Article 7

It all starts here! Well, an amazing journey through the Bible starts here, at least. This podcast is episode one of "The Story" - based on the book and campaign published by Zondervan Publishing. Along with a sermon that begins at the beginning, there is also music from C2W (Created 2 Worship) and a new feature called "Story Starters". There is a lot of "new" in this episode, so go ahead and jump aboard!

Well, it wasn't "Plan A", but this episode helps me to test out a new format for this podcast. The sermon was not recorded in church, but in "studio". That makes this reading of Ephesians chapter 6 a little more conversational. Paul's words about putting on the full armor of God make for a good bridge as we launch "The Story" at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

The sermon series "Under Construction" works its way to Ephesians chapter 5 and some window installation. How do we see the world and how does the world see us? We will explolre some practical church building from Paul. This podcast also gives some news from in and around our church before the sermon.

In this episode, get the "Big Idea" that will guide Bethany's reading through The Bible beginning in September. After that, enjoy a musical offering from some of the congregation's children and the fourth sermon in the "Under Construction" series. "The Structure" reads through Ephesians chapter where we continue to build a church by using the gifts God gives, and do the works He created us to do.

Once we know we are a part of God's plan, and we lay the foundation of Jesus and His saving grace, it is time to connect to a power source. The third sermon of the "Under Construction" reads through Ephesians chapter 3 as Paul tells us how to connect to God's power as we build His church. The sermon is followed by a C2W (Created 2 Worship) song that got its Bethany debut at the same service.

The original plan was to give a quick introduction followed by a song captured at our Liberian Independence Day concert and then the sermon. Fortunately, one of you noticed that the last podcast had been chopped off at the end, somehow. So, this podcast will have the intended end for the previous episode before moving on to the second sermon in the series "Under Construction" where we are reading through the book of Ephesians to better understand how to build a church. In this episode, Paul gives us the essential foundation. If we do not begin properly, it will not be built properly. The last song is by our African Immigrant Ministry (AIM) choir.

Please pardon our dust as we are "Under Construction" these next few weeks, building a church according to the plan laid out in the letter to the Ephesians. This podcast is getting back to work and we are getting ready to capture all the activity ahead for Bethany Lutheran Church. Get a little preview in the feature and then stick around until the end of the podcast for a muscial treat provided by C2W (Created 2 Worship) singing "There is A Redeemer" - something that was recorded in May, but it was very appropriate to this message. Subscribe to keep getting a weekly message from the Article 7 podcast!

In this off-beat special hear some highlights of children's minstry at Bethany Lutheran and hear bell choir music from our "Sounds Sweet" concert as well as the Allelu Singers presenting "A Technicolor Promise."

Holy Spirit Power concludes with the sermon from Pentecost Sunday. There is a little science at the end of the message that involves a lighter and a balloon filled with some water. Bethany's Preschool is in the feature and the Hosanna Choir provides some music to round things out.

Holy Spirit fire is still spreading! After a little fun introduction you will hear the second feature reading through the covenant that we signed to enter into Phase Two of our Congregational Renewal. What does signing the covenant mean for Bethany Lutheran in the months ahead? This feature helps to answer that question. Also, music from C2W (Created 2 Worship) and organist Linda Hemphill who gave a little salute to our men and women in uniform following our service, as it was also Armed Foreces Day. The fifth sermon in the "Holy Spirit Power" series looks at how God helps us get to "The Life Everlasting."