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A Message from Centenary
Dear friends,
We're all so grateful for all Ryland Bailey does for Centenary. For instance, just this week Ryland helped us figure out what to do with a refrigerator that went down in the kitchen (a crisis for a church with a feeding ministry), vacuumed the bell tower, and finished lining up the installation of our new floor in the social hall (the week of January 6 will be exciting!). I always learn a lot from talking to Ryland--things outside my own knowledge base--ancient Roman history, military history, aviation and mechanics.
But you may not know that aside from Ryland's mechanical prowess, he is an avid reader. I was so impressed recently when Ryland told me he'd finished the unabridged version of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. There's so much history to be learned from this 1500 page masterpiece. Did you know you can learn about the beginnings of the Paris sewer system from Victor Hugo? Ryland shared that the main thing he took from Hugo's novel was what it means to try to be a compassionate and loving human being in a world that can be cold, brutal, and sometimes unjust.
This got me to thinking. What books have you read that have made an impact on you, perhaps changed you in some way? Would you be willing to share that? Maybe we could start a list of books loved and recommended by Centenary members. That would help us all grow in knowledge and understanding, and perhaps appreciation for one another. I'd love to hear from you!
Peace,
Matt
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Advent Lessons and Carols is here! This Sunday during 11 am worship, the
Chancel Choir will present our annual service of seasonal choral music
for Advent. This has become one of our most popular services over the
years and will again feature a variety of music old and new. Not only
is there beautiful music, but also there is strong symbolism exhibited
by the procession of the choir to various locations upstairs and
downstairs. At each stopping point, a candelabrum is illuminated as the
choir "brings the light" into the world.
Can't get enough Advent Lessons and Carols? On the same day at 4:30 pm,
our Director of Music/Organist, Stan Baker, will be playing a half-hour
organ recital prior to Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Michael's
Episcopal Church, 2040 McRae Road, Bon Air, VA. St. Michael's is
blessed with a large Baroque-style Taylor and Boody organ which is a
delight to play and hear. You may view the organ here:
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Our 8:40 a.m. service will provide a more relaxed version of Advent Lessons and Carols with music led by Rev. Drew Willson and Lee Covington and will conclude with Holy Communion.
Serving Team Seeks Your Help for our Walk-in Christmas Party
The Christmas Party for our walk-in guests will be held on Friday, December 20. We would like to be able to give each guest a small present to show that they are remembered during the Christmas season. All who would like to help us provide these gifts of love are asked to deliver them to the church office by December 15. Any items that would be appropriate for their use or for them to give to a friend or child would appreciated. We know that is a difficult time to join the shopping crowd for extra people, so a check or card that would allow us to purchase $5 Subway or McDonald's gift cards would be helpful.
Stewardship Update as of December 6, 2019
Thank you for your response to our Commitment Sunday on November 24. To date, we have
58 pledges totaling $299,760
toward our goal of pledged and unpledged giving of $367,537 for 2020. Pledges are welcome any time by mail or by depositing in the offering plate during worship.
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Sunday, December 8, 2019
The Second Sunday in Advent
Worship at 8:40 a.m., Holy Communion
Advent Lessons and Carols led by Rev. Drew Willson and
Lee Covington
Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.
Worship at 11:00 a.m.
Advent Lessons and Carols led
by the Centenary Choir
Directed by Stan Baker
Cider Sing, December 15
Young Adults and Anyone Else Invited
Join Centenary's Young Adults for
Cider Sing: Christmas Carol Edition at Buskey Cider in Scott's Addition. Sunday, Dec. 15. Gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. Singing from 7:00-8:00 p.m. We'll have plenty of hymnals on hand as we sing the songs of the season with Jim Bennett and Drew Willson.
Due to the Cider Sing event, Coffee Theology will not meet on Friday, December 13.
In the most recent version of the Virginia Conference's e-Advocate, you will read this:
New video shares sounds of the season
The Rev. Drew Willson, Boulevard UMC, shares his thoughts on music of the season in the December Advocate and shares his gift and passion for music, especially Advent and Christmas music, in this corresponding video.
https://vimeo.com/374153732
I invite you to check this out!
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Announcements
Administrative Assistant Update
We are pleased to announce that Laura Nealley w
ill begin as our
new Administrative Assistant on January 6, 2020. For over twelve years, Laura has worked in the local church in administrative support positions. One of the things Laura has enjoyed most is the opportunity to work with staff and ministry teams to initiate, research, design and implement new approaches or processes that enable the ministries of the church to thrive. Laura has spent over ten years in the Virginia Conference, and is very familiar with the expectations and initiatives of our United Methodist connection. Laura's greatest passion is to support the people of the local church and allow them to more fully live into their calling.
Laura and her husband Tom will have been married 38 years in January. Their son and daughter-in-law live in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he is an air traffic controller. Their daughter lives in Houston, Texas where she works in a neuroscience lab as a research assistant. Laura and Tom have lived in Richmond for 3 years. When not working, you can find Laura at the gym, playing with their Yorkie, or enjoying a meal cooked for me by someone else!
Christmas Parade Open House, Saturday, December 7!
The Reaching Team is hosting an Open House at
9 a.m. here at Centenary on the morning of the Downtown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7, 2019. We will be passing out coffee, hot cider, and cookies on the sidewalk outside the church as people walk to and from the parade. If you are able to help by providing cookies or greeting people on that day please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054AAAAA22A0F94-christma
s
RVA Street Singers Concert at Centenary
Friday, December 13, 2 p.m.
Virginia Masterworks Chorale
Join the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale at their winter program with the classical choral piece - Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria". Other works will include
"Benedicite" by Richmond native Zachary Wadsworth
and
"Wit Wonders" by Benjamin Broening
, a faculty member at the University of Richmond. The choral works will be accompanied by a Vivaldi concerto for oboe and trumpet, and J.S. Bach's organ transcription of a Vivaldi concerto in D-minor. Ryan Tibbetts will conduct the singers and orchestra, and nationally-renowned organist Daniel Stipe will accompany and perform.
Performances will be on Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Street, in Richmond and on Sunday, December 15, 3:00 p.m. at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 Henry Street in Ashland.
Three members from Centenary UMC sing with the Masterworks Chorale! If you are interested in receiving complimentary tickets, see Nancy or Vic Grand - phone 495-5673 / 495-5674, or email
vicgrand1@gmail.com
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Centenary Christmas Luncheon
Sunday, December 15
Please Join us for our Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 15 immediately following our 11:00 a.m. worship service. The church will provide the meat. We're asked to bring sides and desserts. The Theater on the Mount will offer a brief dramatic presentation. Don't miss this time of fellowship and celebration!
CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE AT 4 P.M.
Everyone is invited to this service which features special music by Lee Covington and by our Bell Choir and an activity that is becoming a Centenary tradition. All families with children are invited to attend and have your young ones participate in our Nativity procession. No practice or preparation is required and parents may accompany very young children. Holy Communion concludes this service.
Please plan to be a part of this special Christmas celebration.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP AT 11 P.M.
At 10:30 p.m. we invite you to join us for music by the Centenary Choir prior to our 11:00 p.m. traditional service. The service concludes with Holy Communion. You're invited to bring light snacks for a time of fellowship after both services.
Introducing Gatherings, Our New Pop Up Drink Shop!
We will be serving specialty coffee, cider, and yummy treats!
Open: 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. and 12:00 Noon - 12:20 p.m.
Located just outside the sanctuary by the Ladies' Parlor.
Stop by and bring a friend!
Fall Sunday School Schedule
You are Welcome to Join a Class any Time
Join us for Sunday School. Dean Simpson is leading a class on
The Great Theologians.
Robb Stottlemyer begins leading a class on Shea Tuttle's new book, "Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mr. Rogers,"
which can be purchased on Amazon.
Adult Handbell Choir
The Adult Handbell Choir rehearsals will meet
at 8:30 a.m. on the third floor in the room across from the elevator.
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.
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Clyde Hundley--
Recovering from open heart surgery
Leah Hundley--
undergoing tests
Rev. Tim Gerde
--the recent loss of his mother
Sylvia Whaley
--the recent loss of her mother
Gavin
--friend of Vic and Nancy Grand facing kidney transplant
Ka Cheng
--friend of Vicki and Phyllis Stump diagnosed with breast cancer.
Tom Bailey
--recent cancer diagnosis
Ron Towers--the recent loss of his son, Ronald Vincent Towers, Jr. and his daughter, Lisa Denise Towers
Mitzi Golod and Libby Rhame- request prayers for their nephew/grandson and his wife and their families in the passing of their infant son, Wilder
Serena Durst
Joanne Crick Berft- daughter of Phil & AJ Crick, asking for prayer for recent health issues
Bernice Walter- medical issues
Les & Mary Dobbs
Merle Brown- now at home
Alex Hundley- undergoing basic training for the Army
William Clyde Hundley- facing heart surgery in December
R.B. Bennington- at home
Leah and Bob Hundley
Phyllis Stump
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
A.J. & Phil Crick- at Morningside at Bellgrade
Justin Laman- nephew of Lucy Hottle, a young father who has cancer
The Family of Jenny Bush- friend of Leah Hundley, who recently lost her battle with stage 4 melanoma
Wendy Tisdale- family friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd, diagnose with staged 4 lung cancer
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Congratulations to Alex Hundley who graduated from Basic Training on Wednesday, November 27!
You can watch Alex's graduation here:
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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