Sunday, August 31, 2008 – The 16th Sunday After Pentecost -Final 9:30 AM Service
Date:
August 28, 2008 07:03:02 AM EDT
To:
CentaryUMC@aol.com
Dear Centenary Church Family:
This Sunday – August 31, 2008 – The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost
9:30 AM – Worship (There will be no Summer Sunday School this Sunday)
Final 9:30 AM Summer Worship Service for 2008
Children’s Message: Pastor John Painter
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
Special Music: Christine Rose, harp
Celebration of Found Coins: Metuchen-Edison Area Interfaith Clergy Association
10:30 AM – Fellowship Time
Our 10:15 AM Worship Service and Sunday School for Pre-K children through 12th grade youth resumes on Sunday, September 7. The Adult Study meets at 9:00 AM in the Sunshine Room, also beginning Sunday, September 7.
Come One, Come All: To the Back-To-School Picnic
following Worship on Sunday, September 14 (rain date September 21).
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: Keith A. Swatzel, II has been chosen 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 next week, 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 look forward to warmly welcoming Keith to Centenary this Sunday morning (August 31), and celebrate 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
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.
UMW Workshop for the Metuchen Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 10th at 9:30 AM in Room 20. We will be doing some decoupage plates and taking inventory of fair items already finished. Anyone who is available to assist is encouraged to take part.
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!”
Centenary Book Club will hold its opening session on Friday, September 12, at 7:00 PM and discuss the Summer Book, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Centenary Book Club is open to anyone ages 18 years of age or older, male or female.
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
Kids’ Night Out: Friday, September 26th from 6:30-8:30 PM: Fellowship Time for children ages 3- to 12-years old. Dinner, Bible activity, and games are provided. Please sign up on the Children’s Bulletin Board. Speak with Cathy Jean Savoia for additional information. (Church: 732-548-7622, Ext. 12; Home: 732-826-1921)
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.
Next Ozanam Shelter Dinner on Monday, October 6
(No Ozanam Shelter Dinner on September 1, Labor Day)
Centenary will next be serving dinner at the Ozanam Shelter on Monday, October 6. (Because of the Labor Day holiday, we will not be serving dinner at the Ozanam Shelter on Monday, September 1.) Please check the information on the bulletin board in the Narthex and sign up to assist with food preparation or serving in October. For further information, please contact Glenna Gundell (732-463-1431) or Mary Ellen Heim (732-548-2587). Thanks.
Our Financial Stewardship
Thank You for your faithful financial stewardship in support of our ministry and mission at Centenary United Methodist Church. We are grateful for your many gifts. During the next few weeks our congregation will be helped greatly in meeting our ministry goals if everyone is able to become current in their financial commitments to our church. Typically, weekly contributions tend to “drop off” during the Summer months, as many persons are away on vacation or engaged in seasonal activities at home. At the same time, “start-up” expenses for the Fall place heavy demands on our cash flow. If you have missed a week or two of regular giving along the way this summer, we deeply appreciate your efforts to bring your contributions up to date in September. If you need clarification on your pledge status, or if you would like to request weekly offering envelopes with which to share your gifts, please contact our Financial Secretary, Sue Brownlow, through our Church Office. We trust you have enjoyed a time of rest and re-creation during the Summer, and we pray God’s blessings upon you and our church in these opening days of our Fall activities. —With Gratitude, Your Committee on Finance
Some Thoughts for This Week:
In gratitude we give to others. But in giving we express our gratefulness to the God who gave and keeps on giving. – Evelyn Miranda-Feliciano, Filipina Writer
When we are at peace, we find the freedom to be most fully who we are, even in the worst of times…We empty ourselves so that God may more fully work within us. – Joseph Cardinal Benardin
Pray, and let God worry. – Martin Luther
You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. – Unknown
Think of how you’d like others to be;
Then start being like that yourself.
Happiness is the delicate balance between what one is and what one has. – F. H. Denison
For every benefit we receive, responsibility is owed.
Your three best doctors are faith, time, and patience. – From a fortune cookie
Joy runs deeper than despair. – Corrie Ten Boom
Assist in all the things that need assistance;
And resist all things that need resistance.
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it. – Franklin P. Jones
Blessed is the person who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact. – George Eliot, adapted
Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. – Ruth Ann Schabacker
Whatever we leave to God, God does and blesses us. – Henry David Thoreau, “Inspiration”
The Lord uses those who are little in their own eyes;
for the smaller we are the more room there is for God to work.
Next Sunday — September 7, 2008:
9:00 AM – Adult Study: The Parables of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM – Worship and Sunday School (Pre-K Children through 12th Grade Youth)
The 17th Sunday After Pentecost / Sacrament of Holy Communion
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Taste and See That God Is Good
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 Romans 13:8-14
Psalm 148 or Psalm 149 Matthew 18:15-20
11:45 AM – Fellowship Time—Cupcake Sunday (Room 20)
5:45 PM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
“Cupcakes, Cupcakes”: Help us celebrate the beginning of a new year
for Sunday School by baking a dozen cupcakes for Fellowship Time
next Sunday, September 7th. Please sign up in the Narthex.
Our 10:15 AM Worship Service and Sunday School for Pre-K children through 12th grade youth resumes on Sunday, September 7. The Adult Study meets at 9:00 AM in the Sunshine Room, also beginning Sunday, September 7.
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.
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 31: Gracious God, your words in scripture invite us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. It is our joy to give you thanks for good health, prosperity, abundant harvests, and beautiful weather. But illness, hard times, and scarcity do not usually create gratitude within us. Today as we recall Jesus’ cross, his suffering and death, and the way you brought new life out of tragedy, we want to learn to thank you not only for the good times but also for the challenge of difficult times we have known. We thank you for tough times that caused us to grow in ways we never thought possible. We thank you for difficulties that led us to pray, to ask for help, to receive love and encouragement from others. We thank you for your presence no matter what our circumstances are, for it is you alone who bring life to us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
I look forward to sharing with many of you in Worship and Christian Fellowship on this Labor Day weekend Sunday at Centenary.
Shalom, John