BETHESDA BEACONA Publication of Bethesda Presbyterian Church

1002 N Sandhills Blvd Aberdeen, NC 28315 www.bethesdapres.netSunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Vol. 34 Issue 2

In Sympathy The sympathy of the congregation is extended to the family of Ella Ruth Clark who passed away January 9. Please keep Davis, Kim, Ashtyn, Catherine, Kelly, and Ella in your prayers as well as the families of Frank and Ann McNeill, Johnny and Carolyn Burns, and the extended McNeill/Clark family as they grieve their loss.

Congratulations Congratulations to Ryan and Victoria Steele upon the birth of their daughter, Erin, on January 14!

Congratulations to the Jessup family whose children, Avery and Hunter, were baptized January 25!

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Bethesda welcomes new members Mark, Erin, Avery, and Hunter Jessup to our family of faith! They originally relocated to this area in May of 2005 from southern Virginia, and currently reside in Whispering Pines. Mark is an alumnus of NC State and works for ATEX Technologies in Pinebluff as a Program Manager in Product Development. In his spare time, Mark loves to run, play basketball, and wakeboard. Erin is an alumnus of Peace College and works at Bethesda’s Merry Hearts Preschool as the pre-K teacher. She has always loved children and watching them grow and learn. Avery, their daughter, attends first grade at Saint John Paul II Catholic School and Hunter, their son, is in the 3-year-old class at Merry Hearts. They stay very busy with Avery and Hunter, running them to and from their activities as well as just being “mom and dad.” Right now, they share an interest in gymnastics and kickball, which Mark will be coaching.

What Bethesda means to us “We are excited about joining Bethesda because of what the church has to offer

our young family, along with what we will be able to give back to the community through Bethesda. We also look forward to becoming an official part of the

Bethesda family!”

February 2015 edition

Join us for our Ash Wednesday service, February 18 at 7:00 pm as we begin our journey into Lent. A simple dinner of rice

and beans will be served at 6 pm.

Thank you to the Carol Choir and Bethesda Bells for contributing to worship this month.  Also, thanks always to Ruth Sinclair and Larry Arnold for leading the worship with hymns and duets.  Thank you to the Chancel Choir for your lovely anthems each Sunday.

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Committee News Presbyterian Women

All applications for the Lorena Clark Piner Scholarship must be received by Hilda Miller, Chairman, PO Box 178, Rose Hill, NC 28458 by February 13 (no exceptions).  Copies of the application and guidelines are in the church office.        If you would like to visit or join a circle please call a circle leader and plan a visit in February.   ✦ Martha Circle    Monday, February 2, 2015 7:30 pm          Parlor

Lisa Noyes, Chairman    (690-7549)    ✦ Circle#4             Tuesday, February 3, 2015         10:00 am        Parlor       

Sandy McLaughlin, Chairman    (725-0202)    ✦ Friendship Circle   Monday, February 9, 2015         10:00 am        Seekers’    

Kay Mack, Chairman    (215-8813)   The Church-wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota June 18-21, 2015. If you are interested in attending see Kay Mack. The theme of the gathering is “One Body, One Spirit.” 

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Don’t forget to bring your canned goods or donation in for the Souper

Bowl of Caring on Sunday, February 1 and join us for a soup luncheon after

the worship service!

Music Notes

Committee News Assistance Team

We would first like to thank all of you who helped adopt a family from Southern Middle School this Christmas. Bethesda groups and individuals adopted a total of twelve families this year! Thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of support and generosity you demonstrated! In addition to all of the wonderful gifts you provided, each family received a bountiful holiday meal box which included both ham and turkey as well as numerous holiday foods and treats! We met many of the families when they came to pick up their gifts and meals, and most were completely overwhelmed. We shared lots of hugs and tears of joy!

On Wednesday, December 18th we had our special Christmas distribution from 9-11 am. Our team of volunteers assembled 84 decorative holiday bags filled with food items to prepare a special meal. Each patron also received a frozen turkey tenderloin. Our estimate turned out to be pretty accurate, as we served exactly 84 households! Although we were not officially open, we did open our doors to a few (7) patrons who needed food on Christmas Eve, and were glad we were there for them.

We had a very busy year in 2014, having served 2,516 households (a slight increase over 2013), averaging approximately 50 patrons per week. We were officially open 50 of 52 Wednesdays, closing for an ice storm in January and for Christmas Eve. We provided turkeys, gravy and stuffing for the Bethesda Community Thanksgiving Dinner. We provided funding for the Family Promise program at Bethesda, and were able to partner with McNeill Oil to provide heat for twelve families during the cold winter months of 2014.

In addition, we provided financial support to the following: 1. Southern Middle School for clothes for a student and for Christmas gifts for underprivileged students 2. Aberdeen Elementary for school supplies 3. Aberdeen Primary for school supplies 4. Bethesda Back Yard BBQ and Craft Fair for an advertisement in Pinestraw Magazine 5. Bethesda Care Fund

All of us on the Assistance Team extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Bethesda family for your incredibly generous on-going support, and may God bless you all in the year ahead!

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2015 Charlie Berger Award Recipients:Alice and Bill Demastus

Alice and Bill Demastus were the recipients of the 2015 Charlie Berger Award in memory of Charlie Berger who was a faithful and caring member of Bethesda. This award is given to people who are involved in the outreach and fellowship within the church and community. Alice and Bill were instrumental in starting the ChristCare groups at Bethesda and their ChristCare group continues to visit church members who are shut-ins or are in the hospital. They send cards to shut-ins, provide transportation to church members for doctor appointments and teach Sunday School. Alice also teaches a weekly Bible lesson to our preschoolers and was the leading artist in painting the mural in the Preschool Hall. Bill has conducted several bible studies and has been a faithful member of the choir for many years. He has recently been elected to the Session and will also serve as the Church Treasurer. Alice and Bill have and will continue to serve Jesus Christ through their faithful and caring spirit to members Bethesda and our community.

"Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat."

Sunday, February 1 is Souper Bowl Sunday! The Youth will be collecting canned goods and other donations during worship service. Please join us for a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall following worship. 100% of the donations go to our Bethesda Food Pantry.  Or you can text TACKLE to 80888 and Donate $10 to Souper Bowl of Caring!

Youth Group Dinner Schedule:

Feb. 1 - Super Bowl Potluck. YG starts at 5:00, bring your favorite tailgate food to share. YG will end after the halftime show.Feb. 8 - ArdingerFeb. 15 - BlueFeb. 22 - Clark

Saturday, February 28: We're going back to Defy Gravity in Durham! We're also planning on some mission work while we're up there (Ahem, Costa Rica team!). Please block off this date and plan to join us for a day of service and FUN! Stay tuned to the Youth Scoop emails for more info.

Save the Date! Youth Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, May 17!

$50 payments for Montreat, Massanetta, and Costa Rica are due February 8.The total balance for each trip is due June 7.

Youth Group Scoop

Join us for Sunday School! There is a class for everyone:

✴ PreK - 5th grade (begins in Chapel with music)✴ Middle school (upstairs)✴ High School (downstairs across from Chapel)✴ Seekers Class (downstairs by parking lot)✴ Jesse Wimberley Class (upstairs)✴ Healthy Living (downstairs in Parlor)✴ Young Adult (fellowship hall)

Family Promise is in need of donations of brand new bed pillows, and of gently used, clean blankets and quilts.  Please contact Gail Cunningham (638-8739) if you can help make our Family Promise guests feel most comfortable during their stay with us at Bethesda.

DID YOU KNOW…? That many large companies and corporations have resources to reward their current and former employees for involvement and participation they may have with charities and non-profits in the community. These companies do this by offering matching funds or awarding grants to help support a particular organization with which the employee is associated. When approved, these funds can be applied for annually.

Recently, Ray Nies, a former employee with P.P.G. Industries, received a grant of $500 for Family Promise of Moore County from the P.P.G Industries Foundation. This was the third such grant received from P.P.G.’s GIVE Program for Family Promise of Moore County and it is hoped that this

grant can be received in future years.Family Promise’s mission is to help homeless and

low-income families achieve sustainable independence. Through a multifaceted response, Family Promise integrates educational outreach, smart programming, effective policies, and the hands-on work of thousands of volunteers. They provide food, shelter, and support services for homeless families and advice and advocacy for at-risk families to prevent their becoming homeless as well as educating people about poverty and the means to combat it. Bethesda hosts guests from Family Promise for approximately six weeks a year.

Sewing4Mission will meet Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 am

in the fellowship hall or Jesse Wimberley room.

The crafters are already busy crafting away for our Craft Fair (5/2/2015)! Please contact Nancy Arnold

(944-9378) if you have any old jewelry or glassware/vases/bowls that can be donated for craft projects.

UshersMiddle School Youth

Nursery HelpersFeb. 1: Nora Andersen Feb. 15: Tammy Clarke

Alicia Dunlap Amanda DworakFeb. 8: Gloria Crane Feb. 22: Victor Andersen

Vance Crane Mimi Pages

Lectionary Readings for SundaysFeb. 1: Deut. 18:15-20 Feb. 15: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Psalm 111:1-10 Psalm 50:1-61 Corinthians 8:1-13 2 Corinthians 4:3-6Mark 1:21-28 Mark 9:2-9

Feb. 8: Isaiah 40:21-31 Feb. 22: Genesis 9:8-17Psalm 147:1-11, 20c Psalm 25:1-101 Corinthians 9:16-23 1 Peter 3:18-22Mark 1:29-39 Mark 1:9-15

Bethesda Beacon If you would like information included in the Beacon, please email to emilybraun@nc.rr.com or

leave in the church office by February 15.

Editor: Emily Braun Production: Lisa Keith Beaconettes: Dottie Folley, Flora Hollister, Joyce McInnis,

Margaret McLeod, Louise Monroe, Nellie Williams

Faith Weaving Friends News****************************************************** Faith Weaving Friends (FWF) met for the first time this

year on October 17th. The group welcomed new friends Summer, Ella, and Carson. After a light supper, FWF took their energy outside for fun and games. This year’s Bible lesson theme, “Lord, Teach Me How to Pray,” based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, was introduced. The story of Daniel praising God in prayer after God gave him the interpretation of the King’s dream was the first lesson. Music, crafts, and circle prayer completed the evening. FWF appreciated Nancy Gorba and Jessica Wilson leading them during craft time. Kelly Clark, Jimmy Gorba, and Brandon Wilson assisted throughout the evening.

The second meeting of FWF was held November 20th with 14 children present. The group welcomed new friends Denise and Katarina. After eating pizza and grapes, the children were divided into two groups. Each group enjoyed games led by Miss LoJuanna, crafts led by Miss Lisa, and music led by Miss Kim. The second lesson in prayer (prayer with thanksgiving to God) was led by Miss Gloria. FWF discussed the story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus. The adults and children appreciated the able assistance of Ella Clark and Palmer Noyes throughout the evening!

FWF met Friday night, December 19th at Bethesda for a wonderful fun filled evening. After enjoying pizza together our group of 18 eager youth moved to the Chapel to read the Christmas story and discuss the true meaning of Christmas. Our mission at this meeting was to share God’s joy throughout the evening by caroling to members in our church family. Splitting into two groups FWF traveled the area neighborhoods singing Christmas carols. The highlight of the evening was the conclusion at Davis and Kim Clark’s house where we converged on their backyard roasting marshmallows, enjoying s’mores, playing basketball and jumping on the trampoline. The Clark’s had a wonderful fire pit and outdoor heater to keep the adults warm! (cont’d)

Faith Weaving Friends News cont’d

(cont’d) For their December mission project, FWF continued the tradition of making purchases through the Samaritan’s Purse catalog for those in need around the world. Special thanks to Ella Clark, Davis Clark, Nancy Gorba, Beth Morgan, Victor Andersen and John and Jessica Wilson for their help throughout the evening!

Eighteen energetic youth enjoyed being together January 18th for the first Faith Weaving Friends (FWF) gathering of 2015. Isiah and Christian brought their friends Caleb, Xavier, and Bella. Never tired of pizza, the FWF enjoyed a healthy meal provided by Miss Beth. Ever ready with fun and games, Miss LoJuanna showed the children how to make homemade balls as children in poor countries must do. A relay to teach being in control of one's body and a team-building project were enjoyed by all. Miss Kim's music videos gave the children a chance to learn from and enjoy singing Christian music. Miss Lisa, Miss Beth, and Miss Ella helped FWF decorate "Thanksgiving Jars". Throughout the year, the children will fill the quart jars with pieces of paper on which they have written a thank-you to God for specific blessings. "The Traveling Christian"  crew  from TV station W-L-O-V-E popped into the chapel to film the FWF lesson. Miss Mehera (producer) and Miss Gloria (host) led the Bible lesson from I John 1:9, stressing the importance of "confession" when we pray to God. The meeting ended after FWF "circled up" for individual prayers. Faith Weaving Friends meet the third Friday of each month from 6-8 P.M. in the fellowship hall. Children in grades K-5 are invited to come and bring a friend. Bible study, recreation, a light meal ($3.00), music, crafts, and missions projects are designed to help our children grow in their faith and provide opportunities to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. Another goal of the program is to encourage transition into the older youth groups.

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FEBRUARY 20151 LeAnne Wilson 17 Carolyn Burns Carol Knight Will Moore 2 Halie Cunningham 18 Nathan Cunningham Bill Clark Nicholas Cunningham 3 Tootie Hood Frannie Kenworthy 4 Jonathan C. Wallace 19 Isabel Brugueras 5 Betty McAlister 23 Charlie Hill 6 Palmer Boles Rebecca Hill Mark Moon Alexander Smith 8 Jackson McClain Andrew Smith Jean McGiffin 24 Hannah Clarke 9 Robert Jackson Ann Frank 10 Al McDonald 25 Beverly Cunningham Jim Thomas Mary Hudson Julia Thomas Ann McNeill 14 Catherine Clark 26 Victor Andersen Peggy Stevens Denise Buckner 15 Wes Witherspoon Patrick Duncan 28 Jessica Wilson