Epicurious Lutheran

Driven by curiosity to taste the goodness of God

Discipleship

June 17, 2016

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] 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… Continue reading

Christianity, Church in the World, Discipleship, Newsletter, worship

BethelManassas, Grace, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Summer worship, worship
March 31, 2016

Continuing the Work God Has Begun Among You: Living a Generous Life

From April 2016 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. ~ Philippians 1:6 We began the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday as I said the words: “today with the whole church we enter the… Continue reading

Christianity, Discipleship, Faith Practices, Newsletter

Belltower, Bethel, Discipleship, Faith, Living a Generous Life, Living Generously, LivingAGenerousLIfe, LivingGenerously
December 31, 2015

The Year Ahead

From January 2016 Bethel Bell Tower newsletter 11[God] has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy… Continue reading

Christianity, Discipleship, Faith Practices, Newsletter

Belltower, Bethel, Discernment, Discipleship, New Year, Relationship, Seeking God
December 29, 2015

Top articles on PJ’s blog

Perhaps the primary tool pastors use are their words – written, spoken, and lived. Hopefully, these are in sync. We use words to comfort, challenge, inspire, inform, educate, and warm hearts to the gospel. Writers, poets, and pastors have the honor and responsibility to translate what we see and experience into words. I have used… Continue reading

Christianity, Church in the World, Church Leadership, Discipleship, Faith Practices, Lutheran, Newsletter, Pastoral Response

Belltower, Bethel, Bible Study, Building Bethel, Devotion, Devotions, Discernment, Discipleship, Faith, Grace, LoveNeighbor, Neighbor, Prayer, Relationship, Seeking God, Trust
December 19, 2015

God’s Gospel Through the Small

I got to know my good friend, Sarah Cordray, through the doctor of ministry program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Through her, I saw a wonderful picture of small church ministry that I had, frankly, never considered. As I listened to her and read her work, I began to pay closer attention to what… Continue reading

Christianity, Church Leadership, Community, Discipleship, Serving, Stewardship, Supporting Neighbors

Advent, Bethel, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, LoveNeighbor, Neighbor, Relationship, Seeking God, Trust
November 25, 2015

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… Continue reading

Christianity, Church in the World, Discipleship, Faith Practices, Lutheran, Newsletter

Advent, Bell Tower, Bethel, Called, Community, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Incarnation, Love, LoveGod, LoveNeighbor, Mercy, Relationship
October 29, 2015

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.… Continue reading

Christianity, Community, Discipleship, Newsletter, Prayer, Serving, Stewardship

Belltower, Bethel, Discernment, Faith, Seeking God, Serving, Stewardship, Trust

About Me

I serve as the Lead Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY. As a newbie to Western New York, I’ve been enjoying getting to know the people and the quirks of this community. I enjoy food (both cooking and eating) so the food culture in Buffalo is amazing! I haven’t even known a place that does more with each season of the year. There is quite literally a festival for everything and every ethnic group.