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Pastor Matt Bates |
Dear Centenary Family,
As many of you know, our 2020 Committee has worked diligently since early 2016 to develop a new strategic plan for our future. Here is the link to the plan on our website. We are also printing some copies to be available in the sanctuary for you to pick up.
We invite you to look it over carefully and prayerfully. Perhaps begin by looking at an explanation of the process we have been involved in, and then read our new mission and vision statements. And then focus on the larger major goals we have identified to help us in our mission as United Methodists of making disciples for the transformation of the world. Then as you have time and interest, peruse some of the strategies we have proposed to help us move toward the fulfillment of these goals. We look forward to an opportunity in October to talk more with you about these exciting plans.
I also want you to be aware of opportunities for witness this weekend in light of the rally that has been planned here in Richmond this weekend.
- An ecumenical prayer service is planned for tonight at 6 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
- Several groups have planned an alternative gathering at the Maggie Walker statue at Broad and Adams tomorrow (September 16 from 8:45 to 11 am). More information here.
- The Virginia Center of Inclusive Communities is planning events on the afternoon of Saturday, September 16 at Huguenot High School. More information here.
You can also continue to contribute to these needs here at Centenary by simply marking your check or envelope "Hurricane Harvey" or "Hurricane Irma." For Irma, you can indicate whether you want your contribution to go to the work being done in recovery here in the U.S. or the work UMCOR is doing in the areas impacted beyond the U.S. Please indicate your desire, "Irma, U.S" or "Irma, International."
The sermon I'm working on this Sunday is based on Matthew 18:21-35. It continues with Jesus' teaching about forgiveness. Forgiveness is hard work, but perhaps the holiest work. My title is
"Don't Forget, You've Been Forgiven!"
It's a joy to bear witness to Christ's love with you here in downtown Richmond - and a joy to look toward the future God has in store for Centenary!
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Saturday, September 16 at 2:30 pm: Theatre Outing to Ken Ludwig's Baskerville (A Sherlock Holmes Mystery)
A group from Centenary will be attending a production at CAT Theatre (located at 319 N. Wilkinson Road in Henrico). Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle's classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit. There are still a few tickets available. Call Ann Davis at 804-241-9608 if you would like to join us!
8:40 am - Informal Worship Service
10:00 am - Sunday School (Note - new class offerings for adults will begin. Dean Simpson will lead a study on the writings of
Viktor Frankl and Robb Stottlemyer will lead a study of the book
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.)
11:00 am - Traditional Worship Service
In worship Senior Pastor Matt Bates will preach "Don't Forget, You've Been Forgiven" based on the scripture reading Matthew 18: 21-35.
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The choir is back!
After a restful, refreshing summer, the Chancel Choir has resumed its regular rehearsal schedule and looks forward to an inspiring year.
We are putting on our English hats this Sunday and singing an Anglican Chant setting of "The Song of Moses" by composer Henry Edward Dibdin (1813-1866). Dibdin's first musical interest was the harp but later he became proficient on the organ and violin. He must have been quite the Renaissance man as he was also a teacher, composer, collector/compiler (of Psalm tunes for a book), painter and illuminator.
The Old Testament Lesson is the story of the parting of the Red Sea and how God, through Moses, saved the Israelites from Pharaoh's army. The Canticle (which replaces the usual Psalm) comes from the next chapter in Exodus and is a poetic song retelling the story through verse. For the most part, the song is very exuberant and basically loud! We have chosen to interpret the words "The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; they sank into the depths like a stone" quietly however. Through sound we are hoping to convey the image of all those Egyptian soldiers being engulfed. I'll make sure to play the "deepest" note on the organ here too.
Stan Baker
Director of Music/Organist
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with Her in 2017
This week's readings:
September 16:
Daniel 4-6
September 17:
Daniel 7-9
September 18:
Daniel 10-12
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Thursday, September 28: Centenary Travel Group Trip to the Eastern Shore
Our trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia is all set! We have 44 people signed up for the trip. Please arrive at the Lakeside United Methodist Church parking lot, 2333 Hilliard Road, Henrico, VA by 7:45 am. The bus will leave at 8 am.
The trip to the Eastern Shore is approximately three hours with an estimated arrival at the Eastern Shore Visitors' Center around 11 am. We will have a full day of touring, lunch, more touring, shopping, and dinner. We will leave the Eastern Shore around 7 pm. The estimated time of arrival at Lakeside UMC is 10 pm. P
lease contact Bob Almond at 804-833-3355 (cell), or 804-266-8633 (home) or email
bob.almond@verizon.net
.
Sunday, October 1 at 2 pm: Theatre Outing to Lysistrata
A group from Centenary will be attending this Quill Theatre world premiere adaptation of the comedy by Aristophanes at Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Arts Center (600 E. Grace Street in Richmond). What's the only way to keep men from going to war? Withhold the one thing they care about more than killing the enemy - their women. A young woman named Lysistrata convinces the women of Greece to leave their men until a peace treaty is signed. (*Be advised - the show will contain adult language and situations, and is not suitable for children.)
Tickets will be between $0 and $20, depending on our group size.
Thursday, October 12: The Earl Siddons Open
Twice a year Centenary United Methodist Church hosts a golf tournament at the Hollows Gof Course (14501 Greenwood Church Road in Montpelier) to raise money for a meal packaging event with
Rise Against Hunger
(formerly
Stop Hunger Now
), which ships these meals to countries where hunger is a critical
problem. 18,000 children die every day from
hunger. Over the years we have shipped 120,000 meals, which help reverse these terrible statistics
.
The golf tournament is a great way to enjoy the open air, have moderate exercise, a chance to meet and enjoy old and new friends, AND make a difference in the world. This year we have renamed the tournament in honor of Earl Siddons who ran the tournament for 20 years. Bring your own foursome or we can match you up with others. If you are not a golfer, you can sponsor a hole or join us at lunch. This year we are also inviting the other churches in the Downtown Community Ministries to join us for the tournament and the packaging event. To make your reservation for the tournament, call the church office at 804-648-8319 or contact Doug Wilson, Ann Davis or Nancy Cook.
Schedule:
11:00 am Registration
11:30 am Putting Contest
11:45 am Lunch
1:00 pm Tee Off
$70 / Person (includes green fee, cart rental,
putting contest, and a delicious BBQ lunch)
$15 / Lunch Only
$50 / Hole Sponsorship
Saturday, October 14 at 8 pm: Theatre Outing to The Great Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauley Fishing Derby
A group from Centenary will be attending a production by River City Community Players (formerly Huguenot Community Players) at Huguenot United Methodist Church (10661 Duryea Drive in Richmond). Investment banker James Bell gets stuck in the sleepy town of Kooshog Lake during their annual fishing derby. It's a fish out of water story that becomes a quirky and hilarious fish in the water story complete with romance, broken hearts and a shark attack. Tickets are $12 each. Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Sunday, October 22 at 4 pm: Hymn Festival
Featuring organist/composer Keith Beniston from London and the choirs of Centenary and Randolph Macon College, there will be performances by the choirs and Mr. Beniston as well as hymns sung by the congregation. Beniston is the former organist of Westminster Central Hall Church in London and has visited Richmond a number of times over the last 20 years to join us for this festival. A reception will follow the program. Contributions of food are needed and would be greatly appreciated - there will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Saturday, October 28 at 8:45 am: Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event
We will gather in the Fellowship Hall to pack meals for families in distressed areas of the world. This is a wonderful time for fellowship and commitment to missions. Bring family, friends, and neighbors. (Reminder: wear a hat or use one of the provided hairnets.)
Thursday, November 16: Centenary Travel Group Trip to Selma, North Carolina
Join us for a Centenary Travel Group to Selma. Enjoy some great Christmas shopping at DeWaynes, a one-of-a-kind gift shop and garden center all under one roof! Next, there will be lunch at a local favorite, The Robbins Nest Restaurant. Enjoy their popular "Country Buffet" featuring many delicious hot entrees. Last, but not least, an exciting afternoon of holiday entertainment awaits you at "The American Music Jubilee!" The motor coach will depart Lakeside UMC at 7:30 a.m. and return to Lakeside UMC at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $130.00 per person and includes round-trip motor coach transportation (as well as refreshments served during the trip and driver gratuity), lunch at The Robbins Nest Restaurant, and tickets to "The American Music Jubilee." Payment is due Thursday, October 5. Make check payable to SignaTours and mail to Bob Almond, 1309 Westwood Ave., Richmond, VA 23227. Also see the bulletin board across from the kitchen for flyers and sign-up sheet.
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Outreach, Mission and Justice Opportunities
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 2. Make checks out to UMUMR and the sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board next to the kitchen. Please turn in all money for orders to Pat Shipley on, or before, the Monday, October 2 deadline. Thanks so much and happy planting!
Protecting the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Items for School Kits
With back-to-school sales in the stores, this is the ideal time to pick up items for the school kits we will be assembling for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) this year. The items we really need to complete kits are: pads of wide ruled paper (spiral or top bound pads 150 sheets or less, can also be packages of loose leaf paper 150 sheets or less), pencil sharpeners (handheld - must be at least 1 inch long),
1 pair blunt scissors (rounded tip only, not plastic scissors),
24-count boxes of crayons (must be 24 count),
30 centimeter ruler (hard or flexible, no advertisements), u
nsharpened pencils (no advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols, cartoon characters are acceptable), and
2 ½ inch erasers (no advertisements, religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols, cartoon characters are acceptable).
Read more about the school kits here.
Pecan Sale
The UMW Annual Pecan Sale is here! To order, sign up on the list on the bulletin board across from the kitchen. Please note - extras bags of pecans will not be ordered this year so be sure to get in your order.
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Please Remember in Prayer
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Miranda Clayton
Nancy Cook
Roy Cooke
Bobby Davis
Mary Hazelgrove
Beth Hensley (Nancy Grand's sister)
Nancy and Jack Hill
Grace Hinchman
Jack & Lois Hinerman
The family and friends of Judy Holland, who passed away on September 14
Leah Hundley
Sarah Hunter
Jennifer (friend of Nancy Grand with lung problems)
Lila Irby
Joe Kokoszki
Dianne Letsche (sister of Gail Bolt who visited worship last week)
Mary Mismas' sister-in-law, Mary
Troy Nelson
John Seyfarth
Neil Shingleton
Wendy Smith's sister and foster daughter
Linda Vegas (friend of Doug and Patsy Wilson)
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Celebrating Birthdays in September
Patricia Emory
Juliana Steele
James Swinford
Cathy Armistead
Eric Meyer
Lisa Ashe
Carolyn Dinwiddie
John Cook
Karen Junker
Earl Siddons
James Durst
Bette Dillehay
Dan Corcoran
Elaine Ryan
Teddy Ryan
Libby Rhame
Mary Hazelgrove
Ginger Armstrong
Shelley Armstrong
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Photo of the Week
Waiting for Sunday's church picnic to begin!
Photo by Meredith Sanderlin Thrower
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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