Dear Centenary Church Family:

Because of a significant commitment beginning early tomorrow morning, I am sending my weekly Centenary E-pistle a bit earlier than usual.

Just a reminder that there will be September 11 Remembrance Services held tomorrow at 8:30 AM at Freedom Plaza in Metuchen, and at 6:30 PM at Papaianni Park in Edison.

This Sunday – September 14, 2008
The 18th Sunday After Pentecost
Dedication of Sunday School Teachers & Staff

9:00 AM Adult Study The Parables of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
Children’s Message: Cathy Jean Savoia
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Put Away Your Calculator
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 14:19-31 Romans 14:1-12
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21 Matthew 18:21-35
Music: Chancel Choir – Enter into Jerusalem by Richard Ho Lung
Celebration of Found Coins: Centenary Volunteer-in-Mission Trip in November
11:45 AM – Back-to-School Picnic in Merrill Park, Colonia (See Details Below)
6:30 PM – Centenary UM Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12) (Youth Room)

CUMC BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC
Come One, Come All
To the Back-To-School Picnic following service this Sunday, September 14
(rain date September 21). This year, it’s being held in Merrill Park, Colonia, where in addition to volleyball, badminton, croquet and other assorted activities, we intend to have an “Old-timers” softball game, so bring your glove. Hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken and beverages will be provided. Please bring your favorite salad or dessert. Also bring a folding chair for relaxing afterward. Hope to see everyone there!
Directions to Merrill Park from Centenary UMC:
R on Dellwood. L on Grove Ave. R at light onto Middlesex Ave./Rte 27.
At 6th light (2.5 miles), R onto Green St.
Immediate L just after underpass onto Middlesex Turnpike.
0.5 miles to Merrill Park.
Once in park, follow one-way road 0.5 miles to Grove 1B on the left.
Parking lot is just past Grove 1B, to the left.

Installation Service for the Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr.
as Raritan Valley District Superintendent
Sunday, September 14 @ 7:00 PM
A service of installation and welcome for the Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr., our Raritan Valley District Superintendent will be held this evening, September 14, 2008, at 7:00 PM at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church in Basking Ridge. There will be a time of light refreshments following the service. We hope that a number of folk from Centenary will plan to attend and formally welcome Bob and Linda Scott to the superintending ministry of the Raritan Valley District.

ClothesLine Ministry Alert
Back-to school month is here and, in addition to clothing for our needy children, we have been asked to provide as many school supplies and backpacks (new or gently used) as possible. We consistently serve approximately 150 school aged children so we are asking for help from all of our partnering congregations and individuals to obtain these educational necessities. You may leave your school supply items and backpacks in the hallway across from the Counting Room at Centenary. If you would like to arrange a time to drop things off at the new ClothesLine storage/sorting facility on Jersey Ave. in New Brunswick, or wish items to be picked up, please phone Tookie Bacon on her cell at 732-306-8736. On behalf of our children, we thank you. —Tookie Bacon

METUCHEN FAIR will be here before we know it. It is the first weekend in October (Saturday, October 4). If you have any ideas for craft items that can be sold at the fair, please talk to Sylvia Woodfield. If you need patterns or yarn or plastic canvas see Sylvia Woodfield. We will try to have a workshop or two before the fair to make some items. We have only one month to the Fair—so…get those brains and hands working!! This is the only fund-raiser that we have each year and it helps us fund our scholarships to graduating seniors and also provide camp scholarships each year.

ADULT CLASS STUDYING “PARABLES OF JESUS”
Jesus communicated deep spiritual truths through simple, vivid, and engaging stories called “parables.” Woven from the stuff of everyday life, the parables of Jesus made the kingdom of God understandable and accessible to his listeners. Starting this morning, and continuing for six weeks, Centenary’s Adult Class is exploring some of the best-known parables of Jesus using The Deeper Connections DVD Bible study series, “The Parables of Jesus.” This visually stunning series—filmed in Israel and in diverse locations in the United States—is written and taught by Biblical experts and consists of three components: the historical and cultural background of first-century Palestine when Jesus first told these stories; an engaging, close look at the Biblical text and its meaning; and encouraging and challenging applications of the Bible’s message to life today.
The remaining schedule is as follows:
· Sept. 14 — “The Grace of the Kingdom” (Two Debtors: Luke 7: 36-50)
· Sept. 21 — “The God of the Kingdom” (The Prodigal Son: Luke 15: 11-32)
· Sept. 28 — “The Demand of the Kingdom” (Treasure and Pearls: Mt. 13: 44-46)
· Oct. 5 — “The Mission of the Kingdom” (The Wedding Banquet: Mt. 22: 1-14)
· Oct. 12 — “The Fulfillment of the Kingdom” (Sheep and Goats: Mt. 25: 31-46)
We invite you to join us for this study that will give you new insights into the parables of Jesus and their meanings, and will help you to appreciate more fully their relevance for your own life today. The Adult Class meets Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Sunshine Room.

Bishop’s Songfest and Celebration
September 21, 2008 @ 4:00 PM
Ocean Grove Auditorium, Ocean Grove, NJ
“Everyone Sing!” is the theme of this year’s Bishop’s Songfest in Ocean Grove. The celebration of God’s joy through music will fill the air of the Great Auditorium on Sunday, September 21, 2008, @ 4:00 PM, when United Methodists and friends from all over the state and beyond will gather to sing resounding praise to the Lord. Plus, this year we will be using the Songfest as a time to celebrate the return of Bishop Devadhar for another quadrennium here in Greater New Jersey.
A new feature this year will be The Bishop’s Songfest Choir. In addition to our ethnic and praise ensembles, a new feature of the SongFest will be a combined choir conducted by SongFest Musical Director Rev. Dr. Tony Godlefski. If you are interested and would like more information on how to participate, please contact Tony Godlefski directly at PastorTony@montgomeryumc.org. Other questions may be directed to SongFest Coordinator Rich Hendrickson at rhendrickson@gnjumc.com. Save the date! Celebrate the return of Bishop Devadhar! “Everyone Sing!”

You 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.

Come One, Come All: To the Back-To-School Picnic
following Worship This Sunday, September 14
(rain date September 21).

You 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.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Saturday, September 27th
6:00 PM — 8:00 PM
ROAST BEEF DINNER
with all the trimmings!
Served Family Style.
Cost: $ 15.00 for anyone over 16yrs.
$ 5.00 for anyone between 5yrs and 15yrs.
Under 5 – free.

Kids’ Night Out: Friday, September 26th from 6:30-8:30 PM: Fellowship Time for children ages 3- to 12-years old. Dinner, Bible activity, and games are provided. Please sign up on the Children’s Bulletin Board. Speak with Cathy Jean Savoia for additional information. (Church: 732-548-7622, Ext. 12; Home: 732-826-1921)

You Can Support UMCOR’s Response to 2008 Hurricanes: After being battered by Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricane Gustav (and facing the threat of Hurricane Ike this weekend), United Methodists along the Gulf coast are beginning to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts through The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). You can support UMCOR’s efforts in the Gulf Coast by making your checks payable to “Centenary UM Church.” Please write “Hurricanes 2008” on the memo line of your check. Then place it in an offering plate at a Sunday morning Worship service, or mail it to our Church Office (200 Hillside Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840-1900). Checks made payable to “UMCOR” can also be mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write “Advance #3019695, Hurricanes 2008 on the memo line.” Credit-card donations can be made by calling 800-554-8583 or at www.givetomission.org (link to “Hurricanes 2008” under UMCOR Emergencies on the right hand side of the page).

Some Thoughts for This Week:

Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble. – Arabic Proverb

Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new. – Ursula K. Le Guin, from Night Light by Amy E. Dean

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. – St. Augustine of Hippo

Home is a place where the great are small and the small are great.

True faith does not contradict its words by its conduct. – Unknown

Prayer gives us the opportunity of getting to know a person we hardly ever meet. I do not mean only our maker, but oneself. – Dean Inge [adapted]

An argument is the longest distance between two points of view.

Growth is the only evidence of life. – John, Cardinal Newman

What gives me the most hope every day is God’s grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God. – Rick Warren

Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace. – St. Augustine

Humans are made to run on love;
We do not function well on anything else.

Next Sunday – September 21, 2008:
9:00 AM Adult Study The Parables of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
The 19th Sunday After Pentecost
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Complaining to God
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Philippians 3:4b-14
Psalm 19 Matthew 21:33-46
11:30 AM – Fellowship Time (Room 20)
11:45 AM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
4:00 PM – Bishop’s Song Fest (The Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove)
6:30 PM – Centenary UMC Youth Fellowship (Grades 7-12) (Youth Room)
Food Collection—Sunday, September 21
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

Prayer for the Week of September 14: We give you thanks, gracious God, for your extravagant power to forgive. We find it easy to carry grudges, to remember past hurts, and to cling to our role as judge over others. In your mercy you revealed Jesus to us, and we heard him say to the powers that would have destroyed him, “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” You have touched the hearts of others so they might speak forgiving words in impossible circumstances. We thank and praise you for such empowering examples, and we pray that you would help us grow in faithfulness to be agents of your forgiving grace. In thankfulness for your forgiveness, may we learn to forgive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I look forward to sharing with many of you in study, Worship and Christian Fellowship at our Back-to-School Picnic this Sunday…
Come One, Come All: To the Back-To-School Picnic
following Worship This Sunday, September 14
(rain date September 21).

Shalom, John