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Dear Centenary Family,
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Pastor Matt Bates |
We had a great time of fellowship and singing last Sunday. Thanks to Phyllis Stump and everyone who made this time together possible.
I've been drawn to the Epistle reading for this Sunday. It is II Timothy 1:1-14. Though many scholars believe this letter was written by a disciple of Paul after his death, this letter invites us to consider the elder Paul passing on wisdom and encouragement to his younger colleague Timothy. Verse 6 is especially poignant and often used to spur congregations on toward seeking a good old-fashioned revival of vitality, spiritual energy, and evangelistic zeal.
" . . . I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you..."
We all need reviving from time to time. But there is some nuance in this text that I think we sometimes overlook. Paul writes these words to Timothy because he recalls his tears and longs to see him. Timothy's problem isn't just that he's lost his enthusiasm for his faith. Something has happened that has brought him pain, disappointment, and discouragement.
That is an experience many of us have had - wanting to be faithful, enthusiastic Christians, but experiencing something that jars us, throws us off balance, or brings doubts and questions about the faith that once sustained us. I've been wondering how faith is rekindled when we reach those places in our lives.
I hope you'll come Sunday as we think a bit about those things together. This is also World Communion Sunday. In the midst of a broken world and a contentious political season in our own nation, we have the opportunity to focus on the ways faith transcends differences and mystically unites us to one another and God.
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, October 2, at 2:30 pm: Theatre Outing to Sylvia
A group from Centenary will be attending a Huguenot Community Players' production of
Sylvia by A.R. Gurney at Huguenot United Methodist Church (10661 Duryea Drive). The world of a middle-aged New York couple is turned topsy-turvy when the husband brings home an exceptionally, engaging canine running loose in Central Park. Tickets will be $12 each.
Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen and then pay for your ticket at the door.
New Sunday School Offering for Adults Continues This Week
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About Sunday's Music
Sunday's Chancel Choir anthem at the 11 am Worship Service is "
O Lord, Increase Our Faith! " This exhortation springs from a line in Sunday's scripture from Luke. Texas composer Richard DeLong (1951-1994) composed this choral setting in 1995. The inscription reads "for Samuel G. Baker and the choir of The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Richardson, Texas, on the occasion of the installation of The Reverend Steven J. White as Rector." Mr. DeLong chose a text from The Book of Common Prayer, 1549, to honor Rev. White.
There is amazing dynamic variety contained in the four pages of this anthem - from quiet pianissimos to fortissimos and back, all in perfect reflection of the text. Mr. DeLong also has melded elements of modern harmony (dissonance) with compositional techniques from the Renaissance (polyphony) to create this mini-masterpiece of sacred music.
More information about Richard DeLong:
http://ecspublishing.com/composers/d/delong
Stan Baker
Director of Music/Organist
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Monday, October 3: Reports to Administrative Council Due
This is a reminder to committee chair persons that your reports to Administrative Council are due to Suzanne Ray by
Monday, October 3.
Her email is
suzray@verizon.net.
Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 pm: Theatre Outing to Dracula
A group from Centenary will be attending a Quill Theatre production of Dracula at the Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse (600 E. Grace Street). Suspenseful, sultry, and spine-tingling, the classic novel by Bram Stoker (adapted by Stephen Dietz) comes nightmarishly to life in a timeless tale of horror. This is the story that began it all, powerful enough to inspire cults and costumes for more than a hundred years, but told in our own inimitably original way! Note that this play contains violence and may not be suitable for children. Tickets will be between $0 and $25, depending on the size of our group. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Monday, October 10 at 6:30 pm: Post Construction Church Tour
Members of the congregation will be hosting a Post Construction Church Tour. Stop by Centenary and go on a grand tour of the renovations of the kitchen and elevator.
Thursday, October 13: New Date for the Golf Tournament
The tournament was rescheduled from September 29 because of rain. Join us on the new date for the 39th Annual Golf Classic at the Hollows Golf Course. Registration will begin at 11:00 am with a putting contest at 11:30 am, lunch at 11:45 am, and a Golf Tee-Off at 1:00 pm. The cost is $75.00/ person, $15.00 for lunch only (firm reservations needed for catered lunch). The proceeds benefit Stop Hunger Now/Operation Storehouse. Hole sponsorships are also available at $50.00 per sponsor and $10.00 or more for patrons. Gift certificates can also be donated to be given as prizes.
Visit our website to learn more about Stop Hunger Now.
Sunday, October 16: Laity Sunday
Our Lay Speaker that day will be Kevin Bruny. Many of you will remember Kevin and his wife Ellen who attended Centenary several years ago.
Sunday, October 16 at 5:00 pm: Movie Night
Join us for
Movie Night at Centenary featuring the comedy Shooting the Prodigal, a movie about a church making a movie about the prodigal son. Refreshments will be served and there will be a talk-back discussion following the movie.
Saturday, October 22 at 2:00 pm: Theatre Outing to Hunchback of Notre Dame
A group from Centenary will be attending a performance of the Three-Penny Theatre's Hunchback of Notre Dame, an original adaptation by local playwright Ray Carver of the novel by Victor Hugo. Three-Penny Theatre is located at Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church (11421 Gayton Road in Henrico). Their productions are "pay what you want" performances; every audience member names their own ticket price. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Sunday, October 23 at 12:30 pm: Luncheon Meeting at Second Presbyterian Church
We have been in discussion with our sister Downtown Community Ministry churches about the possibility of working together to support a Syrian Refugee family. As a next step in our process of discernment, we invite anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity for service to attend a luncheon meeting following worship on Sunday, October 23 about 12:30 pm in the Second Presbyterian Church dining room. Please contact the church office by Sunday, October 9 or sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen if you would like to attend.
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Outreach and Mission Opportunities
Altar Flowers
We have an opening for altar flowers on Sunday, October 30, if you would like to place flowers on our altar in memory or in honor of someone, or for a special occasion. The cost is $20. If interested, please let Sharon Steele, Altar Flowers Chair, know as soon as possible at 804-912-2549 (home) or 804-615-8796 (cell).
Pansy Sale
The annual pansy sale to benefit Shalom Farms is here! The pansies come in multi-colored flats (1 flat is 32 plants). They sell for $20.00/flat. The deadline to place an order is Monday, October 3. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board next to the kitchen. Make checks out to UMUMR. Thanks so much and happy planting!
Visit our website to learn more about Shalom Farms.
Pecans Sale
Our annual order of pecans will be shipped on
October 28 so will be available on the first Sunday in November. Leah Hundley will be ordering:
4 cases halves
1 case of large pieces (10 already reserved)
2 cases of medium pieces(10 already reserved)
2 cases milk chocolate covered
2 cases dark chocolate covered.
Leah is not ordering the clusters or cinnamon glazed as last year they did not sell as well. She will put up a sheet on the bulletin board next week or will take phone orders at 804-746-9537.
Support the Hermitage's Bazaar and Bake Sale
Plan to attend the 2016 Country Store Bazaar and Bake Sale at the Hermitage (1600 Westwood Avenue in Richmond) on
October 28 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and October 29 from 9:30 am to noon.
Sunday School Teachers and Assistant Teachers Needed
Please, please consider volunteering this school year to teach or assist in our children or youth Sunday School classes for just one Sunday morning a month. The classes meet from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. We just need one more assistant with the children's class and two more leaders for the youth class. Please see Ann Davis for more information.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
The Outreach Committee wants you to be aware of an opportunity to help the struggling people in Louisiana as they overcome destruction from the floods. If you make a check out to Centenary UMC and write UMCOR #901670 on the bottom of the check, it will be sent to help with Louisiana's recovery. If you want your contribution to go to help with buying clean-up buckets for the effort, write UMCOR #901440 on your check. At this time UMCOR doesn't have numbers for the earthquake in Italy or the fires in California. We will keep you updated as we receive this information. Visit the UMCOR website to learn more.
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Please Remember in Prayer
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Ruth Anne Davis
Susan Dobyns (friend of Leah Hundley)
Grace Hinchman
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland
Jean Jones
Donna Mestre (Betty Brown's sister)
Troy Nelson
Marcus Smith (Suzanne Ray's uncle)
John Seyfarth
Kevin Watson (son of Cheryl Owen-Watson)
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Celebrating Birthdays in October
Ryland Bailey, Sr.
Barry Sanderlin
Elsie Jarvis
Milton Wright
Linda Ryan
William Bizzell
Andrea Dukes
Lila Irby
Kimberly Clark
Merle Brown
Jill Duncan
John Dillehay
Kerry Lambertson
Lee Cardoza
Corinne Brager
Toni Corcoran
Norm Dinwiddie
Karen Steele
Andrew Johnson
Matthew Simpson
Preston DeVader
Mary Shingleton
Pencye Bailey
Gary Levine
Mary Anne Dazey
Anne Richardson
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Photo of the Week
A nice fall day on Grace Street!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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