Thursday, January 9, 2020
This Week at Centenary

Sunday, January 12, 2020
Baptism of the Lord

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 Just Another Guy In The Checkout Line


Dear Centenary Family,

It's hard to believe that 2020 is here! We look forward to seeing where God leads us together in the coming year.
 
I want to thank you for your generosity as we finished up 2019. We finished the year in very good shape because of your faithfulness in supporting our mission and ministry here in downtown Richmond. We'll have more details to share soon, but for now, thank you!
 
There is a lot going on as we begin the year.
 
First, it is a joy to welcome Laura Nealley as our Administrative Assistant! Laura brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and commitment to her work.

Second, there's a lot going on in our facility right now. As you may know, the new floor is being installed in our social hall. This will be a two week process. This week, a crew has been removing the old tile. Next week, the new floor will be poured. Also, in the next couple of weeks Comcast will be installing new phone lines and internet service. We're anticipating much better service when this is complete. And, a new copier will be installed as we begin a new lease with a new company.
 

Our facility is a hub for mission and ministry. Our Walk-In Ministry happens here every Friday. We now have partnerships with several groups. Change the World RVA works with housing insecure young adults and rents space on our third floor. A group called Mental Health Professionals is renting space on our second floor to offer a program for persons recovering from substance abuse. We will be hosting "A Day for All People" sponsored by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy on January 22. And we will be hosting Homeward's Annual Point in Time Count, an attempt to connect with homeless neighbors in our city.
 
And, as you know, there is a lot going on in our denomination as we seek to discern what our future will look like. (You will receive a special email in the next day or two with more information on these developments and on things we are doing here at Centenary).
 
This coming Sunday is the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. I'm working on a sermon based on Matthew 3:13-17, the account of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. My title is "Just Another Guy in the Checkout Line." I've been wondering, as does Matthew in his gospel, why in the world Jesus would submit to the same baptism so desperately sought by ordinary sinners at the hands of John the Baptist? I've often approached this Sunday with the question of what our baptism means for us. But this year, I'm wondering what Jesus' baptism tells us about God.
 
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
 
Peace,
   
Matt
STARTING THIS SUNDAY!

Join us for a study of this book by Mark Achtemeier, 
The Bible's Yes to Same Sex Marriage:  An Evangelical's Change of Heart

Sessions will be led by Rev. Dr. Pat Shipley 
and held at 10 A.M. on Sundays, 
January 12, 19, 26, and February 2 

The class will convene in the Anchor Classroom
on the 2nd floor.


In the early 2000's, Mark Achtemeier embarked on a personal journey with the Bible that led him from being a conservative, evangelical opponent of gay rights to an outspoken activist for gay marriage and a fully inclusive church. In 
The Bible's Yes to Same- Sex Marriage , Achtemeier shares what led to his change of heart: the problems with excluding groups of people and the insights into the Bible's message that led him to recognize the fullness of God's love and support for LGBT persons. Readers will discover how reading snippets of Scripture out of context has led to false and misleading interpretations of the Bible's message for gay people. Achtemeier shows how a careful reading of the whole Scripture reveals God's good news about love, marriage, and sexuality for gay and straight people alike.

This new edition includes a study guide and a new introduction from the author that reflects on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and changes within the church. Perfect for groups or self-reflection, the study guide directs readers over four sessions to explore both Achtemeier's book and the Bible.

You can purchase your copy from Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

This Friday, January 10 - 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
 Coffee Theology at Urban Farmhouse in Scott's Addition. 
All ages are welcome to join us for coffee and faith conversation. 

Sunday, January 26
Sunday Fun Day at Tang & Biscuit. 
All ages are welcome to join us after 11:00 a.m. worship for lunch and shuffleboard.
(Our regularly scheduled Pub Theology on the fourth Sunday of the month is thus canceled.)
Altar Flowers for 2020

As we start 2020, we will be compiling a new Altar Flowers Calendar.  We are blessed with many folks who support our Altar Flower ministry by remembering loved ones each week, and we are always open to new folks who would like to honor someone with flowers. First Sundays cost $50 (2 arrangements are needed for Communion Sundays) & other Sundays are $25.  This year there are 4 months that have 5 Sundays - March, May, August & November, so the calendar changes each year as these 5th Sundays come and go! If you would like to sponsor flowers on a particular Sunday, please let me know & I will do my best to arrange for it.  Thanks for your continued support of this ministry! Sharon Steele, Altar Flowers Chair. 804-912-2549.
PECANS ARE ALMOST GONE!  

We have a very limited number of bags of pecans left at this point and will not be getting any more in until next Fall! Please call Sharon Steele to get yours today at $12/bag!...  912-2549...don't miss out! Great for healthy snacking and baking!! Thanks!

         
R.B. Bennington
Joanne Crick Berft - daughter of Phil & AJ Crick, asking for prayer for recent health issues
Betty Brown - Bill Glaze, Betty's brother-in-law has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
The Family of Jenny Bush - friend of Leah Hundley who recently lost her battle with stage 4 melanoma
Ka Cheng - friend of Vicki and Phyllis Stump diagnosed with breast cancer.
Shannon Conway - requests prayer for the Charles Sherman, Peter Oxborrow, Leon Beale and family
Riley Davin - Niece of Vic and Nancy
Serena Durst
Les & Mary Dobbs
Gavin - friend of Vic and Nancy Grand facing kidney transplant
Jane Grand - has been moved to a skilled nursing facility and has leveled in her recovery 
Jeff Hatch
Kathy Henn - surgery January 15 - sister of Maggie King
Leah and Bob Hundley
Clyde Hundley - Recovering from open heart surgery
Lucille Hunt - at Morningside at Bellegrade
Justin Laman- nephew of Lucy Hottle, a young father who has cancer
Suzanne Ray -  in the recent loss of her uncle
Patti Oman - health concerns - friend of Beth Hensley
Rev. Pat Shipley-- in the recent loss of two cousins, Bill Groseclose in Pennsylvania  and Mike Justice in North Carolina
Phyllis Stump - Back surgery, patient at St. Mary's
Rev. Kathy Talley -- recovering from recent foot surgery
Wenday Tisdale - family friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd, diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer
Bernice Walter - medical issues
Doug and Patsy Wilson --Congratulations on their 60th Wedding Anniversary!
Centenary United Methodist Church | (804) 648-8319 | www.centumc.org 
Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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