Nature Camp: Seeing the Story
Trees hold stories. With each year of growth, a ring is added to the trunk’s diameter. By cutting a cross section, we can look at the rings and learn about the tree’s lifetime—years of drought or abundance, scars from injury or disease. We can look at the silhouette and notice patterns that indicate the presence […]
Familiar Face: Symbol or Savior? (Part 2)
Jesus told his disciples three times that he would rise from the dead on the third day. Yet when they actually confronted the reality of his resurrection, they were full of doubt and fear. A study of Mark 16.1-8.
Familiar Face: Symbol or Savior (Part 1)
There were many agendas surrounding Jesus as he made his entry into Jerusalem. Today, we have many ways of turning Jesus into a symbol of our own ambitions or needs. A study of Mark 11.1-10.
Amazing Love: IWBS’s Easter Gathering
This Easter, join Ithaca Women’s Bible Study (IWBS) as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid. Let us celebrate the freedom found in His amazing love and together proclaim that new life, strength, and hope are found in Christ alone. Our Easter Gathering takes place Thursday, April 17, from 9:30 to 11:30am in […]
Wisdom at Work: Contented
When your work is done, what do you have? So often, our work ethic just empowers us to build an alienated life of discontent. It doesn’t have to be that way. A study of Proverbs 15.16-17.
God’s Faithfulness to the Emr Family by Brenda Ross & Michelle Emr
If you started attending Bethel Grove during the pandemic, you may not know Scott and Michelle Emr. BG became their church home in 2007 after relocating from California. In 2017, Scott’s mother, Evelyn, came to Ithaca to be nearby. Health challenges, including hospice care, necessitated that she move in with Scott and Michelle. The three […]
Wisdom at Work: Persistent
Sometimes the only way to accomplish your work is by sheer persistence. What does God’s wisdom saw about those times when work is unrewarding? A study of Proverbs 14.23.
Breaking Bread: A Basic Discipleship Method
Jesus frequently broke bread with his followers, both the disciples and the thousands of others he was teaching. The most recognizable instance is The Last Supper, which we can read in all four Gospels. This instance is joined by Jesus feeding with the five thousand and four thousand in Matthew 14 and 15 respectively, eating […]
Wisdom at Work: Driven
We were designed to work on big, ambitious tasks. But the world is fallen and our progress is always eroding. What is God’s wisdom for this challenge? A study of Proverbs 16.26. (Pastor Raley answers questions on this sermon in a second video below.)
BG’s Egg Scramble: Layers of Engagement
Kingdom KidsImagine arriving at our church campus as a visitor to the Egg Scramble, and seeing the lawns covered with colorful plastic eggs. A group of smiling faces are there to greet new arrivals and tell them about the many activities being offered. Inside, adults are enjoying homemade baked goods and a cup of hot […]
Fast Friends: Character
Our friendships are a mirror into our character, revealing what we truly love. A study of Proverbs 27.6 and 29.5. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Fast Friends: Fruit
Friendships are the fruit of our words. If we want to change our friendships for the better, we have to see our hearts transformed. A study of Proverbs 18.21.
Man Up this Friday!
Frank Smalley started BG’s Man Up group to urge men to build deeper community and learn biblical principles through the “Authentic Manhood Bible Study.” We want men to become who we’re created to be. Authentic Manhood offers:~ A Gospel-centered, trusted resource.~ Practical insight into real-life issues.~ Authentic community among men.~ Diverse content that reaches a […]
Fast Friends: Nourishment
Friendships can be poisoned or nourished over time by how we speak to each other. A study of Proverbs 27.9 and 10.17. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in two additional videos below.)
For the Safety of Our Children
The past fifteen years have witnessed astronomical advancements in digital technology. Modern-day society has greatly benefited from increased opportunities for learning, community-building, and relational connections despite geographical distance. But the benefits of engaging with digital technology and social media have come with challenges, especially for youth. Social psychologists Jean Twenge, Jonathan Haidt, and others show […]
Preparing for Ecuador
In preparation for our trip to Ecuador in April, the team has come together regularly for bonding and growth. One memorable experience was our Spanish lunch, where we cooked alongside BG’s Spanish small group, challenging ourselves to communicate and collaborate despite language barriers. This experience taught us to adapt to different cultures, rely on context […]
Fast Friends: Companions
American society is in the grip of a loneliness epidemic that affects our mental and physical health. What does God’s wisdom teach us about friendship? A study of Proverbs 7.4-5.
Handling the Hard Conversation
“If I don’t hear from God, I’m going to kill myself at the end of the semester.” The casual weekend meal took a dramatic turn as the student began venting his frustration. I knew that his father had been killed in the line of duty several years ago, and that this student and his family […]
Welcome, Pastors Andrew Mwenge and Dave Jones!
It is such a blessing to watch the ministry of Partnerships for Training Pastors flourish under the leadership of Dave and Joyce Jones. Dave served for many years at BG as an associate and then lead pastor. During those years and through connections fostered by Susan Hay (see photo below), Uganda became a BG missions […]
Time Sensitive: Lifetimes
To gain God’s wisdom for how we use our time, we need to consider God’s most basic unit of measurement: the generation. A study of Ecclesiastes 12.1-8. (Pastor Raley answers questions related to this sermon in a second video below.)
A New Counseling Team in Formation
Yesterday, I met with a new team that has begun work on an important ministry at BG—counseling. One of the largest needs in our society today is for skilled people to help others with emotional and relational health. I am encouraged that BG is organizing to provide that kind of help. The problem of mental […]
Time Sensitive: Seasons
Solomon sends us to the ant to learn something about time. The season we’re in tells us the work we should be doing. A study of Proverbs 6.6-11. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Dryden House: Offering Homes to Women & Children
Just after Christmas the newly built Dryden House welcomed its first occupants. Under the umbrella of the Second Wind Cottages, a Christ-based ministry, Dryden House provides homeless women and their children nicely furnished apartments to call home. Located on Main Street in Dryden, the house boasts four apartments, one for the live-in program manager and […]
Time Sensitive: Limits
We tend to think of time in terms of limited hours and minutes. But God’s wisdom shows us another way to think about our time in this life–and it can change your life. A study of Ecclesiastes 1.1-11.
New Partnership to Make Disciples
We are excited to partner with Willow Glen Christian School in creating a new Homeschool Extension program. The Extension will open on the BG campus beginning in Fall of 2025, offering a full-day program for homeschool students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Our mission for this program is to offer an academically rich program for […]
Family Service: Wisdom Takes Flight
In this family service, we review what we earned about wisdom in the fall. Wisdom, we discover, is a lot like flying airplanes.
BGYouth Goes to Ecuador
Remember your teenage years? Was there a trip that influenced who you are today? BGYouth is providing an opportunity for six teens and five adults to build intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships on a trip to Ecuador. Our Ecuador Team will serve alongside BG supported missionaries Jim and Suzy Olsen at Hacienda El Refugio from April […]
A Plan for BG’s Growth (Part 2)
Bethel Grove will focus on the role of community in spiritual formation in 2025. In this sermon on Proverbs 2.20-22, Pastor Raley lays out some introductory ideas about togetherness in the Christian life.
2025 Focus at BG: Community
In our series on Ephesians in 2023-24, we saw Paul’s strong emphasis on our life together as Christians. The Holy Spirit uses the whole body of Christ to form each of us spiritually (Ephesians 4.11-16). When we live separately, disconnected from other believers, we are “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about […]
A Plan for BG’s Growth (Part 1)
A local church used to be a symbol of something solid in the community. But decades of national scandals involving finances have diminished people’s trust in churches. One key to BG’s growth is talking openly about how we raise and use funds. A study of Proverbs 13.11.
New Year’s Eve Family Game Night
If you are like me, the thought of staying up until midnight on New Year’s Eve is not appealing. However, the thought of celebrating the holiday with family and friends is delightful. What to do? The staff at Bethel Grove would like to provide you with a happy alternative to this holiday conundrum: a family […]
Waiting for a Savior
What can we learn from a genealogy? In the record of Jesus’s family lineage, we can actually find the whole story of our need for a Savior. A study of Matthew 1.
When Christmas Holds Joy and Grief
O come, O come Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Christmas is known as a holiday of joy, beauty, and lights, but we usually forget that its founding was full of hardship, dirt, and poverty. The first Christmas was a time of “good tidings […]
Waiting for Forgiveness
The Bible’s Christmas story has a scandal at the center of it: God forgives our wrongdoing. A study of David’s sins of adultery and murder in 2 Samuel 11-12.
Udaya Sharma, Nepal Ministry
Dr. Sharma was one of the recipients of the BG Thank Offering in 2015. He was planning on visiting Ithaca December 12-15 but was hospitalized with pneumonia. Please pray for his recovery. Here is his story. He is from an influential Hindu family in Nepal and his father-in-law was prime minister of Nepal for three […]
Waiting for Redemption
A foreign woman named Ruth seeks food in a barley field, but she ends up finding a redeemer who rescues her from poverty. This is another story about the coming of the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus. A study of Ruth 4.
Keeping BG’s Children Safe
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how we “weave a basket” when designing children’s programming. We shape elements to carry content, but also to hold the children in the container of our church culture. Some of these elements may bend and be flexible—various games or activities can be adjusted to work well for the […]
Waiting for Justice
Two women in Jesus’s genealogy were waiting for justice. In this first week of Advent, we look at the story of Tamar in Genesis 38 and Rahab in Joshua 2. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in the second video below.)
What are you waiting for?
The season of Advent is about waiting. For children, an Advent calendar counts the days until Christmas, the anticipation of presents becoming more intense. For adults, Advent may become a way to track how many shopping days are left. This year, BG will reorient Advent around the question, “What are you waiting for?” We all […]
Gary & Linda Simons, BG Supported Missionaries
Gary and Linda have been supported by Bethel Grove for 45 years. Gary studied linguistics and computer science at Cornell with Dr. Joseph Grimes as his Ph.D. supervisor. In the early days, Gary and Linda did language survey and then began a translation program in Solomon Islands, before being asked to relocate to the international […]
Squinting in Fog: Confidence
We need confidence in order to make decisions. Since we can’t be confident about knowing the future, or even knowing our own motivations, where should our confidence be? We have to trust God, who sees through the fog of our lives. A study of Proverbs 16.1-9.
Ithaca Women’s Bible Study’s Christmas Gathering
Ithaca Women’s Bible Study (IWBS) began in 1969 when three friends, Letty Ludington, Diana Jenkins, and Nancy Sobel, began meeting in Letty’s living room to study the Gospel of Luke. The location enabled Letty’s mother, who was wheelchair bound and lived with the Ludingtons, to participate. While the women feasted on God’s Word, their children […]
Weaving the Basket
When teaching children and developing programs in cultural mentoring, we sometimes speak of it as weaving a basket. What strands do we bring together that will hold the children well? For Kingdom Kids Nature Day on November 11th, our theme is shelter. A shelter is like a basket covering and holding a person safely. For […]
Squinting in Fog: Errors
It is hard to make decisions when the future is a fog. But even worse is trying to make decisions when our own motivations are shrouded in the fantasy of serial sincerity. A study of Proverbs 30.32-33.
Operation Christmas Child
It’s Operation Christmas Child time again! This is definitely one of my favorite ministry activities. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse which reaches children around the world with the Gospel message through a simple shoebox filled with new toys and school supplies. Not many of us will have the chance to travel […]
Squinting in Fog: Uncertainty
Wisdom is about decision-making. But how can we make wise decisions if the future is shrouded in fog? A study of Proverbs 14.12-18. (Pastor Raley answers questions about in this sermon in a second video below.)
A Chance to Support NAMI Finger Lakes
I have been sitting on the short-side of Bethel Grove for 20 years now! Some of my past engagements included directing children’s musicals, and leading BG Youth both as a staff interim coordinator as a volunteer. NAMI came into my life about 10 years ago when I took one of their classes. I was caring […]
Wisdom under a Microscope: Growth
Like all living things, wisdom grows. The liberating reality is that the wise life is not a static one, but a growing one. A study of Proverbs 1.1-7.
Perspective on Lament
What do you do when your circumstances seem to be in direct contrast to God’s character? How do you cope when you feel like God Himself has disappointed you? These are some of the questions we are facing in the Lament Class. We are studying four movements of lament—Turning, Complaining, Asking, and Trusting (TCAT)—as a […]
Wisdom under a Microscope: DNA
The DNA of wisdom tells you what you should do in your roles. But the word we need to use for this information is one we don’t use anymore: duty. A study of Proverbs 1.1-7.
Pregnancy Care in the Name of Christ
For over thirty years, Finger Lakes Pregnancy Care has been helping women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. In a confidential and judgment-free environment, staff and volunteers are committed to walking out the Gospel by offering emotional, spiritual, and practical help. Our goal is to treat each client with compassion and to provide hope, comfort, and […]
Wisdom under a Microscope: Roles
A cell has parts that each play a role in its life. When we look closely at wisdom, we find roles that contribute to our flourishing. A study of Proverbs 1.1-7. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Honduras 2024 Trip Report
Hello, faithful prayer partners and supporters! Thank you so much for all of your prayers as I traveled to Honduras this past July! I returned early in August and I am pleased to report that it was a very successful trip. I grew in both my veterinary skills and my desire for the Lord, and […]
Wisdom under a Microscope: Behavior
Just as we can see the behavior of organisms under a microscope, we can see the virtues of wisdom when we zoom in close. A study of Proverbs 1.1-7.
New Local Ministries Committee
The Local Ministries Committee had its first meeting on September 24th. Our job is to strengthen BG’s relationship with organizations that minister to the Ithaca region. These ministries offer many opportunities for you to serve the Lord right here in our community. A lot of exciting things are happening! BG youth and adults participated in […]
Wisdom under a Microscope: Organism
In this special family service, we start putting wisdom under a microscope. We discover that wisdom is a living whole. A study of Proverbs 1.1-7.
Fall Kick-Off Next Sunday
It’s almost that time! We are excited to invite you to our Fall Kick-Off on September 29. This will be an opportunity for you to explore the ministries in which you can be involved, ministries hosted both by Bethel Grove and by various organizations in our community. The ministries represented have been expanded this year […]
Wisdom for Missions
BG seeks wisdom from four seasoned guides about the future of global missions. Pastor Raley talks with Chuck and Barbara Grimes and Dave and Joyce Jones.
Supporting Global Christians
On Sunday, September 22, a wonderful convergence will occur at BG. Two couples who have long been part of our body, most recently laboring alongside indigenous believers overseas, will be part of a panel discussion. Come and hear about their work and how God has blessed many churches as a result of decades of faithful […]
Wisdom Journey: Turns
What should you do when your journey to Wisdom gets on the wrong track? A study of Proverbs 3.7.
Wisdom Journey: Arrivals
There are places of enjoyment in our wisdom journey where we arrive at healing. Due to technical problems, this sermon recording was cut off. But we were able to recover the majority of it.
The Power of Moms in Prayer
My son was 5 when I first heard about Moms in Prayer. I was new to Ithaca, and a friend from BG, Taryn Deets, whose daughter was in my son’s 1st-grade class, got me started with MIP. We were both crazy busy, but decided to meet weekly to pray knowing the ministry’s goal was important […]
BG Youth on Mission
The week of July 14th, a group from BG Youth traveled to Newark, NY to take part in a “week of hope” with Group Missions Trips. The “week of hope” involved several youth groups working on various community service project. Group Missions hosts similar weeks of hope around the country during the summer months. The […]
Wisdom Journey: Guides
Whenever we journey to a new place, we need a guide–a person who will show us where to go and what to avoid. In this study of Proverbs 3.1-6, we observe three guides for our journey to wisdom. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
Nature Camp: Fire Stories
God is the author of all creation and we revel in his power as we learn about the natural world. Human beings are a unique part of God’s creation, made in his image. One of the things that sets us apart from other creatures is our ability to use fire. BG Nature Camp is an […]
Wisdom Journey: Departure
All journeys to wisdom depart from the same station–what Proverbs calls “the fear of the Lord.” This study of Proverbs 1.7 probes the reasons why our journey needs to start here.
Mobilizing for Discipleship
At 11:15 next Sunday, BG will start mobilizing for a new year of discipleship. On August 25th, September 1st, and September 8th, discipleship committee members and I will present ways that you can be involved in creating more community groups to deepen our spiritual formation together. Last June, the committee set two goals for this […]
Wisdom Journey: Invitation
This year, we start a journey to Wisdom in the book of Proverbs. In this study of Proverbs 8, we hear an invitation from Wisdom herself. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
You and Your Bible: Authority
Like Jesus’s authority to turn water into wine, the Bible has authority to give light in the darkness. A study of John 12.44-50.
Vision Goals Update Rick & Donna George
Pastor Ron Cousineau was an interim pastor here at Bethel Grove Bible Church as we prepared for our next phase in the life of the church. One of the important things that Pastor Ron did was to enlist the entire church body to think about the future of Bethel Grove, and to come up with […]
You and Your Bible: Inspiration
The Scriptures are like water turning to wine. Jesus describes the words of a man like Moses as God’s own words. A study of John 5.37-47. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in two additional videos below.)
Drum roll please!
Today, the music ministry team guided by Pastor Raley is introducing a new instrument, replacing the electronic drum set with an acoustic set. For nearly 15 years, the church had been using the electric set, which offered some advantages but became difficult to maintain. They were equipped with sensors to mimic drum sounds, often breaking […]
You and Your Bible: Revelation
The Bible reveals knowledge that we cannot get anywhere else, the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. A study of John 17.6-17.
For the Beauty of the Earth
What can a tree or a butterfly teach about God? Can running around getting muddy be worship? In Kingdom Kids each Sunday morning, we have been focusing on various aspects of creation in springtime. We are following this exploration as a springboard to discuss God and our relationship to him through Christ. Our time begins […]
A visit from the Hicks family and a new start!!
New Start for the Hicks FamilyDonna Stauffer Spring is when we often say goodbye to those graduating or moving to another location. But this is also the season of welcoming back friends who are passing through. This weekend, we welcome Aaron and Holly Hicks to Ithaca for a couple of weeks. Catch them now because […]
Life Against Darkness: Incorruptible
What fuels the Christian life? Paul gives the answer in the very last word of Ephesians. A study of Ephesians 6.23-24. (A second video below answers a question related to the sermon.)
Veterinary Mission Trip
I have been part of the BG community and involved in Cornell’s International Christian Fellowship for years while studying in veterinary school. This has helped strengthen me to in turn help lead Cornell’s Christian Veterinary Fellowship (CVF) . Now, as I am about to become a veterinarian this childhood dream feels unreal. I want to […]
Life Against Darkness: Armed
Paul takes tiles from Isaiah and the Psalms and makes an image of Christ in his armor of strength. This is who lives in us. A study of Ephesians 6.14-22.
Life Against Darkness: Strong
The ancient Greeks and Romans fought battles in a formation called a phalanx. Soldiers were strongest when they stayed together. Paul calls us to be strong through unity in Christ. A study of Ephesians 6.10-13. (Matt answers two questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Veterinary Mission Trip
I am finishing up my first year of veterinary school at Cornell and I want to thank you all for welcoming me into your church family. For several years, I have been involved with an organization called Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM). This group is composed of veterinarians, veterinary students and technicians, and other animal health […]
Life Against Darkness: Sincere
Paul addresses the relationship in Ephesus with the most extreme disparity of power: masters and slaves. A study of Ephesians 6. 5-9.
The virtues of Christ, Coffee & Conversations
This past fall, Christ, Coffee, and Conversation was announced at BG, a Bible study held on Sundays before the service for students and young adults. We began attending a couple weeks after its start and have been going ever since. CCC is led by Pastor Matt Raley and is a wonderful opportunity to dive deeper […]
Kindling a Flame
Imagine a group of children in the woods, gently tending a small fire. Carefully they feed it twigs for fuel, learning the delicate skill of adding wood without putting their own hand in the flame. While it burns, their teacher shares a story—some eyes are on her, some remain fixed on the fire. After a […]
Life Against Darkness: Obedient
Is Christian parenting about gaining a child’s compliance? The relationship between a child and parent is about something much deeper. A study of Ephesians 6.1-4. (Another sermon question answered in the second video below.)
Life Against Darkness: Sacrificial
Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. What does this mean theologically and what does it require in daily life? A study of Ephesians 5.21-33. (Answers to additional questions in the second and third videos below.)
BG’s UpcomingNew Members
Jim Lawson began attending BG in January 2019. He attended membership classes at that time just to learn more about BG’s beliefs. More recently he was convicted of the importance of being accountable and committed to a church body, which led Jim to attend the recent membership classes and decide to become a member. “It […]
BG Annual Church Spring Clean Day
As a kid, I was the youngest of four, and our typical Saturday morning was spent cleaning our house. Ack! It was not what I wanted to wake up and do! And I felt that the worst jobs were relegated to me since I was defenseless against my siblings. However, as I bitterly began to […]
Life Against Darkness: Submitted
Marriage is the most intimate workshop of God’s grace. Wives and husbands become cold when they forget this. A study of Ephesians 5.21-25.
Life Against Darkness: Full
Dionysus, the god of theater and spring, wants you to be full of wine. Paul says that he will only waste your vitality. True renewal comes from being filled with the Spirit. A study of Ephesians 5.18-21.
Women Build with Habitat for Humanity
When my friend David Stipanuk calls me about home improvements and repairs he couches the work in terms of “opportunities.” Our life in Christ is filled with opportunities to shine our light before others. Each year, Tompkins Cortland Habitat for Humanity hosts a Mother’s Day weekend opportunity for service, training, and fundraising called Women Build. […]
Jesus, Power, and Mary Magdalene (Part 2)
In this Easter morning sermon from John 20.1-18, we encounter the first person to realize that Jesus had risen from the dead, Mary Magdalene. (March 31, 2024)
Holy Week Prayer Tents at Cornell
For this year’s Holy Week, the Christian fellowships at Cornell set up two tents on campus to pray, worship, and share our faith with others. These tents were occupied by at least one person for 24 hours every day of Holy Week. We were both really moved by the hearts of those who tirelessly reached […]
Be Our Guest
“Be Our Guest”Katie Winkler What difference does Christ’s resurrection make to everyday life? As we think about our work responsibilities, interactions with coworkers, stress over homework and class schedules, caregiving for the young or elderly or vulnerable, and our conversations with friends, what difference does Easter make? Easter might simply be an annual holiday that […]
Jesus, Power, and Mary Magdalene (Part 1)
A look at the women who followed Jesus and their importance for us today from Luke 8.1-3. (Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024.) In a second video, Matt answers questions about the sermon.
Life Against Darkness: Wise
The call to walk wisely is a call to ask, “Where are you going? What path are you on?” A study of Ephesians 5.15-17. (Matt answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
“Children, You Are Dismissed”
At these words each Sunday morning, you hear a gentle stampede of feet, voices barely subdued, as the young children practically trip over themselves to head down to their program: children’s church. Do you ever secretly wish you could follow them, peek into what goes on downstairs, and just be a fly on the wall? […]
New Projects for the Larsons
David and Beth Larson have been overseas since the end of January working on a new initiative with International Students Inc. (ISI) to reach students in other countries. David’s new role as the Director of Global Reach also involves creating new alumni networks that meet frequently based on geography and ethnicity. Although the International Christian […]
Life Against Darkness: Awake
The presence of Christ wakes us up. It shines light on the evil that is both around us and in us. A study of Ephesians 5.6-14. (Video answering questions on this sermon included below.)
Life Against Darkness: Beloved
We are called to be like a beloved child who imitates his parent. As Christ loved us, we are to love others. A study of Ephesians 5.1-5. (A second video answering questions about this sermon is posted below.)
Inspiration from Chile from Jack Benjamin
On February 6th, after leaving the gym, I switched on the car radio only to learn that the former president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, had died in a helicopter crash in the nation’s southern lake district. The 74-year-old dignitary was piloting his own aircraft when it went down in a lake shortly after takeoff for […]