Are we willing to stand up for the truth and for what is right even if it comes at a cost? Where do we find the courage to do so? John the Baptist and many others throughout history have provided examples for us of being faithful in the face of injustice. Pastor Russ' sermon is based on the rather gruesome story of John's beheading by King Herod in Mark 6:14-29 and is entitled "If Truth Be Told..."

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

We may think of our weaknesses as just that...deficiencies, burdens, hinderances, embarrassments. St. Paul certainly could have thought that with his "thorn in the flesh." But instead, he realized that God could, by God's grace, turn his weaknesses into strengths...for the sake of the Gospel. Read II Corinthians 12:2-10 and then listen to Pastor Russ' sermon entitled, "Olympic Weakness; Sufficient Grace."

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

The Gospel Reading for June 30th (The 6th Sunday after Pentecost) from Mark 5:21-43 tells of two healing miracles in one story...healing of two people of vastly different social strata. Jesus is displaying what a new caring community of faith is to look like by breaking societal prejudices and barriers.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

From Mark 4:35-41, we read the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm. Many "storms" can arise in our life...suddenly and some with great fury. What does it mean to have Jesus in our boat? Pastor Russ offers insights to this story that may help us in our life today.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Sometimes we may wonder "what good can I do?" "I really don't have much influence". Well, maybe many of us think that we are "small potatoes"...but even small acts of kindness and charity can make a huge difference in someone's life. Pastor Russ reviews two parables where Jesus reminds us that with God's blessing, small things can have a large impact in his sermon "We Walk By Faith."

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

One of the most skillfully crafted stories in all the Bible is found in chapter 3 of Genesis, when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing "The Fall" of humankind. Does this old story still hold meaning for us today in this modern world? Or is God still speaking to us...and searching for us? The title of Pastor Russ' sermon is: "Where Are You?"

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Do you have a busy life? Do you feel that expectations of you are growing and growing? Do you feel some pressure to be more, to do more, to have more? Well, perhaps the 3rd Commandment, "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy" is meant for you. God ordained for us to rest. "Keeping the Sabbath" is the title of Pastor Russ' sermon for Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org

Talking about the Holy Trinity doesn't sound too exciting...but this doctrine has been a critical teaching in the church practically from the beginning. Pastor Russ shares insights from the Nicodemus story in John 3 to highlight each 'person' of the Trinity.

Connect with Bethel Lutheran Church: • To have Bethel news and updates delivered to your email, sign up by sending an email message to office@blctempleton.org. • Donate for ministry. • Come join us on Sunday: 9:30 AM, corner of 3rd Street and Crocker Street in Templeton, California. • Web site: www.blctempleton.org