Bethel Lutheran Church Cupertino Bethel Lutheran Church Cupertino

Family of God

And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:34–35



Jesus’ ministry and teaching reveals the Kingdom of God.
It was received as liberation by many, and often opposed by religious leaders.
Jesus is also rarely understood.
When Jesus is told that his mother and brothers were there to visit him, he redefines the nature of kinship.
It is those who do the will of God that are my brothers and sisters.
This was a radical and challenging redefinition of family, that the disciples (and us) may have struggled with.
Join us Sunday as we consider this teaching and more.



Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Sabbath Blessings

Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.”
Mark 2:27
Mark 2:27



Jesus had a series of escalating, tension filled encounters with the religious leaders of his day.
In our gospel story for Sunday, Jesus knowingly breaks sabbath laws in order to do something good for others.
He becomes angered when the Pharisees become so fixated on following rules that they rule out helping others on the sabbath.
God created the sabbath as a time of rest and recovery.
It is built into the structure of creation and central to the Jewish faith.
It is meant to be a liberating gift from God, not simply an ordinance to be adhered to.
Join us Sunday as we consider the gift of sabbath.



Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Holy Trinity

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3:16



This week we celebrate Trinity Sunday, focusing on the nature of God as 3-in-1 and 1-in-3.
At the core of God’s nature is love.
Wherever love is found in the world, we see God at work.
God’s love is most fully demonstrated with Jesus on the cross.
God loves the world so fully that he gives himself, even to the point of death on the cross.
Join us Sunday as we consider God’s love and what it means for our life.



Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Spirit Power

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Acts 2:1–4



The festival of Pentecost was an occasion for Jewish pilgrims to gather in Jerusalem 50 days after the Passover.
This provided an opportune moment for the disciples to share the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
There was only a minor problem; everyone spoke different languages!
Not to worry God says, I will provide the power of the Holy Spirit to allow everyone to hear the gospel in their native language.
Such is the power of the Holy Spirit, through which God empowers us to God’s work in the world.
Join us Sunday as we celebrate the Holy Spirit at both services and Confirmation at 10:45am.



Message delivered by Pastor Ben Sandin.

Showing Up

Message delivered by Chris Christensen.

Easter Prayer

Message delivered by Pastor Nathan Winterhof.