January 2012
Transcription
January 2012
Beck;s Reformed Church Beck’s Reformed Church Newsletter January 2012 From the Pastor...New Beginnings These words are spoken by the Lord regarding the end of time when His Kingdom will come in fullness but they are for believers today as well for we have the constant opportunity in Christ Jesus to enjoy newness in life every day. He is, for the believer, that ever flowing spring of Living Water flowing up within them. We have begun a new year and with it comes the reminder that the Lord Jesus will be giving you many blessings and opportunities. Our Church began the year with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper which is a reminder of the new opportunity to have our hearts cleansed of sin through repentance and the assurance of a new life for all who repent and seek a new life in Christ. We look with expectation to the promise of God Who gives hope to His children who know ―His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lam.3) We come to know that in times of sorrow, He is there for us and helps us. In times of joy, He blesses us and gives us hope now and for all times. As you begin this New Year look to the God of hope who has given us the promise and witness of a renewal of our life. The truly and happy New Year will be found in the Lord. Wise people know that it is in the Lord alone that new beginnings are found and true life is realized. With Love, Pastor Jerry Revelation 21:5 NKJV Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." From the Consistory Dear Becks Church Family: It has been a wonderful, Holy Spirit filled December at HIS church. God has bought together a truly extraordinary church family to worship and glorify HIM. Words cannot express the heart felt appreciation from the leadership to all of you who worked so hard to make this a glorious Christmas season. Thank you so much for your commitment to your Lord and His church! Thank you to all of those who share your gift of music to worship our savior. The Cantata was beautiful and inspirational. The Children’s program, through their beautiful & innocent faces, expressed the love that Jesus has for us all. The youth came together in large numbers to share the joy of the season by Christmas Caroling to many of our shut-ins. Even the rain held off each night of the Nativity scene. Thank you to all the of the Lords servants who came and braved the elements to stand, to those who help put up and take down the Nativity scene, to those who helped behind the scenes with the costumes and scheduling, the refreshments, the live animals and the clean-up. Thank you to those who helped put up all the Christmas decorations and the special decorations for the Candle Light service. Thank you to the ladies for making the beautiful candles for the service. Thank you to the silent singers & hand bell choir. Thank you to our Boy Scout Troop 208 for there work in providing and lighting hundreds of candles in the luminaries in the cemetery during the Nativity scene and Christmas eve. It was so beautiful. All of these acts of service are a Statements of Faith. I spoke to two different families who visited our church for several different events for the first time during the Christmas season. They both expressed how moved they were to see the dedication and cooperation among such a large group of believers. One person said to me, this is truly a special congregation that is moved by the Holy Spirit and is looking forward to becoming a part of the fold. It is amazing to look back this past year to see the great accomplishments of God’s people. Focused on glorifying God and fulfilling the great commission…and on Faith with a spirit of humility and unity, our congregation passed with 90% approval to proceed with a $400,000 initiative named Project 2011. We have completed the installation of a new sound system and digital sign. God has blessed us with a spectacular place to grow our outreach, The Praise Center. The last part of Project 2011 is purchasing a badly needed Bus which will happen soon. We are over half way there in funding Project 2011, and with your continued support, we will get this project paid for. Let us all remember to give God thanks for meeting all of our financial needs. For the first time in the 200 plus year history of Becks Reformed Church, the Congregation has donated in this terrible economy a record of approximately $500,000 toward budget and Project 2011. Isn’t God awesome! I’m also very thankful to be a part of a praying church. The prayer service (4th Tuesday evening – 7pm ) each month is such a special time to come in the quietness of evening to spend quality time to grow close to the Lord and with each other. God has done some amazing things through that service. While the Elders and Pastor are there every month, it is open to anyone who wants to come and find comfort in the Lord. Finally, I just want to take a minute to thank the Consistory for the devotion, commitment and love that they have for each other, the congregation and to God. I’m thankful to be a part of a Board that begins the meeting in prayer- not rushing through it, but time spent praying for those on the prayer list, for our church and wisdom to lead the church according to HIS will. These blessed servants of the Lord do so much more than coming to a monthly meeting. They all have worked so hard… not for recognition or praise, but because they genuinely love the Lord with all their hearts. Thank you Elders Rick Leonard & Jerry Hedrick and Deacons Tara Young & Tim Burkhart for your three year commitment to service on the Consistory. I especially want to express my gratitude to all my fellow Consistory members and Pastor Jerry for your steadfast support and Godly counsel. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with you all. Page 2 God has a very special year planned for Becks Reformed Church. Just as he has done so this past year, He will again do some great things through us, His servants. Let us seek out what the Lord wants our 2012 New Years Resolution to be. If it is to manage our money wisely, spend more time with the family or to (and this one steps on my toes) lose weight, then let us strive to meet these worthy goals while remembering that Christians should not only be focusing on physical things, but growing in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe, our Christian resolution will be to pray more, read the bible everyday and attend church regularly. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible everyday? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you heard it was a good thing to do. If God is the center of your News Years resolution, it has a chance for success depending on your commitment level to it. “ I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13. “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make the righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” Psalm 37:5-6 HAPPY NEW YEAR! In HIS Service John P. Bryant Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, consider committing to a biblical solution. Your promises are easily broken. Empty words, though earnestly spoken. But God’s word transforms the soul. By HIS Holy Spirit making you whole, As you spend time alone with HIM, He will change you from within. Mary Fairchild How can I ever say thanks? 2010 was a year of the most intense pain that I have ever known and yet the Lord and my marvelous Church Family sustained, comforted and encouraged me. You have patiently and lovingly walked with me as God started to heal my heart. Many times you stepped in to help me with my work when I lagged in my struggles and never once failed me with your love and care. This Christmas Season you have showered me with kindness and love as you always do. As God has brought a new helpmate into my life, you have given her and me your warmth and graciousness. I love the people of Beck’s Reformed Church with all my heart and I want to pour my life out for you and even this cannot come close to thanking you for all you have done for me. I know that nothing I could have ever done could have merited my being allowed to come into your lives and life. I thank God daily that in His graciousness, He has allowed me to be your pastor. Thank you my precious Family in Christ for loving me and taking me in as not just your pastor but as your friend and much loved brother. I thank you for all the Christmas kindnesses and I thank you for everything else. I shall give you back my love and to do my utmost for His Highest and for you people who are the love of my heart! Pastor Jerry Beck’s Reformed Church Newsletter Page 3 Breakfast Circle...by Marilyn Hilton We did not meet in December but we will have Christmas in January. Dolana and Joyce agreed to have the program a month late. Hope to see everyone on January 4th at Southern Lunch; 8:30 AM. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and we look forward to a wonderful new year! Day Circle News by Jeanne McCarn The Day Circle met on December 8, 2011, at Village Grill. There were 12 members present. To those who were unable to attend, we missed you! Carol Crouse opened the meeting & Kay Padon presented the program. She shared a wonderful story about a group of kindergarteners who were preparing a winter pageant. The school had stopped referring to the event as the Christmas pageant. The children sang a song named ―Christmas Love.‖ After the song, each child held up a letter to spell out the words Christmas Love. But the child holding the ―M‖ held it upside down and the message said ―CHRIST WAS LOVE.‖ Was it a coincidence or was it God’s way to remind us to keep Christ in Christmas? After the program, we acknowledged December birthdaysJackie Garner on the 13th & Barbara Strickland on the 28th. We also acknowledged Angie Franklin’s anniversary on the 12th. God bless you all on these special days. During prayer time, we offered prayers of thanksgiving for Kay Padon’s freedom from pain. We then lifted up the Jean Swing Plummer family, Odell Hedrick, tornado victims (Beck’s Family as well as others in the community), Ralph Burkhart (tests), Lalah Frank(back pain), Imojean Burkhart, Bunny &Virginia Hill, Chad (job), Evan, Shanna Miller, Baby Rose, Barbara Ginn, Louise Spruill, Willa Mae Younts, Hallie Hawkins, & Lisa Thompson. May God’s presence bring each of you comfort & strength. During our business meeting, Betty Hedrick shared the treasurer’s report & collected the monthly offering. Jackie Garner presented the minutes. Members were reminded of upcoming events- Dec. 10th - Children’s Shopping Day & Christmas Caroling (Hot dogs to follow) & Dec.21st – Youth Nativity Night (Help needed). Following the business meeting, Carol led the group in prayer to bless the meal. Our January 12th meeting will be held in the church fellowship hall (11:00 a.m.) Sandy Spurrier will be program leader & pizza will be served for lunch. Ladies, come with ideas to energize our group! We would love to have any lady in the church join us. WOMEN OF THE CHURCH There was a great group of ladies for our Christmas meal at Tricia's Catering. Along with the great fellowship and good food we had a special inspirational message from Jennifer Sipper. She is able to lead you from tears to joy with her remarkable testimony. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Children's shopping was held on December 10th. This was done differently this year since the young ones were to go caroling later in the afternoon. Once again some very dedicated shoppers attended and everyone had a great time. You may have noticed a change in the name of the group. This was formerly called the Women's Guild. The name change is to represent that ALL the women are involved not just circle members. We truly have a remarkable group of ladies at Beck's and want to be able to learn and fellowship from each other. The men have their "gathering" and we would like to set up a quarterly time of fun and fellowship for the women as well. There will be a meeting in January to try to get this going so please watch for the date and make plans to attend. SENIOR CITIZENS….by Marilyn Hilton Although we did not go to the Billy Graham Museum as planned we did have a great month. Our Christmas meeting was held at the fellowship hall on December 21st. Brenda read a great story about Christmas at the Gas Station. Many of you may have gotten this on email. It is a wonderful reminder that when we help others we are also helping God. This is a great lesson for all of us. We lifted up all our members who were not with us today and prayed for those who needed healing. Johnnie King will have his 86th birthday on December 28th. Lloyd Surratt is not 82 and he and Laura will celebrate their 57th anniversary on December 26th. Brenda turned the meeting over to Ronnie Conaway from Kernersville. This man has been gifted with a great voice . His program of Christmas music was outstanding. He totally wowed Shirley with Blue Christmas (Elvis style). Brenda was dancing with Jack Frank and also Robbie Swing. We all hope we are as agile as Robbie when we get his age. I truly believe that he wore Brenda out. Keith Frank even sang some. It was a great time. Baby Rose (our senior in training) was also enjoying the music when she was not bossing Betty around to give her something off the table. She is also truly a reminder of how great God is to all of us . Brenda thanked Dianne and Betty for helping get the fellowship hall ready for the meeting. The meal was prepared by Mike Swing and his elves and we all enjoyed chicken pie with all the trimmings. Great desserts were made and brought by our members. Our next meeting will be on January 18th at the fellowship hall. We will be preparing for the year - programs and trips. Please come with ideas for suggested trips and programs. We will try to accommodate as many requests as possible. Hope everyone had a great Christmas are looking forward to the new year. JOY MINISTRIES Katie and Tammy prepared a meal for Sylvia Hedrick before Thanksgiving which was delivered by Tammy and Paul . It was a quick trip but she asked that we come back when we have more time. She really enjoys the visits. She is currently at Alston Brook for rehab after hip surgery. Jennifer visited with Louise Spruill and Hallie Hawkins at Pine Ridge. Louise was talking about family and friends. Talk then turned to winter time and germs and how we did not like to be touched by people we did not know since we did not want to get sick -- the funny thing is that they all hugged me when I left. Hallie was not very talkative but she was glad I was there. She smiled to whole time listening to me. Since Jennifer forgot the lotion and the tissues she promised to be back before Christmas with goodie bags. Joyce Greer is not teaching me how to be a member of this great ministry. We started by visiting with Foy Floyd. He immediately began talking about the lumber business with Joyce. He also talked about his cows. David came in and showed us the changes being made in the house not that there is now a woman living there. A woman's touch was definitely showing in the house and the men seemed to be enjoying it. We then proceeded to Connie Leonard's house. We looked at all her pictures and talked about her years working with Howard Coble. She is a very fascinating lady. Her son was there and filled us in on some of their past. Our last stop was to visit with Hazel Frank. We were happy to see that Eddie was there as well. We all had good conversation about a number of subjects. Received a message from Andrea advising that Willa Mae Younts is still at Lexington Health Care and that Teresa Gregg is back at home. Please continue to remember all the shut-ins and rest home residents not only at this time of the year but all year long. Summary of Financials Year to date 10/31/2011 11/30/2011 Budget 2011 Actual Expenses 37,120.58 115,163.40 25,251.50 145,364.59 322,900.07 Outreach Ministry Church Salaries Christian Education Operating Expense Totals $ $ $ $ $ Budget Summary 2011 Total Actual Receipts Total Actual Expenses Net Changes $ 320,736.46 $ (322,900.07) $ (2,163.61) Number of Sundays Budget Average Actual Averages Short Fall per week $ $ $ Operational Funds Checking Account Money Market Account Certificate of Deposit Total $ $ $ $ $ 2011 Budget 40,850.00 131,020.00 28,150.00 168,150.00 368,170.00 Unspent Balance $ 3,729.42 $ 15,856.60 $ 2,898.50 $ 22,785.41 $ 45,269.93 Non Budget Summary Non Budget Receipts Non Budget Expenses Total Balance $ $ $ Special Fund Accounts Scholarship Fund Samaritan Fund Video Fund Mission Fund Library Fund Project 2011 Fund Building Fund Pastor Dental & Eye Total $ 82,899.39 $ 1,920.01 $ 1,206.12 $ 6,389.09 $ 683.33 $ 64,968.50 $ 126.57 $ 724.31 $ 158,917.32 16,375.54 (20,651.09) (4,275.55) 48 7,080.19 6,678.78 401.41 $ $ 80,582.37 30,695.62 0.00 $ 111,277.99 It is Girl Scout Cookie Time!!! Please see your Bethany Girl Scout and place your order for your favorite Girl Scout Cookies! We will be taking orders through January 16, 2012. Cost is $4.00 per box and goes to help support the local troops at Bethany and council wide facilities, activities and camps. They will be delivered in February. Girl Scouts will be selling the following types of cookies: Carmel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Thanks-a-Lot, Lemonades, and Shout Outs. The Girl Scouts will be again sponsoring Operation Sweet Treat. We will collect boxes of donated cookies to send to the troops overseas. So even if you do not eat cookies yourself, please consider purchasing a box to be sent to our troops protecting us. You can also call Dollie Corner at 243-4084 to place your order. Thank-you so much for your support! Gifts, Honors and Memorials MISSION FUND: PROJECT 2011: In memory of Judy Errington by David, Angie, Brooke, and Chase Franklin In honor of Steven Young for his tire ministry by Jodi Hernandez In honor of Kristie Regan and Pastor Jerry by Eddie, Joni, and Sarah King In memory of Lewis Coleman by Herbert and Karen Hedrick Winfred and Ruth Hensley James and Noel Byerly HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH: Donation by Daniel and Jesse Crouse DONATION BY SCOTT AND STEPHANIE SHOAF IN MEMORY OF HOWARD AND JEARLEAN REGAN BY STEVE AND ANDREA REGAN In memory of Lucille, Dallas, and Ray Swing and Ethel and Wood Wynn by William and Becky Wynn Donations in memory of Jean Swing Plummer: Naomi V.Lackey Donald and Joann Hedrick Lohr and Linda Younts Herbert and Karen Hedrick SAMARITAN FUND: Myrna Davis Donation by Myrna Davis Shirley Putnam Don and Joyce Greer Ruth Parks Donation by the CWG'S Youth Group Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Pierce and family In honor of Charles Swing by the '56 Breakfast Group Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church In memory of Dr. Mel Palmer by Jim, Jeannette, Ben and Caryn Kevin and Jennifer Firquin Renas Scott and Stephanie Shoaf In honor of Gorman and Carol Loman by Ronald and Jamie Darien Telephone Co., Inc Loman Palmetto Rural Telephone Co., Inc. In honor of Odell and Ruth Hedrick by Bobby and Evelyn Swing Piedmont Rural Telephone Co., Inc Donations in memory of Jean Swing Plummer: Stevie Hedrick Kent and Jeanne McCarn Jean C. Hunt Jim, Jeannette, Ben, and Caryn Renas John and Margaret Burkhart Beth Green Johnny and Maxine King Young At Heart Sunday School Class Kathy and Rick Leonard Ed Wilkerson Randy and Brenda Hedrick CEMETERY FUND: In memory of Jean Plummer and Wade Lohr by Lib Lohr In memory of Jean Plummer by Larry and Ann Leonard In honor of Mike Swing by Beck's Senior Citizens In memory of Wade Lohr by Eddie Lohr IN MEMORY OF DR. MEL PALMER AND BRYCE YOUNTS BY CHARLES SWING Dawn Davenport Donations in memory of Dr. Mel Palmer: Kevin and Jennifer Firquin Don and Joyce Greer Shirley Putnam Music Fund: In honor of Kevin Lipe, Hampton Vaughan, Chad Garner, Joseph and Katie Young by Paul and Tammy Lopp Prayer Ministry of Beck’s Reformed Church January 2012 “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 Please help us keep this prayer list up to date. For names to add or take off our prayer list call Donna Yarbrough at 357-7569, Reverend Sanders or the church secretary at 357-2369, or email the church secretary at churchsecretary@beckschurch.com Shut Ins and Rest Homes Foy Floyd (home) 543 Hedrick Mill Road, Lexington, NC 27292 Bertha Kepley: Carolina House 161 Young Drive, Lexington, NC 27292 Louise Spruill Pine Ridge (formerly Britthaven) 706 Pineywood Rd Thomasville NC 27360 Hallie Hawkins: Pine Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center 706 Pineywood Road, Thomasville, NC 27360 Willa Younts: home—107 Eastview Dr., Lexington, NC 27292 Novelia Potts: Brookstone Nursing Home 2968 Old Salisbury Road, Lexington, NC 27295 Long Term Prayer Needs Jerry Swing Laura Benedict (terminal cancer) Jeff Hedrick Art Bethel (bone cancer) Nancy Swing Myrna Davis Tamara Crotts Bob Almstead Peggy Leonard Phyllis Hughes Rose Burnsides Gail Smith Katie Gulledge Morgan Ward Justin Hardin Sharon Hedrick Claudia Rapier Brett Tharp Shell Crotts Carole Arnette Parks Brown and Mary Adelee Brown Vanhoy Hines Robin Fulp Willie Owen Leigh Ann Thomas Sterling Hedrick Gene Smith Lynn Fletcher Jacob Moore Robbie Swing Brent Hauck Sylvia Morris Kayla Hedrick Reedy Gilliland Community ♦ National ♦ World Military Personnel and their Families: Jason Moore –mailing address 17 Colonial Dr, Lexington, NC 27292 Willie and Sally Marshall –stationed in Germany, serving in Iraq Chris and Heather Hurd—2133 Hayes, Portales, NM 88130 SN David Black - 389 Bay Shore Drive, Unit 4, Barnegat, NJ 08005 Major Zack Miller -4300 Ironwood Drive, Leavenworth, sas 66048 Kan- 1 Eddie Frank, Morgan and Marty Burris 20 Ruth Hedrick, Avery Burkhart, Dustin Degner 2 Casey Barlow 21 Philip Yarbrough 3 Danny Spurrier 22 Carolyn Welborn, Steve Niday 4 David Black, Miranda Hedrick, Jordan Hedrick 23 Jan Hanes 7 Lynn Staton 25 Odell Hedrick 8 William and Becky Wynn 26 Emily Norris, Brittany Baker 9 Erin Loflin 27 Joni King, Carroll Burris, Matthew Moore, Michael Younts 10 Alan Burkhart, Jeff Miller, Gerald Beck, Lohr and Linda Younts 28 Tony Fritts, Suji Everhart 12 Johnny Pope 29 Stewart Hilton 15 Eddie King, Joe and Jane Burkhart 31 Evelyne Swing, Brittany Bean 18 Michael Green Beck’s Church January 2012 Beck’s Reformed Church Reverend Gerald M. Sanders, Pastor 2845 Beck’s Church Road Lexington, NC 27292 www.beckschurch.com Return Service Requested Join Us in Worship and Fellowship Morning Praise at 8:30am Sunday School Classes for All Ages at 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30am Children’s Church and Nursery Provided If you wish to be removed from this mailing list please contact the church office at 357-2369 or churchsecretary@beckschurch.com PERMIT #56 Return Service Requested Lexington NC Lexington, North Carolina 27292 US Postage Paid 2845 Beck’s Church Road NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION Beck’s Reformed Church