Lamplighter

Vol. 5 Issue 5 May 2012

The

Our Church Staff

Gary Burden
Senior Pastor 919-631-6789

National Day of Prayer

May 3, 2012
The 61st annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 3, 2012. Millions will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. This years theme, One Nation Under God is based on Psalm 33:12: Blessed is God, Blessed Lord. the nation whose God is the Lord Additional information is on page 3. Dr. David Jeremiah - Honorary Chairman.

Landon Orr
Minister to Students 919-229-9379

Debbe Langdon
Music Director/Pianist 919-410-0271

May 8th Vote

MARRIAGE AMENDMENT: Updates and Resources. For additional information and websites on the Marriage Amendment. This is an important issue and we need to take a firm stand. VOTE FOR MARRIAGE ON MAY 8TH FOR AGAINST Additional information on page 6

Chastity Comeau
Admin. Assistant - Finances

Pat Baucom
Admin. Assistant - Publications

For Such a Time as This!

When Mordecai challenged Esther, beseeching her to confront the king of Persia in behalf of her and his own people, the Jews, whose lives were threatened by wicked Haman, she was exhorted not to be silent, but to realize that by Gods providence she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Every Christians time in history is providentialdesigned by the hand of a sovereign God. We todayat our time and place-are no exception. And we today must not be silent. Fortunately, Esther was willing to pay the priceeven with her life, if necessaryIf I perish, I perish! (Esther 4:16). Our nation is in grave danger. I know in my lifetime Ive never seen our nation so near the precipice or spiraling in a free-fall so rapidly. But as long as the God of Mordecai and Esther is still on His throneand He is!there is hope. But in His own providential way, the Lord still uses His people to make a difference and accomplish His purposes. A watershed issue is facing us in North Carolina this monthan opportunity to clearly define marriage in our state the way God doesone man and one woman. Tuesday, May 8, is the day to vote for this amendment. Dont assume your vote wont matter. No true believer can afford not to speak up for the most basic institution founded by God for a stable society. The pundits and the politicians will try to spin this issue a thousand
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The Lamplighter FROM THE PASTOR (CONTD)

Page 2 You have probably heard the old saying, Laughter is the best medicine. There is certainly lots of evidence to show the positive effects of laughter on our human body and our health. But is there a connection with laughter being the best medicine in the Bible? Perhaps there is! Christianity is about being joyful, happy and free. We should always be in a state of rejoicing, rather than being depressed or anxious. There are many verses that speak about joy: You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11) Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galations 5:22) A cheerful heart is good medicine; but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22) So in keeping with this theme, I am sharing an excerpt from my latest Choral Premier newsletter from Brentwood-Benson Choral Club. Here is a humorous list of favorite hymns based on ones profession; hope it brings some joy to your day! Hymns that are for: The Weather-Man. There Shall Be Showers of Blessing The Optometrist. Open My Eyes That I May See The Dentist Crown Him with Many Crowns The Contractor... The Churchs One Foundation The Tailor Holy, Holy, Holy The Golfer There is a Green Hill Far Away The Politician Standing on the Promises The IRS Agent I Surrender All The Gossip Pass It On The Electrician Send the Light The Shopper In the Sweet By and By The Realtor Ive Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop The Pilot Ill Fly Away The Paramedic Revive Us Again The Judge Almost Persuaded The Psychiatrist Just a Little Talk With Jesus The Architect How Firm a Foundation The Credit Card Telemarketer A Charge to Keep I Have The Zoo-Keeper All Creatures of Our God and King The Postal Worker So Send I You The Waiter Fill My Cup, Lord The Gardener Lo, How a Rose Eer Blooming The Lifeguard Rescue the Perishing The Criminal Search Me, O God The Baker When the Roll is Called Up Yonder The Shoe Repairer It is Well with My Soul The Travel Agent Anywhere with Jesus The Geologist Rock of Ages The Hematologist Are You Washed in the Blood? The Mens-Wear Clerk Blest Be the Tie The Umpire I Need No Other Argument The Librarian Whispering Hope God bless

ways. But only the God Who invented marriage has the right to define it. And because thislike abortion and other issueswas a moral issue long before it became a political or legislative issue, we must not let others intimidate or silence us as a church from speaking out. This is not a church vs. state issuethis is a right vs. wrong biblical issue, pure and simple. But Esther not only refrained from silence and spoke up, she and others around her bathed the matter in intense prayer. We can and must do no less. Again, in Gods providential timing, the annual National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 3. A 24-hour prayer clock is available in our church foyer. Whether you can sign up or not, this is a critical and urgent call to prayerpray for our state, this amendment, our upcoming national and statewide electionsprayer beseeching the God of heaven for mercy and for a national spiritual awakening beginning with genuine revival among His people. And be sure to sign up for and participate in the Art of Marriage video series scheduled for June 1 and 2, and hosted by our church for the community. Every marriage periodically needs a tune-up. Along with voting for marriage on May 8, what better way to strengthen our marriages in a culture that is doing all it can to destroy marriages. With Mothers Day on May 13 and the iChoose Pregnancy Support Centers big gala on May 15, this really is a Focus on the Family month. A lot happening this month? You better believe it. But nevertheless, we must not be silent. God put us here for such a time as this.

Gary Burden PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION DAY

Mothers Day, May 13, 2012 If you plan to participate in the Parent/Child Dedication day please call the church office at #553-7678 before noon tomorrow, April 30th and give your name and the name(s) of your children.

TOTAL MAYHIM See Details on page 3 Your assistance is needed!

Debbe Langdon

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Know, Love, Serve!

With summer just around the corner, our Awana year is drawing to a close. We hope you will plan to celebrate with us May 30th by bringing some of your favorite ice cream (homemade or store bought) to share. Toppings, drinks, and cookies will be provided by Awana. See you there! May 2 9 16 23 Food Drive for Clayton Area Ministries Beach Bum SpringFest NO AWANA Party Time

2012 Theme: One Nation Under God (based from Psalm 33:12)
Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection-through prayer. You are encouraged to sign up for a 30 minute prayer time on the poster in the foyer. This prayer time begins at 12 AM and ends at midnight on May 3rd.

GRADUATION SUNDAY June 10, 2012 We are preparing for Graduation Sunday to be held on June 10th. If you have high school or college students who will be graduating this Spring, please notify the church office before Sunday, May 27th.

TOTAL MAYHIM YOUTH RALLY: May 5 How can I help? Here are some specific things we need your help with for the upcoming youth rally:

Donate cookies and other small treats for students Serve treats to students Greet students as they arrive and register them Reset Worship Center for Sunday Worship Pray that students who desperately need Christ will be changed forever

Love for Life Gala

You are invited to Love For Life Gala. This is a benefit for iChoose Pregnancy Support Services and will be held at the Hilton North Raleigh on May 15th at 6:30 PM. You are encouraged to attend. Please register at www.ichoosepartners.org or call 919-585-4353.

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Sunday

Monday
1

Tuesday
2 Ladies Bible Study 10:00 AM Deacons Meeting 7:00 PM

Wednesday
3 Awana and Weekly Wed. Schedule

Thursday
4 National Day of Prayer

Friday
5

Saturday
Youth
Total Mayhim
6 PM9 PM

6 8:30 AM Brkfst. Fellowship Weekly Sunday Service

8 Ladies Bible Study 10:00 AM

9 Awana and Weekly Wed. Schedule

10

11

12

VOTE!
14 15 Ladies Bible Study 10:00 AM 16

13 Parent/Child Dedication Day Mothers Day No Evening Activities 20 Weekly Sunday Service

17

18

19

SpringFest
Qtly. Business Meeting

21

22 Ladies Bible Study 10:00 AM

23 Awana and Weekly Wed. Schedule

24

25

26

27 Weekly Sunday Service No Evening Activities

28

29 Ladies Bible Study 10:00 AM

30 Awana and Weekly Wed. Schedule

31

Memorial Day (Office Closed)

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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Over the past month Ive had the pleasure, with the help of the youth, to work with the TNT Awana Club on several occasions. It has been great fun, though I can say, very seriously, that those 3rd-5th graders are really intimidating. Teenagers I can deal with on a regular basis, elementary schoolers, not so much. They scare me to death. Despite being nervous and intimidated, I still managed to present the gospel twice to those kids. Im pretty sure that the teenagers are getting tired of me making such presentations. Over the past couple years I have told that same gospel story a countless number of times. Anytime someone new is around I always work it in, and when its only the regular attenders I proudly present it again and again. What Im trying to say through this brief story is this: we need to make sure that we are regularly presenting the gospel to our kids (and adults). When we are teaching, it is very easy to get in a habit of just using a curriculum and not showing the class how it all relates to Christ. When teachers dont take a moment to observe the class and take notes of the spiritual needs of each child, we produce children who learn how to be Christians. Because we teachers often operate under the assumption that these students are saved, they also assume they are saved. We need to make sure that we very clearly invite each child to make a personal commitment to Christ and we need to do this regularly. The more persistent we are in sharing the Gospel with them the more persistent they will be at sharing the Gospel with others.

MAY EXTENDED SESSION AND KIDS CHURCH

Wednesday, May 2 Frances Burden & Louise Gilmore Sunday, May 6 - AM Babies: Kathleen McLamb & Cherilyn Murphy 2s: Heather Henry & Robin Hotakey 3s/4s:Wendy Beasley & Diane Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Frances Burden & Angel Duncan Sunday, May 6 - PM Sharon Johnson & Linda Wilson Wednesday, May 9 Jessica Peedin & Shannon Coomer 13Sunday, May 13- AM Babies: Brigitte Creech & April Lengel 2s: Missy Urban & Mandy Windham 3s/4s: Kristol Flanigan & Kristen Duncan K-3rd Kids Church Nicole & Michael Ritchie Sunday, 13 PM No Evening Activities Wednesday, May 16 Terry Gatewood & Shannon Coomer Sunday, May 20 - 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, May 20 - PM Larkin Creech Wednesday, May 23 Bobby Lonas & Shannon Coomer Sunday, May 27 - AM Babies: Faye Wells & Shalee Sams 2s: Laura & Shane Benson 3s/4s: Julie Brueggen & Sara Orr K-3rd Kids Church Wendy & Chris Gatewood Sunday, May 27 PM No Evening Activities Wednesday, May 30
Kaye Peele & Sarah Jay

Landon Facts & Figures for April 2012

Date April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 Total Avg.
S.S. AM Worship Budget Offering His Vision Our Mission

107 98 114 105 424 106

159 140 153 169 621 155

6,584.55 7,392.85 5,280.00 5,504.75 24.762.15 6,190.54

1,450.00 1,105.80 380.00 915.00 3,850.80 952.70

Average Attendance & Offerings for April 2011 Avg. 106 153 5,444.92

Preschool Regis. Desk Diane Duncan

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Support the Marriage Amendment

VOTE MAY 8!
4967 Highway 70 West Business Clayton, NC 27520 Phone: 919-553-7678 Address Service Guaranteed

Exercise Your Christian Citizenship Responsibility y Inform Yourself with These Helpful Websites Christian Action Leaguechristianactionleague.org North Carolina Family Policy Councilncfamily.org Vote for Marriage NCvoteformarriagenc.com The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (SBC)erlc.com Family Research Councilfrc.org
Also, confirm your voting district and candidates at www.iVoterGuide.com (a resource of the American Family Association). Due to recent re-districting, you may be in a different district since the last election cycle.

Were on the web!

www.bethesdaclayton.com

May Birthdays Ann Earp Nicole Ritchie Wyatt Harrison Ron McNeece Sharon Levin Tommy Jones Carol Lane Stephen Levin Shelby Durham Cathy Johnson Cherilyn Murphy Sharon Orchard Noah Lee Isaiah Murphy Jerry Lee Watkins Lily Carroll

1st 1st 8th 14th 17th 18th 18th 18th 19th 21st 21st 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 28th

The Art of Marriage

A six session video event by Family Life Date: Friday, June 1st (7-9:30 PM) and Saturday, June, 2nd (9-4 PM) Where: Bethesda Baptist Church More Info: www.bethesdaclayton.com/artofmarriage There are additional brochures promoting this event on the table in the Foyer. Please take several and share with your family and friends.

Jerry & Louise Gilmore Kendall & Wendy Beasley Garry & Carol Lane Brian & Jennifer Harrison Benny & Debbe Langdon Karl & Jessica Peedin Jimmy & Kaye Peele

1st 2nd 13th 22nd 27th 29th 29th

Happy Birthday

Ladies, as the church, the body of Christ, faces greater challenges in our country in these days, we need to "stand firm", keep feeding on the Word of God, and pray fervently (Ephes. 6:17-18). Come join us on Tuesday mornings at my home, 10:00 a.m., as we learn together in the 6-week, nohomework Bible study called "Discovering What the Future Holds" by Precept Ministries International. Be encouraged! God sees, knows, and controls all things from beginning to end! (see Isaiah 46:9-10; Hebrews 13:8; Rev. 21:6). Your sister in Christ alone,

Sharon Levin