January 14, 2022
In person
and Online
Worship
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Join us in our beautiful sanctuary or online at
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8am-Noon

Contacts
804-648-8319
www.centumc.org

Email Addresses
Rev. Matt Bates

Rev. Tim Gerde

Stanley Baker

Office/Laura Nealley
Dear Centenary Family,
 
In this season of Epiphany, we think about all the ways the love and light of God have been made manifest to the world in the life of Jesus whose birth we’ve just celebrated.

God’s love is revealed to the world in many ways. Some of us see God at work in the beauty of nature. Some of us have deep feelings of God’s presence when we gather for worship or take time to pray. Some of us see God’s love manifest when human beings demonstrate kindness and compassion to one another or when people stand up for justice for all people even when such a witness arouses opposition or ridicule.

One of the key instruments God has chosen to reveal the love of Christ to the world is the church. Believing that is a challenge for who those who have some awareness of all the ways the church has failed to be a holy and pure instrument of displaying God’s love throughout its long history. But Scripture itself shows us that God can use imperfect people and imperfect churches to make God’s will and purpose known to the world.

The next few Sundays, I will be focusing on the Epistle readings from the lectionary which are from I Corinthians. Corinth was an imperfect church, filled with conflict and division. Paul wanted to show them how to appreciate their diversity and discover a deeper underlying unity. In our text for this Sunday, I Corinthians 12:1-11 Paul describes the ways in which the Holy Spirit endows each person in the church with some spiritual gift. All gifts are important and vital to the health of the whole.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could foster an environment in our church where we made it a habit of pointing out the gifts and strengths we see in one another, and to then encourage one another to use those gifts for, as Paul puts it, “the common good.” I think the church would be healthier, the world would be blessed, and we would experience great joy in doing what God has gifted us to do.

The thing that brings unity out of diversity is our common confession, “Jesus is Lord.” All of us are trying to allow Jesus to guide and direct our lives. That is what binds us together and makes it possible for people to form real and lasting community not in spite of but because of their differences.

What is your gift? What are your strengths? What are you passionate about? What brings you a sense of joy?
I invite you to prayerfully consider those questions and then to offer yourself and your gifts to God for the good of others. Wouldn’t it be exciting to be part of a church living into its own distinct gifts?
Peace,
Matt
Fellowship, Study & Outreach
Fellowship Opportunities on Zoom
Drop-In Cafe
Tuesdays at 11:00 am
Everyone is welcome to drop in for a chat, a prayer, or wherever the spirit may lead.
Wednesday Bible Study
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Join us as we look at the scripture
for the upcoming Sunday.
An email is sent each Monday that will include
the scripture and Zoom links for these gatherings.
Keeping You Informed
Update on Covid 19 Protocols
At recent meetings of our Post Covid Reentry Group and Church Council, we discussed how to best respond to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. After those discussions, we have updated our protocols for in-person events and gatherings. Beginning this Sunday (January 16, 2022) these protocols will be in place until further notice.

  •  Masks are required for all persons attending in-person events, including Sunday morning worship.
  • Masks are required of all people (including church staff) in the building during the week unless those persons are working alone.
  • Please continue to practice social distancing. 3-6 feet is recommended. Please be especially observant of this during Sunday worship.
  • Every other pew will be blocked off for worship to encourage social distancing. 
  • Watch the church newsletter each week for links to updates on transmission rates for the city of Richmond from the CDC. (see purple button below)
 
Thank you in advance for doing your part to help us continue to worship and serve in person as safely as possible during this challenging time.
Altar Flower Reservations
Beginning January 16, we plan to resume weekly altar flower arrangements placed “in honor of” or “in memory of” others. 
The price will be $22.00
(or $44.00 for two arrangements on Communion Sundays.)
If you wish to reserve a specific Sunday in 2022, for having an altar arrangement placed, please contact the church office.

Many thanks to Mary E. Vetrovec for the lovely floral arrangements she provided on Sundays this past summer and fall. Sharing her gardening and artistic skills with us is much appreciated by all.
Inclement Weather
This week reminded us that winter really has arrived and with it the possibility of weather-related closures. Generally, Centenary follows Richmond City Public Schools - if the schools are closed, the Centenary office is closed. The closure will also be posted on our Facebook page with this graphic. If the weather forces a canceling of Sunday morning worship, we will send out a church-wide email, along with the Facebook announcement as soon as that decision is made. We thank you for your patience and flexibility.
The office will be closed on Monday, January 17
for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

January 18 @ 11:00 am - Drop In Cafe

January 19 @ 10:00 am - Wednesday Bible Study
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH