In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:

to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8–12

On Christmas Eve we will hear the familiar story of Jesus’ birth, sing songs we know by heart, and light our candles in the dark.

There is something deeply comforting about the traditions of Christmas.

Yet, the story of Jesus’ birth still amazes me. God chose to enter into the world in the most humble way and God chose lowly shepherds to be witnesses.

This sends a powerful message about who God is and what God values.

Join us at either 5pm or 9pm as we worship and celebrate!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

As we conclude our sermon series in the season of Advent, we have articulated different visions for our faith life.

Come See, focuses on being an invitational church.

Come Be, creates the space for people to rest and be accepted as they are.

Go See encourages us to look for God’s work in the world.

Go Be provides the encouragement and nudge to be a light in an often dark world.

Sometimes we are the instrument of God’s handiwork.

We all have a gifts and all have a role to play in building up the Kingdom of God.

We are God’s plan “A” and there is no plan “B.”

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

With eyes of faith we can see God’s work all around us.

Sometimes we may miss the everyday evidence of love, kindness, and mercy that occurs because we get caught up in our busyness.

But if we take a moment and “Go see” what God is up to in the world we will be encouraged and uplifted.

Join us Sunday for more!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Life is hard and sometimes what is most needed is a break from it all.

When we gather for worship we enter a space we call the sanctuary.

This word connotes a sacred space for worship, but also means a safe place.

We need sanctuary in our life, where we can be accepted and feel safe.

Jesus invites us into relationship where we can hand our burdens over and be ourselves.

Join us Sunday as we consider this for ourselves and for Bethel’s future.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

John 1:46

In Advent, we have a sermon series focusing on the scriptural themes from the capital campaign.

“Come See” is the invitation Philip shared with Nathanael to meet Jesus.

Come See for yourself who this Jesus is and the difference he can make for your life.

Come See also offers us the opportunity to invite people to Bethel as we Do Life Together.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Message delivered at Thanksgiving Eve Eve service by Pastor Ben Sandin.

He [God] has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:13–15

This week marks the end of the liturgical church year called Christ the King Sunday.

It is a festival day to remind us of the kind of king we have in Jesus before we begin the new year with Advent waiting.

It is meant to bring us hope and peace knowing we have a “king” who is the very image of the invisible God.

A king who saves, forgives, and mercifully welcomes us into paradise.

Join us as we celebrate Christ the King!

Message delivered by Pastor Kelly Sandin.

By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Luke 21:19

This Sunday’s gospel is a challenging text.

Jesus shares with the disciples many of the difficulties they will face as they work in Jesus’ name.

There will be arrests, persecutions, betrayal, harsh words and more.

Jesus does not exempt them from these struggles but tells them their endurance through it will bear witness to God.

Life is hard and often brings us to our breaking point, but if we can endure and draw strength from God, we can get through it and inspire others.

Jesus shows us this in his ministry and in his death and resurrection.

Always a good place to start.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Listen, I will tell you a mystery!

We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Sunday is All Saints Day, when we remember our loved ones and friends who have died in the past year.

As we read these names, we celebrate the love they shared with us and the promise of eternal life that has been fulfilled for them.

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, death itself has been defeated and while we mourn our loved ones and miss them terribly, we trust in this eternal promise.

Join us for this special service on Sunday.

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”

So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.

All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”

Luke 19:5–7

Sunday is a big day at Bethel.

It is Reformation Day, when we commemorate Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church door (we will have an Oktoberfest lunch).

Additionally, it is Celebration Sunday as we joyfully announce an update in our ongoing capital campaign.

Also, we have a wonderful gospel text featuring the story of Zacchaeus.

He was a chief tax collector who tried desperately to see Jesus.

When Jesus invited himself to stay at Zacchaeus’ house he was overjoyed to welcome him.

This encounter would change Zacchaeus’ life forever, as he discovered the unconditional love and grace of God.

Join us Sunday as we have so much to celebrate!

Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.