RESERVATIONS NEEDED FOR VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER

Make your reservations now for a fabulous and romantic dinner for two at The Brookstown Chophouse! This fundraising event will be an incredible “made to order” meal by the finest chefs in Pfafftown and served by none other than our wonderful youth group. Mark your calendar for February 14, dinner at 6:30 PM or 7:30 PM. Reservations are required.

The menu includes your choice of: filet mignon or salmon ($20 per person) or split chicken breasts ($15 per person), salad or soup, vegetable, and a surprise Valentine’s dessert. Have fun, have a great meal, and help a great cause (the MYF)! See Benita VanWinkle or Tim Lasley to make reservations. (Babysitting services provided for a nominal fee, and again, make reservations.) This is a deal you don't want to miss!

Benita

GOOD THOUGHTS FOR 2008

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.) When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is

to___________ today."

5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7.) Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel

for our busy lives.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds &

walnuts.
12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.) Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.
28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34.) The best is yet to come.

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your family often.
38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________." Today I accomplished _________.

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

GENESIS CLASS INVITATION

Hello, Genesis Class Members, former attendees, and "The Un-classed”.

We are back in Room 207 after our stimulating weeks with the Open Hands Class, sharing their study of John. We are beginning a short series (8 or 9 weeks) on the Book of Ephesians. We believe that much of the guidance and advice offered by Paul to the 1st century church can be of value to us today, as we search for more inventive and meaningful ways to be in ministry.

Members...we expect you there! Others...we hope to see you soon!

In His Love,

Stan Crews

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

The Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC is looking for adults and children from 9-12 noon on the following Saturday dates:

March 8 April 12 May 17 June 14 July 12 August 9

Sept. 13 Oct. 11 Nov. 8 Dec. 13.

Who can be a volunteer? Anyone, even children 9 years old and older. Decide when you want to go and ask someone else to go so we fill a car. Then let the church office know about a month in advance so we can sign-up to be assured of an opening. The spaces fill up early. Please, no open-toed shoes due to safety regulations.

Chicken Pie Workshops Announced

The following dates have been chosen to make chicken pies this year: February 21, March 27, Sept. 18, and October 6. Kitchen clean-up will be the previous night. The pies made in the fall will be saved to sell at our Community Festival on October 18^th. Workers, please save these dates to help Brookstown with this worthwhile endeavor.

Kay Lasley

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! Bob and Laura Geyer joined our Brookstown family on January 23 by Transfer of Letter from The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Winston-Salem.

DID YOU KNOW? When you haven’t received your copy or you can’t find The Beacon, you can access it online. It can be found at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/brookstown/. The calendar may be found on the right. Look on the left for the newsletter.

The Beacon may also be accessed from the District website: www.winstonsalemdistrictumc.org

Click on church web pages, Brookstown UMC, monthly newsletter.

WOMENS’ UMW NEWS

The Sunshine Circle met at 9 AM and the Circle of Service met at 7 PM on the second Monday in January. This year, instead of meeting at the church they hope to meet in individual homes.

It was reported that everyone enjoyed themselves and that it was good to get together following the holidays.

Both circles are looking for ways to help out at The Children’s Home, as they continue to renovate and get more homes ready for occupation.

The Sunshine Circle had a program titled What’s Globalization to Me? From this program came the idea of conserving our disposable products at home and church in order to improve our environment. After discussion, we suggested that each family bring their own plates, cups, and utensils each time we have a meal at church.

We would like to try this at the April Fellowship Meal and then get your input. There will be always be a supply of items at church, if you should forget or it is not convenient to bring them. We hope this will reduce our kitchen supply costs and also save clean-up time after a meal. Thank you in advance for your effort in this global concern.

Sunshine Circle Members

IDEAS FOR RECYCLING

Appliances: Goodwill or the recycling area at the dump.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs: Your local 3RC, The Envirostation, at 1401 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will recycle them.
Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these for redistribution to people in need.
Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring.
By reducing the amount of trash you generate, such as plastic wrappings, packaging, and shopping bags, you automatically reduce your need to recycle. Additionally, “making do” with appliances and electronics as long as they still work properly, rather than upgrading each year or every time something new comes along, will also help.

Since many waste products are not only taxing on your wallet but also dangerous to your health, here are some common sense things you can do to reduce the amount of waste you create, and help keep you healthier: Store your food in glass, not plastic. Avoid processed foods (which are stored in plastic bags with chemicals).

Use reusable cloth shopping bags instead of plastic.
Re-bottle your filtered tap water into glass bottles instead of buying plastic bottled water.
Never throw old fluorescent light bulbs into your regular trash. Remember, mercury is an incredibly toxic and dangerous substance; a single drop in a large lake could make all the fish in it unsafe for consumption

· Giving up bottled water is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do to help protest the mess that we are in and that is only growing worse every day.

THE PASTOR’S BEACON BITS

Dummies Don’t Study the Bible

You know this saying: “The only dumb questions are the questions you don’t ask.”

We give dumb a bad wrap when we think dumb only means stupid. Webster’s primarily defines dumb as silent. Ironically, not wanting to appear stupid, we sometimes become truly dumb, i.e., silent; and by keeping silent, we become what we fear appearing to be: stupid.

There’s another saying: “It is better to remain silent and be thought stupid than to speak and remove all doubt.” This tempts us to play dumb, but isn’t that really stupid?

There appears to be no escape from this dumb/stupid cycle, but Bible study is the ticket!

Along with other things, the Bible tells us that being stupid is not good.

Paul said he did not want the faithful to be ignorant about matters of faith.

Jesus advised His disciples to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.

These are good reasons for us to study the Bible, the word of God.

We will begin a Bible study at Brookstown on Sunday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m.

I will lead the study, but the questions raised by those attending will help determine the path we take. We will change the time of our study when there are pre-scheduled conflicts, but Sundays at 7:00 p.m. will be our usual time. A daytime study could be arranged, also, if there is enough interest.

Don’t be a dummy. Pass the word!

Roland Barnhardt

COM SURGE – 1/15/08

The Council on Ministries reports that our church has been diligently working with our mission statement in mind - “Responding to Christ’s Good News.” Our passion for ministry to children and youth has been evident in the support of past programs and commitment to on-going programs for them.

THINGS TO KNOW AND CELEBRATE: Meetings of the Council on Ministries, Administrative Board, Finance and Missions committees will be posted on the church calendar. You are always welcome to attend.

Our new church directory should be here soon!

Crisis Control Ministry needs our FOOD! Check the bulletin or your newsletter every month for items that are needed.

Missions - Let Kay Lasley know if your family or you would like to work at the Second Harvest Food Bank on Saturday mornings on selected dates (listed elsewhere in the newsletter).

(continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page)

Our 2008 Community Festival on October 18! This is an outreach to our community and a fundraiser. Tim Lasley is our director. Please let him know what gifts and talents you will be sharing. We need to contact all who may want to be vendors a.s.a.p. Let Tim know about those you know.

Meal at Green Street UMC on March 12 - Brookstown will prepare and serve a meal at Green Street UMC for their community program. See Roland to sign up to help.

Chicken Pie Workshops - Feb 21, March 27, Sept 18, October 6. This is a wonderful way to be involved with other great cooks at Brookstown. If you don’t know whether you are a top or a bottom (roller, that is!), just ask Kay or Teresa for help!

Brookstown Family Camping at Elk Shoals – August 8-10 and September 12-13. Get your reservations in to Troy & Teresa Apperson for tent, camper, or lodging space now! We will have a special time together for devotions. The Youth will join us for the day on Sept 13.

New Bible Study on Sundays at 7 pm Rev. Barnhardt will lead this Bible study beginning the first Sunday in Lent, Feb. 10. Help pass the word to everybody.

Evangelism is growing a tree –Dave DiMarco will explain the purpose of the outreach tree to be planted on February 10 in the church vestibule. This tree will display the names of people we need to reach out to in our church community.

Family enrichment events will be planned once a quarter by Stan Crews. Money management from a biblical basis and other topics are being considered. Tell Stan what your interests are for this. The first event will be on Feb. 28.

Brookstown Youth - Several fundraisers are lined up to help with their mission trip to Birmingham, AL this summer. You may order carnations from any of our youth to surprise those special people in your life on Feb 10 (for Valentines)! They will be serving a Sweetheart Dinner on Feb. 14 at The Brookstown Chophouse. Reservations required! There will be a Garage Sale (Fellowship Hall), 9:00am – 1:00pm on Feb 16. Donations welcome.

Our Youth also participate monthly in mission projects: February 2 they will be at the Second Harvest Food Bank, and Feb. 3 they will be collecting funds for the “Souper Bowl of Caring,” a national event to help food banks and shelters.

A special thank-you goes out to the Ola Apperson Class for giving up their reservation for the church bus for the youth to use with their Destination Unknown program during January! We love you all!

In His Love,

Benita VanWinkle, COM chairperson

BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

What are the Books of History (12) in the Old Testament?
What are the Books of Poetry/Wisdom (5) in the Old Testament?
What are the Books of Prophecy (17) in the Old Testament?
What chapter in Genesis does God promise a nation to Abram?
What is the name of Abram’s wife?
True or False? Abram gave the first tithe. If true, what chapter/verse?
What are the names of Abram’s sons?
What are the names that God changed Abram & Sarai to?
How old was Abraham when his son Isaac was born?
What is the name of the place where Abraham was to sacrifice his son?

Remember to please send your Q and A for future Bible Knowledge to me at waynebiddix@triad.rr.com. Thanks and Grace and Peace to you!!

BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

(Answers from January’s Bible Knowledge)

What are the Books of Law in the Old Testament?

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

12. What are Torah and Pentateuch? Torah – Law/Teachings; Pentateuch-

Five rolls or scrolls (first five books of the Bible – Books of Law)

The Old Testament breaks down into four sections. What are they?

Books of Law; Books of History; Books of Poetry/Wisdom; Books of

Prophecy.

What does Genesis mean? The beginnings or origin.
There are four great events in Genesis. What are they?

Creation – Ch. 1, 2; The fall of Man – Ch.3; The Flood – Ch. 7:17-

8:22; The Nations – Ch. 10, 11 (world after the flood)

What are the names of Noah’s three sons? Shem; Ham; Japheth –

Genesis 6:10.

Who are the descendants of Noah’s sons? The quick answer would be

all of us, and that would be true because after the flood Noah’s sons

started repopulating the earth. Chapter 10 starts the genealogy. The

end result is Shem – Semites; Ham – Africans & Asians; Japeth –

Europeans.

What are the Ark’s dimensions (length, width, height)?

450’L, 75’W, 45’H – Genesis 6:15.

How long were Noah, his family and the animals on the Ark?

Approx. 371-375 days – Genesis 7:6, 11, 13 & 8:14-16 or try counting

the days using Genesis 7:17 – 8:16.

There are four great people in Genesis chapters 12-50. Who are they?

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.

Any questions or comments please e-mail or call me at waynebiddix@triad.rr.com or 922-0531.

LAY LEADER LINKS

Grace and Peace to all from our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen!

I am very excited to see February. I know it is cold, but I am warmed with the expectation of the start of our weekly Bible study named The Word of God.” LouAnn, thank-you very much for this most appropriate title.

The Word of God study will be on Sunday evenings from 7-8pm starting February 10^th and led by Roland. A weekly daytime study is also being considered, so all interested please contact Roland or me.

As you know from last month’s link, this is the top resolution I listed for our church for 2008. As Christians, growing in God’s Word has to be paramount. If we do not grow, our relationship with Christ will stagnate and ultimately fail. There are some that attend other church’s Bible studies because it is not offered at ‘their’ church. We at Brookstown are very good at Missions, Sunday School, Youth and other ministries but if you look at our calendar you will see very limited opportunities for spiritual growth. A weekly Bible study is an excellent start, with other opportunities being offered throughout the year. We must be as intentional about our spiritual growth as we are with our other ministries. Brookstown is getting its priorities in line; spiritual growth, a praying church and good works (needs of the community and beyond). We are now growing into and capturing our mission statement of “Responding to Christ’s Good News.”

The Bible is the most unique book ever written. The name Bible is quite unique by itself. Bible which means ‘Book’ is from the Greek word Biblia meaning ‘Books.’ Biblia is plural indicating that the Bible is a collection of Books. Biblia came to be used in the singular, emphasizing a great unity and uniqueness. The Bible is the only book that was:

· Written over a period of approx. 1500 years

· Written by more than 40 authors from every walk of life: Kings; Military leaders; Peasants; Philosophers; Fishermen, Tax Collectors; Poets; Musicians; Statesmen; Scholars and Shepherds

· Written in different places: By Moses in the wilderness; Jeremiah in a dungeon; Paul inside prison walls; John while in exile on the isle of Patmos

· Written on three continents: Asia; Africa; Europe

· Written in three languages: Hebrew; Aramaic; Greek

There are several more unique qualities that I will list next month. From Genesis to Revelation as we begin to read and study, we will find an amazing degree of harmony. This Book presents a single unfolding story: God’s redemption of His greatest creation, human beings, through His Son Jesus Christ. Amen!

See you at “The Word of God” study!

Grace and Peace,

Wayne Biddix

Servant

SPECIAL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY

Acolytes

Feb. 3 Scouts from Troop 919

10 MaeLena Apperson and Emily

Jameson

17 Dustin Cannady and Paul Lasley

24 Bradford Bailiff and John Saylor

Flowers

Feb. 3 open

10 open

17 Kaufman

24 Jameson

Greeters - Brookstown Youth

Nursery

Feb. 3 Leshia Bailiff

10 Beverly Collins

17 Teresa Apperson

24 Rebecca Allen

Refreshments (8:30)

Feb. 3 Pam Steppe

10 LouAnn DiMarco

17 Karen Powers

24 Elaine Layland

Ushers

Feb. 3 Boy Scouts (Troop 919)

10 Brookstown Youth

17 Brookstown Youth

24 Brookstown Youth

Worship Leaders

Feb. 3 Tim Lasley

10 Bruce Bailiff

17 Wayne Biddix

24 Stan Crews

FAMILY CAMP AT ELK SHOALS

The Volunteer Inn is full on August 8th & 9th. However, Sunday night, the 10th, there are some rooms available. There is one more tent and one more RV Site reserved.

September 12th & 13^th:there is one room available in the Volunteer Inn, and 2 RV sites and 2 tent sites available. If you know you’re going, please let us know ASAP so we can reserve a site for you! Reservation forms are available on the counter outside the church office.

We hope to see you on the banks of the New River this summer!

Troy & Teresa Apperson

CRISIS CONTROL ITEM OF THE MONTH

APPLESAUCE