FPC Bellingham

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.’ ”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live March 23, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Jan Dougherty.

A Whiff of Resurrection

Even a whiff of resurrection is enough to change the world, embrace resurrection in all areas of life.

• Why is it significant that the women were going to anoint Jesus' body with spices?
• The angel specifically mentions that Jesus "has been raised." What does this statement communicate about the resurrection?

• What does the instruction to tell "the disciples and Peter" imply about Peter’s current state or position among the disciples?

• What does the resurrection of Jesus mean for you personally? How does it affect your faith and hope?
• The women were the first to receive the message of Jesus’ resurrection. In what ways does God use unexpected or unlikely people to carry out His purposes today?

• Have you ever experienced fear or amazement in your faith journey? How do you navigate those moments?

Mark 16:1-816 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live March 16, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Hunter Berard.How do you love God?

We need ritual to help us remember what is most important.

• Jesus answers that the Sadducees do not know the power of God or scripture and such they end up being wrong. How do we make sure to know these things?

• What do we learn about resurrection in this text?
• What is remarkable about the interaction Jesus has with the next scribe?
• Does this summary of the law help you? How?
• How can we remember these central truths?

Mark 12:29-31

29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live March 9, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Lynn Schuman.

Help My Lack of Faith

The crux of it all is faith, ask God to help your lack of faith.

• What do you think the argument might have been about?
• What are the reasons that Jesus calls them a faithless generation?
• The father says, if you are able. Do you ever feel that way?
• Jesus says, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who has faith.” What does he mean by that?
• The man responds that he does have faith, and asks Jesus to help his unfaith?
• Can we have faith and unfaith at the same time?

Mark 9:14-29

14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 16 He asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.’ 19 He answered them, ‘You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ 20 And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. 22 It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ 23 Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.’ 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ 26 After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ 29 He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.’

This year our theme for Lent is pilgrimage and reflecting on what it means to Walk the Way of Jesus.

In this episode, Pastor Doug reflects on the journey he and Laurie took 8 years ago along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

FPC Lent activities