Together 4 Good: Making Sense of Life and Faith

Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA
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Welcome to Together 4 Good: Making Sense of Life and Faith, a podcast from Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA in Cherry Hills Village, CO. We talk about real life and real faith—the doubts, the hope, and the messy middle—through the lens of love, grace, and community. No judgment, just honest conversations about what it means to be human and to believe. Perfect for anyone curious about progressive Christianity or looking for a safe place to explore faith in today’s world.

  1. vor 20 Std. ·  Bonus

    Is the Good Samaritan Really About Being “Good”?

    We all know the story of the Good Samaritan. Most of us learned it in Sunday school as a lesson about being kind, helping others, and doing the right thing.But Jesus wasn’t just giving us another moral rule to follow.In this Sunday School Remix episode, I take a deeper look at Luke 10:25–37 and the moment that prompted Jesus to tell this parable in the first place. A lawyer—someone who knew all the religious rules—asked Jesus a familiar question: “Who is my neighbor?” Luke tells us he asked it hoping to justify himself.That detail matters.Because this story isn’t about earning goodness or proving you’re right. It’s about how easily religious rules can distract us from mercy—and how God keeps placing opportunities for compassion directly in our path.In this episode, we explore:Why Jesus tells this story in response to self-justificationHow religious rules can become barriers to compassionWhy the priest and Levite walk by—and why that made sense religiouslyWhy making the Samaritan the hero was so shockingHow humility is the starting point for real compassionWhat it looks like to notice the needs God places right in front of usThe Good Samaritan isn’t a story about being a better rule-follower. It’s an invitation to live a life shaped by mercy—again and again.📖 Scripture: Luke 10:25–37Key TakeawaysThe lawyer’s question isn’t about curiosity—it’s about self-justificationKnowing the rules doesn’t automatically lead to compassionMercy requires humility firstJesus centers the outsider as the example of faithful loveCompassion doesn’t mean fixing everything—it means noticing and respondingLearn More at https://linktr.ee/bethanydenver

    19 Min.

  2. vor 3 Tagen

    How Do Teens Find Faith, Service, and Belonging? A Conversation with Addison Andrix

    In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate talks with Addison Andrix, Bethany’s new youth director, about the youth mission trip to San Diego. They share stories from the road, service projects, border learning, late-night conversations, and the big faith questions students carried home with them. This is a conversation about youth ministry, compassion, privilege, community, and what happens when young people are invited to see the world with both honesty and hope. What You’ll Learn How Bethany youth served alongside organizations in San Diego Why mission trips create space for honest faith conversations How students wrestled with privilege, compassion, and justice What the group learned at the border about complexity and empathy Why service is not just about helping, but listening and building relationships Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who cares about youth, faith, service, and building a more compassionate world. Connect with Bethany: 📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO 🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    42 Min.

  3. 3. Juli ·  Bonus

    Sunday School Remix: What Is the Mustard Seed Really About

    What if the parable of the mustard seed is not just about something small becoming big? In this episode of Sunday School Remix, Pastor Nate looks at Luke 13:18-19 and invites us to see the kingdom of God as something disruptive, surprising, merciful, and deeply welcoming. Jesus’ vision is not empire, power, or control. It is small acts of mercy that make room for people to rest, belong, and find home. What You’ll Learn See the parable of the mustard seed in a new way Understand why Jesus compares God’s kingdom to a shrub Explore how small acts of mercy matter in God’s vision for the world Learn why the kingdom of God is not about empire or control Discover how faith can make room for the overlooked and unwanted Chapters 00:00 What if the mustard seed means more? 00:35 Why we mix up mustard seed stories 01:45 The kingdom of God is not about our faith 03:10 Why Jesus taught in parables 04:15 The context in Luke 13 05:30 Small acts of mercy matter 07:20 Why a shrub matters 08:35 Mustard as disruptive and invasive 10:00 Making room for the unwanted 11:25 Jesus, mercy, and belonging 12:30 Faith can be messy 13:15 The story did not end in Sunday school Like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who likes rethinking familiar Bible stories in a deeper, more honest way. Connect with Bethany:📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    15 Min.

  4. 30. Juni

    What Does Seminary Actually Teach You About Real Life? A Conversation with Kate Souther

    In this episode of Together for Good, Nate sits down with Kate Souther after her first year of seminary to talk about what big theology has to do with everyday life. They explore the Book of Job, loving people we tend to exclude, creation care, scapegoating, and why grace keeps us moving without despair. Kate also shares what is drawing her toward parish ministry and the holy gifts of baptism and communion. What You’ll Learn Ask honest questions when faith does not give easy answers. See how the Book of Job makes room for messy faith and hope. Connect creation care with grace, not shame. Notice how scapegoating harms neighbors and communities. Hear why baptism and communion still give the church hope. Chapters 0:00 Theology nerds rejoice: meet Kate Souther 1:00 Back from seminary and Bethany summer internship 2:00 Practical theology, service, and reflection 3:00 Embrace, exclusion, and loving people who are different 7:00 Scapegoating, blame, and breaking the cycle 13:00 Job, suffering, and faith without easy answers 20:00 Old Testament, New Testament, and the danger of splitting God 25:00 Creation care, climate change, and Christian hope 31:00 Grace, guilt, shame, and action shaped by love 34:00 Kate’s call to parish ministry and the sacraments 37:00 Closing thoughts and stay in peace If this conversation encouraged you, like this video, subscribe to Bethany, and share it with someone who cares about faith, hope, creation care, and honest dialogue. Connect with Bethany: 📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO 🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    38 Min.

  5. 26. Juni ·  Bonus

    Sunday School Remix: Why Did God Give the Ten Commandments?

    What if the Ten Commandments are not about earning God’s love, but about learning how to live after being set free? In this episode of Sunday School Remix, Pastor Nate looks at Exodus 20 and reframes the commandments as a gift rooted in grace, freedom, and community. God frees Israel first, then shows them a new way to live that does not repeat the fear, control, and exhaustion of Egypt. What You’ll Learn: See why Exodus 20 starts with freedom, not fear Understand how the commandments protect relationships Learn why Sabbath is a gift, not just a rule Notice how “no other gods” frees us from needing control Imagine a community shaped by grace, rest, truth, and love Chapters: 0:00 What if the Ten Commandments are about freedom? 0:35 Why we often hear them as rules 1:20 Why the preamble matters 2:05 God forms a people through the Word 3:30 Relationship comes before rules 5:10 Free people need a new way to live 6:10 The commandments as anti-Pharaoh rules 7:15 Why “no other gods” changes everything 9:10 Images, God’s name, and what we attach to God 10:35 Sabbath reminds us we are not machines 12:15 The commandments shape a different kind of community 13:15 Freedom takes practice 14:25 God is God, and we are not 15:25 Closing Like this video, subscribe to Bethany’s channel, and share it with someone who is rethinking faith, grace, or the Ten Commandments. Connect with Bethany: 📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO 🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    16 Min.

  6. 23. Juni

    How Can Faith Help Kids Talk About Anxiety? A Conversation with Deacon Debra Uppendahl-Alba

    What does faith have to say when life feels stressful, uncertain, or too much to carry alone? In this episode of Together 4 Good, Pastor Nate talks with Deacon Debra about Bethany Day Camp, the Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp curriculum, and how Philippians 4:6–7 helps kids and adults bring their anxiety, questions, and gratitude to God. What You’ll Learn: How Bethany’s Day Camp connects with Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Why Philippians 4 speaks honestly about anxiety and peace How kids can learn to bring every feeling to God Why gratitude does not erase hard things, but helps us see God in the moment How service and generosity help children put faith into action Chapters:00:00 Coming up on Together4Good 00:34 Welcome to the Bethany Art Room 01:00 How Deacon Debra joined the Rainbow Trail curriculum team 03:35 Turning big theology into kid-friendly lessons 05:12 Why Rainbow Trail creates its own ELCA curriculum 07:00 The work behind writing Day Camp lessons 09:16 Philippians 4:6–7 and the theme for the week 10:27 Talking with kids about anxiety and faith 11:27 God can handle every feeling 12:17 Deacon Debra’s personal connection to Philippians 4 13:24 Prayer, community, and letting go of control 14:12 Gratitude when life does not go as planned 16:00 Open hands, parenting, and living in the moment 17:35 Crafts, snacks, and hands-on learning 19:00 Day Camp outreach and collecting mac and cheese for IFCS 20:12 How Bethany’s gifts bless the wider church 21:10 Day Camp registration is still open If this conversation encouraged you, like this video, subscribe to Bethany’s YouTube channel, and share it with someone who could use a reminder that God is big enough to hold what we carry. Connect with Bethany:📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    22 Min.

  7. 19. Juni ·  Bonus

    Sunday School Remix: Adam & Eve — Shame, Blame, and the Real Story

    You’ve heard the story of Adam and Eve before: a snake, an apple, a garden, and a whole lot of trouble.But what if that’s not what the story was ever meant to be about?In this first episode of Sunday School Remix, Pastor Nate digs into the Garden of Eden story with grown-up eyes. Together, we look at how this ancient story speaks to our world today, where we still wrestle with control, guilt, and the temptation to “play God.”-Maybe the serpent wasn’t Satan.-Maybe the fruit wasn’t an apple.-And maybe the real “fall” was never about disobedience at all — but about shame and blame.In this episode:-The surprising details Genesis actually says (and doesn’t say)-Why calling the serpent “Satan” misses the point-The connection between the fig tree and Jesus’ last week-How shame and blame became humanity’s oldest reflex-What it means to let God be God — and live unashamed✨ Sunday School Remix is a new Together 4 Good series re-examining familiar Bible stories to uncover what they really tell us about faith, humanity, and grace today.📍 Listen & Subscribe:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/together-4-good-making-sense-of-life-and-faith/id1529196060 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFHcs9xjcRK54uXJzUBbH?si=VwBUEjyQQnieXyKHdkcfvA 💬 Tell us what story you want to see remixed next! 🙏 Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA | Cherry Hills Village, CO https://linktr.ee/bethanydenver

    20 Min.

  8. 16. Juni

    How Can Churches Help Immigrants and Refugees Today? A Conversation with Rev. Eric Shafer

    Pastor Nate talks with Pastor Eric Shafer, Pastor in Residence at Global Refuge, about refugees, immigration, faith, and what it means to love our neighbors in real life. This Together 4 Good conversation explores why refugee support is deeply connected to Christian faith, Lutheran history, and the biblical call to welcome the stranger. Eric shares how Global Refuge supports immigrants and refugees through welcome centers, legal support, community partnerships, and long-term care. Together, Nate and Eric talk about how churches can respond with compassion, clarity, prayer, learning, advocacy, and action. What You’ll Learn: What refugees are and why safety is central to the conversation Why Scripture calls Christians to welcome immigrants and refugees How Global Refuge helps people rebuild their lives How Lutheran churches have supported refugee resettlement for decades How individuals and congregations can help refugees through prayer, giving, learning, and advocacy Chapters:00:00 Coming up on Together 4 Good00:36 Meet Pastor Eric Shafer of Global Refuge03:34 Why refugee ministry is part of a pastor’s call05:00 What Scripture says about welcoming strangers05:45 A bold claim about faith, immigrants, and refugees07:44 Responding to pushback with faith and compassion09:23 The Lutheran history of refugee support11:00 Refugees, asylum, and common misunderstandings11:35 What does refugee mean?14:00 What Global Refuge welcome centers do16:20 How Jesus responds to people in need17:30 Why immigration needs order and compassion20:30 How people and churches can help refugees21:20 Faith Alliance training for congregations22:00 Advocacy, local support, and prayer25:00 World Refugee Day and Lutheran history26:00 Gratitude for churches supporting refugee work If this conversation helped you think more clearly about faith, refugees, immigration, and loving your neighbor, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may want to learn more about Global Refuge and how churches can support refugee neighbors. Connect with Bethany:📍 Bethany Lutheran Church – Denver, CO🌐 Learn more: www.bethany-denver.org

    26 Min.
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Welcome to Together 4 Good: Making Sense of Life and Faith, a podcast from Bethany Lutheran Church ELCA in Cherry Hills Village, CO. We talk about real life and real faith—the doubts, the hope, and the messy middle—through the lens of love, grace, and community. No judgment, just honest conversations about what it means to be human and to believe. Perfect for anyone curious about progressive Christianity or looking for a safe place to explore faith in today’s world.

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