FPC Bellingham

FPC Bellingham

Sermons, interviews, music, stories, seasonal content, worship service excerpts and more, from First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, WA. See more at www.fpcbellingham.org.

  1. Big Belonging: Five Sisters [May 3, 2026]

    1D AGO

    Big Belonging: Five Sisters [May 3, 2026]

    In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live May 3, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Five Sisters God stands on the side of those treated unjustly, so we advocate for justice. Why was the daughters’ request unusual or significant in that cultural context?What does God’s response reveal about His character?How does this passage show that God’s law can address real-life situations?What does this story suggest about advocacy and speaking up for what is right?When have you needed to speak up for something just or fair?Numbers 27:1-11 1 Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward. Zelophehad was son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh, son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness; he was not among the congregation of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the congregation of Korah but died for his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.” 5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying; you shall indeed let them possess an inheritance among their father’s brothers and pass the inheritance of their father on to them. 8 You shall also speak to the Israelites, saying: If a man dies and has no son, then you shall pass his inheritance on to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. It shall be for the Israelites a statute and ordinance, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

    24 min
  2. Big Belonging: Joe - Part 3 [April 26, 2026]

    APR 29

    Big Belonging: Joe - Part 3 [April 26, 2026]

    In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 26, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Joe - Part 3 Harmful bad things happen, and God uses them for good.Trust in the God of grace amidst all circumstances. Why do you think Joseph weeps so openly in this moment?How does Joseph reinterpret the harm his brothers caused?What steps toward reconciliation can you learn from Joseph?What does Joseph’s statement about evil and good reveal about God’s character?How does Joseph demonstrate genuine forgiveness in his response?Is there someone you need to forgive or reconcile with?Genesis 45:1-15 1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me; do not delay. 10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there, since there are five more years of famine to come, so that you and your household and all that you have will not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. 13 You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them, and after that his brothers talked with him. Genesis 50:15-21 15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” 16 So they approached[a] Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21 So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

    26 min
  3. Big Belonging: Joe - Part 2 [April 19, 2026]

    APR 21

    Big Belonging: Joe - Part 2 [April 19, 2026]

    In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 19, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Gini Bunnell. Joe - Part 2 Life is not fair, betrayal hurts, so live with integrity. What does it mean that “the Lord was with Joseph”? How is that shown practically?What does Joseph’s response to temptation reveal about his character and beliefs?What role does power and authority play in this situation?What does Joseph’s example teach about setting boundaries?What does it look like to trust God when your situation doesn’t improve?What encouragement can you take from Joseph’s life if you are in a season of waiting or hardship?Genesis 39:1-20 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3 Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. 5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6 So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 It came about after these events that his master’s wife looked with desire at Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” 10 As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her. 11 Now it happened one day that he went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the household was there inside. 12 She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me!” And he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside. 13 When she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled outside, 14 she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought in a Hebrew to us to make sport of us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I screamed. 15 When he heard that I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled and went outside.” 16 So she left his garment beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with these words, “The Hebrew slave, whom you brought to us, came in to me to make sport of me; 18 and as I raised my voice and screamed, he left his garment beside me and fled outside.” 19 Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” his anger burned. 20 So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail.

    25 min
  4. Big Belonging: Easter [April 5, 2026]

    APR 14

    Big Belonging: Easter [April 5, 2026]

    In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 5, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Luke 24:13-35 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

    27 min
  5. Big Belonging: Peculiar Treasures [March 29, 2026]

    APR 2

    Big Belonging: Peculiar Treasures [March 29, 2026]

    In 2026, FPC is celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Tim Barton, recorded live March 29, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.Peculiar Treasures What message does God tell Moses to give to the people?What instructions are given for preparing to meet with God?What does the phrase “I carried you on eagles’ wings” suggest about God’s character and care?What do the thunder, lightning, smoke, and trumpet sound reveal about God’s holiness and power?In what ways has God “carried” or helped you in your own life journey?How should an awareness of God’s holiness shape worship and daily living?How does this chapter prepare the reader for the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20? Exodus 19:3-6 3 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6 but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” 1 Peter 2:99 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

    21 min
  6. Big Belonging: Singing Victory [March 15, 2026]

    MAR 18

    Big Belonging: Singing Victory [March 15, 2026]

    In 2026, we are celebrating Big Belonging: that we belong to God, we are beloved by Him, and that He delights in us. Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live March 15, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Brad Day. Singing Victory God is able to triumph gloriously even when all appears to be lost, put your trust in the God Waymaker. Why is singing an appropriate response to deliverance?What does calling the Lord “a warrior” (v.3) reveal about His character?How does this song connect God’s past salvation to future promises?What does this passage teach about corporate (community) worship?What has God delivered you from that deserves praise?How can music or worship strengthen your faith?Exodus 15:1-21 15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he cast into the sea; his elite officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power— your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrew your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble. 8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue; I will overtake; I will divide the spoil; my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’ 10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode. 14 The peoples heard; they trembled; pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia. 15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; trembling seized the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away. 16 Terror and dread fell upon them; by the might of your arm, they became still as a stone until your people, O Lord, passed by, until the people whom you acquired passed by. 17 You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.” 19 When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”

    28 min

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Sermons, interviews, music, stories, seasonal content, worship service excerpts and more, from First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, WA. See more at www.fpcbellingham.org.