What's Happening This Week - July 23

**The radio station was struck by lightning this week. Parts have been ordered but the station will not be able to broadcast our service this week. This would be a great time to worship on Facebook.

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In the event that the internet goes out during a service on Sunday mornings, we want you to know that the service is still being recorded and will be uploaded to our web page (centenarychurch.com) by 1:00 PM.

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In the life of the church, these months of summer are known as Ordinary Time. The name does not actually refer to common, unexciting sense of the season, but rather to the counting of the Sundays. These weeks are numbered in reference to the Sunday Pentecost, the coming Sunday being the Sixth Sunday After Pentecost. Sixth is an “ordinal” number, and because of that, the Sundays are “Ordinary.”

Every year, during these “ordinary” Sundays, we read through one of the Epistles contained in the New Testament. This year, we will read through Paul’s letter “to the Ephesians.” Truth be told, it is probably a letter to multiple churches, but in our Bible it is listed as Ephesians. It is a letter about a “life worthy of the Gospel” as it says in the first verse of chapter 4. We will be looking at a variety of aspects of a life worthy of the Gospel, including the ways we relate to persons from different experiences. I want to mention to special experiences that will be a part of our summer sermon series:

• For the last six months, a group of Centenarians have been meeting with a group from Refreshing Lives Ministry around the letter to Ephesians. We have been talking about “tearing down the dividing wall of hostility” (2:14). On Sunday, July 18, Pastor Angie Scott from Refreshing Lives will be preaching at our 11:00 service. It will be a time for our 2 congregations to draw closer together.

• August 6-8, we will have a focus on the experience of poverty and how we can be united in combating poverty. On Friday evening and Saturday we will have a “seminar” around poverty led by Steve Taylor, the Director of Connectional Ministries for our North Carolina Annual Conference. On Sunday, Zeb Hough, the director of Religious Community Services for New Bern will be preaching at all 3 services.

Let’s make this summer “extra-ordinary” as we consider how to live worthy of the gospel. I hope you will take part in all that this season has to offer.

Pastor Tom

Fall means the beginning of new activities, new energy and new Bible studies.. Disciple is an opportunity for you to explore what the Bible has to say about the issues which we face each day. It is a time for growing in our faith as well as growing in new and old friendships. I I have seen lives changed as a result of this intensive 34 week study. While it is a large commitment, I believe it can bring a great reward for your life: Each week we will meet for two-and-a-half hours, on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30. In addition, there are readings each week from the Bible. While it is a large commitment, I believe it can bring a great reward for your life.

• You will grow in your understandings of the truth of the Biblical message. What better way to learn what the Bible actually says than to read 3/4 of the Bible?

• You will grow in your faith and faithfulness. The goal of our study is "becoming disciples through Bible Study."

• You will grow in your confidence as a Christian. I have seen people who knew themselves to be Christians blossom into leaders in our faith.

• You will grow close to a group of people. Sharing for 34 weeks allows us to become a small community supporting and encouraging one another.

If you have questions or are interested in participating in this study, please contact the church office at 252-637-4181.

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Volunteers needed:  If you are worshiping with us on Facebook, there is a way you can worship and serve at the same time. Facebook Worship Hosts are needed each Sunday for each service. Hosts will be available to greet worshipers, answers any questions that may be asked during the worship service, make note of any prayer requests and generally be an in-person Centenary presence during the service. You may host all 3 services or choose a service to host. (We will work with you!!!) If you are interested in this opportunity, please call the church office at 252-637-4181 or email Marshall at marshall@centenarychurch.com.

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We are looking for folks who would be willing to serve on a cook team as we are planning to cook weekly meals on Wednesday nights beginning this fall. Please call the church office or email Pastor Michael (michaelwilliams@centenarychurch.com) if you would be interested in serving.

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Our church has moved to a new kind of church record keeping solution called Realm®. It offers some exciting opportunities to support the way you are involved in our church as well as helping us to stay on top of all that is happening in our congregation. Not only will this improve work life for our ministry staff, it will make it easier for our church family to connect with each other, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of believers. You will soon receive an email with the "Realm Invite".  If you don't see it in your inbox, check your spam folder.  Once you have created your login, download the "Realm Connect - For Our Church" app on your smartphone and log in with the same email and password.  You're all set!  You will now receive notifications from groups you are a part of through the Realm Connect app.  You can also access and update your personal information, view your giving records as well as make donations through Realm.  If you have trouble logging in, please contact me for assistance.  Kathy Mitchell

Hi Centenary friends!  It's that time again!  Time to gather and pack supplemental food boxes for our Backpack Blessings families!  We had a great distribution in June and are hoping for another great one in July!

The dates are July 27 and 28 and there are various times throughout the two days.  Please use the link below to sign up.  Remember by volunteering we are helping support our Oaks Road Families.

Here's the link. . .

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4BA9AB2AA0FD0-summer2

Join us Sunday, August 22, 2021, at 9:30am and 11am services for our Blessing of the Backpacks. This is an opportunity for the congregation to work together and remind the children that they have the support and prayers of their church family. The tags will be brought to all the services (8:30am, 9:30am, 11am) and prayed over prior to and on August 22. Children are welcome to bring their bags/backpack to the service but are not required to have it with them. Teachers, please feel free to participate too!

Also, on September 12, during 9:30 and 11:00 Children’s Church, we will be having a Kick-Off Ice Cream Party in the upstairs classroom for K-5th graders.

Have a question or are interested in volunteering with our Children’s Ministries? Contact Amber Harr at       808-344-8254

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LIKE GOOD COFFEE?????

CENTYouth is supporting Salvadoran Mission Projects and the good work they are doing (Read a little of Brian Dubberly's journey here). 

We have a very limited supply of fresh coffee coming in next week. If you would like a lb of whole bean coffee, we are asking for a donation of $15 per bag. Please email Pastor Michael () if you would like one or if you would like to help support youth missions in other ways. Thanks!

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Save these dates to do good and have fun at the same time.  Come to an African jewelry making workshop on Saturday, August 21. Each participant receives a free packet to make a bracelet and earrings. This ATEG (Arts to End Genocide) sponsored workshop helps fund the relocation of 500 children out of a garbage dump in Bamako, Mali.  AND ALSO coming up on September 26th is the 41st annual Crop Walk in New Bern. This event raises funds to help alleviate hunger in over 40 countries with 25 percent of funds going to our New Bern RCS.  More information about these 2 activities locally sponsored by Faith Connection will be coming soon. You may also contact Susan Cook at jimsue44@gmail.com with questions.

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Starting September 12, I would like to have Children’s Church in the upstairs classroom again. In order to make this possible, we need two volunteers at each service, 9:30 and 11:00 am (the children are dismissed after the Children’s Moment). If you are willing to help at either service on a once a month or as needed basis please let me know what times and days are best for you.
Amber Harr– AmberHarr@centenaryumc@centenarychurch.com  808-344-8254

GriefShare –GriefShare is a support group for people who have lost a loved one: spouse, family member, relative, or friend. It is open not only to Centenary members, but our entire community as well…ALL ARE WELCOME!!  You can join us anytime. If you know of someone who is hurting, please invite them. For more information, please contact Pam or Ron Bonina at 252-497-8489 or .

The SUMMER SESSIONS will start on May 3rd and go through August 9th on Monday nights at 6:30pm. The program is being conducted on line using ZOOM, so all you need is a laptop, tablet or cell phone to participate, and it is easy to do. Just click on the link that will be provided and you're on.

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If you would like to have communion delivered to you at home by a Stephen Minister on first Sundays, please contact the church office at 637-4181.

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If you are home and need a meal, the Caring Cooks have prepared meals in the freezer in our kitchen. You are welcome to come down and pick up what you need. If you need meals delivered, please contact Dawn Ferreira at 252-289-5630 or email her at .

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