Wednesday, November 10, 2021
CENTRAL TIME
weekly e-news from Central United Methodist Church


from Paige Wolfe,
Minister of Christian Education and Programs
 
I used to be one of those people whose car was always neat and clean. As a teenager, I’d fuss at my sister for leaving any trash in the car. Everything was neat and in order. As you might have guessed, those days are gone. Now, my car is a mess. My house is a mess. Even my office is a mess. Somewhere between those early driving days and now, mess has become a constant in my life. 
As I look back, there is something about adding a spouse and three children that changed my outlook on mess. I still prefer things tidy, but I have found that the mess is worth it. Perhaps it is the winding road that brought us together. Perhaps it is the joy within the mess. Whatever the case, it is evident that God is in the mess. In six short weeks, Central will host our first Messy Church gathering by celebrating Christmas together. While I’m certain the food, crafts, and celebration will bring some mess in and of themselves, these are not the only mess we will encounter. Messy Church is about doing life together in the midst of the mess. “Messy Church is not a way to fix one another but it is a welcoming space to share our broken yet blessed lives with one another as we recognize the HOLY ONE present in the midst of the messy relationships, messy questions, messy schedules of our messy lives” (Roberta Egli, Executive Director of Messy Church USA). 
Life is messy. You are invited to church that is messy too. Let’s join together in building a Christ-centered community that finds joy in the mess.   
 
Messy Christmas - Wednesday, December 22, 5:30-7:30pm 
  
Other Messy Church Dates: 
– Sunday, January 30, 4-6pm 
– Sunday, February 20, 4-6pm 
– Sunday, March 20, 4-6pm 
– Sunday, May 15, 4-6pm 
 
The United Methodist Women
The UMW meeting on Monday, November 8th was so good! Mary Lou Miller played a lovely prelude on the piano. Pastor Cam opened the meeting with prayer; and Rev. Paige Wolfe facilitated the Zoom meeting. President Martha Badger welcomed our program presenters, Vickie Harvey and Betty Sue Buttermilk. Also visiting was Pastor Annie Crocker from Beaumont UMC. The program was shared by Vickie and Betty Sue. . .based on scripture from the Gospel of Mark and our World Thank Offering theme. Vickie challenged us to think of new ways we can revitalize our UMW unit and welcome newcomers. Vickie and Betty Sue gave us some examples of ways to move forward. (Betty Sue is quite a character that many of you have enjoyed over the years at District Meetings and Retreats.)
We brought our World Thank Offerings to the altar railing. Janet Wilson gave the Treasurer’s report and passed the basket for the Love offering. Julie Ayers is inquiring as to the status of working with the children at The Bethlehem Center. Martha announced that December 13 will be our annual UMW Christmas Luncheon, prepared by our hostess, Kim Kalb. More information will be coming out about that. There has been a good response to the food drive for The Bethlehem Center. Pastor Annie Crocker gave the closing prayer. Mary Lou played a postlude. We enjoyed being together in the sanctuary so very much! Thank you to everyone who came out to our meeting and those who joined by Zoom.
June Sereque, Secretary of CUMC unit of UMW
Any questions about how to receive Arthur Holt's new book?
It is out and available at the Advocate. 

 
           $5 for ebook. $12 for paperback. 

       Rev. Holt will make some available at his Wednesday Night Class this evening. 

November 14, 2021
Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Eleven o'clock Sanctuary
or on-line Central's facebook
                                                                     
Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:1-8
Sermon . . .
WHEN TEMPLES FALL
Cam Treece, Senior Pastor

Hymns:
545 The Church's One Foundation
559 Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation


Nursery Worker
November
14 Ruth Lesesne

For any questions, please contact:
November 21, 2021
Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday
Eleven o'clock Sanctuary
or on-line Central's facebook
                                                           Gospel Lesson: John 18:33-37
Sermon . . .
NOT FROM THIS WORLD
Paige Wolfe, Minister of Christian Education and Programs

Hymns:
715 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
577 God of Grace and God of Glory
UMH 886
The World Methodist Social Affirmation

Nursery Worker
November
21 Barbie Bordogna


Upper Room Sunday School Class
9:45 AM IN-PERSON
You are invited to join the Upper Room Sunday school class on Sunday mornings at 9:45-10:45 AM on Zoom. If you want to join, click the link below and enter the meeting ID and password!

November 7, 2021
Access Passcode: UpperRoom11.7

Speaker: November 14 - John Simmons
Topic: Cultural Lessons of Healthcare
Speaker: November 21 - Dr. Matthew Cannon, Dean, VCOM
Speaker: November 28 - Andy Crosland
Book of Ruth
Wednesday Night Supper begins at 5:30 PM

November 17
MENU
TBA
Dessert, Tea & Coffee

Please make your reservations or cancellations by Monday, before noon, with the Church Office. 864-582-7263 ext. 101

Please continue to pray for . . .


Thomas Bridges, Dottie Broyles, Debbi Herman, Ernest Geter, Stephanie R. Hatley, Caroline Keaton, Flo Pettigrew, Mildred Ragan, Barbara Ropp, Edith Rowell, Rev. Tom Wilkes, and Doris Wilson

Tuesday Evening Bible Study with Andy Crosland in-person at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

The subject is The Book of Isaiah.

Sacred Traditions And Rituals

  a call to connection for celebrating creation

Honoring The Heretics
A service devoted to saints-in-waiting

“They drew a circle that shut me out:
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout,
But love and I had the wit to win -
We made a circle that brought them in!”
             --Anonymous
 
Sunday Evening*November 14, 2021
Six o’clock
 Fellowship Hall

Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
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.

Stewardship
a/o October 31, 2021          
YTD Receipts $426,786 *
YTD Expenses $452,498
YTD EXPENSES over RECEIPTS $25,712
*plus PPP Loan

The Permanent Endowment Committee of Central UMC has determined that there is approximately $52,000 available to be distributed for “programs, ministry, outreach and missions of the Church.”
Those interested may apply by filling out a Request for Funds from Endowment, which may be obtained from the church office. Applications should be submitted to the church office by November 30, 2021. The Permanent Endowment Committee will meet thereafter to make decisions as to recipients with disbursements made before the end of the year.

Cannon's Memorial Chapel
Palmetto Moravian Fellowship
Worship Service

November 28
9am

Annual Christmas Program
 
On the evening of December 19 Central will have its annual “Christmas Palooza” – a program in the sanctuary (at 6pm) that features holiday music. People will be ringing (children’s bells and adult handbells), playing (keyboard and various other instruments), and singing (solos and group numbers). The program usually lasts about an hour, and it’s a wonderful way to observe that last Sunday of Advent. If you’re interested in participating, please contact Al Jeter – at church, by phone (585-7308), or by email (a1jeter@charter.net).
Birthdays
11 Theo Atance, James Liner
13 Donna Corbin
14 Bill Monroe
15 Graham Driggers, Ryan Smith
20 Rubie Yonce
21 Ted Ellis, Mary Knight, Magdalene Nichols
22 Jean Yonce
23 Lillian Zimmerman
25 Dianne Mercer
27 Gina Hamer, Keith Parris
28 Kit Maultsby
29 Hunter Zimmerman
LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

Central (864) 582-7263


Central United Methodist
founded 1837

Central Office Hours:

Monday through Thursday
8:15 AM-4:15 PM
and Friday
8:15 AM - 12 Noon


Mission Statement:
"Our purpose is making and nurturing
disciples of Jesus Christ."



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.