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Dear Centenary Family,
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Pastor Matt Bates |
In a conversation this week, someone asked, "How do I know what my spiritual gifts are?" That's a great question. One of the Scripture readings this Sunday is I Corinthians 12:3-13 where Paul identifies a number of spiritual gifts. And then he uses the image of the church as the Body of Christ to remind his readers that just as every part of the human body is important, every person's use of his or her gifts in the Body of Christ is essential for the health of the church as it seeks to bear witness to God's love in the world.
This Sunday is Pentecost. We recall the way the Holy Spirit is poured out on all humanity and the way the church is empowered and equipped for its mission to the world. We also claim Jesus' promise that the Spirit is given to us all to remind us personally of God's presence and to empower us to be faithful through all the adversities and joys of our lives.
There are many signs of the Spirit's presence among us. One sure sign of God's presence among us is our willingness to call forth and receive each individual's unique spiritual gifts. So, how do you know what your spiritual gifts are? You might think about the things that give you joy or things that you are passionate about. You might ask others for their counsel. Here is a link you might find helpful: http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/spiritual-gifts
This short video introduces some thinking about spiritual gifts and provides a brief assessment you can take that could be helpful in identifying your spiritual gifts. I'd certainly be interested in hearing whether this resource is helpful to you.
I look forward to offering more opportunities for learning about spiritual gifts so that we can help each other identify the gifts God has given us, how we might live into them fully, and then share them most effectively. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be part of a church that celebrated its gifts, that celebrated its members' gifts, and pursued its mission on the basis of the gifts God has given us to share with the world?
One of the spiritual gifts is prophecy. As we enter this season of Pentecost, I've been drawn to thinking about the ways the Holy Spirit enables ordinary, often overlooked people to communicate a word from God to others with clarity and power. I've also been thinking about the ways we are uncomfortable when someone from the edge of the community, not properly trained or authorized, or from a group others look down on, speaks a word to us. Are we open to hearing a word from God that unsettles, challenges, surprises, or inspires us? There are probably more people with a prophetic word among us than we realize. I'm working on a sermon from Acts 2:1-21 entitled, "Listen - There Are Prophets among Us!"
I look forward to the season of Pentecost with you. And I pray that we'll all become more aware of the gifts God has given us and how we can put them to use - together - all for the advancement of God's kingdom!
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Friday, June 2 at 7:30 pm: Theatre Outing to Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost
A group from Centenary will be attending this Quill Theatre production at historic Agecroft Hall. There are disguises, flirtations, silly dancing, hilarity and heartbreak aplenty as the King of Navarre and his followers vow to devote themselves to the celibate life of scholarship for three years. Their counterparts, the Princess of France and her attendant ladies, are refused entry to the city when they arrive, so they decide to trick the men into breaking their vows. Each man in his turn falls prey to the charms of the ladies - but their happy ending comes with a twist! Tickets are still available. Call Ann Davis ASAP at 804-241-9608 if you'd like to join us.
Saturday, June 3 at 8:45 am: Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event
We will meet at Centenary to pack meals for Rise Against Hunger!
Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) is an international hunger relief agency that has been fulfilling its commitment to end hunger for more than 15 years. Since 1998, the organization has coordinated the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid to children and families in countries all over the world. The m
eal packaging program is an assembly process that combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets.
Invite family and friends. Have fun while serving a good cause.
Read more about it here.
Sunday, June 4
8:40 am - Informal Worship Service
10:00 am - Sunday School for all ages
11:00 am - Traditional Worship Service
Senior Pastor Matt Bates will preach "Listen - There are Prophets Among Us!"
based on the scripture reading Acts 2:1-21.
Important Notice about Sunday Parking on 4th Street
Please remember that on Sunday mornings if you park on 4th Street in one of the handicapped parking places (right hand side of the street as you head north - see photo below), you must
display a handicapped parking tag or risk being ticketed.
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with Her in 2017
This week's readings:
June 3:
Job 8-10
June 4:
Job 11-13
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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CD's Available
CD's are available from the worship service on April 30th that featured special harp and trumpet music by Mary Walter Bircher and Craig Bircher, with Pastor Matt's sermon
Walking the Way. Please call Sharon Steele at 912-2549 if you would like one!
Help Needed
Even though we have successfully helped with the purchase of a van for our Afghan family, the mother and children of the family are still in need of assistance running errands and getting to medical appointments. We are in need of someone from Centenary to help with transportation during the month of June, since the regular "car helper" is going on vacation. In order to qualify as a volunteer, you must submit a background check and $45.00. If you would like a sponsor for this fee, see Vic and Nancy Grand, who will be able to provide assistance. You may also contact Vic and Nancy Grand,
vicgrand@verizon.net
, for further information. Thanks to all who help.
VUMH Samaritan Program
The Hermitage is part of
Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc. (VUMH)
, a not-for-profit organization that makes a commitment to provide assistance to those who, through no fault of their own, may become unable to meet the financial responsibilities of their residence or care.
The Samaritan Program
provides peace of mind to residents who have outlived their financial resources. If you would like to make a contribution to this program, you can do so by going to this website and clicking on the "Gift to the Hermitage Samaritan Program" link at the bottom of the webpage;
http://www.hermitage-vumh.com/make-a-difference
. If you would like to mail a check or contribution, you can send it to 5101 Cox Road, Suite 225, Glen Allen, 23060 and please write "VUMH Samaritan Program" on the bi-line.
Wednesday, June 7 at 12 noon: Weekly Fellowship Group
Note that the weekly fellowship group that has been meeting at Aunt Sarah's is being moved to Bob Evan's on Glenside Drive.
Wednesday, June 7 at 7 pm: Performance of Soapbox Sisters
Please join us at Centenary for a uniquely entertaining and enlightening evening created by Quill Theatre and feel the fervor of 1918 Richmond, when Suffrage Leagues enticed women to leave their wifely tasks at home and fight for the rights of their entire sex! Quill will present two "propaganda plays" and an essay by three of the most forward-thinking women of the early 20th Century-Mary Shaw, Mary Winsor, and Richmond's own Lila Meade Valentine. Mary Winsor's A Suffrage Rummage Sale: The Auction Interrupted is a hilarious spoof of the scattered illogic of those who opposed the movement. In a pamphlet penned and published in Richmond, "Answer to Anti-Suffragists," Lila Meade Valentine--organizer and President of the Equal Suffrage League of Richmond--responds to allegations in the press against the Suffrage Movement. The Parrot Cage by Mary Shaw is an allegory of women's lives in the home as virtual pets. Living in a gilded cage, fed and provided for - are you privileged or imprisoned?
Sunday, June 11 at 12 noon: Assembly of School Kits
Join us for a pizza lunch as we assemble school kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). School kits provide children around the world with basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and other items.
To complete our goal of 100 school kits, we still need:
pencils - unsharpened, no advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols
paper - spiral side bound or top bound, or packs of 150 or less sheets of loose leaf paper
rulers - 12 inch/30 centimeter, hard or flexible, no advertisements
To learn more about UMCOR and the need for relief supplies,
read here.
Sunday, June 18 at 6 pm: Summer Movie Night
Centenary's Fellowship Hall is being turned into a movie theatre (yes, with popcorn!) one Sunday night each summer month. The featured movie in June is Hidden Figures, about a team of brilliant African-American women who provided NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program's first successful space missions. Rated PG.
Sunday, June 25 at 12 noon: Reception
A Centenary Love Story
Ginny came to Centenary as a child.
Dave came as a Youth Pastor 1955 - 59.
They met during Methodist Youth Fellowship.
Ginny entered college. Dave entered Divinity School.
THEN romance ensued. They graduated and married.
The Methodist Church issued marching orders and they
marched around Virginia (including Assistant Pastor and Senior Pastor
at Centenary and area District Superintendent).
Years passed with 2 sons, 6 grandchildren and retirement to Richmond.
Now they plan their next to last move to the Village at Orchard Ridge
in Winchester, Virginia.
Please join us on Sunday, June 25 for a reception following the 11:00 am Worship Service and share our love for Ginny and Dave Jarvis.
And give thanks for their combined 73 years of love for Centenary.
Thursday, June 29: Centenary Travels - Trip to Staunton, VA
We will leave from Lakeside UMC at 8:00 a.m., traveling in our own vehicles, and returning around 5:00 p.m. We will visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library as well as downtown Staunton and Sunspots Studios (for live glass blowing). Lunch will take place at Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant- for some good country cooking! Then, we will visit the P. Buckley Moss Gallery, in Waynesboro, and have refreshments. Check out the bulletin board across from the kitchen for registration forms and additional information about the trip.
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Outreach Accomplishments 2016-2017
All too often Outreach moves at a hectic pace, and we forget to give thanks for our accomplishments. So, let's take a few moments to enjoy our successes and to give thanks to our generous, caring congregation. The Outreach Committee applauds you!
September 2016 - Donation of four classroom sets of books to Chimborazo Elementary School ($552.68).
September 2016 - Support for our missionaries, Clara Biswas in Cambodia and Pat Watkins in U.S. ($2,000.00 to each).
October 2016 - Support for the Fall Golf Tournament and funds for Stop Hunger Now ($1,600.00).
November 2016 - Stop Hunger Now packaging event ($2,900.00).
November 2016 - Bring in the Harvest Thanksgiving food donations.
December 2016 - Christmas cards for our Walk-In guests for three Fridays;
each Walk-In guest was able to choose two Christmas gifts; also provided a comb, clippers, and razor to each Walk-In guest.
December 2016 - Provided Christmas cards to McGuire VA Medical Center.
December 2016 - Donations received for Gifts that Count Cards ($2,517.00).
December 2016 - Christmas Eve offering given to UMFS ($2,001.00).
March 2017 - Chili Cook-Off to raise funds for scholarship for UMFS camper ($652.00).
April 2017 - Accepted donations of clothing, personal items, and money for the Richmond Justice Center.
April 2017 - Support for the Spring Golf Tournament and funds for Rise Against Hunger ($1,200.00).
April 2017 - Helped our Afghan refugee family purchase a van ($2000.00).
May 2017 - Provide funding for consultant, Dr. John Wimberley, for Strategic Planning ($3,500.00).
May 2017 - Gave additional money to support Afghan family ($2,000.00).
June 3, 2017 - Will package 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger (needed: $2,900.00) Join us!
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Please Remember in Prayer
From Jim and Mirian Wickham: The Wickhams wish to thank our church family for all your kind attention during Jim's recent experience as a patient. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.
Ryland Bailey, Sr.
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Bobby Davis (now a patient at Hanover Health and Rehab)
Rebecca Enos, her church and her friend, Marlys Johnson
Kim Golden
Mary Hazelgrove
Jack Hill (back at home)
Grace Hinchman
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland
Leah Hundley (recovering from wrist surgery)
Lila Irby
Ginny Jarvis
Joe Kokoszki
Theresa Mason (friend of Agatha Kidd)
Nikita's (our weekly parking lot attendant) mother
Troy Nelson (preparing for heart surgery Monday)
John Seyfarth
Neil Shingleton and family (in the loss of his brother, Will Shingleton)
P.C. and Carol Yerby (parents of Mary Mismas)
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Celebrating Birthdays in June
Mike Darlington
Alex Hundley
Doug K. Wilson
Amelia Davis
Susan Somma
Lynn Martin
Clint Jones
Tara Swinford
Barrett Brown
Travis Levasseur
Will Petty
T.J. Speidel
Sue Siddons
David Pippin
Neil Shingleton
Rebecca Enos
Matthew Parks
Christie Siddons
Marshall Balance
Christian Brock
Rachel DeVader
Bennett English
Karen Willis
Leah Hundley
Scott Cooke
Eleanor Brock
Albert Nuckols
Sandy Shaw
Anne McCutcheon
Florence Clay Bishop
Ken White
Warren Hottle
Wirt Brock
Connie Bennington
Charlotte Smith
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Photo of the Week
Lila Meade Valentine - organizer and President of the Equal Suffrage League of Richmond - will be portrayed in the production of Soapbox Sisters at Centenary on Wednesday, June 7 at 7 pm.
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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