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

Simply the Sermon for June 7, 2026: Second Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible readings for the 2nd Sunday in Pentecost (the Affirmation of Faith for Lolia) are Hosea 5:15—6:6; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 9:9-13, Though Jesus was a devout Jew who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously non-observant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s day we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world. Jesus calls us and we can come running. No fear! 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 31, 2026: The Holy Trinity

Good day to you all!! Our readings for Holy Trinity Sunday, May 31, 2026 are: Genesis 1:1—2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; and Matthew 28:16-20. Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith. 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 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]