steeple_-_september_2010

The Braden Steeple

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, Official Publication of Braden United Methodist Church

Vol. VI September, 2010 No. 26

The Braden Steeple will be printed and distributed to the membership of Braden United Methodist Church and the community during the months of January, March, May, July, September, November & a special Holiday issue in December. News articles are due by the 20th of the previous month the newsletter is printed. Send all material to: Communication Ministry Team, 4725 Dorr Street, Toledo, OH 43625 or contact the church office at 419-386-2700

My beloved Parishioners, Where did the Summer go? Even though it was a very hot summer I hate to see it come to an end. However, life is all about change. As the season changes, so does our lives, and every-thing around us. Following the six weeks of teaching and preach-ing on the life of Joseph this Summer, we took off an extended time this year for relaxation, self-examination and self reflection. This was a meaningful time for me personally to do some soul searching. One of the issues that I struggled with this Sum-mer was how our world is changing rapidly with evil becoming rampant. When you read about the senseless killings, destruction of families, the vicious hatred among people, no regards for au-thorites and the confusion in churches, it raises the old age question of, “Why does God allow these things to happen?” Bad Things 2 Good People “Why do bad things happen to good people?” That persistent and perplexing question has haunted the human mind ever since the ancient Hebrew storytellers wove “Joseph” into their faith story. It’s a question we continue to ask today. Bad things happened to Joseph - things over which he had no control. Things like his brothers selling him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife having

him thrown into prison because he resisted her seduction, Pharaoh’s baker and butler letting him rot in prison. So, how could he tell his brothers, “It was not you who sent me here, but God?” (Genesis 45:4-9) How could he look back over the whole sor-did affair and say, “Even though you intended it to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today?” (Genesis 50:19-20) How could Paul tell the Christians in Rome that “all things work together for good for those who love God?” (Romans 8:18-30) All things? For good? Really? Who are you try-ing to kid? It sounds like a biblical basis for the most common affirmation of non-biblical, Ameri-can, cultural folk religion. The worst possible things happen and someone will say, “Well, God must have had a reason for that.” Really? Human Freedom and Divine Sovereignty Looking back over Joseph’s story, Old Testa-ment scholar, Walter Brueggmann, writes, “The purposes of God have been at work ‘in, with and under’ these sordid human actions - [God] is at work for his purpose in spite of, through, and against every human effort.

Continued on Page 2

The Braden Steeple September 2010, Issue Page 2

Father, creator of the universe and seasons. We

thank you for allowing us to see, feel, and experi-

ence the wonders of summer! We look forward to

the many blessings of Autumn, that you have cre-

ated. The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are

few (Matthew: 9:97). In this scripture think of Naomi

and Ruth during the barley harvest time.

We are in the season of ordinary time or

Kingdom tide. The color is green. This is the season

after Pentecost. We look forward to Advent, which is

the beginning of the Christian year. It is the most

powerful season of the year. It is rich with symbol-

ism. It begins November 28th. Remember we all do

fade as a leaf (Isaiah 4: 6). Look forward to Fall-

September 22nd 2010.

He points to the “dialectical reality that God does his own work and at the same time fully honors the work of his creatures - Neither the freedom of the creature nor the gracious sovereignty of God is cancelled, nor can they be equated. God’s will makes use of all human action but is domesticated or limited by no human choice.” (Interpretation: Genesis, p. 346-347,) Read that again. It cuts through simplistic answers that never really satisfy the deepest questions we ask even as it leaves us with the ongoing mystery of God’s relentless pur-pose for good in the midst of the persistent presence of evil, pain and suffering in this broken world. In all the complex and convo-luted events of our lives, John Wesley’s last words are still true: “The best of all is God is with us.” Paul’s conclusion is that nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39) God’s Mysterious Way My deepest conviction is that although God does not cause all the bad things that hap-pen, God can use everything that happens to draw us into a deeper, richer experience of his love. In the end, God’s providential care and gracious purpose is not so be ana-lyzed as it is to be trusted, not so much a doctrinal hypothesis as a hymn of praise. Often it’s a mysterious reality that can only be seen, as Joseph saw it, by looking back over the whole of the story. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., always said that there is a moral arc in the universe that bends toward justice. God’s ultimate inten-tion of life and wholeness will be fulfilled. But along the way, God is willing to be at work through the choice we make and in the risks and dangers of a broken world. Read from that perspective, the Joseph story weaves together both human freedom and divine providence in a downright amaz-ing way. The story is driven by multitudes of human choices - some intended for

Joseph’s benefit and some intended for his destruc-tion. God is only mentioned a few times. God is sel-dom consulted and never speaks directly to Joseph the way God spoke to Abraham or Jacob.

But all along the way, the often unseen presence of God is relentlessly at work to accomplish God’s lar-ger purpose of preserving the life of the covenant people. God chooses to work out that purpose, not by abrogating our human freedom, not by removing every risk or danger, but by entering into the story to accomplish His saving purpose.

Neither God’s sovereignty nor the freedom of God’s creation is cancelled, even when they run head on into each other the way they did at the cross. But when the world has done its worst, God continues to be at work to bring new life and the hope of resur-rection.

Keep the faith, God is able. Love You, Pastor Dixon


BEING A BLESSING

TO THOSE IN NEED:

We bless each other when we hear each

other, and when we respect the feelings

and dignity of each other.

Who most needs our blessings?

Those who are hurting, who are in pain,

who are mourning, who have been rejected,

who are broken-hearted. This list could go

on and on.

Anyone can start a ministry of encourage-

ment with cards, phone calls, a meal, offers

of transportation, housework or any other

help that is needed.

We need each other’s blessings. Go out

and bless someone with your kind words

and actions. There is also the gift of listen-

ing –paying full attention to another and

responding in a way that makes him/her

feel understood.

Discover the power of blessings in your life

and also in the lives of those you have

blessed. May your prayer be, as the old

hymn says, “Make me a blessing to some-

one today.”

Submitted by Sandy Flick

From The Budget (Amish newspaper)

Hospital Visits:

Please call the church office at 419-386-

2700 if you or family members are in

the hospital and wish a visit. The local

hospitals do not always let us know if

one of our members is a patient.

Remember our sick and shut in your daily prayers. A kind card

or a simple note could brighten a person’s day; take a moment

and let our member know that they are in the Braden Family

prayers

Allen, George Jr. Whitehouse Country Manor

11239 Waterville St.

Whitehouse, OH 43571

Beene, Asia (Ronya): 3353 Parkwood Av.

Toledo, OH 43610

Bussey, Lincoln Sr. Lutheran Home Assisted Living

2519 Seaman St.

Toledo, OH 43605

Coleman, Mildred 2341 Old Stone Ct., #1

Toledo, OH 43614

Hunt, Johnnie 834 North Detroit Ave.

Toledo, OH 43607

Knowles, Betty Lake Park

5100 Harroun Rd.

Sylvania, OH 43560

Matthews, Beth 2705 Alisdale Dr.

Toledo, OH 43607

Gross, Norvelle Laurels of Toledo

1011 Byrne Rd., #301

Toledo, OH 43609

Russell, Edna 2125 Parkwood Av., #138

Toledo, OH 43620

Shoecraft, Velma 817 Oneida St.

Toledo, OH 43608

Brister, Theresa Lake Park

5100 Harroun Rd.

Sylvania, OH 43560

West, Wilbert 41 Carol Lane

Toledo, OH 43615

White, Margie 4702 Violet, #42

Toledo, OH 43623

Simmons, Loretta Fairview Skilled Nursing

4420 South Ave.

Toledo, OH

Simmons, Roosevelt 814 Independence Rd.

Toledo, OH 43607

Young, Harold Heartland – Holy Glenn

4294 Monroe St.

Toledo, OH 43604


Finances at a Glance We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of Braden Church and it’s many ministries this year. While our income was down a bit in Au-gust, overall we are doing very good! The weekly amount needed to meet the budget is $3447.00. Needed to Date (08/31/10): $120,645.00; Received to Date (08/31/10) : $120,220.70.

(This does not include income we receive from

building use. See below.)

Daycare Utilities Pymts. - $28,000.00 Other Building Use Rentals - $ 4,179.63 (Basketball groups, Aerobics, Churches, etc.)

Apportionments Paid: Conference $17,992.89 -61.96% District $ 4196.09 -61.96%

Our average weekly attendance for 2010 was 135.

Our Gas Expense has been below budget: Year to Date Expense: $8226.79 -49.95% Misc. Funds: Scholarship Fund- $9,917.36 A/C Fund- $1,475.58

Lawrence Ave. Expenses:

August Year to Date

Gas $44.59

Electric $59.59 $1,087.23

Water $650.64

Phone $14.25 $115.08

Alarm $855.00

Grounds $140.00 $780.00

Taxes $1,451.04

Total- $213.85 $3,366.00

General Fund 2,302.34$

Capital Impr Fund 1,591.56$

Savings 28,059.46$

CD 5,438.23$

Total 37,391.59$

The bank account balances as of August 31, 2010 are:

Thank you again to everyone! Braden Church is truly blessed with so many faithful members!

Website News Church Calendar Reminders

Don’t miss another meeting at Braden. Let our church website at www.Bradenumc.org email you with easy reminders. Example: You want an email reminder for the Church Council meeting on September 18

th:

1. Go to www.Bradenumc.org. 2. On the right side of our home page is Upcoming Events and at the right of that is church calendar. Click on the white box to “View Full Page Calendar”. 3. At the top of the calendar pick “September”. 4. Click on Church Council meeting in the Sep-tember 18th square. 5. Next, type in your email address and validation code. Click Submit. Now you will get an email reminder one or two days before the Church Council meeting. If the reminder is for a recurring meeting, then each month an email will be sent to your email address each time the meeting occurs. If you do the above steps, you won’t forget a meeting or activity again. Call or email the church office if you have any questions or comments. Phone (419)386-2700


United Methodist Women

This group of women meet every 4th Monday of

each month during the summer months and Sun-

days immediately following worship during the

winter months

The United Methodist Women is a group of

women who are mission driven; missions that sup-

port women and children not only locally but also

globally.

The current membership is extremely low, but we

are continuing to meet with the hope that others

will join us.

We are considering revamping the meetings to

include special events and monthly activities.

Come out, join us, and bring your ideas!

Braden's Outreach "Ministry In Motion"

We are gearing up for our Fall Activities which are:

After school Tutorial Program We will provide tutoring two days a week for students K thru 12th. If you want to volunteer as a tutor contact Cerssandra McPherson 419-386-2700 ext.6.

Parents Night Out this will be provided to parents once a month on a Friday. You may drop off your kids and we will provide three hours of fun filled activities and dinner. This program will be free.

FROM THE TRUSTEES:

To our church family we'd like to say thank you for your gracious giving to the Capital Improvement Fund. Your giving has enabled us to complete the following projects:

Painting: of the gym, storage rooms, choir and Yolanda Robinson room, hallway behind parlor, hallway off gym and hallway adjacent to sanctuary, all outer doors, gutters and ter-race doors.

Parsonage: garage & house exterior painted, hot water tank replaced, first floor bath repaired, carpet cleaned.

We also would like to say, "thank you" to the Methodist Men, Charles Cohen, Roy Moody Sr., James Goodloe, Darryl Brown, Stanley Hill, II, Chandler Hill and Deajuan Hill for all their hard work as painters for the many painting projects.

A/C FUND The Goal $30,000.00

We pray that 100 people will heed the call to pledge $300 • $30 a month for 10 months • $8 a week for 40 weeks Pray and Trust God to make a way if you desire to pledge.

We are committed to being good stewards over what God has entrusted to us. Continue to give and keep the faith my brothers and sisters.

Servants of the Master, Braden Trustee Board


YOUTH CORNER

2010 Braden

Vacation Bible School

Youth Group Outing to

Kings Island, Cincinnati OH

Braden Youth visit the

Freedom Center, Cincinnati, OH

Eternal Flame

Freedom Center

All Saints Day Celebration…

Update coming soon!


Call the number above to check for eligible Toledo Public Schools, Wash-

ington Local Schools and also Charter Schools. Call to see if your child

qualifies today !

Success

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called

failure, A loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red

lights called enemies, caution lights called family. You will have

flats called jobs.

But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called

perseverance, insurance called faith, a driver called Jesus; you

will make it to a place called success.

Submitted by Sunceray Lamb

Free Tutoring!!

Earl Enterprises, LLC is offer-ing free tutoring to qualifying stu-

dents from Kindergarten to 8th

Grade. We offer group and one on

one after school tutoring. To qual-

ify, students must attend a eligible

Title1 school and be eligible for free

or reduced lunches. For more infor-

mation please contact Kelly tuggle-

Jordan at 419-320-7494 or

[email protected].


BELOVED OLDSTERS

You may be getting older

And your steps a mite more slow

You may not move as fast as once

But oh, God loves you so.

You may think that you’re not needed

That your work down here is through

But, my beloved oldster, God has a plan

for you.

Your white hair shows the wisdom

You have gathered through the years

Your patience stands for victories

Proves you’ve conquered many fears

Your sweetness shows that Christ in you

dwells

His love in you abides

As these virtues flow out from you

You are blessing other’s lives.

Do not ever be discouraged

If others must wait on you

You have done your share of service

Just let his light shine through.

Rejoice and live for Jesus

To others, his kindness show

You’re still wanted and still needed

You’re God’s messenger, you know.

Submitted by Sandy Flick

From The Budget (Amish newspaper)

Seniors News Braden United Methodist Church

Opportunities for Ministry

Congregational Care and Witness Ministry

Discipleship

Communications

Age Level and Family

Hospitality

Design Ministry

Membership Care

Christian Education Ministry

Sunday School

Vacation Bible School

Youth Ministry

Children’s Church

Nursery

Worship Ministry

Nurses

Communion Stewards

Ushers

Greeters

Choirs

Shepherds

Lay Speakers/Liturgists

Outreach and Mission Ministry

Outreach

Mission

Additional Ministries

Finance

Board of Trustees

Staff Pastor Parish Relation

Lay Leadership

Lay Leader

Lay Member to Annual Conference

If you are interested in serving on any of the Minis-

tries listed above please contact the church office for

a form or see Annette Savage.


The word for this issue is SHALOM.

The Hebrew word for peace. Peace does not

come from absence of conflict, peace comes

from the presence of God, and peace is not

something fragile that is easily disturbed or

disrupted.

The peace of God which surpasses all

understanding will guard your heart and mind

in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 7). Inner peace

is not so much something that we consciously

seek to maintain as it is something that keeps

us on guard. The key to this abiding peace

that prevents us from being disturbed lies in

our hearts and our mind to be centered on

Jesus Christ.

Shalom refers to wholeness of mind,

body, and peace.

THINK ABOUT THIS

Ephesians 4:12. For the perfecting of the Saints, for

the work of the Ministry, for the edifying. The harvest

is in need to be harvest.

Apply these rules to our spiritual lives:

1. Each of us in the Church need to be humble

enough to allow Christ’s yoke to be placed on our

shoulders and to have the harness of the law of

Christ (producing Godliness), the law of the spirit

(producing holiness), and the law of faith( pro-

duces obedience across our backs).

2. We must allow ourselves to be hooked together

for the good of the church. Like building stones are

a part of a body, each member is gifted for the

building of the church.

3. Jesus steers the church but he has given lead-

ers to the church, who he holds responsible for

directing the team. No individual leads the church

because leaders cannot go without the team but if

the team does not allow it’s self to be steer by God

or its leaders the church stands still.

4. The world is full of the mud of sin and many

souls (like corn) need to be harvested. The church

has to move in the mud to reach lost souls for

Christ. It is easier for the church to move forward

when the team is pulling together.

The Communication Team would like to en-

courage each member to take a few minutes

to pause each day beside the still waters of

God’s word. Drink deeply and you will find it

cool and refreshing.

“Words of Wisdom”

To be almost saved is to

be totally lost.

Randall Jones Jr.


The Bible reads, Proverbs 22:5 " Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." A wise pastor once said, "Train up a child in the way he should go, follow it yourself, and he/she will follow you." To train implies not only the presenting of knowledge but the practicing of that knowledge. If you understand that training is a living of your faith- a prac-ticing of your belief. Remember Sunday School ( Chris-tian Education) is not for children only.

Sunday school is important

It's amazing that we should ever find ourselves hav-

ing to defend the importance of Sunday school. Af-

ter all we can thank Sunday school for giving us

pastors, missionaries and evangelists. Our churches

are full of Christians strong in their faith, and estab-

lished in the scriptures.

The real importance of Sunday school is one that

has a dynamic ministry to every member of the

family. It is a unique program that meets the needs

of its participants as not other program of the

church can.

6 reasons why I believe Sunday school is important

Sunday school provides a basic systematic study of

the scriptures at a level of understanding for that

age group.

Sunday school allows an opportunity for its mem-

bers to talk and share about their needs with others

in similar life situations.

Sunday school provides an opportunity for personal

application of the scriptures based on the age level

of the class.

Sunday school provides for fellowship and a sense of

belonging for each member of the class.

Sunday school provides a platform for people to

serve the Lord through teaching and administration.

Sunday school is a training ground for young Chris-

tians to be more productive in their church and

gives them the opportunity to develop their skills

and talents for the Lord.

Submitted by Yolanda Robinson

Today is

NATIONAL BACK TO

CHURCH SUNDAY

SEPTEMBER 12TH

Mark Your Calendar!

Church Conference October 19th at 6:00pm

Here at Braden with Rev. Mike Denman, Asst. District Superintendent presiding.

90th 90th 90th 90th

Birthday Celebration Birthday Celebration Birthday Celebration Birthday Celebration

for for for for

Mr. Eddie ColeMr. Eddie ColeMr. Eddie ColeMr. Eddie Cole

Sunday, October 3rd

12:30 p.m.

in the Braden gym


2010 Flower Chart

The 2010 Flower Chart is located in back

of the sanctuary. To help beautify our altar

you may sponsor flowers for any two Sun-

days and place them in honor or memory of a

loved one. Please sign the chart and fill out a

special altar flower form with the dedication

information. The forms are located with the

chart.

Upcoming Dates to Remember. . .

September 14 SPRC Meeting

15 Bible Study resumes

19 Confirmation Class Begins

16 Lay Leadership Committee Mtg. (Nominations)

October 19 Church Conference

Happy Birthday & Happy Anniversary

For the Month of September

7 TUCKER-LINGO, Mrs. EVA 8 WESTMORELAND, Ms. CAROL 9 SLOAN, Mr. LARRY 18 DURDEN, Miss ALAINA 20 MITCHAM, Ms. YVONNE 24 CHARLES TUGGLE (HELEN) 46th Anniversary 27 ROBINSON, Mr. JEREMIAH 27 TOLLIVER, Mr. LAFAYETTE

Happy Birthdays! To all our members celebrating

in October 1 COLE, Mr. EDDIE M. 1 JONES, Ms. RENEE 1 CLARK, Ms. FAYE 2 MARTENS, Mr. MALCOLM 5 LINGO, Mr. TENNYSON 7 BUSH, Mr. MICHAEL 10 GRAY, Mrs. DELORES 11 SHEARES, Mr. DELENCE 12 DURDEN, Mr. ROYE 12 GAYNOR, Ms. CYNTHIA 14 EASTERLY, Mrs. BEATRICE 14 HILL, Mrs. MOZELL 14 DURDEN, Mr. ALAN 16 ENOCHS, Ms. LAVERNE 21 RUSHE, Ms. ROBIN 21 MITCHAM, Mr. ELIJAH KENNETH 24 TOLLIVER, Miss RACHEL YOUNG, Ms. REBA 30 WALTON, Ms. RUTH A.

Have we missed your birthday or anniversary?

Just give the church office a call at

(419)386-2700 with the information, and your name will be added. We don’t want to

miss or forget anyone. Thanks, Lisa Gleason,

Braden Church Secretary

Church Anniversary

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Watch your bulletins for more

information coming soon!


The Steeple Braden’s newsletter is published on a quarterly basis. The purpose for our newsletter is important for our

congregation because it helps them:

To grow spiritually

To be uplifted

To feel a part of the church community

To be active in the life of the church community

To make informed decisions about giving

Purpose Statement:Purpose Statement:Purpose Statement:Purpose Statement:

Pressing towards a higher mark through love and service to Jesus Christ

Purpose Scripture:Purpose Scripture:Purpose Scripture:Purpose Scripture:

“….forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize

f he upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Love,

(Philippians 3:13-14)

Communication Team

Helen Tuggle * Rosalyn Cooper * Linda Hester *

Randall Jones * Kellie Jordan * Beth Matthews *

Worship Services:

Sunday School – 9:30 am

Worship Services – 10:30 am

Wednesday Bible Study 12:30 pm & 7:00 pm

Discipleship Prayer!

First Friday Prayer

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Sunday Morning Prayer

9:15 am

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Office: 419-386-2700

Email: [email protected]

For regularly scheduled weekly events refer

to your weekly church bulletins.

Steeple Articles:

Our church newsletter is published January, March, May,

July, September, November & our special Holiday Issue

in December. Please submit your ministry reports and

upcoming event by the 20th of each month prior to our

publish dates. The due dates are listed below:

Submit to church via email

[email protected] or

Communications Team Member!

Documents

steeple_-_september_2010