The Braden Epistle

Vol. VIIVol. VIIVol. VIIVol. VII M@Y, 2011 No. 31 No. 31 No. 31 No. 31

Our Four Areas of Focus

The Four Areas of Focus express the vision and yearnings of the people of The United Methodist Church. Over this quad-rennium, the church will seek to focus the work of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world around these areas of ministry: • Combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally. • Engaging in ministry with the poor. • Creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations. • Developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.

The Braden Epistle

REJOICE! REJOICE! THE WORDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD HE IS NOT HERE, HE

HAS RISEN. Luke 24:6

The words of the angel at the tomb echoed through eternity and boldly declared hope in each of our hearts. The tomb is empty, death is defeated, Jesus has won the ultimate victory, the world is changed for-ever. As believers we have the joy, the privilege to tell and retell, to share, to give and give again, the news of

this hope.

We are in the season of Pentecost. We celebrate Pen-tecost on the 50th day after Easter which commemo-rates the coming of the holy spirit upon the apostles in

Jerusalem.

We celebrate Pentecost to celebrate a hope and know-ledge that God through his Holy Spirit is at work among his people. It is a celebration of newness, rec-reation, recreational renewal of purpose, mission, and

calling of Gods people.

It is also a recognition that His work is done through

His people as He pours out His presence among them.

WELCOME SUMMER JU�E 20TH

What happened to the disciples after Pentecost?

1. PETER, crucified upside down. Spiritual Attribute was Faith.

2. JOHN, boiled in oil but survived. Spiritual Attribute was Love.

3. JAMES (The brother of John), beaten to death. Spiritual Attribute was Wisdom.

4. ANDREW, tied to a cross. Spiritual Attribute was Strength.

5. SIMON, crucified. Spiritual Attribute was Zeal.

6. JUDE, slain. Spiritual Attribute was Renunciation.

7. MATTHEW, slain in Ethiopia Spiritual Attribute was Will.

8. BATHOLOMEW, flayed alive. Spiritual Attribute was Imagination.

9. THOMAS, pierced with lances. Spiritual Attribute was Understanding.

10. PHILIP, stoned and crucified. Spiritual Attribute was Power.

11. JUDAS, hung himself. Spiritual Attribute was Life.

12. JAMES, crucified Spiritual Attribute was Order.

Th_ Br[^_n Epistl_ M@Y, 2011 P[g_ 2

Finances at a Glance

We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of Braden Church and its many ministries this year. We are thank-ful for our faithful members who give of themselves and with their tithes, gifts and offerings.

Our First Quarter (Jan – March) Figures:

Year to date Income/Receipts:

$59,807.22 -25.4%

*includes building fund

Year to date Expense/Distributions:

$59,237.99 – 24.73%

*We are above budget on our tithes & offer-ings with 26.1% Thank you!!

Apportionments

Paid to date: Conference-$8458.60-30%

District-$2024.00-29%

Special Fund Balances:

Scholarship- $11,622.86

Missions- $1180.06

A/C $5927.60

Account Balances as of 03/31/11:

Our Weekly Worship Attendance Average

for 2011 is: 143!

Praise be to God!

Again we thank everyone for their contribu-

tions and support !

General Fund 58.20$

Capital Impr Fund 5,921.03$

Savings 41,381.62$

CD 5,444.13$

Total 52,804.98$

Words of Wisdom

In Jesus’ death we

walk in new life Randall Jones, Jr.

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Upcoming Events

Women’s Day—May 15

Annual Conference—June 6-9

Vacation Bible School—

More Information Soon

Community Picnic / Celebration—July 4

We Welcome our We Welcome our We Welcome our We Welcome our

New & Rededicated MembersNew & Rededicated MembersNew & Rededicated MembersNew & Rededicated Members

Bobby Baggett

Augusta Baggett

Herdia Hodges

Frances McFarland

Betty Meyer

Nicole Meyer

Derryl O’Neal

Donna Sharper

Frances William Washington

Rededicated Members: 2/13/11

Margie White

Lois Lipkins

Lois Mathis

Beverly Barnes

Cerrsandra McPherson

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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.

George Allen, Jr. Whitehouse Country Manor 11239 Waterville St. Waterville, 43566

Lincoln Bussey, Sr. Lutheran Home-Assisted

Living

2519 Seaman St.- 43605

Harold Young Heartland-Holly Glenn 4294 Monroe St. - 43606

Loretta Simmons Fairview Nursing Home 4420 South Ave. -43615

Norvelle Gross Laurels of Toledo 1011 Byrne Rd. #206 -43606

Theresa Brister Lake Park 5100 Harroun Rd. Sylvania, 43560

Ronald Coleman

Arbors of Sylvania 7120 Port Sylvania, Sylvania, 43560

Edna Russell Fairview Nursing Home 4420 South Ave. - 43615

Sick & Shut-Ins Prayer Requests

Beene, Asia Allen, Florene King, Edith

Coleman, Mildred Phillips, Odessa M. Ellison, Jim & Thomasine

Shoecraft, Velma Davis, Lucy Keyes, Mattie

West, Wilbert Hadley Family Lewis, Ethel

Stewart, Rebecca Lewis, Allen

Greene, Lula Taylor, Nettie

Cooks, Helen Kynard, Shirley

Reed, Mrs. Roylene & Family Wilson, Jessie

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Black Hi story Refl ecti ons

When there is no vision the people will

perish. Proverb 29:18

Did you know March was

Women’s History Month?

The Toledo Journal celebrated

Women’s History Month with a

featured article “Winning Women”.

The Communication Team congratulates The Communication Team congratulates The Communication Team congratulates The Communication Team congratulates

two local women which were recognized in the articletwo local women which were recognized in the articletwo local women which were recognized in the articletwo local women which were recognized in the article.

Dorothy Day

Geraldine Mitchell

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible

like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

if we flipped through it several times a day?

if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

if we used it to receive messages from the text?

if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

if we used it when we traveled?

if we used it in case of emergency?

is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our

Bible being Disconnected because Jesus already paid

the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And

no dropped calls!

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!

Author Unknown

VS.VS.VS.VS.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the wonderful

men who bear the name “father.”

please bless each one, and help

them daily to be the best dads

they can be. Use them each in a

mighty way to be the leaders they

Should be. Through their influence,

may this world be changed for You.

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Father’s Day— June 19

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WOMEN’S DAY

Annual Women’s DayAnnual Women’s DayAnnual Women’s DayAnnual Women’s Day

Sunday May 15, 2011Sunday May 15, 2011Sunday May 15, 2011Sunday May 15, 2011

Theme:Theme:Theme:Theme:

Rainbow Of LifeRainbow Of LifeRainbow Of LifeRainbow Of Life

Speaker:Speaker:Speaker:Speaker:

Sis. Diana L. EvansSis. Diana L. EvansSis. Diana L. EvansSis. Diana L. Evans

Donations

$100 for Women

$75 for Men

Braden United

87th Women’s Day

Sunday, May 15, 2011

10:30 AM

Program Book Information Sheet

Deadline Monday, May 9, 2011

Name: __________________________

Home/Cell ph:____________________

Single Name Patron: $5.00

_________________________________

(print single name on the line)

Standard Business Card: $10.00

(Attach business cards to this form.)

Please return completed form with payment to:

Linda Hester, Annette Savage

or church office.

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LAST!

Parents .ight Out

Friday, May 13, 2011

6-9 PM

Volunteers .eeded!

Congratulations 2011 Graduates!

Devon Hill

Wynlita Dixon

Children in Church (Just for laughs)

A little boy was attending his first wedding. After

the service, his cousin asked him, "How many women can a

man marry?" "Sixteen," the boy responded. His cousin was

amazed that he had an answer so quickly. "How do you

know that?" "Easy," the little boy said. "All you have to do

is add it up, like the pastor said, 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer,

4 poorer."

After a church service on Sunday morning, a young boy

suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided to

become a minister when I grow up." "That's okay with us,

but what made you decide that?" "Well," said the little boy,

"I have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it

will be more fun to stand up and yell, than to sit and

listen."

A 6-year-old was overheard reciting the Lord's Prayer at a

church service, "And forgive us our trash passes, as we

forgive those who passed trash against us."

A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon.

"How do you know what to say?" he asked. "Why, God tells

me." "Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?"

A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon

dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother

and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now,

will he let us go?"

Ms. Terri asked her Sunday School class to draw pictures

of their favorite Bible stories. She was puzzled by Kyle's

picture, which showed four people on an airplane, so she

asked him which story it was meant to represent. "The

Flight to Egypt," was his reply. Pointing at each figure, Ms.

Terri said, "That must be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus.

But who's the fourth person?" "Oh, that's Pontius - the pi-

lot!"

The Sunday School Teacher asks, "Now, Johnny, tell me

frankly, do you say prayers before eating?" "No sir," little

Johnny replies, I don't have to. My mom is a good cook."

This is the best one...

A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read

her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her

eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek.

She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again.

Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"

"Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time

ago." "Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me too?"

"Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little

while ago." Feeling their respective faces again, she ob-

served, "God's getting better at it, isn't he?"

Remember that ASAP means "Always Say A Prayer

Unknown Author

YOUTH COR.ER

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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 of the upward call of God

in Christ Jesus” Love,

(Philippians 3:13b-14)

Communication Team

Helen Tuggle * Rosalyn Cooper * Linda Hester * Randall Jones * Kellie Jordan *

Beth Matthews * Annette Savage

The Braden Epistle 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.

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 43615 or contact the church office at 419-386-2700

Visit us on the web! Check-out Braden’s

website weekly to see upcoming events and what’s happening!

www.bradenumc.org

The Communications Team would like to end this newsletter with a prayer…

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand. The shadow of a mighty Rock

within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning

of an noontide heat and the burden of the day. Upon the cross of Jesus mine eyes at times

can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart

of tears two wonders I confess—the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

-Elizabeth C. Clephane

“Beneath the cross of Jesus”

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

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Office: 419-386-2700

Email: bradenumc@sbcglobal.net

For regularly scheduled weekly events re-fer to your weekly church bulletins.