Archive for June, 2009

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
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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.
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