Lamplighter

Vol. 6 Issue 5 May 2013

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

National Day of Prayer May 2, 2013

The 62nd annual National 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 Matthew 12:21, which reminds us that In His name the nations will put their hope.

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

Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271

Youth Basket Auction

Starting now through May 8th (details on page 6)

Total MayHim Youth Rally May 4, 2013

Assistance needed (details on page 6)

Chastity Comeau
Admin. AssistantFinances

Pat Baucom
Admin. Assistant - Publications

PRAY FOR AMERICA

WHY?-- may be the first question some ask. Some are tired of beating the same old drum of alarm. Some think concern for our nation is too political and is somehow beneath the dignity of being cool. Some think such concern is way down the list on our church priorities and may sidetrack us from our mission. Others may believe our nation is too far gone to bother. Priorities must be kept in checkevangelism and discipleship are the churchs priorities. 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 the here-and-now, or it wont happen at all to impact the hereafter. Is there really a need? Our democracy has survived all these years. A little history lesson may help. In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish 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 little factorthe influence of our sinful human nature, and therefore why Gospel impact must never wane!
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This Months Highlights

May Highlights Note from the Pastor Note from Landon Note from Debbe May Calendar Financials Extended Session May Birthdays May Anniversaries P. 3 p. 4 p. 4 p. 5 p. 5 p. 1 p. 1 p. 2

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A democracy will continue to exist up until the time voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that every democracy will finally collapse over loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. Tyler wasnt finished: The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations 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 nation. Are we unalterably doomed to this depressing outcome? Only the Lord knows. But we do know our obligationto pray! As long as there are genuine Christians in the land, there is hope in our God. We owe it to our children and grandchildren.

As most everyone who reads my articles knows by now, over the past two years I have jumped headfirst into the world of Triathlon. Right now I have five tentative races on my summer schedule, starting next week and ending sometime 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 first triathlon nearly two years I was struck by how genuinely nice most all the participants were, and I have continued to be impressed race after race. At that point I decided to pursue the sport, not because I am famished from nice, genuinely loving individuals, but because it bothers me that among such a large group of people there is such a small Christian presence. In a since, I have found my local mission field. 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 stuff into an already busy schedule. If you have a desire to reach others for Christ all you have to do is find something you enjoy, find others that also 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. Congratulations to our Assoc. Pastor of Discipleship and Evangelism Landon Orr Landon will be graduating from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary on May 17, with a Master of Divinity degree. He will continue his studies in the fall working on a Master of Theology degree.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THURSDAY, MAY 2 PRAY FOR AMERICA

The Lamplighter 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 Im free, for His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

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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 Inspiring 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 of a 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 responded quickly: Mrs. Martin, how can I be discouraged 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 profound 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. Continued on second column

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 This week I had the joy of reading to 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 tired to 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 potential to fill the lives of children in our community with the best thing we can bring the: God's love and salvation 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 chorus, 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
1 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule 2

Thursday
3

Friday
4

Saturday

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

9 10

Youth Total MayHim

5 Breakfast Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service

7 Deacons Mtg. 7:00 PM

11

SpringFest Dinner & Quarterly Bus. Mtg.

15 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule 16 17

12 Mothers Day Weekly Sunday Service No evening activities

13

15

18

Ladies Night OutBowling

19 Weekly Sunday Service Basket Auction Luncheon

20

21

22 AWANA and Weekly Wed. Schedule

23

24

25

26 Weekly Sunday Service No evening activities

27 Memorial Day Church Office Closed

28

29 AWANA AWARDS and Weekly Wed. Schedule

30

31

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

6:30pm ........................................................... Awana, Youth Bible Study 6:45 pm ...................................................... Adult Prayer and Bible Study Choir Rehearsal

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

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MAY EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Wednesday, May 1 - PM Frances Burden & Louise Gilmore Sunday, May 5 - AM 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 Christina & 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 Activities Wednesday, May 29 Kaye Peele & Sara Jay

The updated church directories are on the table in the foyer. Please take one for each family. If there are corrections in your information please contact the church office.

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

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 conducting a church survey to gather your input. Just to let you know so you can be praying now.

Sharon Johnson & Linda Wilson Wednesday, May 8 Jennifer Harrison & Terry Gatewood Sunday, May 12 - AM Babies: Brigitte 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 Activities Wednesday, May 15 Ron & Diane Whitman

Facts & Figures for April 2013

Date Mar. 31 Apr. 7 Apr. 14 Total Avg. S.S. 100 101 110 311 104 AM Worship 165 155 175 495 166 Budget Offering 5,703.80 6,125.35 6,933.06 18,762.21 6,254.07 His Vision Our Mission 765.00 1,445.00 945.00 3,155.00 1,0.52.00

Average Attendance & Offerings for April 2012 Avg. 106 155 6,190.54 952.70

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

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TOTAL MAYHIM YOUTH RALLY: May 4

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

How can I help? Here are some specific things we need help with for the upcoming youth rally: Donation 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

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

May Birthdays
Ann Earp Nicole Ritchie Wyatt Harrison Ron McNeece Sharon Levin Tommy Jones Carol Lane Stephen Levin Shelby Durham Noah Arant Cathy Johnson Cherilyn Murphy Sharon Orchard Isaiah Murphy Lily Carroll 1st 1st 8th 14th 17th 18th 18th 18th 19th 21st 21st 21st 21st 23rd 28th

YOUTH BASKET AUCTION To help raise money to send our students to summer camp, the youth are hosting Bethesda's fourth 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 by May 8th). The auction will end on Sunday, May 19th with a good, old-fashioned, hamburger and hot dog cook-out. So join in the fun and help send our youth to camp.

May Anniversaries
Jerry & Louise Gilmore Kendall & Wendy Beasley Garry & Carol Lane Brian & Jennifer Harrison Benny & Debbe Langdon John & Jessica Peedin Jimmy & Kaye Peele

Ladies Bible Study and Prayer Group

1st 2nd 13th 22nd 27th 29th 29th

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 continue to do this on Tuesday mornings, 10:00 AM throughout May, and then take a summer break from meeting together here. However, don't give up praying! Come--and let us go together to the throne of grace with confidence throughout the month of May (Hebrews 4:16). Resting in Jesus, Sharon Levin