Simply the Sermon for December 24, 2024: "God's Gift Has Come"

The familiar Christmas story evokes many wonderful memories for us as we gather with family and friends.  This is the story that has changed the world and the lives of millions throughout the ages.  And even though the birth of Jesus was over 2,000 years ago, we have to ask the question:  had we been there...what would we have done?  Pastor Russ shares his Christmas Eve homily entitled:  "God's Gift Has Come".

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Simply the Sermon for December 22, 2024: "Mary's Song"

After Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel and told she would be the mother to the Son of God, she traveled to Judea to visit with Elizabeth.  At Elizabeth's greeting, Mary burst into song known as the Magnificat.  God chooses the least likely to do great things.  The proud and powerful should not rely on their pride and power, says the song.  And we are invited to sing along with Mary.

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Simply the Sermon for December 15, 2024: "Repentance is Good News!"

At first, John the Baptist's cry for repentance makes one cringe.  Is repentance all about making us feel bad about ourselves?  And what does this have to do with Christmas anyway?  Pastor Russ' message is based on Luke 3:7-18 and is titled:  "Repentance is Good News!"

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Simply the Sermon for December 8, 2024: "Prepare the Way"

What does John the Baptist's message "Prepare the way" mean for us today?  What did it mean back then, in Jesus' day?  This season of Advent is a blessed time to get our homes ready for Christmas and our hearts as well.  How can we be a gift to others and to our world as Christ is for us?  Pastor Russ shares his thoughts in this sermon.

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Simply the Sermon for December 1, 2024: Guest Pastor Richard Rollefson

On the first Sunday of Advent, Guest Pastor Richard Rollefson reads from the Gospel Luke 21:25-36

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Simply the Sermon for November 24, 2024: "Do not worry. Easy or hard, Jesus? A response to his command"

In this Sunday's Thanksgiving sermon, Pastor Amy offers an anecdote to anxiety.  With Jesus' disciples facing an unknown future, we address our own uncertainties as faithful followers. (We also take a journey to a surprising corner in north LA.) Hear lessons learned from her spiritual care practices on how to respond to chronic worry.  

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Simply the Sermon for November 17, 2024: "A Little Goes A Long Way"

The Readings from I Kings 17 and Mark 12 each share a story about the faithfulness of a widow.  They each had very little to offer and yet, their faithfulness turned into a moving story that still teaches us much, even 2,000 years later!  Pastor Russ' sermon is "A Little Goes A Long Way."

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Simply the Sermon for November 10, 2024: "Soli Deo Gloria"

In the Gospel Reading from Mark 12:28-34, Jesus reminds us of the two greatest commandments:  Love for God and love for neighbor.  It is almost like they are woven together as one commandment, for Jesus elsewhere reminds us that you cannot do one without the other.  Pastor Russ' sermon is entitled "Soli Deo Gloria".

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Simply the Sermon for November 3, 2024: "Tears in Heaven"

Why tears?  The three Readings for this All Saints Sunday each mention tears...but tears that will be wiped away by God himself as we are invited to a great feast prepared by God.  Even Jesus shed tears as he stood before the grave of his friend Lazarus.  But God has the last word...and even death is defeated.  Pastor Russ' sermon:  "Tears in Heaven"

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Simply the Sermon for October 27, 2024: “Six Reflections on Martin and Katie Luther”

Knowing our Lutheran history and heritage is important as it reveals our beginnings as well as our current mission and ministry.  Pastor Russ shares 6 vignettes on the life of Martin Luther and Katherine Von Bora, central figures in the Reformation movement of the 1500's. 

Simply the Sermon for October 20, 2024: "What Would You Have Him Do For You?"

This seemingly simple healing story of a blind man contains several life lessons for us...to help us with better insight when obstacles are in life's way, when we may not think too well of ourselves, and when our worries and stresses overwhelm us.  Pastor Russ' sermon from Mark 10:46-52 is entitled "What Would You Have Me Do For You?".

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Simply the Sermon for October 13, 2024: "The Grace To Be More"

Do you think Jesus was a little harsh on the rich man?  Telling him to sell all he had and give it to the poor?  Are we supposed to do the same thing?  Jesus actually offers 3 priceless gifts to the rich man even before asking him to do the 'the impossible.'

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Simply the Sermon for October 6, 2024: "What Jesus Says About Divorce"

As common as it is these days, divorce is still a very emotional and difficult reality for many people.  And what Jesus seems to say doesn't, at first, appear to make things any easier.  What does Jesus say about divorce?  And how are we, as a Christian community, to respond to those who are going through such painful times?  Pastor Russ discusses these questions in his message.

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Simply the Sermon for September 29, 2024: "We Are Not Meant to Go It Alone"

All three scripture readings have a common theme which helps us to know what the people of God are called to do and to be.  Pastor Russ finds in these readings three qualities of Bethel Lutheran in his sermon entitled "We Are Not Meant to Go It Alone."

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Simply the Sermon for September 22, 2024: "Like a Little Child"

Sometimes, we might feel overwhelmed by all that is going on in our lives and/or in the world.  Oh, to be young and innocent once again.  Jesus reminded us to welcome the child when he took children into his arms to bless them.  We are called to have the faith of a child.

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Simply the Sermon for September 15, 2024: "Ode to the Tongue"

"Ode to the Tongue" is the title of Pastor Russ' message as he explores James 3:1-12 which reminds us how our words can be like a devastating fire or can be used for good. How can we keep better control over what we say?  Listen and learn.   A helpful outline accompanies the sermon.  Contact the office if you would like one.

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Simply the Sermon for September 8, 2024: "Faith Active in Love"

"Love your neighbor as yourself" is the golden rule, the Letter of James reminds us.  Some 'neighbors' are easier to love than others.  And yet, because God shows no partiality and loves everyone, no matter who they are, we are to do the same.  Jesus is the supreme example traveling all the way to Tyre to heal a Gentile woman's sick daughter, dispelling the prejudicial beliefs of his day.

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Simply the Sermon for September 1, 2024: "Creeds or Deeds?"

At first, in the Gospel story from Mark 7, it appears Jesus is against washing hands before one eats.  Not so.  What Jesus was saying to the leaders of his day was sometimes we can place religious habits and rituals ahead of what is in a person's heart.

Is our life of faith only about trying to always do the right thing?  Or is it more than that?  Listen to Pastor Russ' sermon entitled "Creeds or Deeds?"

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Simply the Sermon for August 25, 2024: "Be Strong in the Lord"

"Be Strong in the Lord" is the title of Pastor Russ' message, taken from the reading from Ephesians 6:10-20 where St. Paul compares the Christian stance to the uniform a typical Roman soldier would wear.  We do battle too, St. Paul reminds us, with powers and principalities, with evil and darkness.  And we combat these with respect, honor, kindness and love.

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Simply the Sermon for August 18, 2024: "Food for the Journey"

We continue with our readings from John 6 with Pastor Russ' sermon entitled:  "The Eternal Food."  What is eternal except love and hope and mercy.  Pastor Russ shares the meaning of Holy Communion as the strength for our journey in life.

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