Dear Centenary Church Family:

This Sunday at Centenary: December 6, 2009
The Second Sunday of Advent / Sacrament of Holy Communion

9:00 AM – Adult Study – The Best Songs Come at Night (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM – Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through Grade 12)
United Methodist Bishops’ Pastoral Letter:
God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action
Lectionary Readings: Malachi 3:1-4 Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 1:68-79 Luke 3:1-6
Children’s Message: Pastor John Painter
Music: Harris Ringers: Carol of the Bells by Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovich
Chancel Choir – Advent Prayer Arranged by Hal H. Hopson
Celebration of Found Coins: UM Global HIV/AIDS Fund
11:45 AM – Advent Pot-Luck Lunch and Advent Crafts Workshop (Room 20 & Hallways)
11:45 AM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
6:30 PM – United Methodist Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12)

Advent Pot-Luck Brunch and Workshop—December 6 @ 11:45 AM: Come, join us for a celebration of Advent with a pot-luck brunch and Christmas crafts for all ages following our 10:15 AM Worship Service. Please provide a main dish or dessert. Thank you.

Celebration of Found Coins for Sunday, December 6:
United Methodist Global HIV/AIDS Fund

The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund was established at the 2004 General Conference to raise $8 million. Funds are to be used to support programs offering HIV and AIDS education, prevention, treatment and care services in the United States and around the world. We are grateful for your generous support, and hope that this information will be helpful to you as you make your giving plans.

Centenary Book Club—Friday, December 4 at 6:00 PM at the Menlo Park Diner. The Book Club will meet on Friday, December 4th instead of the 11th in order to avoid conflict with the Annual Holiday Dinner for T.G.I.F. at The Barge. Our meeting at the diner is two-fold: to celebrate with members of the Club at this holiday season, and to hold our discussion session. Our book selection is The Shack by William P. Young. We hope to see you at one, two or all of our meetings in the upcoming Club Year. Centenary Book Club is open to men and women ages 18 years of age and older.

T.G.I.F. at Centenary—Friday, December 4 from 6:30-8:30 PM: Come join the intergenerational crowd for dinner, lively conversations, and a feeling of community. A Barrel Offering is received.

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

Saturday, December 5, 2009

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

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

Proceeds will be designated to support
the “Joy to the World” Heifer Project
to fight world hunger.

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

Assistance Needed: We especially need some folk to come Friday night to help set up the tables at 8:30 PM after TGIF – AND – on Saturday, to have a late breakfast – about 10:30 so you can help take down the tables and set up the Sanctuary for Sunday morning. Bless you all for supporting Centenary’s Mission Project!!

Woodbridge Community Chorus Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 5 @ 7:30 PM

Dee Gillet will be singing with the Woodbridge Community Chorus in their 2nd Annual Holiday concert this Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 PM at the 1st Presbyterian Church (Route 514 & Port Reading Ave.) in Woodbridge. If you can make it, come early for a good seat. Dee writes, “It’s an amazing program…2 separate choirs will be performing separately and then together, for a total of about 80 voices, a brass quartet, pipe organ…and a sing along to wrap up the evening–and I even heard that Santa Claus will be stopping by.! Lots of good feelings and great great music on the agenda…”

Adult Class Advent Study: The Best Songs Come at Night
Pastor John Painter is leading our annual Advent Study: The Best Songs Come at Night (And Other Christmas Proverbs). In the pages of this fascinating little book, popular pastor, teacher and author J. Ellsworth Kalas shares proverbial nuggets of wisdom from the biblical Christmas story. For example, he points out that many of history’s greatest inspirational songs were written in the most dire circumstances, places, and times of darkness within the human soul, and similarly, Christ the Savior was born into a nighttime world to bring the light of salvation to all humankind. Our weekly topics will include:
· December 6: “The Best Songs Come at Night” (Luke 2:8-18)
· December 13: “Wise Men Follow a Star” (Matthew 2:1-11)
· December 20: “Christmas Lasts Longer Than You Think” (Luke 2:25-38)
We invite you to join us for any or all of these sessions on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Sunshine Room.

2009 Advent Meditation Booklet
For those persons who may wish to engage in daily meditation and reflection on Scripture during the Advent season, we have available a special Advent 2009 Meditation Booklet prepared by Mary Jane Perry. Ms. Perry has written Advent and Lenten devotional booklets for many area churches since 2002, when she heard a special calling from God to engage in this ministry. We pray that you will be blessed during these Advent days with the use of the Advent devotional booklet prepared for us by Mary Jane Perry. Copies are available in the literature rack in the Narthex, or through the Church Office. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please call the Church Office, and we’d be happy to send it to you.
COATS AND JACKETS NEEDED FOR WOMEN, MEN & CHILDREN: Tookie Bacon has issued an urgent appeal for warm jackets and coats to distribute to young women, young men and children at the Job Corps site at Camp Kilmer, and in Perth Amboy & New Brunswick. Please donate lightly-used items in good repair (with all buttons intact and working zippers) and leave them at Centenary at the far end of the hall past the Sunshine Room, near the Counting/Storage Room. Items are needed by this Sunday, December 6. Thank you for your generous response!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
PECANS AND OTHER GOODIES
The pecans, cashews, pistachios, candies, trail mix have arrived. The boxes are on a table across from the Church Office. The prices are on the cartons and there is a blue money box on the table for you to place your cash or checks. Checks should be made payable to “Centenary United Methodist Women.” If you are not comfortable leaving cash or checks in the box, please see Sylvia Woodfield after Worship. The box is checked a couple of times a week and cash removed. The profit from the sale of these items will go to the Church Budget.
MITTEN TREE
The Mitten Tree (box) is in the Narthex. It will be there through this Sunday, December 6. The mittens, hats, scarves, etc. will be mailed next week so that they will be able to be distributed to the people at the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky in time for the cold weather and the Christmas holiday. The Red Bird Mission is a mission of the United Methodist Church in the heart of Appalachia (it gets cold in the mountains there). These gifts are greatly appreciated by the children and adults who live in the area and go to the Red Bird Mission School.
METUCHEN FAIR
Do you need a Christmas gift or a hostess gift?? There are still some items from the Metuchen Fair for sale. They are on the table across from the church office. They will only be available for a few more days, so make your selections quickly.
Acolytes Welcome
Young persons in the Fourth Grade and above who are interested in serving as Acolytes in Worship are invited to contact Acolyte Coordinator Michael Savoia (732-826-1921) or the Church Office (732-548-7622 or CentaryUMC@aol.com) to receive information and to sign up to serve on a specific date this fall/winter. “Mr. Mike,” Pastor John and others from our Worship Committee will be available to assist any new Acolytes to undertake their important responsibilities. Those who have served as Acolytes previously are especially encouraged to contact “Mr. Mike” to sign up for a Sunday.

The 2010 Deluxe Christian Family Appointment Calendars
for Centenary United Methodist Church
are available in the Hallway Outside Pastor’s Study
Please pick up a copy for your use at home or work, and you may want to take an extra calendar or two to share with neighbors and friends. We are grateful to Costello-Runyon Funeral Home for again providing these beautiful calendars to the congregation.

Have You Returned Your 2010 Financial Commitment Card?
The financial support of everyone at Centenary is imperative if we are to meet our ministry and mission goals for 2010. If you have returned your Financial Commitment Card indicating your pledge for the coming year, thank you. If you have yet to return your Commitment Card indicating your intention to share from your resources, we request that you do so as soon as possible. Additional Commitment Cards are available from the ushers during Worship each Sunday, and from the Church Office. Thank you for your faithful support of our shared ministry.

Centenary Early Learning Center “Holiday” Boutique
Come and check out the many vendors
who will have items available for sale which will make perfect gifts.
Tuesday, December 8 & Wednesday, December 9 from 9:00 AM—5:00 PM
in Room 20 and the Church Foyer.

Upcoming Children’s Ministries Events:
T.G.I.F. Christmas Party—Friday, December 11th @ 6:30 PM at The Barge in Perth Amboy. For directions call Michael Savoia at 732-826-1921. Please sign up in the Narthex so reservations can be made. All are welcome to attend. Donations or a barrel offering will be accepted for Children’s Ministries.
Starry Night—Noisy Night—Christmas Pageant
During 10:15 AM Worship on Sunday, December 13.
Pageant Rehearsals Saturday, December 12 from 1:00-3:00 PM
and Sunday, December 13 at 9:00 AM.

Upcoming Music Ministry Events:
Sunday, December 13, 6:30 PM Carols & Cookies: A community carol sing in the Sanctuary followed by refreshments featuring a “cookie exchange.”
Sunday, December 20, 10:15 AM Candles and Carols: A special lessons and carols service featuring instruments, choir, and congregational singing.

Plan to be present and invite your friends to join us for…
Christmas Eve at Centenary
Thursday, December 24, 2009
7:00 PM — Christmas Eve Service of Carols and Candlelight
Special Children’s Message by Pastor Bauknight, Junior Choir Sings; Carols and Candle lighting
11:00 PM — Christmas Eve Service of Carols, Candlelight and Holy Communion
Chancel Choir; Congregational Carols and Candle lighting
Preacher: John D Painter Theme: The Man Who Hated Christmas
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14
Psalm 96 Luke 2:1-20

Some Thoughts for This Week:

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas… To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!” – Henri J. M. Nouwen

If our lives demonstrate that we are peaceful, humble and trusted, this is recognized by others. If our lives demonstrate something else, that will be noticed too. – Rosa Parks, civil rights activist (1913-2005)

The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment. – Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark
In the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary, yet is wondrously present. – Edward Hays
We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are. – Cardinal Mercia
It is not the cards you are dealt but what you do with them that counts.
We cannot abandon life because of its storms. The strongest trees are not found sheltered in the safety of the forest, rather they are in the open spaces—bent and twisted by the winds of all seasons. – Tammy Felton
Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else’s life. – Kobi Yamada
Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for—because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. – Peter Marshall

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee. – Marian Wright Edelman

No life can be barren which hears the whisper of the wind in the branches, or the voice of the sea as it breaks upon the shore; and no soul can lack happiness looking up to the midnight stars. – William Winter

Dickens was about half right. This is the toughest year anyone can remember, and a lot of charities have their backs against the wall. – Michael Durkin, president of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, recalling the author’s best-of-times, worst-of-times paradox. (Boston Globe)

Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones. – Tim McCarver

The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. – Albert Einstein

Next Sunday at Centenary: December 13, 2009
The Second Sunday of Advent / Sacrament of Holy Communion

9:00 AM – Adult Study – The Best Songs Come at Night (Sunshine Room)
9:00 AM – Sunday school Pageant Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
10:15 AM – Worship
Annual Sunday School Christmas Pageant — Starry Night, Noisy Night
Lectionary Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke 3:7-18
Celebration of Found Coins: Centenary Children’s Ministries
11:30 AM – Fellowship Time (Room 20)
11:45 AM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
12:00 Noon – Confirmation Class (Youth Room)
12:00 Noon – Ying Yu Swatzel Shower (Sunshine Room)
6:30 PM – Carol Sing and Cookie Exchange (Sanctuary & Room 20)
6:30 PM – United Methodist Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12) (Youth Room)

Food Collection—Sunday, December 13
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 #4, #5 (especially) & #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

Come and Celebrate
the arrival of
Karina Li Swatzel
When: Sunday, 13 December 2009
Where: Sunshine Room of Centenary UMC
Time: 12 Noon to 2 PM

Please see Jodi Mochel or Pastor Bauknight
for gift information and other details

Given with Joy and Love by
The Women of Centenary UM Church

Sunday, December 13, 6:30 PM Carols & Cookies: A community carol sing in the Sanctuary followed by refreshments featuring a “cookie exchange.”

Celebration of Found Coins for Sunday, December 13:
Centenary’s Children’s Ministries Program

Your special gifts on December 13, when our children present their annual Christmas Pageant—Starry Night, Noisy Night, will provide additional resources for our ministries with children, over and above our annual ministries budget.

Prayer for the Week of December 6: Blessed is the Lord, and blessed are God’s people to whom God sends a Savior, the Messiah, who is Christ the Lord. Blessed is our God, and blessed are God’s gifts, that grace us with forgiveness and every good gift. Lord, you have come to dwell within us. Build your temples within our hearts. Amen. (Based on Malachi 3:1-4)

I look forward to sharing with many of you in Study, Worship & Holy Communion, and Christian Fellowship on this Second Sunday of Advent at Centenary.

In Christ’s Love, Pastor John

John D. Painter
John D. Painter, Pastor
Centenary United Methodist Church
200 Hillside Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840-1900
Office: 732-548-7622, Ext. 11
Cell: 201-463-5552
Home: 732-549-1786
Study: 732-516-9226
Fax: 732-548-6256
Visit Centenary at www.CentenaryUMCnj.org