Bethel Methodist Church

06/21/2024

Last night, Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) held the graduation ceremony for the graduating class, 2024-01, of the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program. This class was unique, as it represented a pilot program for the new six-month comprehensive BLET training, which was conducted at various colleges across the State of North Carolina. The program achieved a 100% pass rate and is recognized as one of the top programs in the State of North Carolina.

Sheriff Hinceman is proud to welcome three new deputies to the Burke County Sheriff's Office: Deputy Esteban Berrospe, Deputy Lewis Carswell, and Deputy Jakob Walker. Their remarkable accomplishments during training are worth noting. Deputy Esteban Berrospe was selected by his peers as the 2024-01 Class President, and he delivered a compelling speech on behalf of the graduating class. Deputy Lewis Carswell's excellence was evident in several areas, earning him the Physical Fitness Award, the Fi****ms Award, and the Drivers Training Award.

In addition to recognizing the graduates, we want to commend Burke County Sheriff's Office Captain Joseph "Jeff" Robinson, who received the Instructor Honors from the class, selected by the graduates as the best instructor among 60 dedicated trainers.

Sheriff Hinceman would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to the WPCC Law Enforcement Training Center for their unwavering support and commitment to excellence, which contributes significantly to the strength and readiness of the Burke County Sheriff's Office and the broader law enforcement community in our region.

06/04/2024

William Henry Farris “Pete”, 70 of Morganton, NC went to his Heavenly Home to be with the Lord, Monday, June 3, 2024 af…

01/03/2024

11/16/2022

Third Saturday Singing this weekend at Bethel. (November 19). Bring your instrument and play or just enjoy good music, good food and good company. 6:00 pm on the fellowship hall.

12/09/2020

07/04/2020

"Folks, I am sorry to report that due to the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID 19 we have been directed by the bishop and the cabinet to delay our move back to the sanctuary."

So, we will meet outside, under the trees by the big parking lot on the south side of the church. Please make sure everyone wears a mask.. Family groups living in the same home may sit together, otherwise each person or group is to be six away from other persons or groups.

My voice projects well and believe you will be able to hear me. I'll check that out once we get started. I think this will work. The bishop also recommends that we not pass out bulletins and that we don't use hymnals. I think we can sing at least one verse of the chosen songs for this week. All the songs are patriotic, since this is the 4th of July weekend.
Ray will have bottles of water in a cooler for folks to get. He will put out a box in which to place offerings.
I pray this works well for everyone.
Blessings, Pat

06/26/2020

For Thursday, June 25 2020
Luke 6:46-49

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

06/23/2020

For Tuesday, June 23 2020
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction

06/16/2020

For Tuesday, June 16 2020…
The Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 118:19-24
Psalm 118:19-24 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord; The righteous will enter through it.
21 I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,
And You have become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

06/13/2020

For Sunday, June 14 2020…
Title: “Something to Think About”
All good things come from above; they come from our Creator God. Satan is the one who comes to lie, destroy, and kill. The horrible woes which Job, the righteous Old Testament man, experienced came from Satan, not God. We need to remember that God does not cause death, destruction, illness, or sorrow. But God does allow Satan to bring such woes upon us. That is so difficult to understand. Why would a loving God allow Satan to lie to us and to cause terrible events to happen in the lives of us, the children of God?
Millions, even billions and more, words have been written and spoken about the mystery of sorrow we humans experience. There was a book written in 1981, titled: “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Harold Kushner, the author, could not fully answer that question, and through the ages, neither have other authors of both philosophical and theological education and experience.
So many horrible events have occurred in our country during the last several months. These situations often seem to have come from distant countries, which are not true allies of our nation. They also come from people within the United States who have been rampaging through the country, causing violence, destruction, and even death. My heart aches for the family of George Floyd, killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. My heart also aches for the family of David Dorn, killed by violent persons in St. Louis. Mr. Dorn was just guarding the store of a friend. My heart aches for the protestor who approached the police trying to hand them a paper. He was pushed down and then ignored as he lay on the ground bleeding from his ear because he hit his head when he fell. Every one of these incidences is terrible.
I wonder, what is going on in our world? Whatever happened to kindness? What ever happened to respect for others? Whatever happened to the good side of human nature?
Notice that in our Old Testament lesson on Tuesday, groups—not individuals—are prayed about to receive punishment. If we pray or even wish for an individual to be punished, we really are making that request of Satan. When we pray about groups, we are mentioning to God what we want Him to consider allowing Satan to do regarding our wishes.
But, think about these things:
Is it up to us to punish those with whom we disagree?
Is it up to us to pray for such punishment?
Or, is it up to us to pray that the Holy Spirit might utilize us or others or some event to bring a positive change to the life of individuals with whom we disagree?

As Christians, we need to follow Christ. What did he say from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” May each of us always follow the examples set for us by Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Amen! And, Amen!!!

This morning, your pastor is humming the hymn, “He Touched Me.” Please sing or hum that hymn or anther which crosses your mind at this time. Please also pray that we all may soon once more gather together in our church sanctuary. God bless all of you.