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LamplighteTheTheTheThe

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2Vol. 5 Issue 2

Love: the Ultimate Fear Buster

We do live in a fearful age. The comments I have receivedduring the course of our Sunday morning messages onfear have verified this truth more than I expected. Since weoften associate February with “‘The Love Month,” maybe aquick reminder of a key Bible truth will be appropriate.

In his first letter, John the apostle says, “There is no fear in lovelove casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fearbeen made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Note something about

“torments.” Fear torments the soul. Unhealthy fear is indeed unhealth there is no fear (and no torment) in love. Even more, perfect loveWhat kind of fear? All kinds of unhealthy fear—there is no restricthere.

“But I don’t have perfect love. How can I overcome my fears?” Tperfect means mature. Two important observations: it is imperative fogrow in my love; it is especially important to know the source ofcan’t produce this love. This is “agape” love –God-produced love. A

Continued on pa

Our Church Staff

Gary BurdenSenior Pastor919-631-6789

Landon OrrMinister to Students

919-229-9379

Debbe Langdon

Music Director/Pianist919-410-0271

Kathy WelchOffice Coordinator

Admin. Assistant - Finances

Pat BaucomAdmin. Assistant - Publications

Bethesda’s WinterFest/LoveFeastand Qtrly Business Mtg

Wednesday, February 15t6:30 PM

That’s right! We will combine our WinterFest Quarterly BuMeeting with a Love Feast. We will have our regular codinner at 6:30 PM followed by our quarterly business confewith a “Love” theme honoring the just past Valentine’s Daybusiness meetings and love do go together at Bethesda!

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4:8 reminds us that “Godis love.” That’s His nature.So, the more I mature in Him, the more His lovegrows in and through me. And this same love thatcan flow through me is His same love for me. Theawareness of His love for me and through me is whatcontinually casts fear out of mylife. What is His lovelike. Charles Stanley, my former pastor, lists somecharacteritics of God’s love in the February edition ofIn Touch magazine: Perfect: needs no improvement or additions

Eternal: has no beginning or endImmeasurable: knows no limits or boundariesSacrificial: displayed in Christ’s death on our

behalfIncomprehensible: cannot be explained or fully

understoodUnique :originate only from God

Available: freely given to allUnconditional: not dependent upon our behaviorChangeless: never wavers or fails

You can’t get any better than that! So, whatever fearis “tormenting” you today, why not call on the ulti-

mate “Fear Buster”—the love of God!Gary BurdenGary BurdenGary BurdenGary Burden

Page 2T h e L a m p l i g h t e r

F R O M T H E P A S T O R ( C O N T ’ D ) Sara and I have been livinour new home for about amonth now and I finally hsome time to sit and reflecback on everything. I feegrown up now. I feel lik

real adult. Its not home ownership that givesfeeling, its the fact that we made the decision the home without seeking approval or disapprofrom either of our parents. I am now a bigcapable of making adult decisions by myself ahave proven that I can handle it.

That said, I have found that when you becomboy you have all sorts of other big boy thincare of. You have more and more bills (tha

just appear from thin air), you have responsibiyou always have something that needs to bedressed or taken care of. Being an adult is

Being a teenager is hard too. I think I wobeing an adult over being a teenager any daywould be nice to not have bills, to be ableknow where you’re going to be the next dayschool or not), and to be able to enjoy thewithout thinking of the list of tasks that keepput off. I am slightly envious of that partlife. I’m not envious of the overwhelming din, the confusing emotions caused by rushingmones, the urge to figure out who you are,feeling when others question your parents’ valu the ever present eyes that are always watchingpecting you to mess up. I’d really hate toagain.

Next time you see a teen at church try to e them. They most likely will look at you likcrazy, and may act like they either ignored ooff your comment, but they rarely forget encolike that. Positive words from adults who halife will give them enough self worth to conf tackle all the obstacles that are in their way.a congregation that builds up our teens. Whwe like it or not, they are our future.

LandonLandonLandonLandon

East Coast Men’sBible ConferenceMarch 9-10, 2012

Englewood Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, NC

Guest SpeakersTom Elliff, Vance Pittman, Tony Merida, Kevin Hamm

Music by This HopeTransportation from Bethesda will be provided.

Total cost for conference including Saturday lunch: $30.00(check payable to Bethesda Baptist Church)

Submit Registration Form (in church foyer)with Payment to Bethesda Office by February 27th.

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Page 3The Lamplighter

Second, as bring-ers, see John 1:40-42. God hasus with a wonderful ministry tool. Every week ais our goal that the Gospel be clearly presented.commit to bring at least one family this semester? time and build relationships with unchurched peoplearound you. Surely there is a child on your misof friends, neighbors, co-workers or neighbors that to hear of Jesus’ love for them.

Third,as tell-ers, 2 Timothy 4:5. Maybe you donabout Awana because you don’t know what all theis about on Wednesday night. Join us! Come aquestions, join a club for a night, attend a traininsion, or visit awana.org. The excitement that com“knowing, loving and serving the Lord” is contagioYou won’t be able to help but tell all those diviments God provides.

It has been amazing to see God’s hand at work this year already, and I can’t wait for what is inmaybe, God didn’t call you as a leader this year,can I ask you again….. What is your role in Awana?

Brigitte Brigitte Brigitte Brigitte

SERVICE CANCELLATION NOTICESwill beposted on our church website(www.bethesdaclayton.com) , on WRAL TV

and on their website (WRAL.com).

Bethesda’s 2nd AnnualGolf Tournament

Friday, March 23, 1:00 PMPine Hollow Golf Course

If you are interested in playing golf or helping with thegolf tournament, please contact Lehman Godwin. Youdon’t have to know how to play golf in order to help. Weneed people to solicit sponsors for the tournament and to

line up the teams. We also need volunteers for work at the golf course that day and to serve a meal after thegame. Donations of soft drinks, water and snacks for thegoodie bags for each player are also needed.Sign upsheets are placed on the foyer table.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for 2011

Bethesda’s Church Goal: $5,000Received as of 1/22/12: $4,447.55

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2011

Johnston Baptist Association reported an increase atboth of the Collection Centers in Johnston County for2011. The Church at Clayton Crossing received 22,157

shoe boxes (a 51% increase over 2010!) and Live Oak re-ceived 3,061 (8 % more then 2010). Bethesda contributedwith 198 shoe boxes resulting in an increase of 17 % from2010. Keep praying for the children that have receivedyour shoe box, that souls will be saved and changed.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN AWANA?

Yes, you read that right. You might not be an Awanaleader this year, but I am certain God intends for you tobe involved. While reading about intentional churchevangelism in Comeback Churches (by Stetzer andDodson, in case you want to check it out) recently, I gotstuck in one seemingly simple section. They merely state that “Everyone in the church should be involved [in evan-gelism] in three ways.”First, as pray-ers, referencing 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Pray con-sistently for Awana to be effective at reaching into ourcommunity, pray specifically for each child and familywho participates, pray for our leaders and our outreachevents. Pray. Pray. Pray.

PRESCHOOL/CHILDREN’S COUNCIL

Thank you to Nicole Ritchie who has agreed to serve as VBS Director this year! Therehave been several volunteers who have shared theiringness to serve as co-directors and we appreciate

greatly as well. We hope all of them will serveNicole as we spread the Good News of Jesus tochildren in our community. More information andwill be shared later – stay tuned!

We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus and noare already preparing for Easter! It’s hard to beliefast time flies – Pastor Gary is right when he sspeeds up as you get older. The children’s Eastebration and Egg Hunt will be Saturday, March 2410:00am at the church. We will enjoy crafts, gamries, pizza and of course, an egg hunt! Invite y

neighbors, family – all are welcome to attend!

Be on the lookout for a fence in the near futurebeginning to layout the playground and mark off tfor the fence. Many of you have volunteered towork yourselves – how fortunate we are to haveknowledgeable and skilled members doing God’s woour children and community! The children are exabout having a safe and fun place to play and sknowledge of God and how he works in their livy o u !

WWWWeeeennnnddddyyyyContinued on second column.

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6:30pm....................................................................Awana, Youth Bib6:45 pm ..............................................................Adult Prayer and B

Choir Rehearsa

9:15 am ..............................................................................Bible Study Fellowship10:30 am ................................................................... Morning Worship Celebration

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

Student LifeLine

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

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Weekly Sunday Schedule Weekly Wednesday Schedule

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday S1

Awana

Weekly Wed.

Schedule

2 3 4

5 \

Brkf. Fellowship

We e k l ySunday Service

6 7

Deacons Meeting

7:00 PM

8

Awana

Weekly Wed.

Schedule

9 10 11

12

We e k l ySunday Service

13 14 15

WinterFest &Quarterly Business

Meeting

6:30 PM

16 17 18

19

Men’s Breakfast

We e k l ySunday Service

20 21 22

Awana

Weekly Wed.Schedule

23 24 25

Men’s CakeA u c t i o n

&Evening Meal

26

We e k l ySunday Service

27 28 29Awana

Weekly Wed.Schedule

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The Lam pli gh ter Page 5

Date S.S.AM

WorshipBudgetOffering

His VisionOur Mission

Dec. 25 0 120 4,400.00 2,885.00

Jan. 1 102 137 7,469.36 2,650.00

Jan. 8 121 174 5,051.25 1,135.00Jan. 15 117 159 5.315.46 415.00

Total 454 763 26,047.87 7,715.00

Avg. 114 153 5,209.57 1,523.00

Average Attendance & Offerings for January 2011

Avg. 98 144 4,617.38

Jan. 22 114 173 3,811.80 530.00

Facts & Figures for January 2012

FEBRUARY EXTENDED SESSIONAND KID’S CHURCH

Wednesday, Feb. 1Wednesday, Feb. 1Wednesday, Feb. 1Wednesday, Feb. 1Frances Burden &

Louise Gilmore

Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5 - --- AMAMAMAMBabies: Kathleen McLamb &

Cherilyn Murphy

2’s: Heather Henry &Tori Smith

3’s/4’s:Wendy Beasley &Diane Duncan

KKKK----3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s ChurchFrances Burden &

Angel Duncan

Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5Sunday, Feb. 5- --- PMPMPMPM

No Activities

Wednesday, Feb. 8Wednesday, Feb. 8Wednesday, Feb. 8Wednesday, Feb. 8

Jessica Peedin &Shannon Coomer

Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12- --- AMAMAMAMBabies: Brigitte Creech &

April Lengel

2’s: Brandi & Tobi Sauer

3’s/4’s: Kristol Flanigan& Kristen Duncan

KKKK----3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s ChurchNicole & Michael Ritchie

Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12Sunday, Feb. 12- --- PMPMPMPM

Jane & Johnnie Gatlin

Wednesday, Feb. 15Wednesday, Feb. 15Wednesday, Feb. 15Wednesday, Feb. 15Terry Gatewood &Shannon Coomer

Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19- --- AMAMAMAMBabies: Sondra Gatewood &

Jane Gatlin

2’s: Diana Lee & Sis Godwin

3’s/4’ s: Leigh Smith &Jennifer Harrison

KKKK----3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s ChurchTerry Gatewood &

David Duncan

Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19Sunday, Feb. 19 - --- PMPMPMPM

Larkin Creech

Wednesday, Feb. 22Wednesday, Feb. 22Wednesday, Feb. 22Wednesday, Feb. 22Bobby Lonas &

Shannon Coomer

Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26 - --- AMAMAMAMBabies: Faye Wells &

Shalee Sams

2’s: Laura & Shane Benson

3’s/4’s: Julie Brueggen &Sara Orr

KKKK----3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s Church3rd Kid’s ChurchWendy & Chris Gatewood

Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26Sunday, Feb. 26 - --- PMPMPMPMBob & Brenda Jones

Wednesday, Feb. 29Wednesday, Feb. 29Wednesday, Feb. 29Wednesday, Feb. 29

Kaye Peele & Sarah Jay

Preschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. DeskPreschool Regis. DeskDiane DuncanDiane DuncanDiane DuncanDiane Duncan

During the month of February, our thoughts often turn to “love”…. Of course, there are many differ-ent types of love – parent, child, romantic,friend…..and the most important – the love of God.As I thought about writing this article, this songcame to mind:

I love you Lord, and I lift my voiceTo worship you, Oh my soul rejoice.Take joy, my King, in what you hear.

May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.

Try using this song in your daily prayers thismonth, and may we all be reminded of this chal-lenge to use our voices to bring sweetness andjoy to all those around us – especially our King!God bless…

Debbe Langdon Debbe Langdon Debbe Langdon Debbe Langdon

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4967 Highway 70 West BusinessClayton, NC 27520

Phone: 919-553-7678

Address Service Guaranteed

February BirthdaysFebruary BirthdaysFebruary BirthdaysFebruary BirthdaysKendall Beasley 3rd

Kathleen McLamb 4th

Lyde Ellis 6th

Johnnie Gatlin 7th

Charles Wilson 7th

Brandon Beasley 11th

Betty Jones 12th

Jane Gatlin 13thChris Gatewood 14thDaniel Gordon 15thBetty Lee 16th

Ayden Lee, Jr. 18thWendy Beasley 20thHeather Henry 20th

Betty Jo Dalton 21stJane Rainey 23rdAngel Duncan 24th

Sharon (S) Johnson 24thDiane Duncan 26thAnna Lia Ritchie 26thFaye Parrish 28th

We’re on the web! www.bethesdaclayton.com

Wayne & Linda Little 8th

Shelby & Carolyn Durham 26th

BETHESDA BAPTIST MEN

There are several opportunities over the upcoming monthour men at Bethesda.First, on the nineteenth of Februarywill have our quarterly breakfast at 8:30am. All men ar

to this breakfast to enjoy food and fellowship. If you are interestewith the cooking, please let me know.Second , we are going to be havinannual covered dish and cake auction Saturday , February 25 at 6pnot had this auction the past year or two so for those of you wh the congregation come hungry and bring your checkbook! If you fcheckbook there will be someone who will share!Third, this year the EastCoast Men’s Conference is on the ninth and tenth of March in Roand the cost will be thirty dollars per person. The cost also includon Saturday the tenth. If you are interested in purchasing tickets foference you should make your check out toBethesda and indicate on thecheck or the envelope that it is for the Men’s Conference . There will be moinformation shared at our breakfast and in the upcoming months. Thank you.

Chris GatewoodChris GatewoodChris GatewoodChris Gatewood

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Happy Birthday

PORTRAIT OF A 21st CENTURY GODLY

Even though the original portrait was painted two thoyears ago, it continues to be relevant for every wom

every culture today. So what does a 21st century godly woman lookand discover how God, the Master-Artist, desires to paint that portraiyou. Join the women of Bethesda for a luncheon/seminar on Saturday

10 from 9-2, as guest speaker Jacqui Harmeling, pastor’s wife of SoChurch, unveils this portrait from God's Word. This will be a pracon how to apply God's truth in the daily grind of life. Bring a fr this time of food and fellowship. A light lunch, a seminar workbookprizes will be provided at a cost of only $10. Sign up in the chu tact anyone on the Women's Ministry team: Leigh Smith, Mandy WinJulia Stephens, Sharon Orchard or Frances Burden.

INTERESTED IN A TRIP TO THE HOLYSee interest survey in church foyer to help with futur

Approximate cost per person will be $2000Included in tour price will be roundtrip airfare from New

class hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe motor coaches, visits tbiblical sites, comprehensive sightseeing, professional guides, boat rideof Galilee. Let’s go to Israel! It will make all future Bible study r