Bethlehem Star

BETHLEHEM STARThe newsletter of Bethlehem Original Free Will Baptist Church Joe Ard, Pastor July-August 2011

• LEADING • UNITING • EQUIPPING • SERVING •

Fifth SundayFour in Christ, the quartet

featuring “our own” Donnie Avery, will bring the morning worship service on July 31.

A covered-dish dinner fol-lows in the fellowship hall.

Get ready to be filled with the spirit and some good homecookin’!

Making money talkThe majority of us

work really hard for the money we receive for our labors. As a result, I am becoming more conscious of the way I spend my money and the companies which benefit from the pur-chases I make.

Just a little research has revealed a world of information about what these companies do with the profits I have enabled them to have. That research has made me extremely unhappy.

As a result I have personally chosen to buy items made by other compa-nies. Many of the products I no longer purchase were some of my favorites — but I have decided to take a stand. I just do not want my money to support ads PUSHING the homosexual life-style or providing benefits for partners without the benefit of marriage.

One of the best ways I have found to stay informed is to sign up with American Family Association. This nonprofit group does much of the research and notifies you when a company has taken bold steps to support that which is corrupt and against all biblical teachings. Just a few companies are The Home Depot (a ringleader in homosexual support), Procter and Gamble, and our own North Carolina-based Food Lion. Our U.S. Navy is now allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies to be conducted

in base chapels. What an abomination to God’s holy house!

Through AFA, you will have the opportu-nity to sign petitions and in some cases be asked to boycott com-panies. For instance, I have elected to boycott Home Depot, even though the location is convenient for me and I like many of their products.

AFA has been influential in your hearing “Merry Christmas” at Walmart. McDonald’s is no longer an active participant in homosexual ad-vertising. Sears removed questionable graphic material from its website. The list goes on. AFA is doing a powerful wonderful work and ministry.

Folks, we have to be proactive NOW. We MUST take a stand for right or the good ol’ USA will fall, and soon. I urge you to sign up TODAY if you are not receiving AFA’s e-mails. The web address is afa.net. A link on the home page will allow you to receive weekly updates by e-mail. If you do not have access to a computer, I will be glad to make copies of the e-mails to leave at church.

The time is NOW. Be bold, be cou-rageous, take a stand and make your voice heard. It’s time for this to stop and you are the vehicle that can make it happen. Make it happen soon.

— Susan Fountain

Floating showerEveryone is invited to a

bridal shower for Haley Lanier and John Grayson Craft. The party will be from 4 to 6 p.m. July 10, in the fellowship hall.

Haley and John Grayson are registered at Belk, Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

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• LEADING PEOPLE TO JESUS •

We have had some very hot days and it is good to be able to get under a tree and enjoy the shade it provides as it covers and shields us from the heat of the sun. Warren Buffet said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

You’re in a church this Sunday because a handful of people sacrificed years ago, or decades ago, to get a small con-gregation off the ground. By the way, take a moment to say thank-you for those who paid the price to make this possible.

And now the question to consider is: Who will be sitting in the shade of your hard work twenty years from now? Or more to the point: Will there be shade to sit in?

When you are bringing people to Jesus, when you are building disciples — whether it’s your neighbor, your children, your fellow church members, or your friends — you’re planting trees.

When you help others de-velop Christian character, or improve their marriage, or par-ent more effectively, or become a more loyal friend, you’re planting trees.

When you teach the Word of God, and teach others to love the Word, when you model the life of Christ before others,

you’re planting trees.When you encourage the weak,

pick up the fallen, when you provide food for the hungry, when you clothe the

poor, you’re planting trees.Don’t forget to make shade for the next generation.

What kind of shade will you have provided? We sure don’t want the next generation having to stand out in the hot sun!

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able

to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)

— Preacher Joe

Have you planted any shade today?

Pastor Joe Ard, 252-568-4590 [email protected]

Deacon chairman Sherwood Fountain, 910-324-3018

Deacons Stanley Craft, 910-324-5915 Rick Dempsey, 910-324-1747 Darrell Edwards, 910-324-4280 Byron Fountain, 910-324-5016 Vernie Fountain, 910-324-5817 Freddy Jones, 910-520-8715

Trustees’ chairman Danny Walton, 910-324-1934

Sunday school superintendent Rita Fountain, 910-324-5016 [email protected]

Youth director Susan Fountain, 910-324-581

Choir director Vernie Fountain, 910-324-5817

Children’s church Mallory Jones, 910-324-5899

Ladies’ Auxiliary & Prayer chain Elvis Fountain, 910-324-4637

Newsletter Jeri Fountain, 910-324-5268 [email protected]

Bethlehem church contacts

• UNITING THEM TO THE FAMILY OF GOD •

July-August 2011 Bethlehem Star 3

You’re invited ...

2011 high school graduates

Tori

Jo

nes,

Eas

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uplin

Sar

ah M

adig

an, R

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• EQUIPPING THEM TO SERVE JESUS IN THE WORLD •

Johnnie AlbertsonChris BrockArt & Marcia BrownFranklin BrownFrances BrownVan BrownKimberly BryanNancy BryanMelissa ChaseDarrell EdwardsPauline Edwards

Clifton FountainDoris FountainEdward FountainElton FountainFrances FountainHilton FountainJimmy FountainJoyce FountainReba FountainSutton FountainLynn Grady

Marla HamJanet HeatonFaye IvesA.D. JonesGeno JonesLouise JonesRandy JonesReba JonesFallon LanierBill NoblesEric Powell & family

Cecil RaynorGeraldine RaynorGloria RaynorRonnie RaynorEric SimpsonFrances VossDoris WoodJo WoodGuy WilliamsJolly WilliamsMilitary and families

Prayer requests

“What do I know of Holy?” by Addison RoadI made You promises a thousand

timesI tried to hear from HeavenBut I talked the whole timeI think I made You too smallI never feared You at all noIf You touched my face would I

know You?Looked into my eyes could I

behold You?

chorusWhat do I know of YouWho spoke me into motion?Where have I even stoodBut the shore along Your ocean?Are You fire? Are You fury?Are You sacred? Are You beauti-

ful?What do I know? What do I know

of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out

I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about

How You were mighty to save

Those were only empty words on a page

Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be

The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

chorus

What do I know of Holy?What do I know of wounds that

will heal my shame?And a God who gave life its name?What do I know of Holy?Of the One who the angels praise?All creation knows Your nameOn earth and heaven aboveWhat do I know of this love?

chorus

What do I know of Holy?What do I know of Holy?

for more about Addison Road, go to www.addisonroad.com

This song says just how I have been feeling lately about my relationship with God. The first verse really speaks to me about how I treat Him. As I listened to this song and really listened to the lyrics and thought about what it said, I realized this is the exact way I treat God.

I make him so small in my mind and I don’t give Him the respect he deserves.

A lot of times I think we put God in this small box and don’t expect much out of Him. God is right there and he is just waiting for us to get to know Him and ask for his help in this life.

Ask yourself this question ... How well do I really know Him? Think about this as you read the words of this song.

— Mallory Jones

July-August 2011 Bethlehem Star 5

• BRINGING HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD •

July1 - John Bryan Sr.2 - Chris Fowler5 - Tony Strickland9 - James Dail9 - Tina Dail10 - Byron Fountain11 - Adrian Lanier12 - Kenny Pickett15 - Peggy Williams19 - Kimberly

Fountain21 - Dwight Wood26 - Jordan Dail26 - Jordan Medlin27 - Sutton Fountain

August5 - Donna Fowler5 - Candice

Strickland8 - Cory Simpson8 - Herb Ripley9 - Jo Wood

10 - Raye Southerland

11 - Charlie Brown12 - Sarah Madigan16 - Danny Brown16 - Dineen Green17 - Devon Bryan17 - Austin

Whitehurst18 - Jeremie Fountain18 - Sandy Miller20 - Randy Williams23 - John Grayson

Craft23 - Brandon Brown24 - Anna Bryan24 - Bonnie Jones24 - Judy Jones24 - Carol Madigan26 - Elvis Fountain27 - Shelly Chase29 - Meridith Lanier29 - Suzy

Southerland

July6 - Devon & Anna Bryan7 - William & Wendy Lanier12 - Jan & Michelle Jones21 - Sherwood & Ella Fountain30 - Joe & Billie Ard

August6 - Randy & Angie Williams10 - Truman & Pam Waller17 - Jimmy & Jeri Fountain22 - Timmy & Jo WoodA

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IES

Summer arrived on June 21 with hot days, steamy nights, parched cornfields, dry yards, and the list goes on. God is still in control of our seasons and of the world — and that’s the good news!

On that note, we do enjoy the seasons, and they all are important, for they are part of God’s creation!

Our seniors continue to meet each month for a good meal, entertainment, devotions and Christian fellowship.

For the ones who make this ministry a success: Thanks so much. From time to time we all need encouragement. Our pastor, deacons, trustees and all who fill offices at the church need this from each one of us. We can encourage each other through God’s love. In John 15:12, Jesus set the standard when he said, “Love one another just as I have loved you.” Love is choice I make. It’s a decision, not a feeling.

During our May meeting we celebrated Flag Day and the reason we have our flag.

On July 28 we will celebrate Independence Day. Our menu will be hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, baked beans and watermelon — all of our summertime favorites. Mark the day on your calendar and invite others. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. with the program following.

I hope everyone will have a safe and enjoyable July 4th. Please keep our seniors in your prayers. A lot of our seniors have some health issues that are serious and require a lot of medical attention. Send them a card, make a phone call or stop for a visit if possible and ENCOURAGE THEM!

— Rick Dempsey

Seniors celebrate Independence Day

If your special day isn’t listed, it means your directory entry needs updating. See Gail Walton.

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Noah Chance JonesBorn: March 30, 2011 Weight: 8 pounds, 12 ouncesLength: 21½ inchesParents: J.J. and Angel JonesBig brother: Zachary JonesGrandparents: Jerry & Alice

Jones

Kyleigh TurnerBorn: May 31, 2011Parents: Seth & Sarah Fountain

TurnerGrandparents: Chris & Beth

Fountain and Jerle & Gwen TurnerGreat-grandparents: Marvin &

Reba Fountain

The whole family is thankful for the Lord’s blessing of this little miracle.

Berry Versenta RaynorBorn: May 30, 2011Weight: 7 pounds, 9 ouncesParents: Berry and Gela RaynorGrandparents: Ronnie & Gloria

Raynor

July-August 2011 Bethlehem Star 7

When in sorrow ... John 14When men fail you ... Psalm 27If you want to be fruitful ... John 15When you have sinned ... Psalm 51When you worry ... Matthew 6:19-34When you are in danger ... Psalm 91When God seems far away ... Psalm 139When your faith needs stirring ... Hebrews 11When you are lonely and fearful ... Psalm 23When you grow bitter and critical ... I Corinthians 13For Paul’s secret to happiness ... Colossians 3:12-17For understanding Christianity ... II Corinthians 5:15-19When you feel down and out ... Romans 8:31When you want peace and rest ... Matthews 11:25-30When the world seems bigger than God ... Psalm 90When you want Christian assurance ... Romans 8:1-30When you leave home for work or travel ... Psalm 121When your prayers grow narrow or selfish ... Psalm 67For a great invention opportunity ... Isaiah 55When you want courage for a task ... Joshua 1For help getting along with fellow men ... Romans 12When you think of investments and returns ... Mark 10To be blessed ... Psalm 27

— submitted by Margaret Ard

In case of emergency ...

Horsin’ aroundJimmy the horse was a big hit at the VBS kickoff party June 18. Jimmy’s appearance, courtesy of his owner Preacher/ Cowboy Joe, went along with the Saddle Ridge Ranch theme of this year’s vacation Bible school.

photo by Billie Ard

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Bethlehem Original Free Will Baptist Churchc/o Jeri Fountain2986 Catherine Lake Rd.Richlands, NC 28574