Sunday, August 24, 2008 — The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Dear Centenary Church Family:
This Sunday – August 24, 2008 – The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 AM – Worship and Summer Sunday School
Children’s Message: Michael Savoia
(Summer Sunday School for children following the Children’s Message)
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: The Footprints of Moses
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10 Romans 12:1-8
Psalm 124 Matthew 15:10-28
Celebration of Found Coins: Metuchen-Edison Area Interfaith Clergy Association
10:30 AM – Fellowship Time
You are invited to sponsor the time of coffee and refreshments following our Sunday Worship service. Please consider sponsoring a refreshment time and signing up for one of the many available weeks on the 2008 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.
Keith Alan Swatzel, II is Centenary’s New Student Assistant Pastor: Last Sunday, August 17, our Staff-Parish Relations Committee voted to select Keith A. Swatzel, II as Centenary’s Student Assistant Pastor, effective September 1, 2008. Keith will begin the second-year of his Master of Divinity degree program at The Theological School of Drew University this fall, and will be engaged with us in fulfilling his Supervised Ministry requirement. Keith is from Conroe, TX, where he has been spending this summer as a Youth Intern at First United Methodist Church…his home church. Keith is excited about sharing in ministry with us at Centenary this year, especially in relationship to our ministry with youth. The September edition of The Lamplighter features more information about Keith, his background, and his enthusiasm for youth ministry in particular. We will look forward to warmly welcoming Keith to Centenary in the next few days as he begins his ministry among us.
ClothesLine Ministry Alert
Back-to school month is almost here and, in addition to clothing for our needy children, we have been asked to provide as many school supplies and backpacks (new or gently used) as possible. We consistently serve approximately 150 school aged children so we are asking for help from all of our partnering congregations and individuals to obtain these educational necessities. You may leave your school supply items and backpacks in the hallway across from the Counting Room at Centenary. If you would like to arrange a time to drop things off at the new ClothesLine storage/sorting facility on Jersey Ave. in New Brunswick, or wish items to be picked up, please phone Tookie Bacon on her cell at 732-306-8736. On behalf of our children, we thank you. —Tookie Bacon
ADULT CLASS BEGINS YEAR WITH “PARABLES OF JESUS” STUDY
Jesus communicated deep spiritual truths through simple, vivid, and engaging stories called “parables.” Woven from the stuff of everyday life, the parables of Jesus made the kingdom of God understandable and accessible to his listeners. Starting Sunday, September 7, and continuing for six weeks, Centenary’s Adult Class will be exploring some of the best-known parables of Jesus using The Deeper Connections DVD Bible study series, “The Parables of Jesus.” This visually stunning series—filmed in Israel and in diverse locations in the United States—is written and taught by Biblical experts and consists of three components: the historical and cultural background of first-century Palestine when Jesus first told these stories; an engaging, close look at the Biblical text and its meaning; and encouraging and challenging applications of the Bible’s message to life today. The schedule is as follows:
· Sept. 7 — “The Coming of the Kingdom” (Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast: Matthew 13: 24-33)
· Sept. 14 — “The Grace of the Kingdom” (Two Debtors: Luke 7: 36-50)
· Sept. 21 — “The God of the Kingdom” (The Prodigal Son: Luke 15: 11-32)
· Sept. 28 — “The Demand of the Kingdom” (Treasure and Pearls: Mt. 13: 44-46)
· Oct. 5 — “The Mission of the Kingdom” (The Wedding Banquet: Mt. 22: 1-14)
· Oct. 12 — “The Fulfillment of the Kingdom” (Sheep and Goats: Mt. 25: 31-46)
We invite you to join us for this study that will give you new insights into the parables of Jesus and their meanings, and will help you to appreciate more fully their relevance for your own life today. The Adult Class meets Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Sunshine Room.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Saturday, September 27th
6:00 PM— 8:00 PM
ROAST BEEF DINNER
with all the trimmings!
Served Family Style.
Cost: $ 15.00 for anyone over 16yrs.
$ 5.00 for anyone between 5yrs and 15yrs.
Under 5 – free.
METUCHEN FAIR will be here before we know it. It is the first weekend in October (Saturday, October 4). If you have any ideas for craft items that can be sold at the fair, please talk to Sylvia Woodfield. If you need patterns or yarn or plastic canvas see Sylvia Woodfield. We will try to have a workshop or two before the fair to make some items. We have only one month to the Fair—so…get those brains and hands working!! This is the only fund-raiser that we have each year and it helps us fund our scholarships to graduating seniors and also provide camp scholarships each year.
UMCOR Coordinates Supplies for Georgia
The UM Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is coordinating medicines and medical supplies being provided through U.S. government-sponsored emergency airlifts to the conflict zone in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The South Caucasus nation has been fighting with Russia over the contested region of South Ossetia since Aug. 7. A cease-fire agreement, reached on Aug. 12 and brokered by France, apparently is holding according to current news reports.
As a member of the United Nations Health and Nutrition Coordination group, UMCOR Georgia is heavily involved in organizing and distributing supplies. UMCOR also is providing health kits to displaced people and assisting local hospitals by distributing medical supplies housed in its Tbilisi warehouse. George Gedevanishvili, head of office for UMCOR Georgia, is working with agency staff to provide assistance while also keeping personnel safe. Some of UMCOR’s operations near the conflict zone have been halted, while work continues in areas unaffected by the violence. “Our team was profoundly disturbed by the escalating crisis and the impact on the civilian population,” said Thomas Dwyer, UMCOR’s director of operations for its non-governmental organization, about the changeable environment in Georgia. “Responding to immediate needs in the first days of an emergency such as this requires a great deal of flexibility.”
You can support UMCOR’s work in Georgia, including its response to the conflict, by making your checks payable to “Centenary UM Church”. Please write “Georgia Emergency” on the memo line of your check. Then place it in an offering plate at a Sunday morning Worship service, or mail it to our Church Office (200 Hillside Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840-1900). Checks made payable to “UMCOR” can also be mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Please write Advance #25035 and “Georgia Emergency” on the memo line of your check. Online donations can be made at
http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/advance/donate.cfm?code=250305&id=3018670.
Based on a United Methodist News article by Michele Scott,
Director of Communications for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Please faithfully use your offering envelopes during the Summer, and at every possible opportunity to help with the progress our Church is making in underwriting our ministry and mission this year. God is good to us, and one by one we can make a difference in sharing the gospel story, if we work together in the days ahead.
Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ for making ministry possible.
Save the Dates!
Installation Service for the Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr.
as Raritan Valley District Superintendent
Sunday, September 14 @ 7:00 PM
A service of installation and welcome for the Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr. as our Raritan Valley District Superintendent will be held on Sunday, September 14, 2008, at 7:00 PM at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church in Basking Ridge. There will be a time of light refreshments following the service. We hope that a number of folk from Centenary will plan to attend and formally welcome Bob and Linda Scott to the superintending ministry of the Raritan Valley District.
Bishop’s Songfest and Celebration
September 21, 2008 @ 4:00 PM
Ocean Grove Auditorium, Ocean Grove, NJ
“Everyone Sing!” is the theme of this year’s Bishop’s Songfest in Ocean Grove. The celebration of God’s joy through music will fill the air of the Great Auditorium on Sunday, September 21, 2008, @ 4:00 PM, when United Methodists and friends from all over the state and beyond will gather to sing resounding praise to the Lord. Plus, this year we will be using the Songfest as a time to celebrate the return of Bishop Devadhar for another quadrennium here in Greater New Jersey.
A new feature this year will be The Bishop’s Songfest Choir. In addition to our ethnic and praise ensembles, a new feature of the SongFest will be a combined choir conducted by SongFest Musical Director Rev. Dr. Tony Godlefski. If you are interested and would like more information on how to participate, please contact Tony Godlefski directly at PastorTony@montgomeryumc.org. Other questions may be directed to SongFest Coordinator Rich Hendrickson at rhendrickson@gnjumc.com. Save the date! Celebrate the return of Bishop Devadhar! “Everyone Sing!”
Food Collection—Sunday, September 21
Please bring cereals, staple food items in plastic jars or cans, and paper products to share with persons in need in our area. We 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 #4, #5 & #6…not 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
Some Thoughts for This Week
Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor annoyance.
Where there is love and joy, there is neither greed nor selfishness.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
- St. Francis of Assisi (paraphrased) [The 12 Step Prayer Book, Volume 2, by Bill P. and Lisa D.]
The Christian’s place is on the front line, not on the sideline.
Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. – Anonymous
We add immeasurably to our joy when we count our blessings.
Habits are like comfortable beds; they are easy to get into, but difficult to get out of. – Denis Waitley
Nothing needs reforming so much as other people’s habits. – Mark Twain
Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding. – Harvey Mackay
You leave old habits behind by starting out with the thought, “I release the need for this in my life.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
There are so many noises and pulls and competing demands in our lives that many of us never find out who we are. Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in other people. – Marian Wright Edelman, Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund
We always get into trouble when we think we can handle life without God.
Money-giving is a good criterion of a person’s mental health. Generous people are rarely mentally ill people. – Dr. Karl Menninger
Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity. – Kahlil Gibran
Love will find a way;
Indifference will find an excuse.
Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it. – William Feather
Will and I could hardly wait for the morning to come to get at something that interested us. That’s happiness. – Orville Wright
[One who] would be a leader must be a bridge. – Welsh proverb [adapted]
A rising tide lifts all boats. – American proverb
Silent gratitude isn’t much good to anyone. – Gladys Browyn Stern
Next Sunday — August 31, 2008:
9:30 AM– Summer Worship (Sanctuary)
There will be No Summer Sunday School on August 31
Final 9:30 AMSummer Worship Service for 2008
The 16th Sunday After Pentecost / Labor Day Sunday
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Who, Me?!
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 3:1-15 Romans 12:9-21
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c Matthew 16:21-28
10:30 AM– Fellowship Time (Room 20)
Worship and Summer Sunday School will be held at 9:30 AM through next Sunday, August 31. (There will be no Sunday School classes on August 31.) On Sunday, September 7th, we will resume our regular Sunday morning schedule with Worship and Sunday School for Pre-K through 12th Grade Youth at 10:15 AM. The Adult Class will continue to meet at 9:00 AM.
Come One, Come All: To the Back-To-School Picnic following Worship on Sunday, September 14 (rain date September 21). This year, it’s going to be in Merrill Park, Colonia, where in addition to volleyball, badminton, croquet and other assorted activities, we intend to have an “Old-timers” softball game, so bring your glove. Hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken and beverages will be provided. Please bring your favorite salad or dessert. Hope to see everyone there!
Prayer for the Week of August 24: God, we give you thanks today for your many gifts at work in the life of our congregation. We do not all have the same functions, but you have provided many gifts that we might be one body in Christ. Thank you for those who lead, and for those who are willing to be led. Thank you for pastors who serve their calling and for all the laity who are called by the same Holy Spirit. Thank you for encouragers, for generous givers, for diligent leaders, for compassionate listeners. Thank you for those able and willing to bake and cook, build and paint, sing and teach. Thank you for elders and children and all ages in between. And thank you for the spirit of Christ who has called us together and makes it possible for us to live and work in harmony. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
I look forward to sharing with many of you in Worship and Christian Fellowship this Sunday morning at Centenary.
Shalom, John