March 4, 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,

I’m looking forward to beginning this Lenten journey with you this coming Sunday. I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of the Psalms in the life of the people of Israel, their role in the history of the church, and their role in shaping and forming our faith. I realized this summer as I was doing some study that I had not paid as much attention to the Psalms in my own spiritual life and thus have not received the benefit they offer in helping us pray individually and corporately. This Sunday, we’ll look at Psalm 91 and celebrate Holy Communion together. 
 
We also begin a series of conversations online and in person that we hope will help us renew and strengthen our connections with one another and with God. I hope you will join us for these gatherings entitled “Five Cups of Coffee.” (See below for more information).
 
Also, effective Saturday, March 5, we will be relaxing our masking requirements. We’re all grateful that transmission rates and hospitalizations have declined and pray that that trend continues. Beginning on March 5, our new policy is that masks are voluntary. We will remove the tape on the pews in the sanctuary. We do encourage everyone to continue to monitor your symptoms carefully, wash your hands as we have all been taught, and maintain appropriate social distance. If for some reason trends change, we’ll adjust our protocols accordingly.
 
Finally, we are all concerned about the invasion of Ukraine and what that means for the world more generally. As you know, the Ukranians need our prayers. And the Russians do as well.
Please remember that there are Methodists in Ukraine and Russia as well. Next week, I’ll share more resources about what the United Methodist Church is doing through UMCOR and statements from Methodist leaders in the region. Some of our folks have already begun to explore what connections we might make with Ukranians here in Richmond.
One of the things that drew me to study the Psalms more deeply was the impact of the pandemic on our world and on us as individuals. The Psalms help us pray in times of trouble, to affirm our faith that God is always present with us no matter what. And just as the Psalms could be a resource for us dealing with the pandemic’s impact, I am sure they can help us pray during this time of international difficulty and uncertainty.
It's not always an easy journey, but I’m grateful to be on the journey with you.
Peace,

Matt
Fellowship, Study & Outreach
5 Cups of Coffee
5 Sundays in Lent
An Opportunity for Spiritual Growth this Lenten Season

Lent begins. The 40 day period to prepare for Resurrection at Easter. We think of Lent in terms of fasting, repentance, moderation, self denial and spiritual discipline. This Season let's be RADICAL and take up something new:
5 Cups of Coffee - a guided Bible study.
That's right real coffee, real in-person people and a real Bible. OR zoom people having zoom coffee but a real Bible. You choose your opportunity to study the Word and be in conversation in our community of Christ.

Join us every Sunday in Lent 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall or on Zoom.
We will follow the 5 Cups of Coffee Series, each focusing on a Bible verse and Conversation about calling and discipleship. Please feel free to attend even if you haven't signed up! And remember your Bible!

  • March 6 - The God Conversation (Exodus 3:1-15)
  • March 13 - The Gift Conversation (1 Cor. 12)
  • March 20 - The Passion Conversation (Micah 6:8)
  • March 27 - The Spiritual Growth Conversation (Romans 12:1-2)
  • April 3 - The Opportunities Conversation (Colossians 3:17)
UMW - Smethie Circle
March 16 at 4:00pm
Our program will be Remembering.
This will be a Zoom meeting and a link will be available soon.

Upcoming UMW Events
Orders taken from March 6-April 14
To place orders please contact Leah Hundley.

Richmond District UMW Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, April 2 at Discovery UMC
More information here.

Save the Date
Smethie Circle Quiche and Salad Lunch
May 10 at 12noon
At the home of MaryE Vetrovec. More details next month!
Ongoing Fellowship Opportunities
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.
Lead by Rev. Tim Gerde.
Wednesday Bible Study
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Join us as we look at the scripture
for the upcoming Sunday.
Lead by Rev. Matt Bates.
An email is sent each Monday that will include
the scripture and Zoom links for these gatherings.
Keeping You Informed
SARAH HART in Concert
April 1, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Sarah Hart is one of the leading figures in contemporary church music today. Her songs of faith, spirit of joy, and love for teaching and leading workshops have touched the lives of thousands. Click here to learn more about Sarah.
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH