Lamplighter

Vol. 5 Issue 12 December 2012

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

Celebrating Christmas at Bethesda

December 2nd
Christmas Open House at the Pastors Home 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Landon Orr
Minister to Students 919-229-9379

Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271

December 9th Home School Choir Musical - 6:00 PM December 16th Adult Choir Christmas Musical - 10:30 AM Childrens Christmas Musical - 6:00 PM Childrens Christmas Party - 7:00 PM December 19th Church-wide Christmas Caroling - 6:00 PM December 25th Birthday of our Savior Christmas and Missions: a Southern Baptist Bundle
Well, at our household we recently got the notice that our year-long promotional bundle program through our cable company had run its course; so now the rules change, the prices go up, the frustration factor to decide what to do next intensifies. Whatever happened to the days of TV antennas, only three or four channels to choose from, and NO costs just for tuning in? In this day of multiple options, channels, mediacommunication technologies, whats a soul to do? The big question now is: to bundle, or not to bundle? Or the questionIs there a better bundle than all these? There is an exciting answer. Think with me about a bundle better than any media promotion. Its the biblical bundle of Christmas and Missions. As Southern Baptists we certainly have an historical precedent for the connection, going back to 1888 when it was suggested we take our foreign missions offerings at this time when hearts are tender. The Christmas/Missions theme was accentuated by one of our first missionaries to China, Miss Lottie Moon of Virginia. She strongly advocated for this offering from the day she arrived on her mission fieldChristmas Eve 1873to the day she died on that fieldChristmas Eve 1912. It was only fitting that our annual offering for Foreign (now called International) Missions be named in honor of her service AND to remind us of this Christmas/Missions bundle.
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Chastity Comeau Admin. AssistantFinances Pat Baucom

Admin. Assistant - Publications

This Months Highlights

October Highlights Note from the Pastor Note from Landon Announcements December Calendar Financials A Note from Debbe Extended Session Birthdays Anniversaries January Small Group Studies p. 1 p. 1 p. 2 p. 3 P. 4 p. 5 p. 5 p. 5 p. 6 p. 6 P.6

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The connection is patently obviousHis mission and our mission are inseparably linked. We have no mission but to proclaim His glorious mission. Jesus, sinless God-in-humanflesh, the penultimate missionary came into our fallen, broken, sinful world, fully bore the consequences of our sin, victoriously arose from deaths blow, in order that we may by faith receive Him as our Redeemer-Forgiver into our fallen, broken, sinful life. His mission was a rescue mission and more. Those He rescues He receives, restores, and then sends out into that same world to proclaim the message. This is our mission. Jesus summed up this link when He clearly announced: As the Father has sent Me [Christmas-His mission],I also send you [our mission] (John 20:21). Now the question comes down to this: He was totally obedient to His mission; how obedient will we be to ours? OBEDIENTto BE His Heart/ His Hands/ His Voice! He did the hardest part. Now our part is the privileged part of yielding to His heart, hands, and voice. Our responsibility is to respond to His ability. Nothing makes the Christmas season come more alive than the joy of Gospel giving, going, and praying in very intentional ways. With about 5,000 of our Southern Baptist missionaries serving around the globe, for us as a church to collect at least $5,000 (only one dollar per missionary) for our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions should be more than doableit should be abundantly doable, plus! This special annual offering directly funds our missionaries on the field, making up nearly half of our International Mission Boards annual budget. I know we can do it! Whatever your feelings about the latest cable companys bundle program, this is a bundle we all can get excited about! Yes, in this regard, we can joyfully say as Baptists We All Bundle.

Discipleship. This word, while not new, has become a "fad" word in certain church circles over the past 10-15 years. People mean different things when they say it, and I thought it would be good for me to clarify how I define it as I begin to spend more time in the coming months with this word, focusing on leading the church in its discipleship ministries. Colossians 1:28 says this: "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." This has become a theme verse of sorts for me over the past few months. When we look at this verse we see that Paul has a very clear end goal for his ministry, the spiritual maturity of others. This is typically called sanctification, a lifelong transformation of ourselves into the image of Christ. This process is fulfilled in several different ways. It is fulfilled by personal time with God's Word, by corporate and personal worship, and by the preaching of the Word. It is also fulfilled by our relationships with each other, through encouragement and correction that occurs when we simply live life together. To me, that is discipleship, relationships that sanctify. As a minister of discipleship, my job is not to have these types of relationships with everyone in the church. Instead my job is to make sure that our members are creating these relationships with others. We do many things to facilitate these relationships, but the primary place they occur is in our Sunday school and other small groups. If you are not involved in one of these groups I encourage you to join one, and build some of these relationships. Don't underestimate the value of Christian

Gary Burden

relationships; they are vitally important in all of our lives. Landon Orr

Christmas Open House At the Pastors Home Sunday, December 2, 2012 3:005:00 PM (Drop in any time)

Merry Christmas From your church Ministry Staff Gary, Landon, Debbe, Chastity & Pat

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WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

December 2 - 9, 2012 Focus Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Engaging people groups in the hard places comes with risk and sacrifice for all who obediently choose to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Most of us arent threatened because of our faith, but we need to be in prayer for those who are not that persecution will end but that believers in persecution will stay courageous and bold.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Pictured above are the children who participated in the Childrens Packing Party (packing Christmas Child Boxes). Samaritans Purse has changed the lives of children through Operation Christmas Child since 1993. Every year, generous people across the world lovingly pack shoe boxes with gifts simple, yet powerful messages of Gods unconditional love. And when a child opens a shoe box, theyre opening more than a present lovingly prepared just for them. Theyre opening up their community to a world of life-changing opportunities.

2012 LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING

THEME: BE His Heart, His Hands, His Voice

National Goal: $175,000 Million Bethesda Baptist Church Goal: $5,000.

What is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?

Southern Baptist churches collect the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the sole purpose of supporting our international missions. Every penny of the offering goes to the International Mission Boards overseas budget, thus supporting our missionaries and their work. Charlotte Digges Lottie Moon: The call to obedience and sacrifice A young, unbelieving Lottie Moon told classmates her middle initial stood for Devil. She pulled pranks, missed chapel and scoffed at religion. Eventually, her questioning nature led her to choose Christ and to obey her Lords calling to China.

We met and exceeded our goal of 250 shoe boxes this year. We collected a total of 255 boxes. Please continue to pray for these shoe boxes and the children all over the world who will be receiving them. CHRISMAS CAROLING and FRUIT BASKETS Wednesday, December 19th We will be Christmas Caroling on December 19th at 6:30 PM. We will be taking fruit baskets for our home bound and rest home residents. If you would like to help in preparing these baskets, please meet at the church at 6:00 PM (prior to caroling).

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
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Saturday

Dont forget your Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - Bethesda Goal: $5,000

2 Breakfast Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service No Evening Activities 9 Weekly Sunday Service Home School Choir Musical 6:00 PM 16 Choir Christmas Musical Childrens Christmas Program6 PM 23 Weekly Sunday Service No Evening Activities 30 Weekly Sunday Service No Evening Activities

5 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule

Clayton Christmas Parade 3:00 PM

10 Ladies Night Out Bowling

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12 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule

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Christmas Eve
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Church office closed until January 2nd.

New Years Eve

Sunday Schedule Wednesday Night Schedule
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 Celebration 6:00 pm .......................................... LifeLine...Get Connected (Small Groups)

Student LifeLine

The Lamplighter Do you hear what I hear? The sounds of Christmas music bring joy to my heart, reminding me of favorite Christmas traditions and the most wonderful gift of all the birth of Jesus! There are lots of musical celebrations on the calendarplease invite your friends and families to join us!! Our Christmas season begins with a Hanging of the Greens service on November 25 at 6pm. We will decorate the church, remembering the traditions and preparing ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child. On Sunday evening, December 9, we have a special treat in store. You may remember that the HomeSchool Concert Choir is rehearsing weekly in our building; as a matter of fact, some of our own Bethesda families are members of this choir. The group will present a mini-concert at 6pm in our Worship Center. Following the concert, we will continue our celebration with a time of sharing . Sharing what, you say?? Thats where you come in ---- do you have a special Christmas memory or story or poem or song that youd like to share with your Bethesda family? If so, please let me know! Then we will sing some favorite carols together to close our evening. Sunday, December 16, will bring a day full of Christmas music and celebration. The Adult Choir will present our Christmas musical Christmas Joy during the morning worship service, and the ShoutPraiseKids Choir will present Every Little Angel at 6pm. And of course, we will join for our annual Christmas Caroling to our Bethesda home-bound on Wednesday, December 19. Do you hear what I hear? The sounds of Christmas music? Rejoice! Rejoice! Born is the King of Israel! O come, let us adore Him! Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King! God bless!

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DECEMBER EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Sunday, Dec. 2 - 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, Dec. 2 - PM No Activities Wednesday, Dec. 5 Frances Burden & Louise Gilmore Sunday, Dec. 9 - AM Babies: Brigitte Creech & Jan Culpepper 2s: Tobi & Brandi Sauer 3s/4s: Mandy & Brianna Windham K-3rd Kids Church Nicole & Michael Ritchie Sunday, Dec. 9 - PM Jane & Johnnie Gatlin Wednesday, Dec. 12 Jennifer Harrison & Terry Gatewood 2s: Sondra Gatewood & Louise Gilmore 3s/4s: Laura Benson & Sara Orr K-3rd Kids Church Sabrina & Trenton Seagroves Sunday, Dec. 30 - PM No Evening Activities Wednesday, January 1 No Activities Sunday, Dec. 16 - AM Babies: Sondra Gatewood & Jane Gatlin 2s: Brittany & Andrew Arant 3s/4 s: Wendy & Chris Gatewood K-3rd Kids Church Terry Gatewood & David Duncan Sunday, Dec. 16 - PM Seth & Nicole Langdon Wednesday, Dec. 19 Christmas Caroling Sunday, Dec. 23 - AM Babies: Faye Wells & Shalee Sams 2s: Wendy Beasley & Diane Duncan 3s/4s: Kristol & Nick Flanigan K-3rd Kids Church Will & Leigh Smith Sunday, Dec. 23 - PM No Evening Activities Wednesday, Dec. 26 No Activities Sunday, 30 - AM Babies: Faye Parrish & Elvis Farr

Debbe Facts & Figures for November 2012

Date Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25 Total Avg. S.S. 125 113 96 107 441 110 AM Worship 199 165 158 159 681 170 Budget Offering 9,222.47 5,547.85 5,160.51 4,446.41 24,377.24 6,094.31 His Vision Our Mission 3,005.00 2,100.00 695.00 455.00 6,255.00 1,564.00

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

Average Attendance & Offerings for November 2011 Avg. 120 173 5,734.56 1,013.25

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NEW SMALL GROUP STUDIES COMING JANUARY!

4967 Highway 70 West Business Clayton, NC 27520 Phone: 919-553-7678 Address Service Guaranteed

Introductory Large Group Gathering Sunday, January 6, 2013, 6:00 PM We all meet together to introduce the three new studies Then each small group meets for further introductions and discussion Three New Six Week Studies Begin January 13 For Men: Sleeping Giant, by Kenny Luck As our culture decays around us...a giant sleepsthe men of your church,This Sleeping Giant mens strategy is a clarion call to action ...encouraging men to awaken, to mover from the audience to the army Study Leader: Gary Burden. (Study Book -$11.00) For Women: Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted, by Priscilla Shirer Whether big or small, life is filled with interruptions and detours. How do you navigate your life through it all successfully? This study of Jonah will help provide perspective and encouragement. Study Leader: Leigh Smith. (Study Book - $12.00) For All Others: An exciting study topic to be announced. No study book to purchase. Study Leader: Landon Orr.

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

December Birthdays
Rebecca Johnson Kaye Peele Ann Harper Ray Carroll Linda Little Bobby Godwin Brian McLamb Judy Beal Bob Jones Jean Wilkins Kristol Flanigan Brittany Arant Edward Sasser Andrew Arant Shelton Johnson Dennis Kennedy 2nd 2nd 3rd 5th 5th 10th 13th 17th 17th 19th 22nd 24th 27th 31st 31st 31st

December Anniversaries
Chris & Wendy Gatewood Tobi & Brandi Sauer Tommy & Betty Jones Larkin & Brigitte Creech Jerry & Betty Jo Dalton Gary & Frances Burden Bob & Brenda Jones 9th 13th 15th 21st 21st 29th 29th

Johnston County Medical Mall November 29December 5 Regular Working Hours

Keep Johnston County Beautiful, Inc. is planning its Ninth Annual Festival of Trees, a display of live, NC-grown, premium grade Christmas Trees decorated in various themes appropriate for the Christmas Season. This is our Gift to the County during the week of November 29 through December 5, 2012 at the Johnston Medical Mall in Smithfield. There is no admission charge so families can enjoy a festive experience as the Christmas Season begins. Even though the Bethesda Choir will not be singing this year, this event is an enjoyable, festive event for everyone.