CENTRAL TIME

weekly e-news from Central United Methodist Church
February 10, 2021

Mission Statement:
"Our purpose is making and nurturing
disciples of Jesus Christ."
The Servant Leader by Tom Norrell
Lent at Central
Normally we observe Lent by meeting in the sanctuary for prayer, singing and a sermon. After that we go to the Fellowship Hall for a simple meal. 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. Ash Wednesday Worship on February 17 will be recorded and on zoom. You may of course view it anytime on our website: Central UMC .

After Ash Wednesday, we will begin studying (on zoom) some ideas and feelings from Lent with St. Francis, by Diane M. Houdek.

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


Meeting ID: 861 6506 6944
Passcode: 718527
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February 14, 2021
Transfiguration Sunday

Virtual Service streamed at 11 am centralumcspartanburg.org
and on Facebook

Welcome and Announcements
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude 
Opening Prayer 

Hymn 154  All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (verses 1, 2, & 6)
 
Old Testament Lesson  II Kings 2:1-12

 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”
 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”
 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.  Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 

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

Gospel Lesson  Mark 5:21-33 

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.

Anthem This Little Light of Mine ... arr. Ken Berg... Abby Parrish, soloist
                                                          
Sermon: IT GETS BETTER   Rev. Tom Norrell
 
Response to the Word: In the days ahead, remind us of our salvation history, then show us your authentic glory. Amen. 
 
Hymn: 203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (verses 1,2,& 4)
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
Feb. 14 - Jim Badger - Edenton, NC - Reconciling Group on Race Relations
21 & 28 -Byron McCane- David and Bathsheba

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

as of December 31, 2020          
YTD Budget $646,565
YTD Received $595,814
*PPP Loans Received $64,755
*(included in total receipts)
YTD OVER/UNDER ($50,751)

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 14


Small Things With Great Love
a service devoted to being and doing

"Start by making your own home a place where peace, happiness and love abound, through your love for each member of your family and your neighbor." - Mother Theresa

Six o'clock
Fellowship Hall at Central UMC


    Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 864 7886 0640
Passcode: 079828 




















February Birthdays
10 Cashion Haun, Jane Ratterree
11 Jeannie Shelley, Jeff Smith, Marty Taylor
12 Betty McMillan
13 Scotti Killian
14 Caroline Pruitt
15 Laura Bailey, Sarah Broyles
16 Leland Wood
20 John Ratterree
22 Baker Maultsby
25 Morgan Clark, Michael Pryor
28 Marion Dannert, Jim Proctor, and
Carolyn McMahan
The Upper Room devotional for March and April of 2021 is available. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please contact the church office. Thank you.
Please pray for . . .




Geneva Aycock - SRHS - Room # 8431
Paul Lansberry - scheduled for heart procedure on February 18

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 7, 2021
Memorials

To Wiley Alexander by Paul & Sue Lansberry
To Marshall Buff by David & Eloise Clyburn, Joe & Ruth Lesesne
To Eric Guest by Joe & Ruth Lesesne
To Velma Harrelson by David & Eloise Clyburn, Don & Joyce Coggins, Paul & Sue Lansberry
To Alice Heavrin by Joe & Ruth Lesesne
To Patricia Hemmer by Paul & Sue Lansberry, Joe & Ruth Lesesne
To Teresa Watson Key by David & Eloise Clyburn, Paul & Sue Lansberry
To Drew Lands by Joe & Ruth Lesesne
To Bob Lansberry by David & Eloise Clyburn, Don & Joyce Coggins, Bill & Helen S. Fitch, Joe & Ruth Lesesne, Jennie Montgomery
To Rob Monson by David & Eloise Clyburn, Paul & Sue Lansberry, Jennie Montgomery
To Estelle Summey by David & Eloise Clyburn, Joe & Ruth Lesesne, Paul & Sue Lansberry, Jennie Montgomery
To Charlie Teague by David & Eloise Clyburn, Don & Joyce Coggins, Joe & Ruth Lesesne, Jennie Montgomery
To Marie Bilton Williams by David & Eloise Clyburn, Joe & Ruth Lesesne
Lifelong Learning at Wofford College

Spring Schedule 2021
March 8 - April 30


To register:

or call 864-597-4415

Lucy Woodhouse
Director, Lifelong Learning at Wofford
864-597-4415 (main)
864-597-5304 (direct)
Sacred Traditions And Rituals
2021 Services and Gatherings

a call to connection for celebrating creation

February 28
Tranquility with Tea Service
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
Reflection-
From Many Wells We Draw Divine Wisdom

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

1 Corinthians 4:1 NRSV
"Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries."

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.