9:00 AM – Adult Study: The Miracles of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM – Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
Children’s Message: Pastor John Painter
Celebration of Found Coins: “Nothing But Nets” Anti-Malaria Campaign
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Where the Wild Things Are
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 9:8-17 1 Peter 3:18-22
Psalm 25:1-10 Mark 1:9-15
Music – Chancel Choir: Order My Steps by Glenn Burleigh
11:45AM – Fellowship Time (Room 20)
11:45 AM – Acolyte Training (Sanctuary)
11:45 AM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
6:30 PM – Centenary Youth Fellowship (Youth Room)

Acolyte Training This Sunday, March 1, 2009, at 11:45 AM. If you are interested in being an Acolyte and are in the 4th grade or higher, please attend this very important training session with Pastor John Painter and Michael Savoia.

ADULT CLASS OFFERS TWO SPECIAL EASTER PROGRAMS DURING LENT
During Lent, Centenary’s Adult Class will be offering two special DVD programs that will help make the celebration of Easter a deeper and more meaningful experience for you this year.

The first program, scheduled for March 1 and 8, is called The True Easter Story. We will travel with historian and teacher, Ray Vander Laan, to the land of Israel and discover fascinating truths about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Using his knowledge of ancient Jewish holidays and little-known customs, Vander Laan probes the true depth of the Easter story as it begins 2,000 years earlier with a simple promise between a man called Abraham and Almighty God. God’s keeping of that promise reveals a beautifully intricate masterpiece of love for humankind, a love fully realized centuries later in Jesus’ resurrection and his gift of eternal life.

Then, for the next four weeks (March 15, 22, and 29, and April 5), through a documentary called Victory at Jerusalem, we will travel back in time to visit, site by site, the climactic last days of Jesus Christ. This DVD traces Jesus’ steps leading to the Crucifixion and retells in full the story behind his resurrection. Sites visited include the Mount of Olives, Bethany, Jerusalem, the Kidron Valley, the Upper Room, Gethsemane, Potter’s Field, Golgotha, the Garden Gate, and Herod’s family tomb.
Instead of giving up something for Lent this year, we invite you to “take on” a six-Sunday commitment to attend these Lenten programs, which will enrich your understanding and appreciation of the Easter Story. The Adult Class meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Sunshine Room.

Family Night at Centenary
Friday, February 27 @ 6:00 PM:
Dinner and the Movie, Godspell.

Muriel B. Harris Memorial Service
Saturday, February 28 @ 11:00 AM
A Service in Celebration of the life of Muriel B. Harris will be held on Saturday, February 28 at 11:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Centenary United Methodist Church. Mrs. Harris died peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2009, following a long illness. She was 96 years old, and had been a member of Centenary since June 9, 1946. Former Centenary Pastor The Rev. Carl Kearns will offer the Eulogy. Former Centenary Music Director, The Rev. Hillary Crute Johnson, now Pastor of Bernardsville United Methodist Church, will sing “Try to Remember,” at the service, and the Chancel Choir of Centenary will offer an arrangement of “On Eagle’s Wings,” two of Muriel Harris’ favorite pieces of music. The Harris Ringers will present “Steal Away”; Muriel Harris’ granddaughter, Kristin Harris, will play a cello solo, “Arioso” by J. S., Bach, and Alison Williams will accompany several hymns on the oboe. Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration of the life of Muriel Harris, which will continue during a reception at the Harris home at 301 Plainfield Road, Edison, NJ 08820-3058.

Fellowship Time: Persons are invited to sponsor the time of coffee and refreshments following our Sunday Worship Services. Please consider signing up for one of the many available weeks on the 2009 Refreshment Chart in the Narthex. Information on what you need to provide is available on the information sheet attached to the Refreshment Chart. Thank you for providing hospitality on a Sunday morning.
Please Note: No one has signed up to sponsor Fellowship Time after this Sunday, March 1.

Flower Arrangements: Persons are invited to sponsor flower arrangements for our Worship services. A 2009 Flower Chart is posted in the Narthex. Floral arrangements cost $25.00 each week to sponsor. Information is available from our Flower Chairperson, Linda Serentino (732-940-2135) or by calling the Church Office. Thank you for providing these beautiful tributes for our Sunday services.

Wednesday Evening Lenten Study
Three Simple Rules
March 4—April 1 @ 7:30 PM
Pastor John Painter will lead a five-week Wednesday evening Lenten Study from 7:30-8:30 PM beginning on Wednesday, March 4, and continuing through Wednesday, April 1. The focus of the study will be Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living written by Reuben P. Job.
In this study we will encounter the three simple rules of John Wesley that have the power to change the world…your world. Bishop Job writes, “While they are ancient, they have seldom been fully put to the test. But when and where practiced, the world of things as they were was shaken until a new foundation, a new world was formed. The Wesleyan movement is a prime example of this new creation that is formed when these three simple rules are adopted as a way of living.”
This faithful way of living as a disciple of Jesus Christ was given to John Wesley in a time much like our own. During these days of Lent, we invite you to share in personal spiritual examination and evaluation of your readiness for the radical change of life’s direction that is marked by these three simple rules:
1. Do No Harm
2. Do Good
3. Stay in Love with God
Copies of the Lenten Study text, Three Simple Rules, are available in the Church Office for those who will be participating in this series. As part of your Lenten discipline, you are invited to bring your favorite translation of the Bible and your copy of Three Simple Rules to participate in the readings and discussion on these five Wednesday evenings in Lent. Weekly attendance, while desirable, is not required…please come when you are able.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED OF METUCHEN-EDISON will host WORLD DAY OF PRAYER at Oak Tree Presbyterian Church, 455 Plainfield Rd., Edison, on FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. The women of Centenary Church will lead the program. We need 5 or 6 women to agree to participate in the reading of the various parts of the program. If you are able to assist with this, please let Sylvia Woodfield know. You may speak to her at church or by phone at (732) 549-9042. Child care will be provided and we will be finished before 3:00 PM so that you may be home for children arriving from school.

Upcoming Children’s Ministries Events:
T.G.I.F. (To-Gether Intergenerational Fun)—Fridays, March 6th & 13th: Come join the fun for dinner & Lectionary discussions. A barrel offering is taken.
Kids’ Night Out—Sunday, March 29: Come and have some fun at the Roosevelt Park Skating Rink after Church. Sunday, March 29 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM. Admission will be paid by Children’sMinistries. Bring your own snacks.
Sight and Sound Theater: If you are interested in attending a show at Sight & Sound Theater in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area during the Spring, please contact Cathy or Michael Savoia. Reservations need to be made well in advance. We will charter a bus to transport everyone. More information will be coming soon about the program. Tentative date is Saturday, June 20, 2009.

Centenary Book Club—Friday, March 13th @ 7:30 PM in the Library: Book Discussion Eat, Pray and Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. If you like to read, then we invite you to come and join the Centenary Book Club. The Club is open to women and men ages 18 and older.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Blueberry Pancakes
Plain Pancakes
Waffles
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon and Sausage
Orange and Apple Juice
Coffee, Tea, and Milk

Saturday, March 14, 2009

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Only $7.00 per person
Children 10 and under – $5.00

Proceeds will be designated to support a proposed November 2009
Volunteer-in-Mission Trip to North Carolina to work with our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in flood repair and relief.

Centenary United Methodist Church
200 Hillside Avenue, Metuchen, NJ
732-548-7622

New Members to Be Received on Sunday, March 15
Information Session on Saturday, March 7
We will be receiving new members at Centenary during our 10:15 AM Worship Service on Sunday, March 15, 2009. In preparation for the reception of new members, Pastor John Painter invites any persons who are interested in joining the church to meet with him on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at 10:00 AM in the Sunshine Room for a brief information session about becoming a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Attendance at the information session is not mandatory for those desiring to join Centenary.
In the words of countless commercials we all see on TV, there is “no obligation” to become a member if you attend this information session. It is a chance to learn a bit more about our church and about The United Methodist Church so you can make an informed decision about membership.
However, if persons are unable to participate in the Orientation Session, but are interested in receiving additional information about joining Centenary Church, Pastor Painter hopes you will contact him so that another time can be arranged to share in conversation.
Please contact Rev. Painter via E-mail (RevJDP@aol.com) or by phone (732-548-7622 or 201-463-5552 [cell]) to indicate your interest in joining the Centenary Church Family on March 15, or on another Sunday that may be more convenient.

Food Collection—Sunday, March 15
Please bring cereals, staple food items in plastic jars or cans, and paper products to share with senior residents in Perth Amboy. We and they are deeply grateful for your generous sharing.
Special Appeal for Diapers and Infant/Toddler Food for Amandla Crossing: Your assistance is needed to provide diapers (sizes #3, #4, #5 & #6…and pull-ups) and infant & toddler food for children at Amandla Crossing. Please bring the items to Centenary and leave them in the boxes provided in the Narthex. Thank you. —Your Mission Committee

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

PLEDGE LETTERS were mailed to the women of Centenary Church during the month of February. A budget was enclosed with a financial report for the year 2008. This and the Metuchen Fair are our only fund raisers for the United Methodist Women. We hope you will support our projects with your pledges.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. is the date for our annual Women’s Communion Breakfast.

2009 Summer Camp Programs
Aldersgate Center and Pinelands Retreat Center
Information about the 2009 Summer camping programs for children and youth (and some specialized adult and family programs) are posted on the Children’s Ministries bulletin board in the hallway alongside the Sanctuary, near the Narthex. Children’s Ministries Director Cathy Jean Savoia also has brochures available…and several copies of the brochure are in the literature rack in the Narthex. Please check out the dates and programs to see if your elementary-age child or Junior/Senior high youth may want to participate in a summer camp experience at Aldersgate Center (Swartswood, NJ) or Pinelands Retreat Center at Mt. Misery (Browns Mills, NJ). You may also check out the offerings and register online at either www.aldersgatenj.com or www.mtmisery.com. Scholarship assistance is available through the Church. Please speak with Children’s Ministries Director Cathy Jean Savoia or Pastor John Painter to get additional information about these programs, scholarship assistance, and appropriate registration forms.

Scholarship Opportunities
Information about scholarships and loans available to United Methodist students in higher education is now available. A poster listing many of these scholarships has been posted on the bulletin board in Room 20. In addition, an extensive booklet—The United Methodist Loans and Scholarship Program—is available on the literature rack in The Library. Scholarships and loans are available for those who will be beginning their studies in fall 2009, and for those who are continuing to matriculate. Several programs support students in graduate study, as well. The deadline for applying for many of these scholarships and loans is March 31, 2009. Please speak with Student Assistant Pastor Keith Swatzel for additional information about these scholarship and loan programs.

Hold The Dates!
Spring 2009 Spiritual Growth Retreat
April 17-18, 2009 @ Pinelands Center at Mount Misery in Browns Mills, NJ
Theme: Jesus’ Prayer
Reflections and Conversations Around The Lord’s Prayer
Led by the Rev. E. Randall Bean
Brochures & Registration Forms in the March Lamplighter
and in the literature rack in the Narthex.

Some Thoughts for This Week

Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back. – Harvey Mackay

To get all there is out of living, we must employ our time wisely, never being in too much of a hurry to stop and sip life, but never losing our sense of the enormous value of a minute. – Robert Updegraff

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby. – Ruth E. Renkel

God measures our service not by our ability, but by our willingness.

How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world! – Anne Frank, Anne Frank’s Tales From the Secret Annex

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. – Mother Teresa, The Simple Path

There are various kinds of silence: That of dullness; that of security; that of patience; and that of a quiet heart. – Thomas Aquinas

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. – Ethiopian Proverb

Jesus’ life began in a borrowed stable and ended in a borrowed tomb. – Alfred Plummer

A careful study of economics usually reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year.

Humility is what gives us the vision to look upon our world with fresh eyes. Humility enables us to respect others enough to put down our spurious images of ourselves and open our arms, as individuals and as a nation. – Joan Chittister

There are only two truly infinite things, the universe and stupidity. And I am unsure about the universe. – Albert Einstein

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Old age, to the unlearned, is winter; to the learned, it’s harvest time. – Yiddish Saying

I’m not happy, I’m cheerful. There’s a difference. A happy woman has no cares at all. A cheerful woman has cares but has learned how to deal with them. – Beverly Sills

Even if we can’t be happy, we must always be cheerful. – Irving Kristol

Freedom is not a question of doing as we like, but rather doing as we ought.