FPC Bellingham

Godly Play story told by Kerrie Bauer. Recorded live at First Presbyterian Church on December 29, 2024 for our annual Comfy Cozy service.

Special Christmas Eve message by Pastor Doug Bunnell. Recorded live at First Presbyterian Church on December 24, 2024. Scripture read by Laurie Bunnell and Linus Van Pelt.

Matthew 1:18-24

Luke 2:8-20

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

First published on our FPC podcast in 2020, here is a re-release of Doug and Laurie reading their favorite Christmas story - The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

First published on our FPC podcast in 2020, here is a re-release of Doug and Laurie reading their favorite Christmas story - The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

First published on our FPC podcast in 2020, here is a re-release of Doug and Laurie reading their favorite Christmas story - The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

First published on our FPC podcast in 2020, here is a re-release of Doug and Laurie reading their favorite Christmas story - The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

First published on our FPC podcast in 2020, here is a re-release of Doug and Laurie reading their favorite Christmas story - The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live at First Presbyterian Church on December 22, 2024. Scripture read by Nathaniel and Jules Olson.

Magi are Making a Way to Your Nativity

Matthew 2:1-12

2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live at First Presbyterian Church on December 15, 2024. Scripture read by Cindy Palmer (and Linus van Pelt).

Shepherds are People in Your Nativity

Shepherds pay attention, check it out, and tell others. Do the same.

Luke 2:8-20

8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Pastor Doug talks about what we are doing together in 2025 - reading the New Testament. Listen to the podcast to learn more about this exciting journey. Join us!

Learn more about The Bible Project here.