Mount Bethel Church

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Mount Bethel Church

Worship service is now at 10:00 am. We will continue online posts/ streaming as well. In our care and service for one another, we reflect his love for us.

A note from the pastor-

I am so glad to be part of what God is doing here at Mt Bethel. Life is complex, but as we follow Jesus and study his word, we become more of who he made us to be. I invite you to explore your faith, ask the hard questions, and do what God has made you to do. Doing so will bring him glory and joy, and will fill your soul with hope! Join us for church this weekend- you'll find the welcome of Christ among us. Hope to see you soon! Pastor O

08/21/2026

To persevere, to persist,

to keep doing what is right even if we don’t see the results- that is what builds character and the quality of faithfulness.

The hard thing about many moral and ethical choices in life is that we don’t often see the impact. You treat someone with grace even when they don’t deserve it, and years later they may tell that moment as a story of someone who changed their perspective. You may share your faith with someone who brushes it off, but perhaps years later they tell it as one of the conversations that lead them to Jesus at a later point.

The challenge for a follower of Jesus is to persevere in concern and love for neighbor, even though we often never see the impact. But if we remain faithful, it is the legacy that the Lord will reveal when we stand face to face, and he points out how what we did was part of a larger plan, and made an impact in someone else’s eternity.

The writer (Solomon) of Ecclesiastes wrote this as an encouragement not to give up after just a few steps, but to continue because we don;t know what will bear fruit in the long run.

“Do your planting in the morning and in the evening, too. You never know whether it will all grow well or whether one planting will do better than the other.” (Eccl. 11:6)

Let’s stay the course, let’s be the witness, let’s keep caring for our neighbors- because we never know which seed will sprout to the fruit of faith in the long run.

I’m praying for you today!

Pastor Olaf

08/13/2026

One Day Only!

The marketing trick to drive people to get the deal today they may not see again. But it’s usually not the case, and that “one day only” price seems to come back around pretty often.

But there is a truth in the title- we really only live one day. We don’t live our yesterday, and we don’t live our tomorrow- we just live today. The now is now, the future is uncertain.

This truth really can help to focus us on things that matter, because tomorrow may never come. It’s not a over-hyped urgency, just a way to refocus on what matters, and letting the other things find out if tomorrow dawns after today.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote it this way,

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

We have today to be part of God’s kingdom, his work, his salvation life. The invitation to a cookout to build a friendship, the invitation to church, a conversation to build bridges, these are precious parts of life that get lost when the moment’s pass or we let them cool.

There are things that matter today- so while it’s today, make those the first things on the list. And if tomorrow dawns, it’s another opportunity to put the Kingdom of God first- and to see the work of Christ happening in our lives.

I am praying for you today (from Canada!)

Pastor Olaf

08/06/2026

Live Forecast: Hot, humid and irritable

Ah, August. If nothing else, August is the test whether NC is for you. It’s like Wisconsin in February. The rest of the year, you can kind of get a false sense of what it’s like- but it’s in the middle of it that you really discover what you want to tolerate!

But, we do live here, we endure, we even find ways to enjoy it- maybe a pool, a trip to the beach, or just buckets of ice water and sweet tea. And that’s really what makes a person able to live in August- not losing your ability to be human.

Paul encourages us in his letter to the Philippians,

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Phil 2:3-4

When it’s hot and humid, the temptation is to get short, to get selfish, to look for an ice bath. But what the Spirit of Christ enables us to do is to not just deal with ourselves, but to keep our eyes open to the others around us. If it’s hot, everyone needs a little grace and patience- not just me.

And going deeper into this verses gives us something worth pondering as we sit in the shade with a cool tea- how do we consider the others around us as valued, precious and in some real way, worth our time and encouragement?

I am praying for you today!

Pastor Olaf

07/31/2026

Shocking- if you plant a penny

you get nothing. Or more specifically, you get a penny with dirt on it!

It’s funny how practical our lives really are. If you plant a penny hoping for money, you’ll reap the harvest of foolishness- which is nothing but a dirty penny. But if you plant a pumpkin, you will eventually see a big orange sphere growing in your patch.

This is a general truth about life that many people of various religions or even none believe in- things we do generate a return in life. It’s a kind of Golden Rule or general moralism- pay it forward and it will return to you. But at it’s base, it’s a bit self-focused, isn’t it? It’s a bit pragmatic, trying to make my life better means being nice to others as a means to that end.

But there really may be a bigger reason- Paul puts it this way;

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10

The paradox in of finding spiritual life is the truth Jesus revealed about what makes true faith a living reality-

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matt 16:24-25

We love, we care, we do good not because of what we get back in this life, but because it reflects the nature of Christ in us. And so, as Paul says, look for the opportunities to do good for someone - because our salvation is already planted and guaranteed in the finished work of Jesus on the cross for you and for me!

Do you see an opportunity? Do good.

I am praying for you today!

Pastor Olaf

07/23/2026

The Lonely Vegetable Patches of Summer

One of the things that is fun for people like me- who move to the country after living in cities and towns- is playing farmer. I mean, for country folks, planting things in the early Spring is just what you do, like getting the mower ready and raking leaves in the Fall.

But the other interesting thing is just how much over-abundance people plant (and then try to give away to anyone who doesn’t move fast enough!) In fact, I’ve noticed that people even just stop picking what has grown, because it’s too much, or it’s just so much work.

It’s a great example of what Jesus said to his disciples,

“When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matt 9:36-38)

Jesus was pointing out that people are looking, needing, the Truth of God, spiritual guidance, and the Gospel of Jesus. But like a bursting field of harvest crops, there are so few workers. Jesus encouraged them to pray that more would be hear the call and compassion that Jesus had for the crowds, and do the work he was preparing them to do.

People all around us every day are looking for the truth, feeling harassed by life, needing hope. We have the opportunity to be part of God’s solution. A willingness to open the conversation, and a genuine care for the eternity of others is all that is needed.

I’m praying for the harvest!

Pastor Olaf

07/09/2026

Golden

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” - Psalm 11:25

The amazing thing about God is how he teaches intricate wisdom through seemingly simple statements.

It is really hard to explain why mercy, grace, patience, self sacrifice and similar core qualities make such a difference in a person’s heart and character. So instead, he gave us this simple Proverb, that when lived out, actually releases the grip of greed on our hearts, and builds genuine selflessness in a person. Because, you can’t be generous for greedy reasons, because that’s just investing for returns. Generosity implies that you are thinking of others over your own preferences. And to refresh someone else means we are able to identify and consider the needs of others, and try to be that encourager in actions and words.

Investing in the lives of others with encouragement and care reflects the nature of God, and creates a community that cares for each other in reciprocal ways.

Be that refresher in someone’s life today!

I’m praying for you today,

Pastor Olaf

07/03/2026

The Secret Sauce

It’s 4th of July, and it’s the great American cookout. So there will be a whole lot of folks enjoying the hobby/art/pastime of grilling or perhaps even smoking some delicious meats. And every pit-boss or BBQ master knows, the secret sauce is the final piece to bring it all together.

In Acts, as the Holy Spirit ignited this new body called the church, the first believers began to live in this new way. A way of fellowship. In Acts 2:46-47 it is described as,

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

There was something special, something unique, that ‘secret sauce’ that made this new group of people interesting enough that others listened, observed, and believed in Jesus. Because the secret sauce they observed, was genuineness. Real people, really changed by their belief in Jesus, making real sacrifices for one another, and being joyful about it.

The secret sauce brings it all together.

I’m praying for you today,

Pastor Olaf

06/25/2026

Statistically, blue cars are really rare…

Or are they?! Pay attention, and see if I am right.

It is amazing how we notice so little of everything around us, because we just naturally focus on what is relevant to us in the moment. Years ago there was “the selective attention test”, which showed in humorous fashion how much our brain blocks out when we are not aware of it. So it makes sense that one of the biggest areas of growth in a Christian’s life is to learn to see the world as God sees it, to become aware of people and priorities the way Jesus revealed to us what truly matters.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus pointed out how people so often are focused on people like them, or people with power or prestige of some kind. We favor the perfect over the imperfect. But Jesus told his followers to be different, to see the people as God sees them. In chapter 12, he said this;

“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

When we begin to see people like Jesus does, we see the people he wants us to bless most of all- for he sees those who struggle in this life, and wants us to show them the love and grace he has for them, as he has for us. So throw an extra hot-dog or two on the grill, and look for the opportunity to give it to someone, or an extra soda in the fridge for that delivery driver. Begin the habit of seeing the people who are there, but are often missed.

I’m praying for you today,

Pastor Olaf

06/18/2026

There goes one!

I was outside in the early evening just as the sun was setting, and I saw one- I couldn’t help it. Floating in the air, a little lightning bug was blinking. It’s an interesting little insect, with the simplest of lessons. I blinks because that’s just what it does- it can’t help it. It’s how other lightning bugs find each other, and how they express their life’s purpose.

You know what they call a lightening bug that doesn’t blink? No idea, you can’t see them, I’m not really sure they exist.

It’s a living lesson in the smallest of things- if you have the light, you can’t help but show it. Jesus said this,

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

We’re out an about in the world each day. Work, home, vacations, lakes, rivers, mountains. What do people see in us- is it the light of Christ? Because as Jesus said, and as the lighting bug so beautifully illustrates, if you have the light, people will see it.

Be the kind of light that makes people think positively about God.

Pastor Olaf

06/11/2026

The gift that makes you feel welcome

is called hospitality. Hospitality is a special capacity to make people feel cared for and protected. Not the industry of hotels and restaurants, but the ability of helping others and making them feel seen, thought of and protected that makes a noticeable difference. But like the gift of music, it must be practiced and used for it to bless anyone - it, like all gifts, is for the blessing of others.

The writer of Hebrews highlighted this by mentioning it at the close of his letter. He writes,

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters, Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Heb 13:1-2)

Hospitality and loving in actions are part of how we are to live as followers of Jesus in our lives. To live into it means being aware that many people pass by the strangers in this world - but we are called in Christ to see them, and offer them care, compassion and help when we can. It is a way to stretch ourselves into learning how to love like Jesus.

And who knows, as the writers says, you never know when you may be giving a cool bottle of water to an angel?!

Pray for one another as I pray for you today!

Pastor Olaf

Address

8130 NC Highway 65
Summerfield, NC
27358

Telephone

(336) 298-7464

Website

https://www.mtbethel.life/

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