Dear Centenary Church Family:

We will gather in our Sanctuary for Worship at 10:15 AM (Eastern Daylight Saving Time) this Sunday, March 9, the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Michael Savoia will share a word with the children, after which those from Pre-K through 12th Grade youth will be invited to participate in Sunday School classes. Assistant Pastor Terrilisa Durham Bauknight will bring the morning Message, I’ll Be Somewhere, Listening for My Name, based on the Gospel reading of Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1-45. We will also hear the Epistle reading from Romans 8:6-11. Our Chancel Choir will sing When Jesus Wept, by William Billings. Our Celebration of Found Coins for March is designated for the “Nothing But Nets” Anti-Malaria Campaign of The United Methodist Church.

Daylight Saving Time returns at 2:00 AM this Sunday, March 9, 2008. Don’t forget to turn your clocks and watches ahead one hour before you go to sleep this Saturday evening, or you will arrive an hour late for Church School and Worship on Sunday morning. You may also consider changing the batteries in your residential smoke and carbon dioxide detectors at this time, as recommended by safety personnel.

Church Women United—March 7 “World Day of Prayer” @ Centenary: Church Women United of Metuchen and Edison will meet at Centenary Church on Friday, March 7 at 1:00 PM. The program will be presented by the women of First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen. Centenary Women will provide the refreshments. All women of the church are welcome. This is a good opportunity to meet the women from our other churches in the area. The program usually lasts one hour so any mothers will be able to pick up their children from school or get home in time to meet the school bus.

TGIF Intergenerational Dinner and Lectionary Discussion (and a lot of fun together) will meet on Fridays, March 7 & 14, from 6:30-8:30 PM. A barrel offering is taken to defray the costs for the meal and materials. Persons of all ages are invited and encouraged to attend.

Saturday, March 8, 2008
6:00 PM
Centenary United MethodistChurch
Join the Volunteers in Missionfor a MYSTERY DINNER and Learn about their ArgentinaTrip Free Will Offering will be taken

It would be helpful to know the number of persons planning to attend the Mystery Dinner, so we can prepare an adequate amount of food. Please RSVP by 1:00 PM today, Thursday (March 6), to the Church Office (732-548-7622) or by e-mail to Glenna Gundell at GGundell@aol.com. Gracias/Thanks!!

ADULT CLASS EXAMINES EVIDENCE FOR RESURRECTION OF JESUS
On the Sundays leading up to Easter (March 9 & 16), Centenary’s Adult Class is investigating the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Of the many world religions, only one, Christianity, claims that the founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of the Christian faith. But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated and science-minded age—two thousand years after the first Easter—can we still take such a claim seriously?

As our primary resource for this study, we are using Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection. The author was educated at Yale Law School and was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. He also has written The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.

On Sunday, March 30, the Adult Class will begin a new five-week study called Serious Answers to Hard Questions. In this video study, hosted by Methodist Bishop Kenneth Carder, well-known theologians discuss important issues which sometimes prove to be obstacles to faith. The five issues we will be focusing on are: Religion and Science, Evangelism and Tolerance, The God of the Old Testament, The Gnostic Gospels, and The Sins of the Church. Join us in the Sunshine Room on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM for these provocative series.

New Raritan Valley District Superintendent to Be Appointed: Greater NJ Area Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has announced that he will appoint The Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr., as the Raritan Valley District Superintendent, effective July 1, 2008. Pastor Scott has served the United Methodist parishes in Avalon, Swainton and Spring Lake, NJ, and has been the Pastor of the Milltown United Methodist Church since 1992. We look forward to welcoming Bob Scott, and his wife, Linda, to the superintendency of the Raritan Valley District. Our present District Superintendent, The Rev. Veronica P. Palmer, will be appointed as the Pastor of Calvary-Roseville United Methodist Church in East Orange, effective July 1, 2008.

The Art of Muriel Harris at Centenary During Lent: We are blessed during the 2008 Lenten Season to have a number of Muriel Harris’ collages adorning the walls of our Sanctuary. You will want to take time to pause on the Sundays during Lent—or at other times you are in the building—to view these special works based on the indicated biblical passages, and reminding us of the themes of creation, liberation and justice. Muriel Harris, a long-time member of Centenary UMC, has received many awards and high recognition over the years for her artistry. Although in recent years she has endured the loss of much of her eyesight to age-related macular degeneration, Muriel Harris continues to create new art using a number of different media. Some of the paintings in our Sanctuary represent her recent work in the more “tactile” media. We are grateful to Muriel Harris for sharing the gift of her art with us once again this year.

Centenary Book Club will meet at 7:30 PM on Friday, March 14, in the Sunshine Room (following the TGIF Meal). We will discuss The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards The Centenary Book Club is open to men and women ages 18 and older. See you there for some great discussion and review.

Persons 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.

Persons are invited to sponsor flower arrangements for our Worship services. The 2008 Flower Chart is posted in the Narthex. Floral arrangements cost $25.00 each week to sponsor. (Please make your check payable to Centenary UM Church and write “Altar Flowers” in the Memo line.) 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.

The ClothesLine Ministry
Centenary Has Responsibility in March 2008
The ClothesLine Ministry is about to undergo some major changes. You at Centenary have been dedicated partners with this project; now we hope you will understand the needs for adaptation, have patience with us, and share your thoughts and suggestions.
Though our goal remains the same—to provide free clothing for the needy men, women, and children of Middlesex County—our method of distribution must change. Several events occurred simultaneously making the modification more a “Divine intervention” than a choice. First, the number of clients has exploded (50 people when we started this project in 2001, now 150 children and 350 men and women at each distribution), thus preparing the clothing for so many, and stocking the bus, has become an enormous job. Secondly, our 34-year-old bus made it clear on her January 27 trip to Elijah’s Promise (through loud rattling, clanking protestations) that she is ready to retire.
And lastly, the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB), a social service agency primarily serving Hispanic families, located at 90 Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick, has donated a large space in the rear of the building out of which we hope to have two areas, one for storage and sorting, the other a place where our clients may come to choose the items they need to make their lives a bit easier.
We are presently cleaning and organizing the new space, planning to open for the first distribution on Thursday, March 13, from 2:00-4:00 PMfor men and again on Friday, March 14, from 2:00-4:00 PMfor women and children. (We cannot have access to the building on weekends at this point.) Free shuttle buses that run on weekdays in New Brunswick will be helpful to our clients. For those who are unable to get clothing during the above hours because of jobs, etc., special arrangements will be made either through the PRAB or social services at Elijah’s Promise.
Centenary United Methodist and St. Luke’s Episcopal Churches in Metuchen will be our test congregations as we journey forward. We will need volunteers for sorting and marking clothes as well as volunteers to assist the clients find their clothes and help with check out and bagging. We realize that many people who have lent a hand in the past may now be unable due to work and daytime commitments. Be assured that we have valued your support of this project; perhaps after a few months we will be able to have Sunday hours.
Please sign up on the available sheet in the Narthex at Centenary to indicate you are available to assist with sorting and distributing on Thursday, March 13 and or, Friday, March 14, from 2:00-4:00 PM. Or you may call the Church Office (732-548-7622). Please sign up or call by Monday, March 10. It will be helpful to know approximately how many volunteers will be assisting on March 13/14. Thank you in advance for your continued support of this important service. —Tookie Bacon, ClothesLine
P.S. We are unable to accept any clothing donations until April, then only spring/summer items. Our clients greatly appreciate the consideration we have shown them by giving quality clothing—clean, no stains, tears, broken zippers, missing buttons, etc.

“Nothing But Nets” Anti-Malaria Campaign
March Celebration of Found Coins
The people of The United Methodist Church are being invited to participate with the “Nothing But Nets” partners to help stop Malaria, a deadly disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, a child dies every 30 seconds from this preventable disease. Bishop Joao Somane Machado, leader of The United Methodist Church in Mozambique, says that this is a statistic that the world must pay attention to. He said, “This is not an African issue. It’s not only for poor countries. It’s a global issue.”
Just $10.00 buys a mosquito-resistant bed net, distributes it to a family, and provides education on how to use it.
By answering Jesus’ call to “minister to the least of these who are members of our family,” we can beat this awful disease and save future generations. So give a child the opportunity to live a life of health and happiness. Pray, communicate the need, buy a bed net, and save a life.
In our efforts to transform the world as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ serving in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, we want to run the “second mile,” collecting $100,000 to provide 10,000 bed nets to save at least 10,000 children who are at risk of contracting Malaria.
As of December 2007, local churches of our Annual Conference have collected a total of $25,000 for this purpose. We are very thankful for this offering. We still need to raise $75,000. So we are inviting as many of you at Centenary as possible to share a gift of $10.00 to provide one mosquito-resistant bed net.
Are you willing to run the “second mile” with our United Methodist sisters and brothers from the Greater NJ Annual Conference? Then you can share your gifts through our Celebration of Found Coins/Barrel Offering for March. Or you can send your gifts directly to the Church (“Nothing But Nets”/Centenary United Methodist Church/200 Hillside Avenue/Metuchen, NJ 08840-1900). Make your checks payable to Centenary UM Church and write “Nothing But Nets” in the Memo line of your check. Pastor John Painter and Annual Conference Lay Member Giselle Esquivel Cordero will take our “Nothing But Nets” offering to the 2008 Greater NJ Annual Conference session in late May in Valley Forge, PA, where they will be presented along with those gifts from the other churches of our Conference as we celebrate our “second mile” giving.

Lenten Coin Folders: You are encouraged to return your filled 2007 Lenten Coin Folders between now and Easter Sunday, April 8th. You may place them in an offering plate during Worship or mail/bring them to the Church Office. Our Lenten Coin Folder offering is designated for support of The Fellowship Fund of The United Methodist Homes of New Jersey. These funds are used to assist elderly residents whose financial resources have been depleted to remain in residence in our UM Homes. (Note: If you choose to return your coin folder with either a check or paper bills [instead of quarters], our counting team will not be averse to your doing so…we appreciate your gifts in whatever form they may be shared.) We are deeply grateful for your generous and sacrificial offering during these forty days of Lent.

Some Thoughts for This Week:

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. – Nelson Mandela

Don’t regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. – Unknown

God wants to be involved in our everyday life. We need to let God out of the Sunday morning box that we try to keep him in. – Joyce Meyer

We must become the change we want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. – Henry Drummond

When we stand on the shoulders of those saints who have gone before, we gain a strategic vantage point. – Charles Swindoll
Generosity lies less in giving much than in giving at the right moment. – Jean de la Bruyere

Never face a day until you have prayed.

There comes a moment when you have to stop revving up the car and shove it into gear. – David J. Mahoney (1924-2000), Business leader and philanthropist

Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. – Albert Einstein

There are two ways of exerting one’s strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. – Booker T. Washington

Inherent in a fast is a feast. When we fast from food, we feast on prayer and God’s bountiful love. When we fast from divisive patterns of relating with others, we feast on the amazing awareness that each face we see is the face of Christ. When we fast from building social, economic, and political walls, we feast on our universal oneness with the One. – Marilyn Brown Oden, Wilderness Wanderings

Do you prefer that you be right, or that you be happy? – A Course in Miracles

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Next Sunday, March 16, 2008:

9:00 AM– Adult Study – The Case for Easter (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM – Worship &Sunday School (PreK Children through 12th Grade Youth)
Passion/Palm Sunday / Distribution of the Palms
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: A Donkey or A Rolls
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-20 (Palms) Matthew 21:1-11 (Palms)
Isaiah 50:4-9a (Passion) Philippians 2:5-11 (Passion)
Psalm 31:9-16 (Passion) Matthew 26:14-27:66 (Passion)
11:45 AM– Pot-Luck Lunch & Easter Egg Hunt (Sanctuary/Room 20)

Food Collection—Sunday, March 16: 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

Holy Week 2008

Thursday, March 20 — Holy Thursday
6:30 PM — Soup & Sandwich Supper
(Bring a Sandwich, if you wish;
Soup & Beverages will be provided)
7:30 PM — Holy Thursday Service & Sacrament of Holy Communion
Soup Preparers Needed for Holy Thursday: If you will be attending the Holy Thursday Soup and Sandwich Supper and Service, and are willing to prepare a pot of your favorite soup to share with others, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or let Pastor Painter or the Church Office know. Thank you. Don’t forget to bring a sandwich with you to enjoy with the soups that will be available that evening.
Friday, March 21 — Good Friday
12:00 – 3:00 PM –Ecumenical Good Friday Preaching Service
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Middlesex Ave. & Oak Ave., Metuchen
7:30 PM — A Service of Tenebrae – The Passion Narrative interspersed with
Traditional Spirituals sung by the Chancel Choir and Congregation
Sunday, March 23 — EASTER Sunday
6:30 AM — Sunrise Service & Sacrament of Holy Communion
7:15 AM — Easter Breakfast sponsored by our Sunday School &
Children’s Ministries ($3.00 per person donation requested)
9:00 AM — Easter Worship Service —
Led by our Sunday School children & youth
10:30 AM — Easter Worship Service & Sacrament of Holy Communion
Preacher (10:30 AM): John D. Painter Theme: Becoming Jesus
Festival Brass at both Easter Services / Chancel Choir at 10:30 AM
—Please invite your friends, neighbors and family to share in our
Holy Week and Easter Services and activities—

Prayer for the Week of March 9: During this Lenten season we give you thanks, O God, for the story of Jesus’ journey toward his cross. His purposeful march to Jerusalem was a prelude to his suffering, but still he brought new life to all he met. We thank you for the generosity of Jesus’ love, for his compassionate embrace of those in need. In healing the blind and raising the dead Jesus pointed us to you, O God. You are the author of life, the source of new life in the presence of death, and the promise of life beyond this life is your great gift. We give you thanks for the power of the resurrection of Jesus and for knowing that as he was raised from the dead by your grace, so we, too, can live with that same promise, trusting you with our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I look forward to sharing with many of you in study, Worship and Christian fellowship on this Fifth Sunday in Lent at Centenary.

Shalom, John