the bethesda beacon · anger: taming a powerful emotion, by gary chapman (moody publishers, 1999)....
TRANSCRIPT
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March 2018
The Bethesda Beacon
“...the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12b
As the Season of Lent continues, daffodils are blooming around Moore
County. What lay dormant during the winter season is coming alive and giving
glory to the Creator of all things — our Lord and our God! We invite this same
Creator to bring life in us, as we follow Jesus into Holy Week, March 25-April 1.
Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, when the people gathered and waved
palm branches and put their coats on the ground as a way to honor him. They
shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Only four days later, Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest disciples and
arrested. He was put on trial and condemned to death on a cross, one of the most
humiliating forms of capital punishment. His disciples were scattered and devas-
tated. After three days of grief and confusion, the Spirit of God raised Jesus from
the dead. This is still a mystery for all of us to understand; however, it is also the
“heart” of the Christian Gospel of good news. We welcome you to enter into this
Season of Lent and Easter, with humility and expectation for what God wants to
do in our lives and in our church!
Grace and peace...as the good news reverberates in our lives…
Sue and David
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All Circles are supporting
Friend to Friend this year as a Mission
Partner!
Bethesda Beacon Page 2
Presbyterian Women
All ladies please plan to attend the Annual Spring Gathering for PW of the Coastal Carolina Presby-tery. It will be held on Saturday, April 14 at First
Presbyterian Church in Carthage. Registration be-gins around 8:30 AM and the gathering is over
by noon and we usually go to lunch together. Please contact Kay Mack if you would like to attend.
Every woman of Bethesda is invited to attend circle at any time of the year, September through May.
Circle #4 will meet Tuesday, March 6 at 10:00 AM in the parlor. Sandy McLaughlin is the chairper-
son (910-725-0202). The Martha Circle will meet Tuesday, March 6 at
6:30 PM. at the home of Leslie Champion. Sheila Rock is the chairperson. (910-690-3411).
The Friendship Circle will meet Monday, March 12 at 10:00 AM in the Seekers’ classroom. Kay Mack
is the chairperson (910-215-8813).
Find more information
about
Presbyterian Women and
Men of the Church
on the
bulletin board below the
stairs
up to the
Fellowship Hall.
The Martha Circle welcomes their “youngest member,” Brielle Cecelia White, born on Feb.
8th, weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces. She is the daughter of Mary Katherine and Alan
White, and the granddaughter of Kathleen and Andy White.
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March 3 – Sally Noyes March 5 – Margaret McLeod
March 7 – Beth Morgan March 10 – Peggy Jacobs, Avery Locklear
March 11 – Jesse Andersen March 13 – Dene Moon
March 15 – Grant Martin March 16 – Joyce Robinson March 17 – Vance Crane
March 18 – Jasper Ardinger, Rachel Hudson March 19 – Sarah McIntosh
March 20 – Polly Smith March 21 – Luis Pages, Miriam Pages
March 22 – Mary Lou Black, Henry Taylor March 23 – Melinda Gooden, Jeff Hill
March 24 – Rebecca Brock March 25 – Laura Gingerich
March 27 – Daniel Braun March 28 – Becky Brown, Tim Wilson March 29 – Sue Hudson
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Ushers: Ann Frank
Dan Gooden Pat McLaughlin Somer Southers Nursery Maria Sumner & Volunteers:
March 4 – Nora Andersen March 11 – Sarah O’Brien March 18 – Palmer Noyes
March 25 – Alicia Dunlap Greeters
Jim Mack Craig and Sharon Fogleman
Happy Birthday!
The Directory Committee
We thank our church members for
signing up and showing up to have
pictures made for the new Directory!
We also want to thank all of the hosts
and hostesses who helped with regis-
tration and welcoming people to their
photograph sessions. The Lifetouch
photographers were very impressed
by you! We appreciate your willing-
ness and your dependability.
Love and blessings,
Sandra Tracy for the Committee:
Teddi Garren, Beth Morgan,
Janet Peele, Sandra Tracy
The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
will be collected on Easter Sunday, April
1. It goes toward Hunger, Disaster As-
sistance and Development.
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Thank you to Moneen Bethea, Gloria Crane, and Larry Arnold for your leadership on keyboard each Sunday.
On Feb. 18, Universal Groove led worship. Thank you to Steve McKenzie,
Jimmy Greene, Samantha Taylor, Catherine Clark, Rick Noyes, Nancy and Larry Arnold. We especially appreciate the youth who assisted the Universal Groove: Ella Clark on violin and Palmer Noyes on viola, Mia Smithson and
Mason Roth on vocals! Welcome aboard!
Bethesda Bells played for Ash Wednesday and Sunday, Feb. 25th. Thank you, ringers, for your wonderful addition to worship. The Chancel Choir’s anthems have been beautiful and meaningful! Thank you!
The Chancel Choir has begun work on the cantata: Upon This Rock: The Passion, the Question, the Call, by Pepper Choplin, which will be presented in worship on Sunday, April 8th, focusing on the Apostle Peter’s experience with Christ. Please join the choir for practice
at 7:30 Wednesday evening in the choir room, if you would like to sing!
Faith Weaving Families are off to a great start! The spring musical, Judge Julie Truly & the Case of the Holey Roof! will be presented on Sunday, June 3 after worship. There are many parts for ‘extras’ if older youth would like to
act, sing, or help behind the scenes. See Nancy Arnold, if you are interested.
The 2018 Worship & Music Conference will be held at Montreat Conference Center: June 17-22 and June 24-29. This year’s theme is Sacra-ments and Seasons. If you are interested in attending the conference, please
talk to Nancy. These conferences in the beautiful North Carolina mountains offer spiritual renewal and opportunities to sing, pray, worship, move, ring,
play, study, drum and celebrate our way through the seasons of the church year.
Bethesda Beacon Page 4
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Bethesda Beacon MISSION OPPORTUNTIES Page 5
Letter from Libby Marsh:
“I was at the Food Bank yesterday picking up food donation boxes and was told that as of
this month Moore County surpassed Scotland and Robeson Counties in the numbers of residents below the poverty line. Everyone seems to think that we are a wealthy county but we are not. We have such pockets of severe poverty that are not seen from our beautifully landscaped golf courses. This is shameful! Once again I am asking for food donations to be brought to the Crop Hunger Walk on April 15th. I will be bringing around your Crop Walk packets this week and have donation boxes with me if you need one. It is exciting for me to know that all of you will be joining me in our quest to feed hungry people in our neighborhood, provide wells in impoverished countries, or cleaning and housing as-sistance in the US in flooded areas.”
Sandhills CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, April 15, 2018
Brownson Presbyterian Church Ashe Street Parking Lot,
Southern Pines, NC
1-2 registration: 2 PM walk begins… Contact Person: Libby Marsh (910) 690-9600
Sandhills Coalition
Thank you, Bethesda, for hosting Sandhills Coalition’s
Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon this month.
Our mission is to alleviate hunger and financial strains of struggling
households and prevented eviction of 147 families. Clothing was pro-
vided for 4,870 residents and food for 6,572 people who might have
otherwise gone hungry. This and many other services are made possi-
ble by our dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering,
please feel free to contact me directly to schedule a tour and learn
more. I would love to see some Bethesda faces amongst our volun-
teers. Ashley Keith Daughtridge (910)693.1600 ext. 203).
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Bethesda Beacon Page 6
March Programs
Mar. 7, 14, 21: YANA Christian M & Meditation…. 5:30—6:30 p.m. (in the parlor) What Does the Bible Say about Anger?... 6:30—7:30 p.m. (in the Seeker’s Room) Choir Practice…. 7:30—9:00 p.m. Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25: Faith Weaving Families…. 4:00—6:00 p.m.
Play, Drama, Art, Music, Dinner Preschool—5th Grades
Adult Component: Boundaries with Kids, by Cloud & Townsend Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22 Confirmation Class…. 5:30—7:30 p.m.
Middle and Senior High Youth
Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday Worship Service
11:00 a.m. March 25
Maundy Thursday Communion
7:00 p.m. March 29
Good Friday Worship
6:00 p.m. March 30
Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
10:00 a.m. March 31
Easter Morning Worship Services
7:00 a.m. April 1 (at Old Bethesda)
9:00 a.m Breakfast (in Fellowship Hall)
11:00 a.m. April 1 (in the Sanctuary)
Bring Flowers to adorn the cross!
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Bethesda Beacon Page 7
What Your Pastors Have Read in 2018!
David:
The Last Ballad, by Wiley Cash (Harper Collins, 2017), 304 pages. Cash, a New York
Times best-selling author, native of North Carolina, writes a book inspired by the events of
an actual textile-mill strike in 1929. Cash creates a vivid picture of one woman’s despera-
tion in a heartbreaking and beautifully written look at the real people involved in the Labor
Movement.
Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee (Grand Central Publishing, 2017), 479 pages. Lee, a National
Book Award Finalist, writes about love, sacrifice, ambition and loyalty over four generations
in Japan and Korea. Her work is insightful to understand the Korean context today.
Admissions: Life as a Brain Surgeon, by Henry Marsh (St. Martins Press, 2017), 270
pages. Marsh, New York Times best-selling author, retired after 40 years of handling the
human brain as a premier neurosurgeon to serve pro bono in the Ukraine and Nepal, and
gained a new understanding of what matters to us all in the end.
Thank You For Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations,
by Thomas Freidman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016), 453 pages. Freidman’s seventh
book “exposes the tectonic movements that are reshaping the world today and explains
how to get the most out of them and cushion their worst impacts.”
The Triumph of Christianity: How A Forbidden Religion Swept the World, by Bart D.
Ehrman (Simon and Shuster, 2018) 286 pages. Ehrman, Distinguished Professor of Reli-
gious Studies at UNC Chapel Hill, leading authority on the New Testament and history of
early Christianity, and author or editor of more than thirty books, “shows how a handful of
charismatic characters used a brilliant strategy and an irresistible social strategy to win
over hearts and minds one at a time.”
Sue:
Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. The author has extensive
cross-cultural experiences and exposure to the myths and stories of female archetypes.
She is an internationally recognized scholar, award-winning poet, a senior Jungian psycho-
analyst, and cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition). She has mined
deeply the female psyche and soul.
Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, by Anne Lamott (Random House, 2017). In
classic Anne Lamott style, this book offers mercy as medicine in an increasingly complex
world. She gives the reader the chance to “soften ever so slightly” so that people can un-
derstand one another more deeply. Her words are honest, humorous, surprising and joyful!
Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion, by Gary Chapman (Moody Publishers, 1999). Chap-
man’s writings never go out of style and seem more timely today than when they were first
written. He addresses the divine origin and source of this powerful emotion, and gives prac-
tical guidance about channeling anger in positive ways. He addresses unhealthy anger, and
how to cope when we are angry at God, ourselves or others.
Beyond Boundaries, by Dr. John Townsend (Zondervan, 2011). A follow-up to the best-
selling book, Boundaries, which gives biblical guidelines for establishing healthy relation-
ships, this book shows how to restore broken relationships and rebuild trust.
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In November of last year Chris and Rebecca Dunn’s son “CJ” had a
white blood cell count so high it didn't register on the pediatrician's ma-chine. They spent 13 days at UNC Hospital learning a different language and trying to keep up with new information daily. CJ has T-Cell Acute
Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Three 3 months later he is living a very different life. CJ cannot go back to school for at least the next 12 months. He is cur-rently working through 4th grade as a home bound student. CJ's prognosis
is very good! T-Cell A.L.L. is treatable, though it is a long and sometimes unpleasant 3 year treatment.
Overall, C.J. is doing well, although there have been hiccups in his treatment. Chris and Rebecca feel very fortunate to live close to good medi-
cal care, and know they are in good hands. “We could not be holding it to-gether or keep going without the love and support of our family, friends, cards, texts, emails, surprises, gifts, Facebook comments and messages. The words, “thank you”, will never be enough to express our gratitude to our Mer-ry Hearts and Bethesda families for your love and support for CJ and our family in this new chapter in life.” The Session has approved taking a “Love Offering for CJ.” We will re-ceive contributions through the end of March. Please designate your gift: CJ Dunn Love Offering.
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Family Promise Bethesda hosted Family Promise by making meals, sharing fellowship and
staying overnight February 19-22. We shared our evenings with three Moms and a total of six children. Volunteering always reminds us of how blessed we are and
how the paths of many are difficult. Many, many thanks go to Gail Cunningham, Marjorie Downey, Joyce Robinson for Monday's dinner crew, to Carol Prevatte, Dot-tie Folley, Lynn Dworak, Ann McNeill and Nancy Arnold for Tuesday’s dinner crew,
Alice Demastus and LoJuanna Pages for Wednesday's dinner crew and to Nancy and Chuck Dearborn and Jim and Kay Mack for Thursday's meal crew.
Overnight hostesses were Terri Combs, Sue Hudson, Laura Murdock and
LoJuanna Pages. Our next opportunity to host is April 30—May 3. Please contact
LoJuanna Pages at 910-638-1866 or the church office if you are interested in help-
This is a ministry to women and children who
need housing, employment, food and safety during life
transitions!
Please keep our Confirmation Class in your prayers… as they decide whether or not they are
ready to be baptized/confirmed and make a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ on Easter
Sunday. Here are a few pictures of their “creative work” as people created in God’s image!
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BYG Bethesda Youth Group
Page 10 Bethesda Beacon
Thank you to our youth group for singing "Come As You Are" by Crowder in worship on February 11. Kelly Clark led on guitar with Ella Clark on piano, and Andrew Plyler,
Director of Camp Monroe, added some percussion with the cajon.
Spiritual Practices: In February, one of the spiritual practices BYG explored was
"Working Together to Solve Problems." To demonstrate this, we split into two teams to find clues and solve puzzles and riddles to discover codes that would unlock a variety of
locks. After this fun "Escape Room" exercise, we discussed different tactics for solving
problems that translate to real-world issues.
The Youth Council has been re-structured for accountability and efficiency. Davis
Clark is now the Session moderator of the Youth Leadership Team, which is the Session
committee working on behalf of the Youth Group. Sam Cunningham Taylor continues to
function as the Youth Director and Rev. Sue Hudson is the pastor for this team. The
Team will include Sunday school teachers for Middle and High School, which are pres-
ently Henry Hogan, David Keith and LoJuanna Pages. The Youth Elder is Ella Clark and
the Youth Deacon is Sierra Stefanelli. On Sunday night, February 25, the Youth and Par-
ents selected Christian Blue as the Middle School representative and Palmer Noyes as
the Senior High representative. Parent representatives are Michelle Martin (for Middle
School) and Lisa Noyes (for Senior High).
Parent and Youth Council meetings will take place quarterly to gather input and
feedback for the Youth Leadership Team. If anyone has concerns or would like to give
input, please contact any one of these representatives.
The Youth Leadership Team has appointed four people to accompany Laurinburg
Presbyterian Church’s mission team to Tabasco, Mexico, June 10-15, to explore plans
for an international mission trip to Tabasco in 2019. They are: Victor Andersen, Sue
Hudson, Palmer Noyes and Sierra Stefanelli.
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Page 9 Bethesda Beacon
Family Photo Gallery
We welcome Ellie Madeline Cunningham! She was born
on Feb. 24 at 8:06 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 13 oz., the
daughter of Nathan and Vanessa Cunningham,
granddaughter of Gail and J. Cunningham.
Pat McLaughlin and Sara Swartout were crowned
King and Queen at the Pancake Supper on Feb. 13!
Jimmy
Greene
receives the
Golden
Spatula for a
second year
in a row for
winning the
pancake eat-
ing contest.
The Chili Cook Off was
well attended!
David Keith won the
Judges’ Award and tied
with T.J. Combs for the
Peoples’ Choice Award!
Sandra Tracy was
our Bingo caller and
kept everyone on
their toes! Thanks to
Burney Hardware
for donating the
prizes!
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Lectionary Bible Passages for March
March 4 Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; I Corinthians 1:18-25; John 2:13-22
March 11 Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3,17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
March 18
Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 51:1-12 or Ps. 119:9-16; Heb. 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
March 25: Palm/Passion Sunday Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 9-29; Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
March 29: Maundy Thursday Communion
Exodus 12:1-10, 11-14; Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19; I Cor. 11:23-26;
John 13:1-17, 31 b-35
March 30: Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Ps. 22; Heb. 10:16-25 or 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42
April 1 Easter Sunday
Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; I Cor. 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
Bethesda Beacon
Bethesda Presbyterian Church 1002 N. Sandhills Blvd.
Aberdeen, NC 28315 910-944-1319 [email protected]
www.bethesdapres.church
TO:
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Pastor’s Article 1
Presbyterian Women 2
Birthdays/Ministries 3
Music & Worship 4
Mission Opportunities 5
Programs 6
Pastors’ Reading 7
CJ Love Offering 8
Confirmation 9
BYG 10
Photo Gallery 11
Lectionary Readings 12