“Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them…” – Genesis 45:14-15 We often read the story of Joseph – particularly these verses of Genesis 45 – and ponder the question of divine activity and human free will. We think that God’s use of Joseph’s tragic circumstances to save himself and his family is miraculous. But what if the real miracle is not that God saves; that is the na

Tribes Each of us is a composite being, made up of multiple allegiances—from our cultural background and political affiliations to our family roles and personal interests. While these “tribes” aren’t inherently bad, it’s human nature to use them to divide ourselves and judge others. Join us for worship Sunday as we find a better way in Romans 3 and 10 and Psalm 145. We’ll discover how our ultimate identity in Christ doesn’t cancel out our earthly tribes but puts them in prope

Compassion Fatigue Have you ever felt like you have nothing left to give? In a world of continuous conflict, hardship, and overwhelming need, it’s easy to hit an emotional wall. Medical professionals and first responders call it "compassion fatigue"—that exhausting moment when your capacity for empathy runs dry. But you don't have to be a professional to feel this way. You just have to be human. Join us for worship Sunday, and we’ll look at a moment in Matthew 14 when Jesus's

Embracing God's Love: A Journey Towards Spiritual Growth We all face seasons when we feel isolated or defeated by life's challenges. In those dark moments when our anxieties or the world's crises loom large, it’s easy to feel separated from God. But the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 8 is uncompromising. Nothing in all of creation can separate us from God's love. We’re not meant to relate to God out of fear, but to rest safely in the providential care of our Lord. In Christ

Falling Into Fear We all experience sudden moments of anxiety. In an unpredictable world, it’s natural to sometimes have a sinking sensation of “falling into fear.” But as believers, we’re called to live by a different reality. What does it mean to reject the "spirit of slavery to fall back into fear" and instead embrace the "spirit of adoption?” What is it like to be adopted by a loving parent? When the storms of life hit, we don’t need to reason our way out of anxiety. We n

Far too often, we make our faith one of burdensome rules and tiresome duties. Our faith becomes, in short, more about what we do than what God in Christ has done, and is indeed still doing, for us. But this week's Gospel text invites us to remember that Jesus does not intend for our faith to be a burden: another item to add to our to-do list or a tiresome task to be accomplished: "my yoke is easy and my burden is light," says Jesus. So let's slow down this week and experience

Called to Freedom Isaiah Berlin was a famous 20th-century political philosopher known for his 1958 essay, "Two Concepts of Liberty.” Berlin distinguishes between negative liberty, or freedom from interference, and positive liberty, or the ability to be one's own master. Negative liberty is “freedom FROM” and refers to what we should be able to do without interference from the government or others. This includes freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of movement, the

Does this screenshot make you mad? Or intrigue you? Worship with us this Sunday. I’m preaching about sin. The sermon title is “Tyrannized.” ~Pastor Vann

Beautiful Losers We live in a culture obsessed with winning. From sports and business to politics, we’re constantly bombarded with the message that "winning isn't everything; it's the only thing." This mindset has even leaked into our churches, where we tend to measure success by worship attendance, money, and emotional mountaintop experiences. But what about those who feel left behind? Does God only care about winners? In scripture, we discover a beautiful truth: God loves u

Ordinary Righteousness "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them..." I think compassion is one of those things that seems to be in short supply these days. We have judgmentalism, hatred, division, contempt, and plenty of anger. But compassion seems to have been edged out by all of that. But in this week's reading from Matthew's Gospel, when Jesus saw the crowds who had come to him for healing and wholeness, his first response was to be moved with compassion. We will

Inverted Righteousness Verbal irony is when one thing is said, but the opposite is meant. The contrast between expectation and reality emphasizes the speaker's intended meaning. Irony is a powerful rhetorical tool, but some people seem incapable of discerning it. They hear what is said literally rather than ironically, and the point is lost on them. The writers of scripture were masters of rhetoric. In 1 Corinthians 1:25, Paul says, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisd

Church Beyond the Walls Christian faith was never meant to be confined within a building, no matter how beautiful or inspiring that building may be. A faith that isn’t active is, at best, dormant. This Sunday, Centenary will send teams out into New Bern to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Their work will be their worship. It’s not too late to join a team. Show up around 800 if you haven’t already volunteered, and we’ll find you a place. Whether you venture beyond the walls or

Congregational Care Sunday Congregational care is a church ministry focused on the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of a faith community. It ensures no member faces life's challenges alone. The responsibility is shared between clergy and trained lay volunteers. This Sunday’s message will discuss the scriptural and theological foundations of congregational care, the challenges that all churches face, and the kinds of care Centenary can provide. At all three servic

CREATION CARE SUNDAY The theme this coming Sunday at Centenary is “Creation Care.” We’re all part of God’s creation. We have a God-given responsibility to care for this awesome miracle entrusted to our hands. Through sound biblical teaching and practical, hands-on opportunities, Creation Care Ministry helps us become better creation stewards through education, facility and practice changes, and advocacy at all levels. Sunday’s sermon is “Blue Marble.” Join us! Pastor Vann

Christ is risen! In our tradition, Easter is not just a day, but a season. So this Sunday, while the Easter lilies might be a bit wilted, we are still celebrating the resurrection! This Sunday, we will encounter Jesus with the two disciples as they journeyed towards Emmaus. And like those disciples, we hope to encounter Jesus in the bread and cup of Holy Communion. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 8:30, 9:00, or 11:00! - Pastor Tyler

Easter Bring in your dead. Bring in your flattened. Bring in your hopeless cases and your lost causes. Bring in your trampled hearts. Bring in your dry eyes that have long shed all tears. Bring in everything that has lost its pulse. And wait. There is a resurrection song; can you hear it? There is a promise that hangs overhead. There is a life to come, a world unseen, a presence of something too real to believe. There is an angel in your ear, whispering, no really, all shall

We continue to live in a time where the world seems so uncertain, with wars, terrorist attacks, and economic shocks looming large. It calls to mind the Prayer of St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to

A Prayer in a Time of War O God, author and giver of peace, in whose image and likeness each of us has been created with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth and destined for eternal glory, listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth, from our human family torn by violent conflict: Give just and lasting peace in our time, O good and gracious God, that peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us and as we have experienced in these days, is a pe

This week, we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday, which marks the beginning of our turn towards Jerusalem, the cross, and ultimately Easter Sunday. On the mountaintop, three of Jesus' disciples experience Jesus in the fullness of his glory and are called by a booming voice from heaven to "listen to him." As we worship together this Sunday at 8:30, 9:00, and 11:00, may we encounter Jesus in the fullness of his glory anew as we prepare to begin the Lenten journey towards the cros

Why Church? " Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a Federal holiday designated for Americans to volunteer in and improve their communities. MLK Day is sometimes disparaged as a recent “woke” creation of “liberals,” but it was created by conservative President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Most Americans know Dr. King was a civil rights pioneer, but fewer know he earned a doctorate in theology and was a Baptist minister. His preaching was so eloquent and moving that his sermons are