IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Online Family: We are in a digital ministry transition. Thank you for your patience as we post Simply the Sermon during this time. We record it live each Sunday. You’ll even hear the swishing of Pastor Amy’s alb! We will keep you updated on upcoming developments. We want to thank our musicians and in particular, Brent Keast for all the hard work and investment in sound production over the last two and half years. It was an amazing run. And thank you to all of you for gathering faithfully in this virtual space.
This Reformation Sunday, we reach the end of our four month series on Acts. Today, the epilogue to the tremendous shipwreck. What happened to Paul once he reached safety? The same things that always happened and why this is liberating rather than stifling. Just a short reflection this week on a day when baptisms and first communions carried us through worship.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Online Family: We are in a digital ministry transition. Thank you for your patience as we post Simply the Sermon during this time. We record it live each Sunday. You’ll even hear the swishing of Pastor Amy’s alb! We will keep you updated on upcoming developments. We want to thank our musicians and in particular, Brent Keast for all the hard work and investment in sound production over the last two and half years. It was an amazing run. And thank you to all of you for gathering faithfully in this virtual space.
Are you in a purple congregation living the political tension? As Pastor Amy prepares to depart, she humorously reflects on what can soothe our red and blue anxieties. Our inspiration again is Paul and his fellow prisoners. At long last, they set out for Rome escorted by centurions and soldiers. When the winter storms rise, he gives the guidance we all need right now: stick together and we’ll get safely to shore.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Online Family: Last Sunday was the final full online worship offering for Bethel. As we let go of the podcast style of worshipping, we enter a time of experimentation and take new steps in our digital ministry. We will keep you posted on upcoming developments. While we are in this transition, we will be offering simply the teaching and sermon recorded live on Sundays. We want to thank our musicians and in particular, Brent Keast for all the hard work and investment in sound production over the last two and half years. It was an amazing run. And thank you to all of you for gathering in this virtual space. We appreciate your patience as we do this work and look ahead to a new era in our ministry.
After sifting through Paul’s trials upon his return to Jerusalem (Acts 20-27), Pastor Amy tackles a core question of faith: is God just? Reflect on the barriers Christians tend to raise to an accurate answer. What distorts how we see God’s justice? Is there another way to imagine God’s courtroom?
Strange things happen when Jesus is around. Even stranger when he leaves the Holy Spirit in charge. Pastor Amy mines the story of Eutychus who literally died of boredom. Or did he? Find out just how wild breaking bread over an intense Bible discussion can be.
Place Finders: Word 9:42 Sermon 15:05 Prayers 26:05
Journey with Pr. Mary Stein-Webber to Athens. Here she lifts up the teaching of Paul who took compassion on a people who did not believe God could be known. Discover with us the grace of the One who wants to know you and throw out a lot of useless worry along the Way.
Place Finders: Word 8:38 Sermon 18:01
