Centenary Newsletter - October 8, 2021

The Gospel reading this week is Mark 10:17-31. It's another passage about discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. This time, it's a rich man (not a young man or a ruler as described in other gospels) who comes to Jesus asking what he has to do to inherit eternal life. There's a lot going on in this conversation. I won't unpack that here, but if you read the story, you'll note that this is the only discipleship story Mark tells where someone seriously considers following Jesus, and then freely walks away. It's not a main point of my sermon, but I think it's important that we realize in the church that sometimes people just don't want the gift Christ has to offer. No amount of persuasion, marketing, or packaging can change a person's heart or convince them that the one thing missing in life is being with Jesus and the community (the church) gathered around him. Other things are more important, and sometimes much more enticing to lots of folks.

One thing I find compelling in this text is that even before Jesus and the rich man get very far into this high leverage conversation, Mark makes a point to tell us that Jesus looked at him and loved him. And that's the gospel and the gift we seek to offer the world. Whether the rich man liked it or not, whether he desired it or not, God had decided that God would love the rich man, regardless of the decision he made about Jesus. And that's what keeps us going as a church. That's what motivates us to keep trying to find ways to connect with people in our city and beyond--God has chosen to love all--even when they chose not to respond by becoming faithful disciples.

Let's start our weekly Zoom Bible studies this week. We'll gather on Zoom on Wednesday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. Watch for a link and more information in a special email this coming Tuesday.

Remember you are loved by God and your church family.

Peace,

Matt

Fellowship Opportunities

Everyone is welcome to drop in on Tuesdays at 11:00 am for a chat, a prayer, or wherever the spirit may lead.

No pre-registration is required. Questions? Please contact the church office.

REGISTRATION FORM

Keeping You Informed

Organ Dedication

Our Stanley Baker will be a featured performer for the dedication of the 152 stop, 128 rank R. A. Colby organ at St. Giles Presbyterian Church, 5200 Grove Avenue, the largest organ in the greater Richmond area, October 10 at 6:00 pm. Music begins at 5:45 pm.

Five other Richmond area organists will also be featured performers including Scott Hayes from All Saints Episcopal Church, Christopher Martin from Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Jeffrey Hummel from Third Church, Daniel Stipe from All Saints Episcopal Church and Trinity Lutheran Church and Linus Ellis from St. Giles Presbyterian Church. There will be a combined Choir and special music for all those attending.

The Dedication will be followed by a reception.

Parking Update

The pandemic has brought many changes, and one of those is how we park in the back parking lot. There is no longer an attendant there all day. Instead, an attendant comes through at different times to be sure people have paid for the parking space. The attendant knows the spaces are reserved for Centenary people, but we need to help them out by making it clear and easy for them to know that you are with Centenary. If you will be at the church for any reason during the week, we have parking passes that are available in the office. The pass MUST be placed on your dashboard and easy to see. The passes are not dated, so you can keep and reuse the pass as needed. If you know you will be at the church and would like to print one out at home, please contact the church office.

Charge Conference Date

Our charge conference this year will be held on Tuesday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. at Westhampton United Methodist Church. This year, we will participate in a cluster charge conference with 9 other churches. The meeting will begin with a devotional and proceed to five-minute reports from each church about their accomplishments in the last year and their goals for ministry for 2022. Following that portion of the gathering, each church will convene and vote on important matters such as the pastor's salary and election of leaders for 2022. Though members of the charge conference are the only persons eligible to vote, all church members are welcome to attend.

October 11 @ 7:00 p.m. - Post-Covid Recovery Group

October 12 @ 5:30 p.m. (note change in time) - Church Council

October 26 @ 7:00 p.m. - Charge Conference -

Westhampton UMC

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH