FPC Bellingham

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell, recorded January 21, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Mikyn Sygitowicz.

Work and Oppression: We are all laborers and all bosses and there is calling to doing both well. Do your work whole-heartedly as to God and work for justice and fairness.

Discussion Questions:

Colossians 3:22-4:1

3:22 Employees, obey your earthly bosses in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your bosses, 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality. 4:1 Bosses, treat your employees justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Boss in heaven.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell, recorded January 14, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Kristen Frankland.

Work and Value: Good work feels good and is meant to be celebrated. Your work is valuable.

Discussion Questions

Proverbs 31:10-31: Ode to a Capable Wife

10 A capable wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant,

she brings her food from far away.

15 She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and tasks for her servant-girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength,

and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor,

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all her household are clothed in crimson.

22 She makes herself coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the city gates,

taking his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

she supplies the merchant with sashes.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her happy;

her husband too, and he praises her:

29 ‘Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.’

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the city gates.

Pastor Doug is joined by Bill Palmer in a spirited discussion about the breadth and depth of God's holy work.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell, recorded January 7, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Aven Bates.

Genesis 1:26-31

26 Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’

27 So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ 29 God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Reflection Questions: We were created to work to the glory of God and we will do so for eternity. Work is holy.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell, recorded December 31, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Original canticle song written by Rob and Eshinee Veith. ⁠Advent artwork⁠ by Jennifer Newell.

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38; read by Laurie Bunnell

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel.’

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’

36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions:

Simeon and Anna knew the God of surprising blessings and were able to welcome the surprising Messiah.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell, recorded December 17, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Ave Maria performed Elena Bauer, accompaniment by Christy Hart. Original canticle song written and performed by Rob and Eshinee Veith. Advent artwork by Kathy Harvey.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.

Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name;

indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones

and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his child Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Reflection Questions: The lowly Mary is favored by the almighty and sings the joy of the upside down kingdom.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell recorded December 10, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Harp performed by Brynn King. Advent artwork by Nicki Lang.

Reflection Questions:

Praising God may be the most important thing you do today, so do it.

Pastor Doug is joined by Gini Bunnell, Nicki Lang, and Eshinee and Rob Veith to discuss their experiences creating art for the Daily Canticle Prayer Practice.

Their reflections can be found on the Daily Canticle podcasts and the Advent page on our website.

Message by Rev. Doug Bunnell recorded December 3, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Original song written and performed by Eshinee and Rob Veith.

Original artwork by Gini Bunnell.

Reflection Questions:

Elizabeth strengthens Mary’s faith as she sings out her joy, praise, and blessing.

Scripture read by Rob Veith.

Original song written and performed by Eshinee and Rob Veith.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;

that awake we may watch with Christ,

and asleep rest in his peace. 

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping;

that awake we may watch with Christ,

and asleep rest in his peace.