Together 4 Good

In this PRAYER AND STUDY episode, we take time to dwell deeply in God's Word. Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on Luke 14:1;7-14.  Take 15 quiet minutes to pray, study, and grow in your sense of God's activity in your life and the world around you.

This SERMON episode is a recording of Pastor Nate's Sunday morning sermon from 4/11/21.  It focuses on the disciple Thomas and his experience of the resurrection as found in John 20:19-31.  

This episode is a Bible study on Luke 24:1-11.  Pastor Nate looks at  Luke's version of the Easter story and gives you an in-depth analysis of many of the smaller details and bigger questions posed by this Gospel reading.  

At the beginning of Lent, we shared a poem on this feed entitled "The Fall: A Poem for Lent".   As a way of adding a bookend to our journey from Lent to Easter, Pastor Nate shares another poem entitled "Bodily Resurrection" which is based on readings from Luke 24:36-49.   

In this episode, Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary sit down to talk about Holy Week, its theological themes, its liturgical worship services, and ways to further engage this most sacred week of the Christian year.   During this episode we mention a video where Pastor Nate makes Communion Bread with his family, you can find that video by following this link: https://youtu.be/MVofsb32Rk0  We also mention a Good Friday video that Pastor Gary created, you can find that here: https://youtu.be/3z7GbMXMveY 

Pastor Nate discusses the gift of Rituals, Traditions, and Seasons and the ways that establishing these rhythms in our life can bring greater intentionality to our life of faith and greater connection to God.   

Listen to an audio recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from the Mid-week Lenten service held on 3/17.  This sermon is based on a strange reading from Numbers 21:4-9 and explores the ways that God sends healing into the broken and hurting places in our world. 

This podcast is part 4 of our Lenten series on Spiritual Practices.  Listen in as Pastor Nate discusses embodied forms of prayer such as running, walking, and yoga and all the ways these practices can bring a new angle to our life of prayer. 

This episode is a recording from the sermon on 3/14.  It's part 3 in our series "Because You Asked".  Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate together preach a sermon that addresses questions about Heaven and Salvation.  

We are just about halfway through the season of Lent and so here is a conversation between Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate about the Lenten season.  Why is it important? How can it be of value to our journey of faith.  Is it too late to embrace the themes of Lent, now that we are halfway through?  We will answer these questions and more!  

In hopes of helping equip our listeners with new skills during this Lenten season, we will be recording several of these Spiritual Practice episodes during the next 40 days.  These episodes are designed to provide you with instruction and insight about different spiritual practices that can benefit your walk of faith. This Spiritual Practice episode explores the practice of the Centering Prayer and Silence. This is a practice that has been essential to Pastor Nate's spiritual life for nearly a decade.  Listen in as he talks about how it has been valuable for his life and why we, in our fast-paced culture, might benefit from more time for silence.  If you’d like to hear more about Spiritual practices in general be sure to listen to the introduction recorded in the podcast we released on 10/21.

This episode is an audio recording of Pastor Nate’s full sermon from 3/7/21.  This sermon is part 2 in our “Because You Asked” series.  Pastor Nate’s sermon looks at forgiveness and is based on readings from Psalm 130 and Matt 18:15-22

In this episode, we share an audio recording of Pastor Nate’s sermon from our Mid-Week Lenten Service on 3/3/21.   This sermon focuses on following Jesus and the ways that living out that calling can oftentimes cause us to change, adjust, and let go of certain parts of our lives and is based on Mark 8:31-38.

In this episode, we share the audio recording of Pastor Gary’s full sermon from our Wednesday Evening Lenten service on 2/24.  Listen as Pastor Gary explores the ways that temptation affects our life and how Jesus shows us the way to confront these difficulties.

In hopes of helping equip our listeners with new skills during this Lenten season, we will be recording several of these Spiritual Practice episodes during the next 40 days.  These episodes are designed to provide you with instruction and insight about different spiritual practices that can benefit your walk of faith. This Spiritual Practice episode explores the practice of the St. Ignatius Examen, a prayerful practice of looking back at your day with God where you REST, REWIND, REVIEW, and RELEASE the day with God.     If you’d like to hear more about Spiritual practices in general be sure to listen to the introduction recorded in the podcast we released on 10/21.

Pastor Gary’s full sermon from 2/28/21, the 2nd Sunday in Lent. This is the first sermon in a 3 part series we are calling “Because You Asked”. This sermon looks at the topic of evil and division in our world and how Jesus calls us to respond.  It is based on reading from Galatians 3:22-29 and Matthew 10:34-39.

In this PRAYER AND STUDY episode, we take time to dwell deeply in God's Word.  Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on Acts 16:19-34.  Take 15 quiet minutes to pray, study, and grow in your sense of God's activity in your life and the world around you.

In hopes of helping equip our listeners with new skills during this Lenten season we will be recording several of this Spiritual Practice episodes during the next 40 days.  These episodes are designed to provide you with instruction and insight about different spiritual practices that can benefit your walk of faith.     This Spiritual Practice episode explores the practice of Lectio Divina and the slow, meditative reading of scripture. Pastor Nate talks about the different ways we often read scripture and how this practice can lead to new insights and a deeper connection with God's word.   If you’d like to hear more about Spiritual practices in general be sure to listen to the introduction recorded in the podcast we released on 10/21.

Pastor Nate's sermon for the first Sunday in Lent is based on Mark 1:9-15 and explores the topics of humility and stillness.  This sermon was preached at Bethany Lutheran Church on 2/21/21

Bethany’s Director of Communication, Laura Eaton-Ortega stops by the podcast to talk about social tithing, a unique concept she’s devised that encourages us all to think about the ways that we can use social media to support the church.

As we begin the season of Lent Pastor Nate shares a poem he wrote several years ago that reflects on many of the themes of Ash Wednesday, Lent and Genesis chapter 3.

This episode includes further thoughts and insights about the nature of Stewardship from Pastor Gary.   How is stewardship linked to sacrifice and trust?  What does all this mean for our life of faith and relationship with God?  Listen in as Pastor Gary shares some additional insights into our life of generosity and giving. 

This sermon from Transfiguration Sunday was preached on 2/14/21.  We were pleased to welcome Vicky Daub as our guest preacher.  Vicky is a long time member of Bethany and a graduate of Luther Seminary. Texts for this sermon:  2 Kings 2:1-12 Mark 9:2-9 To see video of this sermon (and the image Vicky references) go to https://bethanydevos.tumblr.com/tagged/sermons 

As part of our ongoing exploration of Stewardship, Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate sit down to discuss their respective sermons from 1/31 and 2/7 as well as some further Stewardship themes that were not covered in their sermons.  

This episode is a recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from 2/7/21.  It's the second sermon in our series on Stewardship and is based on readings from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Luke 13:18-19. 

As part of our ongoing discussion on Stewardship, Pastor Nate has a special podcast episode looking closely at 2 Kings 5:1-14.  Listen as Pastor Nate explains many of the subtle details of this strange story and how the overall theme connects to our life of faith and our understanding of how we can be good stewards of God’s gifts.   

Pastor Nate’s full sermon from 1/31.  This sermon was the first in a two-part Stewardship series and was also a special sermon for Confirmation Sunday. The readings used are 1 Peter 2:4-10 and Matthew 25:14-30.

This episode is a follow-up conversation to the sermon from 1/24/21 on The Holy Trinity.  Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate talk through what it means to believe in a God that is 3 yet 1.  

This episode is an audio recording of Pastor Nate’s sermon from 1/24/21.  This sermon was part of our sermon series on “Epiphanies”.  In this sermon, that took place at 4 different moments during worship, Pastor Nate talks about the Holy Trinity and the 3 different persons in the Trinity and many epiphanies that he has had over the years about this theological concept. The readings mentioned in the sermon are John 17:20-26 and Genesis 18:1-8. To watch a video version of the sermon go to https://bethanydevos.tumblr.com/tagged/sermons 

In this episode, Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary discuss biblical interpretation.  This podcast is a follow-up to Pastor Gary’s sermon from this past Sunday (1/17).  

In this episode we feature Pastor Gary's sermon from Sunday 1/17/21.  Pastor Gary's sermon is a part of a 2-week sermon series called "Epiphanies for Epiphany".  This week, Pastor Gary discusses his relationship with Scripture throughout  his life and the many different "epiphanies" he has had while learning about how to read and interpret scripture.  

In this PRAYER AND STUDY episode, we take time to dwell deeply in God's Word.  Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on Jeremiah 29:4-7.  Take 15 quiet minutes to pray, study, and grow in your sense of God's activity in the world.  

In this episode, Pastor Gary's sermon from 1/10/21 based on readings from Psalm 29 and Mark 1:4-11.  

Our worship service this past Sunday (1/3/21) took time to explain some of the elements of a typical Lutheran worship service.  In this podcast, Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate provide additional details about the different elements of a Lutheran Worship gathering and answer the many questions that you sent it through the connection cards this past Sunday.  If you missed the Sunday service you can see it here. 

Listen to the two biblical reflections from Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate delivered on 12/27/20 Part 1 is a conversation about Hebrews 1:1-4 Part 2 is a conversation about John 1:1-14

Pastor Gary's Christmas Eve sermon for 2020 invites us to reflect on what it might mean to be a shepherd on that first Christmas night.  This sermon is based on Luke 2:1-19. 

John 1 is a passage of scripture often read on Christmas day, so here's a podcast episode where we dive deep into the details of John's Christmas story.  We will be studying John 1:1-18.  Thanks for listening, and Merry Christmas! 

This PRAYER AND STUDY episode looks at John's version of the Christmas story- John 1.   Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on these famous Christmas words and spend time thinking about the significance that we have received the title Children of God.  We hope this time of guided meditation on scripture can provide you with some hope and joy during this Christmas week. 

This BIBLE STUDY episode is part 4 of our 4 week series on the themes of Advent. Each week of Advent also has a particular theme that connects to our life of faith.  Over the next four weeks we will explore these themes by studying one of Pastor Nate's favorite scripture passages. Advent Week 4 is the Week of Love and today we are looking at the famous passage on love from 1 Corinthians 13.

This episode is an audio recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from 12/13/2020.  It is based on readings from Micah 5:2-5a  and Luke 1:39-55. 

This BIBLE STUDY episode is part 3 of our 4 week series on the themes of Advent. Each week of Advent also has a particular theme that connects to our life of faith.  Over the next four weeks we will explore these themes by studying one of Pastor Nate's favorite scripture passages. Advent Week 3 is the Week of Joy and today we study The Song of Mary, The Magnificat, as found in Luke 1:39-56. 

This episode is an audio recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from 12/6/20, the 2nd Sunday in Advent.  It is based on readings from Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:1-8.

This BIBLE STUDY episode is part 2 of our 4 week series on the themes of Advent. Each week of Advent also has a particular theme that connects to our life of faith.  Over the next four weeks we will explore these themes by studying one of Pastor Nate's favorite scripture passages. Advent Week 2 is the Week of Peace and today we are looking at a strange passage from Ezekiel 37:1-14. 

This episode is a recording of Pastor Gary's 2 part sermon from 11/29/20.  To view the video of this service visit bethanydevos.tumblr.com/tagged/sermons.  This sermon is based on readings from 2 Samuel 1:11,17 and Matthew 1:18-24a.

This BIBLE STUDY episode is part of a 4 week series that Pastor Nate has created especially for the Advent season.  Each week of Advent also has a particular theme that connects to our life of faith.  Over the next four weeks we will explore these themes by studying one of Pastor Nate's favorite scripture passages.   Advent Week 1 is the Week of Hope and today we are looking carefully at Luke 2:1-19.  

This epsidoe is the audio recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from 11/22/2020, Christ the King Sunday.  It is based on Matthew 25:31-46.  

In this PRAYER and STUDY episode we look towards the coming Advent season and the ways that God takes the ordinary and makes extraordinary.   This time of guided reflection, prayer, and meditation is based on Luke 3:1-6.

This episode includes the full audio recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from 11/15/20 along with the musical elements that helped bring the sermon to life in new and dynamic ways.  This sermon was broken up into parts throughout the worship service but is all cropped together here so that you can listen to it seamlessly.   If you would like to see a video of this sermon, please visit bethanydevos.tumblr.com/tagged/sermons 

This week's podcast episode is a special format that we call "Prayer and Study".   Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on the words of Luke 12:49-56.  It's a difficult passage that carries an important message for our world today.   Special thanks to Rev Matthew Nickoloff for allowing us to feature his music.  

Pastor Gary's sermon from 11/8/20 based on readings from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13. 

This Spiritual Practice episode explores the practice of journaling our prayers to God. Pastor Nate talks about his own experience with this practice and gives you a specific format that he has found helpful. If you’d like to hear more about Spiritual practices in general be sure to listen to the introduction recorded in the podcast we released on 10/21.

This episode is an audio recording of the joint sermon that Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate preached on All Saints Sunday November 1, 2020. The readings they reference are 1 John 3:1-3 and Matthew 5:3-12.

This week's podcast episode is a new interview with Director of Faith Formation Bryan Jaster.   The last time Bryan was on the podcast he shared with us his passion for Discipleship.  This episode builds off those themes as Bryan shares with us the importance of Service Learning.   Listen in as Bryan and Pastor Nate talk about this important idea and stay tuned at the end of the episode as they announce an exciting new Service Learning opportunity coming soon to Bethany!  ⁠

This episode is a recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from 10/25/20, Reformation Sunday. The sermon is based on readings from Romans 3:19-28 and John 8:31-38.

This Spiritual Practice episode begins with a little information about why spiritual practices are important and then goes into a discussion of The Jesus Prayer, ancient Christian prayer that can be used in your daily life.

This episode is an audio recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from 10/18/20 which focuses on the theme of identity and the promises that God makes to us.   The sermon is based on readings from Matthew 22:15-22 and Isaiah 45:1-7.

This is an audio recording of Pastor Nate's sermon from 10/11/20 based on Jesus' Parable of the Wedding Banquet found in Matthew 22:1-14.  This sermon had utilized several visual elements and it was broken up into four different parts during the worship service.  If you'd like to see the video version go to bethanydevos.tumblr.com/tagged/sermons 

In this Bible Study episode we look at Mark 6:30-44, the story of Jesus feeding a great multitude. It’s one of the most famous miracle stories in the Bible, but as you’ll discover there is so much more to this story than just the miraculous duplication of fish and bread...

This week's podcast episode is a special format that we call "Prayer and Study".   Through readings, reflections, prayers, and music we will meditate on the words of Numbers 21:4-9, a strange passage about snakes in the wilderness. Find a quiet seat, or put on your headphones and take a walk as we take time for Prayer and Study. ⁠

This episode includes the full sermon that Pastor Gary preached on 10/4/20.  It's based on readings from Isaiah 5:1-7 and Matthew21:33-46.

This episode is a Bible Study.   Before diving into the Parable, Pastor Nate shares some details about The Revised Common Lectionary and how our Sunday readings are chosen each week.  This Fall, the schedule calls for many of Jesus' parables to be read on Sundays and so this episode focuses on perhaps the most famous parable, the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Following the introduction, we look closely at Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:1-3;11b-32. 

What role does humility play in the life of faith? How can we be obedient to God’s will, even when it’s difficult? This episode is a recording of Pastor Gary's sermon from this past Sunday, 9/27/20.   Readings: Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32. 

This is another of our "Prayer and Study" episodes.  It is a guided devotional study of Genesis 11:1-9 meant to provide listeners with a time of quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer as we consider this scripture passage.   We hope this format can provide you with a time of connection with God's Word.

Pastor Nate's sermon from 9/20/20 is based on readings from Exodus 16:2-15 and Matthew 20:1-16.  

In this new episode, Pastor Nate looks at the stories of Jesus casting out demons.  What do these exorcism stories have to teach us today, at a time when many are skeptical about the idea of exorcism?  It's a spooky topic, but in the end, a hopeful episode, because after all, Jesus always conquers the forces of evil.  ⁠ The main scripture passage we will study is Matthew 8:28-34.

Pastor Gary's sermon on Forgiveness is based on the parable Jesus tells about forgiveness in Matthew 18:21-35.    This sermon was part of an entire worship service that explored the idea of forgiveness and parables in some creative ways.  Please, feel free to check out the video of the entire worship service by following this link:  https://youtu.be/_JPldg9EfOY  

This episode is a guided devotional study of Isaiah 25:6-9, it's meant to provide listeners with a time of quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer as we consider this scripture passage.   We hope this format can provide you with a time of connection with God's Word.  

Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate preach a sermon together on the topic of worries.  What are we to do with the worries that we have?  What does Jesus have to say about how to combat and face down our worries?  Where is God in the midst of the moments that trouble us?   This sermon was preached during our Outdoor Worship Service on 9/2/2020 and was based on the following scripture passages:  Matthew 6:30-34 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

This week's podcast episode is a short Bible Study created by Pastor Nate.  It's all about the importance of water in our world, the scriptures, and our life of faith. Grab your Bible, a glass of H20, and listen along!⁠

This episode is a sermon delivered by Pastor Nate on August 30th, 2020.  The final installment on our sermon series "Seasons of Life" focuses on the hopeful topic of New Life and it is based on Luke 24:36-49.   

In this episode Pastor Nate talks with Bryan Jaster, the Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Bethany.  The interview focuses on the topic of discipleship.  What is discipleship all about and how does this topic affect our life each and every day?   

This sermon from our Outdoor worship gathering on 8/23 was co-preached by Pastor Gary and Pastor Nate and focuses on the topic of Shalom.  The readings reference for this sermon are Psalm 122 and John 14:25-31.

Due to technical difficulties with our internet and live-stream on Sunday, many were not able to hear this sermon from Pastor Gary.  This sermon is on the topic of Death, as part of our ongoing series on The Seasons of Life.   Pastor Gary focuses on readings from 2 Samuel 18:31-19:4 and Mark 8:31-33.  

This episode is the recording of the sermon delivered by Pastor Nate and Pastor Gary on August 5, 2020 as part of our Outdoor Parking Lot worship service.  The texts that are referenced in the sermon are:  John 11:7-16 and Acts 6:1-7. 

This episode is a guided devotional podcast.  Through prayer, music, and quiet contemplation of scripture, listeners are invited to connect with God.  Music for this podcast is an improvised work from Bethany Director of Music Rick Seaton.  Our scripture is Luke 10:38-42.

This episode is a study of the biblical concept of Rest and Sabbath led by Pastor Nate.  We will be looking at readings from Genesis 2 and Exodus 20

This episode is a recording of a sermon preached at Bethany on May 10, 2020 by Pastor Gary Sandberg.   The readings Pastor Gary references are Jeremiah 29:1;4-14 and John 14:1-7.