Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
The
Landon Orr
Minister to Students 919-229-9379
Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271
Hanging of the Greens The First Sunday of Advent Sunday Evening, November 25th 6:00 PM
Of all the many blessings I could enumerate as we approach this years Thanksgiving season, in light of the historical moment staring us in the face the first of the month of November (the 6th, to be exact), let me mention two: The first is the blood-bought, precious freedom to vote. In this my final newsletter article leading up to this unprecedented election, I can think of no better way to drive home the significance of biblically principled voting than to reference a recent full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Other papers will carry this ad. Spoken by not only Americas Pastor, but I would also say Americas Prophet, Billy Grahams words in that ad need to ring out across this nation: The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday (November 7), I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel.
Continued on page 2
The Lamplighter
Page 2
I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God. The second, and of course most important blessing, is THE blood-bought, precious freedom of our salvation. The first freedom I mentioned is what connects me with my earthly citizenship. The second freedom is what grace-privileges me with my heavenly citizenshipthe everlasting kingdom citizenship that surpasses all earthly realms. And the sovereign God who rules the everlasting kingdom also is in complete charge of all temporal earthly kingdomsincluding America. Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O LordWe adore You as being in control of everything (1 Chronicles 29:11). The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His sovereign rule is over all (Psalm 103:19). Breaking this down, David Jeremiah, in a recent article, elaborates by reminding us from Scripture that Gods providential control is over world powers, over human history, over current events, and finally over my life. That certainly means that regardless of election outcomes, Our God Reigns! Pastor T. DeWitt Talmage once said in a sermon, When omniscience has lost its eyesight, and omnipotence falls back impotent, and Jehovah is driven from His throne, then the church of Jesus Christ can afford to be despondent, but never until thenThe mighty men of the earth are only the dust of the chariot wheels of Gods providence. Enough said. Happy Thanksgiving!
A few times a year, as a number of my various obligations all come due at the same time, I enter into survival mode, simply existing to get the next thing done. As I was telling someone the other day, at this point instead of burning a candle at both ends, I've just thrown the whole thing in the fire. My life is busy, and every waking moment could easily be filled with something else to do. Now, don't read this as plea for pity or mercy. What I have come to realize is that I am not nearly alone in my over committed condition. Busy schedules, eminent deadlines, and overwhelming lives are just a new factor in our society. In light of this, when talking about personal holiness in class this week, I somewhat chuckled when we were instructed to find unhurried and unhindered time in our daily lives to give to God. Unhurried? Unhindered? In my life? Even if I set aside an hour just to pray I would feel rushed by everything else that loomed over me. Maybe that's just an excuse though, maybe if I realized how valuable that time with God is I would have no problem focusing just on it. The great reformer Martin Luther said this: "I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer." Is that our attitude? We are by no means as busy as Luther. Talk about weight and pressure. This was a man who, with some other men, changed the course of history. So there actually might be something to this unhurried and unhindered time that we need to be seeking daily. Landon Orr
Gary Burden
ATTENTION
Please contact the church office if the birthdays and anniverseries are listed incorrectly in the Lamplighter. Thank you, Pat
The Lamplighter
Page 3
Robin Ho-
The Lamplighter
Page 4
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
2
Friday
3
Saturday
Pray
&
VOTE
Deacons Mtg 7:00 PM 13 14
15
16
17
19
No Activities
26
27
29
Student LifeLine
The Lamplighter Remember our Community Thanksgiving Song Service last year??? A service of praise and worship with choirs from Powhatan, Trinity, Everett Chapel, Amelia, and Bethesda??? Well, get ready..because this year, we will welcome these churches and host the service here in our own Bethesda Worship Center!!! The service will be held on Sunday evening, November 18th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This is a service of worship through music led by the adult and youth choirs from each church. A love offering will be received for Clayton Area Ministry, and light refreshments will be served in our fellowship hall following the service. Speaking of light refreshments..this is where I need your help! We are asking each family to provide cookies, and the choir will provide the beverages. Homemade cookies, storebought cookies, your favorite cookies!! Please bring your cookies when you come to church Sunday morning, so we can get things set up and ready for our evening. This is a wonderful opportunity for praise, worship, and fellowship with other believers in our Clayton community. Lets roll out the Bethesda hospitality!! We come into your presence with singing, Come into your presence with praise; And enter your gates with thankful hearts, We are going to celebrate! All of heavens waiting, Power is on its way; So, we shout Hallelujah!, Lifting to you A mighty roar of praise! Mark your calendars now to begin your Thanksgiving week and holiday season with a joyful heart of praise! God Bless.
Page 5
Average Attendance & Offerings for October 2011 Avg. 100 170 5,618.60 1,117.00
The Lamplighter
Page 6
4967 Highway 70 West Business Clayton, NC 27520 Phone: 919-553-7678 Address Service Guaranteed
November Birthdays
Dorothy Ellis Linda Kennedy Noah McLamb Naomi Murphy Elvis Farr Faye Avery Sherman Holt Grace Carroll Jonathan Levin Robin Hotakey Carolyn Durham Linda Wilson Wendy Gatewood Garry Lane Susan Clevenger Tracy Hudson Terry Gatewood 2nd 2nd 2nd 4th 7th 10th 13th 15th 16th 20th 21st 21st 22nd 23rd 26th 26th 28th
Anniversaries
Scott & Suzanne Yates David & Jean Graham Ray & Rosa Johnson John & Shalee Sams Glenn & Susan Clevenger Carl & Jean Wilkins 1st 14th 19th 21st 26th 30th