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Dear Centenary Family,
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Pastor Matt Bates |
I'm excited about something new we're going to try during Lent this year. First of all, we begin this season with two opportunities to worship on Ash Wednesday, March 1. We will be offering a brief service at noon in our chapel and a service at 7:30 pm that evening in the sanctuary. These services help us consider how to deepen our journey with Jesus toward the cross. Then on March 15 we're going to begin a four week series on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm. From 6:00 - 6:30 pm we're going to gather in the chapel for worship and then at 6:30 pm gather in the social hall for a light meal.
I've asked four preachers to preach on the theme, "If I Had One Sermon to Preach." As some of you know, we are very fortunate here at Centenary to have several retired clergy among us as well as clergy serving in appointments beyond the local church. I've asked three of these newer voices to preach and I've invited one younger clergy person to be part of this series. Here's the schedule which I hope you'll note and plan to be part of.
Wednesday, March 15: Rev. Rita Callis (retired)
Wednesday, March 22: Rev. Brooke Willson (retired)
Wednesday, March 29: Rev. Kathy Talley (serving an appointment beyond the local church)
Wednesday, April 5: Rev. Katie B. Gooch (serving as the campus minister to VCU)
I'm looking forward to hearing these preachers bring a new word to us. Watch for more information about each of these wonderful preachers in weeks to come.
I'm also looking forward to the times of fellowship following worship along with some time at dinner for conversation with each of these preachers.
This Sunday's sermon is from a challenging text - maybe one of the most challenging texts in the New Testament, Matthew 5:38-48. I'm working on a sermon entitled, "Love, Violence, and the Kingdom." On the other side of Jesus' teaching about how to respond to violence from others and how to approach our enemies is a kingdom vision of peace.
I hope to see you Sunday as we struggle together with some of Jesus' most challenging words.
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, February 19: Worship at 8:40 am (informal) and 11:00 am (traditional)
Senior Pastor Matt Bates will preach
Love, Violence, and the Kingdom
based on the scripture reading from Matthew 5:38-48.
Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 pm: Theatre Outing to Love, Loss and What I Wore
A group from Centenary will be attending a Huguenot Community Players' production of
Love, Loss and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron. Based on a 1995 book by Ilene Beckerman, this play uses clothing to create a time capsule of a woman's life. We hear stories of friendship, marriage and motherhood, struggles with illness and grief, times of love, hope and faith. Huguenot Community Players is located at Huguenot United Methodist Church (10661 Duryea Drive in Richmond). Tickets are $12 each.
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with Her in 2017
This week's readings:
February 17:
Numbers 14-15
February 18:
Numbers 16-17
February 19:
Numbers 18-20
February 20:
Numbers 21-22
February 21:
Numbers 23-25
February 22:
Numbers 26-27
February 23:
Numbers 28-30
February 24:
Numbers 31-32
You can now register if you are joining Bishop Lewis in her challenge to the Virginia Conference to read the Bible in entirety in 2017. The short poll allows you to add your name as well as district (Richmond) and your home church (Centenary).
Register here.
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Wednesday, March 1: Ash Wednesday Worship Services at 12 noon and 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 5 at 12 noon: Chili Cook-Off
Mark your calendars and start looking for a winning chili recipe! Prizes will be given for the best red chili, the best white chili, and the best vegetarian chili. Those who don't want to bring chili may bring a salad or dessert to share. And everyone who comes will be the judges! Drinks and condiments (sour cream and shredded cheese) will be provided. This will also be a fundraiser for scholarships for children to attend summer camp at Westview on the James. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 pm: Theatre Outing to
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Join a group from Centenary and attend this production presented by the Jewish Family Theatre at
Weinstein JCC (5403 Monument Ave).
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes
to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable.
Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll,
this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless.
Tickets will be $15 each. Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Wednesdays, March 15, 22, 29, and April 5 at 6:00 pm: Lenten Worship Services and Light Supper
Join us for four Wednesday nights during the season of Lent for Worship at 6:00 pm, which will be followed with a light supper at 6:30 pm. Donations appreciated. (Note that Chancel Choir rehearsals will start at 7:15 on these nights.)
Sunday, March 19 at 5 pm: Concert featuring the Norfolk State University Choir
The Norfolk State University Choirs
have been under the baton of outstanding, talented, and dedicated music educators since their inception. Dr. Carl Haywood, Director of Choral Activities and current conductor of the Concert Choir and Spartan Chorale, has enhanced the reputation of the concert choir and expanded the choral program resplendently under the auspices of the University's motto - Achieving Excellence, Success Beyond Measure. The Concert Choir has received glowing reviews in concerts all over the country. The choir, which performed twice at the White House and at the request of the Governor of Virginia in the executive mansion, is known for the beauty of its choral tone and the ability to render exemplary performances of choral works of the great masters, as well as authentic performances of Negro spirituals, and works by African-American composers.
Saturday, April 1: Bishop's Convocation on Prayer
Bishop Sharma Lewis will host a Bishop's Convocation on Prayer at Trinity United Methodist Church (903 Forest Avenue in Henrico). The Rev. Juanita Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, will be the plenary speaker for the convocation.
Workshops on a variety of topics are also being offered.
Thursday, April 27: Golf Tournament
Join us at the Hollows Golf Course for the 40th Annual Golf Classic. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a putting contest at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 11:45 a.m., and a Golf Tee-Off at 1:00 p.m. 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. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar and don't forget to practice your swing!
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Outreach and Mission Opportunities
Richmond Justice Center
The Outreach Committee will be accepting items for our new project to assist those incarcerated in the Richmond Justice Center. Often when a person finds herself/himself incarcerated, s/he does not have the most basic items for daily existence. We hope to remedy their situation by supplying these items. We will accept donations through Sunday, March 12.
Items for donation:
F
or both men & women - f
ull sized, solid antiperspirant, fu
ll sized bar soap,
12+ oz. shampoo,
12+ oz. lotion,
12+ oz. toothpaste.
For just men - w
hite t-shirts, u
nderwear (all colors and sizes - prefer boxers), w
hite long johns. F
or just women - w
hite t-shirts, w
hite long johns, s
ports bras (no wires), u
nderwear (all colors and sizes), t
ampons and sanitary pads.
Other acceptable donations - m
onetary contributions, p
aperback dictionaries,
Christian paperbacks,
Koran and
Bibles.
Please place your donations in a marked bag, labeled Outreach and leave them in the church office. Also, please contact Nancy Cook at 804-644-0240 or cook_t8rhill@icloud.com to let her know that a donation is waiting in the office for pick up.
Thank you for your concern and generosity.
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Please Remember in Prayer
Ryland Bailey, Sr.
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Bobby Davis
Rebecca Enos
Grace Hinchman
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland
Inez Johnson (friend of Vic and Nancy Grand)
John Seyfarth
Wendy Tisdale (friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd)
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Celebrating Birthdays in February
Chloe Simpson
Rachel Bates
Maria Dandridge
Troy Nelson
Toni Shelton
Jim Hill
Eli Armstrong
Clint Jones
Greg Speidel
Christina Kidd
Andy Jordan
Agatha Kidd
Nancy Grand
Ann Sykes
William Willis
Robert Bucher
James Armstrong
Nancy Reitzel
Justin Bates
Alan Davis
Virginia Sykes
Melissa DeVader
Ina Wilson
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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