Dear Centenary Church Family:

This Sunday – September 7, 2008 – The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
Sacrament of Holy Communion

9:00 AM Adult Study The Parable of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
Children’s Message: Pastor John Painter
Preacher: John D. Painter Theme: Taste and See That God Is Good
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 12:1-14 Romans 13:8-14
Psalm 148 or Psalm 149 Matthew 18:15-20
Music: Chancel Choir returns from Summer break
Celebration of Found Coins: Centenary Volunteer-in-Mission Trip in November
11:45 AM – Fellowship Time – Cupcake Sunday
“Cupcakes, Cupcakes”: Help us celebrate the beginning of a new year
for Sunday School by baking a dozen cupcakes for Fellowship Time
this Sunday, September 7th.
5:45 PM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)

Carpet Cleaning—Assistance Needed After Worship with Moving Chairs: On Monday, September 8, the carpets in the Sanctuary and main hallways at our church will be professionally cleaned. In preparation for the cleaning, we need to clear out the chairs and other items from the Sanctuary and surrounding halls following our Worship service this morning (about 11:45 AM). We plan to restore the chairs to the Sanctuary on Wednesday evening, September 10, beginning at 7:00 PM. Again, any persons who are able to come and assist with this task are asked to be at the church on the 10th to help reset the chairs and Chancel furniture. Many hands make light work… Thanks for lending yours….

ADULT CLASS BEGINS YEAR WITH “PARABLES OF JESUS” STUDY
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 Sunday, September 7, and continuing for six weeks, Centenary’s Adult Class will be 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 schedule is as follows:
· Sept. 7 — “The Coming of the Kingdom” (Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast: Matthew 13: 24-33)
· 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.

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

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.
UMW Workshop for the Metuchen Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 10th at 9:30 AM in Room 20. We will be doing some decoupage plates and taking inventory of fair items already finished. Anyone who is available to assist is encouraged to take part.

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

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 on 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.

Centenary Book Club will hold its opening session on Friday, September 12, at 7:00 PM and discuss the Summer Book, Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Centenary Book Club is open to anyone ages 18 years of age or older, male or female.

Save the Date!
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. as our Raritan Valley District Superintendent will be held next Sunday, 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.
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!”

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

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)

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.

Some Thoughts for This Week:

You are my friend when you can guard my failure, challenge my thought and celebrate my success. – Unknown

If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears. – Glenn Clark

The kind of humor I like is the thing that makes me laugh for 5 seconds and think for ten minutes. – William Davis

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. – Bill Cosby

No one who has once heartily and wholly laughed can be altogether irreclaimably bad. – Thomas Carlyle [adapted]

The saving grace of America lies in the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities–a sense of humor and a sense of proportion. – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The Christian can realize union with God not only through interior prayer, but also in action – Ramon Bautista, Catholic priest in the Philippines

When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out. – David L. Weatherford

Things do not change; we change. – Henry David Thoreau

We can never be the better for our religion if our neighbor is the worse for it. – Anonymous

Give until it hurts, because real love hurts. – Mother Teresa

Those who thank God much are the truly wealthy. – Albert Schweitzer

An error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. – Orlando A. Battista

There is no substitute for basic honesty and integrity in one’s life.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. – Edward Everett Hale

We are always justified and we are always sinners. We depend not on our goodness, but on the gracious mercy of God. – Desmond Tutu

Where there is great love there are always miracles. – Willa Cather

God is the only third party in a marriage that can make it work.

Next Sunday – September 14, 2008:
9:00 AM Adult Study The Parable of Jesus (Sunshine Room)
10:15 AM Worship & Sunday School (Pre-K through 12th Grade)
The 18th Sunday After Pentecost – Dedication of Sunday School Teachers & Staff
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
11:45 AM – Back to School Church Picnic in Merrill Park
5:45 PM – Junior Choir Rehearsal (Music Room)
6:30 PM – Centenary UMC Youth Fellowship (Youth Room)
7:00 PM – Installation Service for Rev. Robert W. Scott, Jr. as Raritan Valley District
Superintendent (Bishop Janes UMC in Basking Ridge, NJ)

CUMC BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC
Come One, Come All
To the Back-To-School Picnic following service on Sunday, September 14 (rain date September 21). This year, it’s going to be 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: 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.

Prayer for the Week of September 7: God of our salvation, we thank and praise you this day for your mighty acts of deliverance. The scriptures reveal you as the God who brings salvation. In the Bible we learn of Noah and how you saved your creation from destruction and provided a new beginning. You selected Moses to lead your people out of slavery, and you delivered them out of the waters into a land you had promised. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ you delivered us from the power of death. Even now, when we see signs of new life and a new beginning, we know we are witnessing you at work through the power of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for the forgiveness of sins and the promise that death will not hold eternal power over us. We praise you for those moments of deliverance when we realize the dangers we were spared from, and we look to the day when our salvation is fully realized and we are ushered into our heavenly home. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I look forward to sharing with many of you in study, Worship & Holy Communion, and Christian Fellowship as we begin our fall schedule this Sunday at Centenary.

Shalom, John