Pastor's Blog

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, This coming Sunday evening is the “Super Bowl.”  Super Bowl Sunday has become something akin to a national holiday.  People spend the day in preparation; there’s shared food, festivities, and family traditions.  Which I think is just great. Now, as you reach your hand down into the chip bowl this evening, for one more handful of nachos… you might be thinking, why do we call this game the “Super Bowl ?” And as a matter of fact, how about “bowl” ga

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?  Are you not my work in the Lord?”  -1 Corinthians 9:1 There’s a classic hymn that asks a timeless question, “Have you seen Jesus my Lord?” Before you can think too long about your answer to the question, John Fischer, the hymn’s writer offers a startling revelation in the very next line, “He’s here in plain view.” Wow!  And just in case you needed more evidence, the hymn proc

TIDINGS from BETHLEHEM                                                              -----Monthly News From In & Around Our Parish-----                                                                                   A word from our Associate Pastor                                                                                                                             February                       Dear friends in faith,   During the season of Lent many Christians turn the

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:25 This Sunday, January 25th is Bethlehem’s annual congregational meeting.  And I am almost sure that even with just that sentence I have already lost several folks.  But I really do hope that you will stick with me for a few mor

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:6 It has been said that an effective way to fend off the doldrums is to have something to “look forward to.”  There definitely is some truth to this encouragement. A genuine sense of anticipation and expectation can be a real blessing.  It permits us to hope for a joy-filled future without being consumed by

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Then opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” -Matthew 2:11 This is the Epiphany of our Lord! January 6th isn’t just the day set aside for the removal of Christmas decorations, it is the inauguration of a new liturgical season. Of course, today is the day we remember the Magi following the star and finally making their way to Jesus. The wise ones brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We k

TIDINGS from BETHLEHEM                                                              -----Monthly News From In & Around Our Parish January 2026  Tremendous Potential   “Do to others…” -Luke 6:31 (NRSV)   I admit, this is not an easy time of year.  The Christmas holiday is in the rearview mirror and Easter seems to rest on a distant horizon.  The days are short.  The cold has settled in.  And the snow shovels stand at the ready for the next inconvenient squall.  It is only a ma

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’  Joyful all you nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’” - ELW #270 We will be singing lots of carols in the coming days, and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” is one of the best. It’s a tremendous carol for many reasons, but one of the elements that I truly treasure

Tuesday Tidings, December 16, 2025   Dearest Members of Bethlehem,   “For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” -Isaiah 11:9   “There’s got to be one more box!”  This is usually the line that precedes the frantic search for the missing Christmas decorations.   “It’s the one with the stockings, the tree skirt, and the special table cloth…”.  And back up the ladder into the attic I go. Trust me, just about 11 months ago all the totes