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 "The Kingdom of God Is a Whole New World" Luke 12:22-34 Sunday, February 22, 2015 11:00 am Sanctuary Focus Today is the first Sunday of Lent, the season between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. In the early church, these were the weeks when new Christian converts would study and prepare for their baptism at sunrise on Easter morning. Then all church members would use this season to reexamine their faith, participating in spiritual practices such as fasting and prayer. This year, we will be looking at what Jesus meant by “The Kingdom of God,” completing the unpacking of our new church Vision Statement: “GO! for the Kingdom of God is at your doorstep.” What exactly is The Kingdom of God? Jesus spoke often about it, including today’s passage where we learn not to worry about the details of this life that absorb so much of our time. Instead of working so hard at what we can get, we should focus on what God has already given us – A Whole New World. And the worries of this life will simply disappear ~ The Reverend Jonathan L. Brake Artwork: Peaceable Kingdom ~ John August Swanson Thank you for worshipping with us. Participating in Worship Preaching The Reverend Jonathan L. Brake Liturgists The Reverend Sarah S. Howell The Reverend R. Craig Ford Assistant Choral Director June Stegall Organ/Music Associate Susan Bates Choir The Chancel Choir Crucifer Huntley Allen Torchbearers Carter Pate Whitley Pate 2 Chapel Chimes & Carol Choir Olivia Bland Briggs Brown Keegan Brown Sarah Rhoades Cox James Edmundson Joanna Holden George Lawson Cassie Maggs Emma Rogers Makenna Rogers Gracie Ward Lilly Zaks Frank Zachary, accompanist Jennifer Rogers, director Texts: It Is Well with My Soul and Behold, the Lamb of God are printed with permission. One License A-707342 LET US WORSHIP First Sunday of Lent • 11:00 am • February 22, 2015 The Community Gathers The voluntary signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. Voluntary O Holy Lamb of God ~ Johann Sebastian Bach Greeting & Mission Moment We invite you to pass the Fellowship Folder located at the end of the pew. Introit They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love ~ arr. Peter Scholtes *Call to Worship In this season of Lent, we are given the opportunity to examine ourselves and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and before one another: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God's love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven! In the name of Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven. Glory to God. Amen. Confession Pardon *Hymn of Procession Act of Praise #269 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days ~ LAND OF REST This Little Light of Mine ~ arr. Mark Patterson Prayers of the People The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Baptismal Hymn Child of Blessing, Child of Promise ~ STUTTGART Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit's sign; with this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine. Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church.We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price. * please stand as you are able 3 Together with these parents, we, as a congregation, promise to pass on, and nurture in this child, a faith in God. As we make this promise, let us remember and reaffirm our faith together: We belong to God, eternal and infinite, Creator of all things and all that is to come. We follow Christ, who comes to us from God, and reveals God to us. He heals people and transforms lives, and calls us to join in his ministry. He was crucified, died, and was raised again by God, and reigns over all Creation; and he bids us to die and rise with him in the service of the healing of the world. We are moved by the Holy Spirit, together with the communion of saints, as members of the Body of Christ, God's holy universal church. We are confident in the forgiveness of sin, the power of resurrection and the reality of eternal life. In all things it is our desire to follow Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for God's glory. As a community of faith, we covenant together to surround this family with steadfast love. We will nurture Caroline as she grows in her trust of God and service to others. Hymn Child of God your loving Parent, learn to know whose child you are. Grow to laugh and sing and worship, trust and love God more than all. (Children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the sanctuary at the close of worship.) We Hear the Word Proclaimed 4 Canticle It Is Well with My Soul ~ arr. Eric Nelson When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul. He lives, oh, the bliss of that glorious thought, my sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more; praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! It is well with my soul. And Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trumpet shall resound, and the Lord shall descend; even so it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul! Scripture Luke 12:22-34 Jesus continued with his disciples, "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. "Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance - but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? "What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. (MSG) This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. Sermon The Word in Song "The Kingdom of God Is a Whole New World" #292 What Wondrous Love Is This ~ WONDROUS LOVE What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul, what wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. The Word in Prayer We Renew Our Commitment Offertory John 1: 29 Behold, the Lamb of God (from Messiah) ~ George Frideric Handel Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. *Doxology #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow ~ OLD 100th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. *Prayer of Dedication God of grace, we rejoice that you believe this world is worth saving. Empower us to be instruments of your peace. Bless these gifts and us gathered here, which we offer as our part in your redemption of the world. Amen. We Go As God's People Into the World *Hymn of Recession #298 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross ~ HAMBURG *Benediction *Choral Response *Voluntary It Is Well with My Soul ~ VILLE DU HAVRE Concerto II in A Minor ~ Johann Sebastian Bach 5 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2015: A Great Start We are off to a great start in 2015! Our church is truly blessed and is filled with involved and dedicated members, a strong lay leadership and a devoted staff. We are also becoming healthier financially and we now have reporting that is easier to read and understand. In addition, we ended 2014 strong with a surplus that enabled us to pay down more of our debt which was a top priority. During this transitional time, as we continue to grow and develop new programs, I am personally very excited for the coming year. Along with this comes opportunities to try new things or make changes to the way things have been done in the past. Although you may not agree with each new idea, I ask you to be willing to listen and consider its possibility. We are always looking for ways to grow and develop what we have here at Centenary which is a commitment to this church and the word of Jesus Christ and His teachings. For example, recently we discussed the need for a new church bus for the many missions here and immediately families stepped up to the plate and began to provide funds for the bus. This is just one of the many ways we come together as our church. The generosity and commitment of our members continue to amaze me every day. We are grateful for each one of you and your commitment to Centenary! ~ Mary Ann Wexler JANUARY 2015 SUMMARY Total contributions received: $253,116.60 Total other revenues received: $56,694.49 Total revenues received: $309,811.09 Total expenses paid: $317,719.39 Net Total: ($7,719.39) WORSHIP AT CENTENARY 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 Scan the QR Code to read the announcements on your mobile device. 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Nell Tucker and James Curtis Brock by their daughters Elizabeth Whitaker and Louise Pollard and their families. We invite you to participate in Prayers of the People, an opportunity to offer silent intercessory prayers on behalf of people, groups and situations. Prayers of the People will continue each Monday going forward. We will be ready to receive each of you in fellowship and love as you enter the Chapel at Centenary. We are not bound by any rules. This is an exercise in love and belief in silent prayer and reflection. The Chapel will be open from 8:00 am until 5:30 pm. You may come at a time convenient for you and we recommend that you enter at 4 ½ Street. However, the door by the Chapel on the Fifth Street side will also be open. We celebrate the baptismof Caroline Genevieve Henderson, daughter of Will and Katie Henderson. We welcome new member Katherine Rowe McElroy (Married to Gene McElroy). We offer our prayers and concern for those who are ill at home, hospitalized and in hospice care. Prayers of the People is open to all, so invite friends and those you may feel interested. Please direct any questions to Congregational Care, Judy Jones (918-0346)/[email protected]. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Lunch & Lesson on Wednesdays at Noon All are welcome to come for our mid-week program in the auditorium featuring lunch for $7 (includes salad, main course, side items, dessert and beverage), live music and inspiring messages from our very own Rev. Jonathan Brake. This mid-week program is open to the public, so bring some coworkers along as well. Enter through the 4½ Street entrance. No pre-registration necessary. ALTAR GUILD You are cordially invited to join the Altar Guild's class of 2018 now being recruited. This is a great opportunity to provide a vital and visible service for your church as well as a way to meet and work with an incredible group of talented and dedicated women and men. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lois Davis (7258428)/ [email protected] or Gwen Walter (765-5338)/ [email protected]. 7 CHILDREN'S MINISTRY YOUTH MINISTRY Nursery Care February 22 Join us for our Youth Ministry events today! 8:45, 9:00, 10:10 & 11:00 am: Worship 9:45 am: Sunday school 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. Created by God March 6-7 • 4th & 5th Grade Students Each year Centenary offers a weekend for 4th & 5th graders that focuses on human sexuality from a Christian perspective. This year's weekend will be March 6-7 for all current 4th & 5th graders. If you are ready to sign your child up, simply email Ashley with their information. Cost is $30 per student participant. The deadline to register is Monday February 23. Lenten Fair February 22 • 9:45 am • Children's Building Join us today on the 3rd floor of the Children's Building as we kick off the Lenten Season. There will not be regular Kindergarten-5th grade Sunday school classes that day. You are encouraged as a family to take some time participating in different activities to prepare you for Easter. There will not be teachers on this Sunday, so each child should be escorted by their parents. Mother/Son Bowling March 15 • 2:00 pm Join us for our annual mother/son bowling gathering. Cost is $5 per person. No bowling expertise needed, just come for great fellowship and some fun. Please RSVP to Ashley Maner ([email protected]) with number attending from your family by March 9. 8 Our Cornerstone middle school youth group (6th-8th grades) meets from 5:00-6:00pm each Sunday evening, followed by a youth dinner at 6:00pm. Our evening finishes up with our senior high youth group (9th-12thgrades), The Well, from 6:45-8:00pm. Come be a part of this incredible ministry where we seek to know God and to soak up the love of Christ so we can share that knowledge and love with all who we encounter. We meet upstairs on the 4th floor and can’t wait to see you February 25 6:00 pm: Confirmation – Food & Stuff ADULT ED. / SPIRITUAL FORMATION “Do Something!” Lenten Study 2015 Have you registered for your Lenten Study Group? Small Groups will be meeting all across the city in various locations for six weekly sessions. Come discover how to give up Apathy for Lent and Do Something for the Kingdom of God. Why? Because Jesus thinks the world is worth saving and he has called us to get involved. We will explore fasting, serving, feeding, seeking, healing and refining as we partner with Jesus to bring the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. To register, go to www.centenary-ws.org/?p=44 Christ in the Passover Seder March 22 • Memorial Auditorium • 5:00 pm Have you ever celebrated the Passover Seder from the perspective of Jesus? Missionary Lynn McCoy will be with us using Scripture and visuals to show how Jesus took the historical Passover Seder from the Exodus event and transformed it for the New Covenant at the Last Supper with his disciples. We will become “families” around each table in the auditorium, and walk through the traditional Haggadah (celebration order) and eat the foods of the Seder. Advance tickets are required ($10/person). Register online at www.centenary-ws.org/?p=46 or call Tara Snow (397-1342). For more information about this event, contact Rev. Jonathan Brake (397-1334)/[email protected]. WOMEN'S RETREAT February Food of the Month Lifting Women's Voices March 21 • 8:00 am-2:00 pm • St. Paul's Episcopal The February food of the month is Macaroni & Cheese (preferably complete kits, no milk needed). Please bring your food donations to the Missions bins, located in the Reception Narthex at 4½ Street. The featured speaker will be the Rt. Rev. Anne HodgesCopple, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. She will present "Building a Rule of Life from the Holy Family of Bethany,” based on stories from Luke and John about Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Child care will be available for children three years old and younger. The cost of the retreat, which includes a light breakfast, lunch and retreat materials, will be $30 for adults and an additional $10 for all accompanying children from the same household attending the Children’s Retreat. Child care will be available at no additional charge. MISSIONS Haiti Mission Trip April 16-20, 2015 The Outreach Committee of Centenary United Methodist Church will be taking a group to Port au Prince, Haiti. This will be a follow-up to our trip back in October with Haiti Outreach Ministries, an organization that ministers to and with the people of Haiti by focusing on worship, education and healthcare. This trip will provide a variety of opportunities for mission work and relationship building; no expertise in any particular field is required, though each person’s gifts can be put to use. We will leave for Haiti on Thursday and return Monday, having a chance to get to the people, working and worshipping alongside them. We expect the trip cost to be under $1,000, and scholarships are available. For more information or to sign up, contact Rev. Sarah Howell ([email protected]/397-1348). Overflow Shelter Centenary is working with churches all across WinstonSalem to provide an overflow shelter for our homeless neighbors during the cold winter months. As our local shelters fill up and it becomes dangerously cold to sleep outside, our goal is to provide a warm and safe place for people to come and rest. But beyond that, we want to offer hospitality and friendship to our neighbors, remembering that when Jesus described his kingdom, he said, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” If you have any questions or would like to learn more, contact Rev. Sarah Howell (397-1348/[email protected]). Prison Ministry March 15 • 6:00 pm Members of Centenary will be leading a worship service at Forsyth Correctional Center, a minimum-security prison. The evening will consist of worship and then an activity and snack time with the inmates. This is a chance to connect with and minister to men who are often forgotten by the outside world, though in the case of many of these inmates, they are already part of the workforce and perhaps preparing to reenter society. We remember that in Matthew 25, when Jesus welcomed the sheep to inherit his kingdom, he said, “I was in prison, and you visited me.” This is a great opportunity to participate in our Lenten theme of faith in action and “Do Something!” The evening begins at 6:00 pm. We will be finished by 9:00 p.m. For more information and to sign up, please contact Rev. Sarah Howell (397-1348)/[email protected]. All volunteers are required to complete a background check at least a week in advance of the service. Winston Salem Street School Needs Tutors Monday – Thursdays 10:30 am-2:15 pm No experience necessary, just a compassionate heart for disenfranchised youth in our community. For more information, call Camille Galloway (721-1110). MUSIC AND THE ARTS Faith in Films Concludes Today Memorial Auditorium • 2 pm Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuaron (2006) Tony Abbott Lecture Series Poetry as Prayer, Prayer as Poetry March 3, 10, 17 & 24 • Memorial Auditorium • 7 pm March 3: John Donne: The Crisis of His Life March 10: John Donne: The Holy Sonnets March 17: Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Life of a Jesuit Priest March 24: Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Welsh Sonnets & the “Terrible” Sonnets This series will examine the extraordinary lives of these two poet priests, Donne an Anglican and Hopkins a Roman Catholic. 9 Handel’s Messiah Parts Two and Three Throughout the season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter, experience Handel’s beloved Messiah as it was meant to be heard! The Chancel Choir will be performing excerpts from Part Two and Three at the 11am Traditional Worship as we journey through these seasons of Jesus’ life in liturgy and song. Festival of Church Music Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC February 22 • 7:00 pm Come out and see the Chamber Singers of Centenary sing with over 200 other singers from churches in the Charlotte and Triad area! This celebration of church music will be led by Dr. Eric Nelson, who serves on faculty at Emory University and leads the Atlanta Master Chorale. The 200+ voice choir will also be joined by a brass ensemble to celebrate music, one of God’s greatest gifts! Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 12. Advance tickets may be purchased at http://tix.cpcc.edu/, and all proceeds will go to benefit the Church Music Institute of Charlotte. ROOTS REVIVAL Wednesday • February 25 • 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. During the season of Lent, we will have a series based on Matthew 25:31-46 to complement our church-wide Lenten study called “Do Something.” Each week, we will highlight a different theme from this passage: hunger and thirst, strangers, nakedness, sickness, and prisoners. As we do so, we will lift up Centenary and community ministries connected to these themes and collect a needed item each Wednesday in Lent. This week, we begin by talking about hunger and thirst. Rev. Jonathan Brake will preach as we use James Taylor’s “New Hymn” to begin our exploration of the Matthew 25 passage and our theme of “Do Something.” We will hear from youth leaders in our Love Thy Neighbor ministry and collect food for Loaves & Fishes, specifically macaroni and cheese. Join us for this liturgical but informal worship service where we celebrate communion weekly. We meet at 7:30 pm on Wednesday nights in Memorial Auditorium, and a group always goes out to dinner afterward for unstructured fellowship time. Learn more at www.rootsrevivalws.com or contact Rev. Sarah Howell (397-1348)/[email protected]). 10 GLAD TIDINGS We are happy in Glad Tidings to offer you a chance to come in for some blooms and greenery from NAPCO. You have to touch these plants to make sure they are not real and the lift to the spirit will be evident as you gaze upon the spirit of spring (we know it is out there, just not getting here soon enough for some of us!). You will see a new purpose for the room on Sunday mornings as we are going to have an information desk where visitors and members can find out about Sunday School classes, small groups, events and different ministries and missions in Centenary. With this new offering comes an opportunity for you to participate because we are seeking individuals who will be willing to volunteer one hour each month to share information about Centenary as people stop by to find out more. This ministry ties in nicely with Centenary’s “GO” campaign as a great way for anyone to serve the church. If you would like to find out more, please contact Judy Jones and she will be happy to explain. You will have information at your fingertips and what a great way to meet people in Centenary! Shop Glad Tidings where good things happen! Judy Jones, Manager (918-0346)/[email protected]. SCHOLARSHIP TIME Our congregation is honored to be able to offer three different types of endowed scholarships, due to the dedication and generosity of past members: • T.B. and Mary Neal Dixson Foundation: Scholarships for Centenary members or staff who are full-time students. • Cabaniss Fund Scholarship: For needy and deserving students engaged in or planning for ministry. • Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund: Scholarships for Methodist residents of Forsyth County pursuing education for Methodist ministry or a Christian education ministry vocation. The deadline to submit all applications is April 1. Find more detailed scholarship guidelines and download application forms on Centenary’s website. http://www.centenary-ws.org/index.php/connect/resources/ centenary-scholarships 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 Doug Peninger Director of Communications [email protected] | 397-1368 Kristy Eaton Financial Assistant [email protected] | 397-1341 Judy Jones Congregational Care Coordinator [email protected] | 397-1361 John Rogers Director of Information Technology [email protected] | 397-1356 Dr. Robert E. Frazier Director of Music and the Arts [email protected] | 397-1339 John Markle Director of Operations [email protected] | 397-1347 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 February 10 - February 16 Worship Attendance 8:45 Traditional 9:00 Simplify 10:10 Rejoice! 11:00 Traditional Children's Worship & Nursery Food for Thought Roots Revival Total Tithes and Offerings 100 62 136 330 50 55 70 803 Offering Miscellaneous $57,037 11,611 Total $68,648 Sunday School 184 11 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 Printed on recycled paper
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