Between Sundays

Jesus begins his public ministry in today's gospel by proclaiming the good news and calling disciples. It might seem like business-as-usual for what we've come to expect of Jesus, until we dig in and realize that Jesus' ministry takes place among the Gentiles -- known by the Greek word ethnos . In today's message, Amy explores the meaning of ethnos and suggests that one way to...

Of all the reasons that scholars give to explain Jesus' baptism, Amy wonders if maybe the reason Matthew includes this story in his gospel isn't very simple. In Jesus' baptism, God gives Jesus yet another name - My Son - an affirmation that this Jesus has a God-given purpose and is worthy of listening to, worthy of our worship and praise. And, she reminds us, God does this for us as...

At Bethlehem, we extended the Christmas season a couple of days and observed the feast of the Epiphany, when the wise men finally reach the manger. (Epiphany is normally celebrated as the conclusion to the 12 days of Christmas on January 6.) Recounting the journey and antics of the Wandering Wisemen (FB link here: https://www.facebook.com/thewanderingwisemen ), Abby invites us to consider that our...

Happy New Year! Christmas continues and we are excited to share this gift with our listeners. This week we welcome friend of The Word, Cass McCrory, to share some of her wisdom on setting intentions as a new year begins. You can view her full TedTalk here! https://youtu.be/T4f0jOn8B58

Merry Christmas! In the midst of the 12 days of Christmas, Amy welcomes you into a moment of quiet and stillness as she shares the poem "Christmas Light" by May Sarton and reflects on its meaning. (If you were a fan of Amy's pandemic poem reflections, you'll appreciate this episode!) Show Notes: Christmas Light by May Sarton

Of all the names that could have been given to the Son of God, Matthew's gospel tells us his name will be Jesus Emmanuel, which means the God who saves is with us . But it's more than a name, it is also a promise that in whatever chaos we find ourselves inhabiting - like the chaos Joseph found himself a part of when Mary, his betrothed, was found to be with child -- the birth of Jesus Em...

"Every creature is a word of God." Meister Eckhart said. If so, what wisdom does it have to speak to us? Seeking wisdom from Jesus and for ourselves is at the heart of today's gospel reading. In her message today, Pastor Amy, refers to the book All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings by Gayle Boss . It's a great resource for reflecting on the wisdom of the worl...

John the Baptist is a fixture in Advent with his call to repent! While his message drips with judgment, Pastor Hoffman reflects how his call is less about shaping up and more about reorienting our lives toward the One who was and who is and who is to come. If you'd like to hear more from Father Richard Rohr, whose understanding of repentance shaped Pastor Hoffman's sermon on this text, y...

"Advent begins in the dark," preacher Fleming Rutledge once said. In today's message, Pastor Amy invites us to tune our eyes and hearts to be on the lookout for the signs of Dayspring - a new day - that marks Christ's coming into our world and into our lives. If you're looking for a resource to guide your Advent waiting, Pastor Amy references Kate Bowler's online devo...

O come, O Key of David, come . . . we know these words from the old carol, O come, O come, Emanuel. But what does it mean that we call Jesus, "key of David." Pastor Amy does some digging in scripture to help us understand where this title comes from and invites us to consider what it means for our life of faith.  Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 23:33-43

We traditionally think of Joy to the World as a Christmas carol, but this year, it frames the beginning of an extended Advent observance at Bethlehem. Based on the words of Psalm 98, this beloved carol reminds us of the one for whom we wait.  When the world is falling apart, we look with eager hope for God's kingdom to come. Psalm 98 and Luke 21:5-19

Faced with the pain of death, it's easy to distance ourselves from our grief. When challenged to encounter the dilemma of death, Jesus takes the opportunity to proclaim the God of life! This week the church provides us the opportunity to remember and name the saints who have shaped our faith, taught us the good news of Jesus, and now live in the light of eternity.  As we recall their names an...

Like the tax-collector, Zacchaeus, who makes an appearance in today's gospel, we want to see Jesus. We also want to remove the barriers that keep others from seeing and knowing Jesus.  Like Martin Luther, who was creative in helping others to see Jesus in his day, we continue to seek ways to make Jesus known in our world. Listen in with the Bethlehem community as co-pastors Abby and Amy invit...

In the final episode of our four-part series on Building Lasting Community that follows Jesus, Abby and Amy talk about what it means for Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport over the coming year.  How does our vision of Building Lasting Community that follows Jesus inform our priorities and ministry in the year to come? To support our vision financially, visit: https://blcfairport.org/support-the...

In this week's message, Pastor Amy invites us to pan out and see a wider scene than the close up Jesus offers. In that wider scene, we are invited to see ourselves on a continuum that stretches from one who is content to rely entirely on himself to one who is certain he cannot measure up and lies beyond the scope of God's mercy. Across that wide expanse, Jesus offers himself as the sourc...

In Part 3 in the ongoing series on Building Lasting Community that follows Jesus, Abby and Amy share their thoughts on what is lasting about the work we do together. You can read the article they reference in this episode by following the link . To support Bethlehem's ministry, visit: https://blcfairport.org/support-the-blc-vision/

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:5 and Luke 18:1-8 Pastor Hoffman reflects on the ways that Jesus calls us to be persistent in prayer.  Persistence in prayer pays off, not because we get our way, but because we become more connected to God.  Through prayer, we begin to see the world as God sees it, and our hands and feet and hearts become the means through which God answers prayer. Support the BLC Vi...

In Part 2 in the ongoing series on Building Lasting Community that follows Jesus, Abby and Amy share their ideas on being built into God's community. Hint: it doesn't start with us! To support Bethlehem's ministry, visit: https://blcfairport.org/support-the-blc-vision/

Readings: Psalm 111 and Luke 17:11-19 "Thank you!" We're taught to say these words as children and social scientists teach us today about the lasting benefits of gratitude. In her reflection, Pastor Amy reminds us that thanksgiving is about more than good manners or personal wellbeing. Every time we name our thanksgiving we are pointing to another moment of God's revelation in...

In the first of a series, Amy and Abby talk about what it means to be a community that follows Jesus and how we live that in the world around us. (To hear more about our vision of Building Lasting Community that Follows Jesus, listen to Episode 13.) Let us know you're listening by emailing theword@blcfairport.org.

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Luke 17:5-10 Notes: Amy shares a reflection on Luke's gospel, reminding us that Jesus doesn't demand more faith from us, but invites us to practice the faith we have, trusting that God can work with our efforts, however insignificant and ordinary they might be, like worms moving the earth beneath our feet. Her reflection is inspired, in part, by an essay...

When we talk about Advent in the church what do we mean? What is the waiting that lies at the heart of this season that anticipates the celebration of Christ's birth? We share some of our pastoral thoughts about the season of Advent and preview an upcoming adult study at Bethlehem that begins on Sunday, October 2.

Readings: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Luke 16:19-31 In Episode 43 - Money Matters - we heard that what we do with what has been entrusted to us matters. In today's message, we hear that our actions matter as well. Not as a way to ensure our place in heavenly glory, but they matter for the life we live and the relationships we are called to embrace as God's people today.

The Living the Word weekly episodes on Thursday are back!  We are still using this weekly podcast as a place to talk about living the Word - how and where we engage our faith in daily life.  Some weeks that will still include a special guest, but many weeks, Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman will reflect together on a topic about faith and life. It's a new program year at Bethlehem!  This week, l...

Texts: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and Luke 16:1-13  Jesus tells a confusing parable, made even more confusing if we interpret it as instructions for faithful living. But the bottom line is that what we do with what has been entrusted to us matters.   We can't completely extricate ourselves from the stuff of life - money and property and possessions.  Instead, following Jesus means that we use what we ha...