C entenary "Who Are These, Robed in White?" Sunday, November 2, 2014

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"Who Are These, Robed in White?"
Revelation 7:9-17
Sunday, November 2, 2014
9:00 am Simplify
Focus:
"Who are these, robed in white?...These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." I wonder what the robes of these saints
looked like before they washed them in the blood that cleanses and does not stain. What kind of stories
would their robes have told? Imagine a child explaining the origin of stains on her favorite pair of jeans:
this grass stain is from when I caught a fly ball to win the game; that grease spot is from the pizza we had
at my last birthday party; that patch covers up the hole I tore climbing a tree. Now imagine the martyrs
examining their dirty robes: this blood stain is from when I turned the other cheek; these two spots where
dirt is ground into the fabric—those are from kneeling in prayer; the front of my robe is damp from tears
shed for my brothers and sisters who suffered with me. "Who are these, robed in white?" These are they
who have washed their robes, but not before telling their story through the stains. All Saints' Day is an opportunity for us to tell the stories of those who have gone before and to tell our own stories, to bind all of
them up into the story that God has been telling from creation until today, and to offer all of it up to God
to be transformed and washed clean.
~ The Reverend Sarah S. Howell
Artwork for Today:
Festival of Lights ~ John August Swanson
Thank you for worshipping with us today.
Participating in Worship
Preaching
The Reverend Sarah S. Howell
Communion Assistant
Laura Young
Liturgist
Tamara M. Pollock
Musicians
The Simplify Band
Acoltyes
Anna Chaves
Olivia Chaves
I Can Only Imagine CCLI Song No. 2978857 © 2001, 2002 Simpleville Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License No. 2688486
Amazing Grace CCLI Song No. 22025 © Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved.
www.ccli.com CCLI License No. 2688486
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LET US WORSHIP
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost • 9:00 am • November 2, 2014 • Simplify • All Saints Sunday
Welcome to Simplify
The Community Gathers
We welcome you to worship today! Our deepest desire is that you have
come to encounter the living, loving God and find yourself
knowing His great love for you.
Gathering In Faith
*Song Just a Closer Walk with Thee
*Song When the Saints Go Marching In
Welcome &
Announcements
*Passing the Peace
Song When the Saints
Joys and Concerns All are invited to share prayer requests. The worship leader will close with prayer.
We Renew Our Commitment
Offering Our Gifts
*Song I Can Only Imagine
Stwardship Moment
* please stand as you are able
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We Hear the Word Proclaimed
Scripture
Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count,
from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before
the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their
hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God
who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels stood around
the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell
on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, "Amen! Blessing
and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be
to our God forever and ever! Amen." Then one of the elders addressed me,
saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I
said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are
they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before
the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the
one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more,
and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for
the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide
them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes."
(NRSV)
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon
"Who Are These, Robed in White?"
We Celebrate Holy Communion
Music During
Communion
*Prayer of
Celebration of the
Saints
Amazing Grace
We bless your holy name, O God, for all our servants who, having finished
their course, now rest from the labors. Give us grace to follow the example of
their steadfastness and faithfulness, to your honor and glory; through Christ
Jesus our Lord. Amen.
We Go As God's People into The World
*Closing Song
*Benediction
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Amazing Grace
We Honor the Saints who Have Gone Before
As a congregation we join in thanking God for their lives and for their
contributions to their families, church and world.
William Whitehead Avera
Dale Eugene Bodenhamer
John Rodney “Rod” Bullard
Richard “Dick” Tenney Bynum, Sr.
Ella Sue Carter
Patricia Grimsley Chatham
Wade Hampton Clayton, III
David Thomas “Tom” Dance
Mary Ellen Hill Davis
Sarah Reynolds Dixon
Virginia Ruth Connor Dyar
Edward Vernon Ferrell, Jr.
Frances Perry Fitzgerald
Helen Day Foushee
Mary Carter Fulton
Doris Anita Spainhour Gibson
Helen Copenhaver “Copey” Hanes
June Powell Hauser-Holmes
Louise Carson Highsmith
Susan York Hinkle
Lucy Foard Greene Hubbard
John Wayne Jones
Dr. William Arnold Lambeth, Jr.
June Stouffer Marsden
Maxine McKaughn Mathis
Dr. J. Gaylord May
Betty Burke May
Henry Sigmon Mingus
Elaine LaForce Muir
Ruth Howard Mundy
Elam Arrington Myers
P. Jeffrey Newton
Marilee Conrad Pardue
June Pfefferkorn
Ruth Myers Pleasants
Alexander Lee Rickabaugh
Fred Turner Robinette, Jr.
Bettye Balthrop Shehan
Rose Mary Williams Slate
Richard Simpson
Ann Lenox Gore Spencer
Laura Beth Smith Spivey
Berkley Moore Stephens, Jr.
Wendel Hill “Bunky” Stockton
Kitty Tally
Marguerite B. Taylor
Margaret Rose Tennille
Louise Vann Tronnes
William “Bill” Charles Voiers
Louise Gauldin Idol Wall
Franklin Reid Warren, Jr.
Juanita Willis
Kitty Lee Thomas Wilson
Rita Wrenn Yancey
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Guests, Visitors and Friends...
The congregation and staff of Centenary welcome you to today’s service. It is our honor to have you
in worship with us today. If we can be of assistance to you, please visit with one of our friendly ushers,
located by the Narthex entrance. They will gladly answer your questions and help you with any needs
you may have during your visit.
We welcome all our visitors as special guests. At the conclusion of today's worship, we invite you to
speak to one of our ministers who will be at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex. We want to address any
questions you may have and provide you with pertinent information about Centenary. Please return and
visit with us again soon.
Are you hungry for hospitality?
Each Sunday morning, Centenary provides morning snacks to our congregation and visitors in the 4 1/2
Street narthex, at the second floor coffee station, and kitchenette at Room 115. In keeping with our yearlong "Are you Hungry?" theme, we have expanded our morning snack offerings to include locally sourced
nutritious items such as banana bread and whole grain muffins. We encourage you to enjoy these items
along with juice and coffee as you meet and greet fellow worshipers. Your offering into the basket at the
4½ Street and 2nd floor hospitality sites will allow us to continue, and expand, our hospitality food items.
If you have suggestions for food on these tables, please write a note and put it in the basket
with your offering.
FELLOWSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
LISTEN
There is always something
happening at Centenary and we
invite you to join us. Learn more
about Centenary offerings by
visiting centenaryonline.com. You
may also find us on Facebook by
searching “UMCCentenary.”
Our Senior Minister, Dr. Mark Ralls,
is eager to share Centenary's story
with you. If you are interested in
learning about church membership,
please contact Dr. Ralls (397-1362)
to schedule a time to meet.
Each Sunday morning, from 11:00
am -12:00 pm, you can tune your
radio to WSJS 600 AM to hear the
worship service. You may also go
to WSJS.com from anywhere in the
world and hear streaming audio of
the service as it happens. Should you
miss a live broadcast, you can always
go to centenaryonline.com and listen
to the latest series of sermons found
in our “Sermons and Downloads”
feature.
CONTACT US
To learn more about life at Centenary,
contact the church office (724-6311)
and ask to speak with a minister.
WORSHIP TIMES AT CENTENARY
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v
8:45 am
9:00 am
10:10 am
11:00 am
7:30 pm
Traditional Worship
Simplify Praise Service
Rejoice (Jazz Inspired Worship)
Traditional Worship
Roots Revival
Sanctuary
Memorial Auditorium
Memorial Auditorium
Sanctuary
Wednesday Evenings
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS
POINSETTIAS FOR ADVENT
The chancel flowers are given by the church and the
United Methodist Women in memory of those in our
fellowship who died between October 15, 2013 and
October 14, 2014.
Poinsettia order forms are now available in the
information centers around the church campus. All
orders and payment are due by November 15.
The flowers in the narthex are given in honor of
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon and Ashley (Tierney) Tate,
married on November 1, 2014.
DIVORCE CARE
We welcome new member Anita Brewer Pulley.
We begin with a 30 minute video followed by
conversation to help you navigate the rough waters
of separation and divorce. If you have any questions,
please contact Pink Willis (306-4236)/pinkwillis@
gmail.com or Frankie Perry-Oates (816-5234).
We offer our prayers and concern for those who are
ill at home, hospitalized and in hospice care.
Wednesdays • 6:30 pm • Room 116
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Pencil – Want Ads – Telephone...
Next Sunday, come and be a part of the celebration
as we make our financial commitment for 2015.
There will be "GO" cake for everyone as we look
forward to another exciting year at Centenary.
“Sorry, but we don’t have any openings at this time.”
The bills are mounting up. If you don’t find some
way to relieve the pressure, you’re afraid you’ll
explode. At a time like this you need the listening ear
and the caring support of a Stephen Minister. If you
would like to find out more about Stephen Ministry
for yourself or someone you know (possibly a
friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative) talk with
Mark Ralls (397-1362), Craig Ford (397-1353) or
Deena Morgan (764-4239) to find out how you can
receive help from a Stephen Minister. All calls are
confidential.
THE CENTENARY SURVEY
ANGEL TREE
You are invited to take The Centenary Survey.
Printed copies may be found in the information
centers around the campus. Simply complete the
survey and return it in the provided envelope.
You may return it to the Reception Desk, the
business office or to Doug Peninger, Director of
Communications. This survey will help us get to
know you and in doing so, provide better a worship
experience and special events. You may also take
the survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.
com/s/thecentenarysurvey.
We are excited that it is almost Angel Tree time!
Stop by the second floor gallery to pick up an angel
from one of our trees beginning Sunday, November
9. Our angels are from Marvin UMC, El Aposento
Alto, and Winston Salem Street School.
For
questions about the Angel Tree, contact Ashley
Maner (397-1332)/[email protected].
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
November 9 • All Worship Services
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
SENIOR ADULTS
Nursery Care
Veterans Day Breakfast
November 11 • 8:30 am • Auditorium
Nursery care for infants through pre-kindergarten is
offered during every Sunday morning worship service.
During the 11:00 am worship service, 3's and 4's in the
nursery have a time of engaged Bible storytelling led
by children’s ministry staff. Our nursery classrooms,
staffed by professional childcare workers, are located
on the second floor of the children’s building.
Christmas Craft Night
November 23 • 4:30 pm
Mark your calendars for Christmas Craft Night on
Sunday, November 23 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Signups begin today in the Reception Narthex. Stop by
and check it out as some of the more popular crafts
go quickly!
YOUTH MINISTRY
November 2
Join us for our Youth Ministry events today!
8:45, 9:00, 10:10 & 11:00 am: Worship
9:45am: Sunday school
11:00 am: Love Thy Neighbor (LTN) set up
Noon-2:00 pm: LTN & Medical Clinic
Mark Your Calendars!
November 4: Summer Missions registration open
November 14 & 15: Youth Hand Bell Festival in Roanoke
December 10: Confirmation Parent orientation
January 7: Confirmation begins
January 8: Confirmation Shepherd Night orientation
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The annual veterans breakfast sponsored by the Senior Adult
Council will be held November 11, 8:30 am. The speaker will
be Major General Charles Swannack. General Swannack is
a graduate of Reynolds High School where he excelled in
athletics and academics. Following graduation he attended
and graduated from West Point. He served several different
assignments throughout his military career in the army,
retiring as a Major General. One of his most challenging
duties was the invasion of Iraq. He was in the first invasion
of Iraq, fighting along and beside the troops on the ground.
General Swannack will share many of his experiences and
give insight into the issues that are currently being faced. This
will be a very timely program in view of the military activity
and problems that the United States and other countries are
confronting. General Swannack will also share his personal
faith that has sustained him throughout his military career.
You may register for the Veterans breakfast by contacting
Charles Monroe (773-0446)/[email protected].
Please note that you do not have to be a veteran to attend the
breakfast. All are welcome.
ADULT ED. / SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Food for Thought (Lunch and a Lesson)
Fall Series: “Indispensable Relationships”
Noon • Wednesdays from September – November •
Memorial Auditorium
$7 includes lunch, drink, dessert, music and message
You’ve heard it said that life is a journey, which means
that there is a destination we’re headed toward. But
how are we going to get there? Or more importantly,
WHO will be with us on this journey? Rev. Jonathan
Brake will introduce us to the people we need in our
life to reach our destination, to release the dynamic
power of traveling together and to draw us beyond
ourselves. Pulling from Leonard Sweet’s book, “11
Indispensable Relationships You Can’t Be Without,”
we will learn from various relationships in the
Bible. Food for Thought is open to the community
and is a great place to come for employees working
downtown!
The Big Silence Retreat
January 25-28, 2015
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
Only a few rooms remain, so register now! Rev.
Jonathan Brake will be leading this “4-day mostly
silent” retreat again for the third time! If you would
like to experience the closeness of God in a beautiful
setting, then contact Rev. Brake. This retreat is open
to all adults, regardless of experience with silence,
meditation, contemplation and other forms of
prayer. Optional activities on sight include a nature
trail, walking the labyrinth, praying the hours, and
much more. Registration is now open and space is
limited. Information and registration can be found in
the information stations, in Glad Tidings Books and
Gifts or in the box outside Rev. Brake’s office (Room
317).
Centenary Creation Care Meeting
November 13 • 6:30 pm • Room 222
All meetings of the Creation Care Team are on the
2nd Thursday of each month. We will be discussing
preliminary plans for 2015 and wrapping up our
action items from 2014. There is plenty of room for
new people and ideas for how to put our faith into
action through creation care. Contact: Rev. Jonathan
Brake, [email protected].
MISSIONS
First Gifts
Every year, as we approach the holidays, Centenary
members gather canned food to donate to our
Loaves & Fishes community ministry. Through these
donations, we are able to feed our hungry neighbors
and provide a meal at a time of year when shared
meals are an important hallmark of community and
family. You and your family can be a part of making
this possible! Starting on November 9, white bags
will be available around the church for you to pick
up and fill with food to donate. Each bag will have a
list of needed items attached to it. Bring your full bags
back on First Gifts Sunday, November 30, the first
Sunday of Advent. We will dedicate these gifts in all
services as we join together to share the many good
gifts that God has given us. If you have any questions,
contact Rev. Sarah Howell (showell@centenary-ws.
org/397-1348).
Poverty Simulation
Will you start out the month with only a $10 bill
— or will you be one of the unlucky ones? The
Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) is a
unique opportunity to experience the virtual realities
of poverty. CAPS will be led by Crisis Control
Ministry, as well as volunteers. During the simulation,
participants role-play the lives of low-income families
and have the stressful task of providing for basic
necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the
course of four 15-minute “weeks.” You will interact
with human service agencies, grocers, pawn brokers,
bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers and
others. On Wednesday, November 5, Centenary
will co-sponsor this program at Mt. Tabor United
Methodist Church. CUMC members are encouraged
to join their weekly fellowship dinner from 5:306:15, then the simulation will run from 6:30-8:30.
Registration, which includes dinner, is $10/person. To
sign up, contact Libby at (765-5561)/ libby.craven@
mttaborumc.org.
Overflow Shelter Volunteer Training
Starting on January 1, First Presbyterian Church will
join other area churches in opening an overflow shelter
for our homeless neighbors. Centenary has been
assigned to the family group of churches supporting
the shelter at First Pres, so we will be recruiting
volunteers to provide meals, assist with check-in, and
stay overnight with our guests. To help prepare us, we
are offering some volunteer training opportunities on
Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November
12 at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at First
Presbyterian Church. Although these sessions are not
required in order to volunteer starting in January,
they will be very helpful in helping future volunteers
get comfortable with the process and expectations
of this overflow shelter. Training will cover a new
check-in procedure for this year, lessons learned from
last year, fire and safety procedures, and information
on volunteer roles, scheduling, and how to sign up.
Contact Rev. Sarah Howell (showell@centenary-ws.
org/397-1348) if you plan to participate or if you
have any questions.
November Food of the Month
The November food of the month is canned fruit
and cereal. Please bring your food donations to the
Missions bins, located in the Reception Narthex at 4½
Street.
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MUSIC AND THE ARTS
GLAD TIDINGS
All Saints Vespers
Today • 7:00 pm • Sanctuary
The tree is up and the shop is lit! Today we will be
enjoying samples from Wind and Willow. Remember
the great dips that we offered around the holidays and
during football season? Well they are back! Come
enjoy with us and kick off the holiday shopping season
in Glad Tidings.
The Chancel Choir will present Duruflé’s Requiem
at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary as part of the annual
All Saints Vespers service. This offering of Duruflé’s
Requiem will feature instrumentalists from the
WS Symphony Orchestra, soprano soloist, Kristin
Schwecke, and baritone soloist, Joshua Conyers.
This service is free and open to the public, and a
free-will offering will be collected for the Joshua Ray
Hudson Choral Scholarship, established in 2006.
This scholarship serves as an outreach to unusually
talented music students. The purpose of this outreach
is to give professional development opportunities to
young musicians whose careers may involve sacred
music performance.
Please join us as we remember the saints who have
passed recently and gone before us.
New Exhibit • Go Out and Create
Now through January 22
You are invited to enjoy the latest exhibit, located
on the first floor. The works of art are created by
members of the Centenary family.
ROOTS REVIVAL
Wednesday • November 5 • Memorial Auditorium
Roots Revival is a midweek worship service grounded
in Americana/roots-based music featuring Martha Bassett and friends. Each service is centered around one or
two focus songs and an accompanying Scripture passage and theme. This week, guest preacher and Centenary member Robert Esleeck will be preaching about
the kingdom of God from John 21:15-22. Bob Dylan’s
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and Kevin Welch’s “A
Prayer Like Any Other” will frame the service as we
observe All Saints’ Day (or week) and broaden our vision of what the kingdom looks like. We meet at 7:30
p.m. in Memorial Auditorium. Learn more at www.
rootsrevivalws.com
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No way can we tell you about the new board books,
ponchos, hand towels, Christmas elves and goodies to
eat that you will find in Glad Tidings. You will have
to come see for yourself and reacquaint yourself with
the good spirit and great conversations being offered
in our little shop!
Next week we will kick off our See’s Candies campaign
and if you’ve never had See’s, you must come try it. If
you have tried See’s, you will be making a beeline for
some sweet goodness!
Good things happen when you shop Glad Tidings!
Judy Jones, Manager (918-0346)/[email protected].
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
Dr. W. Mark Ralls, Senior Minister
[email protected] | 397-1362
Reverend Jonathan L. Brake
Reverend R. Craig Ford
Associate Minister
[email protected] | 397-1334
Associate Minister
[email protected] | 397-1353
Reverend Kate May
Associate Minister with Children
[email protected] | 397-1331
Reverend Sarah Howell
Assistant Minister
[email protected] | 397-1348
Tamara M. Pollock
Director of Youth Ministries
[email protected] | 397-1337
Mary Ann Wexler, Executive Director
[email protected] | 397-1346
Susan Bates
Organist and Music Associate
[email protected] | 397-1340
Stacy Holley
Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister
[email protected] | 397-1359
John Markle
Director of Operations
[email protected] | 397-1347
Kristy Eaton
Financial Assistant
[email protected] | 397-1341
Judy Jones
Congregational Care Coordinator
[email protected] | 397-1361
Doug Peninger
Director of Communications
[email protected] | 397-1368
Dr. Robert E. Frazier
Director of Music and the Arts
[email protected] | 397-1339
Thad Lewallen
Director of Stewardship/Planned Giving
[email protected] |397-1352
John Rogers
Director of Information Technology
[email protected] | 397-1356
Jan Sawyer
Director of DAYBreak Respite Care
[email protected] | 397-1345
Reception Desk • 724-6311 +
Minister On Call (Prompt 2)
Pastoral Care: Reverend Craig Ford • 397-1353
RECORD OF OUR FAITHFULNESS
October 21 - October 27
Worship Attendance
Tithes and Offerings
8:45 Traditional
9:00 Simplify
10:10 Rejoice!
11:00 Traditional
Nursery & Children's Worship
Roots Revival
Food for Thought
89
65
107
355
48
43
57
Total
764
Offering
Miscellaneous
$41,596
4,422
Total
$46,018
Sunday School
223
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Ash Wednesday
PO Box 658
646 West Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27102
centenary-ws.org
336-724-6311
C
entenar y
u n i t e d
m e t h o d i s t
w i n s t o n - s a l e m
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
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