The Bethany BeaconThe Bethany Beacon

Bethany Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Arapahoe, North Carolina 28510

Bethanyarapahoe.org

“Finding the Way of Christ at the Crossroads.”

PO Box 156

Arapahoe NC 28510-0156

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. FEES AND

POSTAGE PAID

ARAPAHOE NC

28510

PERMIT NO. 1

MayMay

20142014

Watson’s Word Watson’s Word By Merritt WatsonBy Merritt Watson

In the Life of the Church

MAY

3 Youth Meet 9:00

Cycle Group use Pavilion

5 Group #5 @ Julia’s 7:00

Group #4 @ Church

15 Worship Committee 7:00

Game Night

17 Camp Caroline Open House

18 I Team meeting 4:00

CWF/CMF meeting 6:00

25 Watson Reception 2:00

I Team meeting 4:00

30 PCHA Chicken Dinner 11:00

Watson’s Chicken

JUNE

1 I Team meeting 4:00

Diaconate meeting 6:00

2 Group #4 at Helen P 7:00

7 Youth Group 9:00

15 Father’s Day

21 Watson’s 50th Anniversary

29 Sunday School Picnic 2:00

FLOWER CALENDAR

May

4 Randy Beeman

11 Laurie and Steve Bennett

18 Tiffany and Dan Bennett

25 Special Flowers

June

1 Barbara Benton

8 Susan Bissette

15 Doug and Annette Brinson

Becky Badger

Paula Banks

Evelyn Beeman

Tembra Bennett

Trisha Bennett

Velna Bennett

Judy Bowen

Wilma Boyd

Ruth Abby Brackner

Ray Brady

Donna Bridges

Gail Brinson

Edwin Cahoon

Naomi Cahoon

Sandra Carawan

Ben Casey

Carolyn Casey

Patty Chance

Walter Chance

Vernon Cowell

Allen Daniels

Mandy Daniels

Al Dix

Milton Dixon

Clyde Earle

Beth Ensley

Casey Fisher

Charity Garrison

Hal Gordon

Diane Greene

Al & Dot Hardison

Floyd Hardison

GR Harper

Nancy Harris

Scott Harris

Hilda Holton

Jerry Humphrey

Ted & Dot Jennings

Diane Kelly

Joy Lehnerz

Betty Morris

Sylvia Norman

Ann Oliver

Mary Puckett

Ronnie Puckett

Betty Purser

Greg Rowe

James Rowe

Bill Russo

Emmett Sugg

George Vendrick

Rachel Vendrick

Sue Whitford

Theresa Williams

Please Remember in

Your Prayers: At the Crossroads 8126 NC Hwy 306 S Arapahoe, NC 28510

REGULARLY SCHEDULED

ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Weekly Sunday: Sunday School, 9:45 am;

Worship, 11:00 am

Tuesday: Chancel Choir—7:00 pm,

Jericho Ringers - 7:45 pm

Wednesday: Gospel Group—7:00 pm

Monthly 1st Sunday: Elders, BH, 7:30 am;

Official Board, FH, 7:00 pm.

3rd Sunday: CWF/CMF, FH, 6:00 pm.

5th Sunday: Covered Dish Dinner, FH,

following worship service.

*Any changes to regularly scheduled ac-

tivities and events will be noted in the cal-

endar below.

BH=Bethany Hall; FH=Fellowship Hall;

PL=Parking Lot; S=Sanctuary May BirthdaysMay Birthdays

May 2014 May 2014

Serving in

May June

Elders Buck Jones Chris Watson Mac Harris Doug Brinson

Deacons Del Lee C Pam Hardison C Christine Beeman Kelly Jones Annette Aldridge Guy Cowell Susan Lee Rebecca Cowell Lindsey Lee Janci Cahoon Jennie Adams Renee Midyette

Deaconess Shirley Ensley Pam Hardison

Acolytes Susannah Spalding Parker Watson Katie Bennett Matt Bailey

“Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

The Booth Brothers have a wonderful song, “She Still Remembers Jesus Name.” The song tells the story of a woman now grown old for whom everything has changed. The old home place is not the same. Time has cast a shadow on her memory. She looks at the pictures in the family album and does not recog-nize that the man she sees was her husband. The children come to see her and she has to ask, “What is your name?” But she still remembers Jesus and his amazing grace. She can tell you who he is and what he did and why he came. She still remembers Jesus name. In my ministry I have known people like the woman of whom they sing. Almost everything else is lost but the experience of Christ in their lives. You may not be able to carry on a conversation with them or recall shared memories of things that happened last week or even yesterday, but when you say, “Let’s pray,” the head bows, the eyes close, and they know a conversation with God is taking place. They still remember Jesus name. There is something deeply significant about the human spirit and mind being shaped by an abiding sense of the presence of God. It is what gives not only comfort in our daily existence but stability to our world and circumstances which are constantly changing. When you are young it seems like nothing changes. Everything stays the same and you can begin to think you will be for-ever stuck in the same old place. But when you are old you know that was a deception. Everything is constantly changing and the really scary thing is that it all changes in almost a blink of the eye. Children grow up. Parents pass away. Friends move away and the world moves on around us. The days of wine and roses soon fade into yesteryear. And we ask ourselves, “When did all of that ever happen?” Thinking about this is enough to make one depressed except for the renewing, abiding, energizing, and living Spirit of God dwelling in us. I don’t know about you but I think this is one of God’s great gifts to those who trust in him. It is why I want to be among those who still remember Jesus name. My hope is in him. It is a hope not just for the life to come but for life now. To know his name is to know the love of God that sustains and surrounds us in all the circumstances of life. We do not know what the future will bring but to know him is to have an abiding presence in our lives that gives peace. It is to be filled with the shalom of God and to have the assurance God will not forget or forsake us ever. To still remember Jesus name when everything else around us is falling apart is something that only happens if we establish and build a long-term rela-tionship with God. How can you call upon someone you have not really known? Why would you remember him if it was not important in your life to remember him when you could have? So I encourage you to build your relationship with God now while you can. Again I do not know about you, but with my failing memory I do not want the time to ever come when I cannot remember Jesus name

Merritt

2 Jeff Lee

10 Chris Jones

13 Jenny Jones

14 Christine Beeman

18 Annette Aldridge

20 Brenda Hardison

21 Carol Bey

26 Cameron Lassiter

Hunter Vega

June BirthdaysJune Birthdays

1 Matthew Talvacchio

4 Gail Birmingham

5 Cynthia Jackson

11 Diane Jennings

15 Betsy Bratcher

17 Annette Brinson

19 Luke Bailey

Marie Stilley

20 Gregory Midyette

Jimmy Talvacchio

21 Nickey Cannan

25 Roger Surprenant

Serving in the Military: Chris Bennett

Brandon Bennett Spencer Bliss

Operation Veggie Box

Garden at

Arapahoe Charter School

What new mem-

ber said, “That

was the best 3

seconds of my

life”?

May 4, 2014

The official board of Bethany Christian

Church met on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at

7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship hall.

Board chairman, John Beeman, Jr. called

the meeting to order. Rev. Watson lit a

candle representing God in our midst fol-

lowed by comments and prayer.

The minutes of the April meeting were

read and approved with the following cor-

rections. The youth met on April 12th (not

March 12th) and Annette Aldridge met

with the Worship Committee regarding

Easter activities (not with Christine Bee-

man as reported).

Financial Report

Randy Beeman distributed copies of the

church finance report. Following a pe-

riod of discussion and questions the report

was approved as presented.

Elders Report

Doug Brinson reported a good Elder’s

meeting this morning. The prayer list was

discussed in detail. They also discussed

the upcoming revival meeting in October.

Since this was Merritt’s last meeting with

the Elders, they asked for advice. He ad-

vised them to set their goals high and stick

to them.

CMF

Merritt reported a District CMF meeting

this coming Friday in Reelsboro.

Property

John Beeman, Jr. reported he and Mac

Harris had met with Tripp Brothers and

with Pat Harrington regarding paving the

new parking lot. Pat Harrington submit-

ted a bid of $43,000.00, which was sub-

stantially lower than Tripp Bros. On be-

half of the Property Committee he made a

motion that we let the project to Pat Har-

rington for paving the parking lot. The

motion was seconded by Garland Cahoon

and passed.

Willis Electric has not fixed the light on

the church sign. John will contact them.

Communications

Mac Harris reported he has talked with the

vendor in Greenville that installed the

lights in our building about putting ID

tags on the wire leads. He is hoping they

can come this week.

Activities

Janci Cahoon reported a date of May 15th

for game night. She stated the committee

has set a date of September 19-22 for a

trip to the Charleston area. Anyone inter-

ested in going should contact the commit-

tee.

Operation Veggie Box

Mac Harris reported all three of Bethany’s

gardens are planted and doing well. Vol-

unteers are needed to go out and weed the

gardens every week. All the gardens are

doing well, but Arapahoe Charter School’s

garden is looking really great.

Implementation Team

Mac Harris reported the team met this

morning. A date of October 16, 17 and 18

has been set for the revival, with home-

coming on the 19th. Beth Burton is a pos-

sible speaker for Homecoming Sunday.

Possible speakers for the three preceding

nights are Tim Turner from Greenville,

Laura Johnson from New Bern, and Barry

McCarty from Atlanta, GA. The team is

working on a publicity plan.

Pastor Search Committee

John Beeman reported the committee had

several possible names, but due to illnesses

and other reasons they have had to with-

draw their names. Karen Snyder is inter-

ested in filling in for the month of June,

but her husband is ill and she is not sure at

this time. They are continuing to look for

an interim minister.

Chairman’s Report

John Beeman thanked all those who

worked on the extra Easter events this year

and said they were inspiring to all who

attended. He stated $300.00 was collected

at the Sunrise breakfast which will help

with expenses. He encouraged everyone

to attend the reception for Merritt and

Linda on May 25th and stated John

Richardson, Regional Minister, will be

present.

Old Business

John Beeman said he had spoken with Lisa

Bennett and a plan is in place for the use of

Bethany as a voting site for the Arapahoe

precinct elections. A few more items may

Board Minutes (unapproved until June 1 2014)

Minister

Merritt Watson minister@

bethanyarapahoe.org

Board Chairman

John Beeman, Jr.

Secretary

Renée Midyette

Choir Director

Sara Spalding

Bell/Chime Choir

Director

Sara Spalding

The Bethany Beacon

Published on the first Thursday after the first Sunday of each month by Bethany Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) Post Office Box 156, Arapahoe, NC 28510

Vision and Mission Statement

Our highest aspiration is to love God with our

whole being and to love our neighbors as our-

selves.

Our mission is to enable people to know Christ

and to strengthen their personal relationships

with Him.

Gospel Choir

Director

Simon Spalding

Communications

Director

Mac Harris communica-

tions@bethanyarapahoe.org

Editor

Jennie Kennel Adams

jennieka-

dams@gmail.com

Bethany Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

www.bethanyarapahoe.org

Page 2 Page 3

Bethany News and ViewsBethany News and Views

Bethany office phone number 252-249-0266 Office hours

Tuesday—Friday 8-12:00

be added to the plan before it is put in

place. John will look at the final plan and

then move forward, if acceptable.

Merritt reported photos have been sent to

the company in Georgia that is working on

the columbarium site with Bethany. They

will look at the pictures and make a pres-

entation.

Merritt gave a report on the Regional As-

sembly in April held in Raleigh. The as-

sembly was good, but attendance was

smaller than usual. Dave Bailey and Mac

Harris gave an outstanding presentation on

the Operation Veggie Box project. Fol-

lowing the presentation many churches

expressed interest in the project.

Minister’s Report

Merritt talked about the blessing he and

others received from the Easter Services,

the Pastor’s Class and the five baptisms

following the class, and the “Spiritually

formed Person” class, which was a bless-

ing to all who attended.

There being no further business to conduct

the meeting was adjourned followed by a

prayer circle and comments by Merritt.

Respectfully submitted,

John Beeman, Jr. Chair

Linda Watson, Clerk

Regretfully it’s finally here. Rev-erend Merritt Watson’s calling as a minister to the many faithful will officially end on May 31st as he and Linda begin their much anticipated retirement.

Please join Bethany Christian Church in a celebration of Fifty Years of Faith, Family, and Fel-lowship on Sunday, May 25th. Sunday School begins at 9:45, Church Service is at 11:00, and a reception for our honored cou-ple will begin at 2:00.

Be sure to bring cameras and Kleenex. The day will be bittersweet, but all at Bethany know that we have experienced someone special in the eyes of the Lord. The sweet part is that after a brief hiatus we will welcome them back as beloved members of the Bethany Christian Church family.

Quadrennial AssemblyQuadrennial Assembly I See YouI See You

Every four years Disciples of Christ women gather together to worship and discover more about their faith. This year on June 25-29th the gathering will happen in Atlanta, GA at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Women of Faith are celebrated. Women of Faith raise awareness for women’s issues from around the World; human trafficking, hun-ger, justice for young girls, and more. The featured speakers are world class—Dr. Sharon Watkins, Rev. Penny Ziemer, Dr. No-hemi Pagan, Rev. April Lewton, and Dr. Cyn-thia Hale.

Registration is $400 for the Assembly. This could be the year that a few women of Bethany go back to experience Quadrennial. For more information please go to

www.quadrennial.org.

Soprano and Bass chairs are open due to untimely retirement.

Being able to carry a tune is preferred, but love of singing

the Lord’s music is more important.

If applicant is totally unable to carry a tune but is able to

count, there are two pairs of bell ringing gloves that will fit.

Love of playing the Lord’s music continues to be important.

See Sara Spalding for brief interview question: Would you

able to attend practice on Tuesday nights beginning at 6:30

for bell ringing or at 7:00 for singing?

These are Equal Opportunity Positions that may require dem-

onstration of a Love for Jesus and his Father.

WANTEDWANTED

Singers and RingersSingers and Ringers It rained on the Saturday of Holy Week. That was not so bad on the face of it,

but the Bethany Easter Egg Hunt was to begin at 10:00. The children arrived.

Undaunted, Emily Harper, Pat Stilley, Christine Beeman, Sue Tyson, and

others hid the colorful eggs all around and under things everywhere inside

Bethany church. The children loved it. According to Emily, “ it was one of

the best egg hunts of all time.”

Christine B hid very special eggs with a dot on the shells. The children were

asked to not open them until the very last. Inside the eggs were found small

items relating to Easter: a nail, a piece of wooden cross, a piece of cloth, a

small rooster. As the eggs were opened Christine told the children why each

was important to the Easter story.

As everyone finished eating their other finds she gave them a small Easter

Story book so that each could remember the “why” for a long time.

What could have been a dismal morning turned out to be a blessing.

Thank you ladies for making the occasion meaningful for the children.

The Easter Egg HuntThe Easter Egg Hunt

A Thank You A Thank You

Wow! Who knew we had such talent!

Thank you!...Two small words that express a

huge amount of gratitude.

I wish to thank everyone who participated in

our “Journey to Jerusalem.”

If you waved your palm and rejoiced with us

by singing “Loud Hosannas” on Palm Sun-

day…Thank you!

If you helped us re-enact the Last Supper on

Maundy Thursday by narrating, acting as one

of the women who served the table, as Jesus,

or as one of the twelve disciples…Thank you!

Have you ever seen such a hungry group of

men? No wonder they fell asleep in the Gar-

den!

If you prayed at home or at the church during

our Prayer Vigil…Thank you!

If you constructed any of our crosses…

Thank you! They are beautiful and will be

used for years to come.

If you constructed our table for the Last

Supper or the “rock” for the garden…Thank

you!

If you participated in the Cross Walk on

Good Friday…Thank you!

If you brought children to the Easter Egg

Hunt on Saturday or helped with any part of

it…Thank you!

If you parked cars, passed out bulletins, or

served the tables at the Easter Sunrise Ser-

vice…Thank you!

If you brought flowers for or placed flowers

on the Flowering Cross…Thank you!

You helped us reflect upon the Resurrection

by bringing the symbolization of new life to

our worship service.

To the musicians and vocalists, I wish to

express a special Thank You! Your in-

credible talents helped to provide the spirit

to our Holy Week journey.

For those of you on the “Journey to Jerusa-

lem” Easter Planning Committee…Thank

you! What a blessing it is to work with

each of you individually, but as a team, we

received our greatest blessings.

To Reverend Watson, even with your busy

schedule, you took the time and extra effort

to help us make this Easter a journey we

will always remember! Thank you!

This “journey” was one I have wanted to

make for several years and I am most ap-

preciative of all the talents and effort that

helped to make my dream a reality. Christine