25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

~ Matthew 11:25-30

The weather has officially begun to change, the kids are back at school, programs are starting back up, vacations are done, Confirmation Day is soon, Christmas and New Year plannings have already begun for some people, and before we know it, we are going to be in 2026. We are headed into the fourth quarter crunch. It’s easy, during these times of high stress, to lose focus on those things that continue to feed our soul rather than that which demands our attention. It’s easy to lose sight not only of the cross, but also the people that God has placed in our lives to help else on this journey.

We are reminded constantly by a God that accompanies us, that we do not journey alone.

Even the very nature of our God is communal being a God of three persons. One of our most sacred rites is done around a table and we call it communion as we are in communion with God and with one another, saints both living and that have gone before us. Despite being a society to places value on hyper individualism, God has placed us in intentional community with one another so that we might live together as one people.

There is a saying more than it is scripture that is thrown around a lot that God won’t give you more than you can handle. Folks, that is a big steamy pile of bull***. There are several places in scripture where folks are begging for an end to their suffering because their burdens are just too great. (see the book of Jonah) But what we do see is that there is hope on the other side and that the burdens aren’t ours alone to carry. God does not leave our side even in the deepest of valleys and God’s people… God’s people are everywhere in the love in support that comes through Jesus Christ.

With care during this changing season,

Pastor Joseph Doegen

Introduction

A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s-worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them with thanksgiving.

  ¹ Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for sin are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come! ² It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to sin. ³ Be on your guard! If a brother or sister sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. ⁴ And if the same person sins against you seven times a day and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”
  ⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ⁶ The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
  ⁷ “Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? ⁸ Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? ⁹ Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’ ”

Our Funding Forward group is inviting you into the conversation!

We have three brave members of our conversation who are reading Funding Forward and meeting with other churches to explore new ways of doing ministry together. They would like to bring this back to the congregation in a tangible way by inviting you into the conversation. We figured the best way to do this would to meet after church a couple of times a month while reading the book and hearing from the Funding Forward team what they've learned in their trips. 

We can place an order for books together with the church. The cost of the book is $26. If you need help getting the book, please let Pastor Joseph know. There are funds available. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex. 

More about the book can be found here: Funding Forward: A Pathway to More Sustainable Models for Ministry | Augsburg Fortress

We've updated our website to reflect who is currently on Council! You can find this here or at https://www.dellsbethanychurch.org/about/our-team

Monday

Office Hours: 9AM-12PM

Commemoration of William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536

Tuesday

Office Hours: 9AM-12PM

Commemoration of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787

Wednesday

Office Hours: 9AM-12PM

Thursday

Office Hours: 9AM-12PM

Friday

Office Closed

Commemoration of Massie L. Kennard, renewer of the church, died 1986

Saturday

Office Closed

Sunday - 18th Sunday after Pentecost

Worship: 9AM