FPC Bellingham

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live December 14, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.

Revelation 4:1-11

1 After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! 3And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. 4Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. 5Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, 6and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and back: 7the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. 8And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing,

“Holy, holy, holy,

the Lord God the Almighty,

who was and is and is to come.”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.”

Isaiah 6:1-9

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said,

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5And I said, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

6Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7The seraph touched my mouth with it and said, “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” 9And he said, “Go and say to this people:

‘Keep listening, but do not comprehend;

keep looking, but do not understand.’

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live December 7, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Cindy Palmer.

1 John 2:18-28

18 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us, for if they had belonged to us they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. 20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. 21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

26I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. 27As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

Come experience the the new book from Mike Neelley in his own words. The Book Launch for A Longing For More: Deeper, Wider, Further with the Holy Spirit was held at FPC on November 18, 2025.

A Longing for More will help you to welcome and know the “always-with-us” person and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Designed for personal growth or sharing in small groups and faith communities, this is a guide for both the new believer and the mature Christian leader.

Message by Fred Hartsook, recorded live November 30, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.

1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-102 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people,

but now you are God’s people;

once you had not received mercy,

but now you have received mercy.

Each Thanksgiving our Sunday service is transformed as members of our congregation share a deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection. This year we are blessed by Isis Marks, Eshinee Veith, Pastor Doug, and Linda and Andrew Kolody. Scripture read by Steve Thames and Efton Park.

Giving Thanks

• We live our best lives when we are regularly thanking God for the many blessings he showers upon us.
• Where do all good and perfect gifts come from? What does that mean in our lives?
• What are some “good and perfect” gifts you’ve received from God?
• What does the phrase "Father of lights" reveal about God? What does it mean that God does notchange like shifting shadows?
• How does being the "firstfruits" of God’s creatures relate to Christian identity or purpose?
• How do you make giving thanks a regular habit in your life?

Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness;

come into his presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him; bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever

and his faithfulness to all generations.

Matthew 11:25-30

25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live November 16, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Sarah Lewis.

On Christ the Solid Rock

Jesus is the High Priest working in God’s Temple mediating the new covenant.

• What does the “true tabernacle” mean, and how does it differ from the earthly tabernacle?
• What is the role of a priest, and how does Jesus fulfill that role uniquely?
• In what ways is Jesus’ priesthood and covenant superior to the old one?
• How does the concept of a “better covenant” with “better promises” encourage us today?
• Verses 8–12 quote Jeremiah 31:31–34. What are the key promises of the New Covenant in these verses? How does this reveal God's grace in the New Covenant?
• Are there areas of your life where you're still living under an "old covenant" mindset? How can we live more fully in the reality of the New Covenant today?

Hebrews 8:1-13

1 Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are already those who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one, just as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tent. For, God said, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on the basis of better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one.

8 God finds fault with them when he says:

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord,

when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel

and with the house of Judah,

9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors

on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,

for they did not continue in my covenant,

and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord.

10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel

after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their minds

and write them on their hearts,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

11 And they shall not teach one another

or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’

for they shall all know me,

from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,

and I will remember their sins no more.”

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first one obsolete, and what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live November 9, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Kristen Frankland.

Created and Treated Equally

In the Kingdom all people are equal so we live out the subversive resistance by treating all people with equality.

• What transformation happened in Onesimus’s life? How does this change things?
• How does verse 16 challenge cultural norms of the time (i.e., slavery)? "No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother..."

• How can you apply Paul's appeal for reconciliation in your own relationships?
• What does Paul’s willingness to pay Onesimus’s debt reveal about his character?
• How does this letter speak to issues of human dignity, equality, and Christian fellowship—especially across social or economic divides?

Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To our beloved coworker Philemon, 2 to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. 7 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.

8 For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, 9 yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. 10 I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. 12 I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. 15 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 One thing more: prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live November 2, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by John Freal.

Finish Well

Paul ran well and finished well and he did it by asking for help.

• What does Paul mean by “being poured out like a drink offering”?
• What emotions or attitudes do you see in Paul as he reflects on his life and ministry?
• What is “the crown of righteousness” Paul mentions in verse 8?
• What does this section tell us about early Christian communities and relationships?
• If you knew your time was short, what would you want to say to those closest to you about your faith?
• 
  

2 Timothy 4:6-226

 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

9 Do your best to come to me soon, 10 for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in ministry. 12 I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. 15 You also must beware of him, for he strongly opposed our message.

16 At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained in Corinth; Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live October 26, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Brad Day.

Godliness Training

Kingdom Resistance is serious about training, train yourself in Godliness.

• According to verse 8, what value does physical training have compared to godliness?
• How can someone “train themselves to be godly” (v. 7)? What might that look like practically? Why is godliness valuable “both for the present life and the life to come” (v. 8)?
• Why is Paul so emphatic about Timothy not neglecting his spiritual gift (v. 14)?
• Are you setting an example for others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity? Which areaneeds the most growth?
• How can you encourage others—especially younger believers or leaders—based on this passage?

1 Timothy 4:6-166 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane and foolish tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Join in as Doug and friends discuss the teachings and interpretations of NT Wright.

Find more recommendations to dig further into the teachings of NT Wright at Doug's ⁠sabbatical web page⁠.