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

• LEADING • UNITING • EQUIPPING • SERVING •

Look for “Bethlehem Church” on Facebook. It’s a handy spot to post events, news, photos and especially prayer requests.

Egg huntDust off your basket and

bring it at 11 a.m. April 23 for the annual Easter egg hunt. Each child is asked to bring six plastic candy-filled eggs to hide and his or her basket. Lunch will be served. Everyone is invited — the young and the young-at-heart.

Contact Diane Dail (910-324-3192) for more details.

Special musicThe choir will present “In the

Presence of Jehovah” during the 11 a.m. worship service on Easter, April 24.

I have claustrophobia.But it only happens when I’m in an

elevator. And it has to be crowded with more than three other people. That’s right; I feel fine if there are only up to three other people in the elevator. Once MORE people get on, I begin to feel warm, pinpricks of perspiration pop out, and I feel short of breath. It’s no pleasure ride, that’s for sure. Fortunately, I don’t find many eleva-tors these days. And if I do get on one, I tell myself to keep breathing, stay calm, and I pray for God to help me not pass out. Don’t laugh.

So you’d think I would be happy with wide open spaces, and actually I am. I love open countryside, fields and beaches. However, when it comes to imagining outer space, galaxies, and the cosmos, I get the opposite feeling of claustrophobia. Not a dread of an enclosed box but a cold, lost feeling, alone and invisible.

You can guess that when I read or hear about outer space, I get a little un-easy and edgy. Recently in the Sunday school class I attend, Caron Fountain was giving us much to contemplate — the universe. More specifically, she expanded on the incomprehensible magnitude of God’s universe and His creation of it. When she first began talking about the vastness of space, I started to squirm a little. I cannot imag-ine the distances from stars to other stars or the space from earth to the sun. I get the lost feeling, like I am falling into a bottomless void.

The only way I can relax and lose the lost feeling is to consider what the Sunday school lesson was about in the

first place.God, who created this huge, vast

universe, also created tiny, little ole us. And God is the connecting point, dot to dot, from being miniscule while existing within the cosmos.

There are billions of people here on earth, and that, too, can make for a lost feeling. But again, the One to focus upon is God. He actually came to live like us on this speck we call our planet, as Caron discussed so avidly. And this holds my phobias and fretfulness in check. I can breathe again.

I don’t ‘get’ the whys of many things, and the infinity of space is just one of them. I do know, though, that I can call on the Lord who will calm me, comfort me, and strengthen me. Whether I’m simply imagining space or standing in a crowded elevator.

— Wendy Fountain

Big universe, bigger God

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• LEADING PEOPLE TO JESUS •

What would you do if you knew you had only week to live? Would you go away? Would you go home? Would you do some last minute sin-ning, or some last minute repenting? Would you be sad? Angry? Hopeful? Afraid? How would you spend those final hours?

Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)

When Jesus had one week to live, he chose to wash his disciples’ feet. He did the work of a common slave, ministering to those who were closest to him. He washed their feet (John 13), he comforted them (John 14), he encouraged them (John 15-16), prayed for them (John 17), and then he died for them. He spent the last week of his life fulfilling God’s purpose in his life; he spent the last

week of his life being a servant....the Son of Man did not come

to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

You and me, we have a week to

live: this week — and possibly hun-dreds more. I want to spend this week fulfilling God’s purpose in my life, doing that which is most important in terms of eternity: serving Christ by serving others. Our communities are filled with people who need to be served a good helping of the love of Christ. Open your eyes, your hands, and your hearts and serve with all your might, this week, and the weeks to come. One day will be the “Last Week” for us. One day we will step into eternity and our opportunities to lead people to Jesus will be over. So make the best of every opportunity, each day, to serve as Jesus would serve. Reach out to people Jesus would reach out to. Love them, be-friend them, serve them, lead them to know Jesus! Fulfill God’s purpose in your life. Don’t let the “Last Week” slip up on you and find you idle, and ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

— Preacher Joe

What would you do with one week?

Pastor Joe Ard, 252-568-4590 joe_ard@hotmail.com

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 rita.fountain@nmcrs.org

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 jerifountain@yahoo.com

Bethlehem church contacts

It was just before the Passover

Festival. Jesus knew that the hour

had come for him to leave this

world and go to the Father. Having

loved his own who were in the

world, he loved them to the end.John 13:1 (NIV)

• UNITING THEM TO THE FAMILY OF GOD •

March-April 2011 Bethlehem Star 3

Don’t get stuck in a rut doing nothingI want to talk some more about goal setting. I have to

probably because I can get stuck with the whole idea. Did I set goals for a new year? Well, as I wrote in our last newsletter, yes I did. Has it been easy keeping those goals? Not a chance.

Every time you set a goal, you are saying I believe God wants me to do this by such and such a date, which is a statement of faith. So you can see how goals stretch my faith because they don’t come to fruition if I just sit around and accept the same old same old. Setting goals affirms that I trust God, but they also are statements of how much I trust God. The Bible says, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” (Matthew 9:29 NLT)

Did you realize that if you don’t set a goal, you’ve already set it and the goal is to stay the same? For example if you were asked what your goals are and your response was “I don’t have any,” then your goal is to stay the same whether it concerns relationships, a job outlook, health, finances or anything else.

That’s why the Bible teaches us to have goals. They are a spiritual discipline. They challenge our faith. They develop our character and they build our hope.

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of getting in the rut of mediocre staleness. Let’s work hard and keep the faith to see our goals come to fruition. Reflect upon our mission statement again if you can’t think of anything to work toward. They are goals we have already set, so let’s don’t get “stuck” doing nothing. Together and with faith it

will happen!(Just a reminder that our Bethlehem mission statement

is: To lead people to Jesus, to unite them into the family of God, to empower them to serve Jesus in the world, and to bring honor and glory to God.)

— Billie Ard(reflections from daily devotionals by Rick Warren)

Foreign Missions MonthCan you survive death? The answer, apart from the rapture, is no. The most important decision of life is to trust the Lone Survivor,

Jesus Christ. The most important work of all Christians is to tell the world about Him.

March is designated as Foreign Missions Month by the Original Free Will Baptist convention. This year’s theme is “Who Will Survive?”

OFWB International has set a goal of raising $225,000 from participating churches. Bethlehem will take up a special offering on March 27. Gifts also can be made directly to OFWB International on March 27 between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. by calling 252-746-4963.

OFWBI sponsors mission work in Mexico, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Liberia and Guinea.

For more information, go to www.ofwbi.org.

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• EQUIPPING THEM TO SERVE JESUS IN THE WORLD •

Spiritual fitness requires exercise Staying physically fit requires a lot of effort. One must

monitor the food eaten, calories consumed, and intake of sugar, sodium, fiber and vitamins. Exercise is also ex-tremely important. Many people join gyms, buy treadmills or run in their own neighborhoods. Although most people find it difficult to do all of the above, they still make a conscious effort to be fit or stay active because the health benefits are so great.

Sadly, believers are not always as concerned about their spiritual health. It, too, takes time and effort. In order to grow as a Christian, one must be willing to spend time in consistent Bible study. Prayer must be more than a quick “grace” before a meal. Attending church and serving others

is important as well. Spiritual fitness, like physical fitness, requires time,

energy and desire, but its benefits are phenomenal. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control are just a few of the results of a close walk with the Lord.

How is your spiritual fitness? Is there evidence of growth?

Take a few minutes to ask the Lord to help you become more fit for His service.

—submitted by Rita Fountainfrom Direction teaching guide

News, notes & tidbitsNew time

Ladies’ Auxiliary meetings have a new starting time: 6:30 p.m. Meetings still will be held the Thursday night before second Sunday each month. Upcoming meetings are April 7 and May 5. Contact Elvis Fountain (910-324-4637) for more information.

Business meetingThe quarterly business will held at

7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13.

VBS preparationsA meeting to begin planning for

“Saddle Ridge Ranch” Western-themed vacation Bible school will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12. We need teachers and helpers for classes, crafts and music and folks to help with snacks. Supper will be served each night, so we also will need a kitchen crew. Sadly, due to lack of space, we will not have an adult class this year. Dates for VBS are June 26-30 with the closing

program on July 1. The VBS kickoff celebration will

be held on Saturday, June 18. Info: Diane Dail (910-324-3192).

Senior fellowshipDinners and fellowship for senior

citizens are planned the fourth Thursday of each month — March 24, April 28, May 26. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. with a devotional and entertainment following.

Contact Rick Dempsey (910-324-1747). Volunteers are always needed to help set up, serve and clean up.

A hearty thank-youThanks to Brettany Brock and

Danielle Brown for stepping up and volunteering to teach children’s church on fourth Sundays. I really appreciate it. I am always thank-ful for all the children’s church volunteers for their commitment and hard work and for allowing God to use them in

this ministry. If anyone feels called to serve in this ministry we are always seeking new teachers. This is a great opportunity to share God’s word and God’s love with God’s children.

— Mallory Jones

Randy Jones benefitA benefit dinner for Randy Jones

(to help pay medical expenses) will be held May 6 at Back Swamp community building. The first plan-ning meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 31 at Mount Zion Free Will Baptist Church. To find out how you can help, contact Crandall Fountain (910-324-6886).

Headed to the Holy LandKim Dail Holley will be travel-

ing to the Holy Land with 15 others from the Richlands area. They will visit Israel, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Galilee, the Dead Sea and several other cities and landmarks. The group departs March 23 and returns April 1. Please pray for their safe travel.

— Diane Dail

March-April 2011 Bethlehem Star 5

• BRINGING HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD •

March1 - Stanley & Rosa Craft1 - Darrell & Pauline Edwards5 - Tony & Melody Strickland

April14 - George & Bettie Bryan15 - Allen & Kim McClenny24 - Charlie & Chasity Brown29 - Danny & Kimberly Bryan

Johnnie AlbertsonChris BrockArt & Marcia BrownFranklin BrownFrances BrownVan BrownKimberly BryanNancy BryanPaul Burch familyMelissa ChasePauline EdwardsClifton FountainDoris FountainEdward FountainElton FountainFrances FountainJimmy FountainJoyce FountainReba FountainSutton FountainLynn Grady

Marla HamJanet HeatonFaye IvesA.D. JonesGeno JonesLouise JonesRandy JonesReba JonesFallon LanierBill NoblesEric Powell & familyCecil RaynorGeraldine RaynorEric SimpsonFrances VossDoris WoodJo WoodGuy WilliamsJolly WilliamsBob Yow

Prayer requests

March1 - Danny Walton2 - A.D. Jones2 - Ted Williams4 - Chris Brock7 - Donnie Quinn8 - Jacob Medlin9 - Michelle Jones14 - Wendy Fountain16 - Bella Brock17 - Maxine

Southerland19 - Billy Joe Ard19 - JoAnn Latham20 - Jade Jones20 - Christopher

Byron20 - Benjamin Byron21 - Faye Ives23 - Katie Bryan26 - Drake Young30 - Plina Greene

April8 - Mel Fowler8 - Allen McClenny8 - Susan Dempsey11 - Cassie Fountain11 - Mary Jo Brown13 - Doris Fountain14 - Darrell Edwards15 - Johnnie

Albertson15 - Brent Fountain17 - Carolyn Brown19 - Ronald Lanier19 - Taylor Jones20 - Donna Lanier20 - Vicky Quinn21 - Jan Jones23 - Tiffany Fountain24 - Joyce Fountain28 - Levi Fountain30 - Dee Quinn30 - Danny Bryan

AN

NIV

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Easter servicesPre-Easter revival will be at 7 p.m. April 20-22.

Crandall Fountain will speak on Wednesday evening, Justin Barnhart on Thursday and Joe Ard on Good Friday.

Communion will be part of the 7 p.m. April 22 service.

Back Swamp Ruritans will host an Easter sunrise service beginning at 6:30 a.m. April 24 at the Back Swamp community building. Following the music and speaker, coffee and donuts will be served.

The choir will present the cantata “In the Presence of Jehovah” on Easter Sunday, April 24, during the 11 a.m. worship service.

6 Bethlehem Star March-April 2011 March-April 2011 Bethlehem Star 7

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin

Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us

His glory revealed

chorusLiving, He loved meDying, He saved meBuried, He carried my sins far

awayRising, He justified freely foreverOne day He’s comingOh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on a tree

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree

And took the nails for me

chorus

One day the grave could conceal

Him no longerOne day the stone rolled away

from the doorThen He arose, over death He had

conqueredNow He’s ascended, my Lord

evermoreDeath could not hold Him, the

grave could not keep HimFrom rising again

chorus

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine

Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing

My Savior, Jesus, is mine

“Glorious Day” is off the album “Until the Whole World Hears.” For more about Casting Crowns, go to www.castingcrowns.com.

“Glorious Day” as sung by Casting Crowns

Without your input, the newsletter has no news. If you don’t spread the word about what’s happening in your ministry, your class, or your favorite part of Bethlehem church life ... someone’s going to miss out on a life-chang-ing moment.

Share your news, upcoming events, memories, opinions, revelations and the like with your church family through the newsletter.

Deadline for the next issue is April 24 (that’s Easter Sunday). Send items to jerifountain@yahoo.com or deliver them to Jeri Fountain (910-324-5268).

What’s happening in your little corner of Bethlehem church?

6 Bethlehem Star March-April 2011 March-April 2011 Bethlehem Star 7

Alfred Ackey (1887-1960) was preach-ing during an evangelistic crusade. After the service he was trying to persuade a young man to receive Christ, when the man asked, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?”

“HE LIVES!” Ackey replied. “I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experi-ence, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.”

Later that evening the young man gave his heart to Christ.

It was during this experience that Ackey wrote not only the words but also the tune for the hymn, “He Lives.”

~~~~~~~~~~~I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;I know that He is living, whatever men may say;I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

In all the world round me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair;

I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast,

The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

chorusHe lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow

way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!You ask me how I know He lives?He lives within my heart.

— submitted by Mallory Jones

Jesus is more alive today than ever before

What is integrity? Where does it come from? How does one get it? The dictionary defines it as “complete upright-ness, honesty and sincerity.”

I always thought that my daddy was the most honest person I had ever been around. His dealings with his neighbors and in his business so impressed me that I wanted to be like him.

Here is just one example of his honesty. One day while he and Mama were in Florence, S.C., to eat lunch, Daddy decided he wanted a riding lawn mower. (This was back when riding mowers were a new thing.) At Sears, he selected a mower. When he went to pay for it, he realized he had left his checkbook at home. So he asked the sales-man if he could take the mower home and return the next day to pay for it.

The salesman replied, “I’m sorry, Mr. Vause, I can’t do that without you having someone to vouch for you.”

Daddy told him to call his friend, Kelly Floyd, in Olanta. “He will vouch for me.”

The salesman made the call and then Daddy asked, “What did Mr. Floyd say?”

“He said to let you have the mower,” the salesman replied. “In fact, he said to let you have the whole store if

you wanted it! He said you would most assuredly return to pay for it.”

I often wondered where my daddy got his strong sense of honesty. One time when he visited us after Mama died, we were talking and the subject of dishonesty came up. Daddy told us this story.

“One time when I was around nine years old, I was out walking with my pa. I reached down and picked up a stick, took a knife from my pocket and began to cut on it. Pa asked, ‘Son, where did you get that knife?’

“I replied, ‘I took it from so-and-so.’ (I don’t remember who he said.) Pa was enraged! He gave me a strong verbal lesson on why stealing was wrong. He said that no son of his was going to grow up to be a thief. He took me to the house and shut me up in a closet for the rest of the day. He strongly advised me to think about what I had done and what he had said. It was a lesson I never forgot!”

My daddy’s strong sense of honesty was taught to him by his loving, caring father who was deeply concerned about his son’s moral character.

Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”

— Margaret Ard

Integrity is a trait that should run in the family

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