Down Time
My apologies for the recent downtime. Our webserver suffered a hardware failure of some sort and it took me a week to figure out a way to restore all the files and databases that go into making this website work. In the future i hope to have better backups, but praise God that I was able to recover everything this time 
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
“I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” says the Lord (Matthew 9:13). More than mere kindness, mercy is a kindness shown especially to those who either cannot repay or do not deserve it. The word of God reminds us that God’s love is never earned or to be taken for granted as something we somehow deserve because of our sacrifices. The same goes for the brother or sister in need of our mercy. True mercy doesn’t ignore our inability to repay or to fulfill God’s law. The mercy of God comes through his son who fulfilled the Law perfectly for all and whose sacrifice on the cross gift by faith in Him. Mercy then becomes the Christian’s family trait as our Lord said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36
Readings:
Hosea 5:15-6:6 (Empty Repentance)
Romans 4:13-25 (Abraham, our father in faith)
Matthew 9:9-13 (Matthew called by mercy.)
Mission Development
This week instead of a Sermon, Gary Thies, our mission development counselor gave a presentation on some of the international missions of the church.
The lessons this week are listed below:
Holy Trinity
Each time we are gathered to worship we recall the One who unites us–God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–the Holy Trinity. With joy we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity, our gracious God who claims us as His own in Holy Baptism, forms us into a community of faith, and sends us forth to give witness to the same. Our worship today begins with the same words that began our life in Baptism In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Our Readings for this week are listed below
The Athanasian Creed
Early in the fourth century, a north African pastor named Arius began teaching that Jesus Christ was not truly God. The Church responded decisively in AD 325 with a statement of faith (The Nicene Creed), which confessed that Jesus is, in fact, true God. Toward the end of the fifth century, another creed was written that dived further into the mystery of the Trinity.
Upcoming Events at Bethel
May 20, 2008
Greetings Members and Friends of Bethel,
First, I’d like to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers before and following my father’s death last week–May 14, 2008. We will be traveling to Mobile, Alabama for the funeral this week.
Second, because I will be out of town, there will be no Wed. Worship on 5/21 or 5/28.
Third, I want to remind/inform you–that on June 1, Gary Thies will be at both worship services. Gary is such an inspiration in helping us see the world, and our ability to bring Jesus to people–near and far. We will have a Potluck at 10:15 that Sunday morning and encourage the 9am people to stay, the 11:15 to come early, and the Wed. 5:30 people to come!
Fourth, on May 28 at 7pm, all are invited to our next Mission and Ministry Vision Group at the church. Some things have already been implimented, others need your help! Please come!
Please pray for my family’s safe travel, and I’ll see you all on June 1st.
In the Joy of the Resurrection!
Bruce Jackson
Pastor
Pentecost
The Readings:
Num. 11:24-30
Acts 2:1-21
John 7:37-39
note that this week’s sermon is read by Terry Johnson as Pastor is out of town.