Bethel Lutheran Church Cupertino
Sermons from Bethel Lutheran Church, in Cupertino California.
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Sermons from Bethel Lutheran Church, in Cupertino California.
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Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost Message delivered by Pastor Martha Butzier.
Everything (& Everybody) Belongs Message delivered by Dave Denny. Does the Kingdom of Heaven have boundaries? As we follow Jesus and the disciples into the Syrophoenician territory of Tyre and Sidon, we see them feeling tired, defensive, and suspicious. They are “on edge” because according to their Jewish traditions, they are in an unsafe and unclean place. Against the wishes of the disciples, a bold and desperate Canaanite mother approaches Jesus. Her daughter is desperately ill. Somehow, she knows that this wandering Palestinian Jewish Rabbi has the power to deliver her daughter from misery.
Living by Trust in the Midst of the Storm Message delivered by LaVinnia Pierson.
Tenth Sunday After Pentecost Message delivered by Pastor Martha Butzier.
Surprises in God's Kingdom Message delivered by LaVinnia Pierson.
Casting Seeds of the Kingdom Message delivered by Dave Denny. Among other things, Rabbi Jesus is a master storyteller. One of his central themes is “the kingdom of heaven,” a phrase that illustrates the way Jesus’ own daily life embodies the presence of his Abba Father. More, it reveals the “open secret,” that our lives, and indeed the lives of all living things, may find fullness in Him, not only in the future, but right here and right now. Like all good storytellers, Jesus instinctively knows what will appeal to his listeners. Like seeds, he sprinkles his stories with poetic metaphors from t
The Agriculture of Ministry Message delivered by Pastor Charlane Lines.
Here and Now Message delivered by Dave Denny. Common Lectionary often pairs readings that open a dialogue on a particular theme in our sacred literature. This week we hear the Apostle Paul describe a universal struggle at the center of the human condition— the inner war between heart and mind that often plagues our thoughts, distracting us from the presence of God. And in Matthew’s Gospel, we hear Jesus pronounce the cure for what ails us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 The way Rabbi Jesus diagnoses our spiritual and
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Message delivered by Pastor Anne Carlson.
Do Not Fear Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29–31 Do not fear. These words are often repeated in scripture. From angel’s greetings to Jesus instructions to the disciples, do not fear appears again and again because we so easily become filled with fear. In times of challenge and chaos, we become anxious. When our physical and financial health are difficult, we worry about our future. Jesus’ message t
Sent Out Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37–38 God equips the called. Think about this. Many times we think only the most qualified, educated, pious and pure are called to do God’s work. But God does not call the equipped; God equips the called. If Jesus had waited for the disciples to feel “ready” to be sent out to do God’s work, they may never have gone. Jesus sends us into the world, ready or not, and gives us what we need along the way. The Holy Spirit
Mercy Not Sacrifice But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:12–13 Of all the sayings of Jesus, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” may be the most profound in its graciousness. So much of of world is designed around “earning” our way through hard work, merit, and endurance. In so many stories, Jesus starts with grace. He invites Matthew the tax collector to “follow me” without preconditions. He knew Matthe
1+1+1=1 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:13 These familiar words are the last words Paul writes to the Corinthian church. After he writes two very long letters (and scholars believe an undiscovered third letter) to them, he ends with what we now call “the apostolic greeting.” Paul invokes the Triune God as he offers well wishes and blessings for the church. As we celebrate Trinity Sunday this week, we will examine the nature of God and how thinking deeply about who God is shapes who we are called to b
Spirit Power When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:1–4 Sunday is Pentecost (wear RED), a day to celebrate the work and power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost took place 50 days after Passover and many pilgrims would come to
Bearing Witness But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 These are the final words Jesus speaks to the disciples. After this, he ascends into heaven to be at the right hand of God. Jesus is preparing them for the miracle of Pentecost which will give them the ability to speak the gospel in all languages. They will be witnesses for all to hear and know the amazing story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We too are called to be witnesses and share how God’s
Guiding Spirit If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. John 14:15–17 Our gospel text this week is a continuation from last week. Jesus is with the disciples on the last night of his life, offering important and comforting words before he goes to the cross. In this section, he promises an Advocate who will guide them into God’s truth
The Way Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Members of the early church were called “people of the way” rather than Christians. Those who believed he was the Son of God committed themselves to following in the way of Jesus by adhering to his teachings. Following the way of Jesus leads us to discover the truth of God and the promise of eternal life. Join us Sunday as we more fully explore the way of Jesus and what it means for us today. Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.
Abundant Life So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” John 10:7–9 This Sunday is sometimes called “good shepherd Sunday” as it always features the story of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He also tells the disciples “I am the gate.” We tend to think a gate as something that keeps people out, but here Jesus emphasizes a gate that allows the “sheep” to come and go, finding bot
Journey with Jesus Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:13–16 When the resurrected Jesus walks with two disciples for seven miles “their eyes were kept” from seeing him. This has always puzzled me. How did they not recognize him? Did he look different? Were they in such a fog of grief and confusion they missed it? Was Go
Without Doubt But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 20:24–25 The Sunday after Easter always features the story of the upper room in John 20. The resurrected Jesus visits the disciples who are in hiding, shares God’s peace with them and shows them his hands and his side. Thomas, however, was not among them and has doubts/q
Christ is Risen! But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:5–6 For us, with Easter hindsight, the empty tomb is an exclamation point for the promise of eternal life. But for the women who gathered the first Sunday, the empty tomb was a question mark. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb to help reverently prepare Jesus’ body for a proper burial. It is understandable why the angel first tells them “do not be afraid.” T
Last Supper Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.
Righteous Entry A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:8–9 The day we call Palm Sunday was filled with positive energy. Not only were people gathering in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, they were also stirred up by the ministry of Jesus. People had begun to wonder and even believe that he was the promised Messiah. J
Death to Life The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Ezekiel 37:1–3 We believe in a God who brings life to where these is only death. The power of the resurrection means that the end of our earthly life is not the end of our story. Jesus defeats death, evil, and all the powers of darkness and opens to us the promi
Calling Message delivered by Chris Christensen.
