1 THE BETHEL BEACON ~ MAY/JUNE 2019 Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218 Email: [email protected]Website: www.bethelucchurch.com Find us on BETHEL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2400 CENTRAL AVE. NEBRASKA CITY, NE 68410 Keith A. Valenzuela, Pastor [email protected]Sunday School @ 9 am Worship time @ 10:00 am A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR I recently assisted in a RiderCoach Prep in Papillion; A RiderCoach Prep is a 9-day course, spread over a period of three consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) where motorcyclists desiring to teach safety courses are trained in the proper presentation of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) curriculum, methods and practices. One of the candidates was a retired Omaha motor officer. As I was admiring his personal motorcycle, I noticed it had a small camera lens in front and back of the machine. When I I asked about it, he said, “with all of the shenanigans going on our roads, I wanted to capture any misdeed that may come my way.” A recent video I saw on Facebook drove his point home to me: I watched a motorcyclist do an illegal pass on a double yellow line, and the car that the rider was passing swerved into the rider, knocking him off the motorcycle and sending him tumbling badly. The rider was obviously injured; motorists were able to assist him and pull over the offending motorist. While the motorcyclist was clearly in the wrong, when asked about his deed to the rider, the driver simply said, “I don’t care.” He said this several times in response to several questions posed to him….”I don’t care.” The driver was sentenced to 15 years in prison and charged with attempted homicide. Is that what our society has come to? Is this our new outlook on our fellow man? Our social interaction has gone down the tubes. People seem to be put off if a person gets ahead of them in line, whether in traffic, or at the grocery store; or a person says something that doesn’t line up with their opinion or outlook; people are tolerant only if you are in lock-step with their viewpoint or don’t encroach on the parking spot that has their name invisibly emblazoned on the pavement that only they can see. It’s a “me” mentality out there….”better watch out for #1, because no one else will.” However, nobody is perfect. We all have a shortcoming or a flaw. The person who was perfect was nailed to a tree. That person is Jesus, our risen Savior! He said in Matthew: “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32. Imagine what society could be if people would take just those two passages of scripture and applied them to their lives! That’s where we come in; applying it, showing it, living it, sharing it. Be abundantly blessed, and know that our Lord, Jesus Christ cares for you! ~ Pastor Keith
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THE BETHEL BEACON ~ MAY/JUNE 2019 Church Telephone #: (402) 873-6218
I recently assisted in a RiderCoach Prep in Papillion; A RiderCoach Prep is a 9-day course, spread over a period of three consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) where motorcyclists desiring to teach safety courses are trained in the
proper presentation of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) curriculum, methods and practices.
One of the candidates was a retired Omaha motor officer. As I was admiring his personal motorcycle, I noticed it had a small camera lens in front and back of the machine. When I I asked about it, he said, “with all of the shenanigans going
on our roads, I wanted to capture any misdeed that may come my way.”
A recent video I saw on Facebook drove his point home to me: I watched a motorcyclist do an illegal pass on a double yellow line, and the car that the rider was passing swerved into the rider, knocking him off the motorcycle and sending him
tumbling badly. The rider was obviously injured; motorists were able to assist him and pull over the offending motorist.
While the motorcyclist was clearly in the wrong, when asked about his deed to the rider, the driver simply said, “I don’t
care.” He said this several times in response to several questions posed to him….”I don’t care.”
The driver was sentenced to 15 years in prison and charged with attempted homicide.
Is that what our society has come to? Is this our new outlook on our fellow man?
Our social interaction has gone down the tubes. People seem to be put off if a person gets ahead of them in line, whether in traffic, or at the grocery store; or a person says something that doesn’t line up with their opinion or outlook; people are tolerant only if you are in lock-step with their viewpoint or don’t encroach on the parking spot that has their name invisibly
emblazoned on the pavement that only they can see.
It’s a “me” mentality out there….”better watch out for #1, because no one else will.”
However, nobody is perfect. We all have a shortcoming or a flaw. The person who was perfect was nailed to a tree.
That person is Jesus, our risen Savior! He said in Matthew:
“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians
4:31-32.
Imagine what society could be if people would take just those two passages of scripture and applied them to their lives!
That’s where we come in; applying it, showing it, living it, sharing it.
Be abundantly blessed, and know that our Lord, Jesus Christ cares for you!
~ Pastor Keith
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Sandy & BJ wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions
of love, kindness and sympathy in the loss of her Father “Arnold Frandson.”
Thank you for keeping us in thoughts &
prayers.
VBS will be Monday, July 29th—August 2nd from 5—7pm at the First Evangelical
Lutheran Church at 315 S 16th St. in
Nebraska City. Meals will be provided!
If you or someone you know would like to help, please let the office know.
Community service hours will be given!
Our Annual All Church Picnic will be Sunday, May 19th following worship at Arbor Lodge. We had a wonderful turn
out last year and hope to see many people there again! You may bring a
salad or dessert to share if you wish, but it is not mandatory. Everything else will be
provided! Come join in the fun!
IN OUR PRAYERS IN APRIL
Justin Williams, Logan Drabek, Mason Wieckhorst, Rachelle Drabek, Don
Grundman, Roy Murphy, Tim Worcester, Helen Ramold, Janice Holman,
Tanya Chapin and Tom Thaemlitz and Adrian, Helen Long, Lou Hauptman,
Larry Blocker, the Voelker family, the Zech family, Carol Biere, Dakota Miller,
KT Bescheinen, Joyce Baldwin, NinaJean Rohlfs, the family and friends of
Robert Heye, those affected by the flooding, and all who struggle with chronic
illness, including those reside in their homes and long-term care facilities, and
those affected by bullying, suicide, and depression.
COME BE A PART OF THE MODD SQUAD!
Mothers, you work hard for the Lord, your family, employer, and everyone
else who is dear to you!
Put aside your responsibilities for just a brief moment and hang with the
MODD Squad (Mother’s Off Duty Day).
This is a non-committee, informal event where pajamas are welcome
(In a non-public setting!)
Movies, coffee, chit -chat, bible study, who knows what can happen with the
MODD Squad?
Our next meeting is June 22nd. Time and location to be announced later.
"Bethel Brotherhood" is a men's fellowship that will meet on the first Saturday
of each month. It's for ALL men! Single, married, gear heads, farmers,
retired.....Meet at the church at 9 am for an impromptu free will breakfast,
chit-chat, bible study, devotion, however the sprit leads.
CONGRATULATIONS NOAH HAMILTON!!!
Come and help Noah celebrate his graduation from MTI’s Progressive
Welding and Manufacturing Tech program on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at
3:30 pm, located at the Peru Community Church in Peru, NE.
Thank you to everyone
who brightened our sanctuary with flowers,
and who sponsored bulletins during the month
of April.
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ATTENTION GEARHEADS!
Bethel UCC is holding their 1st annual “Gearhead Sunday” on Sunday, June 9th at 10 am!
Shine up your Hot Rod, classic car, or motorcycle and join us for our 10 am service, followed by a free
-will lunch!
Afterwards, admire the various cars and motorcycles from River City Classics, the Christian
Motorcyclist Association and others!
Cast your penny vote for “Best of Show” for Hot Rod and Motorcycle; limited-edition shirts will be
available for purchase (cash or check accepted); $15.00 each, $2.00 extra for sizes 2X and larger
and they’ll go fast!
The fun starts at 10 am, Sunday, June 9 th and goes to who know when?
All proceeds go to the Bethel Youth Group program.
Be a Gearhead! Have fun, and we’ll see you on June 9 th!
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Friday, April 19, 2019
Thank you to everyone who helped in cleaning up and adding new mulch to the outdoor worship
area, and to Jerry Gieseking for putting the crosses up! It looks beautiful!!!
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We all had a great time at Pastor Keith’s birthday party in Lorton on April 22nd!
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Mother ~ Daughter Salad Luncheon hosted by Bethel UCC on Saturday, April 13th.
Special thanks to Connie Jensen for organizing the event, NinaJean for providing
our music, and to Mary Redelfs for being our guest speaker. Thank you as well to
everyone who brought their dress and/or a salad. A wonderful time was had by
all!
Our beautiful
models from left
to right:
Madisen Tietz,
Brianna Johnson,
and
Elizabeth
Poggemeyer.
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MAY
Roger & Karen Pieper ~ May 7, 1965
Alex & Natalie Sevening ~ May 14, 2011
Chuck & Shellene Funk ~ May 21, 2011
Stephen & Christine Luther ~ May 25, 2001
Kevin & Jan Pummel ~ May 25, 1975
JUNE
Michael & Brenda Wieckhorst~June 5, 1999
Arlin & NinaJean Rohlfs ~ June 8, 1962
Larry & Tracy Wieckhorst~ 6/10/1989
Vernon & Linda Brooke ~ June 11, 1957
Mike & Mary Redelfs ~ June 20, 1986
Jerry & Connie Gieseking ~6/26/1976
Burton & Cindy Weible ~ June 26th
Daniel & Jen Hamilton ~ June 29, 1996
LOOKING AHEAD TO JULY
Wed. 3rd: Spiritual Council meeting 6:00pm
Thurs. 4th: Independence Day ~ Office closed
Sun. 7th: Communion/Food Pantry Mon. 8th: Board of Christian Ed. meeting 6pm, Church Council meeting 7pm Sat. 13th: Fellowship Hall rsvd. By Dan Hamilton 8 am—Noon Mon. 22nd—Sat. 27th: Vacation time! Pastor Keith in Colorado and Sarah...well….who knows where she’ll end up!
Mon. 29th—Aug. 2nd: Vacation Bible School at 1st Lutheran
Church from 5-7 pm
BEST WISHES TO THOSE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE
MAY
Mike Redelfs 4th David Carpenter 5th Rylee Mills 7th Delphine Griepenstroh 9th
Katie Chapin 11th Sharon Kotas 11th Brian Bando 12th Jason Stukenholtz 13th