Lamplighter

Vol. 5 Issue 8 August 2012

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

BETHESDA NIGHT OUT

Wednesday Evenings in August Now August 22 6:30 PM

MOST WEDNESDAYS
Join deacon-led teams walking designated neighborhoods. Join teams at designated local parks. Or, join the team at church praying for outreach groups.

Landon Orr
Minister to Students 919-229-9379

Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271

MUSIC MINISTRYAugust 8th Clayton Senior Center SUMMER FEST BUSINESS MEETINGAugust 15th Special Notes: No childcare available through August 22nd. THINK OUTREACH! Guest Article
The Fragrance of Your Church
By Billy R. Johnson

Chastity Comeau Admin. AssistantFinances Pat Baucom

Admin. Assistant - Publications

This Months Highlights

Bethesda s Night Out Note from the Pastor Note from Landon Announcements Financials Calendar A Note from Debbe Extended Session Birthdays Anniversaries p. 1 p. 1 p. 2 p. 3 P. 3 p. 4 p. 5 p. 5 p. 6 p. 6

Every building, room, house, car and person has a unique smell. When you enter someone's home, you can pick up the scent immediately. You can tell if they have inside pets, what they cooked lately, if they smoke, and if they use air fresheners! You can go into a printshop and the smell of ink/developer is very strong. Even restaurants have distinctive odors that should be inviting. I have really never been in any Krispy Kreme store that smelled bad! Just as every room has a scent, so does every church. A churchs scent tells you much about who they are, how they worship and how they minister. A church that does the same as they have for years may smell a bit old and dusty. Without fresh ministries and new people the scent lingers in the air like a fog. Other churches may carry the scent of sweat and hard work. These churches focus on activity and doing, as though works are most important. The people of these churches think that wearing themselves out for the gospel is the only way to go. The people seem worn out and tired with little excitement and joy in their service.

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Page 2 So, how does your church smell? Before you break out the cleaning supplies, go into your closet of prayer and invite the Holy Spirit to refresh your church. Ask God to guide your church to be a pleasing fragrance to Him and inviting to others. People will know the scent of your church the moment they enter the doors. Billy R. Johnson is the senior pastor of the Lighthouse Community Church in Harpersville, Ala.

Then there are churches that carry that "new car smell, where every program is slick but nothing sticks. The scent is pleasing, but there is no depth that challenges and develops people. They still have the new smell, having never been tried or used. Probably the most dangerous scent of a church is that of bleach, where the church tries to hide all the messes and smell clean on the surface while death hovers below. I am reminded that true ministry can get very messy at times when the holy comes face to face with the unholy. What should a church smell like? In the Old Testament we read of offerings commanded by God that were an aroma pleasing to the Lord. In the New Testament, Paul speaks of a fragrant offering in Philippians 4:18, I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provideda fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Our worship has a scent that should be inviting to God and others. Perhaps the most moving passage concerning worship is in John 12:3. Mary took expensive perfume, poured it on the feet of Jesus and wiped it off with her hair in an act of worship. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. It was unmistakable to those present, even the disciples had questions concerning the scent. The smell captured the attention of Christ, and I am sure He was pleased. Church should carry the scent of worship! It is to be as a sweet-smelling savor to the nostrils of God. The church is to have an upward odor that captures the attention of the King of Kings! This scent is one that is inviting to all who enter. The odor reminds us that we are in the presence of Almighty God! It pulls us in close and tight to the very feet of Jesus. The fragrance of worship should fill the entire place of worship. The fragrance of the church should draw people to worship and not focus on our works. And when we leave, we should smell like we have been in God's presence worshipping. True worship will clean the church. True worship separates true believers from game-players. Worship sanitizes us. True worship purifies the church. True worship has a scent unmatched by any other. There is absolutely no substitute for the scent of authentic worship. The freshness of the work of the Holy Spirit is a pleasing smell to those who desire to please God.
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What a great week I had with the youth at camp. I always look forward to that week, because, like I have said in the past, it is this week that I see the fruit of my ministry. I can teach and disciple all year long and feel like the teens dont hear a single word, but when we arrive at camp things begin to click in a big way. It is a rewarding experience, and Im thankful that I am able to experience it. Our annual Youth Sunday will serve as an official report for camp and everything that happened there, but I thought I would share one thing that I thought was quite interesting, and worth encouraging the rest of the church with. Often, I think, it is assumed that Youth Camps are filled with more fluff than substance, leaving the students with warm fuzzies that quickly fade when they come home. Camp pastors tell more jokes than preach, Bible study is filled with all sorts of games, and the students have hours of free time spent walking around and hanging out. I assure you, that with the Centrifuge camp we have been going to, this isnt the case. Every moment of the day is planned in a way that develops the spiritual maturity of the students. Yes, they have a recreation time, but any game that is played is intentionally played so that truth is exemplified in a way that is tangible. The other thing I really appreciated this week was that the camp pastor preached to the students like they were adults. His messages were exegetical, Gospel-centered, deep, and rich and the students responded to them. I think that just goes to show us something very valuable. Teens can handle all sorts of stuff, and they can handle being pushed towards spiritual maturity. As a church, let us encourage our kids to think deeply about God. Let us empower them to be active and let us trust that our younger brothers and sisters in Christ are just as much filled with the Spirit as we are, just as capable of fulfilling Gods plan as someone multiple times their age.

Landon Orr

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SUMMER SUNDAY NIGHT SERIES FOR ADULTS NowAugust 12 6:00 PM Selected Sessions from The American Heritage Series and The Truth Project Series. Powerful, and timely for Our times!

Facts & Figures for July 2012

Date June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 Total S.S. 125 122 95 128 96 566 113 AM Worship 178 139 132 182 170 801 160 Budget Offering 4,302.50 7,513.40 4,128.50 5,924.21 4,677.42 26,546.03 5,309.21 His Vision Our Mission 845.00 2,068.00 610.00 325.00 585.00 4,433.00 887.00

SUNDAY EVENING, AUGUST 19 The Movie Courageous (PG-13)

Avg.

Average Attendance & Offerings for July 2011 Avg. 102 157 5,003.28 1,065.00

Church-wide Back to School Gathering

August 266:00 PM

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH SESSIONS NowAugust 12 6:00 PM Video study Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris. The study focuses on building your life on truths that last.

Chicken Bar-B-Que Friday, Sept. 14.

We need volunteers for: cooking the chicken, helping Carolyn Durham in the kitchen, serving in the Fellowship Hall, delivering meals that have been ordered, and clean-up, etc. The cost is again $7.00/plate. Please see sign up sheets on the foyer table.

Tentative Youth Schedule for August

August 3 - Youth Summer Cookout August 12 - Youth Sport/Game Night August 17-18 End of Summer Youth Lock-

When: Monday, August 6 through Friday, August 10, 2012, 6:00 - 8:00 PM **There will be no camp on Wednesday Night Ages: Completed Kindergarten - Completed 5th Grade Cost: $40 - In addition to quality instruction, each camper will receive a camp T-shirt, water bottle, and a soccer ball.

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday

Bethesda Night Out

5 Breakfast Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service 12

6 Soccer Camp

7 Deacons Mtg. 7:00 PM Soccer Camp

8 Bethesda Night Out Music Ministry at Clayton Senior Center

9 Soccer Camp

10 Soccer Camp

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13

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15 SummerFest Quarterly Business Mtg. with dinner

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17

18 Youth Lock-in

Weekly Sunday Service

AWANA LEADERS MTG. 8:30 am-2:30 pm

19 Weekly Sunday Service Church-wide viewing of Courageous (PG-13) 26 Weekly Sunday Service Church-wide Back-to-School Gathering

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21

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25

Bethesda Night Out

27

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29 Begin AWANA And Weekly Wed. Schedule

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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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Everyone needs compassion, a love that's never failing, Let mercy fall on me. Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a savior, T he hope of nations. Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

AUGUST EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Wednesday, August 1 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare Sunday, August 19 - 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, August 19 - PM Larkin Creech & Nicole Langdon Wednesday, August 22 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare Sunday, August 26 - AM Babies: Faye Wells & Shalee Sams 2s: Laura & Shane Bens 3s/4s: Julie Brueggen & Sara Orr K-3rd Kids Church Wendy & Chris Gatewood Sunday, August 26 - PM Bob & Brenda Jones Wednesday, August 29 Kay Peele & Sarah Jay

Sunday, August 5 - AM Babies: Kathleen McLamb & Cherilyn Murphy 2s: Heather Henry & Tori Smith 3s/4s: Wendy Beasley & Diane Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Frances Burden & Angel Duncan Sunday, August 5 - PM Sharon Johnson & Sharon Levin Wednesday, August 8 Bethesda Night Out No Childcare

You probably recognize these words to Mighty to Save, a song by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan, based on a scripture passage from Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. A fairly short book in the Old Testament, Zephaniah paints a picture of doom to shake the people of Judah out of their complacency and direct them back to obedience to God. Zephaniah prophesies to a country whose affections are divided between their service to God and their attraction to worldly idols. Sound familiar? Perhaps similar to our country, or your neighbors, or even to (gasp) ourselves?? But hang on. even though gloomy predictions of a worldwide catastrophe fill most of the book, Zephaniah also sings a song of joy as he envisions a time of repentance and restoration for Gods people. Our God is indeed mighty to save. Yes, its hard to imagine; the same powerful God of creation and resurrection offers his mercy and saving grace to each and every one of us. Will you sing with me:
So take me as you find me, all my fears and failures, Fill my life again. I give my life to follow everything I believe in, Now I surrender. Savior, He can move the mountains, My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save. Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave Shine your light and let the whole world see. We're singing for the glory of the risen King!

Sunday, August 12- AM Babies: Brigitte Creech & April Lengel 2s: Brandi & Tobi Sauer 3s/4s: Kristol Flanigan & Kristen Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Nicole & Michael Ritchie Sunday, August 12 PM Jane & Johnnie Gatlin Wednesday, August 15 SummerFest

God bless.
Debbe Langdon

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

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

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

August Birthdays
L. D. Batten* Emma Henry Adam Hudson Robert Orchard* Julie Brueggen Connor McNeece* Nell Alford Jean Graham David Levin Markham Gatewood Carl Watkins* Jim Rainey Sara Orr Blacie Sams* Doris Peele Junior Henry Ester Joy Murphy* Frances Burden Mark Cook Cherith Murphy *Non Member 1st 3rd 3rd 7th 8th 9th 11th 12th 12th 13th 20th 21st 24th 24th 26th 29th 29th 30th 30th 30th

Now is the time to Sign Up! Only 23 seats available. Leaving from RDU on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Returning to RDU on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Estimated cost per person: $3,000.00 (Cost does not over lunches, tips, incidentals, purchases, additional insurance, etc.) First Deposit: $100/person due by September 1 Second Deposit: $150/person due by November 1 (All deposits fully refundable until February 8, 2013)

See pastor for details and to sign up. Dont delay! 40/40 PRAYER VIGIL
We as a church are registered with many other churches in our Southern Baptist Convention and beyond to commit to pray for our nation. We desperately need spiritual revival in our churches and renewal in our nation. Although we will encourage each member to choose the 40 day option, you may choose the 40 hour option. You can pray once each day between September 26 and November 4 or for 40 hours, between 4:00 pm, November 2 and 8:00 am, November 4. The important thing is that we pray! Prayer guides will be made available in September.

Know, Love, Serve!

You can tell by now that creative writing is not my gift, so I am always amazed by others who are great with words. Today the lyrics to When I Survey the Wondrous Cross have been on my mind. It is hundreds of years old, but it reminds me still of how reflecting on Gods amazing love should inspire a lifestyle devoted to Him. This is at the very heart of Awana, training kids to know and love God. But it doesnt stop there. When we know and love God we are instinctually going to want to serve Him. Have you taken time to meditate on the details of the cross lately? Where has it led you to serve? There is always a place to get plugged-in here at Bethesda, but this time of year is especially full of opportunities. You are welcome to join the Awana family as co-commander, secretary, game-director, leader, or listener. Please see me for more information about specific role responsibilities. Brigitte (brigittecreech@earthlink.net)
AWANA Basic Training August 18 from 9am-3pm at Bethesda Veterans and new-comers expected to attend. AWANA Meetings Wednesdays at 6:30 PM Beginning, August 29th Start inviting friends now!

Anniversaries
Lehman & Sis Godwin Sherald & Diana Lee 22nd 24th