-
Christ-mas or X-mas?
Every year at this time is the great debate about Christ-mas versus X-mas. The concern is that, by replacing “Christ” with “X”, we are “taking the Christ out of Christmas.” That would be true if the “X” was like the x in algebra where the letter is just a variable that stands in for or
Categories: Christianity
-
More Mass Shootings: We’re better than this
I was sitting in my office at church this afternoon when our secretary asked if I’d seen the news. Today, it was the news of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, CA. What I find especially heinous about this attack is that Inland works with developmentally disabled people from infants to the elderly.
-
Building Bethel: We Do Stuff Here You Just Don’t Do Anywhere Else
From December 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs
Tags: Advent, Bell Tower, Bethel, Called, Community, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Incarnation, Love, LoveGod, LoveNeighbor, Mercy, Relationship
-
Building Bethel: Stepping Out in Faith
From November 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.
-
Building Bethel: Discernment
From October 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us… ~ Acts 15:28 By the time you read this, another major hurdle in my doctoral program will have been overcome. My thesis proposal is due on September 30 at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN for review by the Institutional
-
Faith Question: Faith & Finances
How do you answer this question… Is the role of faith the same or different when managing personal finances versus church finances? Explain.
-
Building Bethel: Overcoming 18 Inches
From September 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. ~ James 1:22 I once heard that the most difficult journey is 18 inches. That’s the approximate distance between your brain and your heart. Rally Day (September 13) helps us come together and worship in one service at 10:00am,
-
Building Bethel: Waking the Sleeping Giant
From August 2015 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.” ~ Psalm 12:5 The Lutheran church has been referred to as the “sleeping giant.” Some people attribute this phrase to the Reverend Billy Graham, but I
Categories: Christianity, Church in the World, Church Leadership, Community, Devotion, Discipleship, Lutheran, Newsletter, Serving
-
Comments at Bethel in Light of Recent Supreme Court Rulings
The following comments were made by Pastor Jeff Wilson at the beginning of worship services on Sunday, June 27, 2015. Today we gather for worship after a deeply emotional week. This is the second time in as many weeks that I felt I must address issues that affect us. This has been a week in which
-
The Adventures of Flat Jesus
A few days ago, I was talking with one of our members about her travels for this summer. As we talked, I asked what ways she thought we could keep touch with our Bethel family while they travel this summer – or anytime for that matter. Without missing a beat, she said “Flat Jesus!” Well
Tags: BethelFlatJesus
Reference Pages
Posts by month and year
- December 2025
- November 2025
- October 2025
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- March 2024
- July 2022
- June 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- May 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- December 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- March 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- April 2012
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- June 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
Categories
- Advent
- Christianity
- Christmas
- Church in the World
- Church Leadership
- Community
- Devotion
- Discernment
- Discipleship
- Epiphany
- Faith
- Faith Practices
- Food
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
- Holy Week
- Hope
- Lent
- Lutheran
- Newsletter
- Pastoral Response
- Prayer
- Racism
- Sermon
- Serving
- Stewardship
- Supporting Neighbors
- Uncategorized
- worship
#BethelSeesGod Advent Belltower Bell Tower Bethel BethelManassas Bible Bible Study Building Bethel Community COVID Cooking Devotion Devotions Discernment Discipleship Diversity Faith Faithfulness Faith Practices Faith Questions Fear Forgiveness generosity God's call Grace Holy Trinity Incarnation Lent Love LoveGod LoveNeighbor Neighbor New Year Obedience pray Prayer Relationship Seeking God Sermon Serving SevenDaysOfPrayer Sin Stewardship The Story Trust
Epicurious Lutheran 