Sermons By Alan Bentrup

Today in our children’s message, we talked about Lincoln Logs. These are simple wooden toys that have been around for more than one hundred years. While many toys break or get thrown away, Lincoln Logs are still around and still loved. They remind us that some things are worth coming back to again and again.We also told the story of three young men in the Bible. Their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were thrown into a hot fire because they would not worship a golden statue. But God did not leave them. He stayed with them. And something amazing happened. While they were in the fire, they sang.Their song said things like, “Sun and moon, bless the Lord.Fire and frost, bless the Lord.People everywhere, bless the Lord.” And they sang this again and again: “Praise God forever.”The golden statue is gone now. It did not last. But their song is still with us. And God’s love is still with us too.We learned that God’s love never runs out. It does not fade away when we are sad or afraid. It does not stop

In this week’s sermon, we reflect on what lasts.We begin with a story about Abraham Lincoln’s cabin. Not the original one, but a recreated version in Kentucky that still draws visitors. Why? Because the story it tells - about humility, strength, and endurance - still matters.From that same story came something simple but lasting: Lincoln Logs. For over 100 years, children have played with these wooden pieces. They’re not flashy. They’re not high-tech. But we keep returning to them, because they speak to something we trust.That’s the kind of love we hear about in Canticle 13 — the song sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the middle of the fiery furnace. They were thrown into danger for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, a towering idol built to impress and control.But while that statue is long gone, their song still echoes:The contrast is clear: idols fall, empires fade, feelings change. But God’s love endures.This sermon invites us to stop chasing what won’t last, and return instead to

In this sermon from our Historical Markers summer series, we explore a story of healing at the Pool of Bethesda, and the surprising grace of Jesus. Set alongside the history of Mineral Wells, Texas, once known for its “healing waters,” we reflect on how many of us are still striving for healing, wholeness, and purpose.But what if grace doesn’t meet us in our hustle?What if Jesus shows up not when we’re scrambling to fix ourselves, but when we stop, sit still, and finally let go?Drawing from John 5:1–9, we discover a man who had been sick for 38 years, unable to get to the healing waters. And yet, it’s there, in his stillness and surrender, that Jesus comes to him.This sermon reminds us:• You don’t have to prove yourself for God to love you.• Even serving at church can become a way of trying to earn grace.• God doesn’t need the organist, the ushers—or even the priest—for grace to arrive.• And if we’re too busy—even doing good things—we might miss the healing standing right in front of us.Historical Marker + Go

I preach about teachers, students, and remembering that we are loved. The text is John 13:31-35.

I preach about main characters, God's call, and how love is shown through everyday people. The text is Acts 9:36-43.

I preach about Jesus' presence in the locked rooms of our lives, from John 20:19-31.

Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!

I preach on Good Friday, from John 18:1-19:42.

My Maundy Thursday sermon, from John 13:1-17, 31b-35.

I kick off our Holy Week series, preaching on Luke 23:1-49 in "Woven Together: Palm Sunday."

The Rev. Alan Bentrup preaches about God's extravagant love in John 12:1-8.

I preach about God's unrelenting love through the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

My sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent. The scripture for today is:Genesis 15:1-12,17-18Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 13:31-35

God is near, even on the First Sunday of Lent.Readings for this week:⁠Deuteronomy 26:1-11⁠⁠Romans 10:8b-13⁠⁠Luke 4:1-13⁠

My sermon for Ash Wednesday, 2025. The readings are:Joel 2:1-2,12-172 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

I preach about trust for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. The readings are:Jeremiah 17:5-101 Corinthians 15:12-20Luke 6:17-26Psalm 1

I preach on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. Today's readings: Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Psalm 29

Let's talk about St. Martin, looking at Matthew 25:31-46. Sorry for the quality. We're still replacing our video equipment after our electrical surge and this was shot on a cell phone.

Alan Bentrup preaches on God's mercy, looking at James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37. It is the second part in our sermon series on James, "A Faith that Works."

What do Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch teach us about God's love?