Between Sundays

Texts: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and Luke 15:1-10 Events around us, like the attacks of September 11, 2001 or even the death of an important figure, like Queen Elizabeth, can be disorienting and leave us feeling lost and unmoored. Jesus tells two parables about things that are lost and then found.  In these parables, Jesus invites his followers to orient themselves in a vision of God as a seeker who does...

Luke 14:25-33 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Being a disciple of Jesus is more than a title, it's a way of life.  Today, Jesus explains the sacrifice and the cost of following in his footsteps. Following in the way of the God who makes all things new means we can't keep everything the way it's always been.  What sacrifice is called for in your life or in the life we share together in our...

Text: Luke 14:1, 7-17 and Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 The pecking order of social status is not new. Jesus encountered it at a dinner party where he was an invited guest. When all the eyes "were watching him closely," Jesus takes the opportunity to look around the room and also beyond the walls to suggest a different way of living that trusts that our place is secure at God's eternal banq...

Today's guest is our own Pastor Amy Walter-Peterson!  Pastor Amy is serving as an internship supervisor this year and she tells us all about it! This will be our last Living the Word podcast as we are taking a short break from these Thursday episodes.  You can still hear the week's sermon every Monday, but we are regrouping for the Fall to bring new conversations to you each week.  Stay...

Texts: Psalm 103:1-8 and Luke 13:10-17 The law says no work on the Sabbath. But Jesus is on a mission. He sees a woman so bent over, unable to stand up straight, and doesn't hesitate. All the leader of the synagogue sees is that Jesus violated the rules of the Sabbath.  He doesn’t see this act for what it is: God doing what God does, releasing God’s people from what holds us captive. How ofte...

On August 24, Learning Links of Fairport is giving away school supplies to anyone in need in the Fairport Central School District! Click here for all of the details.  Bethlehem is a supporting partner of Learning Links, so we are thrilled to share this interview again this week!  Pastor Amy talks with Kate Thon, co-founder and director of Learning Links of Fairport, to learn more about how she got...

Readings: Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 As we continue following Jesus on his path to Jerusalem, the tone of Jesus' speech changes in today's gospel as he asks, "Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth?" Pastor Amy reminds us that the peace Jesus brings is not a fake peace of denial and dishonesty, but a deep, life-changing peace that kindles us to seek more of God...

Our guest today is Kate Thon, co-founder and director of Learning Links of Fairport, an after school tutoring program. Pastor Amy talks with Kate to learn more about how she got involved in Learning LInks and how her faith guides her work.  Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Todays reflection from Pastor Amy centers on Luke 12:32-40 . As Jesus' followers continue traveling with him on the road to Jerusalem, anxiety and fear set it. In the face of the very real fears that we face in our daily life, Jesus offers some clear guidance about releasing our grip on the things we cling to and relying on God's kingdom promise. 

Texts: Psalm 49:1-12; Luke 12:13-21. In today's sermon we consider the "stuff" of life. As Jesus makes clear that life is not about stuff, we consider what it means to be rich toward God and each other. 

In this episode, Pastor Amy interviews our own Pastor Abigail Zang Hoffman, co-pastor at Bethlehem!  Pastor Hoffman talks about the next step in her ministry journey, which includes a plan to begin a PhD program at the University of Rochester this fall (in addition to her part-time pastoral responsibilities at BLC). Pastor Hoffman shares how this journey is part of a long-term interest in explorin...

Texts: Genesis 18:20-32; Luke 11:1-13 In today's sermon, Pastor Amy refers to a surprising experiment involving a black gorilla, which suggests that what we focus on or what we are looking for determines what we see. She invites us to consider if prayer is not about speaking, but seeing God active in our world.  Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport,...

Our guest today is Ryan Gantner, a member of the Bethlehem community, who recently completed a bike trip from Bozeman, Montana to St. Paul, Minnesota. Ryan shares his experience of solo biking through the vast terrain of the American Midwest and the clarity of mind this endeavor requires. Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Texts: Genesis 18:1-10a and Luke 10:38-42 Jesus draws near to us in the faces of one another. When Jesus shows up, are we “worried and distracted by many things” like Martha or are we ready to “sit at Jesus’ feet and listen” like Mary? When we choose to pay attention to the people in front of us, in the  voices and stories of one another, we take the risk of being drawn to love and serve God in ne...

Our guest today is the Rev. Imani Olear, who serves as Director for Evangelical Mission in the Upstate New York Synod since January 2022. In conversation with Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman, she reflects on her role and her ministry and how she brings her full self into the ministry she is called to lead among us. Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14 and Luke 10:25-37 In this week's text, Jesus answers a question that is never asked -- what is a neighbor? -- a gives an answer that surprises, even as it instructs. In her sermon, Pastor Amy reminds us that all neighborliness starts first with God who is a neighbor to us through Jesus. She also shares a prayer to carry in the week ahead: O Lord God, your mercy d...

Mark Finke joins Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman to talk about the ways that he lives his faith, including through his work with Bethlehem's Second Sunday Dinner Ministry. Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Texts: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 As Jesus prepares to enter the places where God's restoration, welcome, and healing are longed for, he sends ordinary folk to prepare his way. In her sermon, Pastor Amy reminds us, Jesus doesn't send them with a list of expected outcomes or accomplishments to work toward, only the instruction to go empty handed and to seek othe...

Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman talk with Bob Stolze about his work as a Red Cross emergency volunteer and the opportunity this work provides to respond out of gratitude to all that he has received.  Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62 Pastor Hoffman compares Jesus' determination to fulfill his mission and go to Jerusalem with the thrill ride of life in this world.  While we would rather take the "chicken exit" and look for the easy way out, we are guided by the Spirit to face our fears, take some risks, and endure some scary, gut-wrenching moments to fulfill Jesus&apo...

Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman share conversation with Rick Walker.  He tells us about ministry with the Pines of Perinton and how you can become a Hunger Activist in our community! Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 and John 13:31-35 In this encore episode that was originally released last month, Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman share the Word through conversation about how we love one another as Jesus commanded.  Recalling stories from our anniversary guests and reflecting on our current circumstances as church living through a pandemic, they call us to Building Lasting Community (BLC) t...

Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman talk with Ruth Sleeman about her work as an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and the importance of being the voice and hands of Christ for others. Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY

Texts: Romans 5:1-5 and John 16:12-15 Pastor Julie Bergdahl is this week's guest preacher as part of our 100th anniversary celebrations. Pastor Bergdahl served as Bethlehem's first female Associate Pastor from 1991-1994 and Bethlehem was Pastor Bergdahl's first congregational call! On the festival of the Holy Trinity, she reminds us that we are activated by the Spirit, who puts arms...

Our guest today is Bishop Lee Miller, who has served as Bishop of the Upstate NY Synod since September 2021.  In conversation with Pastor Amy and Pastor Hoffman, he reflects on his role as Bishop, how he stays grounded in his faith, and his conviction that we are one church with 160 campuses across Upstate NY. Support Our Ministry More information about Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Fairport, NY