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.
Just a reminder that our Adult Study, Discovering Everyday Spirituality, will resume at 9;00 AM in the Sunshine Room. We will be considering the second half of the video section on “Place” this Sunday, and the two final sections on “Activity” on April 30th and May 7th.
Prayers for Stephanie Kline and her team from Lebanon Valley College as they participate in the 2006 Multiple Sclerosis Walk in Hershey, PA, this Sunday, April 23rd. Stephanie extends her deep gratitude to all in her Centenary Church Family who have sponsored her in the MS Walk. As Stephanie reminds us, “Every dollar means that we are a step closer to a cure.”
Interfaith Holocaust Program & Exhibit
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 @ 7:30 PM
Sponsored by Metuchen–Edison Interfaith Association & JCC of Middlesex County.
Keynote Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg
We join together in readings and songs to remember all those who perished,
with the promise that we will never forget.
Location: Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County,
1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820
The Music Committee will meet BRIEFLY after service on April 30. Our primary agenda items will be to replenish the committee and to begin planning a fundraising activity (or 2). Suggestions that have been presented are to celebrate Mozart’s birthday, or to have a silent movie night with piano accompaniment. We would love to have your ideas and input. New members and interested people with or without musical backgrounds are welcome! For further information or to be added to our committee contact list, please contact Alison Williams at 732-744-9790 or at alisonw@princeton.edu .
Ozanam Shelter Dinner on May 1st Centenary will be serving dinner at the Ozanam Shelter on Monday, May 1st. Please check the information on the bulletin board in the Narthex and sign up to assist with food preparation or serving. For further information, please contact Glenna Gundell (732-463-1431) or Mary Ellen Heim (732-548-2587). Thanks.
Fellowship Time Refreshments: Please consider sponsoring a refreshment time and signing up for one of the many available weeks in 2006 on the Refreshment Chart posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Information on what you need to provide is available from Pastor Painter or by speaking with Millie Pleuler (732-750-4434). Thank you for providing hospitality on a Sunday morning.
Persons are needed to sponsor Floral Arrangements for our Sunday Worship services. The 2006 Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. The cost is $20.00 per arrangement. 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.
2006 United Methodist Men Gathering “Come and you will see”
The Leadership Team for Greater NJ United Methodist Men is pleased to announce that its 3rd Annual Spring Gathering will again be at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove on Saturday, May 6, 2006. The guest speaker for the event will be Joe Ehrmann. Joe is a former NFL Superstar, an ordained Minister connected with a large Baltimore church, and the founder of Building Men and Women for others.
Joe has been characterized as: “The Most Important Coach in America” based upon his coaching of high school boys at the Gilmore School – “love” is the operative word in the relationships between the coach and boys and among teammates and it works because they win most of their games.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Joe’s life changing message.
Individuals can register for only $10.00 and Youth for only $5.00. Go to the UMMen area of the Greater NJ Annual Conference website at http://www.gnjumc.org/umm.html to obtain a Flyer and Registration for the Gathering. Box Lunches must be ordered from John Dewart by May 1, 2006. Questions: Contact – John K. Dewart – 973-927-9399 and/or JKDewart@aol.com. Mailing Address: 6 Kern Drive Flanders, NJ 07836
“Centenary Men’s Review”
for Deficit Reduction
Saturday, May 20 @ 7:00 PM
Bring your checkbook and come help the Centenary Men in their endeavor on 20 May at 7:00 PM. Come and enjoy an hour or so of relaxed entertainment, laughter, fun, love and giving.
We need your help! Austin Banks, President of the Centenary Men
PS: Coffee and cake will be served…
Watch for further details in the weekly worship bulletins
and through E-mail announcements.
Open Your Heart and Your Home! 15 students from Spain will be arriving on August 2, 2006. Global Friendships is looking for warm loving families to host each of our students. No room you say?? Students do not need to have their own room, just their own bed. The reason they are coming? To be with an American family and experience life through your eyes. As you can imagine, the students are waiting for news of their host family. For more information, won’t you please call Aubrey at 732-549-9338.
Some Thoughts for This Week:
The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in. – Peter Marshall
Death cannot sever what the cross unites.
Unless you believe, you will not understand. – Saint Augustine
Keep in mind not what you are, but whose you are.
Ultimately, it is through serving others that we become fully human. – Marsha Sinetar
I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones. – John Cage
One filled with joy preaches without preaching. – Mother Teresa
Character is not an inheritance; we must build it for ourselves.
Sermons “Podcast” on Our Web Site: In addition to being available in print, the Pastors’ weekly sermons are now available as a “podcast” on our Web site. You may listen to each Message as it was delivered in Worship Service. Go to www.CentenaryUMCnj.org to explore this and other new features and links. Our thanks to Web servant Ernie Agtarap for providing this on-line ministry of Centenary.
I look forward to sharing with you in study, Worship and fellowship this Sunday at Centenary.
Shalom, John