Dear Centenary Family,
The pace for most of us is a little different this summer. But there are still things going on here at Centenary. I want to share some of those exciting things with you.
A week or so ago, Bette Dillehay, one of our members who is the Director at the Mathews Memorial Library, brought a group of young people to Centenary who were part of the library's "Capture the Magic" program. A bus load of children came to see our sanctuary and to learn about our organ. Mandy Porter greeted the group and Stan Baker demonstrated the organ for this very attentive group. (See photo below and also at the end of this newsletter.) The beautiful music so impressed some of the young people - one young visitor said he wanted to follow in Stan's footsteps and another parent reported that her daughter was insisting they come to Centenary instead of their local church in Mathews. Thanks to all these who found a way to connect and share what's best about Centenary with this group of young people!
Our kitchen really is almost finished. Clean up begins in the next few days. We're so grateful to Alan Shaia and his family for allowing us to use the "Aurora" facility these past few months for our Walk-In Ministry. Our time there ends today (July 29). It'll be several more weeks before we can start using the kitchen as the work on the elevator installation begins around August 8. So we'll be making sack lunches and serving outdoors. Keep all these efforts in your prayers. And thank you for all you have done to make this dream (almost) a reality!
We've had some great Sunday School sessions this summer. We complete our study of the life and work of the Apostle Paul this Sunday. On Sunday, August 7, we begin a new study entitled "Get Their Name." We'll have the opportunity to keep growing in the understanding of our own faith story and how to share it with others. We have so many opportunities to connect God's love with new people here in downtown and metro Richmond. We continue to explore new and exciting ways to connect with young adults who are moving in all around us! But we all need help and encouragement in this aspect of our discipleship. Ann Davis and I will be leading this study. I hope you'll join us!
We have some things to look forward to. On Sunday, September 11, we will kick off the fall with our annual outdoor picnic on the street following our 11 a.m. worship service. On Sunday, September 25, we will have a covered dish luncheon with a time of hymn singing together. And on Sunday, October 30, we look forward to celebrating Heritage Sunday and the dedication of our new kitchen and elevator. Please put these dates on your calendar. And plan to share these opportunities with others!
Though many of us are in and out of town, we continue to pray for one another, especially those in our church family who are facing serious illness. Let's not forget how much we need one another and the blessing we can be to one another.
The sermon I'm working on for Sunday is based on Luke 12:13-21. The title is "Jesus Told Us Not to Call Anyone a Fool - Then He Did!" This text has spoken to me as it makes us all think about the things that fill our hearts with anxiety and worry. And it makes us think about our relationship with our money and things, and when our rightful focus on material security crosses the line from wise planning to greed. It makes us think about what's really important to us and why.
I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday.
Peace,
Matt
