December 22, 2009
The Broadway Spire
Volume 68-Number 12 December 22, 2009
The Broadway Spire (USPS 875-600) published weekly except every other week during June, July and August, by Broadway United Methodist Church, 11 S. 1st Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-4315. Phone 712-322-7741. Prayer Chain: 712-322-7705. Fax 712-322-2162. Periodical rate paid at Council Bluffs, IA 51503. Postmaster: Address change to The Broadway Spire, 11 S. 1st Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503-4315.
Web: www.broadwayunitedmethodist.com
Our mission: Ever seeking, serving and growing as the family of God with unconditional love and acceptance!
FROM MARVIN D. ARNPRIESTER . . .
I have grown in my appreciation for the Bethlehem innkeeper who provided a place in the stable for Mary and Joseph to be warm when their son was born. At least he had a place to put them up for the night.
It has been a long week with all the people who have come through the doors of the church with requests for food, meals, help with utilities, rent, motel rooms, gas and Christmas presents. There have been so many interruptions we’ve had a hard time getting our regular work done. I have a theology about interruptions. Real ministry occurs in the interruptions of life. How we handle them reveals our true nature. It is not always easy. We never know how we will be treated by the unique persons to come though the doors. Most of the time people are appreciative of whatever help we can give them. You would have been proud of your staff this past week, as with patience and care, they dealt with the situations that continue to come our way.
In response to sharing my concern last Tuesday with the Administrative Council about the growing homeless population in Council Bluffs, things snowballed. We did some checking and then a card went out asking for donations of money and items to help four families. The response was overwhelming. So many responded we had to scramble to find enough ways for your help to get where it was needed. This reminds me of Dr. Charles Shedd’s statement, When the outgo is right, God will always provide the income. It always come through people!!
Thank you for being such a caring church that continues to make a difference in the lives of people, here in our community and around the world in the name of Jesus Christ. You have demonstrated once again that it really is more blessed to give than it is to receive. I pray you hear the angles sing and feel the warmth and wonder of God’s love anew in your heart and life this Christmas 2010.
FROM BOB FOLKERS . . . So Hallowed–December 25, Christmas
“So hallowed and so gracious is the time” – these lines from the first scene of Hamlet in a sense say it all. We tend to think of time as a progression, as moment following moment, day following day, in a relentless flow, the kind of time a clock or a calendar can measure. But we experience time also as depth, as having quality as well as quantity – a good time, a dangerous time, an auspicious time, a time we mark not by its duration, but by its content.
The time of Jesus’ birth was a hallowed time – a holy time – a time in which life grows as still as the surface of a river so that you can look down into the water and see glimmering there in its depths, things that are timeless, precious and meaningful.
It’s also a gracious time – a time we can’t bring about by ourselves – but it comes to us as grace – a free and unbidden gift. Christmas is such a time of holiness – that through the very night when we celebrate Jesus’ birth it appears that the powers that would draw life down are powerless in the face of this birth of love for our world.
It appears that at Christmas-time it is hard even for an unbeliever not to believe in something if not in everything. Peace on earth, good will to all people – sounds like a dream that is good to hold onto even if it’s only a dream at the present time.
Who amongst us knows what the facts of Jesus’ birth actually were? As for myself, the longer I live, the more inclined I am to believe in miracles. I suspect that had we been there at the birth, we might well have seen and heard things that would be hard to reconcile with modern science. But, of course, that is not the point, because Gospel writers are not really interested in the facts of the birth, but in the significance, the meaning of that birth for all of us. The people who deeply love us are not always interested in the facts of our birth, but in what it meant to them when we were born, and how the world was never the same again.
Whether there were ten million angels there or just a woman and her husband, when that child was born, the whole course of human history was changed. That fact is as hard and blunt as any fact. In our whole understanding of ourselves and our world, it’s impossible to conceive of how differently world history would have developed if that child had not been born. But, the birth of Jesus made possible not just a new way of understanding life, but a new way of living life.
You are invited to join the journey as we worship on Christmas Eve at Broadway at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (Spanish speaking service), and discover anew the joy and meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all of you,
The joy continues.
THIS WEEK AT BROADWAY . . .
Invite your family and friends to join in one of our four Christmas Eve Candlelight services on December 24 as follows: 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The 7:00 p.m. service will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The 9:00 p.m. service will be conducted in Spanish.
Purchase your January-February issue of The Upper Room and/or Alive Now Devotional Guides available from the table outside the office.
During the Holidays, the church offices will be open 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon each day December 28 - 31.
Help the Worship Team in preparing for our 160th Anniversary Celebration by turning in the name(s) of your favorite hymn. We plan to sing at least one each Sunday during 2010.
Persons desiring to be baptized and/or received as members of Broadway are asked to make arrangements with Rev. Arnpriester. Call him at 322-7741. Dates include January 17 and February 21.
New Members Received . . .
By Baptism as a Preparatory Member:
Laura Christine, daughter of Patricia Orwig and Lloyd Reeves
By Profession of Faith:
Patricia Orwig, Lloyd Reeves
By Transfer of Membership:
Joy & Carol Haas, Griswold United Methodist Church
Wenday Sorensen, Catholic Church
There are 357 Preparatory Members
There are 1,083 Professing Members
WE WILL BE LOYAL TO BROADWAY . . .
With our Presence: December 20, 2009:
Worship: 8:00 am - 82; 9:30 am - 152;
11:00 am - 122; 6:00 pm - 121 = 477
Sunday School: 9:30 am - 89; 11:00 am - 29 = 118
With our Gifts 2009: Received
Current Expenses needed weekly $11,386.71
Received December 20 $9,624.00
Received for 2010 $2,000.00
Total current received to date $537,720.65
Budgeted to date $580,722.21
Growing through Grace received $50,614.40
Christmas Offering $1,065.00
With Our Prayers . . .
Hospitalized, Jennie: Kris Lippke. Others: Patti Bruner, Barbara Condecon, David Coffey, Roger Coffey, Richard Devereaux, Roxine Devereaux, Bob Dodder, Dorothy Johnson, Randy Larson (service), Ron Larsen, Denise LeBaugh, Claudia McEvoy, Peggy McKee, Virginia Moore, Bob Nielson, Kerri Randolph, Ole & Gerry Rassmussen (nursing home), Steve Roberson, Ailene Seabury (hospice), George Smith, persons needing jobs, missionaries, victims of war and natural disasters, Bishop Trimble, District Superintendent Brian Milford & Field Staff Ed Kail, pastors and staff. Call 322-7705 to hear additional prayer requests.
Our Sympathy to . . .
• Diane & Tim Johnson and family in the December 13 death of her stepmother, DeLores Ohms of Bennington, NE.
Lectionary Bible Readings . . .
December 27 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
January 3 Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-24
Ephesians 3:1-2
Matthew 2:1-12
Remember . . .
Broadway is a five talent church, known, loved and blessed by God!
Reminder . . .
When school is called off or dismissed early for inclement weather, all activities at the church are canceled as well.
BROADWAY BOUQUETS TO . . .
· Britteny & Andrew LeBaugh on the December 8 birth of Myles Andrew.
· Jill & Eric Bach on the December 18 birth of Mallory Mae.
· Thank you for your generous donation of $495 to purchase food for Washington School’s Kids Back Pack program. - Omaha Food Bank
· Thank the UMW for the $100 donation, and the church for socks & underwear, sweat pants, jackets, hats, gloves and all the you do. - Washington School staff
· Katie, Justin, Mason and Dave Flora, Jacqueline Kuder, Janeth Cano, Lindsey, Raymond and Kyler Miller, Ray Miller, and all participants for making the Sunday evening Santa event a wonderful evening!
· For your quick response to insure families in need had gifts for Christmas. The response was overwhelming. Every need was met, with some surprises added!
· Thank you for the Spire which we always look forward to seeing what our Broadway friends are doing. Tell everyone hello for us. _- Beverly & Marvin Dykeman
BIRTHDAYS . . .
December 24 - Gary Davie, Kathryn Witt
December 25 - Caitlin Larson
December 26 - Samuel Killion, Scott McMullen, Barbara Monahan
December 27 - Darrell Dreager, Andrea Hutchinson, Mark O’Connor, Pieper Spaulding, Jamie Sullivan, Frances Trawick, Connor Williams
December 28 - Audrey Hedlund, Allison Kiser, Inocenta Salgado
December 29 - Courtney Jones, Cory Peterson, Brady Randolph
December 30 - Anna Johnson, Landon Leaders, Nancy Mann, Tiffany Pribyl
December 31 - Mitchell Carter, Dustin Davie, Aiden Keller, Gerry Rasmussen
January 1 - Deandra Smith
January 2 - Connie Scoles, Rober Simmons
January 3 - Anthony Hernandez, Don Rieger
January 4 - Laura Holcomb, Michelle May
ANNIVERSARIES . . .
December 24 - Robert & Reva Towers - 49
December 27 - Ray & Nina Martin - 42, Dan & Geri Ogren - 45
December 28 - Ole & Gerry Rasmussen - 68
December 29 - David & Amy Griswold - 8
December 30 - Laura & Ralph Hartley - 42
December 31 - Clinton & Marcia Leighty - 22, Rick & Kim Perkins - 6, Paul & Sarah Shomshor - 5
January 3 - Ted & Patty McElderry - 7
January 4 - Dave & Karen Dales - 12
WEDNESDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES . . .
Activities for all ages will resume Wednesday, January 6. Children ages 2 through 2nd Grade may sign up in the Centrex for activities for the first half of 2010. Activities for children ages 4 through 2nd Grade include Music with Meghan, Taekwando, Easy Recipes and Crafts.
UMW NEWS . . .
UMW needs Helping Hands to provide cakes, salads and/or your time at different functions. Contact Fran Hansen, 323-3794, to volunteer or with any questions.
Cold weather means it’s soup time. Save your Campbell Soup labels for Missions and place them in the coffee can in the Centrex. A list is available showing other product labels to save.
PURCHASE FROM THE OFFICE . . .
The 2010 Disciplines, a book of Daily Devotions with the same author writing one week
of devotionals based on the lectionary scriptures for the week for $12.
The New Wesley Study Bible compiled by a group of Wesleyan Scholars featuring
comprehensive study notes, inspirational life applications and explanations of core
terms used in the Bible for $30.
YOUTH SUMMER MISSION TRIP . . .
Youth are currently earning points for their July 12-16 mission work trip to St. Louis in 2010. All youth 7th Grade and above are eligible to participate. Deposit information will be available after Christmas.
GRADUATING SENIORS & COLLEGE STUDENTS . . .
Iowa United Methodist Foundation scholarship information is now available at www.iumf.org for you to download. All applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2010. If you have questions, call Judy. This does not include Broadway Scholarship applications.
YOUR HELP IS INVITED . . .
Sign up in the Centrex or call Ken Milford, 323-6056, to help view past issues of the Daily Nonpareil at the Library. The purpose is to discover historical tidbits and information regarding Broadway’s church history for our 160th Anniversary Celebration. Training will be provided.
CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN . . .
Confirmation Class for youth in Grades 7 and older will begin Wednesday, January 13 at 5:00 p.m., and will be held each Wednesday at that time. Confirmation includes memory work, Bible study, work projects and fun activities as the youth grow in their faith and witness. Judy Smits, Laura Hartley and Marvin Arnpriester serve as leaders. Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for May 2. More information will be mailed shortly after the first of the year.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED . . .
Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. It begins with a weekend including prayer, meditation, worship, food and fun beginning on Thursday night and ending on Sunday night. Participants are then invited to meet regularly with a small group that supports each member in living faithfully. The next set of Walks begins in our area on February 25-28 (for men) and March 4-7 (for women at Corning UMC). A later set will be held in August. You need a sponsor to attend. Contact Rev. Chris St. Clair or the District Office to learn more, (712)243-8573.
Persons interested in being nominated from Broadway as a District At-Large Member for the 2010 Annual Conference needs to contact Rev. Arnpriester or email Shirley Lewis (District Administrative Secretary) at shirley.lewis@iaumc.org. Deadline for submitting nominations is January 1, 2010.
Educational Opportunities Tours (EOT) is offering “Alpine Wonders” and the Oberammergau Passion Play 2010, a nine-day European Adventure with Bishop and Mrs. Trimble. The tour departs August 3, 2010, from Cedar Rapids or Des Moines. For details, itinerary and registration visit www.eo.travewithus.com.
CHURCH STAFF . . .
Ministers - All Baptized Christians, Administrative Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator - Linda Muilenburg, muilenburg-bumc@qwest.net, Band Coordinator - April Wichman, alwichman@yahoo.com, Building & Grounds - Dora Olivo & Greg Foster, Children & Youth Ministries Coordinator - Judy Smits, smits-bumc@qwest.net, Congregational Development Coordinator - Bob Folkers, rcfolkers@cox.net, Financial Secretary - Virginia Paap, Music Coordinators - Ann Carpenter & Gary Richardson, Nursery Attendants - Patty Garcia, Whitney Kurcz, Kay McDonald, Sarah Opal, Stephanie Rodriguez; Organists - Ann Carpenter & Clarence Smelser, Parish Nurse Coordinator - Sue Jungman, Associate Pastor for Discipleship - Chris St. Clair, cstclair-bumc@qwest.net, Associate Pastor for Hispanic Ministries - Ruben Mendoza,Rubyoli@hotmail.com, Senior Pastor - Marvin Arnpriester, arnpriester-bumc@qwest.net, Treasurer - Terry Muilenburg
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Wednesday, December 23 Staff Meeting - 9:30 am
Tai Chi - 11:00 am
Celebrate the Newborn Jesus - 1:30 pm
Celebrate the Newborn Jesus - 6:30 pm
Choir Practice - 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 24 Office Closes at Noon
Worship - 3:00 & 5:00 pm
Worship with Communion - 7:00 pm
Worship in Spanish - 9:00 pm
Friday, December 25 Christmas Day - Office Closed
AA Group - 8:30 pm
Sunday, December 27 Worship - 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am
Jr. and Sr. High Sunday School - 9:00 am
Sunday School for all ages - 9:30 & 11:00 am
Drama - 11:00 am
Worship in Spanish - 6:00 pm
NA Group - 7:00 pm
Monday, December 28 Office Closes at Noon
Disciple 2 - 6:30 pm
Divorce Care - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, December 29 Office Closes at Noon
Bible Study in Spanish - 7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 30 Office Closes at Noon
Thursday, December 31 Office Closes at Noon
Friday, January 1 Office Closed
AA Group - 8:30 pm
Sunday, January 3 Worship - 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am
Jr. and Sr. High Sunday School - 9:00 am
Sunday School for all ages - 9:30 & 11:00 am
Drama - 11:00 am
Worship in Spanish - 6:00 pm
NA Group - 7:00 pm
Monday, January 4 Teen Mom’s - 6:00 pm
Divorce Care - 6:30 pm
Cub Scouts - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, January 5 Craft Circle, Book Review - 9:30 am
Wednesday, January 6 Tai Chi - 11:00 am
Aged to Perfection - 12:15 pm
Senior High Youth Synago - 5:30 pm
Seekers Meal for donation - 6:00 pm
Bell Choir Practice - 6:25 pm
Midweek Moms, Alpha - 6:30 pm
Wednesday’s Children, Children’s Activities - 6:30 pm
Jesus’ Allstars, Christian Cadets - 6:30 pm
Jr. & Sr. High Youth - 6:30 pm
Choir Practice - 7:30 pm
COOL CONGREGATION TIP . . .
At least 28 billion pounds of edible food is wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. Putting one less cookie on Santa’s plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Volunteers are needed to deliver Meals on Wheels on Thursdays in January. Sign up in the Centrex.