Bethel Lutheran Church Cupertino

Good News As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Matthew 4:18–19 I have always been fascinated by the call stories of Jesus’ disciples. He seemingly is walking on the beach one day and sees some...

Called to Follow The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. John 1:35–37 There must have been something uniquely powerful about being in the presence of Jesus. The call stories of the disciples all hint at this without saying it....

Baptism of Jesus Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Matthew 3:13 Sunday marks the Baptism of our Lord. At his baptism, Jesus hears the powerful word from God “this is my son, the beloved” and then begins his public ministry. Baptized in Christ, we share this same affirming word from God that we are God's beloved children. We also share a calling to love God and...

Epiphany After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1–2 This Sunday, we celebrate Epiphany featuring the story of Magi following the star and bring gifts to Jesus. The Magi believed that God...

Delivered From Evil Message delivered by Pastor Nate Winterhof.

Christ Child Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Joseph's Dream When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife. Matthew 1:24 The story of Jesus’ birth is most often told following the version in Luke’s gospel. In Luke, the angel Gabriel visits Mary and shares how God has chosen her to bear the Christ child. In Matthew, the story focuses on Joseph. In a dream, the angel shares the news ab...

Are You the One? When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: Matthew 11:2–4 This Sunday’s gospel text again features John the Baptist. Last week he was baptizing at the River Jordan and preparing people for the...

Prepare the Way In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1–2 As we continue to journey in this season of Advent, a time of preparation, we encounter John the Baptist. John’s ministry is akin to an Old Testament prophet, calling on people to repent and return to the ways of God. His message wa...

Keep Awake Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42 On Sunday we begin the season of Advent, a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Jesus instructs us to “keep awake” because we must always be ready for the Lord to return. The spiritual challenge of staying awake, believing and trusting God will return and make all things right, if...

Giving Thanks Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

In Paradise The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Luke 23:36–38 Sunday is Christ the King, the final Sunday of the church calendar. On this day we proclaim Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, with power and authority over a...

Endurance You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls. Luke 21:16–19 What a recruitment speech! Jesus’ words to his disciples did not exactly paint a rosy picture of their future. Betrayal, ha...

God of the Living Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive. Luke 20:38 Sunday’s gospel text features a confrontation between Jesus and a group of Sadducees. The Sadducees were religious leaders who primarily worked in the Temple and did not believe in the resurrection. They asked Jesus a gotcha question about the resurrection, which does not go according t...

All Saints I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints. Ephesians 1:17–18 Sunday is All Saints Day, a rich and moving worship...

Reforming For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Romans 3:28 Sunday is Reformation Day, an occasion for Lutherans to remember and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Martin Luther and his fellow reformers made that continue to shape the church today. Luther’s main theological insight centered around how salvation is achieved. Luther found clar...

Persistence Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart… “And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:7–8 This Sunday our gospel text again features...

Made Clean Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17–18 Sunday’s gospel features Jesus healing ten lepers who ask Jesus to show mercy on them. Jesus sends them to “go show yourselves to the priests” on their way they are all healed. While nine of them continue on t...

My Faith Journey Join us Sunday as Sam Sudarsanam shares the message with Bethel. Sam will share share his faith journey and connect his story to the scriptures. I am confident his powerful testimony will be moving for all! See you next week! Pastor Ben Message delivered by Sam Sudarsanam.

Second Chances There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. Luke 16:19–21 Throughout the gospels, and particularly in Luke, Jesus consistently focuses o...