Author: Kim Carter

May 5, 2021
Bethel Family,
Back in February, we celebrated the dedication of seven children. Throughout scripture, we see examples of parents dedicating their children to the Lord. A few of them are Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1), Mary and Joseph with Jesus (Luke 2). Here at Bethel, we are committed to coming alongside parents in teaching “the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4) In the children’s ministry, we seek to help lay the building blocks for a disciple of Christ. We agree with Paul when he writes of Timothy, “you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Children are never too young to learn about the Gospel.
During the early phases of childhood, Bethel is helping with laying the foundation of knowing God. When our kids move from childhood to preteens and teens, they begin to ask if what they have been taught as a child is true. For parents, this next phase of growth is just as challenging as their child's early years but with different challenges. We, the Bethel family, desire to reaffirm our commitment to parents as their child transitions from childhood into preteen and teen years. On May 9, we will recognize the new fall sixth-grade class and affirm our commitment to them and their parents to continually teach God’s mighty wonders and help them understand what it means to “Go and make disciples.” (Matt 28:19) All Bethel faith family is invited to join us on Sunday as we reaffirm our dedication to parents and their children.
In the Love of our Savior,
Tami
The teen years present many joys and challenges for students and their families. Growing through middle school, high school, young adulthood years is packed with learning about who God is and who God is making us to be. On May 9th, we celebrate two significant milestones in the lives of students at Bethel church. As Tami mentioned above, the first milestone we will celebrate the transition from 5th grade to 6th grade. We celebrate our incoming 6th graders and our commitment as a church to walk with students and parents through the middle school years and beyond.
The second milestone we celebrate is high school graduation. With the completion of their high school education, we are excited for the opportunities that God has in store for the class of 2021. In our community, High school graduation marks a significant moment in the lives of students. At Bethel, we mark high school graduation as a reminder that students are sent to live gospel intentional disciple making lives here in North Platte, and where God may send them.
Join us live or online on May 9th as we stand with the graduates and their families, and together as a church pray and bless these young men and women as they continue to walk with Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.
Philippians 2:12-13
“So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (HCSB)
-Pastor Jim

In Honor of our Moms
In the Bethel Express last week, Pastor Geoff asked us to share some memories of our moms. Here are some of the responses:
Lesa Timmons— This will be my first Mother's Day without my Mom. Mom was crafty and creative. When I was probably 4 I remember watching her sew. I never could figure out how part way thru the process she'd make paper (the pattern) turn to material. I thought she was magical! Somehow I missed seeing her pin the pattern to the material.
Val Hiser— During WWII Norma Coombs met and fell in love with a US soldier, they were married and before the war was over I Valerie (Sims) Hiser was born. At the end of the war dad was sent back to the USA with the troops. When I was about 15 months old the United States sent a ship to Europe to pick up the war brides and babies that were born during the war and bring them to America to join their loved ones.
I admire my mom because she left her family, her culture and her country to come half way around the world to be with her man. We settled on a farm in mid Nebraska and mom had to adapt to a new life. One thing she never changed was Tea. Many people tried to trick her into drinking coffee but she never would try it.
Mom worked hard as a farmers wife and raised 3 children. She never lost her accent with a couple of words and I loved to hear her say those words when I would call her. She passed away ln 2019 at the age of 96. America had become her home. Val
Lois Kent— I was 5 years old In a small town in eastern Oregon . Mother and I were waiting In the car for my father when a black man walked by . Astonished I said “That man has BLACK skin!” Mother replied ,” Yes and his blood is red, just like ours.” End of discussion.
Her two favorite sayings—- handing me something, she’d say “ Here”, be useful as well as ornamental.“
When complaining about some state of affairs , she’d end the conversation with, “Better days ahead.” Those phrases have served me well—— greetings from Oregon. Lois
Barb Closman - My mom was a dispatch for the railroad during WWII. She held the stick with orders for the engineers to retrieve as they passed through town. After the war was over, she met my dad and they married. I was the first of three children. My best memory of my mom was she was always there for me. She worked alongside my dad ranching and farming. She was an avid puzzle enthusiast and cheered hard for the Huskers Football & Volleyball. In her later years, Bruce got her interested in golfing. I loved her heart for the Lord
May 6th (Tomorrow) is the 70th Annual National Day of Prayer. Please click on the link below for more information on how you can be a prayer warrior for our Nation! https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
May 9th is Mother’s Day, 2021 high school graduate recognition, and the promotion of our 5th graders moving up to middle school. We will be honoring our moms and recognizing our students at both services.