The Brady Beacon. Pulpit Patter

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1 The Brady Beacon F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h o f B r a d y J u l y Pulpit Patter Matthew 21:12-13 (NRSV) Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer ; but you are making it a den of robbers. What a great story. Upon learning that the synagogue was abusing people and extorting money from them, Jesus went on a rampage. Such behavior seems rowdy and disreputable coming from the Messiah. When most folks think about the question, What Would Jesus Do? a mental picture of a mild-mannered, namby-pamby kind of Jesus comes to mind. It surprised me to learn that one of the answers to the question, What Would Jesus Do? is to overturn tables and chairs, throw money on the ground, and then run people off. I don't suggest we use this technique as part of a stewardship campaign strategy. However, the story does point to a greater reality. Jesus challenges us to be bold, to speak prophetically, and to act redemptively on behalf of the mission of the Church. And yes, the mission of the Church includes putting our money where our mouth is. At our last Church charge conference, we made a covenant promise with one another that we would support the ministry and mission of the Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We set before ourselves an ambitious goal to make our hopes and dreams become a reality. However, we often act as if money is something offensive and taboo. We believe that if we openly talk about our budget, Jesus might show up to overturn tables and chairs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Financial generosity is a spiritual gift that will yield benefits we haven't even dreamed about yet. Our offering plate places a unique challenge before each of us with an invitation to participate in what God is doing. Yes, I know money is tight. Yes, I know the economy isn't exactly chili-red-hot. But there is more at stake than just money. While it is true Jesus doesn't approve of us making the Church a den of robbers, I am also inclined to believe Jesus isn't impressed with us making the Church a den of tightwads, either. Continue on page 2

2 News from the UMM What does it mean to be a member of the United Methodist Men? Well let s see. You get to volunteer to cook breakfast, and hope that you do not burn the biscuits or overcook the bacon. You may volunteer to bring a devotional, or some words of encouragement. Or you may have a certain job you do when we do the fish fry fundraisers, or you may get the privilege to drive our courtesy cart and take some of our lovely ladies from their cars to the front doors, and from the Jubilee house to the Church. You get to visit, drink coffee, solve the problems of the world and basically you just get to hang out. We support the Boy Scouts; we support Casa care, Open Hearts, The Youth, and this Church and other groups in the past 12 years. But do you know what the best job is that we do? We get the opportunity to be witnesses for our Church and our community. We support each other, and others that may not be members of our church. So there you have it in a nutshell. If any of this appeals to you guys out there and especially you young men 18 and up. Please consider joining this group, and help us continue being examples for our Church and our community. I challenge you to help Make a difference. At the writing of this, the UMM are preparing to install new car stops on the West parking lot Saturday June 21 st. So if you see one of the UMM thank them for donating time and money to get this done. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Continued from page 1 The Kingdom of God is at hand. God is revealing God's plan and purpose right here and right now. God invites us to be part of it. Money is a tool to help make it happen. It is up to us to use it wisely to ensure the Church is properly equipped for the task of ministry God has placed before us. I'll see you in Church! Pastor Phil...

3 OPEN HEARTS HAPPENINGS Summer is movin on!!! Our numbers are down which is expected for the summer. We are having fun, learning about God, keeping up school skills, and eating snow cones on HOT days. The application for the USDA feeding program has had a final submit so we are anxiously waiting to begin feeding these children. We need a few items for our kitchen. If you have extras in your kitchen that are cluttering we would appreciate a donation. These do not have to be new. Hand me downs are just fine. Here is the list: Measuring spoons, measuring cup sets, 2 cup measuring cups, 8 cup batter bowl, Large crock pot with removable liner, long handled slotted spoons, long handled spoons, large whisks, tongs, food processor, blender, ice cube trays, colander, 3 cookie sheets with sides, 3 9x13 pans metal or glass, Stand or hand mixer, rubber spatulas, quality sharp knives of differing sizes, plastic or glass or metal bowls of different sizes to mix in and/or serve from anything else that you have in your kitchen that you think we could use. We are not allowed to cook on the stove top so oven, microwave and cooking pans that fit in roaster ovens are what we need. Just leave the items marked Open Hearts in the narthex or church office or you can bring them by and tour our facility. If you would like, call and we will come pick up your donations. Have a great July!! See you at the Bar- B- Q!!

4 MAY, YTD YEAR TO YTD BUDGET DATE BUDGET VARIANCE INCOME $ 116, $ 139, (22,375.97) EXPENSES Program Expenses $ 1, $ 3, (1,475.64) Administrative Ex $ 3, $ 3, (538.52) Trustee Expense $ 18, $ 19, (375.89) Human Resources $ 84, $ 88, (3,177.18) Other Expenses $ 24, $ 25, (1,551.62) TOTAL EXPENESE $ 132, $ 139, (7,118.85) NET INCOME $ (15,840.37) $ (583.25) (15,257.12) I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU! God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5) In the original Greek, the word never is actually a compounding of five negatives. It really should read, I will never, no not ever, no never leave you or forsake you! It is a synergistic compounding negative. It s a forever never which has no exceptions! What does the word leave mean? In the original Greek it means to leave behind, to abandon, to give up on, to send back. So far, then, this verse will read: I will never, no not ever, no never leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, or send you back! What does forsake mean? In the Greek it means, to leave one in a helpless state, to disregard It also can be further expanded to include not relaxing my watchfulness over you. So, this verse, in the full, amplified version reads: I will never, no not ever, no never give up on you, abandon you, leave you behind, cause you not to survive, leave you helpless, nor shall I ever relax concerning keeping my presence with you! In other words, we can relax. God will always be there for us! The Daily Encourager

5 Sunday School Class for our Experienced Adults With Alice Young Room TBA Cokesbury Adult Bible Study Quarterly Now that our choirs are on vacation, I will begin planning for the next year. If you have any special requests, please let me know and I will do my best to locate the music for either the choir or the handbell choir. I always get excited about finding beautiful music for us to sing or ring. The choirs will resume in September after Labor Day. Don t forget that you can enhance our music ministry by purchasing gifts of music. You may do this in honor or memory of loved ones. The Music Ministry appreciates all of those who have purchased a Gift of Music or made generous donations this year. Please contact Kathleen Gray at if you have questions or would like to purchase a gift of music.

6 July 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat BBQ 5 6 UMM 7 8 5:30 Finance Youth Camp :00 Church Council Women s Breakfast Vacation Bible School at Open Hearts Preschool August 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 District Conference San Angelo 3 UMM :30 Finance Women s breakfast

7 Immediately following parade! Brisket, Chicken, Sausage Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Beans Dessert & Drink $10.00 per plate Sit down & enjoy in fellowship hall Take outs fellowship hall Car curb service at front of sanctuary bldg. Want to be a lay reader? Call Ann Moseley at Do you have a wheelchair needing a home? The church is looking for one to have in the narthex for people to use when needed. Please contact the office if you have one to donate.

8 EATING DISORDERS Page 8 Linda Alastuey, RN Wesley Nurse According to the U.S. Department of Health, Eating disorders are real, treatable medical illnesses with causes in both the body and the mind. Things that can contribute to one ANOREXIA NERVOSA BULEMIA NERVOSA Intense fear of gaining weight Thinks about food a lot and limits the food he/she eats Has low body weight for his/her height Resist keeping a normal body weight May develop food rituals Amenorrhea in women Sees self as fat, but is really very BINGE EATING DISORDERS Eating large quantities of food not related to hunger Feelings of loss of control over eating behaviors Eating in secret Feelings of shame for eating behavior Often see obesity related issues as a result Eats a lot of food in a short period of time (feels loss of control) Tries to prevent weight gain by getting rid of the food (purging) Purges by: throwing up, taking laxatives, taking diuretics May exercise a lot Extreme concern with body weight and shape Wants desperately to loose weight Can fall within normal range for their age and weight WHERE TO FIND HELP Any of these disorders can be fatal and all are associated with serous health problems. If you or someone you know has one of these issues, get professional help. Call your health care provider and they will be able to assist References:

9 FUMC STAFF Pastor Rev. Phil Steinbach Children/Youth Director Will Enger Assistant Children/Youth Director Jes Enger Office Manager Donna Hardcastle Custodian Charlotte Hiltbrunner COMMITTEE CHAIRS Church Council: Joe King SPRC: Monte Owens Finance: Carolyn Carson Trustee: Donald Barley Lay Leader: Phil Thompson OPEN HEARTS SCHOOL & CHILD CARE 500 West Victoria Caroline Parks, Director WESLEY NURSE Linda Alastuey, RN F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h 401 S Blackburn PO Box 1030 Brady, Texas Phone: Fax: fumcoffice@fumcbrady.org Mission Statement: Grow in Christ, Proclaim Jesus, Serve the World