Simply the Sermon for May 24, 2026: Day of Pentecost

The readings for Sunday, May 24, the Day of Pentecost are: Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; and John 20:19-23.

Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the second giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people and creating a new community. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

May 24, 2026: Day of Pentecost

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for May 17, 2026: Seventh Sunday of Easter

Our readings for Sunday, May 17 are: Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11. This is the final Sunday in the Easter season. This coming Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit following the ascension of Jesus. You are invited to wear red or any other color of fire; yellows, oranges or the like.

In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family.

May 17, 2026: Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for May 10, 2026: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Our Bible readings for today, the 6th Sunday in Easter, are: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; and John 14:15-21.

Our reading from John assures us that Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

May 10, 2026: Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for May 3, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Our Bible texts for May 3, 2026, the 5th Sunday in Easter are: Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; and John 14:1-14.

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise, especially to the ones who disappoint him, that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life.

May 3, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for April 26, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Our readings for Sunday April 26, the 4th Sunday in Easter are: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10.

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday” but we at Bethel focused on the Acts reading where we hear the stories of the earliest Christians. Amazing as it might sound, the Jewish Christ followers shared all that they had and all that they were as they learned about the Way of Christ and the love that is given to all who believe.

We, as Christians, are still called to, freely and without qualifications, share the gifts that God has given us.

April 26, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for April 19, 2026: Third Sunday of Easter

Our readings for April 19, the 3rd Sunday in Easter are: Acts 2:14a, 36-41;1 Peter 1:17-23; and Luke 24:13-35

Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.

April 19, 2026: Third Sunday of Easter

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for April 12, 2026: Second Sunday of Easter "Holy Humor Sunday"

Our readings for April 12, the second Sunday in Easter, are: Acts 2:14a, 22-32;
Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31. It was Holy Humor Sunday so our liturgy was a bit wackier than usual. You might enjoy reading through the bulletin to experience it. We used noise makers and percussion instruments to share our joy at God's incredible gifts of love and laughter. Our sermon was shared by video by Bishop Brenda Bos. We hope you enjoy it.

In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.

Simply the Sermon for April 5, 2026: Easter Sunday

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

Our readings for this glorious Easter day are: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10

This is the day the Lord has made! Christ is risen, and through him all creation is made new! Indeed, “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34): Christ’s resurrection truly brings life to everyone. We sing hymns of praise, gather around sacred words, and proclaim God’s faithfulness, power, and love in the feast of holy communion. With the women at the tomb, we are astonished, elated, and grateful. We depart with joy to proclaim the good news of God’s endless love.

April 5, 2026: Easter Sunday

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for April 3, 2026: Good Friday

Our readings for Good Friday are Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; and John 18:1—19:42. 

Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s passion account, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. Standing with the disciples at the foot of the cross, we pray for the whole world in the ancient bidding prayer, as Christ’s death offers life to all. We gather in solemn devotion, but always with the promise that the tree around which we assemble is indeed a tree of life. We depart silently, and we anticipate the culmination of the Three Days in the Easter Vigil.

April 3, 2026: Good Friday

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for March 29, 2026: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday, March 29, is a little different kind of a day. It is a day when we begin by joining in with the excited throng who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and begged him to save them and it is the day when we hear much of the rest of the story. It is an emotionally hard day, a long day. We begin by hearing the the story of Jesus's triumphal entry in Matthew 21:1-11. Unfortunately we didn't get a recording of that.

Then we hear readings from Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; and finally Matthew 26:14—27:66. It is a long reading which we were able to break up a bit by singing verses of the beautifully haunting hymn Were You There. A hard story, yes, but a story that shows the depth of love that our Savior has for us.

Today, we encounter the paradox that defines our faith: Jesus Christ is both glorified king and humiliated servant. We too are full of paradox: like Peter, we fervently desire to follow Christ, but find ourselves afraid, denying God. We wave palms in celebration today as Christ comes into our midst, and we follow with trepidation as his path leads to death on the cross. Amid it all we are invited into this paradoxical promise of life through Christ’s broken body and outpoured love in a meal of bread and wine. We begin this week that stands at the center of the church year, anticipating the completion of God’s astounding work.

March 29, 2026: Palm Sunday Poem by Rev'd Jon Swales

The Bethel Worship Team

March 29, 2026: Palm Sunday Matthew Reading

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for March 22, 2026: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Our Bible texts for Sunday, March 22, the 5th Sunday in Lent are: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:6-11; and John 11:1-45.

In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ in order that we will also be raised with him to new life. And that life is found, here and now, in community with all the people of God.

March 22, 2026: Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for March 15, 2026: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Our readings for Sunday, March 17, the 4th Sunday in Lent are: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41. This Sunday is called Laetare Sunday or Rose Sunday. It is the halfway point in Lent. Traditionally, this Sunday is a day of celebration within the more solemn period of Lent. It is a day specifically appointed to rejoice!

The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives. We are recreated from dirt to mudpies to disciples.

March 15, 2026: Fourth Sunday in Lent

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for March 8, 2026: Third Sunday in Lent

Our texts for March 8, 2026 are: Exodus 17:1-7; Romans 5:1-11;  and John 4:5-42.

In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

March 8, 2026: Third Sunday in Lent

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for March 1, 2026: Second Sunday in Lent

Our readings for the second Sunday in Lent, March 1, 2026 are Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17.

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in baptism God promises to raise us up with Christ to new life. From worship we are sent forth to proclaim God’s love for all the world.

Here at Bethel we talked about the apostle Paul, both his quirkiness and his  passion for the gospel. How he informed the Christians in Rome that we rely not on our own faith but on the faith of Jesus which has been shared with us. And that passion for that faith, that gospel, can propel us out into the world to share the good news of hope to all people.

March 1, 2026: Second Sunday in Lent

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for February 22, 2026: First Sunday in Lent

Our Bible texts for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 are: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11.

Today's gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church Lent was a time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. This catechetical (Christian education) focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey to the baptismal waters of Easter. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead.

February 22, 2026: First Sunday in Lent

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for February 18, 2026: Ash Wednesday

Our Bible texts for Feb. 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday are: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

On Ash Wednesday we begin the forty-day journey toward Easter with a day of fasting and repentance. Marking our foreheads with dust, we acknowledge that we die and return to the earth. At the same time, the dust re-traces the life-giving cross indelibly marked on our foreheads at baptism. While we journey through Lent to return to God, we have already been reconciled to God through Christ. We humbly pray for God to make our hearts clean while we rejoice that “now is the day of salvation.” Returning to our baptismal call, we more intentionally bear the fruits of mercy and justice in the world.

February 18, 2026: Ash Wednesday

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for February 15, 2026: Transfiguration of Our Lord

Our Readings for Transfiguration Sunday, February 15 are: Psalm 2 (used as our call to worship); Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; and Matthew 17:1-9.

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain, Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. From this perspective, we know so much more than the disciples but still so little about who and what God is. It is a Mystery that we continue to explore even as we have faith in God, trusting God's word. 

We turn this week to Ash Wednesday and our yearly baptismal journey from Lent to Easter. Some churches put aside the alleluia at the conclusion of today’s liturgy. This word of joy will be omitted during the penitential season of Lent and will be sung again at Easter.

February 15, 2026: Transfiguration of Our Lord

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for February 8, 2026: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

Our texts for Sunday, Feb. 8, the 5th Sunday after Epiphany are: Isaiah 58:1-12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; and Matthew 5:13-20.

Isaiah declares that when we loosen the bonds of injustice and share our bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn. We all know folks who live that spirit of grace for our siblings in need. We are called to join them. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism we are sent into the world to shine with the light of Christ.

February 8, 2026: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for February 1, 2026: Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

The Gospel reading today is The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), the familiar blessings shared by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount. Guest Pastor Ellen Ayres gives us a fresh experience on this passage by reading it from the "First Nations Version New Testament," a Native American translation. The term "Creator" is used to refer to Jesus. For example, here is verse 3: "Creator's blessing rests on the poor, the ones with broken spirits. The good road from above is theirs to walk." Jesus, God with us, blesses the unlikeliest ones - and that  includes us.

February 1, 2026: Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

The Bethel Worship Team

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Simply the Sermon for January 25, 2026: Third Sunday After Epiphany

Our readings for Sunday, January 25  are Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23.

Upon hearing of his cousin John's arrest, Jesus moves his residence into the land of Herod and begins his public ministry by repeating and amplifying John's call to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!" He then calls fishers to leave their nets and follow him. 

In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by oppression, sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy.

January 25, 2026: Third Sunday After Epiphany

The Bethel Worship Team

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