The Little Brick Church

Simply the Sermon for May 24, 2026: Day of Pentecost

The readings for Sunday, May 24, the Day of Pentecost are: Acts 2:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; and John 20:19-23. Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the second giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people and creating a new community. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world. Connect [https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-petaled-flowers-koy6FlCCy5s?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org [office@blctempleton.org]. • Donate for ministry [https://www.blctempleton.org/donate]. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org [https://www.blctempleton.org]

Simply the Sermon for May 17, 2026: Seventh Sunday of Easter

Our readings for Sunday, May 17 are: Acts 1:6-14; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; and John 17:1-11. This is the final Sunday in the Easter season. This coming Sunday we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit following the ascension of Jesus. You are invited to wear red or any other color of fire; yellows, oranges or the like. In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we gather with the disciples in the upper room, waiting for the Spirit to transform the church around the world. In today’s gospel Jesus prays for his followers and for their mission in his name. Amid religious, social, and economic divisions, we seek the unity that Jesus had with his Father. Made one in baptism, we go forth to live our faith in the world, eager for the unity that God intends for the whole human family. Connect [https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-petaled-flowers-koy6FlCCy5s?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org [office@blctempleton.org]. • Donate for ministry [https://www.blctempleton.org/donate]. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org [https://www.blctempleton.org]

Simply the Sermon for May 10, 2026: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Our Bible readings for today, the 6th Sunday in Easter, are: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; and John 14:15-21. Our reading from John assures us that Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world. Connect [https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-petaled-flowers-koy6FlCCy5s?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org [office@blctempleton.org]. • Donate for ministry [https://www.blctempleton.org/donate]. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org [https://www.blctempleton.org]

Simply the Sermon for May 3, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Our Bible texts for May 3, 2026, the 5th Sunday in Easter are: Acts 7:55-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10; and John 14:1-14. As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, today’s gospel includes Jesus’ promise, especially to the ones who disappoint him, that he goes to prepare a place for his followers in his Father’s house. Our baptism commissions us to share Jesus’ mission in the world. As 1 Peter reminds us, we are a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. In words and deeds we bear witness to the risen Christ—our way, our truth, our life. Connect [https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-petaled-flowers-koy6FlCCy5s?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org [office@blctempleton.org]. • Donate for ministry [https://www.blctempleton.org/donate]. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org [https://www.blctempleton.org]

Simply the Sermon for April 26, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Our readings for Sunday April 26, the 4th Sunday in Easter are: Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10. Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday” but we at Bethel focused on the Acts reading where we hear the stories of the earliest Christians. Amazing as it might sound, the Jewish Christ followers shared all that they had and all that they were as they learned about the Way of Christ and the love that is given to all who believe. We, as Christians, are still called to, freely and without qualifications, share the gifts that God has given us. Connect [https://unsplash.com/photos/orange-petaled-flowers-koy6FlCCy5s?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText] with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org [office@blctempleton.org]. • Donate for ministry [https://www.blctempleton.org/donate]. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org [https://www.blctempleton.org]