Centenary's Weekly Newsletter December 30, 2016 
A Message from Centenary
This Weekend at Centenary


Sunday, January 1:  One Worship Service Only at 11:00 am. No Sunday School classes.
A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with Her in 2017

Dear Virginia Annual Conference,

I think you would agree with me that every New Year there are individuals who decide to make a New Year's resolution. I googled "New Year's resolution" to discover that there are several articles written on this popular subject. 

All of us have made New Year's resolutions ranging anywhere from losing 10-20 unwanted pounds, starting a new exercise program, paying off our credit cards and giving up a bad habit.

I've always found it interesting that people will go to great lengths to make a New Year's resolution - throwing away food that tempts their cravings, buying expensive exercise equipment with a voice-activated trainer or being the first person to join the gym. Unfortunately, it has been proven that New Year's gym resolutions are normally broken in 90 days, and the gym equipment becomes the new and latest clothes rack in our homes.

I've always wondered when individuals are making resolutions if they ever considered making a "Christian resolution." For example, resolving to pray daily for your church, to become an active agent in inviting people to your church or to increase their participation in a ministry in their local church.

As your new bishop, I would like to challenge you to look at this yearly tradition from another perspective.

Let's make a "Christian resolution" by joining me in reading the Bible together this year:
* Choose your own translation to make this experience engaging and exciting.
* Invite others to join you on this journey.
* Commit to sticking to the outlined plan at this link.

Let's become Bible scholars in 2017.

Peace and Blessings,
Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

This week's readings:

January 1:   Genesis 1-3
January 2:   Genesis 4-7
January 3:   Genesis 8-11
January 4:   Genesis 12-15
January 5:   Genesis 16-18
January 6:   Genesis 19-21
Calendar
Upcoming Events

Tuesday, January 3 at 9:30 am:  Un-decorating the Sanctuary 
We will be preparing the Chrismon tree for storage and putting the balcony roping, wreaths, and bows away. All of this should be done before the Sanctuary opens for prayer at 11:30 am.  

Monday, January 23 at 12 noon:  VMFA Lunch and Guided Tour of the Faberge Exhibit 
We will meet at the Cafe for lunch before we have a guided tour of the Faberge Exhibit. Everyone pays for their own lunch, but the tour will be free. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.

Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm:  Theatre Outing to The Top of Bravery
Join a group from Centenary attending this Quill Theatre production at Richmond Triangle Players (1300 Altamont Avenue in Richmond). T his astonishingly powerful work tells the story of the life of Bert Williams, beloved African American vaudeville star of stage and screen. Starring Jeremy V. Morris, who also wrote the play, this original musical will bring laughter, tears, and rejoicing in the joys and pains of our rich and fertile history.  Read more about the production here. Tickets will be between $0 and $25, depending on the size of our group. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen. 

Sunday, February 5 at 12 noon:  Staff Appreciation Reception
We are blessed at Centenary with a small but caring and dedicated staff. To show the congregation's gratitude, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee is organizing a Staff Appreciation Reception. Soon we will post a sign-up sheet soliciting volunteers to bring various kinds of snacks and finger food. Please direct questions or suggestions to Reid Ashe, 513-7223 or reid@alum.mit.edu. Please come and help us celebrate this wonderful group of people. 
Calendar
Outreach and Mission Opportunities

Socks Needed
The Bless My Sole Foot Washing Ministry is running low on socks and would love any donations that you may be able to provide. Men's and women's tube socks are especially in demand.
 
United Methodist Pecan Sale
This year's United Methodist Women's Annual Pecan Sale raised almost $1,100.00! Thank you so much for your generous support! 
Please Remember in Prayer

Paul Ailstock (a Centenary bowler)
Ryland Bailey, Sr.
Betty Brown (i n the loss of her sister, D onna Dae Mestre. Read the obituary here.)
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Carolyn Dinwiddie (in the loss of her sister, Jeannie Hudgins Tatterson. Read the obituary here.)
Rebecca Enos
Grace Hinchman 
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland          
Inez Johnson (friend of Vic and Nancy Grand)
Mike Jones
Rebecca Odea (friend of Rugby Baker)  
John Seyfarth
ten_striped_candles.jpg
Celebrating Birthdays in December

Mary Lou Webber
Doug Chen
Sam Shingleton
Suzanne Smith
Wesley Jarvis
Jim Witherspoon
Jack Hill
Kristen Keatley
John Grier
Richard C. McNeil
Anne Baughan
David Smith
Katie Murphy
Phyllis Stump
Christy Darlington
Matthew Enos
Marty Bucher
Mary Sue Sanderlin
Tom Bailey
Kim Chen
Reid Ashe
Sue Ann Holloway
Julie Redmon
A.J. Crick
Betty Brown
Sharon Brager
Maria Mast
Krista Boyd
Lissa Searfoss
Steve Gregory
Clinton Burns
Madeline Burns
Logan Davis
Leland Chen
Bryan Shelton
Nicholas Burns
Bob Willis
Photo of the Week
Some of the beautiful ornaments that adorn Centenary's Chrismon Tree.
Centenary United Methodist Church | (804) 648-8319 | www.centumc.org 
Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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