How I Worship…
How I Worship… In my twenty years at Bethesda, I have valued this beautiful sanctuary as a place to worship. Being a Lutheran my entire life, it is truly an honor to worship here. Originally I worshiped at the first service and later switched to the late service....
A Summer Romans Road Trip
A blessed summer to you, Bethesda! Whether or not you have travel plans for this summer, we all have some treasured vacation memories. Sometimes we get away to rest. Sometimes we get away to carve out special time with loved ones. Sometimes we pack so much activity...
Seven Marks of the Church
A Blessed Easter Season to you, Bethesda! To keep with our spiritual focus, “Crossing From Wilderness to Renewal,” let’s talk a bit about life on the other side of the river Jordan. The Lord has described the new land as “flowing with milk and honey.” Assuming we...
Every Sunday is a First Impression
Easter Sunday usually arrives with great energy and expectations and with many new guests in worship. It might be difficult for many of us to remember that every Sunday is a first impression…for someone. Here are nine thoughts on welcoming guests to Bethesda. This...
Admin Corner by Amy
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." I was 8 years old when I was invited to join a neighborhood family for a concert in the big town of Eugene, Oregon. They were going to see Keith Green at Mac...
Pastor Steve’s Reflection
People of God, will you receive Pastor Steve as a messenger of Jesus Christ sent to serve all people with the gospel of hope and salvation? Will you regard him as a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God? We will, and we ask God to help us. Will you...
Admin Corner – Fun facts about one of my favorite Advent Hymns
Fun facts about one of my favorite Advent Hymns, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus": 1. Written by Charles Wesley and first published in 1745. 2. Adapted from Haggai 2:7, ...and I will sake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill...
The Season Of Advent
“Advent is the time to prepare the way, Christ was born on Christmas day! Sing and dance children of the Lord, celebrate the seasons of the Son (sun?).” —a random song in my memory that I could not find searching Google, so I have no attribution." Advent has...
Remember & Rejoice
Last week a dear friend of mine suddenly died. Claudia was her name. She went by Aunty Claudia. Technically in Hawaii, you don’t call someone Aunty unless they are 15 years older than you. She introduced herself to everyone as Aunty Claudia. She was one of my Ohana...
Listening To Different Voices
“No one person has all the knowledge or the complete skill set to manage the complexity and the relentlessness of a crisis.” - from The Prepared Leader p. 54 I try to read and listen to a variety of topics. I’m a big fan of Brené Brown and her podcasts on leadership...
Where Are The Kids?
The kids are here, if you want to know them. Our database has 88 children, youth and recent graduates. 25 people have tried the new family Sunday school. Youth group is rebuilding from COVID. We had 25-30 youth between Wednesday and Thursday nights pre-COVID. Over the...
Breath
(So) breathe oh breath of God. Now breathe oh breath of God. Breathe oh breath of God, now breathe. —from Come Alive (Dry Bones) It’s not unusual for a song to get stuck in my head. I’m in the final moments of preparation to take a group to Holden Village. So I’m...