Bethel Lutheran Church Cupertino

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them,

“Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:7

On Sunday we will hear the story often called “the woman caught in adultery.”

Not sure why the man is never mentioned, but the village elders ask Jesus whether she should be stoned to death as Moses commanded.

Jesus turns their judgment around and asks them to look at themselves, he then extends the woman grace.

Imagine a world where we refrain from judging others and give one another grace.

This is what Jesus does for us and God’s invitation to live out each day.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10

This Sunday we continue our Lenten focus on Spiritual Growth.

Our focus this week is on generosity.

We seek to grow in our giving of time, talent, and treasure becoming more generous while also impacting God’s kingdom work.

In the gospel text, Jesus contrast the thief who steals life and the good shepherd who makes room for abundant life.

Join us Sunday as we consider God’s invitation to abundant life!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.

He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him.

He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4:16–19

Jesus’ ministry was focused on serving people’s needs.

He healed, fed, and taught crowds of people wherever he went.

His ministry of service included all people, but particularly those who were overlooked or excluded.

When Jesus went to his hometown synagogue and was asked to read, he chose a passage from Isaiah that was a Messianic prophesy.

This list reads like a job description of Jesus’ ministry.

Through his public ministry, Jesus show us God’s heart through deeds of service to all people.

Join us Sunday as we seek to grow in service to others and God.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.”

Mark 14:36

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays his most desperate prayer.

His journey to the cross is nearly complete.

He knows the pain and anguish he will face, and asks God to remove it.

Prayer is powerful and leads to spiritual growth.

Jesus models a faithful prayer life for us, displaying vulnerability and honesty, while also seeking God’s will in a difficult situation.

Join us Sunday as we consider Jesus’ example and how we can all grow in prayer.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Mark 9:23–24

During the season of Lent, our focus is on spiritual growth, and the faith practices that lead to this development.

This week our focus is “growing in faith.”

Sometimes faith is equated with having the right beliefs about God, but can be better understood as developing trust in God.

How can we grow our faith by trusting God more in our life?

Join us Sunday as we begin the journey!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:2–3

The Transfiguration of Jesus takes place at the midpoint of the gospel of Mark.

The supernatural transformation of Jesus’ appearance helps further empower and equip the disciples to follow Jesus.

This story is part of a recurring biblical theme of revelatory moments on mountaintops.

It seems that high places become the meeting point between heaven and earth, when people become most aware of the Divine.

Join us Sunday as we consider the power of God’s revelations for our life.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.

He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.

Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Mark 1:30–31

In the midst of the disciples’ call stories, it is important to remember they all had previous lives.

Here, the gospel tells the story of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law being seriously ill.

Jesus heals her and then she began to serve or “minister” to them.

This amazing little story points us to the power of Jesus’ healing that not only makes people well, but empowers them to serve.

Jesus’ powerful proclamation and healing power truly transforms lives.

Join us Sunday as we dig deeper.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us?

I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Mark 1:23–25

The ministry of Jesus was filled with all different kinds of encounters.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus is in the local synagogue teaching about the kingdom of God, when a man with an unclean spirit (demon) cries out to him.

The man with the spirit knows Jesus’ name, his power over evil, and his true identity.

This tells us a lot about Jesus and the forces he faced.

Join us Sunday as we consider the healing power of Jesus.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”

And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16–18

One of the most commonly used words in the Gospel of Mark is “immediately.”

The repeated use of this word captures the urgency and power of the moment, and in the above situation, the visceral connection Jesus had with his disciples.

Andrew and Simon do not require a recruitment speech or even a plan, being invited by Jesus to follow was enough for them to change their whole lives.

The words of the story cannot capture the power of this moment.

Join us Sunday as we consider the challenge of following Jesus.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.