April 22, 2020

Mini Gleam

Baden United Methodist Church

This weekend Tom Verner, our youth group leader, sent the following out to our youth. I thought we would all benefit from his thoughts. Pastor Jim.

Dear Youth,

It’s been some wild times recently. I miss you all and am sorry we haven’t been able to meet in person. I think we all were hoping that this would blow over by now, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to anytime soon. So, I wrote some of my personal reflections on our current state of affairs.

Pastor’s Pondering

continued on page 2

Pa stor ’s Pond e r ing

Join us on our Facebook page and website (badenumc.org) for links to the recorded Sunday messages and an online Bible Study.

Baden United Methodist ChurchBuilding Hearts and Changing Lives

Through the Love of Jesus Christ420 Dippold Avenue

Baden, Pennsylvania 15005724-869-2720

badenumc@comcast.netwww.badenumc.org

Church Officers:Pastor .................................................... Rev. James YoungLay Leader .................................................... Sally BrambleAdministrative Board Chair .............. Nemorio RamirezBoard Secretary............................................Josh RamirezBoard of Trustees Chair ........................Alan HazelwoodBoard of Trustees Co Chair .................Bill BerkhammerS. P. R. C. Chair ..............................................Dian SherinSunday School Superintendent .................Patty MeehanFinance Chair ...............................................Carol WalkerFinance Secretary ..............................Joanne McCartneyChurch Administrator & Treasurer ............Chris PoseyLay Delegate .......................................... Donna BrynczakEndowment Com. Chair ...........................Joyce HudsonWe Care Directors .............................Esther & Ed HallasMission Chair .........................................Rhonda ChioccaYouth Ministry ...............................................Tom Verner

Paula Hazelwood, Lisa McCutcheon, Nemorio Ramirez, Michelle Sovich & Pastor Young

Adult Disciple Coordinators .Peggy Evanko & Bob Blanarik Busy Bees Coordinator ...................... Suzanne Schaeffer GIFT Chair .............................................Alan Hazelwood Special Needs Advocate ............................ Peggy EvankoUrgent Prayer Chain Requests ......................................... Marilyn Dobich -724-869-7896 (H)...724-494-3800 (C) Sue Meade - 724-775-6796 (H)...724-513-1388 (C)Worship Team .........................................Donna Brynczak,

Laurie Braner, Scott Dawson, Hannah Heilig, Faith Holcomb, Tom Holcomb, John Dean Krepps, Tracy Krepps, Allison Ramirez, Angela Ramirez, Colby Ramirez, Josue Ramirez, Brian Roppa, Ray Smith, Tim Smith, & Kathy Young

Videographer .................................................. Alan Freed

Pastor’s Pondering Continued

Church OfficeDuring this time of “social distancing” the Administrative Board has approved the shortening of the church office hours. The office is open for you to conduct any necessary business on Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You can also call or email the office to get or give information.

This is not the first time that Christians have been tried by epidemics. Indeed, in the 2nd Century, during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, there was a plague that swept through the Empire that devastated it. Historians disagree about what the disease actually was (our best guess is smallpox), but whatever it was, it was deadly. It’s hard to say with any certainty what percentage of Roman citizens died, but somewhere between a third and a quarter of the total population seems likely.

Christians were affected like everyone else. At this point in our history, Christians were a minority. We had gone through some persecutions, some major and some minor, but even when we weren’t being persecuted, we didn’t fit in. Christians lived in close-knit societies and were discriminated against when it came to employment in certain fields. Christians were the subject of much ridicule and often served as a punchline. Paul’s statement that we are “a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentile” held up over a hundred years later. Yet in the midst of this crisis, Christians had a chance to show the power of our message.

When the plague hit the Empire, Christians had two advantages over the dominant pagan religions of the day. First, the message of the Gospel gives us hope even in the midst of suffering. Indeed, to live fully into the Christian faith is found in suffering – for the message of our salvation is crucifixion and resurrection. But even more than that, we can rejoice even in the midst of suffering because we can have faith in our hope for resurrection. Even those who have passed on in this life we will be reunited with in paradise.

Second, and quite profoundly, Christians responded to the plague differently than their neighbors. While even the great pagan physicians of the day ran off into isolation in the hills, we Christians cared for the sick – and not only our sick. We nursed back to health all the afflicted that we could, both Christian and pagan. Those who had ridiculed and persecuted us gladly in the past we treated the same as we did our own. Jesus told us to love our enemies and

P R AY E R R E Q U E S T S

Being mindful of our friends’ and loved ones’ privacy and personal choices, the church can only publish Prayer Requests when permission has been granted by the person. Urgent prayer requests will remain on the list for 4 weeks.

Those in the militaryLuke Heilig Kyle MackeyLt. John ToolisMickey Futato

Those who lost loved ones in the last 6 monthsFamilies of :

Paul BohnGarnette MudersThomas WhitefieldHelen RobbinsJoseph YoungbloodBill NiesenChuck HudsonBrian StorarHarry “Buz” Mahr Walt KingLynn BogatiWalter SzymoniakGarnet Mazur John Kowal

Those in collegeJosh RamirezTommy HolcombSierra WoelfelCarrie FreedJesse DiCiccoAllison Ramirez

Special requestsHealth Care WorkersThe Way Forward Homeless & LostGIFT Campaign

Those in need of urgent prayer

Those with the Coronavirus

Those in need of continued prayer

Pastor Jim and KathyJason HazelwoodFred Dominic Frank McCartneyChris GlattJim GilesBetty HolcombJoAnn ShanerSue RamseyFred ZajacFran Zimmerman

Those in assisted livingMaggie GallHazel WozniakJean MillerFred RamseyAnna-Margaret DeckerRuth GatehouseMiriam Bennett

Pastor’s Pondering Continued

to pray for those who persecute us – and the 2nd Century Christians did just that. Not surprisingly, when the plague was over the number of professing Christians increased drastically. They had seen the love of Christ firsthand, and they wanted more of it.

Today, we aren’t suffering from the same set of circumstances. We live in a place with much better healthcare and an active network of healthcare workers dedicated to aiding the sick. We also are blessed to live in a country where we are not persecuted for our beliefs. Let us thank God for those things, and pray for those who are working to treat and cure this epidemic. The best thing we can do right now is to listen to what the experts tell us and limit ourselves and others from exposure to COVID-19. But there’s no reason that we cannot still extend that same love of Christ to others in the midst of this crisis. Indeed, in this time of isolation, loneliness, and anxiety, people especially need to hear the message of Christ. I encourage you to ask God how He might use you, and to pray that He would.

Let us also remember those around the world who do not have access to the same level of healthcare as we enjoy, and as always to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are fighting the good fight even in the midst of persecution and martyrdom. Let us take inspiration from those Christians who have gone before and remember that even in the midst of struggle, God is with us and he has triumphed over the grave.

If you need me at all during this time, I’m available either through my email address or by phone. Please know you and your families are always in my prayers.

In Christ,Thomas A. Verner

P.S: Feel free to share this with anyone you’d like. I also recommend The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark if you’re bored in isolation. It’s the book where I got my facts about the 2nd Century plague.

We Care Food PantryThe We Care Food Pantry continues to be open for those in need in the Baden and Conway areas. On Monday and Tuesday afternoon the pantry workers filled bags and boxes before the curb side distribution in the evening. With the expert planning of our co-ordinators Ed and Esther all went well.

Help for the HomelessAs hard as it is to stay at home during this pandemic, imagine not having any home to go to; no tv or internet to help you pass the time; no soap or water to wash your hands twenty times a day and no disinfecting wipes to clean your belongings. Please help where you can. Bring your new or gently used clothing, coats, jackets, blankets, shoes and place them in the bin in the entryway. Toiletries are also needed. Cash donations are accepted and used to purchase specific needs of the shelters. If you have any questions or would like to help, contact Nemorio Ramirez at 724-709-3177.

The Food Pantry shelves are extremely low on all items. The shelves will need to be stocked before the next distribution if there is to be enough food for those in need. Your food donations are always appreciated and accepted at any time. Feel free to drop food items by the church during regular office hours or call Ed & Esther Hallas (724-869-4739).

Volunteers Packing

Ready and waiting on clients

Stock room shelves getting low

Curbside Pickup

Paperwork being prepared

Word for the Day: Please take time to ponder the Word of God each day. Here are the Scriptures we will be considering. If you are a Facebook member join us at our BUMC Small Group Bible Study. You’ll have the opportunity to see how your brothers and sisters in Christ are touched by God’s truth and you can add your thoughts as well. If you are not on Facebook discuss the scriptures with your family and friends or form a phone study buddy with a fellow church member.

(To reach the online study go to the church Facebook page. Click the groups tab on the left hand side and join the small group study.)

Thursday, April 23: But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

Friday, April 24: For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:1

Saturday, April 25: Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. Psalm 130:7

Sunday, April 26: Worship with us at Badenumc.org or Baden United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Monday, April 27: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Tuesday, April 28: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17-18

Wednesday, April 29: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Thursday, April 30: I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Friday, May 1: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Saturday, May 2: I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1

2020 Church Photo Directory Photo Make up Day Thursday, May 14

We want everyone to be included in our new directory! If you were unable to make the last photo day see Esther Hallas today to make your appointment. The make up day has been set for May 14, and appointments are available from noon until 9:00PM. If you have questions contact Esther (724-869-2536).

Information about summer camp is now available! Go to the camp websites and

see what exciting adventures are waiting for your children this summer.

Jumonville.org, Wesley Woods.com & Camp Allegheny.org

Camperships are available through the Endowment fund to help defray the cost.

Church Cookbooks are still available.

Cost is only $15!Contact the Church Office

Annual Church Picnicwill need

to be postponed until a later date

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While we are apart . . .To help the church meet its financial obligations at this time many have switched to E-giving. With electronic

giving, you can give anywhere or any time. E-giving is fast and secure. If you would like to give electronically, visit our website badenumc.org, click on the

donate tab on the home page and follow the instructions. The process is easy. If you have a smart phone, you can scan this QR code image and follow the instructions.

Small Groups Online Meeting Next Week

Zoom MeetingsMonday, May 4 - 2:00 PM (From Your Home) (Sherin’s Home Group) Monday, May 4 - 7:30 PM (From Your Home) (Braner’s Home Group)Thursday, May 7 - 7:00 PM (From Your Home) (VanDeCar’s Home Group)

Facebook MeetingDaily - Monday - Saturday on the church Facebook page

Hi Pastor Jim, I just wanted to drop a note to point out what a hero Esther Hallas is. I work at Resources for Human Development and like everyone else, we have had a hard time getting protective equipment. She sewed us 100 masks and they are already in use. The attached pictures shows them being worn by our RHD Beaver County program. It’s a facility for detoxification and rehabilitation services for folks who have substance abuse disorders. Jeff DeSantis

Special NotesOur deepest symapthy is expressed to the family of Garnette Muders, sister-in-law of Bob and Donna Muders. Garnette died on Sunday, April 12.

Thank you for all you do to help the hungy. God Bless the efforts of all your workers. Dorothy Meder