It Is Faith

“It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a coun-try which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without know-ing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8

There were moments in the last couple of weeks of our time in Clay County, Kan-sas when I thought of countless others who moved at varying moments in their lives. I thought of those who moved in covered wagons over mountain passes, forded rivers and moved ruggedly along the wagon trails which presented chal-

lenges and difficulties to be sure, but which also held tremendous promise. As you might imag-ine these reflections made me even more grateful for a moving truck line and air conditioned automobiles that are capable of moving at speeds of 65 to 75 miles per hour.

Then I went further back in the annals of history to lands and cultures more foreign. I thought of Abraham who was called to leave family and an inheritance that was at hand, to travel to-wards a land, a new and unseen inheritance, that was being promised to him. What is remark-able to me is that Scripture tells us that “He left his own country without knowing where he was going.”

Of course this means more than simply not having an atlas, GPS or the friendly and assuring voice of Siri telling you which way to go next. Abraham was not a man who was lost and yet de-termined to never stop and ask for directions. Abraham was a man who was called to go to-wards a promise and he left the known for the unknown, the familiar for the unfamiliar, and the established for the promise.

It may seem that this article is about the Byers family move from Kansas to North Carolina, but it’s not. At least it’s not primarily about our move. It’s really about life being a journey to the promises and the inheritance of God for his people. Called to journey with God, we embark to-wards what we hope for and more times than not, we do not have a thorough understanding of where we are going. So why do we go? Because God’s call is captivating. How are we able to go? What is it that compels us forward into the promises ahead? It is faith. Faith made Abra-ham obey the call of God. Faith makes us obey the call of God.

When Jenna and I visited in early August, the question was asked “Where do you see Beck’s Re-formed Church in 5 years?” I answered the question to the best of my ability at the moment. That question has continued to reverberate in my mind. And as I arrive in the place of God’s new call in my ministry I invite you to ask the question with me, “Where does God see Beck’s Reformed Church in years to come?” Sure we have some ideas of where we’re going together, how we will share the Gospel together, how we will build up and grow the congregation to-gether and how we will care for one another, together. But let us also be willing to journey to-gether towards the promises without a complete understanding of where God is taking Beck’s Church, and let us do so by faith.

Senior Pastor, James Byers

Becks Reformed Church SEPTEMBER 2013 NEWSLETTER

1 Gaynette Hedrick, Tara Young, Jill Shoaf Marie Gobble, Sam & Judy Tussey

2 Arnold Miller, Shannon Leonard, Gerald & Susie Beck

3 Larry Younts, Jennifer Leonard, Mindy Crotts

4 Steven Young

5 Angie Franklin, Samantha Burkhart, Rachel Brock, Ben Renas

7 Logan McCarn, Nathan Regan, David Spratt

8 Jill Beck, Stephen Barnhill

9 Phillip Sink, Carlton & Ann Sealey

10 Bret Burkhart, Jennifer Sipper, Taylor Glosson, Jed Stewart, Darrell Swing, Imojean Burkhart

11 Becky Wynn, Anna Everhart, Kristen Stewart, Kali Swing, Gene & Gail Smith, Bruce & Gilda Greer

12 Judy Tussey, Ronald & Jamie Loman

13 Kayle Brock, Rodney Miller

14 Josh Parks, Mallory Mize, Willie Hayes

15 Chad Garner

Sun September 1, 2013 8:30am Praise Service 9:30am Sunday School 10:30am Worship Service 6:30pm Youth Praise Team

Mon September 2, 2013 LABOR DAY—Office Closed

Wed September 4, 2013 8:30am Breakfast Circle 6:00pm Silent Singers 6:30pm Handbells 6:30pm Splash! 7:00pm Crash! 7:30pm Choir Practice

Thu September 5, 2013 6:30pm—Quartet Practice 7:00pm—Praise Band Practice

Fri September 6, 2013 Youth to feed CDHS Football team

Sun September 8, 2013 8:30am Praise Service 9:30am Sunday School 10:30am Worship Service 3-5pm Family Fishing Day 6:30pm Youth Praise Team

Mon September 9, 2013 6:00pm Boy Scouts, FH 6:30pm Consistory Meeting

Wed September 11, 2013 6:00pm Silent Singers 6:30pm Handbells 6:30pm Splash! 7:00pm Crash! 7:30pm Choir Practice

Thu September 12, 2013 11:00am Day Circle 6:30pm Quartet Practice 7:00pm Praise Band Practice

Sun September 15, 2013 8:30am Praise Service 9:30am Sunday School 10:30am Worship Service 3:00pm Youth, PC 5:00pm Women’s Gathering, FH/PC 6:30pm Youth Praise Team

Mon September 16, 2013 6:00pm Boy Scouts, FH 7:00pm Cemetery Committee

Tue September 17, 2013 6:30pm Crocheting For Christ

Wed September 18, 2013 10:30am Senior Citizens 6:00pm Silent Singers 6:30pm Handbells 6:30pm Splash! 7:00pm Crash! 7:30pm Choir Practice

BECKS REFORMED CHURCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER

Thu September 19, 2013 6:30pm—Quartet Practice 7:00pm—Praise Band Practice 7:00pm—Thursday Circle, FH

Sun September 22, 2013 8:30am Praise Service 9:30am Sunday School 10:30am Worship Service 5:00pm Men’s Gathering 6:30pm Youth Praise Team

Mon September 23, 2013 6:00pm Boy Scouts, FH

Tue September 24, 2013 7:00pm Prayer Service/Elder Mtg

Wed September 25, 2013 See you at the Pole 6:00pm Silent Singers 6:30pm Handbells 6:30pm Splash! 7:00pm Crash! 7:30pm Choir Practice

Thu September 26, 2013 6:30pm—Quartet Practice 7:00pm—Praise Band Practice

Sun September 29, 2013 8:30am Praise Service 9:30am Sunday School 10:30am Worship Service 6:30pm Youth Praise Team

Mon September 30, 2013 6:00pm Boy Scouts, FH

We welcome our new Senior Pastor, James Byers. Pastor James will be working part-time through the first half of September as the Byers family gets settled into their new home, the community, and the school year. Beginning Sunday, September 15, Pastor James will be working Sunday through Thursday. His typical days off will be Friday and Saturday. Regular office hours will be posted in upcoming bulle-tins and outside the church office in the near future.

Pastor James may be reached as follows: cell phone: (785) 447-1909 ; email: pastorjames@beckschurch.com

16 Dalton Frank

18 Randy Davis, Alison Graves, Phil & Jodi Hernandez

19 Gilda Greer

21 Brenda Burris

22 Sherry Burkhart

23 Daniel Burkhart

24 Steve Regan, Dylan Collier, Shane Miller

25 Sandra Spurrier, Ed Wilkerson, Josh & Whitney McCarn, Blair & Carol Crouse

27 Daniel & Jessie Crouse

28 Stephanie Shoaf

29 Donald Hedrick, Patsy Lohr

30 Miriam Burkhart, Eddie & Joni King, Odell & Ruth Hedrick

1 Gaynette Hedrick, Tara Young, Jill Shoaf Marie Gobble, Sam & Judy Tussey

2 Arnold Miller, Shannon Leonard, Gerald & Susie Beck

3 Larry Younts, Jennifer Leonard, Mindy Crotts

4 Steven Young

5 Angie Franklin, Samantha Burkhart, Rachel Brock, Ben Renas

7 Logan McCarn, Nathan Regan, David Spratt

8 Jill Beck, Stephen Barnhill

9 Phillip Sink, Carlton & Ann Sealey

10 Bret Burkhart, Jennifer Sipper, Taylor Glosson, Jed Stewart, Darrell Swing, Imojean Burkhart

11 Becky Wynn, Anna Everhart, Kristen Stewart, Kali Swing, Gene & Gail Smith, Bruce & Gilda Greer

12 Judy Tussey, Ronald & Jamie Loman

13 Kayle Brock, Rodney Miller

14 Josh Parks, Mallory Mize, Willie Hayes

15 Chad Garner

Long Term Gladys Briggs Isabel Manning

Ann Bowyer Robert Mode

Greg Burkhart Carolyn Prevo

Ralph Burkhart Ragan Riddle

Rose Burnsides Johnny Scarboro

Jennifer Caudle Heath Sheffield

Daisy Deal Jeff Shytle

Robin Fulp Billy Sloop

John Greer Brad Smith

Snip Keaton Tommy Wrenn

Chad Kirkendall Lindsay Younts

Larry Leonard Lohr Younts

Short Term Clifford Beck Jerry Surratt

Wayne Cadick Linda Younts

Gail Smith Students/Teachers

Families of: Susie Apple, Ronnie Durham,

Jack Koontz, Mildred Smith,

Vernon Walter, Sr.

Prayer Ministry of Beck’s Reformed Church September 2013

“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Please help us keep this prayer list up to date. For names to add or take off our prayer list the church secretary at 357-2369, or email the church secretary at churchsecretary@beckschurch.com

Bertha Kepley: Home of daughter, Susie Jones, 1019 Easter Center St., Lexington, NC 27292

Novelia Potts: Brookstone Nursing Home 2968 Old Salisbury Road, Lexington, NC 27295

Sylvia Hedrick: 2305 Beck’s Church Road, Lexing-ton, NC 27292

Margie Hines: Brian Center, Room 216, 520 Val-ley Street, Statesville, NC 28677

Van Hoy Hines: Aurora of Statesville, 1902 Ora Dr., Statesville, NC 28677 (Alzheimer Unit)

Loretta Kepley: Austin Brook

Robbie Swing:

Annie Mae Miller: 3563 Becks Church Road, Lexington, NC 27292

Shut Ins and Rest Homes Long Term/Short Term Prayer Needs

Jason Moore –mailing address 17 Colonial Dr, Lexington, NC 27292

Willie and Sally Marshall –stationed in Ger-many, serving in Iraq

Chris and Heather Hurd—2133 Hayes, Portales, NM 88130

SN David Black - 389 Bay Shore Drive, Unit 4, Barnegat, NJ 08005

Major Zack Miller –21D, B, CO HHBN, Unit 15041/Box 432/APO AP 96258 (South Korea Military Address)

Military Personnel and their Families:

Gifts, Honors and Memorials August 4, 2013 to August 25, 2013

PROJECT 2011: In memory of Lillian Young Greene by Mr. & Mrs. John King In memory of Leon Varner by Shirley V. Putnam In memory of Bruce Bates by Herbert & Karen Hedrick In honor of our grand-daughter, Ella, on her 2nd birthday, August 30th, by Herbert & Karen Hedrick

YOUTH MISSIONS: In honor of Kristie Regan by Josh, Nathan, & Lilli Regan In honor of the Consistory and Search Committee by Josh & Kristie Regan

VIDEO FUND: In honor of Scott, Stephanie, Taylor & Tyson Shoaf by John & Judy Greer

BUILDING FUND (includes parsonage & air-conditioning): In honor of Ella Reece Stilwell on her 2nd birthday, August 30th, by Odell & Ruth Hedrick In memory of Leon Varner by Shirley V. Putnam

Summary of Financial Year to Date

as of July 31, 2013

Budget 2013 Actual 2013 Unspent

Budget Balance

Outreach Ministry $ 22,303.09 $ 47,100.00 $ 24,796.91

Church Salaries $ 47,529.67 $ 127,770.00 $ 80,240.33

Christian Education $ 11,019.90 $ 21,250.00 $ 10,230.10

Operating Expense $ 58,950.88 $ 172,975.60 $ 114,024.72

Totals $ 139,803.54 $ 369,095.60 $ 229,292.06

Budget Summary 2013 Non Budget Summary

Total Actual Receipts $ 131,568.99 Non Budget Receipts $ 4,300.00

Total Actual Expenses $ (139,803.54) Non Budget Expenses $ (2,246.32)

Net Changes $ (8,234.55) Total Balance $ 2,053.68

Number of Sundays 52 Special Fund Accounts

Budget Average $ 7,098.00 Community Garden 874.36

Actual Averages $ (5,980.41) Backpack Program $ 5.75

Short Fall per week $ 1,117.59 Scholarship Fund $ 80,877.68

Samaritan Fund $ 3,294.85

Operational Funds Video Fund $ 1,268.29

Checking Account $ 16,308.61 Mission Fund $ 2,227.58

Money Market Account $ 22,742.25 Project 2011 Fund $ 1,073.08

Total $ 39,050.86 Building Fund $ 931.61

Total $ 90,553.20

Project 2011 Fund

Total Checks Written $ (450,977.43) Samaritan Fund-Summary of Expenditures

Total Donations $ 255,905.97 March 2013 - February 2014

Transfer from Money Mkt $ 16,000.00 Utilities $ 1,419.54

Transfer from Building Fund $ 37,500.00 Rent $ 220.00

Transfer CD General Fund $ 24,902.19 Food/Clothes

Loan Advance B B & T $ 94,400.00 TOTAL $ 1,639.54

NC Sales Tax Refund (July 2008-June 2011) $ 5,774.54

NC Sales Tax Refund (July 2011-Dec 2011) $ 5,321.03

Insurance Refund Check $ 1,160.00

Transfer from Checking $ 11,050.00

Interest $ 36.78 BB&T Interest payment $ 153.73

Balance as of 7/31/2013 $ 1,073.08 BB&T Loan Balance $ 37,500.00

Dear Christian Friends: I hope that this letter of sincere appreciation finds you all well today, and that you’re staying cool during these hot and humid late days of July. I’m writing you today on behalf of all of our children and staff to tell you how much we appreciated your most recent and generous gift of $5,000.00, which you donated to further our mission to change the lives of those who were formerly discarded, abused, or neglected. For 107 years, our mission at Nazareth has never changed, nor has our focus ever wavered. To-day, we still serve orphaned children. The only thing that has changed is the circumstances which led to the child being orphaned. These changes have surely made our jobs more difficult, but our passion for saving and caring for disadvantaged children has always remained our number one priority. Now, more than ever before, we depend upon your support to carry out our mission. Children are not a priority in our state and federal governments, so their financial support continues to decrease, while our need for support increases. Today, I want to thank you for keeping our children a priority in your life and in your giving. It is our belief that you cannot out-give the Lord, and that blessings in which you sew will soon come back in greater ways. That’s our prayer for you today! Thank you for making such a real difference in the lives of our children.

Gratefully, Josh Regan, Director of Development

Use Your Musical Talents for the Lord!

Kevin is seeking musical talent to be a part of the praise music team. Kevin is looking for a few musi-cians to compliment the current group. If you’re interested full time or only part time, there are openings to share your gifts. Contact Kevin for more details.

Adult Choir invites you to join them each Wednesday evening at Choir practice. Come see what the choir music ministry is all about. Contact Kevin for more details.

Bethany Girl Scout News

It is time to start back the Girl Scout year. Girl Scouts is for girls in kindergarten through 12th grade. So far we have about 56 girls in the six Bethany troops. Our first troop meeting will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 6:30 pm. We will also meet on Tuesday, September 17.

You can still contact Dollie Corner before our first meeting, if you are interested in joining, at 243-4084 or cassiedollie@lexcominc.net.

Girl Scouts now has a fall nut, chocolate, and magazine subscriptions sale that some of the troops will be participating in. We will begin taking orders and payment in October and it be delivered in November. Make sure you order your Girl Scout nuts and chocolate!! You can also subscribe to your favorite magazine. The troops earn

BREAKFAST CIRCLE On August 7th, the Breakfast Circle met after a month-long break. It was good to see every-one, especially Ruth Hedrick and where there is Ruth, there is also Libby. Many thanks go to Shirley for decorating for the disabled Marilyn who had the program. Shirley always has a great flair for decorating and it really shows. Margaret blessed our food and we had a great time socializing and eating, both of which we all do quite well. We only had 3 members missing and also got the addition of Lohr Younts—he was definitely the only rooster in the hen coop. Marilyn had a program that consisted of a few short, short stories. Next month, Laura (we hope) and Beth will be our hostesses. That meeting will be on Sep-tember 4th, 8:30am, at Southern Lunch. If you aren’t doing anything special, come and join us.

LIBRARY NEWS—September Listings: Every month in the newsletter, we will include books that have been donated to the Becks Church Library for you to check out and read. Save these lists for future reference. Carole Burkhart

The following books & tapes have recently been donated to the library In Memory of Bob Almstead by Tempie Almstead and Jodi Hernandez.

BOOKS: “A Faith of Her Own” by J. Elizabeth Kalas; “Be Present At Our Table” recipes of Centenary United Methodish Church; “Be Exultant” by Warren W. Wiersbe; “Be Worshipful” by Warren W. Wiersbe; “Bible Promises for Women” by Barbour Publishing Co.; “Experiencing God” book & study guide by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King; “Finding God In The Garden” by Balfour Brickner; “Holy Bible” common English Bible; “Quilt of Faith” by Mary Tatem; “Quilt of Joy” by Mary Tatem; “Secrets Of The Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson; “The Life of Christ—The American Bible Society”; “Tapestry” by Hunter D. Darden; “The Shunning” by Beverly Lewis. VCR Tapes: “Christmas In Plains—Memories” by Jimmy Carter; “In Touch Ministries” by Dr. Charles Stanley; “One Day At A Time (22 songs) & Footprints (24 songs)” volumes 1 & 2 by Cristy Lane; “Why” words & music by Marla M. Edwards.

Day Circle News By: Sandy Spurrier

The Day Circle met on Thursday August 8th in the Church Fellowship Hall. There were nine members present. To those who were unable to attend, we missed you and hope to see you next time!

Carol opened the meeting and turned it over to Sandy, who presented a program from the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible titled Life’s Battles and Our Secret Weapon. The devotion was based on 1 Chronicles 5:18-22 and told the story of the Israelites outnumbered in a battle, but won “because the war was of God.” The Secret Weapon is prayer and trusting God to hear them. The program ended with a poem based on Psalm 35 and the reference to angels pursuing our ene-mies on a slippery path. Following the program Sandy led the group in prayer.

We next recognized those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in August. There was one birthday, Novelia Potts, August 23rd and one addition to the June minutes for Donna Taylor, June 2nd. Anniversaries were Betty Hedrick August 12th and Brenda Burris, August 22nd.

For those sick and in need of prayer we lifted up: Ralph and Imojean Burkhart, Carol, school teachers, students, James, Jenna and their children, Jack, Lalah, Lorrie, Keith, the family of Lauren Cecil, Heather, Mason, Rose, Carroll Dee, Susie Apple, Jennifer Caudle, our church, Susan Arnold, Bruce and Gilda Greer, Eliza-beth Sanders, Jerrie’s family for travel safety.

Carol led the business portion of our meeting. Sandy read the minutes from the June meeting. Jerrie gave the Treasurer’s report, including the status of the Book-bag Ministry funds, and collected the offering. In other business, we discussed the Bingo Prize ministry to the nursing homes and something we could do to raise money to give towards the 2011 Project.

Sandy led the prayer of thanksgiving for our meal of pizza and crème pie for des-sert. During lunch Andrea shared a story with the group about her experience buying school supplies at Walmart and how helpful the Walmart Associates were in getting everything together. After lunch we joined together to pack the school supplies into the book bags. They were then carried to the sanctuary to be blessed. The next meeting will be September 12th at Carol’s lake house. We will meet at the fellowship hall at 9:30 and ride together. We encourage and welcome any la-dies who would like to get involved in a Circle to join us!

Join Us in Worship and Fellowship

Morning Praise at 8:30am

Sunday School Classes for All Ages at 9:30am

Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30am

Children’s Church and Nursery Provided

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US Postage Paid

Lexington NC

PERMIT #56

Beck’s Reformed Church

2845 Beck’s Church Road

Lexington, North Carolina 27292

Return Service Requested

Reverend James Byers, Senior Pastor

2845 Beck’s Church Road

Lexington, NC 27292

www.beckschurch.com

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