Latest Best lutheran podcast Podcast Episodes
Lutheran Senior Life is Amazing!
Bethlehem Backchat - May 28, 2024 21:00 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone discuss the offerings available through Lutheran Senior Life with our guest, fellow Lutheran, Vice-President of Development and President of Lutheran Senior Life Foundation, Jane Bittcher. You will be amazed at how much is offered whether you are a se...
Christ Has Died, Christ Has Risen; Christ Will Come Again.
Bethlehem Backchat - April 17, 2024 18:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone discuss the promise that "Christ Has Died." [We know that from Good Friday]; "Christ Has Risen." [Yes! Risen Indeed!] and "Christ Will Come Again." OK, when? What does all that mean? We also talk about why the Easter season lasts for several weeks. Yo...
Understanding the Psalms
Bethlehem Backchat - February 27, 2024 00:00 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss how to engage in the Psalms. They are unique and need to be approached in a way different from other scriptures. Are the Psalms poetry, songs, or prayers? How do we read them to get the most understanding? Why do we read them responsivel...
Josh Kenst on Mission in Senegal, West Africa
Bethlehem Backchat - January 27, 2024 01:00 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone speak with Josh Kenst, who is serving as a missionary/volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. Josh is part of the YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission) initiative through the ELCA. His mission is for one year and he shares his experience in building ...
Spiritual But Not Religious or Spiritual AND Religious
Bethlehem Backchat - November 30, 2023 03:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the common phrase, "I'm spiritual but not religious." What does that actually mean? Discussion surrounds the cultural meaning of 'spiritual' compared to the Christian meaning of 'spiritual.' In addition, there is some interesting insight...
How to Listen to a Sermon
Bethlehem Backchat - September 12, 2023 02:00 - 40 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsListening for specific things within a sermon can help you get the most out of the sermon message! In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone offer suggestions that may plant a seed that helps your understanding grow. We will discuss the purpose and intention of the sermon, how long a se...
Seeking Spiritual Counsel
Bethlehem Backchat - August 15, 2023 22:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsLife is stressful and we all need help getting through difficult times! In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the importance of reaching out for guidance and support when needed. Our special guest, Mark Heinbockel of Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, offers services availabl...
Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Sayings That are not Biblical
Bethlehem Backchat - June 15, 2023 03:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss those sayings that we say all the time that are not often used as the scripture intended or are not biblical at all! Does God close a door and open a window? Does everything happen for a reason? Does God have a plan for you and what is t...
Atonement: A Relationship Restored
Bethlehem Backchat - May 07, 2023 18:00 - 38 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss "at-one-ment" in other words, atonement. God promises us relationship with Him and He is faithful in doing so. But, we keep messing up--it is in our human nature. How do we reconcile or make repentance for such a situation? We don't have...
Easter the Reason for the Season
Bethlehem Backchat - March 27, 2023 03:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsJust in time for Easter! Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone explain the background and backstory of Holy Week. Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday are described so that full meaning and understanding can be experienced in worship. This is a podcast you will surely want to listen to before and during ...
Chatting with the Bethlehem Youth
Bethlehem Backchat - February 14, 2023 23:00 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThis year our 8th grade confirmands reach their formal learning toward becoming official members of the church. They have participated in 3 full years of learning about the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the New Testament, and Lutheranism. During this discussion, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone...
Pastor Dan Goes to Israel
Bethlehem Backchat - January 21, 2023 04:00 - 43 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the Pastor's recent trip to Israel. A 13-hour trip to Tel Aviv, bus rides, security checks and travel in general seems to be worth the experience of visiting the Holy Land. Pastor Dan offers insight into what the people and landscape is l...
Why is Jesus' Birth Such a Big Deal?
Bethlehem Backchat - December 12, 2022 03:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone answer many questions surrounding the true 'reason for the season' including: Why did Jesus have to be born in the first place? Why did God send Jesus as an infant? Why send Jesus into a place that is so lowly? What was God's hope for creation i...
You'll Never Experience Worship the Same Way Again! Part 2
Bethlehem Backchat - November 20, 2022 02:00 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone summarize the key points from Part 1 and discuss the meaning and significance in the worship service. This includes the pillars of worship including the Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. The liturgy is designed in such a way that our spirit, f...
You'll Never Experience Worship the Same Way Again! Part 1
Bethlehem Backchat - October 06, 2022 00:00 - 54 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone walk through the first half of a worship service using the bulletin as a guide. Download a bulletin here and follow along or visit our website at www.belc.org and click on the Worship Bulletins button. You will be amazed by the intention and pur...
Is God Mad at Me?
Bethlehem Backchat - August 14, 2022 03:00 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsHave you ever said, "What have I done to deserve this? God must be mad at me?" Does God get mad at us and punish us for our behaviors? During this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone offer some guidance in this commonly misunderstood concept of God's character.
Is Free Will a Good Thing?
Bethlehem Backchat - June 28, 2022 01:00 - 38 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWe are free to choose, right? What are the consequences of our decisions? Are we making the correct ones? God gives humans the ability to choose. Therefore, humans do have free will. But, in our sinful, human nature, do we really make the ones that serve us and God well? In this episode, Pastor ...
Getting Right With God
Bethlehem Backchat - May 19, 2022 02:00 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss what it means to 'get right with God.' Many believe that being a 'good person' or doing 'good things' makes one righteous. Lutheran tradition is that we have "justification by grace through faith apart from the works of the law." How do ...
Oh Lord, It's Hard to Be Humble
Bethlehem Backchat - April 08, 2022 01:00 - 40 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThere is an old Mac Davis song called It’s Hard to be Humble that begins, “Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” This satirical song points out how quickly we determine our place as above that of others. At times we believe that the blessings we have received are of...
Self-Control: Fruits of the Spirit
Bethlehem Backchat - February 28, 2022 04:00 - 40 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsLove, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. These are the Fruits of the Spirit. These are the attributes of a person living in accordance with the scripture (Galatians 5:22-23). Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss these attributes and how they ...
Why Should I Go to Church?
Bethlehem Backchat - January 17, 2022 01:00 - 39 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsShould you go to church? Yes, for a lot of reasons! By the way, guilt is not one of them. Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone share several reasons why you should come to church. The church community and the learning of the scriptures can bring fulfillment and blessings into your life. Who doesn't...
Mysticism and the Church
Bethlehem Backchat - December 03, 2021 04:00 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWhat does the word "mysticism" conjure up in your mind? And what does it have to do with church? In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail, Associate Pastor Ellen Lundie, and Wendy Farone discuss the true meaning of mysticism and what it could mean for our lives in faith? We will talk about some histori...
Taking the Lord's Name in Vain
Bethlehem Backchat - October 31, 2021 00:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThe Third Commandment is Do not take the Lord your God’s name in vain...But, what does that really mean? Are we being told to stop swearing or is it more than that? In this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss two main points about this commandment: First, that we probably break it...
The Book of Jonah: It's SO not about a Whale!
Bethlehem Backchat - September 10, 2021 22:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the Book of Jonah. We tend to think of this story as being about a cute whale and a man inside who gets spit onto the seashore. But, the Story is SO not about a whale. or spit, for that matter. The 'big fish' is actually called Leviatha...
Temptations: Getting Practical About a Very Serious Topic
Bethlehem Backchat - July 01, 2021 02:00 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsDo you get road rage? Jealous of the neighbor's vacations? We are tempted by a force within us that tells us that we aren't enough, that we need to do more, have more, work harder or react to a situation in an emotional way. In this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the true me...
Pulling Out All The Stops: The Importance of Music in Worship
Bethlehem Backchat - June 01, 2021 02:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsPastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone are joined by Director of Music, Laura Henri, to discuss the importance of communion with Christ and each other through music in worship. We found out some secret talents of our Bethlehem pastors, too! Lots of links in the show notes to explore! Living Lutheran...
Chatting With the Bishop
Bethlehem Backchat - April 12, 2021 23:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsSo...I forgot to hit record! I left in the outtake! Take Two! In this episode Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone chat with Bishop Kurt Kusserow serving the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. Discussion focuses on what a synod is and does and how it fulfills the mission "To serve, connect & equip E...
Parables: What's Your Point?
Bethlehem Backchat - March 08, 2021 22:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss “the point” of a parable. Jesus was genius in His design and approach to teaching in this way. We discuss three main parts to look for in a parable including a complete thought, a point being made (spiritual wisdom), and a deeper underst...
Hope
Bethlehem Backchat - January 17, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone ask an important question, "GOT HOPE?" Hope is something we all need. But, do you truly understand what hope is? Christian hope is different than being a positive thinker or trusting that it will all turn out alright. In trying or unstable tim...
Got Hope?
Bethlehem Backchat - January 17, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIn this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone ask an important question, "GOT HOPE?" Hope is something we all need. But, do you truly understand what hope is? Christian hope is different than being a positive thinker or trusting that it will all turn out alright. In trying or unstable tim...
Related Best lutheran podcast Topics