Understanding Church

 The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) brings volunteers and communities together through critical home repair and replacement. Each year, Bethlehem Lutheran Church gathers their tools and spends a week in the summer helping to make a family in need warmer, safer, and drier. Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone interview members of our congregation as they share the importance of engaging your time, talents, and treasures in being disciples of Christ. 

 We live in a society and culture focused on money, but according to Luke 16:13 "You cannot serve God and wealth." In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the "love of money." According to 1 Timothy, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."  The discussion centers us on the appropriate guidance we are given about money.  

 In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone further their discussion about what happens when we die (see #20 Heaven Podcast) with a chat about hell. What are your present concepts of hell…or misconceptions? Discover the scriptural perspective of hell and leave the horns and pitchforks to the movies! 

 On this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss heaven. There are a lot of references to heaven in the Bible: 246 in the Old Testament and 248 in the New Testament (NRSV). But, what is heaven? Where is heaven? How do we get there? This episode is a little longer that some others but, my heavens!, we are talking about heaven after all! Thank you for listening!! 

 On this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the topic of confirmation--the affirmation of our baptism. Confirmation involves deep study in what it means to be a Lutheran. Join us in this important conversation and understanding. 

 Have you recently attended  a worship service that started with a baptism? Do you have a true understanding of what you are experiencing? In this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss  baptism and address many common questions on the topic including: What happens if I'm not baptized? Do I need to be baptized again if I switch churches? What does Jesus command us to do as it relates to baptism? 

So...What is a Beatitude? During this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone walk through this critical piece of the Sermon on the Mount.  A beatitude is a promise that's held forth to us, a word of hope for people who need to hear hope. They can also transform us by reorienting our priorities. They cause us to think about how we see the world around us and how we can use the gospel to address those needs. 

 The Sermon on the Mount is known as one of the best sermons ever preached. It is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 5, 6, & 7). Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the parts of this important work including the Beatitudes and The Lord's Prayer. www.belc.org/backchat-podcast 

 The Bible is a collection of sacred texts--66 books in all. But how is it designed, how was it put together? Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss this book of scripture sharing a little background and how to read it moving forward. 

 We are called to be and make disciples (Matt 28:19). But, what does it mean to be a disciple? Further, how do we make disciples? Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone discuss what we are called to do...let's get started!