Bethel Lutheran Church
...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...

Sermons & Recordings

Worship Services

Audio recordings of our worship services are available in the library.
Sermons from selected services are available here and from our Podcasting[Offsite Link] feed: XML.

Service Sermon Scripture Readings If your player can do streaming, try these links (play lists) You can download the complete files here (WMA or MP3)
January 4, 2009,
9:00 AM
2nd Sunday of Christmas
“God With Us”
In this profound introduction to the Gospel of John lies the simple truth that God revealed through a human person. From the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is the WORD of God continues to dwell among us—most often in simple and ordinary things. Today we explore the terrible and wonderful fact that God is not off someplace else but right here in our midst each and every day.
Pastor Randy Pabst
Ephesians 1:3–14[Offsite Link]
John 1:1–18[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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December 24, 2008,
10:00 PM
Christmas Eve
“Christmas Eve”
Pastor Randy Pabst
Luke 2:1–20[Offsite Link] Windows Media
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Windows Media
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December 24, 2008,
8:30 PM
Christmas Eve
“Christmas Eve”
Pastor Joseph Chiu
Pastor of Good Shepherd Christian Church[Offsite Link]
John 1:1–5[Offsite Link]
Luke 2:1–20[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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December 21, 2008,
10:30 AM
4th Sunday of Advent
“Liberty Through Dependence”
We all want freedom; it is the dominant part of our national DNA. However, our culture champions the concept of “freedom from” a long list of things. In contrast, our God seeks to give us “freedom for” nothing less than holy living. As we prepare to celebrate the arrival of the Christ child, it’s important to remember that we do so in a state of radical dependence.
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Isaiah 61:1–11[Offsite Link]
Matthew 1:18–25[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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December 14, 2008,
9:00 AM
3rd Sunday of Advent
“Abundance Through Trust”
God’s Abundance! However, in a world that defines abundance around what we can accumulate, how do we recognize and understand the abundance of God? Today we explore this amazing revelation of abundance from the prophet Isaiah and just how that abundance is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Yes, we are blessed beyond measure!
Pastor Randy Pabst
Isaiah 55:1–13[Offsite Link]
Luke 1:39–56[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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December 7, 2008,
9:00 AM
2nd Sunday of Advent
“Hope Through Suffering”
Hope is perhaps the world’s greatest currency. Everything from our daily mental outlook to the international economy is influenced by how much of it we have. Our culture promotes a hope based on strength and triumph. In contrast, our God has shown that hope is best achieved through courageous suffering. It has been said, “No pain, no gain.” This advent, perhaps a slight change is in order: “His pain, our gain.”
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Isaiah 53:1–12[Offsite Link]
Luke 1:26–38[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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November 30, 2008,
9:00 AM
First Sunday of Advent
“Comfort Through Action”
In this culture we tend to equate comfort with inactivity and rest. However, when the prophet Isaiah proclaimed comfort to Israel he meant something much different. He proclaimed that God’s idea of comfort was active—first God’s activity and then ours. On this first Sunday of Advent we begin our preparation for Christmas and God coming to us once again as we explore how God’s action initiates our action which is the very definition of Biblical comfort.
Pastor Randy Pabst
Isaiah 40:1–11[Offsite Link]
Mark 1:1–8[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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November 23, 2008,
9:00 AM
Christ the King Sunday
“The CENTER of Our Christian Life”
How are you defined? What is about you that others would point to and say that is the essence of who you are? As Christians, how we worship is central to our understanding of our relationship to God. On this Christ the King Sunday we focus on what our understanding of what our worship reveals about our faith.
Pastor Randy Pabst
Ephesians 1:15–23[Offsite Link]
Matthew 25:31–46[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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November 16, 2008,
9:00 AM
27th Sunday After Pentecost
“International Investment”
Presentation on the Tanzania Mission Effort.
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Psalm 23[Offsite Link]
Matthew 25:14–30[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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November 9, 2008,
9:00 AM
26th Sunday After Pentecost
“Are You Prepared for this World?”
A key function of worship is to help prepare you for living in the world. This is not to help you escape—but to be given by God greater tools for living in this world but not necessarily “of” this world. Today, we look at how that is done and then how we can go forth as disciples of Jesus to the world—that is our world!
Pastor Randy Pabst
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18[Offsite Link]
Matthew 25:1–13[Offsite Link]
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November 2, 2008,
10:30 AM
All Saints Sunday
“God’s Great Blessing!”
Sacrament implies SACRED! But what makes Baptism and Holy Communion Sacred? Today we look at these important “means of grace” as Luther referred to them, is central to our understanding of our faith and life as followers of Jesus. With earthly elements (water, bread & wine) God continues to transform us into God’s image for all time.
Pastor Randy Pabst
1 John 3:1–3[Offsite Link]
Matthew 5:1–12[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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October 26, 2008,
9:00 AM
Reformation Sunday
“Reforming Our Prayers”
Prayer was designed to be direct and sustained communication between God and humanity. Instead, we often think of prayer as either a “life accessory” or a “element of last resort.” Individual lives and churches had have their trajectories radically altered by having honest conversations with God. On this Reformation Day, we are once again challenged to change by greatly upgrading our prayer lives. Here’s a hint—it’s not just about praying more but praying better.
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Philippians 4:1–9[Offsite Link]
John 8:31–36[Offsite Link]
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October 19, 2008,
9:00 AM
23rd Sunday After Pentecost
“Give Until You Are Blessed”
Nobody takes great pleasure in paying taxes. This was especially true in Jesus’ day when taxes were imposed by an occupation army (The Romans), collected by independent agents (who took their cut) and were not used for local improvement projects (The emperor got rich). And still Jesus teaches that the people should continue to pay taxes when he says, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and to God the things that are God’s.” The question is what belongs to God? The answer is simple and complex—everything, but especially our allegiance and trust. Today we explore the old saying that, “You cannot out-give God.”
Pastor Rick Sherrill
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10[Offsite Link]
Matthew 22:15-22[Offsite Link]
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October 12, 2008,
9:00 AM
22nd Sunday After Pentecost
“Living What We Say”
It is an old and often used phrase “Actions Speak Louder than Words.” What do our actions say about what we believe? Each week we profess our faith in worship. Do we then actually live our faith throughout the week? We are being watched, you know. People want to know if following Jesus makes a positive difference. Today we explore living our faith in EVERYTHING we do!
Pastor Randy Pabst
Isaiah 25:1-9[Offsite Link]
Matthew 22:1-14[Offsite Link]
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October 5, 2008,
9:00 AM
21st Sunday After Pentecost
“Before the Beginning!”
The WORD = LOVE = JESUS! Ever thought about the fact that God's WORD actually came to us as one of us? Some think that the WORD of God is the Bible alone—but Martin Luther himself pointed out that even the Bible tells us that God's WORD is in fact Jesus—which is LOVE incarnate—that is LOVE with us! Those tenants didn't get it. Many still don't get it. But we know to know Jesus is to know God!
Pastor Randy Pabst
Isaiah 5:1-7[Offsite Link]
Philippians 3:4b-14[Offsite Link]
Matthew 21:33-46[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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September 28, 2008,
9:00 AM
20th Sunday After Pentecost
“The Bridge Between Knowing and Doing”
Preaching is one of the hallmarks of Lutheran Christian worship. More than any other indicator, pastors near and far are judged on their ability to deliver a inspiring message week in and week out. As the old saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding.” The best sermons still resonate on Monday and move people from hearers to doers. It's all about building a bridge between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Ezekiel 37:1-10[Offsite Link]
Philippians 2:1-11[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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September 21, 2008,
9:00 AM
19th Sunday After Pentecost
“Generous Beyond Imagining!”
Do you believe God is generous? Do you believe God's love transcends our ability to earn it? Do you believe God desires all of us to know and experience a full and meaningful life? If you answered yes to any of the above then you know the nature and root of why we PRAISE God! Today we emphasize this important and central aspect of our Worship experience!
Pastor Randy Pabst
Philippians 1:21-30[Offsite Link]
Matthew 20:1-16[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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September 14, 2008,
9:00 AM
Holy Cross Day
“The Freedom in Forgiveness”
The only thing more difficult than confessing our sins is forgiving ourselves and others. We incorporate a rite of “Confession and Forgiveness” into our worship services to facilitate a magnificent exchange—we release our sins to God and receive an overwhelming sense of acceptance and freedom. Our challenge is take that freedom and lavish it upon the world. On this Holy Cross Sunday, we are reminded that forgiveness is a worldwide movement and not simply a personal event.
Pastor Rick Sherrill
1 Corinthians 18:21-35[Offsite Link]
Matthew 18:21-35[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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September 7, 2008,
8:30 AM
17th Sunday After Pentecost
“Where 2 or 3 Are Gathered…”
What is at the heart of our Christian life both as individual Christians and as the Church? Worship! As we move into the fall program the emphasis will be on worship—defining, looking at the structure and why, and focusing on this gift, why it is so important, and how this opportunity God holds before us to Worship is such a great gift!
Pastor Randy Pabst
Romans 13:8-14[Offsite Link]
Matthew 18:15-20[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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August 31, 2008,
8:30 AM
16th Sunday After Pentecost
"It Always Costs More Than You Think"
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Jeremiah 15:15-21[Offsite Link]
Matthew 16:21-28[Offsite Link]
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Windows Media
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August 24, 2008,
8:30 AM
15th Sunday After Pentecost
"Who Do YOU Say That I Am?"
Pastor Randy Pabst
Romans 12:1-8[Offsite Link]
Matthew 16:13-20[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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August 17, 2008,
8:30 AM
14th Sunday After Pentecost
"A Stranger in a Strange Land"
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Acts 28:17-31[Offsite Link]
Matthew 15:21-28[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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August 10, 2008,
8:30 AM
13th Sunday After Pentecost
"On Being Sent on Ahead into the Storm"
Pastor Randy Pabst
Acts 23:1-11[Offsite Link]
Matthew 14:22-33[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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August 3, 2008,
8:30 AM
12th Sunday After Pentecost
"Use What God Has Given You"
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Acts 17:22-33[Offsite Link]
Matthew 14:13-21[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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July 27, 2008,
8:30 AM
11th Sunday After Pentecost
"Lessons From Tanzania"
Pastor Rick Sherrill
Ephesians 1:3-14[Offsite Link]
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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July 20, 2008,
8:30 AM
10th Sunday After Pentecost
"Weeds & Wheat"
Pastor Randy Pabst
Acts 18:1-11[Offsite Link]
Matthew 13:24-30,36-43[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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July 13, 2008,
8:30 AM
9th Sunday After Pentecost
"Reaping the Harvest?!?!"
Pastor Randy Pabst
Acts 16:16-40[Offsite Link]
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23[Offsite Link]
Windows Media
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Windows Media
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Last updated January 4, 2009

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