November 2015

Thankful.

BBConnections

This month, we’re just

2by Paul Burgess

There are plenty of perks to being the “editor” of the newsletter.

One is that, when I say ridiculous things around church-folk, I can guarantee that they don’t make it into the quotes on the last page (no matter how hard Dennis Jernigan might lobby to get them to print).

Another, as is shamelessly apparent in this month’s issue, is that I get to decide what goes on the cover (I mean seriously, with a wife and two boys as beautiful as the ones I’m blessed to have, how could I NOT put them on the front page from time to time?).

And a third benefit of having editorial control is that I get to assign each newsletter’s theme. And this month, much like the 7lb, 10oz bundle of joy we welcomed into the world on October 20, it’s going to be short but sweet. For my feelings in the wake of Parrish’s arrival can be described in just one word: Thankful.

And really, could there be a more appropriate emotion for November?

We’ve just finished a month focused on serving people who don’t possess the basic needs of life. Soon we’ll be on to another month where our schedules will be bogged down in the hectic spirit of trying to give amidst so much receiving. But a look at the BBC calendar will reveal that, in the wake of October and before the frenzy of December, there’s not much going on in November. I think God’s glad about that.

Because we need time to slow down, time to take a breath, and just be thankful.

Look at what Jesus did after and before the milestone events of his ministry—he prayed. He slowed down, he took a breath, and was thankful. After he fed the 5,000 and before he preached; after he raised Lazarus and before he was betrayed—Jesus prayed (Mt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; John 11:40; Mt. 26:42).

Perhaps we would be wise to do the same.

For that reason, there’s not much to this newsletter. Because life is hectic, and if we don’t pause once in a while to say things like “Thank You,” we miss much of what God wants us to get from it. So as you read the words of thanks that fill this issue, my prayer is that they inspire you much in the same way that Parrish Lee Burgess, his brother, and his mom have inspired me—to slow down, take a breath, and be thankful.

thankfu

l

I am so very thankful that my mama birthed me in America. I am equally thankful that

I've had the opportunity to see many places around the world that make me appreciate my birthright so much more. I'm thankful that I have never worried about where I would sleep that night or where the next meal was coming from. I am thankful for my past mistakes because God always has a plan.

-Carolyn Lambert

BBC, W h a t A r e Y o u T h a n k f u l Fo r?For this month’s

“content,” we asked a simple question:

Faith. My wife’s love of all things beautiful. Family. Laughter. Sharing meals with

loved ones. Church family. God’s patience. Nature & animals. John 1:1-12. Good coffee.

College football. Liturgy. My father’s laughter. The ability to make and hear music. The

simplicity of a child’s faith. Clash of Clans (right, Chris?) Friendship. Books and learning.

Times of solitude. My mother’s selflessness. Good health. Small towns. The privilege of

ser ving communion. My sister’s hear t of compassion. Wisdom from older mentors.

Teenagers who hunger to know Jesus more deeply. A warm house. Revelation 21:5. An

automobile to get me places. Seinfeld. The changing of the seasons. Christ’s presence

at all times. Old hymns. Running. Seeing others baptized. And many more! -Tyler Wood

Over the course of the last year, I have become increasingly thankful for the opportunities and blessings that have made the transition into graduate school much smoother and easier. In particular, one of those blessings has been the new friendships I have made both here at Benson Baptist and at Campbell. Life is so much sweeter with friends that are walking with you through life’s journeys.

-Muriel Lasater

After all these years, I'm thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ for all he's done for me and my children and i'm thankful for my many friends.

-Aleen Langdon

I am thankful for my soulmate and my wonderful healthy FAMILY. I am also thankful for the

opportunity to work with & minister to

kids through sports

and & church. All this is possible from an awesome God I am

thankful for, for providing these

blessings. —Sterling Holmes

I am thankful that God gave me Dennis and Ava Grace to share my life with—that he shows me how to love and care for them. I am thankful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave—and for those who fight for our

freedom every day.-Hannah Jernigan

I am thankful for readily accessible healthcare and medications. -Millie Johnson

I am thankful for my children and the loving care they give me and also my good friends.

-Laurie Stephenson

my Sunday

School class

Intelligence

…for sunny

days and outdoor offices.

-Paul Burgess

There’s so much I’m thankful for:  The Lord and all that He does for me and my family. For my earthly rock - Don. For both my sons and that they have accepted Christ. I’m  thankful that my younger son has rededicated his life and is now raising his children in a Christian home. I’m thankful that we have the boys and they’re not living in the conditions they were before. I’m thankful that I work here at BBC,  I’m thankful for all my family and friends, and I’m also thankful for the people that have e-mailed what they are thankful for and how some of them made me smile and even chuckle because they gave me a new perspective on what to be thankful for.  There is so much to be thankful for if you just look around.

-Debbie Champagne

I'm extremely thankful that with God's help and a

lot of nice sisters and brothers in Christ that I

was able to buy my house last December!! I never

thought I'd be able to do it but alas, God worked it

out just perfectly!!

Darla Hamm:

I’m thankful that, sometimes,

Tyler leaves his office unlocked so

I can sneak in and demonstrate my

dominance over Mr. Wuf. -Ramses

I'm thankful for God’s unending mercy and grace and forgiveness. I am thankful for my family and their love and support. My biggest blessing is hugs and kisses from my children.

-Bobbie Hall

I am truly thankful for my immediate family and the loving kindness of our extended church family.  The welcoming spirit of community is a priceless resource we can often take for granted.  Thank you Lord for loving us so deeply.

-The Zapps

I am so thankful for our church and everyone that is a part of Benson Baptist. I love each person. I am thankful for life and for health, where

I am now, for my family including my extended family and friends. -Hilda Honeycutt

I am thankful for salvation, my husband, and to be able to feel and hear the wind. -Joyce Bryant

my spouse

breaththe

help I’m

getting

I’m thankful for the Saggy Britches Boys. -The SBB Fan Club

I thank God for the air in my lungs and the grass beneath my feet and the everyday reminders that he is here and he is my comforter. I am thankful for a family who I love dearly. I am thankful for a Wife who is by my side through thick and thin and loves me unconditionally. My world revolves around two beautiful children that the Lord has blessed Amy and me with. They were a true God send.

-Stephen Church

I am thankful for the ways that God reveals his power and love.  Through the sweet voices of my children, the comforting presence of my husband and support of my family, I am reminded of His care and goodness.

-Eliza Burgess

I am thankful for my friends, loving family, two crazy Siberian Huskies, a sweet cat

and a supportive husband that loves me unconditionally.  They teach me things

about myself every day and help me see what is really important in life.

-Gayle Holmes

I am thankful for being as old as I am and I am able to walk. I’m thankful for a baby named Parrish because he is the only one in our family with that first name and I’m also thankful to be able to help look after Lauren.

-Lillian Parrish

I am thankful for my parents, and the wonderful role models they were for me and my boys. I'm thankful for my children (Graham and Shanks) and I'm thankful that God saw fit to bring Stafford back into my life. 

-Lisa Stafford

I am thankful for all my

friends at Benson Baptist

Church and anyone that has

given me a blessed thought.

-Eloise Bonds

familyhealth

ChurchFor Darla, Stephen, Tyler, Debbie, Muriel, and Paul

I’m thankful for my family, my

church, my co-ministers, my

calling, and for what my God has in store

for us all…

Paul Burgess

children’s smiles!For

-Bobby Bryant

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It seems like every year, we say, “This Christmas will be different!”

We promise ourselves we’re going to spend less, pray more, and focus on what’s really important about Advent. Yet before we know it, we’ve slipped into the annual hectic December routine.

We need to change. So this year, let’s not just say it’s going to be different; let’s make it different.

Join us for our 2015 Advent series at BBC, which will be guided by Mike Slaughter’s book A Different Kind of Christmas. This series will guide not only our sermons on Sunday mornings, but our Wednesday night studies, plus some youth and children’s studies, too.

But we want it to extend even further than that. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to order a copy of the devotional book that accompanies the Different Kind of Christmas series. Each book is only $7.00, and can be used to integrate what we talk about at church into what you talk about at home.

To order, you can search online for “A Different Kind of Christmas Devotion Book,” or just call Debbie in the church office and we’ll order one for you. We’ll be placing our order on Monday morning, November 16, so be sure to contact Debbie before then!

Make this December different.

I am thankful for God's sovereignty, God's grace, and the people who let me share life with them. -Margene Holak

I am thankful for my children, my husband and the home we have made.  I am thankful for our Savior that takes care of our needs and blesses us every day.

-Joan McLamb

I am thankful for my family and the fact that we

are all very close!

-Sandra Jones

LIFEpeacelaughter A House and

Warm Bed

The blessings of the Lord

NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS Sun., 11/1 - All Saints Day Operation Christmas Child Kickoff Mon., 11/2 - Thurs., 11/5 - Paul on CBF Fellows Retreat Tues., 11/3 - Circle Groups Meet (7:00pm) Wed., 11/4 - BBC Serves at BAMA Food Pantry (8:30am) Carolyn Auman leads PEAK study (6:45pm) Sun., 11/8 - Church Council (1:00pm) Missions Council (2:00pm) Wed., 11/11 - Chris Underwood leads PEAK study (6:45pm) Sun., 11/15 - Operation Christmas Child Collection Surviving the Holidays GriefShare Seminar (3:00pm) Wed., 11/18 - Called Church Conference to discuss 2016 budget Bobby Bryant leads PEAK study (6:45pm) Sun., 11/22 - Community Thanksgiving Service (6:00pm) Wed., 11/25 - Church Thanksgiving Meal (6:00pm) Sun., 11/29 - Family Night Trip to Meadow Lights (5:00pm)

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What’s happeningBIRTHDAYS

Emily Canaday 11-1 Cody Barnes 11-2 Billy Royce Lambert 11-2 Josh Williams 11-2 Jennifer Johnson 11-3 Jenna Johnson 11-5 Alyssa Newton 11-5 Paul Stafford 11-5 Vanessa Carrillo 11-8 Eloise Bonds 11-11 Charles Tolley 11-11 Penny Hester 11-13 Mark Godwin 11-15 Judy Oberbauer 11-15 Kathy Byrd 11-16 Lee Campbell 11-17 Joy Lynn McGee 11-17 Erin Warren 11-17 Sue Guin 11-18 Rebecca Neighbors 11-18 Billy Massengill 11-21 Penny Dixon 11-22 Hilda Honeycutt 11-24 Lindsey Dixon 11-25 Sterling Holmes 11-25 Judy Johnson 11-26 Bromley Royal 11-28

THIS Month…

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and what we did last month!

Stop hunger now!

YAM JAM

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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WORSHIP: DEACON ORDINATION, WORLD COMMUNION, UNIFY SUNDAY

All sorts of spooky FUN!

“For dance class and church friends!” -Emolyn Zapp

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

BBConnections

November, 2015

“What are you thankful for, Steven?” “Donuts.”

“Anything else?” “Um…donuts.”

“What about a new brother?” “Yes. And donuts.” - Proud big brother and donut aficionado Steven Burgess

wordsinyourown“

“Notable quotes from Benson Baptists

“MONKEY!!!” - Joshua Naig, expressing to his mother that he’s thankful for the toy monkey he sleeps with

thanksgivings

pint-sized

“I’m thankful for Mommy and Daddy and Chad.”

- Talton Herring, who loves his parents (Eric and Taylor) and his uncle

“My house. My family. Dad’s job.”

-Isaac Zapp

“My truck!” -Robert McQuade

“Life, food, and comfort.”

-Luke Zapp

“I’m thankful that we’re not starving. And for pets.”

-Bella Zapp