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I am so sorry for PUNishing listeners at the beginning of this podcast, but it was way too easy to sneak in a few sheep jokes as the sermon was recorded on "Good Shepherd Sunday."  Episode three of "Motivation for Mission" is all about the purpose of the church and why we do what we do.  In addition to the sermon, there is also an interview with our current director of evangelism and a little music, as well. 

In episode two of "Motivation for Mission" there is some consideration of the church's mission of "teaching" alongside the mission to "go".  At Bethany Lutheran, the first Sunday in May is Confirmation Sunday.  There will be an explaination of that in the notes, along with a short homily for the occasion and some music from our group C2W (Created 2 Worship). 

Do not be afraid!  My kids help me provide a little excitement in the beginning of this podcast as we begin a new sermon series, "Motivation for Mission."  If things feel a little incomplete as you listen, keep in mind that I am hoping to start a conversation about what the church's mission is and who we are supposed to be reaching out to.  We have a great starting place with the Gospel lesson that is always assigned to the Sunday after Easter where we encounter the questions of Thomas and follow his journey from doubt to faith.

All the stops are pulled out for Easter Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church!  In this final episode of "Finding The Roman Road" we have sound from our 60th Easter Sunrise service at Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria.  Also, an interview from Linda Hemphill and some Easter music.  The sermon concludes our series in the book of Romans, but looks ahead to new, victorious living through Christ.  Perhaps the Easter candy that you had in the family baskets has been eaten, but here we have a podcast is jammed full of the sweet resurrection celebration of the faithful. 

What is the most hopeless place you can think of?  Christ went there, and came back, which is why we can be hopeful even on Good Friday - a day of utter darkness.  But, we believe that the "darkness has not overcome Him."  We believe in a resurrection.  So, we are a people who abound in hope.  This podcast has the Good Friday sermon, which is part 8 of our series, "Finding the Roman Road."  Through the Passion of Jesus we can understand how God's people "abound in hope" as in St. Paul's words of blessing in Romans 15. 

Episode 7 of "Finding The Roman Road" features the sermon captured on Maundy Thursday evening, titled "Living and Dying."  Plus, there is a short interview with the director of Bethany's altar guild, more music from Evensong and some conversation with my fellow clergy about Maundy Thursday practices in the church.  Fair warning: this podcast was produced during a very busy time, and in production I winced at a few of my flubs.  For instance, I never explain that the altar is stripped on Maundy Thursday as part of the drama in the readings, relfecting how our Lord was stripped of everything from this life, but then dressed in glory on Easter (as the church will be dressed, as well).  Well, we march on knowing we are forgiven in the Lord! 

In episode 6 of "Finding The Roman Road", I get a lot of help from the folks at Bethany Lutheran Church.  First, hear from our Preschool Director about the special activities that get children into our Holy Week celebrations, and also how we share the love of God through food and butterflies.  There is also music from one of our bell choirs and the sermon that continues the series of key verses from Romans. 

What does it mean that some are part of the elect, and others are not?  St. Paul agonized over this in his letter to the Romans, and chapters 9-11 show a balance of thought that united both Jews and Gentiles in the early church.  The sermon is meant to go along with a devotional reading of those chapters and brings out the key verses of Romans 9:14-16.  Before the sermon there are some soundbites captured at the Seder Supper hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church.

This week's episode has a few extras along with the sermon, including a short review of the new Noah movie and an original song from members of Bethany Lutheran.  "Slaves to Righteousness" is the fourth the series on the book of Romans.

The next destination as we travel through the book of Romans is "Peace Place," and the only way to get there is through the "wrath of God."  In the sermon, I spend some time unpacking that phrase in order to understand exactly how we have lasting peace with God, and one another.  It has been a busy week, so the notes at the beginning were mostly recorded on location as I tended to pastor duties.