Sermons from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington

Sermon 8/31/08

2008-08-31T12:36:00.000-07:00

"Seeing things God's way not our way" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 8/31/08

Texts: Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_08_31.mp3

In the sermon I mention the story of a girl in Africa who had received a goat as part of the Heifer project. To read more about her, click here.

I quote from a book by Rob Bell called "Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith". You can find this book on Amazon by clicking here. Check out more from Rob Bell on his website.

Sermon 8/24/08

2008-08-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

"Binding and loosening in community" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 8/24/08

Texts: Exodus 1:8 - 2:10, Romans 12:1-8, Matthew 16:13-20 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_08_24.mp3

If you want to learn more about "binding and loosening" in the time of Jesus, here's the article I found this week.

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

Sermon 8/17/08

2008-08-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

"How's your perfect faith?" by Rev. Roy Jeremiah

Preached 8/17/08

Texts: Genesis 45:1-15; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 (Click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_08_17.mp3

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

Sermon 8/10/08

2008-08-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

"Faith for when you are sinking" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 8/10/08

Texts: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_08_10.mp3

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

Sermon 8/3/08

2008-08-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

"Jesus, how do you expect us to feed all these people?" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 8/3/08

Texts: Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21

Click to listen: BLC_2008_08_03.mp3

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

For more information on ELCA World Hunger Appeal click here.

Sermon 7/27/08

2008-07-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

"Mustard Seeds and Mr. Rogers" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 7/27/08

Texts: Genesis 29:15-28,Romans 8:26-39, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Click to listen: BLC_2008_07_27.mp3

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

Sermon 7/20/08

2008-07-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

Sermon by Rev. Albin Fogelquist

Preached 7/20/08

Texts: Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (click to read)

Unfortunately, the sermon yet again did not record! Alas! We'll have to work on this when Father Fogelquist is preaching next.

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week.

Sermon 7/13/08

2008-07-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

"Scattering God's seeds in the world" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 7/13/08

Texts: Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (click to read)

Click to Listen: BLC_2008_07_13.mp3

During the summer, we've shortened the service and are adding some interactive elements called "Open Space". Click here for the list of options for this week. In the sermon I refer to a new station called "Gardening Prayer." Click here to read the instructions for that station--you can do this one at home.

Sermon 7/6/08

2008-07-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

"What are you carrying?" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 7/6/08

Texts: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_07_06.mp3

There is an interactive prayer request part to this sermon. To play along at home, email your responses to pastor@bethlehemspokane.org and we'll pray for you too!

Sermon 6/29/08

2008-06-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

"Laying it all on the line for God" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/29/08

Texts: Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_06_29.mp3

Sermon 6/22/08

2008-06-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

"God keeps God's promises" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/22/08

Texts: Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39

Click to listen: BLC_2008_06_22.mp3

Sermon 6/15/08

2008-06-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

"God's laughable dream" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/15/08

Texts: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:23 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_06_15.mp3

You can read some of the laughable dreams we are dreaming for Bethlehem's property by clicking here.

Sermon 6/8/08

2008-06-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Rev. Albin Fogelquist

Preached 6/8/08

Texts: Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 (click to read)

Unfortunately, the sermon didn't record this week. Sorry!

Sermon 6/1/08

2008-06-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

"Reading the Bible with Dr. Bailly and Han Solo" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/1/08

Texts: Genesis 6:9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19, Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-31, Matthew 7:21-29 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_06_01.mp3

Sermon 5/25/08

2008-05-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

"Don't worry, Child of God" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/25/08

Texts: Isaiah 49:8-16a, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_05_25.mp3

This sermon was preached during the service in which my daughter was baptized. As the Psalm, I sang "Child of the Water" by Dakota Road:

"CHILD OF THE WATER"
Chorus:
You're a child of the water, child of the word,
guided by promise and stories you've heard.
God of the wounded knows you by name
and carries you home ev'ryday.

From your first breath
to the last step,
all of the dance;
down deep in your laughter,
whatever your fears,
try to remember... (Chorus)

Life is a gift,
time carries on,
and you will grow;
amidst your believing
and throughout your doubt,
something is sure... (Chorus)

Bridge:
We journey together as children of God,
sealed by the cross... (Chorus)

Words and Music by Hans Peterson, Larry Olson and David Lee Brown ©1998 Dakota Road Music.

Sermon 5/18/08

2008-05-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

"God in relationship" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/18/08

Texts: Genesis 1:1 - 2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 (Click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_05_18.mp3

This is the image of the Trinity Icon I refer to in this sermon:

Sermon 5/11/08

2008-05-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

"Transformed, inspired, and sent by the Holy Spirit" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/11/08 (Pentecost)

Texts: Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23 (click to read)

Click to Listen: BLC_2008_05_11.mp3

This sermon was preached in four parts throughout the service (it is combined on the recording). The four sections were entitled:

1) Ready for Transformation
2) God begins to Transform us
3) This is what Transformation looks like
4) Miracles

Sermon

2008-05-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

"God shows the way" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/4/08

Texts: Acts 1:6-14, 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, John 17:1-11 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_05_04.mp3

This sermon is the last in a series on our Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord and Savior
Everyone is welcome
Love changes people
We are called to work in God's world
God uses ordinary people like us
God shows the way

Sermon 4/27/08

2008-04-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

"'We are called to work in God's world' and 'God uses ordinary people like us'" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 4/27/08

Texts: Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, John 14:15-21 (Click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_04_27.mp3

This sermon is the fourth in a series on our Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord and Savior
Everyone is welcome
Love changes people
We are called to work in God's world
God uses ordinary people like us
God shows the way

Sermon 4/20/08

2008-04-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

No sermon this week. Bethlehem joined with nearly 1000 Lutherans from all over Eastern Washington and Idaho for worship as part of our Synod Assembly. It was amazing, it was incredible, it was unlike anything we'd ever done before. Learn more about our Synod here.

Read Bishop Wells' sermon by clicking here.

Texts: Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 (click to read)

Sermon 4/13/08

2008-04-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

"Love changes people" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 4/13/08

Texts: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10

Click here to listen: BLC_2008_04_13.mp3

This sermon is the third in a series on our Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord and Savior
Everyone is welcome
Love changes people
We are called to work in God's world
God uses ordinary people like us
God shows the way

Sermon 4/6/08

2008-04-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

"Everyone is Welcome" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 4/6/08

Texts: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_04_06.mp3

This sermon is the second in a series on our Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord and Savior
Everyone is welcome
Love changes people
We are called to work in God's world
God uses ordinary people like us
God shows the way

Sermon 3/30/08

2008-03-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

"Jesus is Lord and Savior" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 3/30/08

Texts: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_03_30.mp3

This sermon is the first in a series on our Guiding Principles:

Jesus is Lord and Savior
Everyone is welcome
Love changes people
We are called to work in God's world
God uses ordinary people like us
God shows the way

Sermon 3/23/08

2008-03-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

"Building the Body of Christ" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Sermon 3/23/08 (Easter Sunday)

Texts: Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, Matthew 28:1-20 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2008_03_23.mp3

Sermon 3/16/08

2008-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

"Buddy Christ or the Body of Christ?" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Sermon 3/16/08

Texts: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14 - 27:66 (Click to read)

During the sermon I bring out a "bobblehead" from my toy collection. It is a version of this statue entitled "Buddy Christ" from the movie "Dogma":

Click to listen: BLC_2008_03_16.mp3