The Great Adventure
Traveling to a land an ocean away with a language incomprehensible to all of us, our small team from BG wondered a bit about our purpose. But onward we traveled during Holy Week and the result was much blessing! Caleb and Christina Yu are good friends with the Hata family, who are leaders at Shukugawa […]
Into the Great Blue Expanse
I heard the preachers and teachers. I read the words, “We are vessels for God to fill.” I yearned for this filling, but I thought I had to perform, dot my i’s, and cross my t’s, do the hard work of preparing the way. When would I ever get ready for such an awesome thing? […]
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 […]
Deep and Wide: God’s Search for His People
“Deep and Wide.” Now that you’re humming that old kids’ song, you’re probably remembering that it refers to the fountain of God’s love, His heart is towards all people as it has been since the very beginning! Long before Jesus came to this earth, Jeremiah the prophet wrote (31:3), “The Lord appeared to us in […]
Come Early Easter Morning to Celebrate Together!
John 20.1 says that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. I looked it up: the sun will rise here at 6:41 on Easter morning. For us, it won’t be dark when we gather at 7 am, but we will still receive the blessing of celebrating our […]
How We Are Like Mashed Potatoes
Think about this. You must scrub, peel, chop, boil, and mash a potato before you can enjoy the yummy dish that bears that name. If you want more than a mouthful, you need to repeat these steps many times over. First, you select your spud and give it a good scrub. Next comes peeling away […]
From Ithaca to Japan: Planting Seeds of the Gospel
When you think about Japan, what comes to mind? Mount Fuji or a kimono, perhaps. Maybe the cherry (Sakura) blossom, Japanese anime/manga, or their food (sushi, ramen, etc.)? But have you thought about Japanese churches and Christians? Do you know that Japan’s Christian population is generally estimated at only 0.3% to 1.1%? This makes Japan […]
The Light: Chaos
John shows us a picture of darkness in Jerusalem, as Jesus teaches in the temple and different factions react. A study of John 7. (We apologize for the lighting problems in the opening minutes of this video, and we’re grateful to our production crew for correcting them.) Pastor Raley answers questions related to this sermon […]
Nature Camp: Survival Basics
Imagine a group of children in the woods, gently tending a small fire. While it burns, their teacher retells a story about Jesus in the wilderness—some eyes are on her, some remain fixed on the fire. After a time, the group carefully tends the fire to ashes, extinguishing the flames. A bit further away, you […]
The Light: Bread
Jesus challenges two of his disciples right before he miraculously feeds a crowd in the wilderness. A study of John 6.1-15.
God Loves the World, But Does He Like Me?
Author Dane Ortland observes in his book Gentle and Lowly, “The Christian life, from one angle, is the long journey of letting our natural assumption about who God is, over many decades, fall away, being slowly replaced with God’s own insistence of who he is.” This rings so true to me as a lifelong Christian. […]
The Light: Sabbath
On a Sabbath day, Jesus heals a man not just from his physical ailment but from spiritual darkness. A study of John 5.1-18.
The Light: Love
What needs to happen in a person’s heart to come into the light of Jesus? In this study of John 3.16-36, we think about God’s love for us and the new birth. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Becoming a Member at BG
How many of Paul’s letters were written to individuals? Only a handful. Most of his letters were written to a local body of believers. In the New Testament, believers belonged to churches. There were no “just me and Jesus” Christians. The disciples found it necessary to establish a governing structure in the local churches. They […]
The Light: Whip
When Jesus finds darkness in the temple, he makes a whip and drives it out. A study of John 2.13-25.
Exploring New Missions Possibilities
Ezra Min, Nathan Birkett,and Teddy Yesudasan Radius International is a missions training center in Tijuana, Mexico, that equips cross-cultural workers with the skills to establish healthy churches among unreached people groups. Ezra is drawn to Radius’s dedication to supporting international missionaries across the world because he is pursuing a career in missions-driven economic development work. […]
The Light: Wine
The darkness often misses the light of Jesus entirely. When he turned water into wine, only a handful of people knew it. A study of John 2.1-11.
The Light: Baptism
The second theme of the Gospel of John is that Jesus is the light of the world. John the Baptist speaks to this theme as the story of Jesus’s life begins. A study of John 1.19-34. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
A Kingdom Kids Orientation
Have you ever wondered about “A Day in the Life of a Kingdom Kids volunteer?” You are welcome to set up a day to observe our classes! I’d love for you to experience it. As a teaser, here are some routines on a regular Sunday morning. Perhaps you see a need that you can help […]
Wide Open Sunday
This sermon was preached without the usual preparation and study. BG opened up the service to the Holy Spirit’s leading in a more direct way for this sermon. The elders selected a passage for Pastor Raley to preach. The worship leader picked songs without knowing that passage. And Pastor Raley found out that he was […]
BG’s Vision Process 2026-2030
Many groups use the word vision, but they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. For some groups, vision comes from one leader who goes up on the mountain, as it were, and returns to the people inspired. The leader casts the vision before the people, who implement it. Lots of churches mean something like this […]
Vision 2026: Your Unique Calling
Bethel Grove is embarking on a new vision process in 2026. At the heart of this process is the fact that each believer has a unique calling from God. BG’s focus this year will be helping people discover that calling. A study of 1 Corinthians 12.12-13. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in […]
The Declaration of Independence at 250Ad
Cynicism is the privilege of believing the worst while forgetting the best. It is a privilege we cannot afford. 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—the sort of occasion when our cynicism wants to party. Cue sarcastic references to rich white males who protect their wealth with slave labor and drape their […]
BG’s Year-End Inventory
BG has been focused on discipleship and community for the last two years. Why are these two areas so crucial? How are we doing so far? A study of Ephesians 4.15-16.
Advent 2025: Shepherds and the Shepherd
What story did the shepherds outside Bethlehem think they were in? A study of Luke 2.8-20.
Internationals in our Midst for Christmas
Resting in a White Christmas I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,We sing it every year.But friend, you do not have to dream,The Scripture makes that clear. From ancient times the Lord looked downAnd saw our sin-stained souls.He knew we could not enter Heav’nWith hearts as black as coal. We did not have ability,Or even the […]
Quandaries this Morning
For a couple of years, we quietly held small meetings to discuss people’s quandaries about Christianity. The meetings started with Cornell law students over dinner. Then we met with undergraduates and people from the community at the Cornell House of Prayer. In these meetings, we spent concentrated time in a safe conversation about issues that […]
Advent 2025: Yahweh the Shepherd
One of the most powerful pictures of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament is a poem by the shepherd-king David. A study of Psalm 23.
Keeping BG’s Children Safe
When designing children’s programming, I often consider the metaphor of “weaving a basket.” We shape elements to carry spiritual content, and 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 individuals we […]
Advent 2025: David the Shepherd
When the people of Israel anticipated Messiah’s coming, they thought of their previous shepherds like David. A study of 1 Samuel 16.1-13.
The Story of Artists at Bethel Grove
BG’s artist group started meeting about twenty years ago after Kathy Free and Christy Sobel led an art history class during Sunday School. They used a book called Christianity and the Visual Arts by Gene Veith. That led to our meeting and discussing what projects we were currently working on and sharing our unique gifts with each […]
Advent 2025: Moses the Shepherd
When the people of Israel anticipated Messiah’s coming, they thought of their previous shepherds like Moses. A study of Exodus 3-4.
The Word: Jesus’s Trial
The Word who was God from the beginning goes on trial before the Roman governor Pilate, who thinks he has the power of life and death over Jesus. A study of John 18.28-38.
A Summer 2026 Opportunity
Deb Miller If you’d like to consider spending a couple of weeks with Spanish youth next summer and are willing to travel, here’s an opportunity possibly made for you! BG missionaries Aaron and Holly Hicks have worked as church planters in Granada, Spain, for decades. They are once again offering an English camp for youth […]
The Word: Jesus’s Prayer
We can see see Jesus’s relationship with the Father in action when Jesus prays for his disciples and for us. A study of John 17.
The Word: Jesus’s Promise
With his disciples in the upper room, Jesus describes his own relationship with the Father. A study of John 14.1-11.
Operation Christmas Child
It’s Operation Christmas Child time again! OCC is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, which reaches children around the world with the Gospel through a simple shoebox filled with new toys and school supplies. Not many of us will have the chance to travel to another country as missionaries but OCC allows us to be the […]
The Word: Jesus’s Friends
As the Word made flesh, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. That is why he risks death to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead. A study of John 11.1-44.
New Adult Education Class Next Week
When I was a pastor in California, I got the distressing news one day that a family was leaving our church. It seemed like a sudden decision. I had not seen any hint of dissatisfaction. But when I talked with the man, he explained that he now understood the truth about our church’s teaching. We […]
The Word: Jesus’s Flock
Jesus confronts the rebellion against his authority as the Shepherd of Israel. He defines the good shepherd as the one who lays down his life for the sheep. A study of John 10.1-39.
Fellowship at Scottland Yard Farm
In May, over 150 people attended a fellowship picnic at Scottland Yard in Brooktondale. Hosted by Ben &Karyn Scott, it was a wonderful turnout. There is a lot to see and experience at this family homestead: animals,flower gardens, a pond with a beautiful waterfall, a game of volleyball. Most of all, enjoy the fellowship ofothers. […]
The Word: Jesus’s Freedom
By promising freedom from sin, Jesus offends his new followers. Then he offends them so severely that they try to kill him. A study of John 8.31-59.
Encouraging BG’s Internationals
I have never led a church with so many international students and immigrants. Because of them, BG has the opportunity to exalt the name of Christ in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa without leaving Ithaca. They worship and serve with us in countless ways, from translation to hospitality during bagel time and team […]
Chuck and Christine Schwarz Serving the Lord with East-West Ministries, equipping cross-cultural workers to be effective catalyzers of church-planting movements in the spiritually darkest places of the world.
After 50-plus years of (mostly) successful service as evangelists, Bible teachers and missionaries, what do people do if they don’t completely retire? If they are like we are, then they train and equip new generations of workers for the Lord’s harvest field. We are grateful to Him that we can continue to do that through […]
The Word: Jesus’s Sign
When his followers demand a sign from Jesus like the manna from Moses, he debates them. He insists that he himself is the sign from heaven. A study of John 6.25-71.
The Word: Jesus’s Life
Jesus speaks directly about his relationship to his Father and the source of his life. He has the divine life within himself. A study of John 5.19-30.
New Adult Class Starts Today
Last spring, the counseling team led an 8-week adult education class called Turning Pain Into Connection. We talked about walking alongside friends or family members as they deal with hard circumstances in life, listening instead of giving advice, and holding space for people’s hard emotions without trying to solve their struggles. We also talked about […]
The Word: Jesus’s Name
Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar, giving her his real name. A study of John 4.1-42.
Meet Our Front-Line Bible Translators
How many copies of the Bible do you personally own? I’m embarrassed to say I have six, but I actually use only three. And while I’ve struggled to study the Word of God consistently at various times in my life, the problem has never been the lack of a Bible in my own language. Rather […]
The Word: Jesus’s Conflict
Jesus talks with Nicodemus not as a fellow teacher, but as the Word who came from God from the beginning. A study of John 3.1-21.
CampusCares: Sharing Christ’s Love Through Service
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10 Some of my fondest memories come from digging dirt with my friends. Whether it was fence post holes in Detroit, drainage trenches at Second Wind, or trash piles […]
BG Youth Kick-Off
Not everyday do we ask the question, “What is the meaning of life?” But at least implicitly we do ask ourselves, “Who am I? Where do I fit? What difference can I make?” These questions get to the heart of issues like identity, belonging, and purpose. These are questions for everyone, not just the youth! […]
Prelude: Jesus the Witness
As he said to Mary Magdalene, Jesus testifies for the Father about a new family in the world–the family of faith. In this sermon, we study the third and fourth themes in John’s Gospel from the prologue in 1.1-18. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in two videos below.)
Sharing Life with Children
We serve a God who loves us. Every Sunday morning at Kingdom Kids, we begin Children’s Church with this question:“Who has a story to share from this week, something we can pray about together?” Hands shoot up and stories bounce around the room: a happy tale about a soccer game or a visit to a […]
Prelude: Jesus the Light
A second theme in the Gospel of John is that Jesus is the light of the world. What did John mean by using this metaphor in his prologue? A study of John 1.1-18. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
Snapshots from Middle School Campout
Thirteen of us (9 kids + 4 adults) camped at Fillmore Glen State Park this past weekend. We cooked food over the fire, had a lavish pancake breakfast, hiked a 4-mile trail with BG Seniors and a Humprey Fellow from Ghana, swam in a nearby state park, played games together and spent time alone with […]
Prelude: Jesus the Word
As BG starts a two- year series in the Gospel of John, we study the first theme of the book. Jesus is the Word from the beginning. First in a three-part study of John 1.1-18.
New Series: The Gospel of John
Preaching through a Gospel is one of my favorite projects. All four Gospels in the New Testament offer drama, fascinating characters, and intense conflicts. Above all, they give us a long look at Jesus of Nazareth. Though every Gospel offers powerful truths, John is unique. John writes as an eyewitness of what Jesus said and […]
Wide Open Sunday (July 20, 2025)
This sermon was preached without the usual preparation and study. BG opened up the service to the Holy Spirit’s leading in a more direct way for this sermon. The elders selected a passage for Pastor Raley to preach. The worship leader picked songs without knowing that passage. And Pastor Raley found out that he was […]
We’re Having a Picnic!
What’s so special about a picnic? Bethel Grove’s annual picnic, behind the white Family Center on Sunday, July 20 following the worship service, is not like any other picnic. As we’ve been studying our body’s bond through the work of the Holy Spirit, this is a lovely opportunity to connect with others we’re bonded to […]
The Holy Spirit: Glorification
The Holy Spirit secures our future in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. A study of Romans 8.26-39.
The Holy Spirit: Adoption
The Holy Spirit finalizes our adoption in Christ as children of God. A study of Romans 8.12-25. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
Changes for Derek and Sophie Wei
After six years of involvement with the youth group, Derek and Sophie Wei are preparing for change. We had the opportunity to talk to them about their time here, and learn a bit about what their future may look like. They moved to Ithaca in the fall of 2019 as newlyweds because of the academic […]
Remembering a Fatherly Legacy
Fred Scott became a church member on January 1, 1975, and over the next 50 years, he would work, pray, and care well for the worshipers at BG. Fred was faithful and considerate. Every Sunday, Fred dropped Lois off at the church entrance, making sure she was settled. Only then would he park the car […]
The Holy Spirit: Righteousness
The Holy Spirit provides us with a shared vision of what is good: the righteousness of Jesus Christ. A study of Romans 8.1-11. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
The Holy Spirit: Divinity
The foundation of Christian community is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In this study of Romans 8, we discover the numerous ways Paul teaches that the Spirit is God. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
Kingdom Kids: Getting Ready for Summer
This season is filled with milestones as we prepare for summer festivities. In Kingdom Kids, we are welcoming new Kindergarten students to the elementary group, getting the playground ready for our classes to spend more time outside, and more! June 21, 9am-12pm: Playground/Classroom work partyCalling all willing hands! We need help finishing a fresh coat […]
On the Tip of My Tongue: Guarding
Gossip can’t be stopped by a few scouts. The cavalry needs to show up. One of the first duties of a community is to guard everyone’s reputations from destructive talk. A study of Proverbs 26.20-28. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
New Series on the Holy Spirit
It is all too easy to assume that we can live out Christianity naturally. We can acquire good values, conduct ourselves moderately, help others, and attend church regularly. That’s what God wants. And he’s very nice to forgive all the mistakes we make. In fact, we are liable to drop the standards of Christianity down […]
On the Tip of My Tongue: Restraining
How should we respond to other people’s strong emotions? A key part of speaking wisely is restraining our own feelings. Our words can be calm if we internalize God’s wisdom. A study of Proverbs 15.1.
Student Ministries at the Annual Meeting
The agenda for BG’s annual meeting on June 1st will be packed. Every year at this time, members gather to approve a budget for the next fiscal year and affirm new elders, deacons, deaconesses, and other officers. This is the meeting that sets the next year in motion. An especially important focus at this annual […]
On the Tip of My Tongue: Assuring
How can you know what someone is thinking? Only through the words they use. If we speak to each other truthfully, our relationships can be strong. A study of Proverbs 12.17-22.
On the Tip of My Tongue: Blessing
A gentle tongue is a tree of life. What does it mean for our words to be gentle? How do words become twisted? A study of Proverbs 15.4. (Pastor Raley answers questions about this sermon in a second video below.)
On the Tip of My Tongue: Listening
Solomon tells his children that everything he says has a source: what he heard from his own father David. When it comes to speaking rightly, God’s wisdom calls us to reckon with the legacy we have received. A study of Proverbs 4.1-9. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
Our Team Returns from Ecuador
The Ecuador team thanks the entire congregation for making this service experience a reality. You prayed with us, generously supported us financially, and helped the team prepare in many ways. Here are some highlights of the team’s experience. Outdoor & Outreach Ministry: El Refugio hosts local and international church groups, teens, college students, young professionals […]
On the Tip of My Tongue: Learning
Our words build the community of people around us, for well or ill. We can build up healthy people, or we can tear people down. In this study of Proverbs 30.1-6, we look at a quotation from Psalm 18. (Pastor Raley answers a question about this sermon in a second video below.)
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.