FPC Bellingham

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live July 19, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.

Why Does God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?

God’s love will impact people in different ways, develop a taste for grace.

• Why might God harden Pharaoh’s heart instead of softening it?
• Why do you think Pharaoh’s attitude changes once the immediate crisis is over?
• How do we sometimes harden our own hearts, even after seeing evidence of God at work?
• In what ways do people today still resist acknowledging God, even when confronted with truth?

Exodus 7:1-5, Exodus 8:15-19, 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live June 28, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Tim Barton.Do Guilt and Shame Have a Purpose?Godly Sorrow To Get- True conviction calls us to repent, but guilt and shame do not build us up.

• How would you define “godly sorrow” in your own words? How is it different from regret?
• Why does “godly sorrow” lead to repentance and salvation, while “worldly sorrow” leads to death?
• Can you think of a time when sorrow led you toward positive change?
• How can you recognize the difference between healthy conviction and unhealthy guilt?
• How does this section deepen your understanding of repentance?

2 Corinthians 7:5-13, John 8:2-11

Listen as Pastor Kerrie talks with Doug Hawley regarding men's health.

Message by Kerrie Bauer, recorded live July 5, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Pastor Doug Bunnell.Our Messy Bodies - Sacred or Profane?

To Get: In spirit-breathed worship, God brings Christ’s body to us; we bring our bodies to Christ.To Feel: Feel the embodiedness of true worship: at-one-ment with GodTo Do: I wonder - what does it look like for you to bring our body to God?

• How would you finish this sentence - my body is …?
• God views my body as …?
• How do you understand the function of your body in worship, in relationship to God?
• What gets in the way of you seeing yourself as Christ's body?

Leviticus 15:28-33, Romans 12:1-5

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live June 28, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Don Lotze.

What’s Up with the Unforgivable Sin?In Jesus we are all completely and utterly forgiven, but we have to be able to recognize and claim it. Claim full forgiveness.

• What does “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” likely refer to in this context?
• Why might speaking against the Holy Spirit be treated differently than other sins?
• Is this sin a single act, or could it reflect an ongoing attitude or condition of the heart?
• How can someone guard their heart against hardness toward God?
• How does this teaching fit with the broader biblical message about forgiveness and grace?

Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30, 1 John 2:1-2

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live June 21, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Kai Marks.

Big Questions: Are pets with us in eternity?

God loves all creation and all creation will someday be renewed, including pets.

• What does Paul mean by “the glory that is to be revealed to us”?
• What does the “bondage to decay” refer to?
• How does the groaning of creation parallel the experience of believers?
• How does Paul connect personal salvation to the restoration of all creation?
• How does knowing that creation will be restored affect how you treat the world around you?

John 3:11-16, Romans 8:18-23

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live June 14, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Brad Day.

Big Questions: What Does Jesus Say About His Blood?

Jesus died for our sins according to scripture, trust in Jesus.

• Why is the resurrection central to the Christian faith according to this passage?
• What role do the Scriptures play in confirming the gospel events?
• What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins according to Scripture?
• How does this passage connect belief, perseverance, and genuine faith?
• What does it look like in your daily life to live as someone shaped by the resurrection?

Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 26:26-29

This week we celebrate moving up for 5th graders, 8th graders, senior high students, and all graduates!

Message by Ellie Adams, Penny Lewis, Kaden Schmidt, and Doug Bunnell - recorded live June 6, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Willa Macaleer, Ashby Bounds, and Kael King.

We are called to share a living faith across generations.

• How can one generation “commend” God’s works to another? What is the significance of remembering and proclaiming God’s deeds?
• How can you share God’s faithfulness with younger generations? With older generations?
• How can reflecting on God’s greatness change your attitude during difficult seasons?
• How does this psalm challenge a self-focused worldview?
• How might this passage shape the culture of a family or church community?

Proverbs 3:5-6

Matthew 11:28-30

Psalm 145:1-10

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live May 31, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Efton Park.

Big Questions: Really! Giants? Why do some parts of the Bible read like a fairy tale?

There is way more going on than we can perceive, trust in the God of grace who will never leave us nor forsake us.

• Why might this union between the “sons of God” and “daughters of men” be portrayed negatively?
• How do the Nephilim fit into the larger biblical story—are they symbolic, historical, or both?
• How does this passage connect to what comes immediately before (Genesis 4–5)?How does it prepare us for the flood story starting in Genesis 6:5?
• What warnings might this passage give about human choices and moral boundaries?
• How does God’s response here shape your understanding of His justice and mercy?

Genesis 6:1-4

Ephesians 6:12

2 Peter 2:4-6

Jude 5-7

In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us.

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live May 17, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Nicki Bailey.

The Mighty Fighting Women

When the Spirit says move you gotta move, await marching orders.

• How do you respond when God calls you to step into something challenging, like Barak was called to do?
• Are there areas in your life where you see a cycle similar to Israel’s (disobedience → difficulty → deliverance)?
• What can we learn from Deborah’s leadership and willingness to serve God?
• How can you be attentive to opportunities where God may want to use you, even in small or surprising ways?
• Which character do you relate to most in this story (Deborah, Barak, Sisera, or Jael)? Why?

Judges 4:1-24