In 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

A Monk and a Nun Walk into a Church

Dec 5th, 2020

NEW PODCAST! Imagine the controversy when a Monk (Martin Luther) and a Nun (Katharina Von Bora) walk into a church and get married! This love story didn't start out that way! Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone walk through the history of how Ma

Martin Luther Part 2

Oct 19th, 2020

In this 2nd part of the series, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss even more about the critical contribution of Martin's interaction with the Roman Empire and his impact on our beliefs and practices as Lutherans. We talk about the back

Martin Luther Part 1

Sep 28th, 2020

Did you know that Martin Luther's real last name was Luder!? What do you think that Luther's father's job was? You can join us in a little bit of trivia and find out! Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone share some history of Martin Luther's upbr

Jesus' Greatest Hits

Jul 18th, 2020

We aren't letting the virus keep us down! Bethlehem Backchat's newest podcast focuses on Jesus' Greatest Hits. Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone discuss a list of 7 very important pieces of scripture from the Gospels. Pastor Dan picked 2, of course,

Fear

May 23rd, 2020

During uncertain times, it is easy to become fearful. Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the guidance that we are given in the Bible around fear. What are we to do with emotions during seasons of uncertainty and isolation? Give a liste

The 23rd Psalm

Mar 25th, 2020

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone talk a lot about shepherds and sheep! The 23rd Psalm is one of the best known and the meaning is very rich if you understand the metaphor. We walk through the Psalm to compare the love of God

Teaching the Bible to Children

Feb 2nd, 2020

How do you teach the Bible to young children when the concepts are very complex and some content is downright frightening! In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail, Wendy Farone, and special guest, Pastor Ellen Lundie discuss how to teach young ones

Faith

Dec 9th, 2019

What is faith? Hebrews 11: 1 states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." In this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the meaning of faith, how to know if you have it, how much fa

Lutheranism: East Meets West

Nov 22nd, 2019

In this episode, Wendy Farone visits Central Portland Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. Pastor Amanda Zenz-Alo and Dawn Miller, members at Central, lead a discussion of how our congregations are the same and different as Lutherans on the ea

The Love of Money

Sep 23rd, 2019

We live in a society and culture focused on money, but according to Luke 16:13 "You cannot serve God and wealth." In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the "love of money." According to 1 Timothy, "The love of money is the

Hell

Aug 3rd, 2019

In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone further their discussion about what happens when we die (see #20 Heaven Podcast) with a chat about hell. What are your present concepts of hell…or misconceptions? Discover the scriptural pers

Heaven

Jun 7th, 2019

On this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss heaven. There are a lot of references to heaven in the Bible: 246 in the Old Testament and 248 in the New Testament (NRSV). But, what is heaven? Where is heaven? How do we get there? T

Confirmation

Apr 29th, 2019

On this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the topic of confirmation--the affirmation of our baptism. Confirmation involves deep study in what it means to be a Lutheran. Join us in this important conversation and understanding.

Baptism

Mar 17th, 2019

Have you recently attended a worship service that started with a baptism? Do you have a true understanding of what you are experiencing? In this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss baptism and address many common questions on

The Beatitudes

Feb 7th, 2019

So...What is a Beatitude? During this podcast, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone walk through this critical piece of the Sermon on the Mount. A beatitude is a promise that's held forth to us, a word of hope for people who need to hear hope.

The Sermon on the Mount

Jan 3rd, 2019

The Sermon on the Mount is known as one of the best sermons ever preached. It is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 5, 6, & 7). Pastor Dan Smail a

The Bible by Design

Dec 11th, 2018

The Bible is a collection of sacred texts--66 books in all. But how is it designed, how was it put together? Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss this book of scripture sharing a little background and how to read it moving forward.

Mission Trip: Sharing of Time, Talent, and Treasures

Dec 11th, 2018

The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) brings volunteers and communities together through critical home repair and replacement. Each year, Bethlehem Lutheran Church gathers their tools and spends a week in the summer helping to make a family in

Luther's Small Catechism

Dec 11th, 2018

Luther's Small Catechism has served as the basic instruction book for the church for nearly 5 centuries! In this episode, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the importance of this little book with a big message.

Being and Making Disciples

Dec 11th, 2018

We are called to be and make disciples (Matt 28:19). But, what does it mean to be a disciple? Further, how do we make disciples? Pastor Dan and Wendy Farone discuss what we are called to do...let's get started!

Saints and Lent Madness

Dec 11th, 2018

What are saints? Why doesn't Lutheran tradition focus on saints like other traditions?

Our Lutheran Worship Service

Nov 17th, 2018

Are you ready to capture the fullness of our worship life together? Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone walk through the bulletin and the what's and why's of our Lutheran Worship Service. We take a deep dive into the nuances and meaning of the c

Sin

Sep 3rd, 2018

As an extension of the previous podcast on Forgiveness, Pastor Dan Smail and Wendy Farone discuss the topic of sin. What is it really? How does Jesus dying on the cross take away my sins? We discuss the 7 'deadly sins' but also the 7 virtues w