Last week, I began a series of articles on the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic church. I talked about how grief over the changes is part of challenge and is an opportunity.

After recognizing our grief that what we consider to be normal is going to change and walking through that grief, we, Central and the Church, need to spend some time discerning our purpose in the season of a new normal. The Church was already going through a period of rapid change and the Covid-19 pandemic has only sped that change up. We can see this clearly in the retail industry and the bankruptcies that have begun. Retail was undergoing rapid change and the shelter-at-home orders have pushed weaker retailers into bankruptcy. Change is going to occur. We can see it as an opportunity to live into the future God is preparing.

God is at work; doing something new. Most churches had a physical location and on the side a online church. One of the changes happening is some churches are moving to an online church with a physical location. On-line church will be a bigger part of our each church’s worship experience. How is God calling us to expand and reach out to our online community? This graphic is from Texas Methodist Foundation.
This past week, the Governor announced that churches can reopen at 25% occupancy as long as we follow social distancing guidelines and other safety guidelines. Some of you asked are we opening up? A quick measuring of our sanctuary would allow us to accommodate at the most 52 persons.  Current guidelines also call for no congregational singing and congregational verbal responses in the service is being hotly debated. At this time, we will not be having in person worship services. One of John Wesley’s General (Simple) Rules of the Church is do no harm. As of right now, holding in person worship services would violate that rule. We look forward to a date we can meet together, but not now. The reopening date keeps getting moved according to the latest information and data we receive.

Sunday’s scripture lessons for Ascension Sunday are Acts1:6-14; Psalm 68; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11. The Acts reading is the main focus of Sunday’s sermon.
Children and Youth Ministries
  • Children, youth and families are invited to join Pastor Kelly every weekday morning at 10:00am for a devotional and activity. We will post the daily video on our website and FaceBook page, with a link to a YouTube Channel.

  • Youth are invited to join Pastor Kelly for a youth zoom meet-up every Thursday at 10:00am. Please contact Pastor Kelly to be included in the zoom youth meet up at kellyb@centraltolife.org.
Adult Ministries
Pastor Greg is hosting a zoom Bible study devotional and check in every Wednesday at 6 PM. Please contact Pastor Greg to be included on the zoom invite at gkennedy@centraltolife.org
Third Space Ministries
Pastor Kelly is providing a weekly 3rd space devotional every Monday morning. Please contact Pastor Kelly to receive this third space devotional at kellyb@centraltolife.org .
This ministry helps keep members in contact with each other by writing notes to
someone in the congregation. If you would like to receive a note from a member of the Circuit Writers or be part of this ministry, please contact Cindy at pwcin1963@gmail.com.
For more information about the ministries of Central United Methodist Church,
email info@centraltolife.org, call the church office at 243-7834
or check out our website at www.centraltolife.org
May 24, 2020 Order of Service

  • Welcome

  • Prelude..........Prelude on “Picardy”..........Karen Marrolli

  • Call To Worship
In the garden,
(All) Christ comes to meet us.
On the mountain, 
(All) Christ comes to meet us.
In our lives,
(All) Christ comes to meet us.
In our worship, 
(All) we are blessed to come and meet Christ again.

  • Hymn of Praise..........All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (vs 1,2,4,6), 154 UMH

  • Opening Prayer
The Lord be with you
(All) And also with you
Let us pray:
(All) Christ, even as you opened the minds of those first disciples, open our minds this day. As you blessed them with your presence, bless us by meeting us in this time of worship. Witness to us, that we may bear witness to your presence to all the world. Amen.

  • Prayers for Memorial Day

  • The Lords Prayer

  • Scripture Reading: Acts 1:6-14

  • Anthem..........Revive Us Again..........arr. Marrolli

  • Sermon

  • Catalytic Generosity

  • Doxology..........Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow, 94 UMH

  • Hymn to Engage the World..........Be Thou My Vision, 451 UMH

  • Blessing

  • Sending Forth

  • Postlude..........Christ Beside Me..........Irish Melody
How to Give:
  • Mobil – Text #505.384.7589
  • Online – centraltolife.org
  • Mail a Check – 201 University Blvd, NE Albuquerque NM 87106
  • Bank Draft – Contact your bank directly 
  • Recurring E-Giving Through Employee or United Way
For more information about the ministries of Central United Methodist Church,
email info@centraltolife.org, call the church office at 243-7834
or check out our website at www.centraltolife.org
201 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 • (505) 243-7834 • www.centraltolife.org