Sermons from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington

Sermon 7/5/09

2009-07-05T13:26:00.001-07:00

"What a friend we have in Jesus--a friend who turns the world upside down" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 7/5/09

Texts: Ezekiel 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_07_05.mp3

In this sermon we had some "play along at home time" with a survey. You can see the survey here. What do you think? Send your answers to us and we'll include them in the results. The latest results can be found here, and will be updated as we get more feedback. If you missed the meeting I mention, you can read about it here.

If you didn't recognize the second song I sung, check out this video.

Sermon 6/28/09

2009-06-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

"Getting the boats back in the water and getting back to the task at hand" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/28/09

Texts: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, Mark 5:21-43 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_06_28.mp3

Sermon 6/21/09

2009-06-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

"Surviving the storm in a little boat" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/21/09

Texts: Job 38:1-11, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_06_21.mp3

Sermon 6/14/09

2009-06-14T12:58:00.001-07:00

"Two parables about what God is up to in the world" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/14/09

Texts: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17,Mark 4:26-34 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_06_14.mp3

Sermon 6/07/09

2009-06-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

"God so loved the world that he gave" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 6/7/09

Texts: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_06_07.mp3

Sermon 5/31/09

2009-05-31T14:45:00.000-07:00

"The Holy Spirit is calling us to do a new thing together" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/31/09

Texts: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_05_31.mp3

The audio is a bit goofy again. I turned the volume up on the speakers since we have the windows open--and I think that's the problem. I'll fiddle around and hopefully it will be back to normal next week. Bear with it for this one, I think the sermon is worth the annoying audio.

Sermon 5/24/09

2009-05-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

"Experiencing the presence of God in our wilderness" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/24/09

Texts: Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:15-23, Luke 24:44-53 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_05_24.mp3

Sermon 5/17/09

2009-05-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

"Abiding in the love of Jesus" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/17/09

Texts: Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_05_17.mp3

Sermon 5/10/09

2009-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

"Crossing boundaries for the sake of love" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 5/10/09

Texts: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_05_10.mp3

Sermon 5/3/09

2009-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

"Sermon for Synod Assembly Sunday" by Rev. Martin Wells, bishop of the Eastern Washington Idaho Synod (read by John Beck)

Preached 5/3/09

Texts: Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_05_03.mp3

Sermon 4/26/09

2009-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

"Why is it so hard to see Jesus when he shows up?" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 4/26/09

Texts: Acts 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_04_26.mp3

Sermon 4/19/09

2009-04-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

"The wounded one" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 4/19/09

Texts: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1:1 - 2:2, John 20:19-31 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_04_19.mp3

This recording started a little late. I started by saying how I have always connected to Thomas' doubting, and always want to cut him some slack. But this time around, I'm asking a different question that's not so much about his doubting, but about connecting to Jesus' woundedness.

Sermon 4/12/09

2009-04-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached Easter Sunday 4/12/09

Texts: Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, I Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_04_12.mp3

In the sermon I mention a book "Salvation on the Small Screen: 24 Hours of Christian Television" by Nadia Bolz-Weber. It is fantastic, I highly recommend it. You can find it here.

Laura Filardo pained a series of five paintings for our worship today, which are displayed across the front of our worship space, and which I talk about in the sermon.

Sermon 4/5/09

2009-04-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

"The Passion of Jesus According to Mark" by Steve Zemke

For our Palm/Passion Sunday worship, Steve Zemke proclaimed (from memory) the story of Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem (the Palm Sunday story) through the crucifixion and laying Jesus in the tomb (Mark 11-15). Steve has the entire Gospel of Mark (and a few other books of the Bible) memorized. The hymn after this was "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" It was a powerful morning. The video hardly does it justice. You can make it full screen by clicking what looks like four outward pointing arrows in the controls.

Click to listen: BLC_2009_04_05.mp3

The Passion of Jesus According to Mark from Erik Samuelson on Vimeo

Sermon 3/29/09

2009-03-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

"Finding purpose with Avenue Q, my friend Don, and Jesus" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_03_29.mp3

In this sermon I reference (and sing from) a musical called "Avenue Q". You can learn more about it here. DISCLAIMER: Not for the easily offended (or even moderately easily offended). This musical is meant to be offensive to pretty much everybody (and it is)--but it's got a great underlying message. I sang pretty much the only "appropriate for church" part of it during the sermon and made the plot line PG (it's really R+). So click to learn more only at your own risk.

My friend Don's blog (which I also talk about in the sermon) can be found here. (Also not for the easily offended)

Sermon 3/22/09

2009-03-22T13:21:00.000-07:00

"MEDICAL ALERT! All you sin-bitten people, look up to the cross and live! " by Rev. Gary Moore

Preached 3/22/09

Texts: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_03_22.mp3

Sermon 3/15/09

2009-03-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

"Jesus has turned our tables over" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 3/15/09

Texts: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_03_15.mp3

Sermon 3/8/09

2009-03-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

"Puting behind and taking up" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 3/8/09

Texts: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31,Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_03_08.mp3

The audio has its moments again. I'm thinking we might need a new wireless mic. I'll keep fiddling, its not as bad as some of the other bad recordings--only the first few minutes. Sorry!

This is an interactive sermon. You'll need a paper and a pen to play along at home. Please email me your responses, and I'll add them to our list. Click here to read what our congregation came up with. I realized later I should have said "put behind" rather than "get behind" through the whole thing. Just hear the word "put" rather than "get".

Sermon 3/1/09

2009-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

"Jesus' temptation journey" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 3/1/09

Texts: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 (click to read)

Ok, so the sermon didn't record this week, but not because of technical error. This was 100% user error (by me). I forgot to reconnect the recorder after downloading last week's sermon. Sorry friends! I'll get my act together this week.

Sermon 2/22/09

2009-02-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

"God shows the way" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 2/22/09

Texts: 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_02_22.mp3

Sermon 2/15/08

2009-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

"God uses ordinary people like us" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 2/15/08

Texts: 2 Kings 5:1-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_02_15.mp3

OK, the sound quality is kind of bad agian (but in a different way this week). I'm blaming the digital TV conversation. I'll try to get it sorted out soon.

I play a song in the sermon which you can also listen to and download here (also, the whole album is here).

These are the lyrics:

"Given" By Tara Ward

We may be little, insignificant in the eyes of this world, but when we realize that God has sent us to the world as blessed our lives will multiply and grow to fill the needs of others. Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.

Who can we be for each other?
Who can we be for the world?
Who can we be for each other?
Lord, who can we be?

How different would our lives be if we believed every single gesture every act of faith or love or joy or peace or word of forgiveness would multiply as long as there are people to receive it. Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.

We are given. We are given. We are given.
(We are given. Our gift is who we are. It's who we are!)
Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.

(From the Album "Hope for a Tree Cut Down" by Church of the Beloved)

Sermon 2/8/09

2009-02-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

"We are called to work in God's world" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 2/8/09

Texts: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39

Click to listen: BLC_2009_02_08.mp3

This recording has a few jumps (Why? Who knows.) but it gets better towards the middle. Sorry about that.

In the sermon I reference a movie called "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers" which you can learn more about and see clips from here.

Sermon 2/1/09

2009-02-01T13:42:00.001-08:00

"Love Changes People" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 2/1/09

Texts: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_02_01.mp3

Two large old spruce trees that had been planted as memorials were removed from the front of our property this week and so our service today began with a "Litany of Lament--on the occasion of the loss of two trees." I had been at an "Emergent Church" conference in Berkeley, CA this week and had purchased a CD from one of the presenters. On the way back home, I was sitting in the airport writing the "Litany of Lament" and for some reason reached into my bag and pulled out this CD. The title of the CD, believe it or not, is "Hope for a tree cut down" a reference to Job 14:7-9. It was kind of a "woo-woo" moment, so I then decided that as a people of death and resurrection, we ought to end with hope and I wrote the "Litany of Hope--on the occasion of the loss of two trees" which we used at the end of the service. The CD is quite cool, incidentally, and you can listen and download it for free here.

Litany of Lament

on the occasion of the loss of two trees

Left Side: God who shares our pain, we mourn the loss of the mighty trees from our church property and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord hear our prayer

Right Side: We mourn for visions and dreams that never came to pass and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Left Side: We mourn the loss of children who never fully lived and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Right Side: We mourn with all who have only memories of people they love and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Left Side: We mourn for the way we have failed to remember those who have died and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Right Side: We mourn for all those times we have forgotten that every one of us carries pain, disappointment, and loss and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord hear our prayer.

All: Lord, hear the cries of lament and our holy mourning. Bring us together in our pain and loss and help us grow together into your dream for our lives. AMEN.

Litany of Hope

on the occasion of the loss of two trees

Left Side: God who shares our joy, we rejoice that you have given us the property of this place to make clear that everyone is welcome and to help everyone experience you and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Right Side: We rejoice that you transform loss into healing and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Left Side: We rejoice that you invite us into new ways of remembering our loved ones who have died and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Right Side: We rejoice that you lead your people through conflict and challenges into deep community and reconciliation and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Left Side: We rejoice that you call us to plant seeds of hope in the fertile ground you have prepared and so we cry out to you:

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

All: Holy God, hear our cries of hope and our holy rejoicing. Bring us together into the new future you have in mind for us and help us grow together into your dream for our lives. AMEN.

Sermon 1/25/09

2009-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

"Everyone is Welcome" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 1/25/09

Texts: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20 (click to read)

Click to listen: BLC_2009_01_25.mp3

In the sermon I mention Jay Bakker's church "Revolution" which you can check out here. (The website includes the word my mom wouldn't let me say from the pulpit.)

Sermon 1/18/09

2009-01-18T13:57:00.000-08:00

"Jesus is Lord and Savior" by Rev. Erik Samuelson

Preached 1/18/09

Texts: 1 Samuel 3:1-20, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 (click to read)

Unfortunately, the batteries died in our recorder and so this sermon didn't record (OH NO!) you'll have to ask someone who heard it what it was about.