Hymn Devo: What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
March 12, 2026

Reflections on “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” ELW #774

What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine

"What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms"

— From the hymn “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” ELW #774

I love the line in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?

It's a good question for us to reflect on when it feels like our lives or the world is spiraling out of control. Sometimes, we just need to zoom out; take a step back and remember that we are held by a force so much more powerful than whatever we are facing.

When we lean on God, we are not leaning on optimism. We are leaning on a Presence that has already walked through suffering and come out the other side. The cross itself tells us that even loss, rejection, death are not beyond God’s redeeming reach.

The Blessed Peace that our faith promises us is not, then, denial. It is defiance.

It is the quiet confidence that says:
Yes, this is frightening.
Yes, this matters deeply.
But I am not facing it alone.

What do we have to fear when the One who holds the universe also holds us?

God’s peace does not erase reality but rather it steadies us within it. It reminds us that whatever comes, love remains, and love is stronger.

Today’s affirmation:
God of peace,
when fear rises, steady me.
Help me lean into your presence
and trust that your love is greater than what I dread.

365: The History of the Church Section 1 Part 1

By Unknown • June 16, 2026

365: The History of the Church Section 1

By Unknown • June 15, 2026
This devotional series explores key moments in church history, divided into thematic and historical sections with several parts. It is a long and winding story that began on Pentecost and continues to be written by us and by the Holy Spirit today. SECTION 1 – The Church of the Holy Spirit The church began with breath.  A violent wind filled an upper room and scattered ordinary people into the world with extraordinary news. From that first Pentecost morning, the Spirit has been the church’s constant companion, guiding, correcting, and surprising us through twenty centuries of imperfect faithfulness. The devotions in this section explore pivotal moments when the Spirit moved through imperfect people to shape the church’s story. From Paul’s dramatic conversion to the Council of Jerusalem’s radical inclusion, we see the same God who breathed life into the first disciples still breathing life into us today. We are part of this continuing story; inheritors of a wind that refuses to be contained. Nate Preisinger Bethany Lutheran Church Sent with SubsplashUnsubscribe from all emails

365: Third Sunday after Pentecost

By Unknown • June 14, 2026
Click to watch video Today is the Third Sunday after PentecostWe encourage you to join in for worship at Bethany this weekend either in person or through our livestream.   For an additional devotional reflection, we invite you to watch this reflection from Pastors Gary and Nate on the Feast Day of Peter and Paul last year.Peter the humble fisherman. Paul the privileged Roman citizen. Two wildly different origin stories, yet both were rescued, transformed, and called by God to lead the early Church. Pastors Nate Preisinger and Gary Sandberg reflect on the shared feast day of Saints Peter and Paul and what their lives teach us about grace, redemption, and purpose. Through shame and denial, pride and persecution, God rescued Peter and Paul, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel. And that same story of rescue continues today. In baptism, in forgiveness, in community, we are rescued too. 365 Daily Devotional Bethany Lutheran Church Sent with SubsplashUnsubscribe from all emails
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