Dear Centenary Church Family:

On this Memorial Day weekend, we will gather for Worship at 10:15 AM in our Sanctuary to offer our praise and thanks to God on this seventh Sunday in the Easter season: Ascension Sunday (Ascension Day was observed officially on Thursday, May 24th–forty days after Easter). We will begin our service with a time of special Memorial Day prayer in remembrance of those who have given their lives in service to our nation in many ways, and the singing of America the Beautiful. I will offer a message for the children. My morning Message, FANFI, will be based on the readings for Ascension Sunday: Luke 24:44-53 and Acts 1:1-11. Our Chancel Choir will sing Come, Christians, Join to Sing, the “Spanish Hymn” arranged by Dave & Jean Perry and by our own Shirley Mosteller, accompanied by several of our Harris Handbell Ringers. Our Celebration of Found Coins for the month of May is designated for the continuing appeal from United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) for assistance to the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region. You can learn more about this ministry of UMCOR and other work around the nation and world at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.

Just a reminder that, because of the Memorial Day weekend and travel plans for many of our teachers and families, there will be no 9:00 AM Sunday School program for children or youth this Sunday, May 28th. Child Care and Children’s Worship will still be held during our morning Worship service.

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.

New Adult Class Study on Women in Ordained Ministry Begins This Sunday: Pastor John Painter is leading a three-week session exploring the story of women in ordained ministry in this 50th anniversary year of the full ordination and reception of women as clergy in The United Methodist Church. Class sessions are held at 9:00 AM in the Sunshine Room, and all are encouraged to attend. These sessions—on May 28th and June 4th and 11th—will conclude our Adult Class for the 2005-2006 season.

Staff Holidays: Assistant Pastor Terrilisa Durham Bauknight will be in Pennsylvania this weekend participating as “Best Man” in the wedding of her close friend. Children’s Ministries Director Cathy Savoia and husband, Michael, will be traveling to Maine to visit briefly with her family in Skowhegan. Please hold them in your prayers for traveling mercies.

Centenary Men’s Extravaganza Helps Reduce Deficit: The Centenary Men’s Extravaganza on Saturday, May 20th, has netted $3,753.00 to date to assist with reducing Centenary’s projected budget deficit for the year. Thanks to the “performers” for providing a great evening of entertainment, and to all who attended and shared so generously.

A DVD of the evening’s antics is being prepared and soon will be available for a special donation. After costs, the proceeds from the DVD donations will also be added to the Extravaganza funds to further assist with reducing our deficit for the year.

Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition Presented to Centenary: At the May 21st Raritan Valley District Conference our District Superintendent, the Rev. Veronica P. Palmer, presented a number of district churches with certificates of appreciation and recognition from the Greater NJ Annual Conference for our “Full Participation in Shared Ministries.” This means that in 2005, Centenary met 100% of our Ministry Shares for Disciplinary Obligations, Ministerial Education Fund, World Service/Conference Benevolences, Black College Fund and Africa University Fund. As the certificate states, “By supporting United Methodist Shared Ministries (apportionments) you have joined the ranks of ‘Covenant Keepers’, thereby enabling United Methodism to be a worldwide, connectional church.” We extend our deep appreciation to all of the members and friends of Centenary who share in support of our Shared Ministries giving through your contributions throughout the year.

Supper and 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.

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.

Next Sunday: June 4, 2006 – The Day of Pentecost / Sacrament of Holy Communion / Sacrament of Christian Baptism
(Harris Ringers will play in Worship)
Preacher: John D. Painter
Theme: Babel Reversed

Lectionary Readings:
Acts 2:1-21
Romans 8:22-27
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Holy Communion Questionnaire: Congregations of The United Methodist Church are being encouraged to move toward a richer sacramental life, including weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper at the services on the Lord’s Day. This has been advocated by the 2004 General Conference (This Holy Mystery) and the general orders of Sunday worship in The United Methodist Hymnal and The United Methodist Book of Worship.

During the year we have had classes in This Holy Mystery and four sermons have been preached on Holy Communion. Your Church Council would like to know your feelings as a congregation on this important issue. On the first two Sundays in June, a simple questionnaire will be included in your bulletin. Please take a minute on one of these Sundays, fill it out and drop it in the collection plate. Thank you, CUMC Church Council

Children’s Sunday on June 11th: The First Sunday After Pentecost / Trinity Sunday
(Final 9:00 AM Church School & 10:15 AM Worship for Summer)
Picnic on the Front Lawn following Worship

Opportunity for Updating our Financial Situation Sunday, June 11th Following Worship: A brief time of sharing around our current financial situation will be offered immediately following our 10:15 AM Worship service on Sunday, June 11th. While the grills are started and hamburgers and hot dogs start sizzling for our Sunday School Picnic, we hope many of you will remain while several of our leaders share updated information since our March information session and April Special Church Conference. And thank you all for the special efforts you are making toward assisting us with decreasing our projected 2006 deficit.

Special Offering for Utility Bills: Sunday, June 11th: In the past several weeks, the members of Centenary have responded generously in support of our church and its programs. In particular, the music and children’s programs depend on your continued support in both time and money. The fund raisers and direct contributions have increased income by approximately $9,000 and will help Centenary to maintain the programs while reducing the need to draw on investment funds. Unfortunately, the additional income has been largely offset by increases in gas and electric rates. Therefore, on Sunday, June 11 we are requesting a special offering specifically to help with gas and electric bills. As always, your generosity is appreciated.
—Richard Asmuth, Finance Committee Chairperson

2006 Greater New Jersey Annual Conference
One in Spirit, All in Ministry: In the Spirit of Worship
June 1-3 at the Valley Forge Convention Center
The seventh session of our Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will be held June 1-3, 2006, at the Valley Forge Hotel & Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA. Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar will preside at the business sessions of the Conference, which will officially convene with a Service of Tribute and Holy Communion at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 1st. Annual Conference is scheduled to adjourn following the Fixing of the Clergy Appointments and a Service of Commissioning at 3:30 PM on Saturday, June 3rd. Dean Bender, Centenary’s Lay Member to Annual Conference, and Pastor John Painter will attend the Annual Conference sessions. They will join with about 1,500 clergy and lay members of Annual Conference for this three-day gathering, representing local congregations and other ministry settings in and beyond the geographical bounds of the Annual Conference (the entire state of NJ; portions of Rockland and Orange Counties, NY; and a portion of Pike County, PA).

The theme for the 2006 Annual Conference session is “One In Spirit, All In Ministry: In The Spirit Of Worship.” Bishop Minerva G. Carcano will be the Conference Preacher. She will speak at the 4:30 PM service of Worship on Thursday, June 1st, and again at the 9:00 AM Worship service on Friday, June 2nd. Because 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the granting of full clergy rights to women in the former Methodist Church, there will be a number of celebrative events marking this special anniversary in our denomination.
Any members of Centenary who may be interested in attending any of the sessions or services of Annual Conference are welcome to do so, and may speak with Pastor Painter or Dean Bender for directions to the Valley Forge Convention Center and for the schedule of events during these three days. (You may also access the information at our Greater NJ Annual Conference Web site: www.gnjumc.org) We ask you to be in prayer for the Clergy and Lay Members of the Greater NJ Annual Conference as they gather this week for “Holy Conferencing.”

Some Thoughts for This Week:

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness and the word happiness would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. — Carl Jung

Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. — Susan Ertz

The squeaky wheel may get the most oil, but it’s also the first to be replaced. — Marilyn Vos Savant

We cannot sow seeds with clenched fists. To sow we must open our hands. — Adolfo Perez Esquivel, “Christ in a Poncho”

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. — Carl Sagan

In front of a church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: “Department of Eternal Affairs.

A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. — David Brinkley

When it comes to getting things done we need fewer architects and more bricklayers. — Colleen C. Barret

When an elder dies, a library burns. — African Proverb

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. — Albert Einstein

When I was young, I admired clever people. As I grew old, I came to admire kind people. — Rabbi Abraham Joshua Herschel

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 several other new features and links. Our thanks to Web servant Ernie Agtarap, who is now being assisted by John Wooding, for providing this on-line ministry of Centenary.

I look forward to sharing with you in study, Worship and fellowship this Ascension and Memorial Day Sunday at Centenary.

Shalom, John

---

10:15 AM Worship Service:
We will begin with a brief time of Memorial recognition, song and prayer for those members of the military who have given their lives in conflict.

Children’s Meditation: Pastor John Painter

[Please Note: Because of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, there will be no 9:00 AM Sunday School classes for children and youth this weekend. The Adult Class will meet at 9:00 AM to begin a new three-week study focusing on the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in The United Methodist Church. There will be a Children's Worship session this Sunday following the Children's Meditation.]

Sermon: John D. Painter Theme: FANAFI

Lectionary Readings:
Easter Seven:
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
1 John 5:9-13
Psalm 1
John 17:6-19

Ascension Sunday:
Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 1:15-23
Psalm 47
Luke 24:44-53

Note: The underlined passage in the Lectionary Readings is the primary Scripture readings upon which the morning Message will be based; passages with double underlines indicate the primary reading for the Message when more than one Scripture reading will be used as part of the morning Worship service.

Music: Chancel Choir will sing Come, Christians, Join to Sing, the Spanish Hymn arranged by Dave and Jean Perry and by Shirley Mosteller. A trio of handbells will accompany the anthem.

Celebration of Found Coins (Barrel Offering) is designated for the United Methodist Committee on Relief Appeal for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast.