Lamplighter

Vol. 7 Issue 2 February 2014

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

BETHESDA WEE ONES PRESCHOOL

Bethesda WEE Ones Preschool is in need of some preschool materials AND equipment. Items needed are: child's kitchen play set small child's table and chairs set of wooden blocks/other building materials children's shelving for toys

Landon Orr
Assoc. Pastor of Discipleship & Evangelism 919-229-9379

Chastity Comeau
Admin. AssistantFinances

Pat Baucom
Admin. Assistant - Publications

If you have any of these items or other children's toys and materials that are gently used and need a new home, consider donating them to WEE Ones. Please contact Julie Brueggen, Sondra Gatewood or Frances Burden.

BETHESDA WEE ONES PRESCHOOL MINISTRY FUNDRAISER

We will be collecting gently used shoes to use as a fundraiser for our Wee Ministry. If you have shoes that you no longer wear, children or adult, male or female, please set them aside and bring them to the collection box in the workroom at church in February.

This Months Highlights

Current Highlights Note from the Pastor Note from Landon Upcoming Events February Calendar Financials Extended Session Birthdays Anniversaries Financial News p. 1 p. 1 p. 2 p. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 5 p. 5 p. 5 p. 6

Looking for Love in all the Right Places

You have to work hard to offend Christians. By nature, Christians are the most forgiving, understanding, and thoughtful group of people Ive ever dealt with. They never assume the worst. They appreciate the importance of having different perspectives. Theyre slow to anger, quick to forgive, and almost never make rash judgments or act in anything less than a spirit of total love.No, waitIm thinking of golden retrievers! Everyone is born with an empty love tankneeding to be loved. The sad truth is that most folks (indeed all of us at times) look for love in all the wrong placesdead end streets, disappointing, and oftentimes hurtful places. The love of God is the only right, helpful, love tank filling place. And that love is not just some nebulous

feeling or thing. It is the very heart and nature of God Himself, found only in Jesus Christ and His forgiving grace.
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Indeed, God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners [in active rebellion against Him and His love] Christ died for usnot simply to show us His love, but because of His love to provide His gift of salvation to all who would believe and trust His sacrificial death as payment for our sin. But what about those golden retrievers? Do they sometimes put us to shame? Non-believers should be able to watch us and see something even better than mans best friend kind of love in our livesthe received love of God on display, especially lived out in the way we as Christians relate to one another. And that display is powerful and extremely attractive to a watching world. (And they ARE watching us!) Didnt Jesus tell us: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). They dont really expect perfection from us. (They instinctively know that their often-used excuse about hypocrites in the church doesnt really work all that well.) But they are looking for love. And when they look to us, they are looking in the right placewhether were comfortable with it or not. And when they see us in actionand in attitudewe then have the joyful privilege (and awesome responsibility) to point them to the only One Who is perfect, forgiving, fulfilling loveChrist our Lord. The church house should be a place full of His love. The Christian home should be such a place. Our individual lives should radiate the Sonshine of His love. This month of Februarylove monthlets bask in the Sonlight of His love, absorbing Him deeply into our core being, not to be mere reservoirs of His love, but instead channels overflowing wherever we go! Get started by simply reflecting on His great unconditional love for you. Maybe the words to that song we recently sang in worship might help:

This month I will continue in my series on biblical manhood that I started last month. I introduced the topic last month and this month I tackle the first point: Biblical Manhood expects men to be leaders. This portion is heavily redacted. If youd like to read the full version I will happily share that with you! One of the most obvious things that people can conclude from the creation account concerning proper manhood is that God has chosen men for the responsibility of leading in relationship between male and female. It is important to note that God created both male and female as equals. Both have been made in the image of God (Genesis 2:27) and both are tasked as His overseers of creation (Genesis 1:28). Both have equal value in Gods eyes. However, out of two equals, God chose man to be the leader and it is through six ways in Genesis 1-3 that this divine choice of leadership is blatantly evident. First, Scripture generically refers to humanity as Man. Raymond Ortlund suggests that by naming humanity man in Genesis 1:26, the biblical author is setting up the anticipation of male headship, or leadership, in the rest of chapter 2. Second, man was created before woman. When it came to the specific creation of humanity, God intentionally placed man in the garden first, because he intended for man to be the leader in the relationship between man and woman. Third, man was given the first commandment that concerned proper interaction with God. In Genesis 1:28, both man and woman together, as equals, receive the command to multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. However, The command given in Genesis 2:16-17 which requires that man obediently refuse to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was only given to Adam. Fourth, man was the matter from which God made woman. Thomas Aquinas concludes that the rib was the perfect part of man for God to choose from which to make the woman. If God made woman from the head of man, then this creation implies that she was to have authority over man. If God made woman from man's feet, then this creation implies that she was subject to be mans slave. Instead, God made her from man's rib, signifying womans equality with man, but not denying or subverting the essential role of leadership God intended as he made woman from man. Fifth, God created woman specifically to be mans helper. God created man for a specific reason, to work and keep the garden, and God created woman to be his helper in the task. Both are responsible for this work, but God created woman, with all her unique, worthwhile abilities to come alongside man and assist him in a task that is primarily his.

The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin. O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forever more endure the saints and angels song!
In and with His love,

Landon Orr

Gary Burden

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2014 East Coast Mens Bible Conference March 14-15 Englewood Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, Speakers include: Fred Luter, Bobby Welch, Phil Hoskins Music by This Hope
Registration Information Available in Church Foyer (Registration Deadline: March 2)

Love, love, love. It's the season for it. I see symbols of it filling the aisles at every store in town. Is it in the smell of a rose? The taste of chocolate? Songs and movies of every generation capitalize on our desire to find it, that perfect, pure, true love. But how do you know it? That's the question that haunts. How can we be certain we've found it? Paul, in Romans 5:8 reminds us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Wow, I love this verse! It's not that it's hidden in some obscure nook in the Bible. Most of us, and certainly everyone in Awana, is very familiar with it, but bear with me. Genuine love, real love, is demonstrated. God, all-powerful, creator of everything, didn't just tell us He loves us....He showed us. It's a hard thing to do as busy as we stay, and as tired as we are from all the business of life, but I want to demonstrate love like that. Don't you? Love for God...love for one another...love even for those still trapped in the bondage of sin. Let's do it. If you have found perfect love, I just know you can't wait to share it with someone else. Brigitte lcreech6@gmail.com

Operation Christmas Child 2013 Total Shoe Boxes collected 304

What an exciting season, we had this past year with the collection of shoeboxes for OCC. Praise God, not only did we meet our goal but we exceeded it by 4 shoe boxes. What a wonderful way of expressing the Bethesda heart for missions. We also had a total of 25 people representing Bethesda at the processing in Charlotte. It was wonderful to see the willingness of so many people working together for the most important thing in this world, Helping to spread the Gospel. Please continue to pray for our shoe boxes. Ava Creech gave me this poem last Sunday, and as I read it, I thought this is my prayer. Lord, be with this box. Be With This Box By: Ava Creech Lord be with this box, Let it brings kids to you. Let it bring joy and smiling faces too. Lord be with this gift, And let it lift families from the Whole world to you. Lord be with this present, As it flies like a pheasant. Let it bring love and joy to families from heaven.

By the way, there is no right time of year to join the Awana ministry team. With almost 70 in attendance recently, we would love to have your help as a listener or leader. Please let me know if God is leading you to serve in Awana.

IDEAS FOR 2014 CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOE BOXES

January - At after Christmas sales take advantage of small stocking stuffer items that will be on clearance at this time. February - Focus on dolls and stuffed animals March - Purchase small cars, balls, kazoos, harmonicas, play jewelry and hair accessories April- Buy yo-yos, jump ropes and small Etch A Sketch toys

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
1

Saturday

2 Breakfast Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service

4 Deacons Dinner Hocutt Baptist 7:00 PM

5 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule

9 Weekly Sunday Service

10

11 Deacons Meeting 7:00 PM

12

13

14

15 Mens Breakfast 8:00 AM

WinterFest & Qtly . Business Meeting 6:30 PM

19 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule 20 21 22

16 Weekly Sunday Service

17

18

23 Weekly Sunday Service Baby Shower for Shannon Burford 2:304:30 PM

24

25

26 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule

27

28

Sunday Schedule
9:15 am ................................................................... Bible Study Fellowship 10:30 am .........................................................Morning Worship Celebration 6:00 pm .......................................... LifeLine...Get Connected (Small Groups)

Wednesday Night Schedule

6:30 pm .......................................................... Awana, Youth Bible Study 7:00 pm ..................................................... Adult Prayer and Bible Study Choir Rehearsal

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

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Heather Henry 3rd 3rd 4th 6th 7th 7th 7th 7th 7th 11th 12th 12th Betty Jo Dalton Matthew Henry Stephanie Sasser Angel Duncan Ron Whitman Sharon Johnson Conner Lee Diane Duncan Anna Lia Ritchie Faye Parrish 20th 21st 22nd 22nd 24th 24th 24th 25th 26th 26th 28th

Birthdays
Kendall Beasley Taylor Sasser Kathleen McLamb Lyde Ellis Brianna Beasley Micah Creech Vickie Hall Johnnie Gatlin Charles Wilson Brandon Beasley Andrew Gatewood Betty Jones Jane Gatlin Chris Gatewood Daniel Gordon Grady Flanigan Betty Lee Ayden Lee, Jr. Wendy Beasley

FEBRUARY EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Sunday, Feb. 2 - AM Babies: Kathleen McLamb & Cherilyn Murphy 2s: Heather Henry & Tori Smith 3s/4s: Julie Brueggen & Lewis Chong K-3rd Kids Church Frances Burden & Robin Hotakey Sunday, Feb. 2 - PM Sharon Johnson & Sharon Levin Wednesday, Feb. 5 Brittany Arant & Ginger Starling Sunday, Feb. 9 - AM Babies: Brigitte & Larkin Creech 2s: Tobi & Brandi Sauer Sunday, Feb. 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, Feb. 16- PM Nicole & Seth Langdon Wednesday, Feb. 19 Brittany Arant & Ginger Starling Sunday, Feb. 23 - AM Babies: Faye Wells & Jan Culpepper 2s: Wendy Beasley & Sara Orr 3s/4s: Kristol & Nick Flanigan K-3rd Kids Church Leigh & Will Smith Sunday, Feb. 23 - PM Sarah Jay & Sondra Gatewood Wednesday, Feb. 26 Brittany Arant & Ginger Starling

Anniversaries
8th

13th Wayne & Linda Little 15th 16th 16th 18th 20th

14th Shelby & Carolyn Durham 16th

Facts & Figures for January 2014

Date Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 19 Jan. 26 Total Avg. S.S. 82 75 75 95 89 91 105 612 87 AM Worship 129 158 98 120 133 150 156 944 135 Budget Offering 5,198.32 3,745.12 6,091.00 5,358.00 4,559.13 7,857.80 3,681.10 36,490.47 5,212.92 His Vision Our Mission 590.00 1,335.00 2,165.00 1,889.00 610.00 369.00 775.00 7,733.00 1,105.00

3s/4s: Mandy & Brianna Windham K-3rd Kids Church Ginger Starling & Angel Duncan Sunday, Feb. 9 PM Jane & Johnnie Gatlin Wednesday, Feb. 12 Brittany Arant & Ginger Starling

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

Average Attendance & Offerings for January 2013 Avg. 117 149 7,598.65 1,190.00

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Bethesda Church members and friends at the 2013 Operation Christmas Child distribution center in Charlotte. FINANCIAL NEWS:
All 2013 contribution statements have been printed. If you did not pick yours up in the foyer of the church then you should have received it in the mail during the last week of January. Please contact the church office if you have not received your statement. Online giving has arrived! You can now go to www.bethesdaclayton.com and make contributions to the church or building fund in a safe and secure transaction from the convenience of your personal computer! It is very easy to log in and set up an account. Your contributions will be tracked and will show on your statements at the end of the year. Please call me if you have questions about this service or contact Landon if you have trouble accessing the online giving page. The Lord has given us a beautiful building but we must take care of and pay for it and the other expenses related to operating our church. I understand there are many of you who do not attend the quarterly business meetings and may not be aware of the costs associated with operating a church of our size. Our operating expenses average $26,000 per month and we still owe just under $1.2 million on our building. Malachi 3:10 says Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. God will provide if we trust Him and do as He has instructed all of us to do in His name. Psalm 4:5 tells us to Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. And from 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. I share these verses with you as a tool to help you understand Gods calling to us as his missionaries so we can share the love of Jesus more abundantly with others. It is hard to share and give freely when we feel so burdened with paying off our building. Lets encourage one another to share Jesus with others, invite both believers and non-believers to Bethesda so they can know Jesus and see Him working in our lives and fill our sanctuary to capacity for every service!

Wendy Gatewood