CENTRAL TIME

weekly e-news from Central United Methodist Church
February 17, 2021

Mission Statement:
"Our purpose is making and nurturing
disciples of Jesus Christ."
The Servant Leader by Tom Norrell
Lent at Central
As we announced last week, we normally observe Lent by meeting each Wednesday in the sanctuary for prayer, hymn singing and a meditation. After that we go into the Fellowship Hall for a Lenten lunch. Obviously the pandemic will not allow for us to do these things safely this year. Instead we will do our work together on social media.

Next Wednesday, at noon, we will begin studying on zoom some ideas and feelings from Lent with St. Francis, by Diane M. Houdek. Each of our lessons will emphasize (via lectio divina) a Bible verse that St. Francis held dear. We will look at an event in Francis' life and finally have a prayer. We will read the Gospel of Luke 9:22-25

Below is the Zoom link and information for the weekly Lenten gathering on Wednesdays at noon.


Meeting ID: 861 6506 6944
Passcode: 718527
Wednesday Lenten Gatherings
at Noon on Zoom

Readings:
February 24 Luke 9:22-25
March 3
March 10
March 17
March 24



Holy Week Calendar
March
27 Passover begins
28 Palm/Passion Sunday
31 Wednesday of Holy Week
April 1 Maundy Thursday
April 2 Good Friday
April 3 Holy Saturday/Easter Eve
April 4 Easter Day
April 5 Easter Monday
February 21, 2021
First Sunday in Lent
Virtual Service streamed at 11 am centralumcspartanburg.org and on Facebook


Welcome and Announcements
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude 
Opening Prayer 

Hymn 193  Jesus! the Name High over All (verses 1, 2, & 3)
 
Old Testament Lesson Joshua 24:14-16
“Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods;

Concerns and Joys, Pastoral Prayer, and The Lord's Prayer

Gospel Lesson  Mark 1:9-15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God.


Anthem Come Down, O Love Divine - Hilary Tadman - Robins
Anna Neely, soprano; Abigail Parrish, alto; Phil Vernesoni, tenor; Al Jeter, bass
                                                          
Sermon: CLOCK OR COMPASS. . . Rev. Tom Norrell
 
Response to the Word: O God, give us a moral compass, a social compass, a spiritual compass, and a new direction. Amen. 
 
Hymn: 347 Spirit Song (vs. 1 & 2)
Benediction
Postlude: Brian Dailey, organ
Chiming of the Trinity
Please Read This Information:
We invite you to worship with us on-line for our Sunday services being held in the sanctuary.
Unfortunately, due to the rapid increase of COVID cases, we will not have in-person worship until further notice. Join us at our regular time on-line. This restriction does not apply to S.T.A.R. activities or the Palmetto Moravian Fellowship which is held in the Cannon Memorial Chapel, and only meets once a month. The next Moravian worship service is scheduled for February 28, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. For those activities that are taking place in-person, masks must be worn that cover both your nose and mouth, and a distance of six feet or greater between yourself and others must be maintained at all times. Remember our "ten commandments" for safety and health.
Upper Room Sunday School Class

You are invited to join the Upper Room Sunday school class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM on Zoom. If you want to join, click the link below and enter the meeting ID and password!


Meeting ID: 815 9104 7549
Password: 778963
21 & 28 -Byron McCane- David and Bathsheba

Our Giving
COVID-19
In the midst of this time of great challenge:

2020/2021 MONTHLY COMPARISON

This Year as of January 31, 2021          
YTD Budget $58,010
YTD Received $31,033
YTD OVER/UNDER ($26,977)
YTD Expenses $44,177

Last Year as/of of January 31, 2020          
YTD Budget $49,888
YTD Received $30,037
YTD OVER/UNDER $(19,851)
YTD Expenses $50,518 


Thanks to the faithful work of Ann Darby and the Finance Committee, Central is the recipient of a second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in the amount of $64,755. The PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the coronavirus crisis. Central will use these funds for payroll expenses over the next 24 weeks. Our first PPP loan was forgiven, and we expect to meet all requirements for forgiveness again. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen for Central!


Financial Statements are available in the hallway outside of the church office.

The work of Central continues and would not be possible without the prayers, generosity and support of our leaders and laity.
Sacred Traditions And Rituals

Sunday Evening,
February 28, 6:00 PM
(Fellowship Hall)

Tranquility with Tea Service
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls

Reflection
From Many Wells We Draw Divine Wisdom

Meister Eckhart, a 13th century theologian, philosopher and mystic, condemned to die for heresy by the Pope, twice - after he died . . . wrote: "God is a great underground river that no one can stop and no one can dam up."

Our prayerful Meditation and Contemplation, will be created and offered by David Heatherly and Jason Loscuito, taking us into this well of divine wisdom and allowing us to find our own well from which to draw God's wisdom.

    Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 864 7886 0640
Passcode: 079828 
from the Choirmaster's desk...
 
This week's installment of Music For At Home Devotions may appear a little later in the week than normal, but it is on the way! The Chancel Choir will usher in the penitential season of Lent with Carl F. Mueller's choral setting of verses from Psalm 51, Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God. There will be two Lenten hymns for your devotions: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days; and Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters, both sung to very familiar tunes. As always, the hymn texts will be provided in the link to Music For At Home Devotions. Please sing along with us! As has become our custom, we will conclude with the choral benediction, God be with you till we meet again. 
 
God bless you all. I sure do miss seeing you, and I look forward to worshipping with you, in person, soon.
 
Keith
Please pray for . . .




Geneva Aycock - White Oak at North Grove
David Harrelson - (recovering from stroke)
Paul Lansberry - scheduled for heart procedure on February 18
Family of Tommy McCutcheon (Ann Darby's relative)
Church Announcements for
Central Time or Sunday bulletin
If you have an announcement that you would like to appear in the Central Time, Sunday bulletins, on social media, or on the church's website, please submit that information to: info@centralumcspartanburg.org before noon on Mondays. Thank you!
Ways to Give to Central

We continue to be deeply grateful for continued support of the mission and ministry of Central Church. There are a few ways to continue to make offerings extremely easy.

  1. The US mail always works. We are at 233 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.
  2. Contact Ann Darby to set up a recurring gift through an automatic bank draft.
  3. On the homepage on the church's website there is a "Give" link. Once you set up that app any additional gifts are as easy as one or two clicks.

Central United Methodist Church
Website 
Tuesday Evening Bible Class taught by Andy Crosland on Zoom, at 6:00 pm. 
 You are welcome to join or to rejoin us. 
The Zoom link information for every class is . . .
Meeting ID: 847 8558 8972
Passcode: 800422
February 14, 2021
Memorial
To Rob Monson
by Ruth and Joe Lesesne
Lifelong Learning at Wofford College

Spring Schedule 2021
March 8 - April 30
Sacred Traditions
And Rituals
2021 Gatherings

a call to connection for celebrating creation

March 14
The Good Shepherd
a service devoted to being both shepherd and sheep

March 28
Tranquility with Tea Service
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
Palm Sunday Evening

April 11
Celebrating The Earth
a service devoted to grounding and the sentiment landscape

April 25
Tranquility with Tea Service
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
A Call to Community Around Birthing

May 9
Those Darn Girls
a service devoted to ordinary, divine feminine energy

May 23
Tranquility with Tea Service
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
Reflection - Ikebana
February Birthdays

20 John Ratterree
22 Baker Maultsby
25 Morgan Clark & Michael Pryor
28 Marion Dannert, Jim Proctor, & Carolyn McMahan

John 4:24 NRSV
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

Central (864) 582-7263
Central United Methodist
founded 1837
Central Office Hours:
COVID-19
Monday through Wednesday
and Friday
9:00 AM - 12 Noon
Get text notifications from Central
To sign up, text the word "Central" to 864-661-4726. After texting the keyword to this phone number, you will receive a reply asking for some simple info. Please click the link, include your name, and submit the form. You will be signed up! Any questions, contact Rev. Paige Wolfe.