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A Message from Centenary
Dear Centenary Family,
Sometimes, we need to be jolted into having hope! It is easy for us to focus on life's problems. It is easy for us to focus on the world's problems. We should not be blind to our own suffering or the world's. But every now and then, it helps if someone can come along and show us that as people of God, we believe that God's goodness will have the last word.
I've been thinking for a couple of weeks about the Old Testament reading from Jeremiah 32. Jeremiah does something that seems illogical and irrational. The Babylonian army is surrounding Jerusalem and ready to destroy the city and the temple and do who knows what to the people. There is no way the people of Judah can defend themselves or stop the onslaught. The outward appearance would lead any sane person to conclude that life as they have known it will never be the same, that all hope for their future as a people is gone.
But Jeremiah, himself is in prison because he's angered King Zedekiah, buys a piece of property! No, he's not a tycoon buying low hoping to sell high. He says he does this because he believes that in spite of how bleak things look, God's people will once again own land in the city. They will one day return and build new homes. Things are bad-no doubt about that. But God is not through with these people.
I love that image-buying property when you're being marched off as a captive to a foreign land.
That's the kind of hope that sustains us when we feel depleted, defeated, and discouraged. It's the kind of hope that gets us out of bed to face another day. It's the kind of hope that is convinced that God's goodness will prevail. It's the kind of hope that believes that the enemy of death itself is no match for God's power and love.
I hope you'll come this Sunday. Let's put ourselves in a place where God can restore our hope. Let's put ourselves in a place where God can give us the power, energy, and determination to keep being faithful.
Peace,
Matt
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Join us next Sunday, October 6, 2019,
as we celebrate
World Communion Sunday.
Rev. Drew Willson will be preaching at both services.
Our 11:00 a.m. service will conclude at about 11:30 a.m. and we will process to 4th Street between Grace and Broad Street
and share communion with our brothers and sisters from
Third Street Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul's, and Second Presbyterian.
Communion will also be available in the sanctuary for those unable to join the procession.
Come join us for this special service!
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Sunday, September 29, 2019
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
8:40 a.m. Early Service
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship
Dr. Matthew D. Bates will be preaching this Sunday and his sermon is entitled "Outrageous Hope.
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Did you miss a service? Would you like to listen to a sermon again or share it with a friend? You can now listen to the sermon or the entire 11 a.m. service. The services are posted on our church website,
(Click on this link to go to the church website.). Each sermon
is normally available Sunday or Monday afternoon and remains available for later listening. Please tell anyone who might enjoy listening.
Join us THIS Sunday, September 29, 2019, when our new adult Sunday school sessions begin! Join Robb Stottlemyer in the Anchor class for a discussion of what is next. Or, join Dr. Dean Simpson as he leads a class on "The Great Theologians."
Children's Sunday School, led by Melissa Martinez, is back in session. Join us on the second floor!
First Sundays:
Organizational Conversation in the Library at 10:00 a.m.
Second Sundays:
Coffee Theology at Urban Farmhouse in Scott's Addition (6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.)
Fourth Sundays:
Pub Theology at Triple Crossing Downtown (6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.)
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Announcements
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
Sunday, October 13, 2019. 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 Sunday, October 13, 2019,
deadline. The flowers can be picked up on
Friday afternoon, October 18, 2019, or Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Thanks so much and happy planting!
Editors, The. "How to Grow Perfect Pansies That Will Fill Your Garden With Color." Good Housekeeping, Good Housekeeping, 22 June 2018, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706070/pansy-flower/.
Children's Picnic at Mt. Olympus Farm (Ruther Glen, VA):
All children and their families are invited to attend an outdoor adventure that includes fishing, kayaking, canoeing, an apple cider press, a pumpkin patch, and a farm stand! Please bring a large dish to share, meat and beverages will be furnished. If you would like to fish, please bring your own pole and bait- life jackets will be provided. Come and have fun with your children anytime from 11-3 p.m. on
Saturday, October 5, 2019
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We will meet at the picnic pavilion, rain or shine! For additional information, contact Mary E. Vetrovec at 804-615-8175.
Adult Handbell Choir:
The Adult Handbell Choir rehearsals will begin on
Sunday, October 6,
at 8:30 a.m. and will meet on the third floor in the room across from the elevator.
Lunch and Learn: Shea Tuttle Book Signing Event!:
Won't You Come "Meet" Our New Neighbor?
Meet author, Shea Tuttle, and wife to our very own Drew Willson!
Join us on Sunday, November 10, 2019,
following the 11:00 a.m. service
for a light lunch and a 20 minute discussion about Shea's upcoming book, "Exactly As You Are- The Life and Faith of Mr. Rogers." After the discussion, there will also be an opportunity to purchase and have a book signed by Shea!
Celebrating Centenary's 10th Anniversary as a Reconciling Congregation:
Our Reconciling Task Force is working hard to develop some ideas to help us observe the 10
th
Anniversary of Centenary becoming a Reconciling Congregation. We have recently hosted a gathering of the Reconciling Congregations and Communities from the Virginia Conference. We are planning a series of events through the Fall of this year and Spring of 2020 that will help us consider how to continue to live fully into the many different dimensions of our Reconciling statement. As you know, we seek to be a church that welcomes
all
people, and there's always growing to do as we seek to live out that bold vision. We have a budget of about $5,000.00 to cover expenses for all these anticipated events and want to give members of our congregation the opportunity to support these efforts financially. If you would like to contribute to these important efforts, you may do so by marking a check or envelope simply "Reconciling." Thank you in advance!
School Supplies:
Because of your generosity, our youth were able to assemble 48 school supply kits in June! They will assemble more during the year to take to next year's conference. We still have enough of many of the required items but do need:
- One-subject spiral-bound notebooks (each kit requires 3 notebooks)
The Centenary Buddy System:
The Centenary Buddy System is looking for individuals who would like to reach out to new members, provide updates for upcoming events, and be a resource to explain the ins-and-outs of the church. Those interested should sign up on the bulletin board by the fellowship hall or talk to Mann Brown/Nathan Grubb.
Fellowship Lunch:
The Bob Evans Lunch Group will now be meeting on
Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Hymn Festival 2019: In Memoriam Richard Steele:
Mark your calendars for
Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 4 p.m.
Keith Beniston will return and there
will be a guest choir from the University of Mary Washington under the direction of Chris Ryder.
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Merle Brown- at Memorial Regional Hospital and a had a cardiac
catheterization
Lois Hinerman- recovering from a stroke at The Hermitage
Lynn LaBarre- father passed away suddenly in Social Circle, GA
Alex Hundley- undergoing basic training for the Army
Allen White- outpatient surgery & passing of a childhood friend
Bethany Morrast- granddaughter to Bob and Leah Hundley, requesting prayer for preterm labor
R.B. Bennington- at Lexington Rehabilitation & Healthcare (1776 Cambridge Drive, Richmond, VA 23238)
Leah and Bob Hundley
The family of Lila Irby in her recent passing
Tom Shipley, brother of Rev. Pat Shipley who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Phyllis Stump
Serena Durst- back problems and much pain
Mary Alice Nesbitt
Lucille Hunt- at Morningside at Bellgrade
Jane Grand-
has been moved to a skilled nursing facility and has leveled in her recovery
Riley Davin- niece of Vic and Nancy
Shannon Conway requests prayer for Charles Sherman, Peter Oxborrow, Leon Beale and Family
Jeff Hatch
Nancy Penman- Wendy Smith's mother who has had a stroke and lives in New Jersey
A.J. & Phil Crick- at Morningside at Bellgrade
Justin Laman- nephew of Lucy Hottle, a young father who has cancer
Jenny Bush- friend of Leah Hundley, is diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma
Wendy Tisdale- family friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd, diagnose with staged 4 lung cancer
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Juliana Steele
Lisa Ashe
Carolyn Dinwiddie
Karen Junker
Earl Siddons
James Durst
Rachel Simpson
Bette Dillehay
Daniel Corcoran
Elaine Ryan
Scott Tilghman
Mary Hazelgrove
Ginger Armstrong
Shelley Armstrong
Libby Rhame
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Photo of the Week!
Our photo of the week is the address where Alex Hundley is stationed for basic training. Let's be sure to send Alex a card and even a care package or two to let him know his Centenary family are thinking of him!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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