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Dear Centenary Family,
Once again, I want to say how grateful we are for all you did to make our week of hosting CARITAS a success. You stepped up to provide meals, do laundry, to provide transportation for showers, to load in and load out and we are grateful. And, we can never know what these simple acts of hospitality and kindness will mean to the friends who were with us for that week.
The Gospel reading this Sunday is John 15:9-17. It continues what is known in John's Gospel as Jesus' farewell discourse. Jesus is preparing his disciples for living in the world without his physical presence. In this part of that conversation, Jesus says something that is good news to all of us. "I chose you...I have called you friends...No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Who are your closest friends? Our closest friends are those with whom we can laugh, cry, and be completely honest. Our friends know our secrets, our flaws, as well as our dreams and gifts. They love us and are there for us.
Jesus calls us his friends. And, Jesus shows us what the highest kind of friendship looks like by laying down his life for us all.
I've been letting that good news sink in a bit this week. Jesus calls us friends. And Jesus calls us as friends, followers, and disciples, to let his example of friendship shape our relationships with one another.
In a world where many people feel lonely, forgotten, and rejected, perhaps one simple, powerful gift we can share is simply offering ourselves, and God, as true friends!
The sermon I'm working on is entitled "One True Friend." I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday-and in continuing to serve God with you, as you do so well and faithfully, here in downtown Richmond!
Peace,
Matt
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The Serving Team/Outreach Committee want to thank all of you for your countless time involved in making our CARITAS week more than successful. First, we thank the entire congregation for your prayers and support of this needed program for the Homeless. We had folks unloading our guests' belongings, delicious meals being prepared and served, food supplies being brought in daily, lunches being packed, clothes laundered, the kitchen cleaned, towels provided for showers, transportation to the YMCA, members staying overnight and interacting with the guests. We also want to thank The Staff for all the extra time and effort they gave to our being host for the week to our special guests.
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, May 6, Sixth Sunday After Easter
8:40 a.m. Informal Worship
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Service
This week, Dr. Bates will preach
"One True Friend.
"
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with her in 2018
May 10
1 Chronicles 28-2 Chronicles 1
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Dominion River Rock Race
The annual Dominion River Rock races and events will take place Friday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20 (starting at 6 p.m. on Friday). Please anticipate an increase in traffic this weekend.
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Attention All Graduates: If you or someone in your family is planning on graduating from high school or college this spring or summer, please call the church office at (804) 648-8319, or send us an email at
[email protected], by
Sunday, May 20, with the following information so that we can announce it in the bulletin.
The individual's:
1. Name (First, Middle, and Last)
2. Affiliation (child of, grandchild of, etc.)
3. School Attended
4. Future Plans
Thanks so much and congratulations graduates!
UMVIM Team Leader Training: Team Leader Training is required for first time United Methodist volunteers and mission team leaders. However, all interested persons are welcome to attend whether leading a team or not. There is no registration fee, however; we encourage participants to make an offering to the host church to cover the cost of morning refreshments and lunch. Doors open at 9 a.m. Continuing Education Units (0.5) will be provided for those needing CEU certification. Contact Cindy Ingroff at [email protected], and include the following information to register:
- Name
- Email address
- Primary phone number
- Church
- District
- Dietary restrictions
The registration deadline is noon on
Monday, May 7, 2018. The training will take place on
Saturday, May 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity UMC (903 Forest Avenue, Richmond, VA 23229.
Girls Night Out:
Join the church ladies, but no funny hats required! Eat quiche and salad, because we are Methodists and eating is a "thing." The UMW ladies hope to see you on
Thursday, May 10,
at 6:30 p.m. at Mary E. Vetrovec's (6404 Westchester Circle, Richmond, VA 23225).
Volunteers Needed:
We are looking for a few willing volunteers to help out in the office during Mandy's maternity leave beginning the end of August/beginning of September. If you are interested in becoming an office volunteer, feel free to contact the church office at 804-648-8319 or [email protected].
The Central VA Masterworks Chorale:
The Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale Spring 2018 Program "Sing for Joy!" will be held on
Friday, May 18, 2018
at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church (4200 Dover Road, RVA 23221) and on
Sunday, May 20, 2018
at 3:00 p.m. at Duncan Memorial UMC (201 Henry St, Ashland, 23005). This exciting program will include Leonard Bernstein's
Chichester Psalms,
and a contemporary work by Dan Forrest,
Jubilate Deo,
which is the Psalm 100 text brought to life in seven different languages. Contact Nancy or Vic Grand (804-495-5673). Also, check out this link for more details!
Chili Cook-Off:
Join our church family and friends on
Sunday, June 3
, at high noon for Centenary's Chili Cook-Off. Bring your best chili to share and compete in any of the following categories:
1. Traditional
2. White
3. Vegetarian
This is our fundraising event to send two UMFS students to summer camp at Westview on the James. Donations are encouraged and excepted. More details will be forth coming.
Annual Golf Tournament:
Join us at the Hollows Golf Course on
Thursday, June 7
, for the 2nd Annual Earl Siddons Open. 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 Rise Against Hunger. Hole sponsorships are also available at $50.00 per sponsor. 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!
Save the Date:
On
Sunday, June 10
, the children plan to make treats and lemonade to pass out to the congregation after the 11:00 a.m. service.
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Please Remember in Prayer
Rev. Kathy Talley (recovering from shoulder surgery at Chippenham hospital)
Bob Davis (cancer diagnosis and is staying at Hanover Health and Rehab)
Greg deKramer and family (Leah & Bob Hundley's nephew who is preparing for a bone marrow transplant in May)
Joe Speidel (Joe's mother is in hospice care in New York).
Mann Brown & David Pippin (in the death of Mann's father).
Frances Shaw (a friend of Sonia Topey-Smith, dealing with breast cancer).
Wendy Smith (her mother-in-law and husband's aunt)
Leland Lycette (severe back pain)
Riley Davin (niece of Vic & Nancy Grand)
Jennifer (friend of Nancy Grand with lung problems)
Lou Rosypal (at home following a broken hip)
Ron Davis (friend of Vic & Nancy Grand)
JoAnne Judd (close friend of Sharon Steele's, recovering from a massive brain injury in Boulder, CO)
Merle Brown (recovering from broken hip at home)
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Celebrating Birthdays in May
Bernice Walter
Billie Davis
Phyllis Stump
Mary Simpson
Pat Shipley
Earl Moss
Roy Cooke
Joyce Haley
Alice Cooke
David Ashe
Lynn Bailey
Tori Brock
Buck Haley
Sally Jordan
Charley Webber
Robb Stottlemyer
Louise Smith
Chris Jarvis
Kim Golden
Penny Speidel
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Photo of the Week!
This past Friday, April 27, our friends from First Presbyterian in Pennsylvania came to visit and performed a chorus concert for our Friday guests!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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