This column is usually reserved for my thoughts, but, I wanted you to hear from Mugsy Wilkins’

heart. I think you’ll benefit from his story as much as I do. Let us never quit on ourselves. Enjoy!

~Pastor Matt

Clinical Pastoral Care was a prerequisite to become a military chaplain. This included class-room work and hospital visitation in which I was assigned various patients to visit. One Thursday, Nurse Edwards shared with me, "Mugsy, today I want you to make sure you visit Mrs. Davis in room 858. She is scheduled to have brain surgery in the morning knowing she only has a 50% chance of survival and she has quit on us. Her rejection is tearing her family apart. She is just lying there waiting to die. So make sure you see Mrs. Davis before you leave the ward!"

You have no idea how badly Nurse Edwards frightened me. No way did I want to go into room 858 and see Mrs. Davis. As I was about to enter, I saw Nurse Edwards coming in my direction, half-running. She motioned me to come to her saying, "I forgot to tell you the most important thing—keep her as calm as possible. So please make sure you don't upset or frighten her. She is in a very fragile state." At this point, I was a "basket case". I felt like saying to Mrs. Davis, "Move over, Dear, I'm as bad off as you." To this day things are still bleary as to what really happened that day in room 858.

As I remember, things didn't go well! After knocking, I didn't wait for Mrs. Davis to respond, so I just pushed the door open. In doing so it slammed against a chair making a terrible noise and causing Mrs. Davis to jump. Attempting to get closer, I stumbled into her bed tray causing her to reach into it. I also bumped against her bed. I was a real klutz. When I spoke, everything came out wrong. I was so nervous I couldn't help from shuddering. Fi-nally, in desperation, I ended my visit by offering to pray with her and I even botched up my prayer by losing my chain of thought. That visit was the longest visit of my life. I was totally humiliated.

I really dreaded my next visit and I couldn't believe my eyes—Mrs. Davis survived. Like tak-ing a dose of medicine, I went into room 858. After I knocked, a cheery voice said, "Come in." Pushing the door open being careful not to bang that chair again, I saw Mrs. Davis was sitting up in bed writing "thank you" notes. I said, "Mrs. Davis, you may not remember me" and before I could finish my little speech, she said, "Don't remember you! How could I forget you? I felt so sorry for you. You were so pitiful! After you left I just wanted to hug you. When you came I guess I was having such a pity party I forgot that others have prob-lems too. After you left I had to chuckle to myself, you gave me that little spark I needed to take another look at myself." Do I have to tell you that I walked out of room 858 feeling 10 feet tall? That experience underscores for me that whenever we do our best, God will take our efforts and use them in ways we never imagine. We don't even have to be good; we just need to be faithful and trust God. ~Rev. Mugsy Wilkins

From Another View

S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

Revival

Women’s Fellow-

ship

Sunday Night

Creative Minis-

tries

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Birthdays and

Anniversaries 2

Nominations & Budget

Information 2

Upcoming Events 4

BCC KIDZ 5

BCC Youth 5

Thank You Notes 6

Calendar 7

The Bethlehem Star Guiding us to God’s presence in our lives

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6

(1) John Brinkley

(3) David Salerno

(5) Jonathan Clark, Cindy Devers

(7) Kate Dennis, Rita Salmon

(8) Jennie Lanthorn

(9) Melanie Dorn, Judy Gatling

(10) Janice Holland, Lynne Johnston

(11) Mary S. Joyner

(12) Emily Mizelle, Bennie Speight

(14) Steve Hurley

(15) R. B. Burrus

(16) Blair Boyce, Michael Boyce, Pam Culbertson,

Kay Nelson, Donna Previto, Dawn Turner

(20) Karl “Chris” Dennis, Ellie Holland, Spencer Salmon

(21) Yvonne Johnson

(22) Junius Britt, Emma Ann King

(23) Will Porter

(24) Margaret Holland, Terese Neblett

(25) Parker Baines

(26) Frances Smith, Johnny West, Richard Dunne

(28) Colton Brown

(29) Cathy Stancell

(30) Jessica Winters

(1) Jim & Susie Pearce 60 years

(8) R. B. & Linda Burrus 38 years

Ronnie & Wands Crumpler 38 years

(10) John & Jena Brown 21 years

(12) Glen & Phyllis Hedgepeth 35 years

(18) David & Rita Salmon 34 years

(29) Steve & Lisa Tarkington 26 years

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6 P a g e 2

Nominating & Finance News

Attached to the newsletter are the

2017 Budget and the 2017 list of

nominations for the church boards and

committees. These will be up for vote

of approval at the Church Conference

on Wednesday, October 5, at 7:30 PM.

You may bring an alternate name for

election, but you must have the per-

son’s consent that they be considered

for nomination. Also, the person to

serve on the Personnel Committee will

be brought from the floor. Please take

the time to review the budget and list

of nominations.

New Office Hours:

Mondays—Wednesdays — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursdays—8 a.m. — 12 noon

Fridays: Office Closed

FLOATING WELCOME HOME

CELEBRATION

September 3, 2016

1-3 p.m.

@ Louise Snook’s House

Praising the Lord for His faith-

fulness and healing!

P a g e 3

REVIVAL @ BETHLEHEM SEPTEMBER 25-27

Guest Minister: Rev. Tommy Speight

Tommy most recently served as Interim Pastor at Hillcrest Baptist and prior to that as Senior Pastor at

Courtland Baptist Church. Many of us may remember Tommy being with us at our most recent Sunrise

Service on Easter morning. We anxiously await what the Spirit of God will do through us.

Sunday, September 25

11:00 a.m. Revival Service Special Music: Bethlehem Choir

7:00 p.m. Revival Service Special Music: “Unshackled”

A Southern Gospel Music ministry with

Tim and Becky Lassiter

Monday, September 26

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Revival Service Special Music: Gail Williams

Tuesday, September 27

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Revival Service Special Music: Denise Jones

8:00 p.m. Closing Reception

Mark your calendar and plan to be at our annual picnic on Sun-

day, September 11 at Davis Lakes beginning at 3 PM. Bring

your fishing pole, bait, etc. to do some fishing prior to the meal,

which will be at 5:00 p.m. The church will supply hamburgers,

hot dogs, baked beans, chips, drinks, and desserts. Hope to see

you there! It will be a great time of fellowship!

PLEASE PARK IN DESIGNATED PARKING LOTS

AND NOT BY PAVILION IN CAMPERS’ SPACES

P a g e 4 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6

Wednesday Morning Bible Study Wednesdays, 10:00 AM

Starting September 7

Seamless:

Understanding the Bible

as

One Complete Story

By: Angie Smith

Adult Handbells The Joyful Ringers will begin practice Wednesday, Sept. 14th at 6:30 p.m. We would love to have you be a part of

our musical group. Ringing the bells is very simple. If you can count to four and with a little practice, eve-rything rings in place. We meet Wednesday eve-nings 6:30 to 7:30. Come join us. Contact Katie Stallings at 539-9419 or the church office at 539-4274. The Men’s Bell Ensemble will meet Sunday morning Oct. 9th at 9:00 a.m. following the Laymen’s Break-fast. It is very simple and lots of fun. Come join us. Contact Katie Stallings at 539-9419 or the church

Saturday, September 10, 2016

7 a.m. to Noon

Homemade Apple & Sweet Potato Jacks

As you’re cleaning out the closets, attics and ga-

rages, remember our indoor yard sale here at Bethle-

hem. If you need help getting things to church, con-

tact the church office (539-4274) and arrangements

will be made.

Saturday, October 15

7:30 AM -12:30 PM

Come on out to our annual fall bazaar to support the

many missions and ministries of Bethlehem. Among

the booths: Sweet Shop, Country Store, Holiday

Crafts, Book Nook, Silent Auction, Pansies, Sweet

Potatoes, Peanuts, & Green Beans plus so much

more! Pancake Breakfast ($6 tickets) 7:30-10:30 AM Tickets may be purchased from Women’s Fellowship members.

Page 5

Youth Ministry News

**BCC Youth Mission - Lend A Hand Days** The BCC Youth will be having a Lend A Hand Day, Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please let Dawn know by September 11th if you will be participating so that we can have our teams and jobs lined up. Also, Volunteers are welcomed!!! If you would like to help, please contact Dawn Turner ASAP. If you have something we can do for you or know someone in our church family that we can help, please contact Dawn Turner (757) 724-7228. There is no job too big or too small. We can paint, sweep, rake, cut grass, pick up sticks, trash, wash windows, fences, vehicles, etc.

Future Lend A Hand Dates: September 24th October 15th

Children’s Ministry News

BCC Kidz and parents: Be sure to pick up a copy of our 2016-2017 calendar of events. All events and activities have been posted through December 2016. Copies will be available outside of the Old Fellowship Hall. Be sure to mark your calendars and check our FB page for more details on each upcoming event! We look for-ward to another great year with our BCC Kidz group!

Upcoming Event for BCC Kidz: September 11, 2016 Church Picnic—Join us ahead of the BCC picnic as we fish on the banks of Davis

Lakes! Bring your fishing poles. We will provide extra poles and bait for those that need it. SEE YOU THERE WITH SMILES! Pictures from the Outdoor Movie Night:

P a g e 6 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6

My Church Family,

Just a note to show my appreciation for

your prayers, the beautiful cards I received,

telephone calls, and delicious food. I have

been blessed in so many ways and one of

those is my many years of being a part of

Bethlehem. The love and thoughtfulness of

my church family cannot be replaced.

Thanks again,

Tom West

9-1-1 for Pastor Greg Presented by Oakland Christian

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Noon to 7 PM Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department

300 Kings Hwy

FOOD/LIVE MUSIC/CORNHOLE/

SILENT AUCTION

Meal Tickets: Adults—$12

Children under 12—$6

Flyer on the information board

For info: 757-255-4353

office@oaklanducc.com

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Bethlehem Christian

Church,

While traveling to a preaching assignment August

14, I got mixed up and needed road directions.

Thank God I stopped by your church lot and met the

man and wife I did. These sweet people asked where

I was headed, searched Google on their cell phone,

and even guided me on the safest driveway to exit

your lot. I was so touched by their diligence. To me,

they were not paying attention to the time, the min-

utes of my confusion, or the fact I should have been

a little more prepared to preach. They actually

showed me love—not in the sanctuary, but as far

away as the parking lot! As a pastor in Dayton, OH,

I wondered what sermon had they just heard. It was

“The Huddle Is Not the Game!”

Grateful in Dayton,

Pastor Ivan Pretlow

www.LighthouseChurchDayton.com

The Women’s Fellowship have once again been busy. We provided the food

for the Healthy Families Graduation on August 17th, and they were most ap-

preciative. And as the summer winds down our fall activities are just begin-

ning.

Revival will be held Sept. 25—27 and Women’s Fellowship will be providing

the refreshments after the service on Tuesday, Sept. 27th. We look forward to the time of fellowship.

Looking ahead the Women’s Fellowship will be having their Bazaar on October 15th from 7:30 am to

12:30 pm, and Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Tickets for the breakfast can be pur-

chased from any Women’s Fellowship member for $6.00. We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Thank you again ladies for all you do!

In His Service,

Diane Talley

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Bethlehem Christian Church

1549 Holland Road

Suffolk, VA 23434

Phone: 757-539-4274

E-mail: suffolkbcc@yahoo.com

Web site: www.bccsuffolk.org

Facebook: Bethlehem Christian Church — Suffolk VA

Twitter: @BCCinSuffolkVA

We resolve to love...We unite to serve.

SUNDAY NIGHT CREATIVE MINISTRIES

Beginning September 18, 4-6 PM

God is a creative, expressive God who is real and interactive. We can be participants with God in creative

expression as we imagine, engage, experiment, and study His world and word. We invite you to join in

the creative expression of God and help find your foothold in our fast paced society. These ministry ex-

pressions also allow us to connect with one another as we pause from the busyness of life to play, enjoy

one another, and learn more about our creator.

Open to all ages with dinner provided. Please sign up to help with the meal count.

Among the elements we’ll offer:

Drama Ministry

Music Ministry Interactive Bible Study—i.e. Sci-

ence, Recreation, Hands-On Ex-

periences