Our texts for Sunday, September 7, 2025 are: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; and Luke 14:25-33.

Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to “choose life”—to choose life in God as our own. We can also take this opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of our current practices; are they serving the community and the mission of God in this place? How can we release what no longer serves that mission and commence with new avenues of worship and service?

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our readings for Sunday, August 31, 2025 are Psalm 112; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; and Luke 14:1, 7-14. 

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of God's call to the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still. In God's kin-dom the rules of the world are turned upside down; like Mary sang out, the proud are scattered in their conceit, the mighty are brought down from their thrones, etc. This is shocking, even angering for some folks, but for those in need (financially, emotionally, spiritually) it is what saves us all.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our texts for Sunday, August 24 are: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Hebrews 12:18-29; and Luke 13:10-21.

Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.  These are fabulous reminders to recognize God in all God's blessings . Remember that you are never lost from God and healing comes through both God and community. Even in those days that you are most weary, God sees you and knows you and loves you.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our readings for Sunday, August 17 are: Jeremiah 23:23-29; Hebrews 11:29—12:2 and Luke 12:49-56. 

The word of God is a refining fire, purifying and preparing us for the work that we are called to do in caring for our neighbor. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our readings for Sunday, August 10 are Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; and Luke 12:32-40.

Where is your treasure? What do you use those treasures for? In whom do you trust? Jesus says, I am the thief who sneaks into your house, your heart, when you least expect it. I come to remove the lust for those treasures that do not serve the neighbor so that you may find hope and joy and grace in servanthood.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our Bible readings for Sunday August 3, 2025 are Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21. 

Today’s texts offer instruction and encouragement for all who are occasionally overwhelmed by the “unhappy business” of life. Jesus urges us to take care and be on guard against all kinds of greed. We who have died with Christ in holy baptism have also been raised with him and are encouraged to elevate our thinking, seeking the “things that are above.” To that end we seek the sustenance of the Lord’s supper and the encouragement of God’s word. We are gifted for the care of neighbor and community rather than for the satisfaction of the self. We are called to look beyond our own navel.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our Bible readings for Sunday, July 27, 2025 are Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:6-19; and Luke 11:1-13. Hospitality and prayer are our foci this week. Persistence in prayer is encouraged by Jesus and wins the attention of God when Abraham intercedes for Sodom. The life of the baptized—to be rooted and built up in Christ Jesus—is to be nurtured with prayer. God hears and answers prayer and so strengthens God’s own. “When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.”

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our Bible texts for Sunday, July 20 are Genesis 18:1-15; Colossians 1:15-28; and Luke 10:38-42. We hear the story of Martha and Mary of Bethany as Jesus and his disciples drop in for a meal and a rest. 

Perhaps the church, at its best, is “all ears.” God urges the faithful, again and again, to “listen up!”—to heed the word that gives life. So it was with Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Martha, and the early church at Colossae. So it is today as we join the assembly to hear the word of God, the word of life.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our texts for Sunday, July 13 are: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Colossians 1:1-14; and Luke 10:25-37 (sometimes known as The Good Samaritan").

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind is to reflect God’s mercy in both seeing and responding to one’s neighbor. That mercy found its most profound expression in the “gospel that has come to you”—namely the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That gospel mercy comes to us again today: at the font, at the table, and from the pulpit. It is very near to you. Who would be neighborly with you that you may not recognize?

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Our texts for Sunday, July 6 are Isaiah 66:10-14; Galatians 6:1-16; and Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. 

How might our gospel reading about disciples being sent out to share the good news be not so much about us being the givers of good news but instead our being the receiver of the good news from sources that we might ordinarily discount? Who is sharing the gospel with us that we might not recognize? Who are we discounting who may leave our presence only to wipe our dust from their feet? Might God be opening you to a new revelation?

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church:
• To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to [email protected].
• Donate for ministry.
• Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California.
• Web site: www.blctempleton.org