Worship

Sunday Worship Schedule

8:00 a.m. Worship & Livestream on YouTube
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:15 a.m. Worship

Sunday Worship Volunteering

Please help our Worship Team plan for the coming weeks and beyond by signing up to join in leading worship today! Positions include: Altar Guild, Assisting Minister, Communion Minister, Usher, Audio/Visual, and Acolyte.

Sign-up by going to https://tinyurl.com/BLCWorship23

For assistance please contact: Jim W. @(jnswoodruff@gmail.com), Pastor Katie (pastor@bethlehem-lutheran.net) or the church office (303-776- 3290).

Lectionary Resources

March 19 – 4th Sunday in Lent
When it comes to faith, sometimes there are bad questions—questions that are formed by assumptions, questions that lead us to judgment or isolation. When Jesus and the disciples encounter a blind man along the way, the disciples immediately ask, “Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). They ask a bad question. Their question assumes that illness and disability are the result of sin; it assumes that the man deserved to be born blind; it assumes that physical blindness is a form of failure. Unfortunately, the crowd continues to interrogate the man and dissect the miracle of what happens to him. The crowd also asks bad questions because their intent is to drive him out and prove that Jesus is a heretic. This week, let us pay attention to the questions we ask. What assumptions do we carry? What is our intent? When seeking clarity or understanding, what are better questions we can ask? -A Sanctified Art, LLC
Scriptures: John 9:1-41

March 26 – 5th Sunday in Lent
When you find yourself in a valley of dry bones, when all hope seems lost, when death and grief surround you, with desperation you might cry out, “Can these bones live?” In Ezekiel’s vision, God asks this question of us. Do we believe new life can come after death? Can we find hope when things are bleak? Can we really trust in God’s resurrection? While we look to God to carry us through the valley, God looks to us to embody hope for others. As we prepare to enter Holy Week, we remember how Jesus began his final journey toward resurrection: by returning to Judea after the death of his dear friend, Lazarus. As we walk through the valley of dry bones that leads us to Calvary Hill, let us seek out the hope that will stir in us and sustain us. -A Sanctified Art, LLC
Scriptures: Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:1-45

April 2- Palm Sunday
When we look deeper into the context of this story, we uncover how two parades are occurring at once. Jesus’ unconventional and unexpected entry into the city parallels the extravagant parade of Pilate, the Roman governor. As both leaders enter the city for the Passover, they embody different directions. Pilate commands military dominance and imperial power; Jesus ushers in the kingdom of God and the way of peace. Within the chaos and commotion of this scene, which leader will you follow? Jesus’ journey to the cross should always catch us off- guard. As dismayed as the disciples, we ask, “Jesus, are you really headed this way, straight to your death?” Many of our weekly questions throughout the season so far have helped us prepare spiritually for Holy Week. Now we examine if our beliefs have changed our behaviors. Has your path changed? In the midst of opposing forces, which way will you go? -A Sanctified Art, LLC
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

April 9: Easter Sunday
When Mary finds the tomb empty, she stands weeping at the vacant grave. Jesus, mysteriously appearing as the gardener, asks her: “Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” In the haze of grief, Mary can only see what is right before her—or in this case, what is not before her. It is only when Jesus calls her by name that the veil is lifted and she beholds the resurrected Christ. On this Easter morning, who—or what—are you looking for? Why have you come to the tomb? What kind of Jesus are you looking for? Recall all the questions that have guided us this Lenten season. Who do we see in the living Christ? What veils need to be lifted so we can recognize God’s resurrection in all the places it occurs? As we journey into Eastertide, will we continue to seek the miracle of God’s newness? In what ways will you continue to look for Jesus in the world? Readings: John 20:1-18

April 16: Second Sunday of Easter
In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the season of Easter, we will hear stories from the early church. As the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we too rejoice in new birth and living hope. Readings: John 20:19-31, Acts 2:14a, 22-32

April 23: Third Sunday of Easter
Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day. Readings: Luke 24:13-35, Acts 2:14a, 36-41

April 30: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation. Readings: Psalm 23, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25

May 7: Fifth Sunday of Easter
As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, we are reminded of the ancient promise that the Lord is a refuge and strength, a rock and stronghold. The story of Stephen inspires individual commitment to the cause of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter reminds us that we are, together, a holy people, called to proclaim the one who called us out of darkness into light. Readings: Psalm 31:1-5, Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10

May 14: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world. Readings: Psalm 66:8-20, Acts 17:22-31

May 21: Ascension
In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission. Readings: Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11

May 28: Pentecost – Jazz Sunday
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.