Begin Again: Listening to the Spirit

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." —Luke 4:18 

Next Sunday’s gospel reading, Luke 4:14-30, invites us into Jesus’ mission. Standing in his hometown synagogue, Jesus reads from Isaiah and proclaims a bold vision: to bring good news to the poor, release the captives, and let the oppressed go free. It’s a moment charged with hope and expectation. At first, the crowd is amazed. Then, when Jesus pushes their understanding of God’s grace beyond their comfort zone, they turn on him. It’s a story of inspiration and rejection, of hope and challenge. 

This reading feels personal to me as I prepare for one of my final sermons with you. It mirrors the mix of emotions we feel as we stand on the edge of change—a little hope, a little resistance, and a lot of wondering about what’s next. Just like Jesus challenged his hometown to see God’s work in new ways, I believe God is calling Bethany Lutheran to step into a new chapter, listening for where the Spirit is leading. 

Sometimes, the Spirit’s call feels as unsettling as it is empowering. I was reminded of this while reading about the wildfires in California. Firefighters and first responders faced an overwhelming, unpredictable force. Yet in the midst of the destruction, neighbors opened homes, strangers shared resources, and communities came together. One article described how a small library in a wildfire zone became a shelter, a place of refuge for evacuees. It wasn’t a role the library expected to play, but it became a place of hope in the chaos. 

In a way, this reflects the Spirit’s movement in our lives. The Spirit often shows up in unexpected places, through unexpected people, calling us to stretch beyond our boundaries. Like that library, we are invited to respond to the needs around us—even if it’s uncomfortable or wasn’t in our plans. What kind of church will Bethany be as you begin again? Will you be a place of refuge, a place of hope for those in need? 

As I reflect on the past 9 ½ years, I see so many moments where this congregation has risen to the call of the Spirit. You have fed the hungry, welcomed strangers, and created space for all voices to be heard. That doesn’t change when I step away. The Spirit’s call continues, as alive and active as ever. What’s next for Bethany Lutheran is not just about the next pastor to lead with Pastor Katie and the staff—it’s about all of you, listening for God’s voice and answering with courage and faith. 

Jesus’ message in next week’s gospel wasn’t easy for his hometown to hear. Sometimes, listening to the Spirit means letting go of old assumptions, stepping into the unknown, and embracing the discomfort of change. But it’s in those moments that we grow, that we become more fully the people God calls us to be. 

As we worship together next Sunday, I hope we can hold onto the theme of “Begin Again.” Let’s think about the Spirit’s movement in our lives and the life of this church. Let’s ask what boundaries we might be called to break, what new roles we might take on, and how we can carry God’s good news into the next chapter. 

Bethany, the Spirit is upon you. Let’s begin again—together.