BBC

October,2015

onnections

expecting…

I’m gonna give you a peek behind the newsletter curtain.

By now you’ve probably realized that for each issue of Connections, we try to come up with a theme that, well, connects to what’s going on at Benson Baptist that month.

Most of the time, that’s easy to do. One benefit of an active congregation like ours is that there’s always something going on to catch our attention.

Sometimes, however, this approach presents challenges. For instance, there are months where there are several important things occurring—how can we highlight one without placing the others in its shadow? Or, there are other months where the theme-worthy event is an annual occurrence, meaning that it’s most likely already been the theme for that month before—how do we continue to focus on the event without replaying the same old theme?

And every once in a long while, these challenges collide in a type of journalistic “perfect storm,” paralyzing the pastor/editor/theme-come-up-wither in a state of creative gridlock.

October is one of those times.

First off, we have a LOT to focus on at BBC in the 31 days between September and November. There’s World Communion Sunday, there’s a Deacon Ordination, there’s the new committee members starting, there’s UNIFY Sunday, there’s a baby to be born (which probably isn’t too pressing in the congregation’s psyche, but you can bet it’s sure got ahold of my attention), and on top of all that, this is the month of the year where we focus on one of the greatest challenges facing our world, a challenge that we, as Christians, are called by God to combat: World Hunger. In fact, the Missions Council has dubbed October at BBC as “WHAM!”—World Hunger Awareness Month, and for that reason we plan to keep hunger at the forefront of everyone’s minds in the weeks to come.

One way to do that would be to make “Hunger” our Connections theme for October. It’s a great idea—-which is why we did it last year. And thus we embrace challenge #2—coming up with a fresh theme that still relates to established events.

This is the kind of scenario where the Type-A, perfectionistic elements of my personality do me a great disservice. I’m like Achilles, pinned down by this tiny nagging arrow piercing my creative heel. I don’t expect it, to get caught up on something as little as a theme. I expect a theme to come to me easily. I expect it to be quickly identifiable, easy to express, and neatly presentable thru a catchy image on the cover.

And now, as I sit at my computer, affixed by the dart in my heel, I realize how woefully dependent we all are on the fulfillment of our expectations.

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expecting a themeby Paul Burgess

October 2014 issue of Connections, with the theme, “Hungry”

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Expecting a Theme by Paul Burgess………………………………..2 - 3

Table of Contents…………………….……………..3

INTERNal Thoughts by Muriel Lasater

Events for Retired Adults……………………….…4

Wood’s Word to the Wise by Tyler Wood

In Tune with Darla by Darla Hamm…………………………….……..5

Notes from Stephen by Stephen Church The View from Debbie’s Desk by Debbie Champagne……………………………….6

World Hunger Awareness Month……..……..…7

UNIFY Sunday………………………………………8

“The Youngins” Children and Youth Updates…………………………..9

Birthdays October Happenings…………….………….……10

September Photos…….…………..…………11 - 12

The Reassurance of the Rainbow by Paul Burgess…………………………………..13

In This Issue…

Just think about it—what happens when our expectations aren’t met?

We’re thrown off. We have to re-group. We lose time, we lose energy, and in some cases, we lose a lot more.

That’s a bit frightening when you consider just how much of our life hinges on the fulfillment of expectations. Take October, for instance. This month, farmers expect a harvest. Eliza and I are expecting a healthy little boy. Children trick-or-treating expect candy. People starving expect food.

Expectancy. Maybe that’s a theme worth considering. After all, expectations are something we face everyday, and so much of who we are depends on their fulfillment.

Perhaps that’s why the Bible is so committed to reminding us of God’s faithfulness and imploring us to trust more in God than we do in ourselves. Ultimately, if we place our expectations in the hands of others, we’ll be disappointed. But the promises of God are sure; we can expect God to deliver for us because God already has in Jesus Christ, who saves us from the brokenness that breeds unmet expectations and delivers us to a life where hope is eternally fulfilled.

So let that be something you think about this month—as you go to church, as you serve on a committee, as you drive to work, as you feed the hungry—what are your expectations, and whose expectations are dependent on you? Let your responses to those questions be founded in God’s faithfulness and our call to emulate it, and I expect October will be a pretty good month, not just for you, but for those expecting your love.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

It  was  my  senior  year  of  high  school  and  we  were  hosting  our  biggest  rivals  in  the  conference,  the  Clayton  High  School  Lady  Comets  soccer  team.  Not  only  was  the  Clayton  vs.  Smithfield-­‐Selma  High  School  soccer  game  a  big  game  in  general,  but  it  was  also  our  Senior  Night.  So  it  was  even  more  important  that  we  win  and  defeat  those  stinkin’  comets.  

When  I  woke  up  on  that  sunny,  Spring  morning,  I  had  this  feeling  in  my  stomach.  It  was  a  good  feeling;  a  feeling  of  adrenaline  and  determination.  

My  gut  feeling  was  telling  me  that  we  were  going  to  be  victorious  over  our  biggest  rivals  that  night.  All  day  long,  I  was  expecting  us  to  win,  and  I  wasn’t  

allowing  myself  to  think  any  differently.  We  had  been  playing  so  well  all  season  and  others  were  expecting  us  to  win,  as  well.  I  was  confident  in  our  abilities  as  individuals  but  mostly  as  a  team  to  come  out  of  this  game  with  our  heads  held  high.  I  was  both  excited  and  anxious.  I  was  excited  because  I  kept  picturing  our  reactions  if  we  would  actually  beat  Clayton.  But  I  was  also  anxious  to  see  if  my  gut  feeling  would  prove  to  be  true.  

When  I  arrived  at  the  field  to  begin  warming  up,  it  was  evident  that  my  teammates  all  had  the  same  fire  about  the  game  that  would  begin  in  just  45  short  minutes.  When  it  was  time  for  the  game  to  start,  nerves  were  escalated.  Everyone  was  full  of  energy  and  ready  to  start  the  game.  As  the  intense,  high-­‐pressure  game  continued  on,  my  team  ended  up  scoring  3  goals.    

By  the  time  that  the  final  whistle  was  blown,  we  had  all  been  counting  down  the  seconds  on  the  clock  in  anticipation  because  we  knew  we  had  won  the  game.  We  had  not  only  beaten  our  biggest  rivals,  but  we  had  also  shut  them  out,  not  allowing  them  to  score  any  goals  on  us.  It  was  the  best  feeling  in  the  world.  We  all  ran  up  to  each  other  and  embraced  each  other  in  a  massively  sweaty  group  hug  with  cheers  of  victory  and  laughter.  I  was  expecting  us  to  win,  and  we  did.    

As  a  team,  we  knew  that  having  a  strong  and  confident  mindset  before  entering  the  game  would  increase  our  performance.  Winning  this  rival  game  is  one  of  my  favorite  memories  from  my  high  school  years,  all  because  I  got  what  I  was  expecting:  a  much  needed  and  deserved  win  against  one  of  the  toughest  teams  in  our  conference.  

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INTERNal Thoughts

with Muriel

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR RETIRED ADULTS!Join us for the following events exclusively for retired adults:

Lunch and a SPOOKY MatineeJoin us for lunch and then head on down to Chris

Johnson’s basement theater for a movie from film’s golden years that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Monday, October 26 Meet at church at 11:00am

A Christmas CarolTravel with us to Sanford for Lunch at Mrs. Lacey’s

Magnolia House and then it’s on to the Temple Theater for a production of the classic tale, A Christmas Carol.

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas, so go ahead and put this event on your calendar (and invite some friends, too!).

Friday, December 11 Meet at church at 11:00am

Cost is $20, plus lunch money

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Wood ’s to the wise.

Last  year  this  +me  was  one  of  the  busiest,  yet  most  joyous  +mes  of  my  life.    The  invita+ons  we  had  typed  up,  printed,  me+culously  decorated,  and  addressed  by  hand  had  long  been  sent  in  the  mail.    The  recep+on  hall  was  reserved  and  the  playlist  was  made.    The  menu  was  set  and  the  ceremony  was  planned.  

October  25  will  be  Ashley’s  and  my  one  year  anniversary!    The  feeling  of  excitement,  expectancy,  and  urgency  is  s+ll  vivid  in  our  memories.    As  we  were  heading  into  the  final  month  before  the  wedding,  we  had  accomplished  so  much  in  preparing  for  this  special  day;  and  yet,  there  was  s+ll  so  much  leF  to  do.    It  was  a  strange  mix  of  emo+ons,  bouncing  back  and  forth  between  the  impa+ence  of  wan+ng  that  day  to  arrive  quickly  but  also  hoping  +me  would  slow  down  to  allow  all  the  finishing  details  to  be  ironed  out.  

The  advice  we  consistently  received  regarding  this  whole  process  was  nearly  verba+m  from  everyone:  “It  will  fly  by.    Just  enjoy  the  day  and  take  it  all  in.”    So  that’s  what  we  did,  as  best  we  could.    We  set  up  the  tables  and  finished  the  ceremony  programs  and  test  and  re-­‐tested  the  slideshow  and  music  and  poor  Ashley  (she  is  truly  a  saint)  stayed  up  the  night  before  un+l  3am  baking  cakes  for  the  recep+on.    But  we  did  it  all  with  a  smile  on  our  faces  and  immeasurable  happiness  in  our  hearts.    The  wedding  came  and  was  absolutely  perfect,  not  because  those  countless  details  came  together  but  because  there  we  stood,  hand  in  hand  in  the  presence  of  God  and  those  who  love  us  to  begin  sharing  our  life  together.    We  were  “taking  it  all  in”  and  man,  was  it  a  beau+ful  picture.    There’s  a  reason  scripture  compares  Christ  returning  for  his  Church  to  a  bride  and  groom  being  united  in  marriage.    I  can  think  of  nothing  more  profound  or  lovely.  

All  of  that  hard  work  and  planning  and  hours  of  sleep  lost  were  well  worth  it.    The  eleven  months’  worth  of  pa+ence  it  took  from  the  +me  we  became  engaged  to  the  wedding  day  seemed  only  a  moment  compared  to  this  past  year  of  experiencing  the  joy  of  married  life.  

Isn’t  that  how  it  is  with  expectancy?    All  throughout  life,  we  have  all  kinds  of  things  that  we  look  forward  to  (or  dread).    Whenever  something  lies  ahead  of  us,  we  can  become  fixated  on  that  event,  anxiously  wai+ng  for  it  to  arrive  or  pass  by  quickly.    In  such  +mes,  God’s  advice  to  us  is  to  “take  it  all  in”  or,  put  more  directly,  “be  present  in  the  moment.”    How  simple,  yet  how  difficult!    The  process  of  wai+ng  and  expec+ng  is  just  as  forma+ve  as  the  event  itself.    When  we  slow  down  and  seek  to  be  present  in  each  moment,  we  open  ourselves  to  God’s  teaching  in  a  new  way.    He  will  take  each  experience,  good  or  bad,  and  lovingly  shape  us  more  fully  into  who  we  were  made  to  be!  

Dear  friend,  as  you  journey  wherever  you’re  going  this  day,  this  week,  this  year,  do  not  rush  yourself  along  or  wish  too  quickly  for  the  des+na+on.    Instead,  take  each  step  gently  and  purposefully,  knowing  that  no  ma\er  what  the  journey  may  hold,  you  have  a  God  whose  love  is  eternal  and  whose  hands  are  never  far  from  wherever  your  feet  may  be.

“Take It All In”

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” -Ernest Hemingway

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The topic for this month’s newsletter is “expecting”—for obvious reasons!

The first thing that came into my mind was years ago when I was expecting my first child.  I was anxious for Alan's arrival.  Unfortunately, Alan was NOT! He ended up being three weeks late and I've said he's been late ever since!!

It was a long labor but I gave birth to a six pound nine ounce baby boy!! What a miracle!! Proof that God in his awesomeness created that tiny human being.  But the real miracle came a few days later when they found out about his congenital heart problems.  He had pulmonary stenosis, which means that the valve leading from the heart to the lungs was not large enough, which made it hard for enough blood to be oxygenated. He also had a hole between the top two chambers of his heart.

The cardiologists said had he been born when he was due, Alan wouldn't have lived. This caused me to rethink my anxiousness over his arrival.  Those three weeks were nothing to me, but it made the difference between life and death for my baby boy.  It also made me realize who is in charge, and it isn't me!! This baby boy has grown up and is now counseling abused women and children at Interact in Raleigh! God in his infinite wisdom had a plan all along!!

As most of you know, Don and I met in the Army, fell in love and got married. What you don’t know is that it wasn’t so easy to get married. We were expecting to have an easy time getting married. Just run up to the Justice of the Peace and we’re married. No. I was expecting everyone to be happy for us and want us to get married. No. My Commanding Officer and 1st Sergeant, I found out, didn’t like Don at all. I kept asking for time off and they refused the requests. They had long talks with me about how Don was going to beat me and not take care of me. Finally I put in a 30 day written formal request asking for the time off but I still wasn’t sure if they were going to honor it. Because of not knowing exactly when, I didn’t tell my mom & dad about it. I was expecting them to be happy for me. No. I don’t think my mom has forgiven me to this day for not inviting her to the wedding! We finally got married 5 months from the day we met and no, we weren’t expecting. ☺

3 weeks after we’re married Don and I were leaving the gym on base. I left a few minutes after Don and was running to catch up with him when I had this brilliant but not so brilliant idea. I decided

to run and jump on his back to surprise him, not expecting him to act defensively. (Don grew up in a tough town; there were fights all the time. He actually joined the service when they called the National Guard to his high school to control the fighting.) Anyway, as soon as I jumped on his back, he grabbed me and threw me over his head. I get about halfway over his head and he realizes it’s me and tries to catch me, which ends badly. Oh my gosh! My face smashes down into the sidewalk. My face and glasses had deep cuts in them and my arms and knees were all torn up. It was not a pretty sight. Well the next day when I went into work you can just imagine what my C.O. and 1st Sergeant thought. They never did believe that it was an accident. They were expecting Don to beat me and this convinced them that he had. But he never did.

No one was expecting Don and me to stay married but pretty soon we will celebrate our 40th anniversary. When you have the Lord in your life sometimes he surprises you. You think you have a plan but the Lord just sits back and laughs because He has His own plan for you. When we got married a lot of people were getting divorced. I was one of those people not expecting us to make it. I went into the marriage thinking that we would probably get divorced after a few years. Then the Lord showed me that His plan for us was not to get divorced, but to stay married. I sometimes wonder if it’s because He knew that we would someday be raising 3 of our grandsons. I don’t know. Whatever the reason I’m really glad He had His own plan for us.

In my 38 years I have expected a lot of things in my life. I have been on the end of the

expectancy line numerous times. When I was in high school I waited to hear back from

the college of my first choice. I waited to hear if I got in to honors chorus and the roles I

wanted for the fall play and the spring musical.

While in college my patience ran thin being in the expectancy line. I wanted things now and I

wanted them my way. I hated to wait on others. For me, patience had to come with what I was

expecting. 

Amy and I waited years for our little buddle of joy to come along. My patience was tested to the

brink during those trying times. The thought of my being a Father was something else. Was I

going to be a good Father?  How am I going to be able to provide for her and Amy? Now Amy,

Hanna and Lyla?

Expectancy brought Uneasiness. It was the fear of not knowing what was in store. We turned to

God for guidance and mercy. Through his words my uneasiness became security. Through him all

things are possible. Through Him I saw the expectancy of new life bringing our family complete.

Not just once but twice!

So when I hear or see the word Expectancy, I see patience being tested and the hope of new

beginnings.

otes from Stephen

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World Hunger Awareness Month

! Sometimes, expectations go unmet. That’s the case for the estimated 795 million people who are starving as you read this. Can you imagine what it would be like to expect food, to need it, but never have it come and relieve your pain?

That’s reality for too many people in this world, and at BBC, we want to provide oppor tunities so that some of those unmet expectations can star t to be fulfilled.

On Saturday, October 24 at 2:00pm, help us pack over 10,000 meals in 2 hours!

From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, we’ve got a place for you to serve. See Paul to sign up, or register through our website at bensonbaptist.org.

TWO WAYS TO HELP:1) Volunteer

2) DonateEach meal costs $0.29 to pack, so the more

funds we raise, the more people we can feed!

$2.90 feeds 10 people $14.95 feeds 50 people

$29.00 feeds 100 people $87.00 feeds 300 people

Donate by writing a check with “Stop Hunger Now” in the memo line, or follow the Stop Hunger Now link though our website, bensonbaptist.org.

Stop Hunger Now!

yam jam!

After sweet potato fields are harvested, there’s often a lot of yams left over—help us put them to use.

Join us on Saturday, October 17 as we par tner with the Society of St. Andrews to glean a harvested field and collect unused yams. Everything that we collect will go straight to a hungry Nor th Carolina family.

All ages are welcome! See Tyler to sign up.

Give this tater a home!BACKPACK BUDDIES!

WE NEED FOOD!

Help us stock our shelves as we pack 50 bags each week for hungry students at Benson Elementary. The most needed items are:

• Pop-top meats (Viena sausage, Chef Boyardee, etc.)

• Pop-top or peel-top fruits (Including applesauce)

• Pop-top or peel-top vegetables

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Think of it as homecoming...lite.

One  service  at  11:00am  with  special  guests  from    

The  Baptist  Children’s  Homes  of  North  Carolina

October  25  is

Covered  dish  lunch  to  follow

BBC’s Children & Youth Ministries Page

The Youngins

Search: “Benson Baptist Youth” BBC_ _ Youth

I am His & Yours, Tyler Wood

tyler@bensonbaptist.org

Youth Group - Sundays, 6-7 pm PEAK - Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm

F A

L L

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ing into October!

Fifth Quarter - Join us after the home South Johnson football games in the fellowship hall for food, Football Friday, and fellowship! The remaining dates are October 8, 23, & 30.

17 Yam Jam - On Saturday, October 17, we will glean sweet pota-toes from a local field for hungry families in need across NC from 8:30am til around lunchtime. All are invited! This is a great hands-on missions opportunity for kids as well! Please RSVP by signing up on the bulletin boards or letting Tyler know directly.

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Lighthouse Parade & Trunk-or-Treat Party - Sunday, October 25 will hold our annual Lighthouse Parade! Children are invited to bring their homemade, decorated lighthouse and wear their costumes! As the parade processes around Main and Church Streets, we will need several vehicles to set up for trunk-or-treat! All are invited and anyone can decorate their vehicle. Contact Tyler to sign up your car or truck. Fire up Pinterest and get your sweet tooth ready!

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OCTOBER HAPPENINGS Sun., 10/4 - World Communion Sunday Tues., 10/6 - Circle Groups Meet (7:00pm) Sun., 10/11 - World Hunger Sunday Feed Campbell Students (7:00pm at Campbell) Sat., 10/17 - Yam Jam Sun., 10/18 - Janet Matthews’ Ordination Service! (11:00am; see below) Deacons Meeting (2:00pm) Wed., 10/21 - Church Conference (6:45pm) Fri., 10/23 - Fifth Quarter Sat., 10/24 - Benson Healthy Harvest (9:00am - 2:00pm) Stop Hunger Now (2:00pm) Sun., 10/25 - UNIFY Sunday (One Service at 11:00am, meal to follow) Lighthouse Parade and Trunk or Treat (5:00pm) Mon., 10/26 - Lunch and a Spooky Matinee (11:00am) Fri., 10/30 - Fifth Quarter

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BIRTHDAYS Steven Burgess 10-1 Steve Reed 10-2 Matt Frazier 10-4 Halle Adams 10-5 William Massengill 10-5 Beth Pate 10-6 Ann Lee 10-6 Reagan Vanek 10-7 Jake Vanek 10-9 Westin Vanek 10-9 Betsy Stevens 10-10 Sue Price 10-11 Maynard Barnes 10-13 Brian Naig 10-13 Braston Newton 10-13 Kenneth Neighbors 10-16

Charley Catherine Johnson 10-20 Tommy Rogers 10-21 Gayle Holmes 10-22 Robbie Hood 10-24 Kendall Tart Denning 10-24 Aleen Langdon 10-25 Mary Helen Paige 10-25 Jenna Hope Johnson 10-27 Tommy Dixon 10-28 Liz Whittington 10-28 Deborah Turner 10-29

THIS Month…What’s happening

Join us for a special service as we ordain Janet Matthews to deacon ministry!

Sunday, October 18 11:00am BBC Sanctuary

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and what we did Last month!Kara (left) and Jessica Johnson (below), who have been telling their father for years that they are princesses, prove it by serving on the 2015 SJHS Homecoming Court

(In a related story, a local eye doctor is charged with Grand Theft Auto, accused of hijacking the mayor’s convertible)

A little rain can’t crush our Mule Days spirit! Despite

sogginess on carnival night, BBC youngsters stay in for an evening of Fellowship Hall fun

and games (thanks to the quick, creative thinking of

their fearless leader, Tyler!)

Boo the clown, a dead ringer for Brian

Honeycutt, is happy to slosh down Main

Street for the big Mule Days parade

(Above) Balaam’s talking

donkey made the long trek all

the way from Numbers 22 to

join us on Mule Days Sunday

FOR FULL COLOR PICTURES, DOWNLOAD THE NEWSLETTER AT WWW.BENSONBAPTIST.ORG (from the homepage, go to the “News” tab and click on “Newsletters”)

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Can you tell which BBC celebrities are waving at you as they lead the way in the Mule Days parade?

Muriel teaches little learners about Adam and Eve on Wednesday night in the nursery.

Campbell sophomore Jordan

Harshbarger was sad to get rained out

of the Mule Days rodeo, but found that

pound cake and Pictionary in the

Fellowship Hall was a close second!

Thanks to ALL the BBC ladies

who helped make Women’s Sunday such a

tremendous worship event!

Students from the Woven college class pack

bags for Backpack Buddies

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So here’s another thing about newsletters…they’ve gotta have an even number of pages. This month, we had an extra one. I was thinking about how to fill it when I saw this picture Tyler took of a rainbow stretching like a technicolor dome above our church (if you aren’t viewing it in color, it’s really worth checking out online).

With all of the rain we’ve been having lately, I’m reminded not only of the initial promise the rainbow represents, but of its underlying truth that, when all is said and done, God’s got this.

Might that be something we all keep in mind when our expectations go unfulfilled, because the truth is, at some point, it’s gonna happen. Somebody will fail to follow through on a promise, a diagnosis will pop up, people will be people, and brokenness will shine through.

In those times, remember the rainbow, arching above the Church and her people, calling their attention upward when the rain down here is thick.

If I were to fill these final white gaps of paper with a prayer, that’d be it. Not that all of your expectations would be met, but that, when they aren’t, you have the strength to look up and, in the quiet beauty of the rainbow, hear God’s promise: “I am here.”

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.

Genesis 9:12-13

the reassurance of the rainbow

Benson Baptist Church P.O. Box 323 Benson, NC 27504

BBConnections

October, 2015

“I’m buying a sword!” - The giddiest Luke Tart I’ve ever seen, entering the world’s largest knife store.

“You summoned me when you said my magic words—HEE HAW!” - Balaam’s donkey, who visited BBC and made himself at home behind the pulpit on Mule Days

“Steven, do you know who made the rainbow?” “Yes! Jesus. And God!” “Buddy, did you know that Jesus IS God?” “Yes…that’s my man!”

- Paul and his oldest son, talking toddler theology while marveling at a rainbow

wordsinyourown“

“Notable quotes from Benson Baptists

“This is an introvert’s inferno.’” - Self-professed introvert Ashley Lane upon entering a really crowded, really big space in Knoxville