Bethel Presbyterian Church

05/31/2026

May 31st Service

Join us today at 11:15 AM as we celebrate Trinity Sunday and make plans to stay for the fellowship meal following worship. Remember there is no need to bring food for the meal just bring yourself! The Adult Sunday School class will not meet in person this week, but you may find the Trinity Sunday lesson on our page. If you are unable to attend in person you may listen to today’s sermon by clicking HERE.

Join us today at 11:15 AM as we celebrate Trinity Sunday and make plans to stay for the fellowship meal following worship.  Remember there is no need to bring food for the meal just bring your…

05/30/2026

Adult Sunday School will not meet in person this Sunday. Thanks to Dianna for providing this lesson on Trinity Sunday. Come and celebrate Trinity Sunday in Worship at 11:15 and stay for the meal.

Feasting on the Word-May 31, 2026-God, the Creator


On this Trinity Sunday, we are encouraged to celebrate the magnificence of the Triune God and to dig deeply and thoughtfully into what it means to be given charge of the creation.

Genesis 1:1-2:4 New International Version
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
2 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day.
Adam and Eve
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

After reading today’s text, what are your reactions?
If you hadn’t been familiar with this Scripture, what would been your reaction?

Which parts of this text have invited debate or controversy in the church and in society at large? Why do you think this has been so?
How do you understand the significance of creation’s “goodness”?

What does it mean to be a steward of such goodness?

What do you feel is most important in this scripture.

What confirms God’s special love for humans is that they are the only ones made in God’s image (1:26–27). This is one of the reasons God insists on Israel not making images of the God they worship. God’s image is already placed within humans; no other kind of representation is necessary. As God’s image bearers, male and female are given a responsibility: to have dominion over the created order (v. 28). Humans are given dominion, not domination; they are caregivers, not exploiters (cf. Ps. 72:8–14). We do unto creation as God has done unto us; we express love and care toward the world. Being image bearers of God is also at the heart of how we see other humans, which results in treating them with dignity, regardless of race, age, gender, social or economic status.

When have you observed examples of people exercising careful dominion over creation?

When have you felt encouraged as a steward of creation? When have you been able to encourage others in their stewardship?

God, the Creator
What does it mean to care for creation as God has cared for us?

God is the creator of the world; but the primary focus is not that God created the world but why God created the world. The reason: God loves humans. God’s specialty is loving and caring for creation. God demonstrates this love in the collaborative way in which the world operates. Genesis 1:1–2:4 recounts the six days of creation. Nothing is made for itself alone. Everything contributes to the whole of creation . . . Each part contributes to the whole. God provides for the needs of all God’s creatures because God’s specialty is love. However, God did not make the order of creation rigid or mechanical; humans are still called upon to subdue it (1:28; 2:15). Rather, God created a flexible, dynamic, and complex world with a mind of its own—again a demonstration of God’s love. . . . Without God’s ever-present involvement, the world would not be able to continue, and humans would not be able to live.. God loves, sustains, and cares for the universe and all its inhabitants day by day.

Think about ways that God is active in your life today.

Psalm 8, the psalm appointed for worship on Trinity Sunday.
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Closing Prayer - Holy God, Three-in-One, help us to rejoice in your gift of creation. Strengthen us as stewards of your creating work, that all may find wholeness and peace in your reign. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

05/24/2026

If you missed bingo you missed out on a lot of fun, food, and prizes! 14 of us had fun playing and everyone walked away with at least a few prizes. We were already making plans for next time!

05/24/2026

May 24th Service

Today is a special day in the life of the Church. It is Pentecost, the day when the Church was born through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Join us today as we celebrate Pentecost through study and worship. Adult Sunday School begins at 10:30 AM with Worship at 11:15 AM. Thanks to Hayli, nursery is provided during worship! Join us as we celebrate Pentecost today and remember this Memorial Day weekend to give thanks for all those who were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country and each of us. If you are unable to attend in person you may listen to today’s sermon by clicking HERE.

Today is a special day in the life of the Church. It is Pentecost, the day when the Church was born through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Join us today as we celebrate Pentecost through study and …

05/23/2026

Feasting on the Word-May 24, 2026-Pentecost Power


Acts 2:1-21

Opening Prayer – Come, Holy Spirit. Open us to the fresh winds of your energizing, disturbing power. Light within us the flame of discernment as we explore your Word today. Amen

As you read the lyrics to “Spirit” by James K. Manley, picture the images evoked by these lyrics. Point out the action verbs that come to mind to describe how the Holy Spirit works.

Spirit
Chorus - Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters
You called to the deep
Then you coaxed up the mountains
From the valleys of sleep
And over the eons
You called to each thing
Awake from your slumbers
And rise on your wings.
Chorus
You swept through the desert
You stung with the sand
And you goaded your people
With a law and a land
And when they were blinded
With idols and lies
Then you spoke to your prophets
To open their eyes
​​​Chorus
You sang in a stable
You cried from a hill
Then you whispered in silence
When the whole world was still
And down in the city
You called once again
When you blew through your people
On the rush of the wind
Chorus
You call from tomorrow
You break ancient schemes
From the bo***ge of sorrow
All the captives dream dreams
Our women see visions
Our men clear their eyes
With bold new decisions
Your people arise

Today’s session offers the opportunity to celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to the church, explore its creative power, and consider how we respond to that gift individually and as a community of faith.

Several weeks ago, the focus scripture was Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. In the last session, we explored how the apostles and other followers of Jesus awaited the gift of the Spirit promised by Jesus by devoting themselves to prayer. This session’s text is the Pentecost event itself.

Acts 2:1-21 The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

In this lection the group of disciples—restored now to the full twelve—behold a vision, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and speak in foreign tongues. Reactions from inhabitants of Jerusalem follow; then Peter addresses the marveling if divided crowd. Peter’s oration interprets the happening, cites relevant Scripture, and draws the conclusion: the events around Jesus Christ followed by this bestowal of the Spirit prove that the last days whereof the prophets spoke have come. The speech continues beyond the lection and culminates with a call to repentance and baptism; three thousand heed the call and form a community to communicate the fullness of what they have received.
Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel
11 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Contrast the story of Babel and the Pentecost experience.

What was the role of language in the story of Babel?

How did the language function differently at Pentecost?
. .this important passage may at least remind contemporary congregations that . . . the Holy Spirit’s power is not always subtle, fragile or polite. Even today it can be electric, atomic, and volcanic.”

Christ encourages us to make a commitment to invite the Spirit’s work into our lives, so that we might be a part of opening the church’s life to the Spirit’s renewed work.

Closing Prayer – O Christ, bring thy spirit into our hearts so that we may be examples of your power and love. Amen

05/17/2026

May 17th Service

Join us today as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord at 11:15 AM. We would love for you to also join the Adult Sunday at 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to join us in person you may listen to today’s sermon by clicking HERE.

Join us today as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord at 11:15 AM.  We would love for you to also join the Adult Sunday at 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. If you are unable to join us in pe…

05/16/2026

Feasting on the Word-May 17, 2026-Jesus’ Farewell Prayer

John 17:1-11
Let us dig into the meaning of Jesus prayer: “that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:11).

Welcome to the seventh and final Sunday of Easter.
“Jesus Christ is the light of the world.”

Opening Prayer - Christ is risen! Open our hearts to your Spirit, O Risen Lord, as we explore the Word. Amen.

Recall a time when you were part of a group that worked well together.
What does it take for the members of a group to work as a unified whole?

Today’s focus scripture is Jesus’ prayer for unity among believers.

This takes place at the end of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, immediately following the Last Supper. The focus verses are from a larger section commonly called Jesus’ Farewell Prayer or Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.

John 17:1-11 Jesus Prays to Be Glorified
17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

What does Jesus say about God in this prayer?

What are Jesus’ petitions for himself?

What is Jesus asking on behalf of his followers?

The theme of unity is important in Jesus’ prayers.
Do we trust that God does hear prayers and does answer them?

This is what Christian unity looks like—a body, as Paul said, with many parts, a dance with many dancers, a song with many voices. The challenge to us, in response to all this variety, is to say yes. Yes, those other people really are Christians too. Yes, there is pain in all this diversity, but there is also possibility. Yes, there is struggle, but there is also glory.

What role do individual Christians play in seeking and maintaining unity in the community of Christ?

In a time when great divisions threaten the unity of so many Christian communions, the importance of Jesus’ prayer that we believers may be one is striking. He prays from the context of the profound intimacy he enjoys with God, an intimacy that elsewhere in John, Jesus also ascribes to his relationship to the Spirit. Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit enjoy a positive interdependence that allows for difference. Perhaps this early Three-in-One theme is suggestive for how we may imagine our oneness in Christ.

What is our role in seeking and maintaining unity in our church?

How can prayer and fellowship be part of this time of seeking unity?

Closing Prayer - Creator God, thank you for the gift of your living Word, our risen Savior, Christ Jesus. Fill us with your Spirit to honor your plan and work with one another to boldly proclaim your word of truth.
Amen.