernaum was a remarkable day. Jesus and his disciples came to the synagogue service, and Jesus began to teach. In an age when anybody with a webcam and some provocative things to say calls
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/02/14/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord/) - Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12 | 2 Corinthians 3:23-18; 4:1-6 | Mark 2:2-9 Text: Mark 9:2-9 Have you ever stared at the sun? I hope not, because it would burn your corneas and you’d be blind. Have you ever handled molten rock? If you did, it would burn your skin irreparably. Have you ever eaten highly
- [Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/08/08/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Baptism of Inara Fae Means Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-8 | Ephesians 4:17-5:2 | John 6:35–51 Text: Ephesians 4:17—5:2 Everyone has desires and needs, ideals for which they strive, a sense of how it should be. But do we stop and think where that comes from? While humanity was originally created the image and likeness of
- [Tenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/08/01/tenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Exodus 16:2–15 | Ephesians 4:1–16 | John 6:22–35 Text: Psalm 145:10-21; Ephesians 4:1-16 God always provides. This is something we acknowledge (most of the time) in our lives. We prayed earlier in Psalm 145, 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
- [Seventh Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/07/11/seventh-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Amos 7:7-15 | Ephesians 1:3-14 | Mark 6:14-29 Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 What does God want to happen? Well, get comfortable, because this is going to take a while. In all seriousness, God’s will is not an easy topic for us to consider because it’s so much greater than we can comprehend. The Creator of
- [Sixth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/07/04/sixth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Exodus 24:1–11 | 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 | Mark 6:1–13 Text: Exodus 24:1-11 In his day, Jesus of Nazareth made quite a name for himself. As being the one who healed those who were sick and afflicted, and casting out demons. At the very worst there were those like in Nazareth, who didn't receive him,
- [Fifth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/06/27/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Exodus 19:1–20 | 2 Cor. 8:1–9, 13–15 | Mark 5:21–43 Text: Exodus 19:1-20 How do we get to know one another? Through a common bond at church or school? That foundation of friendship, or in the case of our spouse of romance and affection, sets the stage for what we know about the other
- [Fourth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/06/20/fourth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Exodus 17:1-7 | 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 | Mark 4:35–41 Text: Exodus 17:1-7 One of the perpetual pains of the Christian is that we must move on from the place where the Lord feeds us. But it must happen because the place is temporary, and even the green grass (Mark 6:39) upon which the Lord
- [Second Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/06/06/second-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Genesis 3:8-15 | 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 | Mark 3:20-35 “The Sin Against The Holy Spirit” Guest Pastor Bruce Ley Text: Mark 3:20-35 20Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21But when His own people heard , they went out to lay hold of Him, for
- [Funeral Sermon for Lenora P. Hanna (Schmidt)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/06/17/funeral-sermon-for-lenora-p-hanna-schmidt/) - Funeral of Lenora Pauline Hanna – June 17, 2021 Text: Psalm 139:7-18, 23-24 “In the Uncertainty of This Life, God is the Solid Rock upon Whom We Stand.” This is where Lenora was raised. She was born May 31, 1956, but soon after born from above by God in the precious waters of Holy Baptism
- [Third Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/06/13/third-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Readings: Exodus 16:1-31 | 2 Corinthians 5:1–17 | Mark 4:26–34 Text: Exodus 16:1-31 Normally, the sermons follow the theme for the day set by the lectionary. The lectionary is the schedule of Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel readings for a given day. It’s a great tool which the Christian Church has used for centuries
- [The Feast of the Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/2021/05/30/the-feast-of-the-holy-trinity/) - Readings: Isaiah 6:1–8 | Acts 2:14a, 22–36 | John 3:1-17 Text: John 3:1-17 On this celebration of the Holy Trinity, we encounter a great mystery of the Christian faith—the nature of God. Many men have sought and still seek to know God, to be part of something greater than themselves and to connect with the
- [Sixth Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2021/05/09/sixth-sunday-after-easter/) - Readings: Acts 10:34–48 | 1 John 5:1–8 | John 15:9–17 Text: John 15:9-17 Today’s Gospel lesson is a challenge for Lutherans, who so heavily stress that we are saved by grace through faith, not a result of works [Eph. 2:8-9]. But it’s challenging not only Lutherans, but anyone who confesses that the Lord loves us
- [The Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/2021/05/23/the-feast-of-pentecost/) - Readings: Ezekiel 37:1–14 | Acts 2:1–21 | John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 Text: John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 The Day of Pentecost often gets a lot of attention because of how exciting it was. From our second reading, we heard about the events of the day: a sound like a mighty rushing wind which got people’s attention, tongues as
- [Sunday after the Ascension (7th Sunday of Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/2021/05/16/sunday-after-the-ascension-7th-sunday-of-easter/) - Readings: Acts 1:12-26 | 1 John 5:9-15 | 1 John 5:9-15 Text: 1 John 5:9-15 Last week, we heard some powerful words from St. John, in his first Epistle: “6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2021/05/02/fifth-sunday-of-easter/) - Readings: Acts 8:26–40 | 1 John 4:1–21 | John 15:1-8 Hymn of the Day: LSB 540 Christ, the Word Incarnate Text: John 15:1-8 If last Sunday has the popular name, Good Shepherd Sunday, then perhaps a good name for this would be “Christ the Vine Sunday.” Today, the picture of a vine growing and branching
- [The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus Teaches the Church](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/20/the-gospel-of-matthew-jesus-teaches-the-church/) - Bible Study on Matthew and Adult Information Class Mondays from 6:30-8:00pm ~ 12 Sessions The Gospel of Matthew was God-breathed for the purpose of teaching the Church to know Jesus Christ to be the very same God who revealed Himself in what we now call the Old Testament, and His work to be that ultimate
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/04/the-resurrection-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Isaiah 25:6-9 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | Mark 16:1-8 Text: Mark 16:1-9 In our day, despite ignorance of the Bible and a general apathy toward religion, Christianity is so ingrained into the society, that hardly anyone objects to the celebration of Easter. So long as by Easter you mean spring, sprinkled with subtle hints
- [Sunrise of the Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/04/sunrise-of-the-resurrection-of-our-lord/) - Readings: Exodus 15:1-11 | 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 | John 20:1-18 Text: John 20:1-18 Mary came early to the tomb of Jesus, similar to how we have gathered much earlier than normal for worship this morning. She was intent to do for her Lord what they had not time for when He died. She was prepared
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/21/fifth-sunday-in-lent/) - Readings: Jeremiah 31:31–34 | Hebrews 5:1–10 | Mark 10:35-45 Text: Mark 10:35-45 In Jeremiah 31, the Lord says in coming days that He will make a new covenant with His people. He says that in this new covenant, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/28/palm-sunday/) - Readings: Zechariah 9:9–12 | Philippians 2:5–11 | Mark 14-15 Text: Mark 14-15 The Passion of our Lord is stark and cruel. There’s no painting it with a nice gloss to make it more attractive. It forces us to gaze deeply and uncomfortably at something grotesque: an innocent Man arrested and falsely accused, with no one
- [Lent IV Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/17/midweek-lent-iv/) - Text: 2 Samuel 11 Additional Reading: Luke 19:1-10 The Sixth and Seventh Commandments protect gifts of God. The Sixth Commandment protects the gift of chastity. The Seventh Commandment protects the gift of possessions. Neither chastity nor earthly goods come from ourselves. Both come from the Lord. Concerning chastity, it says in Proverbs 19:14, “House and
- [Third Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/07/third-sunday-in-lent/) - Readings: Exodus 20:1–17 | 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 | John 2:13–22 Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 St. Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians, who were a gathering of people from largely Greek backgrounds, yet they were called together to belong to God through Jesus Christ. But in being called to belong to Him, they often found themselves
- [Lent II Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/03/lent-ii-midweek/) - Text: 1 Kings 18:20-40 Additional Reading: John 5:1-18 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Second and Third Commandments flow from the First. In the First Commandment the Lord indicates that he is giving us himself. He says, “You shall have no other gods,” which certainly is
- [Second Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2021/02/28/second-sunday-in-lent/) - Readings: Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16 | Romans 5:1-11 | Mark 8:27-38 Text: Mark 8:27-33 During this season of Lent, the faithful follow Jesus year after year to the cross. It’s a devotional practice which spans centuries and connects us with that great cloud of witnesses who “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
- [Lent III Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/10/midweek-lent-iii/) - Text: 2 Samuel 15:1-14 Additional Reading: Luke 10:25–37 The Fourth Commandment concerns God’s authority on earth. Through father and mother God rules households. Through president, emperor, king, and other civil offices God rules the nations of the world. The authority of father or president is not the authority of a mere man, but it is
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/25/fourth-sunday-of-easter/) - Readings: Acts 4:1-12 | 1 John 3:16-24 | John 10:11-18 Text: John 10:11-18 There are many shepherds in the Bible. It’s a recurring theme, almost like God’s trying to teach us something. We come across the first one very early with Abel “who was a keeper of sheep,” who was also killed by Cain. The
- [Third Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/18/third-sunday-of-easter/) - Readings: Acts 3:11–21 | 1 John 3:1–7 | Luke 24:36–49 Text: Luke 24:36-49 How can we know if what we hear is true? In an age of fake news, deep fakes, and just plain bald-faced lies, it’s really a problem. Because of these things, people’s trust of institutions and media agencies has plummeted. A Pew
- [Second Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/11/second-sunday-of-easter/) - Readings: Acts 4:32-35 | 1 John 1:1-2:2 | John 20:19-31 Text: 1 John 1:1—2:2 In the Introit at the beginning of service this morning, we heard: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter
- [Good Friday](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/02/good-friday/) - Text: John 18-19 Additional Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 | Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9 Pontius Pilate marveled when he had Jesus in his court, because He wasn’t like any other person facing condemnation. And he’s right. Jesus is very different from other men, including you and me. Take Gethsemane for instance: When Jesus had spoken these words, he
- [Maundy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/2021/04/01/maundy-thursday/) - Text: Mark 14:12-26 Additional Reading: Exodus 24:3–11 | 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 Adapted from “The Mystery of the Lord’s Supper” by Johann Gerhard In the Holy Supper of our Lord, we have a mystery placed before us. Even though it cannot be explained with specific directions, counted in points for your diet, or given nutrition facts
- [Lent I Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2021/02/24/lent-i-midweek/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Psalm 81:1-16 | Exodus 32:1-35 | John 8:31-59 Text: Exodus 32:1-35 At Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 20, God Himself spoke to the people of Israel, saying, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.
- [Lent Midweek V](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/24/lent-midweek-v/) - Text: 1 Kings 21 Every one of the Ten Commandments protects a gift that God has given, as we’ve been hearing through the season of Lent. The Eighth Commandment protects God’s gift of a good name and reputation, which is a very precious thing, as it says in Proverbs 22, “A good name is to
- [Ash Wednesday](https://blclebanon.org/2021/02/17/ash-wednesday/) - Readings: Joel 2:12-19 | 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 | Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Text: Joel 2:12-19; Job 13:23 Our forefather Job asked the Lord in the midst of his suffering, “How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin” (Job 13:23). This seems like a dangerous question and request. Don’t
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2021/03/14/fourth-sunday-in-lent/) - Readings: Numbers 21:4–9 | Ephesians 2:1–10 | John 3:14–21 Text: John 3:14-21 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16—it’s one of the best loved passages in all of Scripture. It appears everywhere from signs in the
- [First Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/2021/02/21/first-sunday-in-lent-february-21-2021/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Readings: Genesis 22:1-18 | James 1:12-18 | Mark 1:9-15 Text: Genesis 22:1-18 One of the sad realities of life is that people only get woken up to a problem when it affects them personally. In war, they’re willing to send other sons into war, but hate to send their own.
- [Bible Study Notes - 1 Peter 4:12--5:8](https://blclebanon.org/2020/08/04/bible-study-notes-1-peter-412-58/) - For everyone who has been missing Bible study, and for those who might want to look back at what we've studied, here are notes I prepared from the last few weeks of class. Bible-Study-Notes-1-Peter-4-5Download
- ["Tortured for Christ" Screening](https://blclebanon.org/2020/08/03/tortured-for-christ-screening/) - On August 2 after service, we watched Tortured for Christ, the story of Romanian Lutheran pastor Richard Wurmbrand. If you weren't able to attend, you can find the link below. Watch "Tortured for Christ" by Voice of the Martyrs Historical Background Persecution of Christians in the USSR - Provides broad overview of the Soviet response
- [Feast of the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/06/07/feast-of-the-holy-trinity-matthew-2816-20/) - Matins Devotion for June 7
- [Sunday after Ascension (Psalm 68:1–10)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/05/24/sunday-after-ascension-psalm-681-10/) - We long for the end, for God to display His victory over His enemies. The Psalm we spoke earlier brings to mind pictures of God triumphantly establishing His Kingdom, driving out the Devil more and more, and bringing the righteous to shine and become stronger each day. 1 God shall arise, his enemies shall be
- [The Ascension of Our Lord (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/05/21/the-ascension-of-our-lord-luke-2444-53-acts-11-11/) - In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Times of uncertainty, fear, and disappointment leave us grasping for something sure. Dr. Bruce Hartung highlighted this at a pastor’s meeting on Tuesday where he was addressing the effects of the pandemic on mental health. These kinds of situations leave people vulnerable to clinging to any confident sounding
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (Acts 17:16-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/05/17/sixth-sunday-of-easter-acts-1716-31/) - In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Paul had entered a context in Athens that was not entirely foreign to us today. It was a very diverse city, with metropolitan people of diverse opinions and philosophies. Athens had a reputation as being the seat of many great thinkers: Socrates and Antisthenes, Plato and Epicurus. These were
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 14:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/05/10/fifth-sunday-of-easter-john-141-14-2/) - In the Name of + Jesus. Amen. Jesus says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (vv. 1-5). Let’s test
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/05/03/fourth-sunday-of-easter-john-101-10-2/) - In the Name of + Jesus. Amen. Jesus says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (vv. 1-5). Let’s test
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Luke 24:13-35)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/26/third-sunday-of-easter-luke-2413-35-2/) - At the outset of the day, Jesus’ disciples were in sorrow and grief. Their present circumstances were weighing them down, because in their estimation, “the chief priests and rulers delivered him up to death and crucified him.” End of story. The world had won, in spite of all that Jesus had said. Their hopes were
- [Second Sunday of Easter (John 20:19-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/19/second-sunday-of-easter-john-2019-31-2/) - In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Right now we’re all too familiar with barriers. If you make it to Costco, they have Plexiglass shields between you and the checker. We’re can all play bank robber and put a mask on and ask the teller to give us money (as long as it’s ours, of course).
- [Resurrection of Our Lord (Matthew 28:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/12/resurrection-of-our-lord-matthew-281-10/) - Alleluia! Christ is risen! Good news beyond comprehension. That’s what Jesus’ resurrection was. Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of James, go to the tomb after resting on the Sabbath. They come with burial spices to complete what was taken care of with haste as the sun set on Friday. It wasn’t fitting that
- [Good Friday (Isaiah 53:4-5)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/10/good-friday-isaiah-534-5/) - One of the strongest illustrations of the Gospel coming out the Reformation is that of the courtroom scene—forensic justification—where God looks upon the guilty sinner and His verdict is “not guilty” because Christ is the One who stood in our place and bore the punishment. This makes sense, because people were often under judgment and
- [Maundy Thursday (Matthew 26:17-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/09/maundy-thursday-matthew-2617-30-2/) - Normally, Maundy Thursday is a night I look forward to as a pastor—imagine that, a holiday in the Church year dedicated to the Lord’s Supper! I love the hymn, “Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness.” It brings me to tears as we sing, “Jesus, bread of life, I pray You, Let me gladly here obey You.
- [Palm Sunday (Passion According to St. Matthew)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/04/05/palm-sunday-passion-according-to-st-matthew/) - Matthew 26:1-35 Jesus is surrounded by failures. The woman who anoints him does a beautiful work, Judas who betrays him, the eleven other disciples who claim to be faithful but later abandon him. And this is nothing unique to this moment in time. Among people, we are a mixed bag. We have good intentions at
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (John 11:1-45)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/29/fifth-sunday-in-lent-john-111-45/) - The Lord had an existing relationship with the family. He loved them. He cared about Lazarus in his illness, the suffering he was enduring. (v. 5) We should keep this in mind, first of all, as we see what He does. Because of this love, he stayed two days longer, to the point at which
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent (John 9:1-41)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/22/fourth-sunday-in-lent-john-91-41/) - Times of disaster often bring out the theologian in people. We want to know why bad things happen. This is called “theodicy.” It comes from the Greek words for God and justify, and it cuts two ways. First, it serves to justify God’s right to send suffering, and this is what happens when we try
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Text: John 4:5-26)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/15/third-sunday-in-lent-text-john-45-26/) - Ignorance about God is a serious problem. Now, very few people would actually say they don’t know much about God. More common is the idea that we know enough about God to get by. You know, as much as country music songs teach us about God and Jesus and the importance of saying prayers. But
- [Passion Reading Schedule](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/24/passion-reading-schedule/) - With all the disruption brought by recent events in the world, this is still a sacred time for us as Christians. Easter draws near, and as our Lord reminded His disciples just before His betrayal, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have
- [Lent 1 - Midweek Series “Denying Eyes” (Mark 14:26-31; 66-72)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/04/lent-midweek-series-denying-eyes-mark-1426-31-66-72/) - He was so sure that he would succeed where others failed. He could feel the zeal welling up within him. “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” Lord, how could you say that we will all fall away? What an awful thing to happen! “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the
- [Second Sunday in Lent (John 3:1-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/08/second-sunday-in-lent-john-31-17-2/) - This Lent, we have the privilege to walk through several stories in the Gospel of John, which demonstrate to us the power of God for salvation to all who believe. We’ll stop in John 3 today, where we meet Nicodemus who learns the grace of the Kingdom of God. Next Sunday, we’ll hear about how
- [First Sunday in Lent (Matthew 4:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/03/01/first-sunday-in-lent-matthew-41-11-2/) - Jesus’ ministry begins not in a lush garden in the presence of God as it was in the beginning, but in the wilderness of a world that is under the curse of sin and death. His ministry after being baptized in the Jordan and declared to be the Son of God, goes immediately into the
- [Ash Wednesday (Mark 14:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/02/26/ash-wednesday-mark-141-9/) - Passion Reading: Mark 14:1–9 1It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, 2for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” 3And while he was
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord (2 Peter 1:16-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/02/23/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-2-peter-116-21-2/) - “While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. “He had on a
- [Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany (Matthew 5:21-37)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/02/16/sixth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-matthew-521-37/) - Jesus cuts to the chase. He doesn’t sugar coat His message to lure people in with fluffy words, only to hook them. Right away, He gets to what His work is about by confronting us our failures by the Ten Commandments. But He doesn’t quite follow the order given on Sinai (Exodus 20:1-20)—first our duty
- [Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Matthew 5:13-20)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/02/09/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-matthew-513-20/) - There are two errors that we can fall into with good works: One error is that we can prove to God and others by our actions that we are good. The proof that we are right with God is that we are busy doing the things God apparently wants. This happens in many Christian churches
- [Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord (Luke 2:22-32)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/02/02/purification-of-mary-and-presentation-of-our-lord-luke-222-32/) - The Gnostics of the first century imported many strange ideas into the Christian Church. Named after their chief aim: knowledge/gnosis, they believed the story of salvation was that the stuff of this world was evil and foreign. Our true selves were meant to dwell in spiritual forms. They taught that Jesus came to impart this
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany (John 1:29-42a)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/01/19/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany-john-129-42a/) - Every year in January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a chance for manufacturers to tout their latest innovations, upgrades in the most attractive way. This year’s convention had everything from a foldable tablet to a spoof toilet paper robot by Charmin. But every year the theme is celebrating the new and leaving the old
- [Baptism of Our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/01/12/baptism-of-our-lord-matthew-313-17/) - Among the many mysteries of Christmas is that God was born. This was something that many—trying to use their reason—couldn’t wrap their heads around. God fully embraced our human nature in Jesus Christ: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory” (John 1:14). Another is that God revealed this
- [Second Sunday after Christmas (Luke 2:40-52)](https://blclebanon.org/2020/01/05/second-sunday-after-christmas-luke-240-52/) - Some eighteen years later, Jesus would sit up on a mountain and say: 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the
- [First Sunday after Christmas (Matthew 2:13-23)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/29/first-sunday-after-christmas-matthew-213-23/) - On Christmas Day, the Holy Evangelist John said to us, “He came to his own, and his own did not receive him.” This didn’t start once Jesus began to preach and teach; it began that silent, holy night in Bethlehem. When the magi arrived in the capital of Israel, it wasn’t just Herod who was
- [The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord (Hebrews 1:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/25/the-feast-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-hebrews-11-11/) - If you don’t want to offend people’s religious tastes, talk about angels. Everybody loves angels—from your new age chiropractor to your spiritual-but-not-religious cousin. It’s nice to think about guardian angels, even if you have no other duty to God, to hope you have allies in the spiritual realm. It’s a nice idea to think that
- [Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord (Titus 2:11-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/24/eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-titus-211-14/) - There are a lot of things that are funny, and there are a lot of things to criticize in the world. Lord knows we’re experts at it in our day. But suddenly something that used to be funny or despised takes on a whole new light when it touches our life. For example, the bumper
- [Advent III Midweek (Numbers 24:1-3-9, 15-19 )](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/18/advent-iii-midweek-numbers-241-3-9-15-19/) - “Israel will overcome all hostility and in the latter days, God will raise up a Ruler who will let His kingdom come” We’ve heard from God’s unlikely mouthpiece two times now, and today a third and fourth time. From the beginning, Balaam has been an eccentric figure who is more of a soothsayer for hire
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Matthew 1:18-25)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/22/fourth-sunday-in-advent-matthew-118-25/) - Our Gospel reading falls nearly at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel. What comes very first is the introduction: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matt. 1:1) Recall the promise given to Abraham: “In you and in your Offspring, all the families of the earth will
- [Third Sunday in Advent (Isaiah 35:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/15/third-sunday-in-advent-isaiah-351-10/) - In the spring of 2016, Death Valley in California saw an unusual sight: a “super bloom.” Conditions came together which brought out a huge number of flowers besides the standby desert gold. Photographers descended on the valley and captured beautiful hills of mariposa lilies and sunbonnets. It was truly a rare event. The description given
- [Advent II Midweek (Numbers 23:13-26)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/11/advent-ii-midweek-numbers-2313-26/) - “Israel has the assurance of God’s unfailing promises” In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In a world of sin, failings, decay, and death, God reveals Himself through His promises. This was true from the moment our first parents brought sin and death into the world. The Lord was right there, promising a Seed who
- [Thanksgiving Service (Deuteronomy 26:1-11; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 12:13-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/11/27/thanksgiving-service-deuteronomy-261-11-2-corinthians-96-15-luke-1213-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, ORThanksgiving Service – November 27, 2019Texts: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 12:13-21 In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s often easier to appreciate what you have when you know what it’s like to not have it. Those who lived during the depression know what real scarcity is, and appreciate
- [Second Sunday in Advent (Text: Matthew 3:1-12)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/08/second-sunday-in-advent-text-matthew-31-12/) - 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. But why? I’m sure there’s someone weirder in Portland. John is uncomfortable because of what his image brings up. He eats locusts, and yet he preaches a plague far greater than
- [Advent Midweek I (Text: Numbers 23:5-12 )](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/04/advent-midweek-i-text-numbers-235-12/) - In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The story of Balaam is certainly a colorful one. Balak, king of Moab is looking out for his kingdom, and he sees from the Amorites that, militarily, he’s up a creek. So, he wisely chooses another method—an appeal straight to the top. So, Balak gets ahold of someone
- [First Sunday in Advent (Text: Matthew 21:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/12/01/first-sunday-in-advent-text-matthew-211-11/) - Happy New Year! No, really! What? You think I’m crazy and I better check my calendar. I have. The Church has a calendar she follows. It’s not one that competes with January-December. It’s like the fiscal calendar or the school calendar, but more. The Church Year centers around the events in the Life of Jesus,
- [Last Sunday of the Church Year (Isaiah 65:17-25 )](https://blclebanon.org/2019/11/24/last-sunday-of-the-church-year-isaiah-6517-25/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 24, 2019 Text: Isaiah 65:17-25 When Jesus came the first time, He gave the world a preview of the new heavens and the new earth. God walked with His people, speaking with them face-to-face. He healed their diseases, cured their uncleanness, and
- [Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Exodus 32:1-20)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/11/10/third-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-exodus-321-20/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Trinity 25) + November 10, 2018 Text: Exodus 32:1-20 The congregation got impatient when Moses was gone for 40 days and nights. We are coming on 2000 years since our Lord’s ascension. It doesn’t take long to find some of the foolish
- [Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Matthew 25:31-46)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/11/17/second-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-matthew-2531-46-2/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 17, 2019 Text: Matthew 25:31-46 This is one of the most uncomfortable passages of Scripture to read, because it leaves us with questions of, have I been good enough to stand on the Lord’s right hand? What does it take
- [All Saints Sunday (Revelation 7:9-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/11/03/all-saints-sunday-revelation-79-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR All Saints Sunday + November 3, 2019 Text: Revelation 7:9-14 This scene of the faithful at rest is given to John in the middle of great judgments at the end of the age. After the sixth of seven seals, the proud of the earth who have rejected the Gospel vainly
- [Reformation Sunday (John 8:31-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/10/27/reformation-sunday-john-831-36/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Reformation Sunday + October 27, 2019 Text: John 8:31-36 We’re accustomed to evaluating things on the basis of what we can see. If you go to the dentist, how good or bad your teeth are can be observed. If you’re buying a house, the home inspector looks for red flags
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 22:23-33, 34-46)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/10/20/eighteenth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-2223-33-34-46/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity + October 20, 2019 Text: Matthew 22:(23-33) 34-46 The Pharisees knew who they were, and they knew who the God of Israel was. They knew His Word thoroughly, and unlike those fools who don’t even believe in angels, the afterlife, or the resurrection (the Sadducees), they
- [Lenten Worship - "Remember"](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/18/lenten-worship-remember/) - Lenten Midweek Worship on Wednesdays 1:00pm - Midday Vespers (Pastor Miller) with coffee hour after 6:00pm - Soup Supper downstairs in fellowship hall 7:00pm - Evening Vespers (guest pastor) March 6 - Ash Wednesday: Remember Dust Pastor Michael Miller - Psalm 103:13-14 March 13 – Lent I: Remember Wondrous Works Pastor Eric Bolhmann (Shepherd of
- [LWML Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/2019/10/14/lwml-sunday/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR LWML Sunday (Proper 22C) – October 13, 2019 Text: Luke 17:1-10 Today is LWML Sunday. The theme of the day is from the Gospel reading, where Jesus says, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in
- [Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (Rev. 12:7-12)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/10/14/feast-of-st-michael-and-all-angels-rev-127-12/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Feast of St. Michael and All Angels – September 29, 2019 Text: Revelation 12:7-12 We often thank God for the dedicated service of the members of the armed forces. We thank Him for giving these men and women such dedication to their country and its citizens. That peace we enjoy
- [St. Matthew the Evangelist (Matt. 9:9-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/10/14/st-matthew-the-evangelist-matt-99-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Feast of St. Matthew (observed) + September 22, 2019 Text: St. Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” The Lord said this about Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist. Really it’s one of the main themes of the Gospel that Matthew wrote. From the very
- [Holy Cross Day (observed) (John 12:20-33)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/09/15/holy-cross-day-observed-john-1220-33/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Holy Cross Day (obs.) + September 15, 2019 Text: John 12:20-33 “Lift high the cross,” the Church sings, “the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore His sacred Name.” The cross has been a symbol of Christianity for countless generations. At a glance you can recognize a Christian
- [12th Sunday after Trinity (Mark 7:31-37)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/09/08/12th-sunday-after-trinity-mark-731-37/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Twelfth Sunday after Trinity + September 8, 2019 Text: Mark 7:31-37 Jesus performed many healings in His ministry. He raised Peter’s mother-in-law when she was sick with a fever, He healed lepers, cured lame and swollen limbs, and made the blind to see. What the people say is true: “He
- [Tenth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 19:41-48)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/08/25/tenth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-1941-48/)
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 16:1-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/08/18/ninth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-161-13-2/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Ninth Sunday after Trinity + August 18, 2019 Text: Luke 16:1-13 “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.” They say, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” This was the manager’s tactic: that through tipping the scales
- [Eighth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 7:15-23)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/08/11/eighth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-715-23/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Eighth Sunday after Trinity + August 11, 2019 Text: Matthew 7:15-23 You can tell a garden that is kept and tended from a garden that has been neglected. The tended garden shows careful attention, addresses weeds before they get out of hand and hurt the good plants preventing them from
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity(Mark 8:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/08/04/seventh-sunday-after-trinitymark-81-9/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Seventh Sunday after Trinity + August 4, 2019 Text: Mark 8:1-9 Recently in the news, there has been a story about a USDA rule change that would render 3.1 million people ineligible for food stamp benefits. Of course, an outcry ensues, because food is important for people to have. Every
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 5:20-26)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/07/28/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-520-26-2/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sixth Sunday after Trinity + July 28, 2019 Text: Matthew 5:20-26 How different Judaism was from Christianity! Of course, there’s the main difference: believing that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Christ). But when you accept Christ, all of Scripture suddenly must be reexamined through the cross. Jesus says to the
- [Fifth Sunday after Trinity (1 Kings 19:11-21, 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Luke 5:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/07/21/fifth-sunday-after-trinity-1-kings-1911-21-1-cor-118-25-luke-51-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday after Trinity + July 21, 2019 Text: 1 Kings 19:11-21, 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Luke 5:1-11 I think we would all agree that God is higher and greater than us. (After all, we wouldn’t be here if we were convinced otherwise.) As He explains in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my
- [Third Sunday after Trinity (Luke 15:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/07/07/third-sunday-after-trinity-luke-151-10-2/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday after Trinity + July 7, 2019 Text: Luke 15:1-10 Sometimes, Jesus is offensive. No, not like Howard Stern or Alex Jones. Jesus is offensive because He sheds His holy light on what is ungodly in us. When Jesus brings that light to men, one of two things happens:
- [Second Sunday after Trinity (1 John 3:13-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/06/30/second-sunday-after-trinity-1-john-313-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday after Trinity + June 30, 2019 Text: 1 John 3:13-18 The word “love” has taken on a life of its own. It’s as if everyone has their own private dictionary of what they want it to mean. So many interpret it simply as an emotion, and a shallow
- [The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (observed) (Isaiah 40:1-5)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/06/23/the-nativity-of-st-john-the-baptist-observed-isaiah-401-5/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (observed) + June 23, 2019 Text: Isaiah 40:1-5 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for
- [The Holy Trinity (Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/06/16/the-holy-trinity-isaiah-61-8-john-31-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Holy Trinity + June 16, 2019 Text: Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-17 In the course of our lives, there are people we come across who are worthy of respect, who we look up to. One that comes to mind for me is the technical director at my community college. As
- [Day of Pentecost (John 14:23-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/06/09/day-of-pentecost-john-1423-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Day of Pentecost + June 9, 2019 Text: John 14:23-31 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word
- [Sunday after the Ascension (John 15:26—16:4)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/06/02/sunday-after-the-ascension-john-1526-164/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sunday after the Ascension + June 2, 2019 Confirmation Sunday Text: John 15:26—16:4 In the Creed, why do we confess “I believe”? In the original Nicene Creed, it said, “We believe in one God,” because it was the confession of the 318 bishops gathered at the Council of Nicaea. It
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate) (John 16:23-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/05/26/sixth-sunday-of-easter-rogate-john-1623-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate) + May 26, 2019 Text: John 16:23-30 Sunday after Sunday, there are many parts of the liturgy that are the same. These parts are repeated, not because it sounds religious to repeat stuff, and not because the congregation is dull-witted and has to be told
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter (Cantate) (John 16:5-15)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/05/19/fifth-sunday-of-easter-cantate-john-165-15/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday of Easter (Cantate) + May 19, 2019 Text: John 16:5-15 The Sundays of the Easter season remind us how it’s possible for Jesus’ disciples to continue to be in fellowship with Him and to glory in the resurrection for the long haul. For four Sundays in a row,
- [Third Sunday of Easter (John 10:11-16)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/05/05/third-sunday-of-easter-john-1011-16/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias Domini) + May 5, 2019 Baptism of Lincoln Thomas Vorderstrasse Text: John 10:11-16 Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” But what is meant by “good”? When you want to find out more in Holy Scripture, you go to the original languages—Greek in the New
- [Second Sunday of Easter (John 20:19-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/28/second-sunday-of-easter-john-2019-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday of Easter + April 28, 2019 Text: John 20:19-31 “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you,” Jesus tells His disciples on the evening of the first Easter. He wants His ministry to continue, for the Gospel to be preached to every town throughout
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Mark 16:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/21/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-mark-161-9/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Resurrection of Our Lord – April 21, 2019 Text: Mark 16:1-9 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! As Americans, we are used to having options to choose from. If you were going to buy a car, you wouldn’t want to be told that there was only
- [Easter Dawn (John 20:1-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/21/easter-dawn-john-201-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Easter Dawn + April 21, 2019 Text: John 20:1-18 MARY MAGDALENE COMES TO THE GRAVEYARD TO WEEP, BUT THE LORD HALLOWS THE GRAVE AND FILLS IT WITH NEW HOPE. When you wake up, you usually come up with a plan of what to expect that day. Mary was expecting to
- [Good Friday (John 18-19)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/19/good-friday-john-18-19/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Good Friday + April 19, 2019 Text: John 18-19 In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Jesus is dead. This was everything His enemies wanted. This is everything that God wanted. “It is finished.” This is what Lent has been leading up to—the Son of God, hanging lifeless on the tree
- [Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-15, 34-35)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/18/maundy-thursday-john-131-15-34-35/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Maundy Thursday + April 18, 2019 Text: John 13:1-15, 34-35 When we think about the Lord’s Supper as Christians of the Lutheran confession, we talk a great deal about the nature of the Sacrament (what it is), and how it benefits us personally. And it is necessary for us to
- [Palm Sunday (Palmarum) (John 12:12-19)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/14/palm-sunday-palmarum-john-1212-19/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Palm Sunday (Palmarum) + April 14, 2019 Text: John 12:12-19 The anticipation was great. This wasn’t something just thrown together at the last minute. The people of Israel had been waiting for literally centuries for this day to arrive. The Son of David had finally come. How could they know?
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Genesis 22:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/04/07/fifth-sunday-in-lent-genesis-221-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday in Lent + April 7, 2019 Text: Genesis 22:1-14 Genesis 22:2: “[God] said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi) (Exodus 8:16-24)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/24/third-sunday-in-lent-oculi-exodus-816-24/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi) + March 24, 2019 Text: Exodus 8:16-24 While God was executing His judgment against the Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and their gods, God made a distinction between His people and His enemies. Sure, at the start, the Egyptian magicians were able to turn water into blood
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere) (Genesis 32:23-33)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/17/second-sunday-in-lent-reminiscere-genesis-3223-33/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere) + March 17, 2019 Text: Genesis 32:23-33 In Hebrews 11, the Apostle defines what faith is: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.” (Hebrews 11:1-2). We don’t see
- [First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit) (Matthew 4:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/10/first-sunday-in-lent-invocabit-matthew-41-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit) + March 10, 2019 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 In Martin Luther’s Large Catechism, he explained the First Commandment this way: What is to have a god? What is God? 2 Answer: A god is that to which we look for all good and in which we
- [Ash Wednesday: Remember Dust (Psalm 103:13-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/06/ash-wednesday-remember-dust-psalm-10313-14/) - Pastor Michael A. Miller The Man from Heaven Remembers the Man of Dust Psalm 103:13-14 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you
- [Quinquagesima (Luke 18:31-43)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/03/03/quinquagesima-luke-1831-43-2/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Quinquagesima + March 3, 2019 Text: Luke 18:31-43 The Lord often confounds our understanding—He chooses the least, the lowly, and here in today’s Gospel it is a blind man that sees while the disciples are dumbfounded. But on the cusp of the holy 40 days leading to the crucifixion of
- [Sexagesima (Luke 8:4-15)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/02/24/sexagesima-luke-84-15/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sexagesima (60 Days to Easter) + February 24, 2019 Text: Luke 8:4-15 In America, it’s fairly easy to “do” the Christian lifestyle. It goes long back in Western history, but especially in our land. Here, even the staunchest hubs of progressivism are dotted with numerous churches. We’re proud of our
- [Septuagesima (70 Days to Easter) (Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/02/17/septuagesima-70-days-to-easter-matthew-201-16-nkjv/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Septuagesima (70 Days to Easter) + February 17, 2019 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV As you’ve already probably noticed from the bulletin, there’s something different about this season in between Epiphany and Lent. Easter is still over two months away, but already we begin our
- [Schedule Change - February 10, 2019](https://blclebanon.org/2019/02/10/snow/) - Due to the snow and ice on the roads, we will just have service at 10:30am (no Sunday School). If you are not able to make it, you can watch a short service online:
- [Thrown into the drink or delivered, God is faithful to accomplish His good purpose! (Jonah 1:1-17, Matthew 8:23-27)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/02/03/thrown-into-the-drink-or-delivered-god-is-faithful-to-accomplish-his-good-purpose-jonah-11-17-matthew-823-27/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany + February 3, 2019 Text: Jonah 1:1-17, Matthew 8:23-27 One of the great myths about our life is that we’re safer at some times than at others. The disciples were under the impression that they were safer on land
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany (Matthew 8:1-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/01/27/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany-matthew-81-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday after the Epiphany + January 27, 2019 Text: Matthew 8:1-13 Throughout the Epiphany season, our Lord reveals who He is and what He’s come for. So far, we’ve heard the proclamation of who He is—as a child, at the Jordan, and
- [Memorial for Irvin and Marcia Boyer (Isaiah 43:1)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/01/27/memorial-for-irvin-and-marcia-boyer-isaiah-431/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Memorial for Irvin and Marcia Boyer – January 27, 2019 Text: Isaiah 43:1
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany ( John 2:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/01/20/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany-john-21-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday after the Epiphany + January 20, 2019 Text: John 2:1-11 When Moses was leading Israel through the wilderness toward the land of promise, he was content to know that the Lord went with them. But more than a stranger on the bus,
- [The Baptism of Our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/01/13/the-baptism-of-our-lord-1-corinthians-126-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR The Baptism of Our Lord + January 13, 2019 Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 One of the devil’s tactics against Christians is to tell them that they are unworthy. Here’s how it goes: Not necessarily about being unworthy to stand in God’s presence, but he
- [The Epiphany of Our Lord (Isaiah 60:1-6)](https://blclebanon.org/2019/01/06/the-epiphany-of-our-lord-isaiah-601-6/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR The Epiphany of Our Lord + January 6, 2018 Text: Isaiah 60:1-6 Today begins the Epiphany season of the Church year. This tradition of celebrating Epiphany comes to us from the Greek Church, where Epiphany means “to give light and cause to appear”[1] Originally,
- [Sunday after Christmas (Luke 2:25-40)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/30/sunday-after-christmas-luke-225-40/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Sunday after Christmas + December 30, 2018 Luke 2:25-40 Forty days after Jesus’ birth, He was brought to the temple according to the Levitical Law. Also there at the temple is a man named Simeon. A righteous man, to whom the Holy Spirit revealed
- [The Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity A.D. 2018 (John 1:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/25/the-feast-of-our-lords-nativity-a-d-2018-john-11-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity A.D. 2018 Text: John 1:1-14 The theory of evolution would have us believe that everything which exists is the product of natural forces—genetic mutation, chance, and death. Before you have a visceral reaction against even the word “evolution,” take a minute to consider this
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Luke 1:39-56)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/23/fourth-sunday-in-advent-luke-139-56/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday in Advent + December 23, 2018 Text: Luke 1:39-56 THE WORLD WAS SAVED THROUGH CHILDBEARING AND YOU ARE SAVED BY BELIEVING IN THE FRUIT OF THE VIRGIN’S WOMB. Part 1 – God used two unlikely mothers to bring His Kingdom to earth. “Thy Kingdom Come,” He taught us
- [Third Sunday in Advent (Matthew 11:2-6)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/16/third-sunday-in-advent-matthew-112-6/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete) + December 16, 2018 Text: Matthew 11:2-6 God sends His messengers to point us to the true signs of Christ’s imminent kingdom. For about the last 40 years, Americans have been very skeptical of what their government is doing.
- [Advent 2 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/12/advent-2-midweek/) - Advent 2 Midweek “For unto us a Son is Given”: The Answer of Samuel In the Name of Jesus. Amen. The devil loved barrenness. In Genesis 3:15, after the devil had tempted Eve, and she and Adam fell into sin, the Lord said to the Serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman,
- [Second Sunday in Advent (Luke 21:25-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/09/second-sunday-in-advent-luke-2125-36/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion) + December 9, 2018 Text: Luke 21:25-36 29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the
- [Advent 1 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/05/advent-1-midweek/) - Advent 1 Midweek “For unto us a Son is Given” : The Laughter of Isaac In the Name of Jesus. Amen. Joshua reminded the Israelites, “Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods” (Joshua 24:24). This was back when Abraham was called
- [First Sunday of Advent (Matthew 21:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/12/02/first-sunday-of-advent-matthew-211-9/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR First Sunday of Advent + December 2, 2018 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 By coming into Jerusalem, Jesus sets a precedent. On the one hand, He shows what kind of King He is going to be. On the other, He shows what His subjects can expect.
- [Last Sunday of the Church Year (Matthew 25:1-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/25/last-sunday-of-the-church-year-matthew-251-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 25, 2018 Text: Matthew 25:1-13 We can all agree that being prepared is important. If you are prepared for something, it will be easier to meet when it comes. This is true of things we
- [Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Matthew 25:31-46)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/18/second-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-matthew-2531-46/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 18, 2018 Baptism of Nathan L. Vasquez Text: Matthew 25:31-46 It’s no myth from the past or a method of keeping people in line. Every person will appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
- [Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Trinity 25)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/11/third-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-trinity-25/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Trinity 25) + November 11, 2018 Text: Exodus 32:1-20 Waiting is hard. I don’t know anyone who is perfectly patient about rising above their present troubles. Wouldn’t it be great if we could always do what the
- [Hymn Notes (3rd to Last Sunday of the Church Year)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/07/hymn-notes-3rd-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year/) - LSB 655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word is a children’s hymn that Martin Luther composed in 1541-42. At that time, the Evangelical (later called Lutheran) church was under ongoing threat by those loyal to the pope. In addition, the advancement of the Turks into the region of Budapest brought war to the eastern
- [Hymn Notes (All Saints Day)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/04/hymn-notes-all-saints-day/) - Jerusalem the Golden, written by Benedictine monk, Bernard of Cluny (France), echoesthe hope of all the faithful. Based on visions from Revelation 21 and 7, “we know not what joys await us there,” but it will be our eternal Sabbath rest andhome with our God. In Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, we sing of
- [All Saints Day (observed) (Revelation 7:9-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/11/04/all-saints-day-observed-revelation-79-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR All Saints Day (observed) + November 4, 2018 Text: Revelation 7:9-14 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed
- [Reformation Sunday (Matt. 11:12-19)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/10/28/reformation-sunday-matt-1112-19/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Reformation Sunday + October 28, 2018 Text: Matt. 11:12-19 In the 1730’s, there began a movement in the Colonies that was later called The Great Awakening. It came with convincing preachers, stirred spirits, changed morals, and huge revival meetings. It transformed the religious and moral
- [Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity (John 4:46-54)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/10/21/twenty-first-sunday-after-trinity-john-446-54/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity + October 20, 2018 Text: John 4:46-54 God created His world good in six days. It was not just a snow globe to be kept on the shelf, but it was made to sustain and provide for life on earth.
- [Twentieth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 22:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/10/14/twentieth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-221-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Twentieth Sunday after Trinity + October 14, 2018 Text: Matthew 22:1-14
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 9:1-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/10/07/nineteenth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-91-8/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity + October 7, 2018 Text: Matthew 9:1-8 So, which is it? Which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise and walk”? Jesus leaves us with this two-edged question, because if we say it’s easier to forgive sins,
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 14:1-11, Ephesians 4:1-3)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/09/23/seventeenth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-141-11-ephesians-41-3/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity + September 23, 2018 Text: Luke 14:1-11, Ephesians 4:1-3 Not everyone who gathered around Jesus was there to simply to hear Him and be healed by Him. Some were there to watch Him and wait for Him to stumble. At
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 7:11-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/09/16/sixteenth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-711-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity + September 16, 2018 Text: Luke 7:11-17 Jesus comes to the village of Nain, two miles south of Mount Tabor in the region of Galilee. As He approaches the city with His disciples, there is another procession on the way
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 6:24-34)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/09/09/fifteenth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-624-34/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity + September 9, 2018 Text: Matthew 6:24-34 These are some of the most reassuring words in Scripture, especially in times of economic distress and danger to life. And most of us have experienced that kind of distress in one way
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Galatians 5:16-24)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/09/02/fourteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-galatians-516-24/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 2, 2018 Text: Galatians 5:16-24 When we go to the doctor, they are checking for symptoms. If it’s an annual exam, they’re looking for symptoms of a healthy body—heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, good glucose and cholesterol levels.
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 10:23-37)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/08/26/thirteenth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-1023-37/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity + August 26, 2018 Text: Luke 10:23-37 God reveals Himself not to the proud, stately, and religious, but to little children. The humble, the troubled, the weak, and the needy. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”[1]
- [Twelfth Sunday after Trinity (Mark 7:31-37)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/08/19/twelfth-sunday-after-trinity-mark-731-37/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Twelfth Sunday after Trinity + August 19, 2018 Text: Mark 7:31-37 This was not the first time that Jesus had been to Tyre, Sidon, and the region of the Decapolis. The first time Mark records that Jesus visited Tyre and Sidon chapter 3, it
- [Tenth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 19:41-48)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/08/05/tenth-sunday-after-trinity/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Tenth Sunday after Trinity + August 5, 2018 Baptism of Liam John Buresh Strehlo Text: Luke 19:41-48 The question sometimes arises: What’s the difference between Israel of old and the Christian Church? More to the point, what happened to Israel and all the things
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity (Luke 16:1-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/07/29/ninth-sunday-after-trinity-luke-161-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Ninth Sunday after Trinity + July 29, 2018 Text: Luke 16:1-13 Our Lord says, “The one who is faithful over little is also faithful over much." The concept of firstfruits is found throughout the Bible, but it’s not something we often hear much about.
- [Eighth Sunday after Trinity (Acts 20:27-38)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/07/22/eighth-sunday-after-trinity-acts-2027-38/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Eighth Sunday after Trinity + July 22, 2018 Text: Acts 20:27-38 It’s a virtue to find the best in everyone’s intentions. Indeed even the catechism, when teaching us about our neighbor’s reputation says that we should “put the best construction on everything.” On
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity (Mark 8:1-6)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/07/15/seventh-sunday-after-trinity-mark-81-6/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Seventh Sunday after Trinity + July 15, 2018 Baptism of Jerimiah & Natasha (Jenks) Hodson, Giovanni, Roen, and Noah Text: Mark 8:1-6 There aren’t many dogs or cats that like to go to the vet. Nevertheless, compassionate owners knows when it’s the needed thing. So, in compassion, they pack
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity (Matthew 5:20-26)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/07/08/sixth-sunday-after-trinity-matthew-520-26/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Sixth Sunday after Trinity + July 8, 2018 Text; Matthew 5:20-26 This week, our Vacation Bible School will center around the Ten Commandments. For centuries, the first thing those learning the Christian faith encountered has been the Ten Commandments. We think they are
- [The Visitation (observed) (Luke 1:39–56)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/07/01/the-visitation-observed-luke-139-56/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR The Visitation (observed) + July 1, 2018 Text: Luke 1:39–56 When Mary visited her, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43). The visit had been Mary’s idea, conceived suddenly, arranged
- [Baptized, but Not at Church](https://blclebanon.org/2018/06/27/baptized-but-not-at-church/) - 24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil
- [Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/06/24/nativity-of-st-john-the-baptist-luke-157-80/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Nativity of St. John the Baptist + June 24, 2018 Text: Luke 1:57-80 “How is the Bible relevant to me today?” This is the question of the day. How does it speak to my experience and what practical advice can I glean from it?
- [Third Sunday after Trinity (Luke 15:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/06/17/third-sunday-after-trinity-luke-151-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday after Trinity + June 14, 2018 Text: Luke 15:1-10 When someone says, let’s celebrate Father’s Day, the first thing that usually comes to our mind is our own fathers—for better or for worse as the case may be. Many fathers are
- [Second Sunday after Trinity (Luke 14:15-24)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/06/10/second-sunday-after-trinity-luke-1415-24/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday after Trinity + June 10, 2018 Text: Luke 14:15-24 Life happens. We all know that. Sometimes life happens so much that one’s faith falls to the bottom of the list. Children, work, family get-togethers, sleep…all sorts of things compete for attention in
- [First Sunday after Trinity (Luke 16:19-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/06/03/first-sunday-after-trinity-luke-1619-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR First Sunday after Trinity + June 3, 2018 Text: Luke 16:19-31 Last week, we confessed in the Athanasian Creed, “Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally.”
- [Feast of the Holy Trinity (John 3:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/05/27/feast-of-the-holy-trinity-john-31-14/) - Bethlehem & Bethel Lutheran Churches, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Feast of the Holy Trinity + May 27, 2018 Text: John 3:1-14 The Feast of the Holy Trinity differs from the other three high festivals of the Church Year. Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost all celebrate the mighty acts of God for the salvation of mankind.
- [Pentecost Day (Confirmation Sunday) (John 14:23-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/05/20/pentecost-day-confirmation-sunday-john-1423-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Churches, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Pentecost Day (Confirmation Sunday) + May 20, 2018 Text: John 14:23-31 It’s a beautiful thing to witness young men and women on Confirmation Day confess their faith publicly. The flowers are beautiful, they look handsome in their best duds, but the really wonderful thing,
- [Sunday after the Ascension (Exaudi)(Ezekiel 36:22-28)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/05/13/sunday-after-the-ascension-exaudiezekiel-3622-28/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Sunday after the Ascension (Exaudi) + May 13, 2018 Text: Ezekiel 36:22-28 Don’t be fooled by the title, “Old Testament.” It’s not old like your flip phone that sits forgotten in the junk drawer. It’s not old like an old clunker that rattles when
- [Fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate) (James 1:16-25)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/29/fourth-sunday-after-easter-cantate-james-116-25/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate) + April 29, 2018 Text: James 1:16-25 Welcome to the world! From the moment we’re born and placed in our mother’s arms, we’re growing and learning. We learn from sights, sounds, and smells. We learn from things we do,
- [Third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate) (John 16:16-22)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/22/third-sunday-after-easter-jubilate-john-1616-22/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate) + April 22, 2018 Text: John 16:16-22 Among the many promises of God, we have our favorites: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become
- [Second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias domini)(John 10:11-16)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/15/second-sunday-after-easter-misericordias-dominijohn-1011-16/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias domini) + April 15, 2018 Text: John 10:11-16 “A Psalm of David. 1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul.
- [First Sunday after Easter (Quasimodo geniti) (1 John 5:4-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/08/first-sunday-after-easter-quasimodo-geniti-1-john-54-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR First Sunday after Easter (Quasimodo geniti) + April 8, 2018 Text: 1 John 5:4-10 Alleluia! He is risen! The Introit for today begins, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk of the Word [that by it you may grow up unto
- [Resurrection of Our Lord (Mark 16:1-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/01/resurrection-of-our-lord-mark-161-8/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Resurrection of Our Lord + April 1, 2018 Text: Mark 16:1-8 Alleluia! Christ is risen! The two Mary’s saw the corpse taken down from the cross. They watched as their dead Lord was hastily wrapped in a linen shroud and placed in the tomb. “Mary Magdalene and Mary the
- [Easter Sunrise (John 20:1-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/04/01/easter-sunrise-john-201-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Easter Sunrise + April 1, 2018 Text: John 20:1-18 Sermon from Rev. David Juhl, adapted With glad hearts raised to God, we say Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! It takes a special breed to be a morning person. Not everyone can get up before the
- [Good Friday (Isaiah 53:4–6)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/30/good-friday-isaiah-556-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Good Friday + March 30, 2018 Text: Isaiah 53:4-6 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was
- [Maundy Thursday (John 13:1-15, 34-35)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/29/maundy-thursday-zechariah-112-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Maundy Thursday + March 29, 2018 Text: John 13:1-15, 34-35 The question of the Passover is, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The Jewish answer is, “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord, our God, took us out from there with a strong
- [Palm Sunday (Philippians 2:5-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/25/palm-sunday-philippians-25-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Palm Sunday + March 25, 2018 Text: Philippians 2:5-11 Everyone admires a humble, loving person. Nobody would argue these qualities are a bad thing. Jesus is one of those people who exemplify humility and love. Many people admire Him as one of history’s greats.
- [Lent 6 Midweek (Amos 4:6–13)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/21/lent-6-midweek-amos-46-13/) - Return to the Lord, Who Does Not Tire of Calling You Amos 4:6–13 Sermon Outline Judgment looms! Judgment did not have to come if we had heeded the Lord’s repeated calls. Because we did not heed, judgment is meted out on Christ. Because He Does Not Tire of Calling You, the Lord Will Not Rest
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica) (Genesis 22:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/18/fifth-sunday-in-lent-judica-genesis-221-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica) + March 18, 2018 Text: Genesis 22:1-14 This past Sunday, we heard how God provides for all our needs. In the collect we prayed, “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we
- [Lent 5 Midweek (Malachi 3:6–12)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/14/lent-5-midweek-malachi-36-12/) - Return to the Lord, Who Does Not Change Malachi 3:6–12 Sermon Outline Children are dependent. Children are ungrateful. Children are blessed. You Are Blessed to Be a Child of One Who Does Not Change. Sermon Did you hear how the Lord referred to you? It was right there in Mal 3:6. “For I the Lord
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare) (John 6:1-15)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/11/fourth-sunday-in-lent-laetare-john-61-15/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare) + March 11, 2018 Text: John 6:1-15 The Lord provided for the Israelites in the wilderness with manna and quail. Moses reminded them of this in Deuteronomy 8: “2Remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led
- [Lent 4 Midweek (Hosea 6:1–6)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/07/lent-4-midweek-hosea-61-6/) - Return to the Lord, Who Will Raise You Up Hosea 6:1–6 Sermon Outline Though He Has Disciplined You, Return to the Lord Because You Know Him. Return to the Lord, for he is reliable. Return to the Lord, even though you are not reliable. III. Return to the Lord, for he is steadfast through cross
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi) (Ephesians 5:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/03/04/third-sunday-in-lent-oculi-ephesians-51-9/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi) + March 4, 2018 Text: Ephesians 5:1-9 St. Paul says, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children.” “What makes you think that you’re special?” The implication is that being special or privileged is a bad thing.
- [Lent 3 Midweek (Jeremiah 15:19–21)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/28/lent-3-midweek-jeremiah-1519-21/) - Return to the Lord, Who Will Restore You Jeremiah 15:19–21 Sermon Outline You Get Back Up When There Is the Certainty of Restoration. Jeremiah and you know the frustration of those who will not listen. For Jeremiah and you, frustration gives way to hopelessness. III. The promises of the Lord grant hope to the hopeless.
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere) (Genesis 32:22-32)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/25/second-sunday-in-lent-reminiscere-genesis-3222-32/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere) + February 25, 2018 Text: Genesis 32:22-32 When you pray, do you ever wish you had some extra influence, something that would help God see things your way? I know I do, when I’m praying for someone I
- [Lent 2 Midweek (Isaiah 44:21–28)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/21/lent-1-midweek-isaiah-4421-28/) - Return to the Lord, Who Has Redeemed You Isaiah 44:21–28 Sermon Outline Return to the Lord, For He Alone Redeems You from Slavery. You are a slave to sin and its consequences. You have been redeemed by the Lord; you are free. III. You are free, so rejoice with singing. Sermon It’s one of
- [Christian Memorial for Thomas Henry Standley (John 3:14-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/19/christian-memorial-for-thomas-henry-standley-john-314-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Christian Memorial for Thomas Henry Standley – February 19, 2018 Text: John 3:14-18 Tom’s story is a story of the Gospel of Jesus at work. He came to Bethlehem knowing a little about the Lord, but it was here that he was confirmed at the age of 26 on
- [First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit) (Genesis 3:1-21; Matthew 4:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/18/first-sunday-in-lent-invocabit-genesis-31-21-matthew-41-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit) + February 18, 2018 Text: Genesis 3:1-21; Matthew 4:1-11 The Apostle Peter warns us, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith,
- [Ash Wednesday (Amos 4:6–13)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/14/ash-wednesday-amos-46-13/) - Lenten Midweek Service: Return to the Lord, Who Does Not Tire of Calling You Text: Amos 4:6–13 3. “Prepare to meet your God.” Those words hit you like a sledgehammer. It’s what you hear a movie villain say before he ends his victim’s life. But it’s no villain that speaks those words to you.
- [Quinquagesima (Luke 18:31-43)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/11/quinquagesima-luke-1831-43/) - Bethlehem and Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Quinquagesima + February 11, 2018 Text: Luke 18:31-43 These two accounts in St. Luke’s Gospel are arranged very intentionally. Side by side, the disciples are placed next to a blind beggar. The disciples are sighted, but blind to see who Jesus is. The beggar is
- [Sexagesima (Second Sunday before Lent)( 2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/02/04/sexagesima-second-sunday-before-lent-2-corinthians-1119-129/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Sexagesima (Second Sunday before Lent) + February 4, 2018 Text: 2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9 The marks of success that we’re accustomed to look for are external: being popular, well-spoken of, and attractive. Indeed, if you owned a business, this is what you would want
- [Seputagesima (St. Matthew 20:1-16)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/01/28/seputagesima-st-matthew-201-16/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Seputagesima – January 28, 2018 Text: St. Matthew 20:1-16 It’s true that all of the parables Jesus tells teach about the Kingdom of Heaven and how it differs from our earthly life. While it uses everyday elements, it teaches divine wisdom about God Himself
- [February 2018 Newsletter Article - Lead Us Not into Temptation](https://blclebanon.org/2018/01/24/february-2018-newsletter-article-lead-us-not-into-temptation/) - From the Pastor: Lead Us Not Into Temptation We are familiar with this prayer, because the Lord taught it to us. But what are we really asking for? Is there a chance that God actually would carry us into temptation? Luther explained it well in the Small Catechism: “God tempts no one. We
- [Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/01/21/transfiguration-of-our-lord-matthew-171-9-2-peter-116-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Transfiguration of Our Lord + January 21, 2018 Text: Matthew 17:1-9, 2 Peter 1:16-21 The Transfiguration is vindication for all the Old Testament saints, here represented by Moses and Elijah. Both of them had moments of vindication during their ministry: Moses when
- [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany ( John 2:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/01/14/2nd-sunday-after-the-epiphany-john-21-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany + January 14, 2018 Text: John 2:1-11 Why did this wedding take place on Tuesday? That’s what the 3rd day was, after all (Sunday is the first day, etc.). The third day was the day of double blessing.
- [The Baptism of Our Lord (Matthew 3:13-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2018/01/07/the-baptism-of-our-lord-matthew-313-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR The Baptism of Our Lord + January 7, 2018 Text: Matthew 3:13-18 The Baptism of Jesus is one of the pivotal moments in His ministry. You could say it was the very start of it. But that it was started with baptism is
- [Circumcision and Name of Jesus (Numbers 6:24-27; Luke 2:21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/31/circumcision-and-name-of-jesus-numbers-624-27-luke-221/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Circumcision and Name of Jesus + December 31, 2017 Text: Numbers 6:24-27; Luke 2:21 When you say “Happy New Year,” you may be surprised to know what that wish means. Many people think nothing of the greeting, “Happy New Year.” It’s just
- [Nativity of Our Lord (John 1:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/25/nativity-of-our-lord-john-11-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Nativity of Our Lord + December 25, 2017 Text: John 1:1-14 This morning, we complete our series on the pivotal point in the Nicene Creed (which we just confessed). “For us men, and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the
- [Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord (Luke 2:10-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/24/eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-luke-210-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord + December 24, 2017 Text: Luke 2:10-11 “He came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary” This blessed evening, we will focus on these words which are confessed
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Luke 1:46-55)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/24/fourth-sunday-in-advent-luke-146-55/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday in Advent (Rorate Coeli) + December 24, 2017 Text: Luke 1:46-55 “Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven” This morning is the beginning of a three-part sermon series over today and tomorrow, in which we will focus on the part of the
- [Christmas Services](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/22/christmas-services/) - Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing! Sunday, December 24th 10:30 AM - Sunday Worship (4th Sunday in Advent) 7:00 PM - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Monday, December 25th 10:00 AM - Christmas Day Divine Service Special 3-Part Sermon on the words of the Nicene Creed: "Who for us
- [Advent 3 Midweek (Isaiah 40:1-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/20/advent-3-midweek-isaiah-401-8/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Advent 3 Midweek – December 20, 2017 Text: Isaiah 40:1-8 Who doesn’t like to feel comfortable? It sure is nice to not be annoyed, or hungry, or sleepy. Your favorite chair, your favorite room in the house, your favorite food and the people around you. That’s what we’re all
- [Third Sunday in Advent (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/17/third-sunday-in-advent-1-corinthians-41-5/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete) + December 17, 2017 Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 John the Baptist was that voice foretold long before—one crying in the wilderness, a messenger before the Lord’s face, and him who was to come in the spirit and
- [Advent Midweek 2 (Malachi 4:1-6)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/12/wednesday-of-advent-2-malachi-41-6/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Wednesday of Advent 2 + December 12, 2017 Text: Malachi 4:1-6 THERE’S NOTHING HOTTER THAN HELL, BUT THERE’S NOTHING MORE REJUVENATING THAN THE GRACE OF GOD. Is it hot in here? Yes, I do believe it’s hotter than hell in here. We hear that phrase thrown around thoughtlessly.
- [Fear Not, The Kingdom of God is At Hand (Luke 21:25-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/10/fear-not-the-kingdom-of-god-is-at-hand-luke-2125-36/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Second Sunday in Advent + December 10, 2017 Text: Luke 21:25-36 Let’s be honest, the things described in the end times are scary! They make even the worst terrorist attack seem like a hiccup, because it’s not just going to be in one
- [Advent Midweek I (Jeremiah 23:5-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/06/advent-midweek-i-jeremiah-235-8/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Advent Midweek I – December 6, 2017 Text: Jeremiah 23:5-8 True salvation vs. counterfeit hope In the days of Jeremiah, every true Israelite was in expectation. The nation was severely broken—ruled by kings who had more interest in feasts and fertility gods than the spiritual welfare of God’s
- [The King of Kings Comes for You (Matthew 21:1-9)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/12/03/first-sunday-in-advent-matthew-211-9/) - Bethlehem Lutheran & Bethel Lutheran Churches, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR First Sunday in Advent (Ad Te Levavi) + December 3, 2017 Text: Matthew 21:1-9 “Your King Comes to You” This is the beginning of Advent, the season leading up to Christmas. Advent comes to us from Latin, meaning “to come to” (ad +
- [The Great Day When Faith Turns to Sight (Matthew 25:31-46)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/11/26/last-sunday-of-the-church-year-matthew-2531-46/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 26, 2017 Text: Matthew 25:31-46 We are Christians living in the Last Days. As such, it is our calling not to measure the frequency of wars, famines, and earthquakes, but to wait patiently for the
- [Giving Thanks, No Matter Circumstances (Philippians 4:6-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/11/22/service-of-thanksgiving-philippians-46-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Service of Thanksgiving – November 22, 2017 Text: Philippians 4:6-13 St. Paul’s words sound preposterous: Do not be anxious about anything. Whatever is true, honorable, just, etc…think about these things. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. What
- [Clarifying the Last Day (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/11/19/2nd-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-1-thessalonians-413-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR 2nd to Last Sunday of the Church Year + November 19, 2017 Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Adapted from a sermon by Pastor Alexander Lange 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you
- [A Wise Virgin is Ready for the Long Run (Matthew 25:1-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/11/12/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-251-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost + November 12, 2017 Text: Matthew 25:1-13 We can all agree that preparation is an important thing to do. If you are prepared for something, it will be easier to meet when it comes. This is true of
- [All Saints Day (observed)(Revelation 7:9-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/11/05/all-saints-day-observedrevelation-79-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR All Saints Day (observed) – November 5, 2017 Text: Revelation 7:9-17 “After this I looked, and behold”: For now, faith and sight are now distinguished from each other. We know that God is good, that He loves us, and that He has
- [Festival of the Reformation (John 8:31-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/29/festival-of-the-reformation-john-831-36/) - Zion Lutheran Church, Corvallis, OR Festival of the Reformation + October 29, 2017 Text: John 8:31-36 “The Son Sets Us Free with His Word” The Reformation was truly a blessed turn in Church History. It meant that the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread into a world that was darkened with the teaching that sinful
- [Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 22:15-22)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/22/twentieth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-2215-22/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost + October 22, 2017 (Baptism of Miles H) Text: Matthew 22:15-22 We like either/or questions, like do we need to pay taxes or NOT? We’d love the answer to be as simple as a computer flipping between 0 and
- [Christian Funeral of Helen May Daily (John 10:11-16, 27-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/18/christian-funeral-of-helen-may-daily-john-1011-16-27-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Christian Funeral of Helen May Daily – October 18, 2017 Text: John 10:11-16, 27-30 Helen was a woman who was full of service. From her twenties on, she served in this congregation, working in the Ladies Aid. She loved gardening, so she helped with the flowers and bushes around the
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 22:1-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/15/nineteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-221-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost + October 15, 2017 Text: Matthew 22:1-18 In both the Old and New Testaments, God describes His people as “kingdom of priests.” In Exodus 19 He says, “you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 21:33-46)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/08/eighteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-2133-46/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost + October 8, 2017 Text: Matthew 21:33-46 It’s the call to every generation to not make the Church our own possession. You have certain privileges as a renter, and certain other privileges as a homeowner. A renter
- [LWML Sunday (2 Timothy 4:1-5)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/10/01/lwml-sunday-2-timothy-41-5/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR LWML Sunday – October 1, 2017 Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 20:1-16)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/09/24/sixteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-201-16/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon and Sweet Home, OR Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Baptism of David Timothy Miller) + September 24, 2017 Text: Matthew 20:1-16 The dictionary defines grace as unmerited favor from God. So, we sing praises of God’s grace in Christ. We name congregations after it and we sing
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 13:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/09/10/fourteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-romans-131-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 10, 2017 Text: Romans 13:1-10 People love to be free of the burden of authority. School kids count the minutes before the bell on the last day of school. College freshmen rejoice to be free of their
- [Christians United: A Brief Commentary](https://blclebanon.org/2017/09/05/christians-united-a-brief-commentary/) - On August 29 of this year, a group of conservative Christian leaders released a biblical statement about LGBT matters called the Nashville Statement. A little over a day later, a dissenting group who is strongly in favor of LGBT inclusion in the Christian Church released a statement under the name Christians United. The Church has
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 12:9-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/09/03/thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost-romans-129-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 3, 2017 Text: Romans 12:9-21 Christians are strange people in the world. On June 17, 2015, a young man came to Bible study at a church in. The rest of the group welcomed him, even though
- [Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Isaiah 51:1-6)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/08/27/twelfth-sunday-after-pentecost-isaiah-511-6/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost + August 27, 2017 Text: Isaiah 51:1-6 The year was around 700 BC. Judah was facing destruction at the hand of the Assyrians. They were the last holdout, now that the northern kingdom of Israel had fallen some 20
- [Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 15:21-28)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/08/20/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-1521-28/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church & Bethel Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Sweet Home, OR Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost + August 20, 2017 Text: Matthew 15:21-28 The Psalmist, David writes in Psalm 25:6, “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” And it’s true: God always remembers us. The harder
- [Tenth Sunday after Pentecost (Job 38:4-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/08/13/tenth-sunday-after-pentecost-job-384-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Tenth Sunday after Pentecost + August 13, 2017 Text: Job 38:4-18 You may notice the portraits of two hymnwriters inside the bulletin. The hymns which they wrote are more than “songs for a heavy heart”[1] or platitudes to feed someone after a terrible loss.
- [Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 14:13-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/08/06/ninth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-1413-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR and Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Ninth Sunday after Pentecost + August 6, 2017 Text: Matthew 14:13-21 It was a perfectly ordinary day in Galilee, although the mood was rather somber. Jesus had just received news that John the Baptist had been beheaded. He wanted to withdraw with His
- [Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 13:44-52)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/30/eighth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-1344-52/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon & Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Eighth Sunday after Pentecost + July 30, 2017 Text: Matthew 13:44-52 In the Gospel today, there are two familiar parables, the one about the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. Both of these parables, Jesus tells us, are descriptive
- [Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 8:18-27)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/23/seventh-sunday-after-pentecost-romans-818-27/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Seventh Sunday after Pentecost + July 23, 2017 Text: Romans 8:18-27 Two people can look at exactly the same thing and come to vastly different conclusions, because of the assumptions they have. Anybody can look at the world we live in and realize that
- [Christian Funeral of Walferd G. Delzer (Romans 8:28-39)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/20/christian-funeral-of-walferd-g-delzer-romans-828-39/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Christian Funeral of Walferd G. Delzer – July 20, 2017 Text: Romans 8:28-39 85 years: that’s how long Wally lived (actually just a month ago today). 65 years: that’s how long Wally and Lucille were married. 38 years is how long he worked for CalPortland Cement Company. 24 years is
- [Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/16/sixth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-131-9-18-23/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sixth Sunday after Pentecost + July 16, 2017 Text: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 In the Old Testament reading, we heard these words from the Prophet Isaiah: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth
- [Christian Funeral of Rachel Fannie Vogel (John 14:25-27)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/15/christian-funeral-of-rachel-fannie-vogel-john-1425-27/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Christian Funeral of Rachel Fannie Vogel – July 15, 2017 Text: John 14:25-27 In the Name + of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Rachel was a beloved mother, grandmother, and even great grandmother. One of the things many people have noticed is
- [Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 11:25-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/09/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost-matthew-1125-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday after Pentecost + July 9, 2017 Text: Matthew 11:25-30 It’s natural to think that those who strive are the ones who achieve their goals. After all, that’s what we experience in our lives. Initiative, determination, and dedication are all qualities that benefit you in daily life. Yet,
- [Fourth Sunday after Pentecost(Matthew 10:34-42)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/07/02/fourth-sunday-after-pentecostmatthew-1034-42/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Fourth Sunday after Pentecost + July 2, 2017 Text: Matthew 10:34-42 Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that He brings three things to those who follow Him: a sword, a cross, and a life. This is in the context of what Jesus told
- [Presentation of the Augsburg Confession (Mark 13:3-13)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/06/25/presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession-mark-133-13/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR Presentation of the Augsburg Confession – June 25, 2017 Text: Mark 13:3-13 We live in the end times. This is clear from the signs which we see around us. Just look around and see that it’s only getting worse each year. In these last
- [3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6A)( Matthew 9:35-10:8)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/06/18/3rd-sunday-after-pentecost-proper-6a-matthew-935-108/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Bethel Lutheran Church, Sweet Home, OR 3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6A) + June 18, 2017 Text: Matthew 9:35-10:8 Common themes The Lord’s care for His people by sending the elders with His Word The message: “You are my treasured possession”/”The Kingdom of heaven is at hand…Heal the sick, cast
- [The Day of Pentecost (Numbers 11:24-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/06/04/the-day-of-pentecost-numbers-1124-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Day of Pentecost + June 4, 2017 Text: Numbers 11:24-30 At this point in history, the Church needs to spend a lot of time straightening up the public office of the ministry—the preaching office. In previous generations, it was never challenged that congregations need pastors, and of course those
- [Sunday after the Ascension (1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/05/28/sunday-after-the-ascension-1-peter-412-19-56-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sunday after the Ascension + May 28, 2017 Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-11 Just imagine that you are hearing this as a first century Christian, who has witnessed the horror of crucifixion. It’s how the world knows that criminals are punished. Now apply that to your faith, that you believe
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 14:15-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/05/21/sixth-sunday-of-easter-john-1415-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sixth Sunday of Easter + May 21, 2017 Text: John 14:15-21 As we approach Ascension Day (this year, May 25), we continue to hear powerfully encouraging words from our Lord about how He continues to be with us, even though hidden from our sight. This time, our Lord tells
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter (John 14:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/05/14/fifth-sunday-of-easter-john-141-14/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday of Easter + May 14, 2017 Text: John 14:1-14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” The only reason Jesus says this to His disciples is because He knows their hearts are troubled. You don’t say “I am the Life” unless there’s
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/05/07/fourth-sunday-of-easter-john-101-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday of Easter + May 7, 2017 Text: John 10:1-10 Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd in this section of John’s Gospel. Typically, we picture the Shepherd standing in endless green hills, leading His sheep. However, right from the top of this discussion, Jesus describes a sheepfold. The
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Luke 24:13-35)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/30/third-sunday-of-easter-luke-2413-35/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday of Easter + April 30, 2017 Text: Luke 24:13-35 On the road to Emmaus is another scene after the Resurrection. It’s another way that Jesus reveals Himself to His disciples that their hope is not in vain and that all He said during His previous ministry is
- [Second Sunday in Easter (John 20:19-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/23/second-sunday-in-easter-john-2019-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday in Easter + April 23, 2017 Text: John 20:19-31 This sermon was written by Pastor David Juhl and adapted by Pastor Michael Miller. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The first word the disciples hear from the mouth of their resurrected Savior
- [Funeral of Charles R. Vorderstrasse (Ephesians 2:8-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/20/funeral-of-charles-r-vorderstrasse-ephesians-28-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Funeral of Charles R. Vorderstrasse – April 20, 2017 Text: Ephesians 2:8-10 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The epistle reading that we heard earlier from Ephesians was the sermon text at Chuck’s confirmation back on May 4, 1941 in this congregation. Chuck lived the faith
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Sunrise) (John 20:1-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/16/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-sunrise-john-201-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Resurrection of Our Lord (Sunrise) + April 16, 2017 Text: John 20:1-18 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! No doubt you’ve seen it for a few weeks now. Easter sales, Easter dresses, Easter candy, Easter lilies. If you didn’t know better, you might think Easter
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Matthew 28:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/16/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-matthew-281-10/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Resurrection of Our Lord + April 16, 2017 Text: Matthew 28:1-10 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Mary and the other Mary were at the tomb first. They saw the angel and heard his words. But the other disciples didn’t. We make a big deal
- [Good Friday (John 19:17-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/14/good-friday-john-1917-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Good Friday + April 14, 2017 Text: John 19:17-30 The Seventh Petition “Deliver us from evil.” We cry out under the weight of evil. The children of Israel cried out to God from cruel slavery.[1] Our hearts ache as we hear or live stories of abuse, murder, and
- [Maundy Thursday (Matthew 26:17-30)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/13/maundy-thursday-matthew-2617-30/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Maundy Thursday + April 13, 2017 Text: Matthew 26:17-30 The Sixth Petition “Lead us not into temptation” Tonight, we continue the theme of our Lenten midweek services, taking a closer look at each petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Tonight, we come to the sixth petition, “Lead us not
- [Palm Sunday(Matthew 27:11-66)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/09/palm-sundaymatthew-2711-66/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Palm Sunday + April 9, 2017 Text: Matthew 27:11-66 In the Middle Ages, a new form of theater developed called the Passion Play. It’s performed in many different ways and in different venues. The point is that what started in the Church became a whole genre of performing art.
- [Lent 5 Midweek (Matthew 18:23-35)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/05/lent-5-midweek-matthew-1823-35/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Lent 5 Midweek – April 5, 2017 Text: Matthew 18:23-35 The Fifth Petition “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Of all the professions there are, debt collectors have to be among the most ruthless in carrying out their job. It’s not just
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:17-27)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/04/02/fifth-sunday-in-lent-ezekiel-371-14-john-1117-27/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday in Lent + April 2, 2017 Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:17-27 You’ve heard it said, “Seeing is believing.” This works most of the time. You wouldn’t buy a car if the dealer refused to show you the one you were buying. You wouldn’t work long for an employer
- [Lent 4 Midweek (Matthew 6:24-34)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/29/lent-4-midweek-matthew-624-34/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Lent 4 Midweek – March 29, 2017 Text: Matthew 6:24-34 The Fourth Petition “Give us this day our daily bread” What is meant by the phrase “daily bread”? The first thing that comes to mind is food, the stuff we need day in and day out to live. That’s
- [Third Sunday in Lent (John 9:1-7)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/26/third-sunday-in-lent-john-91-7/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday in Lent + March 26, 2017 Text: John 9:1-7 Jesus and His disciples are walking to church one Sabbath, and on the way they find a pathetic sight: A blind man lying there begging. So, they ask Jesus what’s probably been on the mind of every passerby: What did
- [Lent Midweek 3 (Isaiah 46:8-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/22/lent-midweek-3-isaiah-468-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Lent Midweek 3 – March 22, 2017 Text: Isaiah 46:8-11 Third Petition “Hallowed be Thy Name” God does whatever He wants. Unlike us, He is not bound by anything or anyone—“I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
- [Third Sunday in Lent (John 4:5-26)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/19/third-sunday-in-lent-john-45-26/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday in Lent + March 19, 2017 Text: John 4:5-26 Jesus gives us a good conscience before God by hearing our confession and forgiving our sins. The Samaritan woman was doubly guilty. Samaritans were outcasts of Israel, the prodigals who had set up a rival temple in Samaria. “Our
- [Lent 2 Midweek (Luke 11:14-23)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/15/lent-2-midweek-luke-1114-23/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Lent 2 Midweek – March 15, 2017 Text: Luke 11:14-23 The Second Petition “Thy Kingdom come” Martin Luther wrote about this petition: “Just as God’s name is holy in itself and yet we pray that it may be holy among us, so also his kingdom comes of itself without
- [Funeral of Helen M. Vorderstrasse (Luke 23:33, 39-43)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/15/funeral-of-helen-m-vorderstrasse-luke-2333-39-43/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Funeral of Helen M. Vorderstrasse + March 15, 2017 Text: Luke 23:33, 39-43 Someone told me this week, “Helen remembers everything she forgot.” Because she has been granted rest from her labors, free from the effects of sin and death, she remembers all that vascular dementia covered over. But, these
- [Second Sunday in Lent (John 3:1-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/12/second-sunday-in-lent-john-31-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday in Lent + March 12, 2017 Text: John 3:1-17 “For God so loved the world.,.,” (you know it, finish it!) This passage contains one of the most beloved verses in the Bible, the Gospel in a nutshell. Let’s go deeper, though. Hearing these words of Jesus in context
- [Lent I Midweek (Matthew 6:9)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/08/lent-i-midweek-march-8-2017/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Lent I Midweek – March 8, 2017 Text: Matthew 6:9 The First Petition “Hallowed be Thy Name” In the Name of Jesus. Amen. There are countless descriptions of the Name of God in Scripture—Alpha and Omega, Blessed and Only Sovereign, Firstborn of the Dead, Immanuel, King of
- [The Ever-Effective Weapon Against the Devil (Matthew 4:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/05/first-sunday-in-lent-matthew-41-11/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR First Sunday in Lent + March 5, 2017 Text: Matthew 4:1-11 Doctors who fight infections are all too aware that having just one weapon isn’t enough. Viruses and bacteria each respond differently to medication. Sometimes a strain comes along that refuses to respond to treatment. Then, newer, stronger, and more
- [Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/03/01/ash-wednesday-march-1-2017/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Ash Wednesday + March 1, 2017 Text: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 The Introduction “Our Father, who art in heaven” In the Name of Jesus. Amen. During this penitential season, we will turn our eyes to something which is integral to our life as Christians: prayer. You heard Jesus’
- [The Transfiguration of Our Lord (2 Peter 1:16-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/02/26/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-2-peter-116-21/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR The Transfiguration of Our Lord + February 26, 2017 Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21 On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John have a great experience. They saw Jesus transfigured before their very eyes, so that “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” They
- [Balancing the Scales with Grace (Matthew 5:38-48)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/02/19/sermon-on-matthew-538-48/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany + February 19, 2017 Text: Matthew 5:38-48 It’s the way of justice, the way of accounting, and the way of nature. An eye for an eye, reconcile every transaction, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. That’s fine for crime and punishment, economics, and
- [St. Valentine (Circuit Winkel) (Matthew 5:38-48)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/02/14/375/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR St. Valentine (Circuit Winkel) + February 14, 2017 Text: Matthew 5:38-48 We know what we’ve heard about Valentine’s Day since we were kids. It’s about love. But as with most things of God which the world gets a hold of, it gets turned into a human parody of the real
- [Humanity Recreated in Christ (Matthew 5:21-37)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/02/12/humanity-recreated-in-christ-matthew-521-37/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany + February 12, 2017 Text: Matthew 5:21-37 Since Jesus said, “I have come not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them,”[1] we are called as Christians to take a whole new look at the Old Testament because, since the Christ came,
- [Distinguishing Law and Gospel (Matthew 5:13-20)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/02/05/258/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany + February 5, 2017 Text: Matthew 5:13-20 C.F.W. Walther once wrote, “The true knowledge of the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is not only a glorious light, affording the correct understanding of the entire Holy Scriptures, but without this knowledge Scripture is and
- [Church in the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/29/church-in-the-wisdom-of-god-1-corinthians-118-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany + January 29, 2017 Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 We know a lot of stuff about the Bible, and about the Gospel, right? We know God, or we’d like to think. Maybe a better way to put it is in the words we just confessed in
- [Bringing Us Out of Darkness into His Light (Isaiah 9:1-4)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/22/bringing-us-out-of-darkness-into-his-light-isaiah-91-4/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Third Sunday after the Epiphany + January 22, 2017 Text: Isaiah 9:1-4 One of the first works of God was to separate the light from the darkness, and making a distinction called Day and Night.[1] The difference between light and dark is a matter of contrast. For our life, we
- [Pointing to the Lamb of God (John 1:29-42)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/15/pointing-to-the-lamb-of-god-john-129-42/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Second Sunday after the Epiphany + January 15, 2017 Text: John 1:29-42a Jack Friday in Dragnet was famous for saying, “Just the facts, ma’am.” Whenever they would interview a witness, it undoubtedly happened that they would trail off into personal experiences and opinions about the suspect. But what is
- [Baptized into Grace (Matt. 3:13-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/08/baptized-into-grace-matt-313-17/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Baptism of Our Lord + January 8, 2017 Text: Matthew 3:13-17 If you follow the news, it can be overwhelming—shootings, bombings, betrayals of trust, and political unrest (just to name a few). One common theme in all of these is the thirst for justice. We want to see ISIS destroyed,
- [Funeral of Dale Bruce Gray (Isaiah 40:27-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/05/funeral-of-dale-bruce-gray-isaiah-4027-31/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Funeral of Dale “Bruce” Gray – January 5, 2017 Text: Isaiah 40:27-31 Dale Bruce Gray had a long and rich life of 87 years. He had a long life of marriage to Alice, married for 65 years and 5 days. Bruce had a long life of faith, baptized and
- [On the Eighth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave Me a Name Above All Names (Luke 2:21)](https://blclebanon.org/2017/01/01/on-the-eighth-day-of-christmas-my-true-love-gave-me-a-name-above-all-names-luke-221/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Circumcision and Name of Jesus + January 1, 2017 Text: Luke 2:21 A blessed Eighth Day of Christmas to you! That’s probably not what you’re expecting to hear on January 1. But it’s true. Today we celebrate the eighth day after Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and laid
- [No One Can Name Themself a Child of God (John 1:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/25/no-one-can-name-themself-a-child-of-god-john-11-14/) - 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)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/24/who-is-christmas-for-luke-21-20/) - 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
- [Mary the Virgin Mother (Matthew 1:18-25](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/18/mary-the-virgin-mother-matthew-118-25/) - 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
- [Advent Midweek 3: Bathsheba the Adulteress (2 Samuel 11:1-5)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/14/advent-midweek-3-bathsheba-the-adulteress-2-samuel-111-5/) - 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
- [Funeral of A. Lorraine Roosa (2 Timothy 4:7-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/12/funeral-of-a-lorraine-roosa-2-timothy-47-8/) - 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
- [Joy Where Only Faith Can Find It (Matthew 11:2-15)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/11/joy-where-only-faith-can-find-it-matthew-112-15/) - 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
- [Advent Midweek 2: Ruth the Moabite (Ruth 1:6-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/07/advent-midweek-2-ruth-the-moabite-ruth-16-17/) - 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)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/12/04/prepare-your-hearts-for-a-real-savior-matthew-31-12/) - 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
- [Advent Midweek 1: Rahab the Harlot (Joshua 2:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/30/advent-midweek-1-rahab-the-harlot-joshua-21-11/) - 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
- [Blessed is Our King Who Comes! (Matthew 21:1-11)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/27/blessed-is-our-king-who-comes-matthew-211-11/) - 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
- [Thanking God for His Blessings in Christ (Psalm 67)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/23/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
- [Do Not Despair, the Lord Returns! (Malachi 3:13-18)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/20/do-not-despair-the-lord-returns-malachi-313-18/) - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lebanon, OR Last Sunday of the Church Year – November 20, 2016 Text: Malachi 3:13-18 At first, there’s righteous anger: How could this world be so godless? Look at what’s on TV! Look at what’s accepted as normal now! Don’t you hear the filthy lyrics in popular music? Don’t you see
- [Watching and Waiting for the Lord (Luke 21:29-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/13/watching-and-waiting-for-the-lord-luke-2129-36/) - 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
- [God's Every Promise Does Not Fail (Matt. 5:1-12)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/11/06/gods-every-promise-does-not-fail-matt-51-12/) - All Saints Day (observed) + November 6, 2016 Text: Matthew 5:1-12 We live in a world that disappoints because it can never truly satisfy—no matter how much it might promise. Infomercials are notorious for making great promises about products, only to be told later “results may vary.” “Read my lips: No new
- [Christians Abide in His Word (John 8:31-36)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/10/30/christians-abide-in-his-word-john-831-36/) - Reformation Sunday + October 30, 2016 Text: John 8:31-36 Celebrating the Reformation is an exciting time in the Lutheran Church. Next year for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we really get to go all out. But it’s important to double check that our excitement is more about being “Church” than it is about being
- [Naked Sinners Clothed by a Gracious God (Luke 18:9-17)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/10/23/naked-sinners-clothed-by-a-gracious-god-luke-189-17/) - Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost + October 23, 2016 Text: Luke 18:9-17 In the age of social media, exhibitionism is at an all-time high. People are sharing everything from their child’s first steps to what they had for dinner. This has invited friends and acquaintances to “like” and comment their way into previously private moments.
- [Praying in God's Faithfulness (Luke 18:1-8)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/10/16/praying-in-gods-faithfulness-luke-181-8/) - Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost + October 16, 2016 Text: Luke 18:1-8 There’s a lot of material out there about prayer. And most of it is misguided. In much of what we hear about prayer, we’re led to believe that if we get down on our knees enough, or with just the right heart, or
- [God's Blessings Come Through the Cross (Luke 17:11-19)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/10/09/gods-blessings-come-through-the-cross-luke-1711-19/) - Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost + October 9, 2016 Text: Luke 17:11-19 Today’s Gospel tells us of one of the many healings which Jesus did. The recipients were ten men of Jewish descent. We know this because Jesus directs them to show themselves to the priest in Jerusalem.[1] As people with a Jewish background, they
- [Protecting the Faith of Little Ones (Luke 17:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/10/02/protecting-the-faith-of-little-ones-luke-171-10/) - Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost + October 2, 2016 Text: Luke 17:1-6 (p. 876 in pew Bible) When you first hear this passage in Luke 17, it may seem like a cobbling together of different teachings of Jesus. In fact, this is the capstone of Jesus’ teaching from the beginning of chapter 15, alternating between
- [Longing for the Riches of Heaven (Luke 16:19-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/09/25/longing-for-the-riches-of-heaven-luke-1619-31/) - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 25, 2016 Text: Luke 16:19-31 When you’re a kid you can’t wait until your birthday—when I’m 7, I’ll get to… For adults that still happens, except that we’re not looking forward to being another year older. We look forward to vacations, getting a raise, or buying a house.
- [Freed to Serve with Eternal Riches (Luke 16:1-15)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/09/19/freed-to-serve-with-eternal-riches-luke-161-15/) - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 18, 2016 Text: Luke 16:1-9 Some parables which our Lord tells are easier to understand than others. Take last Sunday’s about the Shepherd looking for His lost sheep. It’s easy to identify as the sheep who Jesus takes up on His shoulders and carries home rejoicing. Then there’s
- [Only God Can Judge and Save (Luke 15:1-10)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/09/11/only-god-can-judge-and-save-luke-151-10/) - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 11, 2016 Text: Luke 15:1-10 Most people think that Christians condemn sins like abortion, fornication, homosexuality, and divorce. After all, it’s people who identify as Christians who hold the picket signs outside Planned Parenthood, and it’s people who call themselves Christians who shun a woman after a divorce
- [Onesimus: A Portrait (Philemon 1-21)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/09/04/onesimus-a-portrait-philemon-1-21/) - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost + September 4, 2016 Text: Philemon 1-21 The story of Philemon and his slave, Onesimus is one of redemption. Cultural background: slavery is integral to households in the Roman world. Masters, even though they owned their household servants, were responsible for their wellbeing. In turn, slaves served their masters in
- [Beauty Runs Faith Deep (Luke 14:1-14)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/08/28/beauty-runs-faith-deep-luke-141-14/) - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost + August 28, 2016 Text: Luke 14:1-14 As you stand in the checkout line, what sort of people look back at you from magazine covers? Pretty people having fun. We’re drawn to youth, health, and say that these are what makes someone beautiful. In the Gospel reading today, we
- [Whose Your Father? What’s Your Inheritance? (Luke 12:12-31)](https://blclebanon.org/2016/07/31/whose-your-father-whats-your-inheritance-luke-1212-31/) - 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13C) + July 31, 2016 Text: Luke 12:13-21 Lawsuits – what are they over? Money! Everyone in the world is so worried about making sure there’s enough for them that they will scratch and step on each other. But what’s at heart in these fights over money? This
## Pages
- [Welcome!](https://blclebanon.org/) - Sundays: 9:15am - Education hour (Adult Bible Study & Sunday School ~ weekly) + 10:30am - Divine Service with Holy Communion (every week)
- [What We Believe, Teach, and Confess](https://blclebanon.org/about/what-we-believe-teach-and-confess/) - We believe, teach, and confess that the prophetic and apostolic writings of the Old and New Testaments are the only rule and norm according to which all doctrines and teachers alike must be appraised and judged, as it is written in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to
- [Our Pastor](https://blclebanon.org/about/our-pastor/) - The Rev. Michael A. Miller began his service at Bethlehem on August 21, 2016. He was called from his service at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clovis, New Mexico. This was his second call after graduating in 2012 from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- [History of Our Congregation](https://blclebanon.org/about/history-of-our-congregation/) - BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH Lebanon, Oregon 1911-2001 The seed for what was to become Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Lebanon, Oregon, was sown with the arrival of Mathias and Barbara Gogl and their family. In May of 1909, the Gogl’s arrived in Portland from Wisconsin. The family's second night in Oregon was spent with a Lutheran pastor, Reverend Flatmann
- [A Visitor's Guide to the Service](https://blclebanon.org/about/liturgy/a-guide-to-the-worship-service/) - So you're new to Bethlehem. Don't worry. Liturgical-based worship isn't as confusion as it might look. This page is designed to give you a brief guide to our hymnal. ~ The Lutheran Service Book. This guide was prepared to walk you through a typical Divine Service of our congregation and explain some of our beliefs
- [Divine Service](https://blclebanon.org/about/liturgy/) - Contents About the Historic Liturgy For Non-Denominational Christians Pieces of the Historic Liturgy Beginning Week in and week out, our congregation worships following a prescribed form. This general shape of the service (liturgy) has been used by Western Christianity for centuries. But just because it's old isn't a reason to use it. Starting in Summer
- [About](https://blclebanon.org/about/) - What We Believe, Teach, and Confess History of Our Congregation Our Pastor Divine Service A Visitor’s Guide to the Service
- [Radio Sermons](https://blclebanon.org/radio/) - "Sacred Moments" is a weekly 2-minute devotion on the radio with Pastor Michael Miller Listen for them on Saturday and Sunday at 8:30am and other times on KGAL (1580 AM) and KSHO (94.1 FM / 920 AM)!
- [Calendar](https://blclebanon.org/whats-happening/)
## Categories
- [Uncategorized](https://blclebanon.org/category/uncategorized/)
- [Enrichment](https://blclebanon.org/category/enrichment/)
- [Events](https://blclebanon.org/category/events/)
- [Sermons](https://blclebanon.org/category/sermons/)
- [Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/category/sunday/)
- [Mid-Week](https://blclebanon.org/category/mid-week/)
- [Advent](https://blclebanon.org/category/mid-week/advent/)
- [Lent](https://blclebanon.org/category/mid-week/lent/)
## Tags
- [1 Cor. 1:18-25; Luke 5:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-cor-118-25-luke-51-11/)
- [1 Corinthians 1:18-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-corinthians-118-31/)
- [1 Corinthians 1:26-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-corinthians-126-31/)
- [1 Corinthians 4:1-5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-corinthians-41-5/)
- [1 John 3:13-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-313-18/)
- [1 John 5:4-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-54-10/)
- [1 Kings 19:11-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-kings-1911-21/)
- [1 Peter 2:11-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-peter-211-23/)
- [1 Peter 4:12-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-peter-412-19/)
- [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-thessalonians-413-18/)
- [16-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/16-21/)
- [18-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/18-23/)
- [2 Corinthians 11:19—12:9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-corinthians-1119-129/)
- [2 Peter 1:16-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-peter-116-21/)
- [2 Timothy 4:1-5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-timothy-41-5/)
- [2 Timothy 4:7-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-timothy-47-8/)
- [2nd Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2nd-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [2nd to Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2nd-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year/)
- [34-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/34-35/)
- [3rd Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 6A)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/3rd-sunday-after-pentecost-proper-6a/)
- [5:6-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/56-11/)
- [Acts 20:27-38](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-2027-38/)
- [Advent 1 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-1-midweek/)
- [Advent 1A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-1a/)
- [Advent 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-2/)
- [Advent 2 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-2-midweek/)
- [Advent 2A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-2a/)
- [Advent 3 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-3-midweek/)
- [Advent 3A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-3a/)
- [Advent 4A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-4a/)
- [Advent Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-midweek/)
- [Advent Midweek 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-midweek-2/)
- [Advent Midweek I](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-midweek-i/)
- [Advent Midweek; 2 Samuel 11:1-5; Bathsheba](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-midweek-2-samuel-111-5-bathsheba/)
- [All Saints Day](https://blclebanon.org/tag/all-saints-day/)
- [All Saints Day (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/all-saints-day-observed/)
- [Amos 4:6–13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/amos-46-13/)
- [Ash Wednesday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ash-wednesday/)
- [Baptism](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism/)
- [Baptism of David Timothy Miller](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-david-timothy-miller/)
- [Baptism of Jerimiah & Natasha (Jenks) Hodson Giovanni Roen and Noah](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-jerimiah-natasha-jenks-hodson-giovanni-roen-and-noah/)
- [Baptism of Liam John Buresh Strehlo](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-liam-john-buresh-strehlo/)
- [Baptism of Lincoln Thomas Vorderstrasse](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-lincoln-thomas-vorderstrasse/)
- [Baptism of Nathan L. Vasquez](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-nathan-l-vasquez/)
- [Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/baptism-of-our-lord/)
- [children](https://blclebanon.org/tag/children/)
- [Christian Funeral of Helen May Daily](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christian-funeral-of-helen-may-daily/)
- [Christian Funeral of Rachel Fannie Vogel](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christian-funeral-of-rachel-fannie-vogel/)
- [Christian Funeral of Walferd G. Delzer](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christian-funeral-of-walferd-g-delzer/)
- [Christian Memorial for Thomas Henry Standley](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christian-memorial-for-thomas-henry-standley/)
- [Christmas Day](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christmas-day/)
- [Christmas Eve](https://blclebanon.org/tag/christmas-eve/)
- [Circumcision and Name of Jesus](https://blclebanon.org/tag/circumcision-and-name-of-jesus/)
- [Confirmation Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/confirmation-sunday/)
- [Day of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/day-of-pentecost/)
- [Easter Dawn](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-dawn/)
- [Easter Sunrise](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-sunrise/)
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eighteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Eighth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eighth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Eighth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eighth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Ephesians 2:8-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-28-10/)
- [Ephesians 4:1-3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-41-3/)
- [Ephesians 5:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-51-9/)
- [Epiphany 4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-4/)
- [Epiphany 4A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-4a/)
- [Epiphany 5A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-5a/)
- [Epiphany 6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-6/)
- [Epiphany 7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-7/)
- [Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/)
- [Exodus 32:1-20](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-321-20/)
- [Exodus 8:16-24](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-816-24/)
- [exorcism](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exorcism/)
- [Ezekiel 36:22-28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ezekiel-3622-28/)
- [Ezekiel 37:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ezekiel-371-14/)
- [faith](https://blclebanon.org/tag/faith/)
- [Feast of the Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/feast-of-the-holy-trinity/)
- [Festival of the Reformation](https://blclebanon.org/tag/festival-of-the-reformation/)
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Fifth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Fifth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-in-lent/)
- [Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-in-lent-judica/)
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Fifth Sunday of Easter (Cantate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-of-easter-cantate/)
- [First Sunday after Easter (Quasimodo geniti)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-after-easter-quasimodo-geniti/)
- [First Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [First Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-in-advent/)
- [First Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-in-lent/)
- [First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-in-lent-invocabit/)
- [First Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-of-advent/)
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-easter-cantate/)
- [Fourth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-in-advent/)
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-in-lent-laetare/)
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Funeral](https://blclebanon.org/tag/funeral/)
- [Funeral of Charles R. Vorderstrasse](https://blclebanon.org/tag/funeral-of-charles-r-vorderstrasse/)
- [Funeral of Helen M. Vorderstrasse](https://blclebanon.org/tag/funeral-of-helen-m-vorderstrasse/)
- [Galatians 5:16-24](https://blclebanon.org/tag/galatians-516-24/)
- [Genesis 22:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-221-14/)
- [Genesis 3:1-21; Matthew 4:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-31-21-matthew-41-11/)
- [Genesis 32:22-32](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-3222-32/)
- [Genesis 32:23-33](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-3223-33/)
- [Good Friday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/good-friday/)
- [Hosea 6:1–6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/hosea-61-6/)
- [Isaiah 40:1-5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-401-5/)
- [Isaiah 40:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-401-8/)
- [Isaiah 40:27-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-4027-31/)
- [Isaiah 43:1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-431/)
- [Isaiah 44:21–28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-4421-28/)
- [Isaiah 46:8-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-468-11/)
- [Isaiah 51:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-511-6/)
- [Isaiah 53:4-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-534-6/)
- [Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-61-8-john-31-17/)
- [Isaiah 60:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-601-6/)
- [James 1:16-25](https://blclebanon.org/tag/james-116-25/)
- [Jeremiah 15:19–21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jeremiah-1519-21/)
- [Jeremiah 23:5-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jeremiah-235-8/)
- [Job 38:4-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/job-384-18/)
- [John 1:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-11-14/)
- [John 1:29-42a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-129-42a/)
- [John 10:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-101-10/)
- [John 10:11-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1011-16/)
- [John 10:11-16; 27-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1011-16-27-30/)
- [John 11:17-27](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1117-27/)
- [John 12:12-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1212-19/)
- [John 13:1-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-131-15/)
- [John 13:34-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1334-35/)
- [John 14:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-141-14/)
- [John 14:15-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1415-21/)
- [John 14:23-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1423-31/)
- [John 14:25-27](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1425-27/)
- [John 15:26—16:4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1526-164/)
- [John 16:16-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1616-22/)
- [John 16:23-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1623-30/)
- [John 16:5-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-165-15/)
- [John 18-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-18-19/)
- [John 19:17-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1917-30/)
- [John 2:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-21-11/)
- [John 20:1-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-201-18/)
- [John 20:19-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-2019-31/)
- [John 3:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-31-14/)
- [John 3:1-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-31-17/)
- [John 3:14-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-314-18/)
- [John 4:46-54](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-446-54/)
- [John 4:5-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-45-26/)
- [John 6:1-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-61-15/)
- [John 8:31-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-831-36/)
- [John 9:1-7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-91-7/)
- [Jonah 1:1-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jonah-11-17/)
- [Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/tag/last-sunday-of-the-church-year/)
- [Lent 1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-1/)
- [Lent 1 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-1-midweek/)
- [Lent 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-2/)
- [Lent 2 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-2-midweek/)
- [Lent 3 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-3-midweek/)
- [Lent 4 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-4-midweek/)
- [Lent 5 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-5-midweek/)
- [Lent 6 Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-6-midweek/)
- [Lent Midweek 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-midweek-3/)
- [Longing](https://blclebanon.org/tag/longing/)
- [LSB 496](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-496/)
- [LSB 655](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-655/)
- [LSB 662](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-662/)
- [LSB 670](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-670/)
- [LSB 672](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-672/)
- [LSB 677](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-677/)
- [LSB 718](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lsb-718/)
- [Luke 1:39–56](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-139-56/)
- [Luke 1:46-55](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-146-55/)
- [Luke 1:57-80](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-157-80/)
- [Luke 10:23-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1023-37/)
- [Luke 11:14-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1114-23/)
- [Luke 12:12-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1212-31/)
- [Luke 14:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-141-11/)
- [Luke 14:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-141-14/)
- [Luke 14:15-24](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1415-24/)
- [Luke 15:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-151-10/)
- [Luke 16:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-161-13/)
- [Luke 16:1-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-161-15/)
- [Luke 16:19-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1619-31/)
- [Luke 17:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-171-10/)
- [Luke 17:11-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1711-19/)
- [Luke 18:31-43](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1831-43/)
- [Luke 18:9-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-189-17/)
- [Luke 19:41-48](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1941-48/)
- [Luke 2:1-20](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-21-20/)
- [Luke 2:10-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-210-11/)
- [Luke 2:21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-221/)
- [Luke 2:25-40](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-225-40/)
- [Luke 21:25-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2125-36/)
- [Luke 21:29-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2129-36/)
- [Luke 23:33; 39-43](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2333-39-43/)
- [Luke 24:13-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2413-35/)
- [Luke 7:11-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-711-17/)
- [Luke 8:4-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-84-15/)
- [LWML Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lwml-sunday/)
- [Malachi 3:13-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/malachi-313-18/)
- [Malachi 3:6–12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/malachi-36-12/)
- [Malachi 4:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/malachi-41-6/)
- [Mark 13:3-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-133-13/)
- [Mark 16:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-161-8/)
- [Mark 16:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-161-9/)
- [Mark 7:31-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-731-37/)
- [Mark 8:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-81-6/)
- [Mark 8:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-81-9/)
- [Mathew 21:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mathew-211-11/)
- [Matt. 11:12-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matt-1112-19/)
- [Matthew 1:18-25](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-118-25/)
- [Matthew 10:34-42](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1034-42/)
- [Matthew 11:2-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-112-15/)
- [Matthew 11:2-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-112-6/)
- [Matthew 11:25-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1125-30/)
- [Matthew 13:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-131-9/)
- [Matthew 13:44-52](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1344-52/)
- [Matthew 14:13-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1413-21/)
- [Matthew 15:21-28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1521-28/)
- [Matthew 17:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-171-9/)
- [Matthew 18:23-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1823-35/)
- [Matthew 20:1-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-201-16/)
- [Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-201-16-nkjv/)
- [Matthew 21:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-211-9/)
- [Matthew 21:33-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2133-46/)
- [Matthew 22:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-221-14/)
- [Matthew 22:1-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-221-18/)
- [Matthew 22:15-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2215-22/)
- [Matthew 25:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-251-13/)
- [Matthew 25:31-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2531-46/)
- [Matthew 26:17-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2617-30/)
- [Matthew 27:11-66](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2711-66/)
- [Matthew 28:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-281-10/)
- [Matthew 3:1-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-31-12/)
- [Matthew 3:13-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-313-17/)
- [Matthew 3:13-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-313-18/)
- [Matthew 4:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-41-11/)
- [Matthew 5:1-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-51-12/)
- [Matthew 5:13-20](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-513-20/)
- [Matthew 5:20-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-520-26/)
- [Matthew 5:21-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-521-37/)
- [Matthew 5:38-48](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-538-48/)
- [Matthew 6:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-61-6/)
- [Matthew 6:24-34](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-624-34/)
- [Matthew 6:9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-69/)
- [Matthew 7:15-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-715-23/)
- [Matthew 8:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-81-13/)
- [Matthew 8:23-27](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-823-27/)
- [Matthew 9:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-91-8/)
- [Matthew 9:35-10:8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-935-108/)
- [Maundy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/maundy-thursday/)
- [Memorial for Irvin and Marcia Boyer](https://blclebanon.org/tag/memorial-for-irvin-and-marcia-boyer/)
- [Name of Jesus](https://blclebanon.org/tag/name-of-jesus/)
- [Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/nativity-of-our-lord/)
- [Nativity of St. John the Baptist](https://blclebanon.org/tag/nativity-of-st-john-the-baptist/)
- [New Year's Day](https://blclebanon.org/tag/new-years-day/)
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/nineteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/nineteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Ninth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ninth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Ninth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ninth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Numbers 11:24-30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-1124-30/)
- [Numbers 6:24-27; Luke 2:21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-624-27-luke-221/)
- [Palm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/palm-sunday/)
- [Palm Sunday (Palmarum)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/palm-sunday-palmarum/)
- [Pentecost Day (Confirmation Sunday)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/pentecost-day-confirmation-sunday/)
- [Philemon 1-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/philemon-1-21/)
- [Philippians 2:5-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/philippians-25-11/)
- [Philippians 4:6-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/philippians-46-13/)
- [Prayer](https://blclebanon.org/tag/prayer/)
- [Presentation of the Augsburg Confession](https://blclebanon.org/tag/presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession/)
- [Proper 17C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-17c/)
- [Proper 18C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-18c/)
- [Proper 19C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-19c/)
- [Proper 20C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-20c/)
- [Proper 21C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-21c/)
- [Proper 23C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-23c/)
- [Proper 24C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-24c/)
- [Proper 25C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-25c/)
- [Psalm 103:13-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-10313-14/)
- [Psalm 67](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-67/)
- [Quinquagesima](https://blclebanon.org/tag/quinquagesima/)
- [Rahab](https://blclebanon.org/tag/rahab/)
- [Reformation Day](https://blclebanon.org/tag/reformation-day/)
- [Reformation Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/reformation-sunday/)
- [Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/resurrection-of-our-lord/)
- [Revelation 7:9-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/revelation-79-14/)
- [Revelation 7:9-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/revelation-79-17/)
- [Romans 12:9-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-129-21/)
- [Romans 13:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-131-10/)
- [Romans 8:18-27](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-818-27/)
- [Romans 8:28-39](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-828-39/)
- [Ruth](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ruth/)
- [Second Sunday after Easter (Misericordias domini)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-easter-misericordias-domini/)
- [Second Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [Second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Second Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-in-advent/)
- [Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-in-advent-populus-zion/)
- [Second Sunday in Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-in-easter/)
- [Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-in-lent-reminiscere/)
- [Second Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year/)
- [SecondSunday in Advent (Populus Zion)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/secondsunday-in-advent-populus-zion/)
- [Septuagesima (70 Days to Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/septuagesima-70-days-to-easter/)
- [Seputagesima](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seputagesima/)
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventeenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Seventh Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventh-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Seventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventh-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Sexagesima (60 Days to Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sexagesima-60-days-to-easter/)
- [Sexagesima (Second Sunday before Lent)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sexagesima-second-sunday-before-lent/)
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Sixth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Sixth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-of-easter-rogate/)
- [St. Matthew 20:1-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-matthew-201-16/)
- [St. Valentine (Circuit Winkel)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-valentine-circuit-winkel/)
- [Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunday-after-christmas/)
- [Sunday after the Ascension](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunday-after-the-ascension/)
- [Sunday after the Ascension (Exaudi)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunday-after-the-ascension-exaudi/)
- [Tenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/tenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Tenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/tenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Thanksgiving](https://blclebanon.org/tag/thanksgiving/)
- [The Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-baptism-of-our-lord/)
- [The Day of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-day-of-pentecost/)
- [The Epiphany of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-epiphany-of-our-lord/)
- [The Feast of Our Lord’s Nativity A.D. 2018](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-our-lords-nativity-a-d-2018/)
- [The Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-holy-trinity/)
- [The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-nativity-of-st-john-the-baptist-observed/)
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-resurrection-of-our-lord/)
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Sunrise)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-sunrise/)
- [The Visitation (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-visitation-observed/)
- [Third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-easter-jubilate/)
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Isaiah 9:1-4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-the-epiphany-isaiah-91-4/)
- [Third Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Third Sunday in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-in-advent/)
- [Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-in-advent-gaudete/)
- [Third Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-in-lent/)
- [Third Sunday in Lent (Oculi)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-in-lent-oculi/)
- [Third Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordias Domini)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-of-easter-misericordias-domini/)
- [Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Trinity 25)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-to-last-sunday-of-the-church-year-trinity-25/)
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/thirteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/thirteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [TLH 650](https://blclebanon.org/tag/tlh-650/)
- [Transfiguration](https://blclebanon.org/tag/transfiguration/)
- [Transfiguration of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/transfiguration-of-our-lord/)
- [Trinity 9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-9/)
- [Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twelfth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Twelfth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twelfth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twentieth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Twentieth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twentieth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-third-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-first-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Trinity 10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-10/)
- [Holy Cross Day](https://blclebanon.org/tag/holy-cross-day/)
- [John 12:20-33](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1220-33/)
- [Matthew 9:9-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-99-13/)
- [Proper 22C](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-22c/)
- [Revelation 12:7-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/revelation-127-12/)
- [St. Matthew](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-matthew/)
- [St. Michael](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-michael/)
- [Trinity 12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-12/)
- [Matthew 22:(23-33) 34-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2223-33-34-46/)
- [Trinity 26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-26/)
- [Trinity 25](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-25/)
- [Matthew 21:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-211-11/)
- [Numbers 23:5-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-235-12/)
- [Isaiah 65:17-25](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-6517-25/)
- [Deuteronomy 26:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/deuteronomy-261-11/)
- [2 Corinthians 9:6-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-corinthians-96-15/)
- [Luke 12:13-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1213-21/)
- [Numbers 23:13-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-2313-26/)
- [Isaiah 35:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-351-10/)
- [Numbers 24:1-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-241-19/)
- [Titus 2:11-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/titus-211-14/)
- [Hebrews 1:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/hebrews-11-11/)
- [The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/)
- [First Sunday after Christmas (A)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-after-christmas-a/)
- [Matthew 2:13-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-213-23/)
- [Series A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/series-a/)
- [Second Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-christmas/)
- [Luke 2:40-52](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-240-52/)
- [Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/purification-of-mary-and-presentation-of-our-lord/)
- [Luke 2:22-32](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-222-32/)
- [Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [Mark 14:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-141-9/)
- [Mark 14:26-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1426-31/)
- [John 9:1-41](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-91-41/)
- [Fourth Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-in-lent/)
- [John 11:1-45](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-111-45/)
- [Passion According to St. Matthew](https://blclebanon.org/tag/passion-according-to-st-matthew/)
- [Isaiah 53:4-5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-534-5/)
- [Acts 17:16-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-1716-31/)
- [Luke 24:44-53](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2444-53/)
- [Acts 1:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-11-11/)
- [The Ascension of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-ascension-of-our-lord/)
- [Psalm 68:1–10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-681-10/)
- [Matthew 28:16-20](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2816-20/)
- [St. Luke](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-luke/)
- [Luke 10:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-101-9/)
- [Proper 23A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-23a/)
- [Proper 27a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-27a/)
- [Isaiah 64:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-641-8/)
- [St. Timothy - Pastor and Confessor](https://blclebanon.org/tag/st-timothy-pastor-and-confessor/)
- [1 Timothy 6:11-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-timothy-611-16/)
- [Psalm 119:97-104](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-11997-104/)
- [Mark 1:4-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-14-11/)
- [Mark 1:21–28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-121-28/)
- [Fourth Sunday after Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-epiphany/)
- [Mark 8:27-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-827-35/)
- [The Confession of St. Peter (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-confession-of-st-peter-observed/)
- [Genesis 22:1-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-221-18/)
- [Lent I Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-i-midweek/)
- [Exodus 32:1-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-321-35/)
- [Joel 2:12-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/joel-212-19/)
- [Job 13:23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/job-1323/)
- [Mark 9:2-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-92-9/)
- [The Transfiguration of our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord/)
- [Second Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-in-lent/)
- [Mark 8:27-33](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-827-33/)
- [1 Kings 18:20-40](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-kings-1820-40/)
- [2 Samuel 15:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-samuel-151-14/)
- [John 3:14-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-314-21/)
- [2 Samuel 11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-samuel-11/)
- [Mark 10:35-45](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1035-45/)
- [1 Kings 21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-kings-21/)
- [Lent Midweek 5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-midweek-5/)
- [Mark 14-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-14-15/)
- [Mark 14:12-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1412-26/)
- [Sunrise of the Resurrection of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunrise-of-the-resurrection-of-our-lord/)
- [1 John 1:1—2:2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-11-22/)
- [Luke 24:36–49](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-2436-49/)
- [Gospel of Matthew: Jesus Teaches the Church](https://blclebanon.org/tag/gospel-of-matthew-jesus-teaches-the-church/)
- [Adult Information Class](https://blclebanon.org/tag/adult-information-class/)
- [12 Sessions](https://blclebanon.org/tag/12-sessions/)
- [John 10:11-18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1011-18/)
- [Lent II Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-ii-midweek/)
- [Lent III Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-iii-midweek/)
- [Lent IV Midweek](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-iv-midweek/)
- [John 15:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-151-8/)
- [Sixth Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-after-easter/)
- [John 15:9-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-159-17/)
- [Sunday after the Ascension (7th Sunday of Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunday-after-the-ascension-7th-sunday-of-easter/)
- [1 John 5:9-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-59-15/)
- [The Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-pentecost/)
- [John 15:26-27 & 16:4b-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1526-27-164b-15/)
- [The Feast of the Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-the-holy-trinity/)
- [Second Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Mark 3:20-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-320-35/)
- [Funeral of Lenora P. Hanna](https://blclebanon.org/tag/funeral-of-lenora-p-hanna/)
- [Psalm 139](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-139/)
- [Third Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Exodus 16:1-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-161-31/)
- [Exodus 17:1-7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-171-7/)
- [Exodus 19:1-20.](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-191-20/)
- [Exodus 24:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-241-11/)
- [Ephesians 1:3-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-13-14/)
- [Ephesians 2:11-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-211-22/)
- [Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (also Feast of St. James)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eighth-sunday-after-pentecost-also-feast-of-st-james/)
- [Genesis 9:8-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-98-17/)
- [Psalm 145:10-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-14510-21/)
- [Ephesians 4:1-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-41-16/)
- [Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost-2/)
- [Ephesians 4:17—5:2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-417-52/)
- [Ephesians 5:6-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-56-21/)
- [Mark 7:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-71-13/)
- [The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-martyrdom-of-st-john-the-baptist/)
- [Mark 6:14-29](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-614-29/)
- [Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [James 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/james-2/)
- [Mark 9:14-29](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-914-29/)
- [Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventeenth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [James 3:13—4:10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/james-313-410/)
- [To Shine on Those Who Sit in Darkness and the Shadow of Death](https://blclebanon.org/tag/to-shine-on-those-who-sit-in-darkness-and-the-shadow-of-death/)
- [Mark 9:38-50](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-938-50/)
- [Mark 12:28-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1228-37/)
- [Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost.](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twentieth-sunday-after-pentecost-2/)
- [Mark 10:17-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1017-22/)
- [Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-first-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Mark 10:23-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1023-31/)
- [Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-second-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Mark 10:46-52](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1046-52/)
- [The Festival of the Reformation](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-festival-of-the-reformation/)
- [All Saints Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/all-saints-sunday/)
- [All Saints Sunday {Observed}](https://blclebanon.org/tag/all-saints-sunday-observed/)
- [1 John 3:1-3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-31-3/)
- [Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost/)
- [Mark 13:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-131-13/)
- [Mark 13:14-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-1314-37/)
- [First Sunday in Advent (Ad te levavi)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-in-advent-ad-te-levavi/)
- [Romans 13:11-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-1311-14/)
- [Populus Zion](https://blclebanon.org/tag/populus-zion/)
- [Gaudete](https://blclebanon.org/tag/gaudete/)
- [Matthew 11:2-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-112-11/)
- [Ad te levavi](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ad-te-levavi/)
- [John 1:19-28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-119-28/)
- [The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-eve-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/)
- [Luke 1:26–38](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-126-38/)
- [The Nativity of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-nativity-of-our-lord/)
- [First Sunday after Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-after-christmas/)
- [Luke 2:33-40](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-233-40/)
- [Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-the-epiphany/)
- [Psalm 96](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-96/)
- [Septuagesima (About 70 Days to Easter)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/septuagesima-about-70-days-to-easter/)
- [Quinquagesima.](https://blclebanon.org/tag/quinquagesima-2/)
- [Invocavit](https://blclebanon.org/tag/invocavit/)
- [Reminiscere Second Sunday in Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/reminiscere-second-sunday-in-lent/)
- [John 8:42-59](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-842-59/)
- [Fourth Sunday of Easter (Jubilate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-of-easter-jubilate/)
- [John 13:1-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-131-17/)
- [Cantate - Sing](https://blclebanon.org/tag/cantate-sing/)
- [James 1:16-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/james-116-21/)
- [New Revelation Bible Study](https://blclebanon.org/tag/new-revelation-bible-study/)
- [2 Corinthians 5:14-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-corinthians-514-21/)
- [John 19:30](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1930/)
- [John 16:23-33](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1623-33/)
- [Rogate ~ Ask](https://blclebanon.org/tag/rogate-ask/)
- [Holy Saturday (Paschal Vigil)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/holy-saturday-paschal-vigil/)
- [Ephesians 5:8-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-58-14/)
- [Sunday after the Ascension (Exaudi - Answer)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sunday-after-the-ascension-exaudi-answer/)
- [John 15:26-16:4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1526-164-2/)
- [The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter Day)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-resurrection-of-our-lord-easter-day/)
- [Mark 16:1-8 (1 Cor. 5:6-8)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-161-8-1-cor-56-8/)
- [Second Sunday of Easter (Quasimodo Geniti)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-of-easter-quasimodo-geniti/)
- [John 3:1-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-31-15/)
- [Isaiah 6:1-7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-61-7/)
- [Romans 11:33-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-1133-36/)
- [Fourth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Luke 6:36-42](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-636-42/)
- [1 Peter 3:8-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-peter-38-15/)
- [Eleventh Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eleventh-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Ephesians 2:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-21-10/)
- [Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/eighteenth-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Matthew 22:34-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2234-46/)
- [The Feast of St. James of Jerusalem](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-st-james-of-jerusalem/)
- [James 1:1-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/james-11-12/)
- [John 1:35-42a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-135-42a/)
- [Advent Mid-Week 1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-mid-week-1/)
- [Second Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-of-advent/)
- [Commemoration of Ambrose of Milan](https://blclebanon.org/tag/commemoration-of-ambrose-of-milan/)
- [Ephesians 3:8-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-38-12/)
- [Matthew 11:12-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1112-19/)
- [The Feast of All Saints](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-all-saints/)
- [Revelations 7:2-19](https://blclebanon.org/tag/revelations-72-19/)
- [Commemoration of Nicasius and Eutropia](https://blclebanon.org/tag/commemoration-of-nicasius-and-eutropia/)
- [martyrs](https://blclebanon.org/tag/martyrs/)
- [Third Week in Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-week-in-advent/)
- [Romans 12:14-21; Luke 6:27-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-1214-21-luke-627-36/)
- [Rorate Coeli](https://blclebanon.org/tag/rorate-coeli/)
- [Philippians 4:4-7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/philippians-44-7/)
- [Commemoration of St. Thomas](https://blclebanon.org/tag/commemoration-of-st-thomas/)
- [John 20:24-29](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-2024-29/)
- [A Service of Lessons & Carols](https://blclebanon.org/tag/a-service-of-lessons-carols/)
- [Luke 2:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-21-14/)
- [Exodus 40:17-21 & 34-38](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-4017-21-34-38/)
- [Septuagesima](https://blclebanon.org/tag/septuagesima/)
- [Sexagesima](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sexagesima/)
- [2 Corinthians 11:19-12:9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-corinthians-1119-129-2/)
- [Exodus 12:1-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-121-14/)
- [John 19:1-42](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-191-42/)
- [Paschal Vigil](https://blclebanon.org/tag/paschal-vigil/)
- [Jeremiah 31:31-34](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jeremiah-3131-34/)
- [Zechariah 6:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/zechariah-61-8/)
- [Joy Comes with the Morning](https://blclebanon.org/tag/joy-comes-with-the-morning/)
- [Zechariah 6:1-15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/zechariah-61-15/)
- [Quasimodo Geniti](https://blclebanon.org/tag/quasimodo-geniti/)
- [Misericordias Domoni](https://blclebanon.org/tag/misericordias-domoni/)
- [Jubilate](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jubilate/)
- [Cantate](https://blclebanon.org/tag/cantate/)
- [Rogate](https://blclebanon.org/tag/rogate/)
- [Called to Confess](https://blclebanon.org/tag/called-to-confess/)
- [Friday Session](https://blclebanon.org/tag/friday-session/)
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventh-sunday-of-easter/)
- [Ephesians 1:20b-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ephesians-120b-23/)
- [Exaudi](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exaudi/)
- [Holy Trinity Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/holy-trinity-sunday/)
- [The Presentation of the Augsburg Confession](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-presentation-of-the-augsburg-confession/)
- [The Feast of the Visitation](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-feast-of-the-visitation/)
- [Luke 1:35-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-135-46/)
- [1 Corinthians 1:18-25](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-corinthians-118-25/)
- [Fourth Sunday in Advent (Rorate Coeli)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-in-advent-rorate-coeli/)
- [Luke 1:38-46](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-138-46/)
- [Bhe Baptism of Our Lord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/bhe-baptism-of-our-lord/)
- [1 Corinthians 13:1-13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-corinthians-131-13/)
- [First Sunday in Lent (Invocavit)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/first-sunday-in-lent-invocavit/)
- [Luke 11:14-28](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-1114-28/)
- [Psalm Sunday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-sunday/)
- [Matthew 27:11-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2711-26/)
- [Vigil of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/vigil-of-easter/)
- [Jonah 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jonah-3/)
- [Second Sunday after Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-after-easter/)
- [Misericordias Domini](https://blclebanon.org/tag/misericordias-domini/)
- [Isaian 40:25-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaian-4025-31/)
- [Trinity 6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-6/)
- [Trinity 7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-7/)
- [Mark 8:1-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mark-81-10/)
- [Mary Magdalene](https://blclebanon.org/tag/mary-magdalene/)
- [Proverbs 31:10-31](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proverbs-3110-31/)
- [Confirmation](https://blclebanon.org/tag/confirmation/)
- [2 Samuel 22:26–34](https://blclebanon.org/tag/2-samuel-2226-34/)
- [Trinity 11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-11/)
- [Trinity 13](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-13/)
- [Trinity 14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-14/)
- [Proverbs 4:10-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proverbs-410-23/)
- [14th Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/14th-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Sixth Suunday of Easter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-suunday-of-easter/)
- [John 16:31-33](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1631-33/)
- [Feast of Pentecost](https://blclebanon.org/tag/feast-of-pentecost/)
- [Isaiah 6:1-7; John 3:1-17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-61-7-john-31-17/)
- [Genesis 15:1-6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-151-6/)
- [Trinity 15](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-15/)
- [Advent 1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-1/)
- [Advent 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-3/)
- [Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/second-sunday-of-advent-populus-zion/)
- [Advent 4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/advent-4/)
- [Exodus 16:2-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/exodus-162-21/)
- [Galatians 4:1-7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/galatians-41-7/)
- [The Epiphany of Our Lord (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-epiphany-of-our-lord-observed/)
- [Isaiah 53:3-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-533-11/)
- [Genesis 1-2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-1-2/)
- [Genesis 6-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-6-9/)
- [Ezekiel 34:11-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ezekiel-3411-16/)
- [Third Sunday after Easter (Misericordias Domini)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-after-easter-misericordias-domini/)
- [Fourth Sunday after Easter (Jubilate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-after-easter-jubilate/)
- [Sixth Sunday after Easter (Rogate)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/sixth-sunday-after-easter-rogate/)
- [Numbers 21:4-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/numbers-214-9/)
- [John 15:26–16:4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1526-164-3/)
- [Genesis 11:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-111-9/)
- [Feast of Saints Peter and Paul Apostles](https://blclebanon.org/tag/feast-of-saints-peter-and-paul-apostles/)
- [Acts 15:1-12](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-151-12/)
- [Trinity 5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-5/)
- [Psalm 16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/psalm-16-2/)
- [Matthew 5:17-26](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-517-26/)
- [Romans 6:19-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-619-23/)
- [Trinity 8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-8/)
- [Trinity 4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-4/)
- [Trinity 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-3/)
- [Trinity 1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-1/)
- [Easter 7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-7/)
- [Easter 6](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-6/)
- [Seventh Sunday of Easter (Exaudi)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/seventh-sunday-of-easter-exaudi/)
- [Easter 5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-5/)
- [Easter 4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-4/)
- [Easter 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-3/)
- [Easter 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/easter-2/)
- [Luke 16:1-9](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-161-9/)
- [Jeremiah 7:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/jeremiah-71-11/)
- [Luke 18:9-14](https://blclebanon.org/tag/luke-189-14/)
- [Feast of St. Matthew](https://blclebanon.org/tag/feast-of-st-matthew/)
- [Galatians 5:25–6:10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/galatians-525-610/)
- [Trinity 16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-16/)
- [Trinity 17](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-17/)
- [Trinity 18](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-18/)
- [Matthew 22:34-36](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-2234-36/)
- [Reformation Day (observed)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/reformation-day-observed/)
- [Trinity 21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/trinity-21/)
- [Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/twenty-second-sunday-after-trinity/)
- [Matthew 18:21-35](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-1821-35/)
- [1 Thessalonians 5:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-thessalonians-51-11/)
- [Matthew 21:1-1](https://blclebanon.org/tag/matthew-211-1/)
- [Third Sunday of Advent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/third-sunday-of-advent/)
- [Epiphany 1a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/epiphany-1a/)
- [Romans 6:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-61-11/)
- [Feast of the Holy Innocents](https://blclebanon.org/tag/feast-of-the-holy-innocents/)
- [4th Day of Christmas](https://blclebanon.org/tag/4th-day-of-christmas/)
- [1 John 4:7-16](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-john-47-16/)
- [Isaiah 52:7-10](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-527-10/)
- [The Confession of St. Peter](https://blclebanon.org/tag/the-confession-of-st-peter/)
- [Conversion of St. Paul](https://blclebanon.org/tag/conversion-of-st-paul/)
- [Acts 9:1-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-91-22/)
- [Micah 6:1-8](https://blclebanon.org/tag/micah-61-8/)
- [Fifth Sunday after Epiphany](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fifth-sunday-after-epiphany/)
- [Isaiah 58:3-9a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/isaiah-583-9a/)
- [Genesis 3:1-21](https://blclebanon.org/tag/genesis-31-21/)
- [Fourth Sunday of Lent](https://blclebanon.org/tag/fourth-sunday-of-lent/)
- [Lent 4a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-4a/)
- [Lent 2a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-2a/)
- [Lent 3a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-3a/)
- [Lent 5A](https://blclebanon.org/tag/lent-5a/)
- [Palm Sunday (3a)](https://blclebanon.org/tag/palm-sunday-3a/)
- [Holy Thursday](https://blclebanon.org/tag/holy-thursday/)
- [Hebrews 9:11-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/hebrews-911-22/)
- [John 19:28-37](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-1928-37/)
- [Formula of Concord](https://blclebanon.org/tag/formula-of-concord/)
- [Acts 2:42-47](https://blclebanon.org/tag/acts-242-47/)
- [1 Peter 3:13-22](https://blclebanon.org/tag/1-peter-313-22/)
- [Ascension Commemoration](https://blclebanon.org/tag/ascension-commemoration/)
- [John 17:1-11](https://blclebanon.org/tag/john-171-11/)
- [Commemoration of the Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/commemoration-of-the-holy-trinity/)
- [Holy Trinity](https://blclebanon.org/tag/holy-trinity/)
- [Pentecost 2](https://blclebanon.org/tag/pentecost-2/)
- [Pentecost 3](https://blclebanon.org/tag/pentecost-3/)
- [Proper 6a](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-6a/)
- [Proper 5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-5/)
- [Pentecost 4](https://blclebanon.org/tag/pentecost-4/)
- [Proper 7](https://blclebanon.org/tag/proper-7/)
- [Romans 6:12-23](https://blclebanon.org/tag/romans-612-23/)
- [Pentecost 5](https://blclebanon.org/tag/pentecost-5/)