We will join millions of United Methodists across the Connection as we observe Laity Sunday this week at Centenary during our 10:15 AM Worship Service. Worship Chairperson Christine Rose will serve as Worship Leader for the service. Trustee Michael Savoia will share a special word with the children, after which those in Pre-K through 8th Grade will be dismissed for Sunday School classes. Robert Carlson, our Chairperson of Christian Education, will bring the morning Message on the 2006 Laity Sunday theme: One in Spirit, All in Ministry: In the Spirit of Worship. Our Scripture readings for the morning will include Romans 12:1-3, Psalm 99:1-5 and Isaiah 6:1-8. Our Chancel Choir will sing O God of Youth by W. Glen Darst. Our Celebration of Found Coins is designated for the 2006 CROP Walk, which will be held this Sunday afternoon.

TGIF Fellowship Supper and Intergenerational Bible Study will be held this Friday, October 13th, at 6:30 PM at the church. All are invited to attend and share in the evening’s activities.
Centenary Book Club also meets on Friday, October 13th, at 7:30 PM in the Sunshine Room…following the TGIF Supper. This month’s book: The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. All men and women over the age of 18 are welcome.

Picture Taking: A reminder that our Centenary UMYF will continue taking individual and family pictures this Sunday, October 15th, in the Narthex before and after Worship. These updated pictures will be posted in the display case in the Narthex.
Food Collection—Sunday, October 15th: 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.
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

“Becoming a Disciple” Is the Theme of the Next Adult Class Study: In the Dust of the Rabbi: Becoming a Disciple is the theme of the next Adult Class study, beginning Sunday, October 15. This five-session DVD series, featuring master teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan, explores what it means to be a follower of Jesus, not only in the first century, but now in the 21st Century. The series is beautifully filmed on location in Galilee and Asia Minor, a region where the rabbinic practice of selecting disciples (talmidim) was well known, and where disciples walked the walk Rabbi Jesus taught them. If you’ve never been to the Holy Land, the Vander Laan videos, part of the Faith Lessons of the Bible series, are the next best thing to being there. Join us for this exciting study, starting October 15 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. in the Sunshine Room.
2006 CROP Walk ? Sunday, October 15th at 12:30 PM: The Metuchen-Edison 2005 CROP Walk for World Hunger will begin with sign-in and registration at 12:30 PM, and “Step-Off” on the Walk at 1:00 PM from First Presbyterian Church in Metuchen (to which all walkers will return at the end of the walk). Envelopes to secure sponsors for the 2006 CROP Walk are still available in the Church Office.

MUSIC DATES TO REMEMBER: There will be several events sponsored by the Music Ministry throughout the year. If you are interested in helping with these events or serving on the Music Committee, please contact Alison Williams or Shirley Mosteller, or leave a message at the church office.
· Sunday, October 29th at 6:30 PM: A Spooky Silent Movie, The Phantom of the Opera, with live piano accompaniment by Jonathan Benjamin; popcorn and refreshments served by our Centenary Youth.
· Sunday, December 17th @ 6:30 PM: “Carols and Cookies”— A chance to sing your favorite Christmas carols during Advent! Bring your friends and neighbors and especially cookies to share!
· Tuesday, February 20th: A Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner, followed by a Jazz/Cabaret Evening to usher in Lent.
All are sponsored by the Music Committee and will be fund-raisers for the church. We hope they will be well attended. Let your friends and neighbors know!

All Saints’ Sunday, November 5th: At our 10:15 AM Service of Worship on November 5th we will name and remember those members and friends of the Centenary Church Family who have joined the Communion of Saints since last November. If you have loved ones or friends who have died since November 6th, 2005, and you would like their names lifted up in memory during our All Saints’ Sunday Service, please provide that information to the Church Office by Wednesday, November 1st, so that they may be included. You may leave those names with Mary Kay Dangremond by phone during regular Church Office hours (9:00AM-1:00 PM weekdays), or provide them to the Church by E-mail (CentaryUMC@aol.com ), Fax (732-548-6256), or regular mail.

Visit with Bishop Devadhar on October 19th at 7:00 PM at Christ UM Church in Piscataway: Greater New Jersey Area Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar will visit with the laity of the Raritan Valley District this Thursday, October 19th at 7:00 PM at Christ United Methodist Church in Piscataway. The evening gathering will begin with laity-led Worship, followed by a brief presentation from Bishop “Suda” and an opportunity for questions and conversation. It has been the Bishop’s intent and desire to visit each of the nine districts of the Conference at least once a year to hear from the people of the churches. Please add this date to your calendar and plan to be present to participate in the dialogue with Bishop Devadhar.

Some Thoughts for This Week:

God didn’t do it all in one day; What makes us think we can?

It is important that people know what you stand for. It’s equally important that they know what you won’t stand for. – Mary Waldrop
It’s never about finding the time; It’s rather about taking the time.

One person with God is always in the majority. – John Knox

If we are not planted in Christ, we’ll be uprooted in crisis.
The only limits to God’s grace are the limits we impose on it.

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Prayer for the Week of October 15: Come into our lives as we sing your praises this day, O God. Visit us with your blessing as our thankfulness rises to you from the depth of our hearts. We will never know the vastness of your eternal kindness nor the breadth and length of your infinite mercy. Come into our lives in the warm flame of your Spirit that we celebrate in hope today, and listen to the hidden sounds of the gratitude within us. Thank you, loving God, for all that you give to us. Amen.
Next Sunday, October 22, 2006:
8:45 AM – Confirmation Class (Room 20)
9:00 AM – Adult Class & Senior High Youth Class
10:15 AM – Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K thru 8th Grade)
The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost / Children’s Sabbath
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Jesus Loves the Little Children…
Lectionary Readings: Job 38:1-7 (34-41) Hebrews 5:1-10
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c Mark 10:35-45
11:30 AM – Fellowship Time (Room 20)
5:30 PM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
I look forward to sharing with many of you in study, Worship and fellowship this Sunday at Centenary.

Shalom, John

John D. Painter