Lamplighter

Vol. 5 Issue 7 July 2012

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

Landon Orr
Minister to Students 919-229-9379

Wednesday Evenings this Summer Now August 22 6:30 PM

Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271

MOST WEDNESDAYS (3 Options)

Chastity Comeau
Admin. Assistant - Finances

Join deacon-led teams walking designated neighborhoods meeting, greeting, praying Join teams at designated local parksmeeting, greeting, making new friends Or, join the team at church praying for outreach groups and for other prayer needs (Note: no childcare at church these nights)

Pat Baucom
Admin. Assistant - Publications

This Months Highlights

Bethesda s Night Out Note from the Pastor Announcements Calendar A Note from Debbe Financial Page Extended Session Birthdays Anniversaries Youth Summer Schedule p. 1 p. 2 p. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 5 p. 5 p. 6 p. 6 P. 6

OTHER WEDNESDAYS Music Ministry (All Invited7:00 PM)

July 11 August 8

Barbour Court, Smithfield Clayton Senior Center

No ActivitiesJuly 4th SummerFest Business MeetingAugust 15 Special Notes: Although we encourage participants in outreach events to wear special Bethesda t-shirts, its not necessary to have these shirts to participate. Neighborhood, park, and music ministry locations will be printed in weekly bulletins.

THINK OUTREACH!

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A Song Birthed from a War that Began 200 Years Ago This Year
June 18, 1812two hundred years agomarks the beginning of what became known as The War of 1812another, somewhat ill -fought, war with the British. Near the conclusion of that conflict in 1814, the beginning words of Francis Scott Keys immortal poem were written from Baltimore Harbor. It begins with a question: O say, can you see? See what? Would the newly sewn American flag atop Fort McHenry still be flying after an all-night bombardment by British ships. The welcomed sight gave victorious rise to the poem later put to music that became our national anthem. Two verses comprise this patriotic piece, the latter of which is rarely sung, but which contains a powerful message for today. Read slowly and carefully the lyrics: O say, can you see, by the dawns early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro the perilous fight, Oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof tho the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave? O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the wars desolation; Blest with victry and peace, may the heavn-rescued land Praise the Powr that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto: In God is our trust! And the starspangled banner in triumph shall wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave. In these trying times, and in this election year, may we as a nation recapture the spirit of this great poem. That trust in God spoken of in the poem should turn our attention to a critically important verse of scripture: Some trust in chariots andhorses, but we trust in God (Psalm 20:7). As important is it is to get the right person into the White House with policies and views more consistent with scripture, our ultimate trust cannot and must not be in a person or a party, but in the Lord God Himself!
Continued on 2nd column.

So, during Independence Day celebrations this year, reflect on the message of our National Anthem when you sing it. And remember not to forgetits really all about, not our independence, but our dependence upon the Lord. May that flag truly wave over the land of a people who freely and bravely praise and trust in the One True Godthe Lord Jesus Christ!

Gary Burden

Some Special Thank Yous

The new childrens playground is so invitingfenced, mulched, refurbished equipment! Thank you Brian Murphy for coordinating this major work project which involved numerous folks. And thank you Terry and Sondra Gatewood for you long-time impassioned advocacy for this great ministry for our children! We are still collecting funds for new equipment if you wish to contribute. Another stellar Vacation Bible School! Our folks pull out all the stops when it comes to putting on the best VBS in the countyand beyond. Reports will indicate record attendance and, we believe, a good number of decisions for Christ. What a great ministry to our community. And it couldnt happen without the volumes of volunteers it takes each year. A special thank you to Nicole Ritchie, our talented VBS Director, for a job more than well done!

LETS GO TO ISRAEL
Were almost able to confirm trip dates and costs, based on latest information from Fellowship Travel, our travel agency. The dates will be around May 1523, 2013. But now is the time to seriously consider your interest. As soon as the final information is available, I will make the announcement. When you sign up, a deposit will be required (fully refundable till January, 2013.) So, pay attention, and be ready to respond.

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SUNDAY NIGHTS IN JULY FOR KIDS (K-5th grade) We will start a special study for kids K-5th grade on Sunday July 1, Jesus, The One and Only Part 2. If you would like your child to participate please talk with Wendy Gatewood Sunday, July 1.

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH SESSIONS July 1August 12 6:00 PM Video study Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris. The study focuses on building your life on truths that last. SUMMER SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES FOR ADULTS July 1August 19 6:00 PM Selected Sessions from The American Heritage Series and The Truth Project Series. Powerful, and timely for Our times! SUNDAY EVENINGAUGUST 19 The Movie Courageous FOR EVERYONE

We will be printing updated copies of our church directory (print onlynot pictorial) during the month of July. If you need to change or correct your address, phone numbers or e-mail address please pick up a green correction sheet on the foyer table and place corrections on the table. Changes need to be turned in before July 15th.

Mark Creech Special Guest Speaker Sunday, July 8, 2012 10:30 AM

Mark Creech is executive director of the Christian Action League, a leading conservative Christian advocacy organization in our state. Mark, along with others, was instrumental in promoting the passage of the recent Marriage Amendment. To learn more, go to their website: www.christianaction league.org.

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Sunday
1 Breakfast Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service 2

Monday
3 Youth Bldg. Work Night

Tuesday

Wednesday
4 5

Thursday
6

Friday
7

Saturday

High School Movie Night No Evening Activities

10 Deacons Mtg. 7:00 PM

11 Bethesda Night Out

12

13

14

Weekly Sunday Service

Youth Camp at Ridgecrest

Music Ministry at Barbour Court

15 Weekly Sunday Service with Lords Supper

16

17 Board of Directors Mtg. 7:00 PM

18

19

20

21

Bethesda Night Out

Middle School Movie Night

Youth Bldg. Work Day

22 Weekly Sunday Service Church Council Mtg. 4:30 PM Ice Cream 7:00 PM 29 Youth Sunday Weekly Sunday Service

23

24

25 Bethesda Night Out

26

27

28 Adult Training for those working with Soccer Camp

30

31

Weekly Sunday Schedule

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

Weekly Wednesday 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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JULY EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Sunday, July 1 - AM Babies: Kathleen McLamb & Cherilyn Murphy Sunday, July 15 - AM Babies: Sondra Gatewood & Jane Gatlin 2s: Diana Lee & Sis Godwin 3s/4 s: Leigh Smith & Jennifer Harrison K-3rd Kids Church Terry Gatewood & David Duncan Sunday, July 15 - PM Larkin Creech & Nicole Langdon Wednesday, July 18 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare Sunday, July 22 - AM Babies: Faye Wells & Shalee Sams 2s: Laura & Shane Benson 3s/4s: Julie Brueggen & Sara Orr K-3rd Kids Church Wendy & Chris Gatewood Sunday, July 22 PM Bob & Brenda Jones Wednesday, July 25 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare Sunday, July 29 AM Babies: Faye Parrish & Elvis Farr 2s: Sondra Gatewood & Louise Gilmore 3s/4s: Sharon Orchard K-3rd Kids Church Sabrina & Trenton Seagroves Sunday, July 29 PM Bill & Julia Stephens Wednesday, August 1 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare

The splendor of the King, Clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice, All the earth rejoice As I write this article, today is the first official day of summer. Summertime the season we often take time from our busy schedules to enjoy a vacation. From the mountains to the lake to the ocean shoreline, we certainly see the splendor that our King created. What an opportunity to rejoice!! We read in the first and last verses of the first chapter of Genesis: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Look around you dont miss a single opportunity to rejoice and praise God this summer! How great is our God, Sing with me, How great is our God. And all will see how great, How great is our God.
Debbe Langdon

2s: Heather Henry & Robin Hotakey 3s/4s: Wendy Beasley & Diane Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Frances Burden & Angel Duncan Sunday, July 1 - PM Sharon Johnson & Linda Wilson Wednesday, July 4 No Activities

Sunday, July 8 - AM Babies: Brigitte Creech & April Lengel 2s: Missy Urban & Mandy Windham 3s/4s: Kristol Flanigan & Kristen Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Nicole & Michael Ritchie

Facts & Figures for June 2012

Date May 27 June 3 June 10 June 17 Total Avg.
S.S. AM Worship Budget Offering His Vision Our Mission

Sunday, July 8 PM Jane & Johnnie Gatlin Wednesday, June 11 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare

101 126 101 99 427 107

161 158 155 156 630 158

6,602.00 8,553.57 4,886.25 6,299.08 26,340.90 6,585.23

605.00 1,545.00 783.00 345.00 3,278.00 820.00

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

Average Attendance & Offerings for & June 2011 Avg. 103 158 6,226.64 1.446.00

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

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

We will be printing updated copies of our church directory (print onlynot pictorial) during the month of July. If you need to change or correct your address, phone numbers or e-mail address please pick up a green correction sheet on the foyer table and place corrections beside the form. Changes need to be turned in before July 8th.
"It's summer time again, and summer would be incomplete without

July Birthdays

Sandy Gordon Glenda Daley Hunter Beasley Kristian Henry Julia Stephens Missy Urban J. B. Earp Brigitte Creech Frances Greene Jerry Dalton Brenda Jones Dristen Duncan Sherald Lee Jonathan Harper Sharon Johnson Brandi Sause Joshua Murphy Suzanne Yates

3rd 5th 8th 8th 9th 9th 12th 13th 13th 15th 19th 20th 20th 21st 21st 21st 23rd 25th

planned youth activities. Rest assured though, even though we are watching movies, having cookouts, and doing other things that look events serve as ways to build relationships, meet new teens, and like so much fun, that is not the purpose of these events. These show the students how a Christian life outside of a church building looks. Some people might call it goofing off, but I call it discipleship!"

TENATIVE 2012 SUMMER YOUTH SCHEDULE

July 1 - Youth Game/Sport Night July 3 - Youth Building Work Night July 5 - High School Movie Night July 11-15 - Centrifuge Camp July 20 - Middle School Movie Night July 21 - Youth Building Work Day July 29 - Youth Sunday August 3 - Youth Summer Cookout August 12 - Youth Sport/Game Night August 17-18 End of Summer Youth Lock-in

Upward Soccer Information: When: Monday, August 6 through Friday, August 10, 2012, 6:00 - 8:00 PM **There will be no camp on Wednesday Night Ages: Complete Kindergarten - Completed 5th Grade Cost: $40 -- Those registering before July 9th will pay the early bird price of $30 per child. In addition to quality instruction, each camp er will receive a camp T-shirt, water bottle, and a soccer ball. John & Elvis Farr Bobby & Phyllis Godwin Lyde & Dorothy Ellis 1st 15th 19th 27th 31st

Happy Birthday

Nick & Missy Urban Ray & Misty Carroll