beacon
what's inside Message from the Pastor...........1 October Birthdays.........................2 Announcements.............................2 Music & Looking Ahead.............3 Youth Update..............................4-5 Homecoming ..................................6 Trunk or Treat.................................7 Presbyterian Women.................8 Stephen Ministry...........................9 Faith Church.......................................10
Bethesda Presbyterian Church | Aberdeen, NC |October 2026
Dear members and friends of Bethesda, October marks the beginning of our Stewardship Month, when we focus on using our time, talents, and treasures for the glory of God-because we know that all our time, talents, and treaures are gifts from God. In other words, it is a season of recognizing the blessing and aboundance in our lives and returning thanks to the One who gives. In fewer words, it's about relationship. To be a steward is not only about what we do, it is about living in fellowship with God. If we let this fact soak in, that God has called us to be a special people who steward the divine gifts, then what we do with our time, talents, and treasures become opportunities for enriching our relationship with God. God has called you - not only to give but - to be His steward. Blessings, Rev. David Priddy
a Message from the Pastor
bethesda
2 Emily DeSpain Andy Robertson 4 Brandon Wilson David Byers 6 Madeline McClain 9 Marge Downey 14 Eric Adams 16 Kathleen White 18 Hunter Robertson Brooklyn Bean 20 Wesley Robertson 22 Ann Woodfield Nancy High Sam Formanski Cary Bryson 26 Jim Ransdell 27 Terri Combs 29 Betty Lou Stewart Jane McInnis 30 Bill Parke 31 Marsha Southers
Family Promise Update: Our next week to host Family Promise is October 12-15. Contact LoJuanna if you can provide a meal or stay overnight. If you are unable to stay overnight or provide a meal, perhaps you could donate some supplies. Items needed at this time are Pine Sol or Mr.Clean floor cleaner, and white waterproof shower curtain liners, size 72 x 72 and 72 x 78. Shower curtain hoops for hanging. Leave in the narthex or church office. Thank you. The first planning meeting for the Thanksgiving Day luncheon will be held on Sunday, October 4th, in the Jesse Wimberley room immediately after worship. Anyone interested is welcome to join us. Circles will resume meeting in September. All women are welcome to visit one or more and find the group that is right for you. See page 8 for information. PW is hosting a hymn sing at Old Bethesda, Sunday Oct 4 at 3 pm. All are welcome. The Worship Committee are making changes to the children's bags used during Sunday Services. New bags are available in the Narthex and at the side door.
October Birthdays
Music Notes
I want to thank all of you again who helped with special music during the summer months. You brought blessings to Bethesda and enhanced worship. Having the choir back in the loft is wonderful. They are working hard and getting ready for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas as they prepare anthems for Sunday worship. We could still use some more sopranos, so if you're interested in checking us out, come to rehersals on Wednesdays from 6-7 pm. We are happy to have Katherine Stuber back for this busy season and look forward to sharing her beautiful voice with all of you, Also, I want to thank Gloria and Vance Crane for their help as librarians for the choir. It is such a joy to have their help. Blessings, Earlene
October is Stewardship Month Oct 4 - Worship service with Communion 11 am Bethesda PW hosts a hymn sing at 3 pm at Old Bethesda Family Fun Night - Families with kids preK-5th grade at Old Bethesda 5:30-7 pm Oct 6 - Men of the Church meet at Doug Williams' house from 6-7:30 pm Oct 11 - Worship at 11 am - Congregational meeting to elect new officers Oct 14 and 28 - Bethesda Youth Group meets Oct 16 - Faith Weaving Friends kids 2nd-5th grades 5:30 pm Oct 18 - Worship at 11 am; Session meets at 4 pm; Deacons meet at 6 pm Oct 22-24 Men's Retreat Oct 24 - Trunk or Treat at Old Bethesda 4:30-6 pm Oct 25 - Consecration Sunday Worship 11 am - return your pledge cards and time and talent sheets. Oct 31 - Reformation Day
Youth Update
The youth and a few extras got surprise on the Henster Zoo Adventure. In fact I did not know exactly what we were going to do. Once we arrived, we all gathered on the bus and shuttled off to our destination. We arrived to Asia where the work began. Yes, work. Everyone got to assist/test the computer program Ranger Patrol. They were needing some youth, so I got them some youth. Besides that, were helping the zoo keepers out by having the animals getting use to having people around. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed so I was somewhat disappointed to not catch the excitement on their faces and the adults also. Lets say the youth were a lot better at it than some of the adults. We got to see the gibbons and hear them talk to us, Asian otters, warty pigs, vultures, but not the tiger. After finishing up our work, the surprises were not over. We then had a hamburger/hot dog cookout in Asia with all the fixings. We had lunch with the educational team and zoo keepers. So, ask the youth about what they did and saw even the adults also. Oh I forgot they even tested out the slide over in the otter area. The Adventure was not over quite yet. We then ventured out in the zoo where we visited the Sanora Desert and went inside the butterfly exhibit where some had a few butterflies land on them. We then headed out and I showed them the secret “hobbit” home where they climbed up in it and a few got a little wet in the kidzone. The youth Sunday School class is reading the book of Judges at the moment. Keep Your Light Shining!!! Henry
Homecoming 2026
Photo credits: Palmer Noyes
Trunk or Treat
History of Halloween by: Shaw Ray Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (sow-in). The Celts, who lived 3,000 years ago in Central and Western Europe, celebrated their new year on November 1. The date marked the end of warm weather and the harvest and heralded the beginning of the dark, cold weather, a time associated with human death. The modern holiday of Halloween was created through the Christianization of seasonal calendars and the establishment of a three-day religious festival called All Hallowtide. October 31 was All Hallows Eve, November 1 All Saints Day, and November 2 All Souls Day. In the old days, poor people and children would go door to door collecting spiced biscuits called "soul cakes". In exchange for the cakes the children promised to pray for the homeowners' deceased relatives. In the Reformed tradition, October 31 is Reformation Day. Reformation Day is a Protestant day of remembrance marking the start of the Reformation, sparked in 1517 by Martin Luther’s 95 Theses challenging the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences. Luther’s call for change emphasized that forgiveness comes through God’s grace alone, inspiring shifts in theology, worship, education, and culture. Originating from this act in Wittenberg, it evolved into an annual commemoration of the religious and societal transformation that reshaped Europe.
Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women's Circles at Bethesda have started back up. We encourage all women to be involved. If you are interested in joining a circle or finding out more information, you may contact one of the leaders. Friendship Circle Leader - Carolyn Burns Phone 910-315-5914 Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 10 am in the classroom across from the Parlor Martha's Circle Moderator - Nancy High Phone 919-749-0706 Meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 6 pm in the Parlor Young Women's Circle Moderator - Mary Katherine White 336-978-5779 Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm in the Parlor Circle #4 Leader - Linda Parke 910-603-7214 Meets 1st Tuesday of each month in the Parlor at 10 am Group studies a bible study
Hurting, how do Stephen Ministers help? Hurting is, more than anything, a feeling. The dictionary defines feelings as “a person’s subjective, mental, and physical responses to sensations, thoughts, or situations.” In other words feelings are how your mind makes sense of raw physical sensations and emotional inputs. We are all familiar with John 11:35 (Jesus wept) where Jesus felt deep compassion for the sick, experienced sorrow and agony, and showed righteous anger toward religious hypocrites. Scripture also presents feelings as a fundamental, God-given part of being human - a reflection of being made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Scripture also teaches us that feelings are not sinful by nature. Feeling themselves are a good creation, meant to help us respond to the world, connect with others, and worship God. Furthermore, the Bible does not tell us to suppress feelings; instead, it commands appropriate emotional responses—such as rejoicing, weeping with those who mourn, or being angry without sinning (Ephesians 4:26, Romans 12:15). As Stephen Ministers, we are taught that feelings are neither right or wrong. Feelings are a reflection of a current moment. They are never good or bad. Stephen Ministers help care receivers process difficult feelings, serving as a safe, non-judgmental presence during life crises. Stephen Ministers are trained to address the complex emotional and spiritual needs of individuals going through painful times. Identifying and Processing Emotions: Ministers help care receivers name and talk through heavy feelings like grief, loneliness, depression, or anxiety without rushing to "fix" them. Creating a Safe Space: By listening without judgment and maintaining strict confidentiality, Stephen Ministers ensure that people feel secure enough to share vulnerable or painful thoughts. Not Professional Therapy: Stephen Ministers provide distinctively Christian emotional and spiritual support, but they are trained laypeople rather than licensed mental health counselors or therapists. In summary, the Bible portrays both God and humans as having feelings. God created people with emotions and affection. Feelings play a significant role in our lives and relationships, including our relationship with God. Traditionally, Christians are cautioned not to trust their feelings. But when submitted to the Holy Spirit’s dominion, human emotions and sentiments, both positive and negative, can serve a purposeful function in our lives. Stephen Ministers help care receivers process difficult feelings, serving as a safe, non-judgmental presence during life crises.
Stephen Ministry
Faith Church
1002 N. Sandhills Blvd. Aberdeen, NC 28315 https://bethesdapres.church Facebook.com/bethesdapres BPC28315@gmail.com Sunday Schedule 10:00 Adult Sunday School 11:00 Worship Service See our calendar on our website for days and times of youth events.
We are grateful for the cooler weather at Faith where we are busy prepping for a visit from the NC Presbyterian Historical Society on October 10. Brownson's Men's group and Youth are coming to complete a few projects for us Oct 17-18. We are excited to have them. We always welcome visitors - stop on by! Our website is now live! Please take a look and return for updated information - you can scan this QR code or go to www.faithhistoricchurch.org If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation to support the continued efforts to restore this historic church, please make checks payable to Friends of Faith and send to Bethesda's church office, or you can place your check to Bethesda Church in the offering basket with the designation in the memo line for Old Faith Church. Online donations may also be made on our website or scan the QR code here! All proceeds go directly into the project. Blessings and peace, Julie