Together 4 Good: Making Sense of Life and Faith

Pastor Gary's sermon from June 20, 2021 is based on readings from Job 38:1-11 and Mark 4:26-34.

This Bible Study episode looks at the story of Mary anointing Jesus with perfume (found in John 12).  This is the next installment of a new series of podcasts where we will look at stories from scripture that took place at Bethany.  So much happens in this small town outside of Jerusalem and so we will be exploring these stories of scripture and thinking about what it means to be a churc...

This is a recording of the sermon preached by Pastor Gary on June 13, 2021.  It is based on the texts from Ezekiel 17:22-24 and Mark 4:26-34.

This sermon was preached on July 11th as part of Bethany's All-Star Sunday celebration.  Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate spend time looking at John 3:1-17 and all the "Bible All-Stars" voted on by the Bethany members.  The sermon provides some details about all the Bible Al Stars and explores the question of "what makes an All-Star, in God's eyes".   The All-Star Lineup: Favorite King -...

This Bible Study episode looks at the story of Lazurus being raised from the dead (found in John 11).  This is part of a new series of podcasts where we will look at stories from scripture that took place at Bethany.  So much happens in this small town outside of Jerusalem and so we will be exploring these stories of scripture and thinking about what it means to be a church named after t...

Pastor Nate's sits down with his two oldest children, Evelyn (age 9), and Solomon (age 7), to talk about their experience at Bethany Day Camp this past week.  They share their insights and observations about the different themes of the day and even share some of their favorite songs from the week.  

Due to a flight cancellation, Pastor Nate was not able to be at Bethany on Sunday 6/27 but he had already written a sermon. So, here is that never before heard sermon that would have been delivered on 6/27.

In this PRAYER AND STUDY episode, we take time to dwell deeply in God's Word. Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on Psalm 8.  Take 15 quiet minutes to pray, study, and grow in your sense of God's activity in your life and the world around you.

Our assigned Gospel reading for this coming Sunday is Mark 5:23-41, so Pastor Nate has prepared an in-depth look at this great dual-story fromMark’s gospel.

In this episode, Pastor Nate talks with his friend, Father Joseph Wolyniak.  Joseph is the Associate Rector at Christ Church Denver, an Episcopal congregation right around the corner from Bethany Lutheran Church.   Joseph has a strong interest in the Church Fathers, those early Christian writers, and pastors who guided the church in its infancy.  Joseph shares his passion for t...

The assigned Gospel reading for this coming Sunday (6/20) is Mark 4:35-41.  In this episode, Pastor Nate takes us through the finer details of this story of Jesus calming the sea and explains how this passage plays an important role in the longer narrative that Mark is unfolding in his Gospel.  

In this episode, Pastor Nate has an extended conversation with his friend Abby Johnson.  Abby is a recent graduate of United Lutheran Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Environmental Theology.  Abby shares her understanding of this specialized theology and how her life experiences led her to connect her love of nature with the very character of God. &nb...

This episode is a recording of the sermon from 6/6/21 preached by Pastor Nate.  It is based on Mark 3:20-35.

In this episode, Pastor Nate sits down with his long-time friend Tyler Hauger.  Tyler is the Information and Project Advisor at The Karibu Foundation in Oslo, Norway.  Tyler talks to us about the strange road that led him to this work and the ways that our life of faith is inherently connected to lifting up the voices of the vulnerable.  

In preparation for this Sunday's sermon, Pastor Nate shares a deep dive on Mark 3:20-35.  This will be the Gospel reading for Sunday 6/6/21 - so listen here first in preparation for Sunday's sermon! 

In this episode, Pastor Nate sits down with his longtime friend, Dr Tim Snyder to talk about famous Lutheran theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Listen in to learn about this important figure and how his life and writings relate to our daily walk of faith.

Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary’s shared sermon from May 23, 2021 looks at the story of Pentecost and what it means for us to be people of the Holy Spirit.  This sermon is based on readings from Acts 2:1-21 and John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15.

This episode is a conversation with Elisabeth Preisinger, LMSW, on the role contemplative practices can play in building resilience.   Elisabeth is the Contemplative-Based Resilience (CBR) Program Coordinator at The Garrison Institute and Pastor Nate's sister.  

Today's episode is a recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from May 16, 2021.  This sermon is based on readings from John 17:6-19 and Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

This week’s Podcast episode is just in time for our celebration of Pentecost! Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary sit down to talk about the Holy Spirit. What do you Lutherans believe about this often-forgotten person in the Trinity? How do we see the Holy Spirit at work in our life of faith and in our congregation? Listen in as your pastors discuss this interesting and theologically rich topic.

This episode is a recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from 5/9/21.  It's based on the Gospel reading found at John 15:9-17. 

In this episode Pastor Nate looks at the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch, which we read in worship a week ago.   What interesting themes and lessons for our faith do we find in this strange story from Acts 8:26-40?  Listen along for an in-depth examination.

This episode is a recording of Pastor Gary’s Full sermon from 5/2/21.  This sermon looks at Jesus’ statement about the vine and the branches found in John 15:1-8.

Pastor Nate and Bryan Jaster (Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Bethany) sit down to share some thoughts about what happens next.  How does the church move forward after a pandemic?  What does scripture tell us about living through difficult times?  Theologically speaking, what might our approach to the future look like as people of faith?

Pastor Nate's sermon from 4/25/21 is all about the importance of the empty spaces in our lives and how God can often take those empty moments and create something beautiful with them.  This sermon was part of worship on  4/25 when our Chancel Choir performed a Bach Cantata as a part of our worship service.  If you would like to watch the Cantata please follow this link: https://yout...