Dear Centenary Church Family:

At our 10:15 AM Worship service this Sunday, May 21st, we will observe Men’s Sunday. Following up on the moving Women’s Sunday service in March, a number of Centenary men will provide leadership during our service…including a Men’s Chorus singing Ralph Vaughn Williams’ Now Let Us Praise Famous Men. Michael Savoia will share a special word with the children. My Morning Message, Touchdown Jesus, will be based on readings from John 15:9-17 and 1 John 5:1-6. Our Celebration of Found Coins will be designated for the United Methodist Committee on Relief Appeal for Hurricane Katrina. You can learn more about this ministry of UMCOR and other work around the nation and world at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.

In addition to offering their leadership in Worship on May 21st, a number of Centenary Men will be sharing their talents with you all on Saturday evening at the Centenary Men’s Review. We hope to see many of you there to support our Centenary Men in their efforts to support our programs of ministry and mission. We guarantee you’ll be entertained!!

“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…

Food Collection—this Sunday, May 21st: Please bring cereals, staple food items in plastic jars or cans and paper products to share with persons in need on our area. We are deeply grateful for your generous sharing.

No Sunday School for Children and Youth on May 28th: Because of the Memorial Day weekend, and plans by many Sunday School teachers to be away, there will be no 9:00 AM Sunday School session for children and youth. Children’s Worship will be held during our 10:15 AM Worship service on May 28th. The Adult Class will meet at 9:00 AM on May 28th and begin a three-week series exploring and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in The United Methodist Church.

Raritan Valley District Conference – This Sunday, May 21st: Pastor John Painter and Lay Member to Annual Conference Dean Bender will be attending the 2006 Raritan Valley District Conference on Sunday, May 21st, from 3:00-6:00 PM at Christ United Methodist Church in Piscataway. This gathering of the Pastors and Lay Members of Annual Conference from the churches of the Raritan Valley District is an opportunity to review and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, hear information regarding the approaching 2006 Greater NJ Annual Conference (June 1-3 @ Valley Forge (PA) Convention Center), and elect persons to leadership positions in district committees and teams. The Rev. Veronica P. Palmer, Raritan Valley District Superintendent will preside at the Conference.

The Raritan Valley District is comprised of 68 United Methodist churches located in Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset, western Union and southern Warren counties.

Any members of Centenary are also invited and encouraged to attend this annual district gathering. Please speak with either John Painter or Dean Bender if you are interested in attending and/or need directions to Christ UMC.

Seeking Information About Our 2006 High School Graduates: We are seeking information about those Centenary members who will be graduating from high school next month. Please call or e-mail (CentaryUMC@aol.com) the Church Office so we may share in the joy of your accomplishments.

Talent Show—Sunday, June 4th @ 6:30 PM: Sign up now to share your talent with the congregation. Sign up sheet is on the Children’s Ministry bulletin board.

Ozanam Shelter Dinner on June 5th: Centenary will be serving dinner at the Ozanam Shelter on Monday, June 5th. 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.
Some Thoughts for This Week:

You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body. – C. S. Lewis
Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.
- G.K. Chesterton

One filled with joy preaches without preaching. – Mother Teresa

“What people get admired and appreciated for in community are their soft skills: their sense of humor and timing, their ability to listen, their courage and honesty, their capacity for empathy.” – M. Scott Peck

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger [people]. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.” – Phillips Brooks, [adapted]

The day we find the perfect church, it becomes imperfect the moment we join it. – C.H. Spurgeon
We must be in tune with Christ to be in harmony with one another.
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature …
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller
The only ones among us who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. – Albert Schweitzer [adapted]

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 Men’s Sunday at Centenary.

Shalom, John