Sunday, April 23rd – Second Sunday of Easter / Holy Humor Sunday
Dear Centenary Church Family:
Our Easter celebrations continue as we gather on this Second Sunday of Easter for Worship at 10:15 AM in our Sanctuary. Increasingly called “Holy Humor Sunday” in some traditions, this day reminds us that Easter is a time for laughter, as God in the risen Christ has overcome the very bonds of death itself. We will continue to sing the songs of resurrection celebration. Michael Savoia will bring a lively message to our children. My morning Message, Believing Is Seeing, will be based on the story of Thomas’ encounter with his risen Lord in John 20:19-31. We will also hear about the growing resurrection community from Acts 4:32-35. Our Chancel Choir will sing Alleluia by Ed Harris. Our Celebration of Found Coins will be designated for deficit reduction in our current expense budget.
Read MoreAldersgate Center Work Day Volunteers Needed
Aldersgate Center Work Day Volunteers Needed Saturday, April 22nd – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: April 22nd is Aldersgate Center’s Work Day. There is a lot of work to be done in order to get Aldersgate ready for the summer. Even with the loss of Wesley Lodge, Aldersgate is offering an extensive program. Anyone who is interested in helping out, adults or youth, please contact Doug Woodfield @ (908) 233-2653 evenings or (908) 803-7118 cell phone. Doug will be available to take anyone up who needs a ride. Just as an added attraction, breakfast and lunch are included. We will be leaving the Church Parking lot at 7:00 AM on the 22nd. Please consider help us out, Aldersgate is a great place!
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EASTER Sunday, April 16th
With sounding festival brass, majestic organ and piano, and soaring choral descants, we will share the joyous Easter message that “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today…Alleluia!” during the Processional Hymn at our 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM Easter Services this Sunday, April 16th. I hope you will be there to join your voices of praise and thanksgiving with many others, as we conclude our 40-day Lenten journey.
Read MoreReflections on Maundy/Holy Thursday 2006
A Message Delivered by The Rev. John D. Painter at Centenary United Methodist Church Metuchen, New Jersey April 13, 2006
In his book, Sunday Dinner: The Lord’s Supper and the Christian Life, United Methodist Bishop William Willimon offers a powerful testimony: “I’m glad Judas was at the table with him that dark Thursday night, and Peter and all the rest. For if they had not been there then, I don’t know how I could dare, my unfaithfulness being what it is, to come to the Lord’s table on Sunday morning.” Or Thursday evening. Especially this Holy Thursday evening, when we are again reminded of our own unworthiness and unfaithfulness.
I believe we have all been fascinated by the stories of the recent translation of The Gospel of Judas. I have read it, and can tell you it is difficult to understand and clearly Gnostic in its origins. It was written much later than the four Gospels with which we are familiar in the NT…perhaps somewhere around A.D. 150.
Continue reading Reflections on Maundy-Holy Thursday
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