May 2013 Lamplighter

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LamplighterheM a y 2 0 1 3Vol. 6 Issue 5

This Months HighlightsMay Highlights p. 1

Note from the Pastor p. 1

Note from Landon p. 2

Note from Debbe

May Calendar P. 3

Financials p. 4

Extended Session p. 4

May Birthdays p. 5

May Anniversariesp. 5

Our Church Sta

Gary BurdenSenior Pastor

919-631-6789

Landon OrrAssoc. Pastor of

Discipleship & Evangelism

919-229-9379

Debbe LangdonMusic Director/Pianist

919-410-0271

Chasty ComeauAdmin. AssistantFinances

Pat BaucomAdmin. Assistant - Publicaons

Continued on page 2

PRAY FOR AMERICAWHY?-- may be the rst queson some ask. Some are red of

beang the same old drum of alarm. Some think concern for our

naon is too polical and is somehow beneath the dignity of being cool. Some think

such concern is way down the list on our church priories and may sidetrack us from

our mission. Others may believe our naon is too far gone to bother.

Priories must be kept in checkevangelism and discipleship are the churchs priori-

es. But included in biblical discipleship is also radical prayer for and impact on our

society. (Remember our salt and light mandate?) True, Gods Kingdom is bigger

and more enduring than any earthly kingdom. But Gospel impact has to happen in thehere-and-now, or it wont happen at all to impact the hereaer.

Is there really a need? Our democracy has survived all these years. A lile history

lesson may help. In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scosh history professor at the University

of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the mighty Athenian Republic 2000

years prior: A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a

permanent form of government. Tyler then interjects that pesky lile factorthe

inuence of our sinful human nature, and therefore why Gospel impact must never

wane!

Naonal Day of Prayer

May 2, 2013

The 62nd annual Naonal Day of Prayer will take

place Thursday, May 2, 2013. Millions will unite in

prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast.

This years theme, Pray for America, is based on Mahew 12:21, which re-

minds us that In His name the naons will put their hope.

Youth Basket AuctionStarting now through May 8th

(details on page 6)

Total MayHim Youth RallyMay 4, 2013

Assistance needed(details on page 6)
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Page 2T h e L a m p l i g h t e r

As most everyone who

reads my arcles knows

by now, over the past two

years I have jumped head-

rst into the world of Tri-

athlon. Right now I have

ve tentave races on my summer schedule, starng

next week and ending someme in September or

October. You might think I am crazy for taking on

such an endeavor. You might be right. However,

when I did my rst triathlon nearly two years I was

struck by how genuinely nice most all the parci-

pants were, and I have connued to be impressed

race aer race. At that point I decided to pursue the

sport, not because I am famished from nice, genu-

inely loving individuals, but because it bothers me

that among such a large group of people there issuch a small Chrisan presence. In a since, I have

found my local mission eld. I have decided to take

something I enjoy doing, a hobby, and use it to reach

others for Christ. To me that is basically the best of

both worlds.

Reaching out to others doesnt have to be hard. It

doesnt have to mean that you need to pack even

more stu into an already busy schedule. If you

have a desire to reach others for Christ all you have

to do is nd something you enjoy, nd others thatalso enjoy it, and join their community. Like to read

books? Join a book club. Like to play sports? Join an

adult league. Like to admire cars? Find a nearby car

club. Just like to be around people? Find a social

club of some sort. Get out in the world and meet

people. Make friends. Share the love of Christ.

Lets not make evangelism too hard, lets seek to

share Christ in the natural avenues that our daily life

takes us.

A democracy will connue to exist up unl the me

voters discover that they can vote themselves gener-

ous gis from the public treasury. From that moment

on, the majority always votes for the candidates who

promise the most benets from the public treasury,

with the results that every democracy will nally col-lapse over loose scal policy, which is always followed

by a dictatorship.

Tyler wasnt nished: The average age of the worlds

greatest civilizaons from the beginning of history has

been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these

naons always progressed [we should say digressed]

through the following sequence:

From bondage to spiritual faith;

From spiritual faith to great courage;

From great courage to liberty;

From liberty to abundance;

From abundance to complacency;

From complacency to apathy;

From apathy to dependence;

From dependency back into bondage.

Anyone with an ounce of discernment should be able

to see the parallel with our naon. Are we unalterably

doomed to this depressing outcome? Only the Lord

knows. But we do know our obligaonto pray! As

long as there are genuine Chrisans in the land, there is

hope in our God. We owe it to our children and grand-

children.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

THURSDAY, MAY 2

PRAY FOR AMERICACongratulaons to our

Assoc. Pastor of Disci-

pleship and Evangelism

Landon Orr

Landon will be graduang from Southeastern Bap-

st Theological Seminary on May 17, with a Master

of Divinity degree. He will connue his studies in

the fall working on a Master of Theology degree.


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The Lamplighter Page 3

Today I hear birds chirping outside my window and

found this devotion reading that I want to share with

you. Originally published in Amazing Grace: 366 In-spiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth

W. Osbeck, the story focuses on a favorite hymn, His

Eye Is On The Sparrow.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one

of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of

your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your

head are all numbered. So dont be afraid; you are

worth more than sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

Mrs. Civilla Martin, author of this gospel hymn, tells ofa visit in 1904 to a bedridden Christian friend. Mrs.

Martin asked the woman if she ever got discouraged

because of her physical condition. Her friend re-

sponded quickly: Mrs. Martin, how can I be discour-

aged when my heavenly Father watches over each

little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me.

Within just a few minutes Mrs. Martin completed the

writing of her new text, which has since been a source

of much encouragement to many of Gods people.

It is interesting that our Lord chose the most common

of all birds, sparrows of little value, to teach a pro-

found truth: In Gods eyes, no one is insignificant! He

is vitally concerned with even the details of our lives.

Notice also that the Bible uses another bird to teach

this inspiring truth:Those who hope in the Lord will

soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). With an

awareness of Gods concern for our lives and the

promise of His enabling power to live victoriously, why

should we be afraid?

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the

shadows come, why should my heart

be lonely and long for Heaven and home, when

Jesus is my portion? My constant

Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I

know He watches me; His eye is

on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Let not your heart be troubled, His tender

word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose

my doubts and fears; tho by the path He

leadeth but one step I may see: His eye in on

the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His

eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches

me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds

arise, when songs give place to sighing, when

hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him;

from care He sets me free; His eye in on the

sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is

on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.

I sing because Im happy, I sing because Imfree, for His eye is on the sparrow and I know

He watches me.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no

grapes on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will

be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)

Rest and rejoice in the assurance of Gods love.

God bless

Debbe

Continued on second column

This week I had the joy of readingto Micah, repeatedly, a book you

may be familiar with, The Little

Engine That Could. Now Jesus liked using parables

to speak to people during his earthly ministry, and

He was without a doubt talking to me through this

little story, too. You see there was this train full of

toys and good food and treats for the boys and girls

just over the mountain, but it was stuck. Several

engines came by and were asked to help. One was

too new and fancy to bother with such childish

things. One was far too strong and important to help

with something so small. One was too old and tiredto even give it a try. Then came along a little engine,

who although he had never been over the mountain,

said "I think I can." You know the rest....

Awana, has been like that train to me. Full of poten-

tial to fill the lives of children in our community with

the best thing we can bring the: God's love and sal-

vation through Jesus. Every leader who has served

could have been like any of those engines that said

no and kept on their way. They all had reason to,

but they didn't. Instead, they were like that last little

engine. They said, even hesitantly, "I think I can." As

this year draws to a close, I want to say thank you to

all who have served in any way to help us get over

the mountain. And I can't help but hear a new cho-

rus, loud and clear, saying "I knew He could!"

May 1 Crazy Hat

8 SpringFest NO AWANA

15 Duct Tape Night

22 Beach Bum

29 Awards Night / Store

Brigitte
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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday1AWANA

andWeekly Wed.

Schedule

2

NATIONALDAY OFPRAYER

3 4

Youth TotaMayHim

5BreakfastFellowship

WeeklySunday Service

6 7Deacons Mtg.

7:00 PM

8

SpringFestDinner &Quarterly Bus.

Mtg.

9 10 11

12Mothers Day

WeeklySunday Service

No eveningactivities

13

Ladies NightOutBowling

15 15AWANA

andWeekly Wed.

Schedule

16 17 18

19Weekly

Sunday ServiceBasket Auction

Luncheon

20 21 22AWANA

andWeekly Wed.

Schedule

23 24 25

26Weekly

Sunday ServiceNo eveningactivities

27Memorial Day

Church OfficeClosed

28 29AWANA AWARDSand Weekly Wed.

Schedule

30 31


6:30pm...........................................................Awana, Youth Bible Study

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

Choir Rehearsal

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

10:30 am ........................................................ Morning Worship Celebraon

6:00 pm ..........................................LifeLine...Get Connected (Small Groups)

Student LifeLine

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

Sunday Schedule Wednesday Night Schedule


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

MAY EXTENDED SESSION

AND KIDS CHURCH

Wednesday, May 1 - PM

Frances Burden &

Louise Gilmore

Sunday, May 5 - AM

Babies: Kathleen McLamb

& Cherilyn Murphy

2s: Heather Henry &

Tori Smith

3s/4s: Julie Brueggen &

Kristen Duncan

K-3rd Kids Church

Frances Burden &Angel Duncan

Sunday, May 5 - PM

Sharon Johnson &

Linda Wilson

Wednesday, May 8

Jennifer Harrison &

Terry Gatewood

Sunday, May 12 - AM

Babies: Brigie Creech &Jan Culpepper

2s: Missy Urban &

Tara Baker

3s/4s: Mandy &

Brianna Windham

K-3rd Kids Church

Nicole & Michael Ritchie

Sunday, May 12 PM

No Evening Acvies

Wednesday, May 15

Ron & Diane Whitman

Sunday, May 19 - AM

Babies: Sondra Gatewood &

Jane Gatlin

2s:

3s/4 s: Wendy &

Chris Gatewood

K-3rd Kids Church

Terry Gatewood &

David Duncan

Sunday, May 19 - PM

Seth & Nicole Langdon

Wednesday, May 22

Chrisna & Warren Casper

Sunday, May 26 - AM

Babies: Faye Wells &

Shalee Sams

2s: Wendy Beasley &

Diane Duncan

3s/4s: Kristol &

Nick Flanigan

K-3rd Kids Church

Will & Leigh Smith

Sunday, May 26 - PM

No Evening Acvies

Wednesday, May 29

Kaye Peele & Sara Jay

Preschool Regis. Desk

Diane Duncan

Date S.S.AM

Worship

Budget

Oering

His Vision

Our Mission

Mar. 31 100 165 5,703.80 765.00

Apr. 7 101 155 6,125.35 1,445.00

Apr. 14 110 175 6,933.06 945.00

Total 311 495 18,762.21 3,155.00

Avg. 104 166 6,254.07 1,0.52.00

Average Aendance & Oerings for April 2012

Avg. 106 155 6,190.54 952.70

Facts & Figures for April 2013

The updated church directories are on the

table in the foyer. Please take one for

each family. If there are correcons in

your informaon please contact the

church oce.

We Want Your Input!

A task force in our church is exploring the

possibility of our church providing a

weekday (9 AM1 PM) preschool in the

future. We are in the early stages of a

feasibility study and will be conducng a

church survey to gather your input. Just

to let you know so you can be prayingnow.
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4967 Highway 70 West Business

Clayton, NC 27520

Phone: 919-553-7678

Address Service Guaranteed

May Birthdays

Ann Earp 1st

Nicole Ritchie 1st

Wya Harrison 8th

Ron McNeece

14th

Sharon Levin 17th

Tommy Jones 18th

Carol Lane 18th

Stephen Levin 18th

Shelby Durham 19th

Noah Arant 21st

Cathy Johnson 21st

Cherilyn Murphy 21st

Sharon Orchard 21st

Isaiah Murphy

23rd

Lily Carroll 28th

May Anniversaries

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com


Jerry & Louise Gilmore 1st

Kendall & Wendy Beasley 2nd

Garry & Carol Lane 13th

Brian & Jennifer Harrison 22nd

Benny & Debbe Langdon 27th

John & Jessica Peedin 29th

Jimmy & Kaye Peele 29th

TOTAL MAYHIM YOUTH RALLY: May 4

How can I help?

Here are some specic things we need help with for the up-

coming youth rally:

Donaon of cookies and other small treats for students

Help serve treats to students

Greet students as they arrive and register them

Reset Worship Center for Sunday Worship

Pray that students who desperately need Christ will be changed forever

YOUTH BASKET AUCTIONTo help raise money to send our students to

summer camp, the youth are hosting Bethesda'sfourth annual basket auction. We would like

for each Sunday School class, or other group,

to prepare a special basket and place it in the foyer. Next, we

ask you to shop around and find the basket on which you want

to bid. When you find that special basket you want, place a bid

by writing your name and the amount you want to bid on the list

attached to the basket. (Baskets are due in the church foyer byMay 8th). The auction will end on Sunday, May 19th with agood, old-fashioned, hamburger and hot dog cook-out. So joinin the fun and help send our youth to camp.

Ladies Bible Study and Prayer Group

Ladies, it has been a great blessing to have

you join me in prayer at my home these last

few weeks--praying for special needs in the

church, families, our country, and much

more. We will connue to do this on Tues-

day mornings, 10:00 AM throughout May,

and then take a summer break from meeng together here. How-

ever, don't give up praying! Come--and let us go together to the

throne of grace with condence throughout the month of May

(Hebrews 4:16).

Resng in Jesus,Sharon Levin

Documents

May 2013 Lamplighter