Dear Centenary Church Family:

We will gather in our Sanctuary at 10:15 AM this Sunday, September 17th, for Worship. Sunday School for Pre-K children through 8th Grade youth will be held following my Children’s Message. (The Adult Class and Senior High Youth Class continue to meet at 9:00 AM. Child care is available throughout the morning.) We will dedicate our 2006-2007 Sunday School Teachers during the time with the children. Assistant Pastor Terrilisa Bauknight will bring the morning Message, Your Actions, Not Your Words, based on the readings from Mark 8:27-38 and James 3:1-12. The Chancel Choir will offer O Sing a New Song to the Lord by David Starr. Our Celebration of Found Coins will be designated for the 2006 Spiritual Growth Retreat, to be held October 20-21 at Mt. Misery Retreat Center in Browns Mills, NJ.

GARAGE SALE AT CHURCH
Saturday, September 16 – 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 or 4:00 P.M.
We will participate in the Metuchen Town-wide Garage Sale. This will be a time for you to bring your treasures and let us sell them and the church budget will receive the proceeds. What a good way to sort out your treasures and let us sell them!
You may bring your items to church through today, Friday, September 15, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon. If you need someone to come and pick up your items, please let Sue Brownlow or Sylvia Woodfield know. We will need help on Saturday the 16th with the actual sale—especially some strong persons at 8:00 AM tomorrow to assist with moving tables to the front lawn.

For more information about the Garage Sale, please call either
Sue Brownlow (732) 494-9217 or Sylvia Woodfield (732) 549-9042.

India & Pakistan Adult Study Sundays at 9:00 AM – This “mission study” on India and Pakistan presents the richness and diversity of the cultures of these two countries, and explores key issues common to both, including gender issues, poverty, child labor, population, caste, illiteracy, religious extremism, globalization, and the complexities of the border conflict over Kashmir. Since 2006 is the 150th year of Methodist mission, ministry and heritage in India and Pakistan, this study is a fitting reminder of mission that is at once global and local—a mission that is rooted in the local, but whose wings are stretched across the globe. The five-week India & Pakistan study will continue through Sunday, October 8th. Copies of the study text, India & Pakistan by Glory Dharmaraj, are available in the Church Office and at the Adult Class for those who wish to use them during the study. We invite everyone to come and participate in this first Adult Study of the fall at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings in the Sunshine Room.

Becoming Jesus’ Prayer Study: Pastor John Painter is facilitating weekly studies of Becoming Jesus’ Prayer: Transforming Your Life Through the Lord’s Prayer by Gregory V. Palmer, Cindy M. McCalmont and Brian K. Milford. on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and on Thursdays at 9:30 AM. The sessions will be identical each week, and offered on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings, to provide flexibility for persons to be able to participate. Each weekly session is designed to last for one hour. Pastor John invites you to join with him as we explore Becoming Jesus’ Prayer together. Copies of the book are presently available in the Church Office for those who wish to participate in the study sessions.

1756 Mozart Anniversary 2006
Centenary United Methodist Church
Presents

A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music by Mozart

Saturday, September 30

7:30 PM

Musicians:

Shirley Mosteller, Soprano

David Iskowitz, Piano

Alison Williams, Oboe & English Horn

Aaron Abramovitz, Clarinet

A Free-Will Offering will be Received

Centenary United Methodist Church
200 Hillside Avenue
Metuchen, NJ
732-548-7622

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.

Saturday, September 30th at 7:30 PM: A Concert in Celebration of Mozart’s 250th Birthday, featuring piano, vocal and instrumental music.

Sunday, October 29th at 6:30 PM: A Spooky Silent Movie, with live piano accompaniment, popcorn and refreshments.
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!

Wednesday, September 20: UMW Metuchen Fair Workshop. 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in room 20. We will be doing some decoupage plates. We have all the materials – just come and work with us.
Thursday, September 28: UMW Kitchen Clean-up. 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in the kitchen. We will be emptying out closets, installing new shelf protection and throwing out things that have accumulated over the years and which are not needed anymore.

Wanted: Children’s Sunday School Teachers for 2006-2007 – Are you looking to help guide a child through their spiritual journey, and become the happiest person around? Working with children can be very exciting and uplifting. Join us, and become a part of the Centenary Sunday School Team. Contact Cathy Savoia for more information: 732-826-1921 or 732-548-7622 x12.
Wanted: Old Ink Cartridges – Please help support our Children’s Ministries by saving your recyclable ink cartridges. A list, with product numbers, is on the children’s bulletin board. We will be able to collect between $.50 and $3.00 for each cartridge. This fundraiser is for Children’s Ministries and Family activities.

Some Thoughts for This Week:

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow. – Alice Mackenzie Swaim

I noticed at a very early age that small things often have the biggest impact. – Willard Wigen, (British microscopic sculpture artist)

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. – Mother Teresa

Happiness consists of a solid faith, good health, and a bad memory. – Clare Boothe Luce

Whenever you fall, pick something up. – Oswald Avery

Whatever we leave to God, God does and blesses us. – Henry David Thoreau, “Inspiration”

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

The Christian message is juxtaposed between crowns and crosses… – T.D. Jakes

“Live out of your imagination, not your history.” – Stephen Covey

Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too. – Voltaire

Seems that God is looking more for ways to get us home than for ways to keep us out. I challenge you to find one soul who came to God seeking grace and did not find it. – Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name

Next Sunday, Sep. 24 9:00 AM – Adult Class & Senior High Youth Class
10:15 AM – Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K thru 8th Grade)
Music and Choir Recognition
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Measuring in the Right Direction
Lectionary Readings: Proverbs 31:10-31 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Psalm 1 Mark 9:30-37
11:30 AM – Fellowship Time (Room 20)
11:45 AM – Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting (Sunshine Room)
5:30 PM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
6:30 PM – CUMC Youth Fellowship (Youth Room/Room 20)

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

Shalom, John