Pastor's Blog

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “…with all humility, and gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” -Ephesians 4:2-3 Most of the time when we talk about “patience,” we’re talking about keeping our cool while we stand in line at the DMV. People who are patient, have no problem at all waiting for their meal to arrive at a restaurant. Bumper to bumper traffic, or even gridlock, no probl

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” -2 Corinthians 4:16 Every once in a while a bright red notification will appear on my computer or phone screen indicating to me that it is time for an “update.” And now, the deliberation begins! Should I do it? Will the update introduce too many new changes into my life? Do I really want to sit around and wait for a fu

Tidings from Bethlehem-June 2026 A word from our Associate Pastor June, 2026 Dear friends in Christ, Blessings this June! June means ma ny things for our community. Remember that worship times have shifted to our Summer Schedule: Saturday 6 pm, Sunday 8 am and 9:30 am. Our summer Bible Study will feature a look at And look! We Li

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Our life is not only a great deal of trouble and hard work; it is also refreshment and joy in God’s goodness. We labor, but God nourishes and sustains us. That is reason to celebrate.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for a reason to celebrate. I greatly appreciate the insight from Bonhoeffer that appears above. Ever the realist, he acknowledges the truth; our lives involve ups and downs,

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12 As of today, May 19, 2026, Kari and I have been married for 25 years. This is our “silver anniversary,” and this email is being sent to you from the Gettysburg Campus of United Lutheran Seminary; where we began our relationship all those years ago. I can honestly say that I have been grateful for every day we have shared together. Those of you who know her, know that Kari truly is a tr

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, There’s a brilliant novel out there written by John Williams entitled, “Stoner.” It’s definitely, at least in my humble opinion, one of the best of all time. For the record, I am not recommending the novel. Lots of folks think the book is absolutely awful. So, if you read it and you don’t like it, please don’t tell me. However, in the latter chapters of that novel, there is a haunting line that I think captures what Christian Education should be

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “But the Lord in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” -Habakkuk 2:20 I’ve heard folks say that “we,” I am assuming they mean Lutheran Christians, “aren’t good at silence.” I can kind of see how that critique might be legitimate, but I would beg to differ just a bit. I mean seriously, have you ever been on the receiving end of the “silent treatment?” In these particular instances I would say that some folks are very mu

-----Monthly News From In & Around Our Parish----- From the Pastor’s Desk May 2026 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” -Matthew 7:24-27 (NRSV) This is the time of year when many of us begin to spend a little more time outside. As we do, we notice the effects of a long winter; the sheer force of the freeze-thaw cycle i

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “You feel hedged in; you dream of escape; but beware of mirages. Do not run or fly away in order to get free: rather dig in the narrow place which has been given you; you will find God there and everything. God does not float on your horizon, he sleeps in your substance. Vanity runs, love digs.” -Gabriel Marcel As we come to the end of April we are on the very precipice of the summer months; a time of vacations and get aways. Some have had the

Dearest Members of Bethlehem, “Even to your old age, I am he; even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made and I will bear; I will carry and I will save.” -Isaiah 46:4 There is a distinctive blessing in being young, you often do not need to think through the ravages of time; the way your mind and body are slowing; the way you begin to plan differently for your future. There is a distinctive blessing in growing older… actually there may be several. First, you appreci