The Worry Bank
A Sermon Delivered by The Rev. John D. Painter at Centenary United Methodist Church Metuchen, New Jersey May 25, 2008
Text: Matthew 6:24-34
“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be de-voted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing?
Sunday, June 1, 2008 – 3rd Sunday After Pentecost / Men’s Sunday / Communion
Dear Centenary Church Family:
We will observe Men’s Sunday during our 10:15 AM Worship Service this Sunday, June 1, 2008. Various men from the congregation will serve as Worship Leaders. Michael Savoia will bring a special word to the children, after which those in Pre-K through 12th Grade youth will be invited to participate in Sunday School classes. Robert Carlson will offer the morning Message, Becoming Like the Rabbi, based on the Gospel reading from Matthew 7:21-29.
Read MoreSunday, May 25, 2008 — The 2nd Sunday After Pentecost / Memorial Day Sunday
Dear Centenary Church Family:
As our Call to Worship on this Second Sunday After Pentecost reminds us, “This day marks the beginning of the ‘ordinary season’ in the church, the Sundays after Pentecost. It is a season with few festivals, and it draws us to the teachings of Jesus rather than the events in Jesus’ life. It is a time for teaching and learning.” When we gather in our Sanctuary at 10:15 AM for the Worship of God we will also offer a special Prayer for Memorial Day Sunday and join together in singing America the Beautiful in our tribute to and thanks for those who offered their lives in defense of our freedom. Assistant Pastor Terrilisa Durham Bauknight will bring a word to the children.
Read MoreThe Great Commission Mission
A Sermon Delivered by The Rev. John D. Painter at Centenary United Methodist Church Metuchen, New Jersey May 18, 2008 (Trinity Sunday)
Text: Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disci-ples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:16-20, NRSV
Sunday, May 18, 2008 – Trinity Sunday
Dear Centenary Church Family:
On this first Sunday after the Day of Pentecost–Trinity Sunday–we will gather at 10:15 AM in our Sanctuary for the Worship of the Triune God. Playing for the last time this season, the Harris Ringers handbell choir will present a Chorale Prelude on “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” arranged by Hal Hopson. I will have a special word with the children about the Trinity before those from PreK through 12th grade youth are invited to participate in Sunday School classes. My morning Message, The Great Commission Mission, will be based on Jesus’ “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:16-20.
Read MoreSunday, May 11, 2008 – Pentecost Sunday / Mother’s Day
Dear Centenary Church Family:
It is rare when the Day of Pentecost and Mother’s Day (Festival of the Christian Home) occur on the same Sunday, but because of the early date of Easter, it is occurring this year. We will share in the celebration of each during our 10:15 AM Worship service this Sunday, May 11. And because it is Pentecost…and red is the liturgical color for the day…we are encouraging everyone to wear red to our Worship celebration this Sunday. We will look forward to welcoming Cathy Jean Savoia, our Children’s Ministries Director, back to Centenary this week as she shares a word with the children. After the Time with the Children, those from Pre-K through 12th Grade will be invited to participate in Sunday School classes.
Read MoreThe Authenticating Second
A Sermon Delivered by The Rev. John D. Painter at Centenary United Methodist Church Metuchen, New Jersey May 4, 2008 (Ascension Sunday)
Texts: Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you–that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be ful-filled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repen-tance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jeru-salem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father prom-ised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”