BBC

February, 2016

onnections

Embracing the DawnBBC moves toward welcoming a new day in our missional journey

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We’ve just capped off a tremendous January at Benson Baptist. Not only did we celebrate a decade’s worth of ministry that’s been possible because of our Fellowship Hall and elevator spaces, but we’ve rallied together toward a goal of paying off our debt on those spaces in two years, which will allow us to focus our resources on other areas of Kingdom work.

But what are those areas?

It’s a natural question, and a wise one for a church to ask. Variations of it would be, Where is God calling us to serve? What is God calling us to do? Who is God calling us to be? These are questions that churches seeking to remain relevant and connected to the culture must ask; they are questions of direction, questions of purpose, questions of mission.

The good news is, God is providing the answers. We just have to join together and discern them.

That’s where Dawnings comes in. Dawnings is a new initiative of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that is designed to help churches bring clarity and vision to their purpose through spiritual practices like prayer and reading Scripture. A pastor friend of mine who participated in Dawnings with her congregation describes it this way:

Dawnings is not a program, but a process of discernment through which a small group of individuals from your congregation will spend time meeting together over the course of 10 sessions, listening for the Spirit and opening themselves up to God’s leading. In that time, you will learn new skills of visioning, forming, and engaging, which will aid you in discovering where the needs of the community around you, the passions and resources within your church body, and God’s vision intersect.

The Dawnings team will remain fully engaged with the congregation during the course of the 10 sessions, which in essence allows everyone to play a part in the visioning and discernment process. Throughout that process, our team will share the updates and insights we are receiving, and at the close of our 10 sessions the goal is to have 2-4 ministry initiative suggestions that will help us lean into the vision God has for our church and community.

The leadership of our church, including the Deacon body, are in full support of our church entering the Dawnings process, and I am truly excited for our church to pursue this opportunity together. It is symbolic of the fact that Benson Baptist is not stagnant, not content with “doing church” as usual, but that we are instead motivated to “be church” by continually engaging the Spirit and following where God leads. I hope you share in this holy excitement, and that you will pray for our congregation as we embrace—collectively and as individuals—the call of “Welcoming a new day in our church’s missional journey.”

On Sunday, February 14 in both worship services, we will have a time of commissioning for our Dawnings team before they attend their retreat February 18-20. Please pray for our team as they initiate a church-wide process of visioning and discernment!

by Paul Burgess

Joyce Bryant Paul Burgess Margene Holak William Massengill Anita Tart Tyler Wood Matt Zapp

THE DAWNINGS TEAM:

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Dawnings by Paul Burgess…………………………………….2

Table of Contents Lent Sermon/Study Schedule….…….…………..3

INTERNal Thoughts by Muriel Lasater The View from Debbie’s Desk by Debbie Champagne……………………………4

Wood’s Word to the Wise by Tyler Wood

Spring Meal Sign-Up…..……………………….…5

Notes from Stephen by Stephen Church……….………………..………6

CBF Sunday In Tune with Darla by Darla Hamm…………………………….………7

“The Young’uns” Children and Youth Page……8

February Events and Birthdays………………….9

December/January Photos.……..………….10-11

In This Issue…

In keeping with the theme, “Embracing the Dawn,” this month the BBC staff was asked to submit a

reflection about

MORNINGS

LENT with LUKE

Our sermons and Wednesday night Bible studies for Lent will come from the Gospel of Luke. Studies will be guided by the “For Everyone” series by New Testament scholar N.T. Wright (we’ve used Wright’s books for our Mark and Matthew studies each of the last two years)

Here are the chapters we’ll cover each week:

February 21 - 27…………Chapter 5 February 28…………….…CBF Day March 6 - 12……………..Chapter 6 March 13 - 19…………..Chapter 13 March 20 - 26…………..Chapter 19 March 27……………….Chapter 27

Be sure to check out the articles to see what

everyone came up with!

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After Don & I were discharged from the Army we tried living near my parents in Ohio and that didn’t work so then we moved to Southern California (15 miles from the Mexico border) to live near Don’s parents. That didn’t work either. We packed everything we owned into a little white Datsun pick-up with a canvas back (our own covered wagon). We only had one son, Michael. He was 3 at the time. We decided to go to my parents’ house and send out resume’s all over the country to find Don a job. So we decided to head east. (We left around the 1st of March, 1980.) Wagon Ho!!

Before we left Don told me that we should take our time going across country that we might not ever get a chance to do something like this again. So I said “That sounds like fun!” We already knew that we were going to camp in a tent the whole way. So that’s what we did. It took us 2 ½ months to go from Southern California to Ohio. We camped every night. We didn’t go out to eat at all. We cooked on our

camp stove and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, just the 3 of us. I know it may shock some of you but we didn’t have cell phones, TV, GPS, DS’s, etc. We did have a radio and paper maps. ☺ It was literally just the 3 of us getting along and enjoying each other’s company.

The reason I bring this trip up is because one of my best memories is from that trip. We were in Utah and looking for a place to stop for the night. We ended up at a National Forest. The Ranger told us that we were the only ones in the park and that he would lock everything about 8:00pm and we would be locked in for the night. That was OK with us so we cooked supper, built a fire and played games. It was a beautiful night. It was around 60 degrees. We were in a valley with mountains all around us. What a shock when we woke up in the morning, it had snowed during the night!! It was all over the ground, all over the tent, all over everything. It was beautiful!! The most gorgeous sight I had ever seen. I just stopped and took it all in for a few minutes. Then I ran around digging out sweatshirts and coats. But when I think of mornings this is always the first thing that I think about. How can anyone doubt that the Lord is the Creator when there is so much beauty around us?

By the way we sent out 30 resume’s all over the country and that’s how we ended up in Georgia. ☺

My favorite morning ever, and one that I will never forget, was the morning of June 26, 2014. My roommates and I woke up in Florence, Italy around 5:00am. It was the last week of our study abroad trip and we had set our alarms to wake us up before the crack of dawn to walk to one of our favorite spots in the city and watch the sunrise. This location looks out over the entire city of Florence. You can see the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Arno river, and even the place where Kanye West and Kim Kardashian had their wedding! Florence is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to and to see the city before it was awake and while it was coming to life

was absolutely breathtaking. During the first week of our trip, we had walked with our entire group up to the exact same spot to watch the sunset. There was no better way to end our trip than by walking up to where it all began and watching the sunrise as we reminisced on the entire experience that we had been blessed to be a part of in such a beautiful country. Sunrises have always been gorgeous to me, but there was something about the sun peaking above the mountains and emitting its glorious rays over the city of Florence that was extra special. Even though we went straight back to our apartment afterwards and went right back to sleep, the 3 mile trek there and back was completely worth it. 

with Muriel

INTERNal Thoughts

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SIGN UP NOW TO SERVE

SPRING WEDNESDAY NIGHT MEALS!There’s still space for your family, Sunday school

class, group of friends, etc. to prepare a Wednesday night PEAK meal for the spring…

see Anita Tart to reserve your date today!

“Let there be light.” Thus God spoke, and the world began. Creation illuminated, the universe awakened. Life sprang forth from the Maker’s hands. Earth’s first sunrise came – that morning.

He rose early, saddled his donkey, woke Isaac. With his face set to Mount Moriah, Abraham led his only son; His knife in his cloak, but hope in his heart. God provided the sacrificial ram – that morning.

“Dearest Mary, why do you seek the living among the dead?” Terrifying, yet wondrous; the angel’s question pierced their hearts. The tomb was empty and they remembered his promise. Death was conquered, humanity was saved – that morning.

Inhale. Embrace this gift of life deep within my lungs. Thank God for the fresh grace of a new day. The Savior greets me with gentle words and a once-scarred hand, “Come follow me” he beckons, just as he does – this and every morning.

Wood ’s

to the wise.

Every Morning

As a member of the choir used to tell me, "God speaks all the time, we have to listen to him to get what he

wants us to do." Those words have stuck with me ever since. Thank you, Dr. Larry!

I won't take up much of your time; I just have a few things I would like to share with you. How do I begin? I guess

the best way is to say thank you. Thank you for all the support and encouragement you have shown me over the years

through your words, prayers and fellowship. The Lord led me here to do his work but I didn't realize how much I would

grow as a follower of Christ and leader when I entered this place of worship. During a dark time in my life when my I felt I

was not leading the way God wanted me to, I chose to leave because I needed to heal and reconnect with the Lord and my

family because I didn't think I could lead others to Christ at that point in my life when I could barely deal with my own issues. It

became a job to me and not a place of worship.

There came a point when I knew I was ready to be a worship leader again and I had a strong calling to do so. I know it is my

purpose for God's work while I am here on this Earth. The Lord led me back to my Benson Baptist family to continue helping our

church grow in ministry. You all welcomed my family back with open arms and I knew this was where I was supposed to be. I

have felt blessed to be a part of such a wonderful family in Christ and the many wonderful ministries we have continued and

started over the past several years.

I know we all have experienced the hustle and bustle that comes with work, kids and all the obligations that come along with

those responsibilities. Amy and I have been reminded of the importance of making time to share and enjoy all the milestones

with our little ones and not to take any moment for granted. With that being said I have been in prayer over the past few months

about what I should do in regards to my role here at Benson Baptist as it relates to my family. It is no secret I live an hour away

and in the beginning it was not an issue because Hanna was old enough to travel and we would all come as a family and hang

out here at the church when there were other activities going on the same day. Now that Lyla is here and Hanna is getting more

work in school it's not quite as easy. Two days a week I do not see my children due to the long drive, and we don't always get to

worship together as a family for the same reason.

I had not been praying for or seeking another job; only prayerfully asking God for guidance about what to do. However, I was

approached about coming on board as the worship leader at another Baptist church. God works in his own time, not ours.

Doors open and close it’s up to us to be there to grab the handle. I decided it wouldn't hurt to talk to the pastor after I was

asked if I would be interested in the position. I talked with Amy about it and she said if I felt lead to talk to him she supported

me.

The day after I spoke with him I felt that it was only right to ask Paul for his guidance as well. Shortly after, our family visited the

church as a family to see if it would be a good fit for us and we all agreed it felt right.

Hanna was also very excited about being able to spend more time with dad, which hit home for me. We have been in prayer over

the situation and we have decided God has opened this door for our family.

It is 5 minutes from our home and I feel led to take the position not only for my family but also for God's work in that church. We

all know God opens doors and I believe that this door was opened for a reason. While we are sad to leave our Benson Baptist

family, we know that all of you will forever be in our hearts and our lives. As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a

season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

It is time for the Churches to enter a new season for our family and I believe there is someone out there that will step in and

lead Benson Baptist Church into its new season with worship through music. There are big things happening here, and I feel

confident leaving this house of worship knowing that it will continue to prosper and bear the fruits of God's work because the

ministry, from my perspective, is stronger than I have ever known it to be since I first arrived in 2007. The future of Benson

Baptist is bright!

So, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you that February 14th will be my last Sunday leading the praise team and choir. Our family

here and the ministry will always be in our prayers and thoughts. Keep us in your prayers—we love you all!

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*Editor’s Note - The theme of “Dawnings” indicates new beginnings. Sometimes those beginnings are exciting, and sometimes they are quite difficult. Sometimes, they are indeed

a bit of both. Below you will read of a new “dawn” that God has brought in our friend and brother Stephen Church’s life. This, of course, means a new dawn for us as well.

Nonetheless, the sun’s rising is bittersweet, and I hope you will join me in celebrating Stephen and thanking God for all that the Church family has meant to BBC.

otes from Stephen

Don’t miss Dr. Larry Hovis, Executive Director of CBF North Carolina as he joins us for CBF Sunday at Benson Baptist!

Dr. Hovis is a tremendous minister and leader for Cooperative Baptists in our state, and through his message we will not only learn about the mission of CBFNC, but be challenged to embody that mission through the way we minister at our church.

February 28 is

CBF Sunday at Benson Baptist

with special guest Dr. Larry Hovis

Executive Director of CBF North Carolina

I've been asked to write something about dawnings or mornings and it's taken me a while to come up with something that would be meaningful to you.  But since this is the month of Valentine's Day and when the Christian calendar starts us on the road known as Lent, my thoughts are drawn to Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday begins Jesus’ journey to the cross and then the resurrection.   I think it's really neat that it comes in February when we celebrate those we love most in this world.  It doesn't have to be a spouse, it could be being thankful to our parents that gave us the gift of life, or our children that we birthed and love, or grandparents, or siblings, or cousins, or best friends who have all had an impact on our lives.  Because God gave us the greatest gift of all by giving us His Son to walk with humans, heal, touch, and love people, and made the biggest impact on our lives in human history.  I can't imagine how He gave up His only Son as a parent, it seems unfathomable but He did it so that you and I could have eternal salvation and I will be forever grateful and humbled by my God's gift to me.                                                          

I know different denominations place different emphases on Lent, but I am so grateful that I was taught about Lent because it gives me a chance to go over the story again of the sacrifice our God gave us.  To me, it makes Jesus' death and resurrection even more meaningful.

Thus, my dawning or morning is Ash Wednesday.  A few years ago, Chris Underwood, the boys, and I went to Williamston to Piney Grove Baptist Church's production of “The Message of Easter.” Collin was not all that thrilled with driving so far when he'd have rather stayed at home and done his own thing, but he was enthralled with the production and asked so many questions about what was happening.  I was thrilled and he even sat on my lap so he could talk to me!! It opened his eyes and Dillon's to just what being a Christian means and the gift of a new beginning God gave us by sacrificing Jesus for our sins!!

 May God bless you this Lent with a newfound love of our Savior and our Creator!!

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BBC’s Children & Youth Ministries Page

The Youngins

Search: “Benson Baptist Youth” @BBC__Youth (two underscores) @BensonBaptistYouth

What’s going on with the BBC kids?

New Text Messaging System for Parents! We now have a new and improved way of group texting using the Remind 101 app! Parents, this means you will not receive every person’s reply to the original message, creating a smoother, easier way to text information. We have two separate groups; here’s how to join: -Children’s Ministry Parents (K-5th grade): Text @cd8he to 81010. -Youth Ministry Parents (6-12th grade): Text @hdb33 to 81010. You do not have to install or download the app to join. Each message will simply arrive to your phone as a regular text. You may also join both!

Sign-Ups for JoCo Project & Camp Caswell! Although summer is a few months away, NOW is the time to sign up for our local mission trip with JoCo Project at First Baptist Church in Smithfield (June 22-25) and Camp Caswell (July 18-23)! Contact Tyler for questions or to sign up!

Pastor’s Class Beginning February 28, we will hold a 4-week “Pastor’s Class” taught by Paul and

Tyler to our 3-6th graders. Each Sunday, we’ll meet directly after church at 12:30pm (lunch will be provided) to discuss the “basics” of faith: the Trinity, baptism, communion,

salvation, etc. We’ll conclude this class on Easter Sunday by celebrating the students in worship! This is a great opportunity for anyone in this age group who has an interest in

baptism, especially. The meeting dates will be: Feb. 28, March 6, March 13, & March 20.

Kids’ Zoo Trip! We’ll leave Friday afternoon shortly after school and head toward Camp Caraway, where we’ll lodge for the night. We’ll eat dinner on the way and once we arrive at camp, we’ll play family games and have a brief devotion time together. On Saturday morning, we’ll eat breakfast and head to the Asheboro Zoo for the day! -Cost: $20/adults, $10/kids (ages 2-5 are $5). This includes lodging and zoo ticket! -Please sign up for this event no later than Sunday, April 17.

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FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS Sun., 2/7 - Toilet Bowl lll (3:00pm) Big Game Dinner and Viewing (5:00pm) Wed., 2/10 - Ash Wednesday Service (7:00pm) Sun., 2/14 - Valentine’s Day Dawnings Team Commissioning (8:45 and 11:00 services) Thurs., 2/18 - Sat., 2/20 - Dawnings Retreat Mon. 2/22 - Fri., 2/26 - Paul on CBF Fellows Retreat Sun., 2/28 - CBF Sunday

BIRTHDAYS Scott Barnes 2-4 Morgan Barnes 2-8 Dottie Williams 2-8 Gregg Bennett 2-12 Rayvon Best 2-12 David Dunn 2-15 Suzanne Johnson 2-15 Jessica Johnson 2-16 Anita Tart 2-16 Matt Zapp 2-16 Ken Tart 2-20 Will Massengill 2-20 Connie Barnes 2-21 Beth Rogers 2-21 Angeline Cardinale 2-22 Doris Lee 2-22 Hampton Whittington 2-25 Abbie Lambert 2-26 W.C. Adams 2-27 Bonnie Stephenson 2-28

THIS Month…What’s happening

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and what we did LAST MONTH(s)!

Young’uns crowd the steps at Kenneth Killebrew’s home after a night of caroling!

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

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS WORSHIP!

YAMS CLASS KARAOKE AT PIZZA INN!

AN A

FTER

NOON

AT

THE T

HEAT

ER!

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Paul Burgess models the “Smell

Stopper 2000,” which is essentially

wads of tissue taped around the

nose. Comes in handy when Rannie

is cleaning out the grease trap, but

there’s something you really need

from the kitchen. Patent pending.

BBC Youth went into the “belly of the whale” for their

January study on Jonah!

The talented Jason Hall does his best Darla Hamm impression, tickling the ivories for us on

Men’s Sunday.

Campbell student Dia Huth offers a Celebration Testimony in January

If you sit empty-handed too long on family night, you’re gonna end up with a baby on your arm. And

your lap. And your other arm.

(Above) William Massengill offers a

gracious wave after winning the 2015

Christmas Dessert contest. Millie

Johnson’s accusations of a fixed voting process are still

under review.

(Left) One of the galaxies most notorious troublemakers, Rayvon Best, is captured by an Imperial Storm Trooper

(Left) Ever the good sport, Wolfpack fan Tyler Wood celebrates Carolina’s football victory over NC State by donning a beautiful light blue jacket to church

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

BBConnections

February, 2016

“I’m tellin’ ya, Paul; I didn’t think anyone was coming but me and you.” - Eliza Burgess, who was initially doubtful of her husband’s immensely successful plan to have a YAMS class Karaoke Christmas party at Pizza Inn. She severely underestimated our peers’ passion for making a fool of themselves via song.

“For Christmas, we go to my uncle’s and I get showered by love. From the cats, mainly. Because no one else talks to me.”

- Internet sensation “Miranda Sings” (a.k.a. Amanda Spears) during an interview for our holiday talent show, “Sunday Night Live”

wordsinyourown“

“

Notable quotes from Benson Baptists

“You’re, like, double how old I am.” “Yeah, what’s it like to collect Social Security?”

- Younger staff members Muriel Lasater and Tyler Wood to their more seasoned colleague, Stephen Church

“I don’t speak Wookie.” - Dottie Williams, hesitant to play the role of Chewbacca in our video, “The Giving Force Awakens”