They have been joining us in ministry to Jesus Christ for over a year now, but what do we really know about Rev. Sergio Schmidt and the Cristo Salvador Latino Ministry? Sergio Schmidt is from Argentina.  His paternal great grandfather immigrated to Argentina in the late 1800's.  His maternal grandmother's parents were married in a German Presbyterian Church in New York City before immigrating to Argentina.  Like all of us, his people came from someplace else.

             After attending seminary at the University of Institutes at Iseget and ordination to the Evangelical Church of the River Plate (a union of Lutheran and Reformed churches) Sergio married Carla and began his ministry in Paraguay. Why Paraguay you ask? That is where all the 1^st time ministers in his denomination were sent. After all, none of the experienced ministers wanted to endure the isolation ministers in that country experienced. Only 1^st time ministers, appointed, not asked, were sent there. God alone knew that those crucible years would prepare Sergio and Carla for the loneliness of ministry in the United States, so far from home and their loved ones.

             After ministering in Paraguay, Sergio moved back to Argentina and began doctoral work with a focus on the Gospel of John. (He has achieved "all but thesis" status to date.) Sergio has a deep love of this Gospel, knowing it like the back of his hand. But then, Sergio loves all of scripture and the way it reveals his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

             It is the love of serving his Savior that first brought him to the United States, with his young family, Carla, Victoria and Stefen, to work in a Latino community in Louisville, KY. It was while he was serving in Louisville that he heard and applied to join the Presbytery of Charlotte's Latino Initiative.

             He was told that the mission at Bethpage - Concord had 45 members and that if he grew the mission it would someday be given the status of an independent church; able to fully support his family. So he came, uprooting his young family once more and made a financially uncertain start - fully believing that Christ would bless his efforts.

             When he arrived there were only three members in the mission, the building had little-to-no heat in winter and no air conditioning in the summer. Grateful to Bethpage - Concord, he and Carla built the little church to 45 members. One thing you need to know about Sergio is that he is very serious about serving Jesus Christ with integrity.

             Sadly, the promises he had been made by the Presbyteries Latino Initiative seemed to change every time he reached a goal and the salary and ministry he worked to build seemed to be blocked or frustrated at every turn. Out of ethical frustration he resigned his call a few months before the Presbytery went through a complete restructuring. He began to work in a warehouse to support his family. Even in a warehouse he had a ministry - unpaid - to those he worked with. Times were very hard.

             What next? How did the Schmidt's get to Bethpage - Kannapolis? More about that later, be watching for the next installment in our story of the mission Christo Salvador at Bethpage Presbyterian Church - Kannapolis.

Blessings, Rev. Ellen         

We appreciate the effective leadership of the Elders in the Class of 2014, who completed their terms of active service on May 31st.  These Elders were recognized with appreciation at the May 19th Stated Session Meeting:

Jean Brown

Margaret Griffin

We give thanks to God and to them for their faithful service!

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Eat at Texas Roadhouse (7801 Gateway Ln NW, Concord, NC 28025) on Sunday, July 27th anytime between the hours of 11:00 AM and 10:00 PM and FirstPage Fusion will receive 10% of your total purchase.  Be sure to let your server know that you represent Bethpage "FirstPage Fusion."  Cut your wait in half and CALL AHEAD, 704-979-3090.

Special note:  All businesses around Texas Roadhouse will have your vehicle towed if you park in their lots.  Please be careful where you park!  

 Our children need your help.  Workshop of Wonders is July 28th through 31st and we need your support.  Last year, we had over 40 children attend VBS and we hope to beat that this year.  The schedule each evening will be --- supper beginning at 5:30, followed by the program starting at 6:15 and ending at 8:00 PM.  To make this a success, we need donations of supplies, or monetary donations if you cannot make it to the store.  We will also need several freezers of homemade ice cream for the last night of VBS to accompany our fire truck visit.  Supplies needed are listed below.  If you have questions, please call Brandi Coley at 704-773-0754. 

Supplies

• Rit Dye in Bright Colors
• Plain White Children's & Adult Shoe Laces
• Colorful Permanent Markers (Sharpies)
• Solid Colored Plastic Table Cloths (Round and Rectangular)
• Empty Plastic Soda/Water bottles (clear)
• Pool Noodles
• Rubber Bands
• Bottles of Diet Cola
• Packs of Mint Mentos
• Disposable Aluminum Baking Pans
• Lemon Juice
• Vegetable Oil
• Food Coloring
• Antacid Tablets
• Clear Plastic Cups
• Potting Soil
• Vegetable Seeds
• Tape
• Borax or Liquid Starch
• Glow Paint
• Ziploc Bags

This year, for your convenience, we are offering the option of registering for VBS online:

Pre-Register to Attend VBS

Sign up to Bring Supplies

Extra registration forms are available outside the church office and in the narthex.

"You are the God who works wonders."  Psalm 77:14a 

Dear Bethpage Church Family,

Thanks so much to everyone for all the prayers, cards, calls, emails, visits, and words of encouragement at my Dad's passing.  We could not have gone through it without you all.

Blessings,  Richy Keasler Family

  Dear Friends at Bethpage Presbyterian Church,

On behalf of Cooperative Christian Ministry, I would like to thank you for sponsoring our Mobile Food Pantry on Thursday, June 19^th and for the use of your parking are and facilities. Your member turnout was even more fantastic than last year! The water station was great benefit for all with the very warm temperatures. We were able to serve 7,560 pounds of food to 364 households from Cabarrus and Rowan counties containing 1,036 persons. This was 42 more households than we served at your site last year. Your generosity makes it possible for us to serve those that may not be able to come to one of our food pantries to select food. Again, thank you for all that you did to make our Mobile Food Pantry a great success! Your facility is a great location to serve citizens of Cabarrus County and surrounding area.

Serving even the least of these,

Barry G. Porter, Food Program Manager, CCM 

School's out all summer!  Do you have small children or youth in your house this summer that could use some entertaining, faith building TV programming?  Sign up for RightNow Media.  Hours of great, Christian viewing are just an e-mail away.  (You can even take them to the beach on your IPad.)  Call or email us (info@bethpagechurch.org) at the church office and we will make sure you get an e-mail invitation from RightNow Media.

In memory of Melvin Helms:

Bill and Peggy Overcash

Phil and Ann Allen

Dennis and Marcia Graybeal

In memory of Howard Stough (Marty Paxton's grandfather):

Aubrey and Alice Tarlton 

Monday, July 21, 2014

• Morning Psalms 135; 145
• First Reading Joshua 7:1-13
• Second Reading Romans 13:8-14
• Gospel Reading Matthew 26:36-46
• Evening Psalms 97; 112 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

• Morning Psalms 123; 146
• First Reading Joshua 8:1-22
• Second Reading Romans 14:1-12
• Gospel Reading Matthew 26:47-56
• Evening Psalms 30; 86    

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

• Morning Psalms 15; 147:1-11
• First Reading Joshua 8:30-35
• Second Reading Romans 14:13-23
• Gospel Reading Matthew 26:57-68
• Evening Psalms 48; 4    

Thursday, July 24, 2014

• Morning Psalms 36; 147:12-20
• First Reading Joshua 9:3-21
• Second Reading Romans 15:1-13
• Gospel Reading Matthew 26:69-75
• Evening Psalms 80; 27     

Friday, July 25, 2014

• Morning Psalms 130; 148
• First Reading Joshua 9:22-10:15
• Second Reading Romans 15:14-24
• Gospel Reading Matthew 27:1-10
• Evening Psalms 32; 139    

Saturday, July 26, 2014

• Morning Psalms 56; 149
• First Reading Joshua 23:1-16
• Second Reading Romans 15:25-33
• Gospel Reading Matthew 27:11-23
• Evening Psalms 118; 111 

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