Message by Fred Hartsook, recorded live June 1, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Brad Day.

Never Too Late

• Have you ever felt like Jesus was "delaying" in answering your prayer?
• What does it look like to trust His timing even when it hurts?
• What does Jesus’ weeping say about His heart for us in our pain?
• Are you willing to trust God's timing, even if it seems late by your standards?
• How can you respond to Jesus' call to come out of whatever binds you?

John 11:1-7

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather, it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6 after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

John 11: 32-44

32 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34 He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus began to weep. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Message by Kerrie Bauer, recorded live May 18, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Greg Hart.

Living Water Flows

Jesus is our living water and in powerful ways he shows us how it flows between us to bring new life.

• Note that John points out that Jesus was “tired out” from the journey. Imagine yourself in a hot and dry climate, coming upon a lone man sitting beside a well, visibly tired. How does it speak to you to consider Jesus as tired?
• What does it mean to hear Jesus ask for a drink?

• Read John 4:1-42. Notice the questions asked. Who asks questions and who is afraid to ask questions? What do the questions reveal about the asker? What does the silence reveal about those who do not ask questions?

• How does the Samaritan woman experience Jesus’ insight into her life? How does she respond?
• How does living water flow between people in this text?

John 4:1-10

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, “Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John” 2 (although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized), 3 he left Judea and started back to Galilee. 4 But he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.

7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

John 4:13-15

13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live May 11, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Gospel Awe

John’s Prologue is a stunningly beautiful synopsis of the gospel, stand in awe and welcome the grace of this amazing passage.

• Read John 1:1-18. What strikes you about this incredible text?
• What is the connection between life and light in these verses?
• How do these two elements—life and light—manifest in the life of a believer?
• How does this "true Light" differ from other sources of light? What does this light represent for humanity?
• What do you think it means when it says, "He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him"?

• How does this verse highlight the mystery and significance of the incarnation of Christ?
• What impact does the Word becoming flesh have on our relationship with God?
• How does the fullness of grace and truth in Jesus compare to the law given through Moses?
• How does the understanding of Jesus as the Word becoming flesh shape your personal faith?

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live May 4, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Lynn Schumann.

Passover and Communion

Jesus was Jewish and Passover is connected to Easter and Communion, welcome Jewish Jesus.

• What was the importance of Passover to the Jewish people?
• Jesus died during the Passover festival, what does that signify?
• How does Jesus liberate us?
• What does communion have to do with Passover?

Luke 22:7-23

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” 9 They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” 10 “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” 13 So they went and found everything as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, 16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, 18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. 22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 27, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Tanya Biersdorff.

Seen and Known

Zacchaeus is Seen and Welcomed and he responds with grace.

Follow Jesus by seeing and welcoming others.

• What does the passage reveal about Zacchaeus’s character and his position in society?
• Why do you think the crowd grumbled when Jesus decided to stay at Zacchaeus’s house?
• What can we learn from Zacchaeus’s willingness to make immediate changes in his life (promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and pay back four times what he took)?
• How is repentance portrayed in Zacchaeus’s actions?
• How does Jesus’s acceptance of Zacchaeus challenge our views of who is worthy of grace and salvation? Are there people in your life who you might be tempted to dismiss but whom Jesus would seek out?

Luke 19:1-10

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 20, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.

Easter Sunday

Nothing, nothing, nothing is too wonderful for the Lord and Resurrection is the pinnacle of that reality.

• How does the resurrection of Jesus play into the narrative of this passage?
• What is the reaction of the disciples when they first see Jesus, how does Jesus address the disciples' fears and doubts?
• What strikes you about Jesus asking them if they had something to eat ?
• What does Jesus mean in verse 47 when He says, “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations”?
• Why is the giving of the Holy Spirit important for the disciples?
• What does the disciples' initial doubt and Jesus' response teach us about dealing with doubt in our faith?
• In what ways can the message of forgiveness and repentance in verse 47 shape how we live and share the gospel today?

Luke 24:36-49

36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Yet for all their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering, and he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 13, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ozzie Lewis.

Kingdom Regrets

Don’t let life get in the way of Kingdom joy, embrace kingdom life above all.

• Why do you think humility is so important in the Kingdom of God?
• What does this passage reveal about God's heart for the marginalized and those who cannot repay us?
• In practical terms, what might it look like to “invite” those who cannot repay us in our churches, neighborhoods, or communities?

• What do the excuses of the invited guests (v. 18-20) reveal about their priorities? Why do they choose not to attend the banquet?

• How does the invitation to the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame demonstrate the inclusiveness of God's kingdom?

• How does the parable of the great banquet illustrate the nature of God’s grace and invitation?
• What "excuses" might we make today that prevent us from fully responding to God’s call?
• Are there areas where you tend to make excuses (like the invited guests in the parable) for not fully committing to God’s call on your life? What are they, and how can you overcome them?

Luke 14:7-237 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host, 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, “Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 Then Jesus said to him, “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.’ 20 Another said, ‘I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 Then the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled.

In this special episode during Holy Week, Pastor Doug talks with Bill Palmer and reflects on Jesus' experience within the darkness of the crucifixion. Bill shares candidly about his experience living with a diagnosis of acute leukemia and how he is experiencing God's love and peace in the midst of it.

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 6, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.

Mercy

Jesus calls us to live lives of mercy, live like the Samaritan.

• Why does the lawyer try to justify himself by asking, "And who is my neighbor?" What might this question tell us about his heart or motives?
• What qualities does the Good Samaritan demonstrate that the priest and Levite fail to show?
• What does the Samaritan’s compassion and care for the wounded man tell us about the kind of love Jesus is calling His followers to embody?
• When Jesus asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” how does the lawyer answer, and why does he not say “Samaritan”?
• What does this passage teach us about loving others beyond our own social, ethnic, or cultural boundaries?
• What are some practical ways you can show mercy and compassion to those around you?
• What does the parable teach about mercy, and why is mercy a central theme in the life and ministry of Jesus?

Luke 10:25-37

25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live March 30, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Diane Tate.

New Skins for New Wine

• Why do you think Jesus chose Levi (a tax collector) to be one of His disciples?
• Why do the Pharisees and teachers of the law criticize Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners?
• How does the idea of Jesus being a "physician" for sinners challenge our understanding of who can come to Jesus?

• How does the imagery of a wedding feast help us understand the nature of Jesus’ ministry and His presence with His followers?

• What does the statement, "No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, 'The old is better,'" reveal about human resistance to change?

• In what ways do you, or might you, identify with the Pharisees’ attitudes toward sinners and outcasts?
• How can you move past this mindset?
• Are there areas of your life that feel like “old wineskins” that might need to be transformed to receive something new from God?

Luke 5:27-39

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax-collection station, and he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

33 Then they said to him, “John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.” 34 Jesus said to them, “You cannot make wedding attendants fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise, not only will one tear the new garment, but the piece from the new will not match the old garment. 37 Similarly, no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins and will spill out, and the skins will be ruined. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine but says, ‘The old is good.’ ”