Bethesda Lamplighter October 2011

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O c t o b e r 2 0 1 1Vol. 4 Issue 10

Finding Encouragement in a Discouraging World

With few exceptions, when one looks around in almost every di-

rection, it seems that encouragement is in short supply. Whether

local or global, the moral and economic (and any other metric you wish to use) out-

look isnt looking too good. Thats not the view of a pessimist, but of a realist. In this

fallen world, we strive for peace and harmony, all the while knowing our ultimate

hope is found in knowing the Prince of Peace and in looking forward to His return.

In the meanwhile, as people of the meanwhile, how do we should we -- cope? Not

just endure, but live with a spirit of radiant encouragement? Every generation has had

and will have its challenges. And every generation is looking for anyone who, eventhough beset by the same circumstances, seems to have it together. Theyre not

looking for perfection in anyonejust peace.

Im so glad to be a part of a church fellowship where encouragement is found in great

measurenot because we in ourselves have it, but because we know the One Who is

perfect peace and encouragement. I rejoice in the many stories I hear from members

and guests alike who experience the Lords healing spirit of encouragement here. As

long as we point folks to that Onewhether here where we meet, or out there where

we livethose good stories will continue.

Continued on page 2

Saturday, October 1st7:00 A. M. - 12 Noon

In an effort to raise money for new playgroundequipment the Preschool/Childrens Council issponsoring a yard sale on Saturday, October 1st. All proceeds will go toward new equipment andfence for the playground. We will gladly pick upany items you would like to donate to the sale.

Contact Wendy Gatewood.

Our Church StaffOur Church StaffOur Church StaffOur Church Staff

Gary BurdenSenior Pastor

919-631-6789

Landon OrrMinister to Students

919-229-9379

Debbe LangdonMusic Director/Pianist

919-410-0271

Kathy WelchOffice Coordinator

Michele McLaughlinAdmin. Assistant - Finances

Pat BaucomPat BaucomPat BaucomPat BaucomAdmin. Assistant - Publications

October 14th - 15th

Details on page 2

Sunday, October 30

Details on page 2


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Along this line, and in order to strengthen us all in this

journey, I plan to begin a message series Sunday morning,

October 9, titled Finding Encouragement in a Discourag-

ing World. I trust these messages will serve to encour-

age us all so we in turn can be encouragers to others.

What a Fellowship!

I am so proud of you as a church family. The end of sum-

mer and the beginning of our fall schedule brought many

changes on top of an already very full calendarnew

Awana schedule and new small groups requiring new

formats for Wednesday and Sunday evenings, Clayton

Harvest Festival, BBQ Chicken Fund Raiser, Homecoming,

the movie outing for Courageous--just to name a few. Your

spirit of cooperation, hard work, and care has been exem-plary. And we have seen some very good results in terms

of in reach and outreach. As long as we all keep our focus

on Him, I am convinced His good Name will be honored

and spread throughout our community. Be encouraged!\

Gary BurdenGary BurdenGary BurdenGary Burden

NEXT SUNDAY

Come hear our own Elmer Underwood, guest preacher,

S unday mo rn i n g , O c t obe r 2 .

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F R O M T H E P A S T O R ( C O N T D ) I dont know about you, but recently Ive

been running around like a mad person: here

and there, to and fro, backwards and for-wards, often feeling like Im upside down.

Im talking about weddings, research pa-

pers, countless pages of reading, bible stud-

ies to plan, events to organize and attend,greek vocab to learn, company at our apartment, and the list

usually goes on and on. Im living life at 100 miles and hour,

and its hard to keep up.Can anyone relate with me? I know we all have different

responsibilities and commitments but, nonetheless, there are

things everywhere pulling us in so many different directions.

A recent article of mine discussed how we cannot excuse

ourselves from serving the Lord because we feel over-

whelmed; our life here is temporal and we will have a latereternity to rest and enjoy God. I still fully believe and support

that statement. In fact thats often how I get through every-

thing I have going on. What we need to avoid is making our faith more complicated

than it needs to be. Sometimes we need to take a break.

Sometimes we need a Sabbath rest. Im not necessarily

talking about a Sunday afternoon nap, though I have found

those to be priceless. Im talking about actually taking a day

to sit around and do nothing but improve your relationshipwith God. The tendency we all face is to think that every-

thing we do, especially in regards to church work, is

strengthening our relationship with God. While this is some-

what true, we, following our human nature, in an effort to be

good Christians, begin to subconsciously think (cause wewould never say this outright) that our activities are required

of us and work to purify us. A little hard work only makes aperson stronger, right? I urge you to always, in the midst of

busyness, take a moment to just double check your motives

and if you find that your motivation is slightly askew, take a

short break to put yourself back into realignment.

LandonLandonLandonLandon

A time of fun, food, and fellowship is

planned for October 14

th

in the fel-lowship hall. Ladies of all ages are

encouraged to attend for the eve-

ning or to stay overnight. Plan to come and bring your

favorite food to share, and your pillows and blankets for a

night of laughter and fun. This will be a great time to fel-

lowship together and enjoy some good food and fun. Ac-

tivities start at 6:30 but you can drop by anytime. Dont be

left out of the fun. No child care will be provided so ladies

only please. Hope to see you there. For more information

contact Frances Burden, Leigh Smith, Julia Stephens, or

Sharon Orchard.

Church-wide EventSunday, October 30th

6:00 - 7:30 PM

Come on out and join us for:Games, Food, Trunk or Treat,

lots of Fun for everyone!!

Costumes are welcome -

no scary ones please.


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We are planning to have a float in the Clayton

Christmas Parade again this year. Let anyone on the

Preschool/Childrens Council know if you have ideas

for decorating the float or if you are willing to work

on it. Wendy GatewoodWendy GatewoodWendy GatewoodWendy Gatewood

ACTIVITIES FOR OUR CHILDREN

September brought the start of

many new programs for the chil-

dren: Awana on Wednesdays,

Shout Praise Kids(SPK) choir on

Sunday evenings. Its exciting

times! If you want to help with any of the childrens

programs or activities please let us know we will

get you busy!

Awana is now in full swing, and I continue to be

amazed as God works out his vision in this ministry.

The leaders, listeners, and game directors are ex-

tremely dedicated and doing an amazing

jobconfirmed by how much fun the kids are having

and the fact that they keep bringing more friends!

Here are the exciting themes we have in the month of

October:

Oct 5 Animal Kingdom 12 Bring a Friend

19 Crazy Hat

26 Cubbies Parents Night

If you would like to be a part of this ministry, I defi-

nitely have a place for you. (Call Brigitte 961-0759.)

All of you are invited to join us for opening ceremo-

nies each week at 6:30 where clubbers receive

awards as they continue to Know, Love, and Serve

Jesus Christ.

We will be participating in OCC again this year. Our

church goal is to fill 200 shoe boxes. Collection datesare Nov. 13-20. Please donate $7 or more for each

shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and

other project costs. Eight million children around the

world received a shoe box last year. Over 300 coun-

tries have received shoe boxes since 1993. ONE

MISSION: To demonstrate Gods love in a tangible

way to needy children around the world, and together

with the local church worldwide, to share the Good

News of Jesus Christ. Just think, each of your shoe

boxes has the potential to help in leading these chil-

dren to Christ. Please pray about how many shoe

boxes God would like for you to fill. This is a price-

less opportunity. Gift ideas are:

TOYS: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, ka-

zoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A

Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra

batteries), Slinky, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Pens, pencils and sharpener,

crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing

pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picturebooks, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS: Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar

soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag

all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sun-

glasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights

(with extra batteries).

A PERSONAL NOTE: In a separate envelope, you

may enclose a note to the child and a photo of your-self or your family. (If you include your name and ad-

dress, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-

related items such as toy guns, knives or military fig-

ures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or

lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items

such as snow-globes , glass containers or aerosol

cans .

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2

Bkf.. Fellowship

W ee k l y

Sunday Service

with Elmer

Underwood

Preaching

3 4

Ladies Bible Study

10:00 AM

Deacons Mtg.

7:00 PM

5

Awana - 6:30 PM

WeeklyWed.

Schedule-6:45 PM

6 7 8

9

Week l y

Sunday Service

Church Council

Mtg.- 4:30 PM

10 11

Ladies Bible Study

10:00 AM

12

Awana - 6:30 PM

WeeklyWed.

Schedule-6:45 PM

13 14 15

16

W ee k l y

Sunday Service

17 18

Ladies Bible Study

10:00 AM

19

Awana - 6:30 PM

.

WeeklyWed. Schedule-6:45 PM

20 21

22

Deacon/Wives

Fellowship

23

W ee k l y

Sunday Service

24 25

Ladies Bible Study

10:00 AM

26

Awana - 6:30 PM

Weekly Wed.

Schedule-6:45 PM

27 28 29

30

Week l y

Sunday Service

Harvest Festival

6:00 - 7:30 PM

31

6:30pm......................................................................................................Awana

Youth Bible Study

6:45 pm.............................................................. Adult Prayer and Bible Study

Choir Rehearsal

W e e k l y W e d n e s d a y S c h e d u l eW e e k l y S u n d a y S c h e d u l e

9:15 am ..............................................................................Bible Study Fellowship

10:30 am ....................................................................MorningWorship Celebration

6:00 pm........................ ...................... ....................... .........LifeLine...Get Connected

Student LifeLine

SPK CHOIR (Shout Praises Kids) - Grades 1-5

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Ladies Lock-in

Begins Fri. Evening - Ends Sat. Morning


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T h e L a m p l i g h t e r Page 5

Date S.S. AM

Worship

Budget

Offering

His Vision

Our Mission

Aug. 28 115 153 4,907.07 1,362.75

Sept. 4 114 151 5,824,27 1,380.00

Sept. 11 117 158 5,722.00 830.00

Sept. 18 104 172 5,694.00 515.00

Total 450 634 22,147.34 4,087.75

Avg. 113 159 5,536.84 1,021.93

Average Attendance & Offerings for September 2010

Avg. 111 149 4,828.66

Facts & Figures for August/September 2011

OCTOBER EXTENDED SESSIONAND KIDS CHURCH

Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2 ---- AMAMAMAM

Babies: Kathleen McLamb &

Cherilyn Murphy

2s: Heather Henry &

Tori Smith

3s/4s:Wendy Beasley &

Diane Duncan

KKKK----3rd Kids Church3rd Kids Church3rd Kids Church3rd Kids Church

Frances Burden &

Angel Duncan

Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2Sunday, Oct. 2 ---- PMPMPMPM

Sharon Johnson &

Sharon Levin

Wednesday, October 5Wednesday, October 5Wednesday, October 5Wednesday, October 5

Frances Burden &

Louise Gilmore


Babies: Brigitte Creech &

April Lengel

2s: Brandi & Tobi Sauer

3s/4s: Kristol Flanigan

& Kristen Duncan


Nicole & Michael Ritchie


Jane & Johnnie Gatlin

Wednesday, Oct. 12Wednesday, Oct. 12Wednesday, Oct. 12Wednesday, Oct. 12

David Duncan &

Shannon Coomer


Babies: Sondra Gatewood &

Jane Gatlin

2s: Diana Lee & Sis Godwin

3s/4 s: Leigh Smith &

Jennifer Harrison


Terry Gatewood &

David Duncan

Sunday, October 16Sunday, October 16Sunday, October 16Sunday, October 16 ---- PMPMPMPM

Larkin Creech &

Debbie Henry


Terry Gatewood &

Shannon Coomer


Babies: Faye Wells &

Shalee Sams

2s: Laura & Shane Benson

3s/4s: Julie Brueggen &

Sara Orr


Wendy & Chris Gatewood


Bob & Brenda Jones


Bobbie Lonas &

Shannon Coomer


Babies: Faye Parrish &

Elvis Farr

2s: Sondra Gatewood &

Louise Gilmore

3s/4s: Sharon Orchard &

Stephanie Johnson


Sabrina & Trenton Seagroves


Harvest Festival

Wednesday, Nov. 2Wednesday, Nov. 2Wednesday, Nov. 2Wednesday, Nov. 2

Frances Burden &

Louise Gilmore

Preschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. Desk

1st Sunday:1st Sunday:1st Sunday:1st Sunday: Brigitte Creech

2nd Sunday:2nd Sunday:2nd Sunday:2nd Sunday: Diane Duncan

3rd Sunday:3rd Sunday:3rd Sunday:3rd Sunday: Diane Duncan

4th Sunday:4th Sunday:4th Sunday:4th Sunday: Wendy Gatewood

5th Sunday:5th Sunday:5th Sunday:5th Sunday: Brigitte Creech

Come, now is the time to worship;

Come, now is the time to give your heart.

Come, just as you are to worship;

Come, just as you are before your God.

Picture-perfect: a beautiful Sunday afternoon on Main

Street, a hint of cooler autumn breezes, lawn chairs and

blankets, friends greeting each other, and the sound of

choirs singing Praise andWorship to our mighty God!

Surely, this was the time to worship and what a joy it

was! In fact, every moment is the time to worship, to

come just as you are. tie your busy moments together

with worship a prayer on your lips and a song in your

heart!

One day every tongue will confess You are God;

One day every knee will bow;

Still the greatest treasure remains for those

who gladly choose You now.

Willingly we choose to surrender our lives,

willingly our knees will bow;

With all our heart, soul, mind, and strength,

we gladly choose You now.

Come now is the time to worship;

Come now is the time to give your heart.

Come just as you are to worship;

Come just as you are before your God.

Come.

God bless Debbe LangdonDebbe LangdonDebbe LangdonDebbe Langdon


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4967 Highway 70 West Business

Clayton, NC 27520

Phone: 919-553-7678

October BirthdaysOctober BirthdaysOctober BirthdaysOctober Birthdays

Stephen Lee 3rd

Michael Ritchie 3rd

Larry Harper 5th

Faye Wells 5th

Jackie Matthews 11th

Gary Burden 12th

Michelle Jacobs 12th

Debbe Langdon 13th

Phyllis Godwin 14th

Frances Croom 15th

Katie Robbs 17th

David Duncan 24th

Larkin Creech 25thCheri Pulley 28th

Elmer Underwood 28th

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

Junior & Heather Henry 17th

Stephen & Sharon Levin 18th

David & Diane Duncan 26th

LADIES TUESDAYMORNING BIBLE STUDY

As I write this, we ladies have just begun our first week's study of "Living with

Discernment in the End Times" by Kay Arthur, David Lawson, and Bob Vereen

of Precept Ministries International--the New Inductive Study of 1 and 2 Peter,

and Jude. Kay Arthur says in her introduction of 2 Peter, "We need a spiritual

safety linea cord of absolute truth to keep us from sliding down a slippery

slope of error and off into absolute nonsense. The Word of God is that safetylinethe only safety line. It is truth--absolute truth--and it is strong enough to

hold me." And I say "AMEN!" Any of you ladies who want to pop in and join us

at my home are more than welcome! We meet on Tuesday mornings, 10:00 am,

unless notified otherwise. What a blessing and encouragement to have God's

Word--our safety line--to depend on! -

Your sister in Christ,Sharon LevinSharon LevinSharon LevinSharon Levin

The Lamplighter Page 6

Bethesda Baptist Church

Always Thankful

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Bethesda Lamplighter October 2011