The Christian Education Committee of Bethel Lutheran Church oversees the total educational program of the congregation. This includes determining the educational policies and selecting the personnel to facilitate the educational program.
Programs that the committee oversees and the personnel in charge of them are:
Library --Mary Jo Breece
Tutoring Tots Preschool -- Kathy Peterson
Confirmation -- Mary Kay Nelson
Sunday School -- Wendy Ostgren
Vacation Bible School --
Bible Study Groups
Church Camp
Confirmation
Confirmation classes include fellowship and servant-hood activities for youth grades 6, 7, and 8.
One of the most fulfilling ministries you can have is confirmation ministry. At Bethel, we feel that this particular ministry deserves our creative best. We have found that if our confirmation program includes:
a multimedia Jesus and Bible centered approach
supported by positive parent guides
featuring small group life (learning, servanthood projects and fellowship) .
Therein lies the formula for a worthwhile and exciting ministry. We have found in Rich Melheim's FAITH INKUBATORS approach the best platform for all of this. E-mail us if you are interested.
We provide confirmation starting in the fifth grade with early Communion. The 3 year program then begins in the 6th grade running to the 8th grade. By 9th grade, they are interested in Senior League, Bible studies and activities. We provide Confirmation Camp for a week after their 7th grade year at Carol Joy Holling Camp near Ashland, NE. By their 9th grade year they will have memorized lots of scripture, Luther's Small Catechism, done sermon notes and participated several times in the acolyte program.
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WINGS
WINGS is a Wednesday evening program that runs during the school year, September- April. It is for children age preschool - 5th grade.
The childred learn bible verses and earn WING DINGS. These may be spent at the 'store' monthly. They also cycle thru music and recreation.
Church Camp
Our Church Camp is located at Camp Carol Joy Holling in Ashland, NE and the congregation provides camper ships for each youth attending.
Vacation Bible School
Power Lab was the theme of Vacation Bible School this year. AHA! Ninety-two children from preschool through 5th grade participated in Bible study, crafts, singing, games and snacks. The area was decorated in the "laboratory" theme. Each day we learned about a different Bible Point. Jesus gives us the power to be THANKFUL (Monday), HELP OTHERS (Tuesday), BRAVE (Wednesday), LIVE FOREVER (Thursday) and TELL OTHERS ABOUT GOD (Friday). Each day each child was given a Bible Buddy which had the Bible verse of the day printed on it. T-shirts were given to those who preregistered and each family received a CD of the songs that we sang during the week.
This could not have been done without the help of many, many, many volunteers. We (Kendra and Judy) were so impressed by those who volunteered to help with VBS. THANK YOU.
Kendra Fritsche and Judy Wissmann
Bible Study Groups
Bible Study Groups are offered during the year. We teach and believe that Bible study edifies our lives and provides excellent unity around Christ. We provide ongoing men's, women's and youth Bible study on books of the Bible, special topics or theology. At least twice a year we have available a living Discipleship class that opens up the Bible and doctrine for a deeper discipleship in Christ. Most of the year we offer at least 2 hours of Bible study for adults during the week apart from regular Sunday morning Bible study. Please, contact the church office for current offerings
Library
Bethel's library has 1184 books available for check out. There are 145 videos, seven audio tapes, one CD, and thirteen DVDs. The circulation averages 3.5 items a week.
