Message delivered by Chris Christensen.

Message delivered by Pastor Anne Carlson.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37–38

Church leaders sometimes use the phrase “mission field” to describe the geographic area a particular church or missionary is charged with ministering in.

They are sent out to share God’s love and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ own day, he sent the disciples to “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons”

(Matt. 10:8).

That is quite a to-do list! God’s work in the world is seemingly endless, yet who will go?

Jesus asked his disciples this question and it remains one for us today.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’

For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Matthew 9:12-13

One of the main criticisms of Jesus, by those who opposed his ministry, was he hung out with the wrong people.

Jesus spent time with tax collectors (Matthew), sinners, and other who were lowly regarded.

In the minds of many religious leaders, it was improper to spend time with those not following God’s laws.

Jesus’ ministry focused on mercy and forgiveness rather than strict adherence to laws and customs.

Join us Sunday as we consider this radical way of Jesus and the challenge it poses to us.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19

The Great Commission, quoted above, are Jesus’ final words to the disciples in the Gospel of Matthew.

He sends them out to make disciples of all nations, and baptizing in the name of the Triune God.

The Great Commission coupled with the Great Commandment

(Matt. 22:38-40)

form the basis of Christian mission.

Share the good news everyone, while loving God and neighbor.

This seems very simple but is incredibly challenging.

God calls on the church to live out these commands and work on building God’s kingdom on earth as it already is in heaven.

Join us Sunday as we consider the Great Commission and the call to discipleship beyond boundaries.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Acts 2:4

Sunday is Pentecost, a celebration of the Holy Spirit, and the power of God working in our lives.

In Jesus’ day, Pentecost was a harvest festival which attracted Jewish pilgrims from many countries and languages.

As they all came together, the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the ability to share the gospel so all could hear the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Today, the same Spirit enables and empowers us to share God’s love with those in our lives.

Join us Sunday as we celebrate the Spirit!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.

They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?

This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:9–11

The Ascension of Jesus took place 40 days after the resurrection, and is commemorated in church as festival on May 18th this year.

Rather than having our worship on Thursday this week or skipping over this momentous occasion, we will remember Jesus ascending into heaven on Sunday.

Join us at Bethel as we consider this awesome event and what it means for our life of faith.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.

John 14:15–16

As Jesus prepared to leave the disciples he promised he would return, having prepared a place for them

(John 14:3).

He then goes on to reassure them that in the meantime, he will send the Advocate, or Spirit of Truth, to be with them.

The Advocate, or Holy Spirit, reveals God’s truth to us and has a role in leading and guiding on us on God’s path.

Join us Sunday as we consider the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us to understand and walk in truth.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

These words of Jesus are extremely well known and contain a powerful promise:

through Jesus our relationship with God is made whole.

In Jesus’ day, it was assumed that no person had access to God.

Here Jesus says we can have access to God through him.

Jesus shares these words with his disciples at the Last Supper.

He does so in order to provide comfort as he goes to the cross and articulate the promise of salvation.

Join us Sunday as we delve into this gospel text and consider what it means for our journey of faith.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them."

John 10:7–8

This Sunday we will hear several references to the journey of faith utilizing the imagery of sheep and shepherds.

These passages depict our relationship with God as of one of care, nurture, and guidance.

The shepherd directs the path of the sheep, makes sure they have food and water, and protects them from danger.

Because the sheep spend so much time with the shepherd, they learn their voice and can differentiate it from other people.

This is Jesus’ vision for our connection to him.

We know his voice, and will follow and trust it and not be led astray but the thieves and bandits in the world.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.