Bethany Lutheran Church

Jesus is interruptible; we leave margin so people can meet God through us. 

Luke 18:35–43 (ESV)

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more...

The Good Samaritan rearranged his day for a stranger. Mary chose presence over pressure. We practice leaving margin so compassion can interrupt us.

Luke 10:25–37

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul a...

Servanthood begins with a cross-shaped posture—humble, others-first.

Philippians 2:1–11 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each ...

Jesus’ greatness is shown in stooping. He dignifies the low task and reshapes our instincts from status to service.

John 13:1–15 (ESV)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray h...

Jesus, the Suffering Servant, redefines greatness; we serve because He first served us 

Isaiah 53:4–11

Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
All...

"At that time your people will be delivered. Many who sleep in the dust will awake—some to everlasting life. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like stars.” God said to Daniel, “Go your way. You will rest, and at the end you will rise to receive your reward.” Daniel is told to endure and wait for his resurrection. Jesus likewise encourages faithful endurance in the face of suffering, with hope of final redemption....

Daniel said, “I saw one like a son of man, coming with the clouds. He was given dominion and glory, and His kingdom will never end.” And the kingdom shall be given to the saints of the Most High, and His kingdom shall be everlasting. Daniel's vision of the “Son of Man” and eternal kingdom is fulfilled in Jesus, the promised King born to reign forever. 

Daniel 7:13–14, 27 (ESV)

“I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clo...

Daniel prayed three times a day, giving thanks to God. The king said, “May your God rescue you!” A stone was placed over the lions’ den. At dawn, the king ran and called out, “Daniel, has your God saved you?” Daniel answered, “My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths.” Daniel’s bold witness in the face of danger mirrors Jesus’ call to fearless public faith. 

Daniel 6:10, 16–17, 19–23

When Daniel knew that the document had been...

Daniel 5:22–28, 30, Luke 12:13–21

Daniel said to Belshazzar, “You knew what happened to your father, yet you did not humble your heart. Instead, you praised idols and did not honor God. The hand wrote: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.’ God has numbered your days and brought your reign to an end.” That very night, Belshazzar was killed. Both Belshazzar and the rich fool are unaware that judgment is imminent. Jesus, like Daniel, warns agai...

As the king walked on the palace roof, he said, “Is not this great Babylon I have built?” A voice from heaven said, “Your kingdom is taken from you.” Later, Nebuchadnezzar said, “I praised the Most High. His kingdom is eternal. He does as He pleases. All His works are right.” Nebuchadnezzar's story is a living parable of Jesus' teaching on humility and the danger of pride. 

Daniel 4:29–32, 34–35, 37

At the end of twelve mon...

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “Our God is able to save us—but even if He does not, we will not worship the image.” Then King Nebuchadnezzar saw four men walking unharmed in the fire, and one looked like a son of the gods. He said, “Praise be to the God who rescued His servants!” The fiery furnace and the call to follow Jesus both demand courage and a willingness to suffer for faithfulness—knowing God is with us. 

Daniel 3:16...

Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food. He asked the chief official for permission not to eat it. After ten days, he and his friends looked healthier than the others. God gave them learning and wisdom—and Daniel could understand visions and dreams. Just as God provided for Daniel and his friends in exile, Jesus teaches us to trust God’s daily provision and reign, especially in uncertain times. 

Daniel 1:8–17(ESV)

...

The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once said, “Life can only be understood backward.” The clearest way to observe spiritual growth is by reflecting on where we were. Join us as we reflect on the brief appearance of Simeon in the Christmas story as we reflect on the awe of wonder of the Christmas season.

Leviticus 12: 1-8 

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a m...

The story of John the Baptist leaping in his mother Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the in-utero Christ is a profound reminder of how we are called to respond to Jesus. John’s leap wasn’t merely a random movement; it was a joyful recognition of Christ’s presence and a foreshadowing of his life’s purpose—to prepare the way for the Messiah. This moment invites us to see that faith isn’t an irrational leap but a deeply rooted resp...

The story of John the Baptist leaping in his mother Elizabeth’s womb at the presence of the in-utero Christ is a profound reminder of how we are called to respond to Jesus. John’s leap wasn’t merely a random movement; it was a joyful recognition of Christ’s presence and a foreshadowing of his life’s purpose—to prepare the way for the Messiah. This moment invites us to see that faith isn’t an irrational leap but a deeply rooted resp...

The usual cast of characters in a Christmas pageant includes Mary, Joseph, a few wise men, a cow or two, and an angel for good measure. But what about the innkeeper? Was there really an innkeeper present? Join us this week as we take a closer look at the birth of Jesus and uncover how this one character—who, interestingly, isn’t mentioned in the biblical account—reveals the essence of radical hospitality. Together, we’ll explore ho...

In our Protestant tradition, we often grow uneasy when Mary receives significant attention. But could it be that, in our reaction to Roman Catholic veneration, we have “thrown the baby out with the bathwater”? Mary’s story draws us deeply into the richness of the Old Testament while simultaneously awakening us to the awe and wonder of the Christmas story in our present time. 

Exodus 25:10-22 (ESV)

“They shall make an ark of acacia wo...

Our stories are part of God’s bigger story—a story of rescue, renewal, and hope. Jesus commissions His followers to go, teach, and baptize, making disciples of all nations. Peter reminds us to always be ready to share the reason for the hope within us. We don’t need to pressure or persuade—just proclaim. As we close the series, we are sent not just with a method, but with a mission: to bless the world in Jesus’ name. 

Matthew 28:16–...