(No Summer Sunday School on July 5)

9:30 AM — Worship Theme: A Summer Hymn Sing
Lectionary Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Psalm 48 Mark 6:1-13

Special Music—Alison Williams
Celebration of Found Coins: CUMC Youth Fund
10:45 AM — Fellowship Time

Summer Worship & Sunday School at 9:30 AM
Worship and Summer Sunday School will held at 9:30 AM through Sunday, September 13. Please make note of this seasonal change in our Worship and Sunday School schedule for the Summer. (There will be no Summer Sunday School sessions on the holiday weekends of July 5 and September 6.) On Sunday, September 13th, we will resume our regular schedule with Worship and Sunday School for Pre-K through 12th Grade Youth at 10:15 AM. The Adult Class will also resume its sessions at 9:00 AM on September 13. Save the afternoon of September 13 for our annual “Homecoming Picnic” at Merrill Park in Colonia. De-tails in the September edition of The Lamplighter, weekly Worship bulletins, and in weekly Centenary E-pistles to those for whom we have E-mail addresses. [Continue Reading...]

A Sermon Delivered by The Rev. John D. Painter at Centenary United Methodist Church Metuchen, New Jersey June 28, 2009

Text: Mark 5:21-43
This week’s gospel reading contains an unusual literary style—a miracle story within an-other miracle story: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood while Jesus was on the way to heal the daughter of the leader of the synagogue. [Continue Reading...]

9:30 AM — Worship & Summer Sunday School
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: An Easter Touch
Lectionary Readings: 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 2 Corinthians 8:7-15
Psalm 130 Mark 5:21-43
Music—Roselyn Giordano, piano: Sonatina
Celebration of Found Coins: Elijah’s Promise
10:45 AM — Fellowship Time
[Continue Reading...]

A Message Delivered
by The Rev. John D. Painter
at Centenary United Methodist Church
Metuchen, New Jersey
June 21, 2009
(Father’s Day)

Pastor’s Note: On June 21, 2009, I chose to share reflections on fatherhood by the Rev. Jim Wallis. I had prepared an entirely different Message for the service that morning…Just As He Was…and apart from some “tinkering” and “perfecting,” that Message was ready by Thurs-day. However, I found myself captivated early on Friday morning by the quote from Aaron Ro-chlen below and then…not long after…encountered Jim Wallis’ reflections in the weekly “Sojo Mail” E-mailing from Sojourners. I was moved by what Rev. Wallis had to share, but unsure whether I wanted to “substitute” his Message for the one I had prepared. So, during the Worship service on June 21, I carried two sermons into the pulpit, confessed my dilemma to the congrega-tion, and then and there made the decision to share Rev. Wallis’ Message with them. They were grateful when I said that, of the two messages I had to offer, this one would be the shorter…but when I had concluded, they were grateful I had chosen to share this message because of its pow-er. With deep appreciation to the Rev. Jim Wallis, I share these thoughts on fatherhood.
[Continue Reading...]

A Sermon Prepared for Delivery
by The Rev. John D. Painter
at Centenary United Methodist Church
Metuchen, New Jersey
June 21, 2009
(Father’s Day)

Text: Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
—Mark 4:35-41, NRSV
[Continue Reading...]

10:15 AM — Worship & Summer Sunday School
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Just As He Was
Lectionary Readings: 1 Samuel 17:1a, 4-11, 19-23, 32-39 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Psalm 9:9-20 Mark 4:35-41
Music—Chancel Choir: A Prayer for Our Time, by Pamela Martin and
Joseph M. Martin. Incorporating the hymn tune
MELITA by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)
Celebration of Found Coins: Elijah’s Promise
11:30 AM — Fellowship Time
11:45 AM – Remove Chairs from Sanctuary for Carpet Cleaning on Monday, June 22
[Continue Reading...]

A Sermon Delivered
by The Rev. John D. Painter
at Centenary United Methodist Church
Metuchen, New Jersey
June 14, 2009
(Children’s Sunday)

Texts: Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
—Matthew 18:1-5, NRSV
[Continue Reading...]

9:00 AM — Adult Study – Public Theology: Poverty
10:15 AM — Worship (No Sunday School Classes)
The Children & Youth of our Sunday School will lead Worship
(Special Recognition for 2009 High School Graduates)
Picnic on the Lawn Following Worship
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Welcoming the Children
Lectionary Readings: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 2 Corinthians 5:6-17
Psalm 20 Mark 4:26-34
Special Readings: Matthew 18:1-5 Mark 9:33-37
Music—Junior Choir: Chatter with the Angels, arranged by Charles Collins
Celebration of Found Coins: Elijah’s Promise
11:30 AM — Annual Sunday School Picnic on the Front Lawn
All are Welcome. Hamburgers/Hot Dogs & Beverages provided. Please being a salad or dessert to share with others.

Please Note: There will be a rehearsal for those participating in the June 14 Children’s Day Worship Service on Saturday, June 13, at 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary. There will also be a time of rehearsal prior to the Service at 9;00 AM on Sunday, June 14.

[Continue Reading...]

9:00 AM — Adult Study – Storm Troopers of Christ
10:15 AM — Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
Guest Preacher: The Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr. Theme: Birth Announcements
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17
Psalm 29 John 3:1-17
Music—Chancel Choir: All Good Gifts (From “Godspell”) by Stephen Schwartz,
Arranged by Arnold Freed
Celebration of Found Coins: Elijah’s Promise
11:30 AM — Fellowship Time
11:45 AM — Volunteer-in-Mission Information Session
11:45 AM — Junior Choir Rehearsal

[Continue Reading...]

A Sermon Delivered
by The Rev. John D. Painter
at Centenary United Methodist Church
Metuchen, New Jersey
May 31, 2009
(The Day of Pentecost)

Text: Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other lan-guages, as the Spirit gave them ability. [Continue Reading...]