This podcast is made available from Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Saint Cloud, MN Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:57:18 EDT en-us https://bethlehemlutheran.org/ Bethlehem Lutheran Church All Rights Reserved by Sermon's Author Sermons from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St Cloud MN no Sermon audio from the previous Sunday's service. For more information visit http://www.bethlehemlutheran.org Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olsonblchurch@bethlehemlutheran.orgBethlehem Lutheran Church Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 29 Aug 2026 18:00:00 EST For many amateur gardeners and arborists pruning can be stressful. What if I cut off the wrong branch or cut off too many flowers? We can encounter the same stress when we look to ‘prune’ our lives back. What if cut off the wrong person or stop doing the wrong thing? In our Focus Text Jesus reminds us that God is the one responsible for pruning. As long as we remain connected to Jesus we will bear fruit like AGAPe Love.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-08292026/Sermon_08292026.mp3 00:10:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)For many amateur gardeners and arborists pruning can be stressful. What if I cut off the wrong branch or cut off too many flowers? We can encounter the same stress when we look to ‘prune’ our lives back. What if cut off the wrong person or stop doing the wrong thing? In our Focus Text Jesus reminds us that God is the one responsible for pruning. As long as we remain connected to Jesus we will bear fruit like AGAPe Love.For many amateur gardeners and arborists pruning can be stressful. What if I cut off the wrong branch or cut off too many flowers? We can encounter the same stress when we look to ‘prune’ our lives back. What if cut off the wrong person or stop doing the wrong thing? In our Focus Text Jesus reminds us that God is the one responsible for pruning. As long as we remain connected to Jesus we will bear fruit like AGAPe Love.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:00:00 EST We sometimes find it difficult to sit in silence. We are so conditioned to the busyness and noise of modern life that when we encounter silence we assume something is wrong. In our Focus Text the Psalm writer shares a command from God to: “Be Still and Know that I am God.” If we can learn to appreciate the silence, we will find God is there even when the world around us is in chaos.  ]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-08222026/Sermon_08222026.mp3 00:12:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)We sometimes find it difficult to sit in silence. We are so conditioned to the busyness and noise of modern life that when we encounter silence we assume something is wrong. In our Focus Text the Psalm writer shares a command from God to: “Be Still and Know that I am God.” If we can learn to appreciate the silence, we will find God is there even when the world around us is in chaos. We sometimes find it difficult to sit in silence. We are so conditioned to the busyness and noise of modern life that when we encounter silence we assume something is wrong. In our Focus Text the Psalm writer shares a command from God to: “Be Still and Know that I am God.” If we can learn to appreciate the silence, we will find God is there even when the world around us is in chaos. Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Chad Peterson Sat, 15 Aug 2026 18:00:00 EST Are you absolutely certain? Sometimes we get an idea or a memory so stuck in our minds we convince ourselves that it is undeniably true. In our Focus Text this week Jesus challenges the understanding of both the Pharisees and the Disciples. The Pharisees were looking for a sign from Heaven, even though Jesus had performed many miracles including feeding multitudes of people. The problem is they were too certain of what a sign from Heaven would look like they missed what was right in front of them. The Disciples were certain the one loaf of bread they brought wasn’t enough even though Jesus had just fed thousands with 7 loaves. When we are too certain we understand we can’t ascertain that with God there are possibilities that cannot yet see. ]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-08152026/Sermon_08152026.mp3 00:17:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)Are you absolutely certain? Sometimes we get an idea or a memory so stuck in our minds we convince ourselves that it is undeniably true. In our Focus Text this week Jesus challenges the understanding of both the Pharisees and the Disciples. The Pharisees were looking for a sign from Heaven, even though Jesus had performed many miracles including feeding multitudes of people. The problem is they were too certain of what a sign from Heaven would look like they missed what was right in front of them. The Disciples were certain the one loaf of bread they brought wasn’t enough even though Jesus had just fed thousands with 7 loaves. When we are too certain we understand we can’t ascertain that with God there are possibilities that cannot yet see.Are you absolutely certain? Sometimes we get an idea or a memory so stuck in our minds we convince ourselves that it is undeniably true. In our Focus Text this week Jesus challenges the understanding of both the Pharisees and the Disciples. The Pharisees were looking for a sign from Heaven, even though Jesus had performed many miracles including feeding multitudes of people. The problem is they were too certain of what a sign from Heaven would look like they missed what was right in front of them. The Disciples were certain the one loaf of bread they brought wasn’t enough even though Jesus had just fed thousands with 7 loaves. When we are too certain we understand we can’t ascertain that with God there are possibilities that cannot yet see.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 08 Aug 2026 18:00:00 EST Love is a verb. It isn't just a feeling it is an action! That is especially true of the AGAPe love we have focused on for nearly a year now. Our society’s view of love is too often focused on love as a feeling. In the fairytales it is ‘true love’ that solves the problem, but when the feeling fades trouble returns. Our Focus Text from Romans helps us recognize what love as a verb looks like. Jesus taught and modeled this love in action for us as he became like a servant and washed the feet of the disciples who would soon betray him, deny him and abandon him. It is this true ‘True Love’ that makes a real difference in our lives when we put AGAPe love in action!

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-08082026/Sermon_08082026.mp3 00:11:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)Love is a verb. It isn't just a feeling it is an action! That is especially true of the AGAPe love we have focused on for nearly a year now. Our society’s view of love is too often focused on love as a feeling. In the fairytales it is ‘true love’ that solves the problem, but when the feeling fades trouble returns. Our Focus Text from Romans helps us recognize what love as a verb looks like. Jesus taught and modeled this love in action for us as he became like a servant and washed the feet of the disciples who would soon betray him, deny him and abandon him. It is this true ‘True Love’ that makes a real difference in our lives when we put AGAPe love in action!Love is a verb. It isn't just a feeling it is an action! That is especially true of the AGAPe love we have focused on for nearly a year now. Our society’s view of love is too often focused on love as a feeling. In the fairytales it is ‘true love’ that solves the problem, but when the feeling fades trouble returns. Our Focus Text from Romans helps us recognize what love as a verb looks like. Jesus taught and modeled this love in action for us as he became like a servant and washed the feet of the disciples who would soon betray him, deny him and abandon him. It is this true ‘True Love’ that makes a real difference in our lives when we put AGAPe love in action!Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Chad Peterson Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:00:00 EST Is the Jesus you envision ever angry? In this week’s Focus Text Jesus is indignant, angry, because the disciples are shooing away the kids that are coming to see Jesus. And even worse, he just got done telling them we need to approach God like a child to truly understand God’s vision for Creation. Jesus is angry but what is more important is how and to whom he channels that energy. Instead of taking it out on the disciples, throwing them out of his inner circle, he invites the children they where blocking to join in the circle. The outcasts of society, whose access to community is obstructed by powerful people who believe it’s their duty to gatekeep, are invited into the embrace of God’s love.
]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-08012026/Sermon_08012026.mp3 00:19:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)Is the Jesus you envision ever angry? In this week’s Focus Text Jesus is indignant, angry, because the disciples are shooing away the kids that are coming to see Jesus. And even worse, he just got done telling them we need to approach God like a child to truly understand God’s vision for Creation. Jesus is angry but what is more important is how and to whom he channels that energy. Instead of taking it out on the disciples, throwing them out of his inner circle, he invites the children they where blocking to join in the circle. The outcasts of society, whose access to community is obstructed by powerful people who believe it’s their duty to gatekeep, are invited into the embrace of God’s love.Is the Jesus you envision ever angry? In this week’s Focus Text Jesus is indignant, angry, because the disciples are shooing away the kids that are coming to see Jesus. And even worse, he just got done telling them we need to approach God like a child to truly understand God’s vision for Creation. Jesus is angry but what is more important is how and to whom he channels that energy. Instead of taking it out on the disciples, throwing them out of his inner circle, he invites the children they where blocking to join in the circle. The outcasts of society, whose access to community is obstructed by powerful people who believe it’s their duty to gatekeep, are invited into the embrace of God’s love.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:00:00 EST We have all felt unwelcome or out of place from time to time. Remember the difference it makes when someone reaches out and says there is room for you here? That is what the Reign of God is like, we all are invited to find a place to belong in the community of God's children and we are expected to make room for those who are feeling out of place.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-07252026/Sermon_07252026.mp3 00:11:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)We have all felt unwelcome or out of place from time to time. Remember the difference it makes when someone reaches out and says there is room for you here? That is what the Reign of God is like, we all are invited to find a place to belong in the community of God's children and we are expected to make room for those who are feeling out of place.We have all felt unwelcome or out of place from time to time. Remember the difference it makes when someone reaches out and says there is room for you here? That is what the Reign of God is like, we all are invited to find a place to belong in the community of God's children and we are expected to make room for those who are feeling out of place.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Chad Peterson Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:00:00 EST For those who want to maintain their hold on power and influence the Parables of Jesus turn their world upside down. Even after all the violence and destruction caused by humanity God’s grace continues to call us to be an active part of building up the Kingdom of God in our communities and all around the world.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-07182026/Sermon_07182026.mp3 00:16:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)For those who want to maintain their hold on power and influence the Parables of Jesus turn their world upside down. Even after all the violence and destruction caused by humanity God’s grace continues to call us to be an active part of building up the Kingdom of God in our communities and all around the world.For those who want to maintain their hold on power and influence the Parables of Jesus turn their world upside down. Even after all the violence and destruction caused by humanity God’s grace continues to call us to be an active part of building up the Kingdom of God in our communities and all around the world.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Chad Peterson Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:00:00 EST How do we measure success? Outcomes. In the Gospel of Mark, the crowds are expecting a certain outcome: they want God’s Kingdom to arrive with power, with victory, with obvious success. But time after time the Kingdom of God is revealed in the opposite: children, meals shared, quiet acts of compassion, and in our Focus Text, once again, seeds. When a seed is planted it is out of sight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working toward the outcome of a new plant. When we don’t see an immediate outcome, we shouldn’t assume God is absent instead we can trust God is at work using our small acts to grow the Kingdom in unnoticed ways just beneath the surface.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-07112026/Sermon_07112026.mp3 00:16:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)How do we measure success? Outcomes. In the Gospel of Mark, the crowds are expecting a certain outcome: they want God’s Kingdom to arrive with power, with victory, with obvious success. But time after time the Kingdom of God is revealed in the opposite: children, meals shared, quiet acts of compassion, and in our Focus Text, once again, seeds. When a seed is planted it is out of sight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working toward the outcome of a new plant. When we don’t see an immediate outcome, we shouldn’t assume God is absent instead we can trust God is at work using our small acts to grow the Kingdom in unnoticed ways just beneath the surface.How do we measure success? Outcomes. In the Gospel of Mark, the crowds are expecting a certain outcome: they want God’s Kingdom to arrive with power, with victory, with obvious success. But time after time the Kingdom of God is revealed in the opposite: children, meals shared, quiet acts of compassion, and in our Focus Text, once again, seeds. When a seed is planted it is out of sight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working toward the outcome of a new plant. When we don’t see an immediate outcome, we shouldn’t assume God is absent instead we can trust God is at work using our small acts to grow the Kingdom in unnoticed ways just beneath the surface.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:00:00 EST There’s storms in life that we just can’t control: layoffs, cancer, the poor decisions of others, even literal weather that disrupts our plans. If you feel like God is absent in your storm this week’s Focus Text is a reminder that even when everything is out of your control God is with you as promised.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-07042026/Sermon_07042026.mp3 00:11:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)There’s storms in life that we just can’t control: layoffs, cancer, the poor decisions of others, even literal weather that disrupts our plans. If you feel like God is absent in your storm this week’s Focus Text is a reminder that even when everything is out of your control God is with you as promised.There’s storms in life that we just can’t control: layoffs, cancer, the poor decisions of others, even literal weather that disrupts our plans. If you feel like God is absent in your storm this week’s Focus Text is a reminder that even when everything is out of your control God is with you as promised.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson Pastor Stephanie Christoffels Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:00:00 EST In our Focus Text this week, Jesus has a few parables for the Kingdom of God, all of them involve being hidden. A tiny fragile seed is hidden in the ground before becoming a great big plant, it's a process that is hard to comprehend and one that requires patience like waiting for a butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis. Sometimes when God is at work in our lives, it is hidden away and in the moment we don't comprehend how our life is changing. In another parable Jesus reminds us that God's work in and through us is like a light of a lamp, we should make sure that light isn't hidden away.

]]> false http://archive.org/download/sermon-06272026/Sermon_06272026.mp3 00:12:00 blchurch@bethlehemlutheran.org (Bethlehem Lutheran Church)In our Focus Text this week, Jesus has a few parables for the Kingdom of God, all of them involve being hidden. A tiny fragile seed is hidden in the ground before becoming a great big plant, it's a process that is hard to comprehend and one that requires patience like waiting for a butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis. Sometimes when God is at work in our lives, it is hidden away and in the moment we don't comprehend how our life is changing. In another parable Jesus reminds us that God's work in and through us is like a light of a lamp, we should make sure that light isn't hidden away.In our Focus Text this week, Jesus has a few parables for the Kingdom of God, all of them involve being hidden. A tiny fragile seed is hidden in the ground before becoming a great big plant, it's a process that is hard to comprehend and one that requires patience like waiting for a butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis. Sometimes when God is at work in our lives, it is hidden away and in the moment we don't comprehend how our life is changing. In another parable Jesus reminds us that God's work in and through us is like a light of a lamp, we should make sure that light isn't hidden away.Sermon,Bethlehem,Lutheran,Church,Saint,Cloud,MN,Minnesota,ELCA,Lectionary,Pastor,Peterson,Pederson,Olson