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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 Gift"
John 12:1-8
Sunday, March 22, 2015
8:45 am Sanctuary
Morning Worship
Fifth Sunday of Lent • 8:45 am • March 22, 2015
Dr. W. Mark Ralls, Preaching
The Reverend Kate May, Liturgist
Dr. Robert E. Frazier, Director of Music & the Arts
Susan Bates, Organ/Music Associate
The Sanctuary Choir
We welcome you to worship, and invite you to greet one another with joy and affection.
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.
†
Please stand as you are able.
Voluntary
Greeting &
Mission Moment
Call to Worship
†
Confession
Pardon
Hymn
†
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, we are all
forgiven. Glory to God. Amen.
#340 Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy ~ RESTORATION
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love,
whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to
his children’s good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of
man, the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope,
and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death. We believe in
the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept
in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and
help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself
in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord,
to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen.
Gloria Patri
#71 Glory Be to the Father ~ GREATOREX
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Amen.
†
†
2
Andante tranquillo (from Sonata III) ~ Felix Mendelssohn
We invite you to pass the Fellowship Folder located at the end of
the pew.
Scripture
John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of
Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner
for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table
with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard,
anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was
filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of
his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was
this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given
to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but
because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal
what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so
that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the
poor with you, but you do not always have me."
(NRSV)
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon
"The Gift"
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.
Offertory
My Song Is Love Unknown ~ LOVE UNKNOWN
My song is love unknown, my Savior's love for me, love to the loveless
shown that they might lovely be. O who am I that for my sake my
Lord should take frail flesh, and die? Christ came from heaven's
throne salvation to bestow, but people scorned and none the longedfor Christ would know. But O my friend, my friend indeed, who at
my need his life did spend. Here might I stay and sing, no story so
divine; never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine. This is
my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend.
†
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 abundance, help us never to hold back in showing our devotion
to you. Bless us in our giving and strengthen us to reach out continually,
building your kingdom here and now. Amen.
†
Hymn
†
#159 Lift High the Cross ~ CRUCIFER
Benediction
†
Choral Response
†
Voluntary
†
O the Lamb ~ Ellen Jane Lorenz
Sonata III ~ Felix Mendelssohn
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
There has certainly been no slow down here at Centenary after the Christmas holiday. February proved to be
a month where activity here at the church continued at a fast pace. A few bullet points of interest:
•We are undergoing a renewed effort to update our archives and make sure our documents and
history are organized and easily accessible.
•We are taking a look at the properties the church owns and re-evaluating our needs.
•Our handicapped bus is being refurbished and plans to replace our other buses are in the
works.
•We have wrapped up Stewardship 2015 with $2.7 million in pledges. We are eager to instill
a mindset of year around giving to support the ongoing expenses of the church.
•In January, we established "Prayers of the People" held every Monday in our Chapel. This is
open to the public and at one point last week, there were eight different churches represented
as we gathered together for prayer. We are building a community of prayer minded people.
•We continue to make strides in our technical abilities here at Centenary. New software is
allowing us to streamline the process of online payments and event registration.
•We are reviewing the investments of the church and establishing long range goals that will
strengthen our ability to fund projects in the future.
~ Mary Ann Wexler
YEAR-TO-DATE FINANCIAL SUMMARY AS OF 2-28-2015
Total contributions received: $433,768
Total other revenues received: $150,745
Total revenues received: $584,513
Total expenses paid: $596,648
Net Total: ($12,135)
CENTENARY FINANCIAL TRIVIA
Did you know that we have paid out $39,000 for insurance already in 2015?
Did you know the gas bill to keep our buildings warm in February was $7817?
A hearty THANK YOU to those of you making your contributions throughout
the year to help us cover expenses such as these.
Scan the QR Code to read the
announcements on your mobile device.
6
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS
CHANCEL FLOWERS
The chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles F. Deleot, Jr., Joyce Poole Wampler,
and Graves Wythe Wampler by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
L. Deleot; and also in loving memory of Ray Michael
Farrell, Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Helms by Robert
and Victoria Helms; and also in honor of (Walter) Scott
Petree, son of Tucker and Chip Petree, on his baptism day.
If you would like to remember or honor your loved ones
with flowers, please contact Kristy Eaton (397-1341)/
[email protected]. There are several openings
within the coming weeks.
We celebrate the baptism of Walter Scott Petree son of
Chip & Tucker, & grandson of Harold & Louise Pollard.
We invite you to participate in Prayers of the People,
an opportunity to offer Intercessory prayers on behalf
of people, groups and situations. The Prayers of the
People focus for Monday, March 23, 2015, will be for
all single parents as we lift each one of them up and pray
for blessings and comfort for all the responsibilities laid
on them. Last week we had a Prayer Vigil for Shannon
Markle, John Markle’s brother who had cancer surgery.
We held a Prayer Vigil offering continuous prayer for
member Judy Ingram who is in a health crisis and we
now give prayers of thanks for the healing taking place
within her.
We welcome new members Weston & Brooke Keit (Libby
Keit).
We offer our prayers and concern for those who are ill at
home, hospitalized and in hospice care.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
People are seeking the solitude and comfort of our Chapel
for silent prayer and reflection.
We will be ready to receive each of you in fellowship and
love as you enter the Chapel at Centenary. We are not
bound to any rules. This is an exercise in love and belief
in prayer. The Chapel will be open from 8:00 until 5:30
every Monday. You may come at a time convenient for
you. We recommend that you enter by 4 ½ Street but the
door by the Chapel on the Fifth Street side will also be
open.
RECEPTION FOR SENIOR MINISTER
Prayers of the People is open to all, so invite friends and
those you may feel interested.
April 12 • Noon • Memorial Auditorium
Please direct any questions to Judy Jones (918-0346)/
[email protected].
The Staff/Parish Relations Committee invites you to a
reception honoring our departing Senior Minister, Dr. W.
Mark Ralls and his wife Jennifer as we celebrate their
time at Centenary. The reception will be in Memorial
Auditorium immediately following the 11:00 am worship.
SAVE THE DATE
May 24 • Pentecost Festival
Be sure to mark your calendar for the annual Pentecost
Festival at Centenary. We will celebrate the birthday of
the Christian church with worship, music and picnic on
the grounds.
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.
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
YOUTH MINISTRY
Nursery Care
March 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.
Sunday School Pick-up
For those attending our Rejoice service; no need to leave the
service early to pick-up your children from Sunday school.
When our teachers need to leave they will take the students
in their class to Room 209 where they will be supervised
while they read and play and fellowship with friends as
they wait for their parents to complete worship. Room 209
is located on the second floor of the Children’s Building.
Back-Pack Ministry
Did you know that Centenary partners with Brunson
Elementary and Wiley Middle schools to provide food for
kids over the weekend that would otherwise have hungry
bellies until they get to school Monday morning? We send
food home with over 75 kids every Friday during the school
year! If you would like to make a donation toward our
back pack programs or find out how you can be a part of
such a meaningful ministry for children in our community;
contact Ashley Maner: [email protected].
Waving Palm Branches
All children who normally attend Children's Worship
during the 11:00 hour (K-3rd Grade) who would like to
wave palm branches at the beginning of the 11:00 service on
Palm Sunday, March 29, are invited to meet in the Chapel
by 10:55 am to get their palms. Once we wave branches,
we will sit together in our reserved pews at the front of the
Sanctuary and then proceed to children’s worship together
once it is time.
Our Cornerstone middle school youth group (6th-8th
grades) meets from 5:00-6:00pm each Sunday evening,
followed by a youth dinner at 6:00 pm. Our evening finishes
up with our senior high youth group (9th-12thgrades), The
Well, from 6:45-8:00 pm. 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 everyone we encounter. We meet upstairs on the 4th
floor and can’t wait to see you!
March 25
6:00 pm: Confirmation – Creativity and Work
ADULT ED. / SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Christ in the Passover Seder
Today • Memorial Auditorium • 5:00 pm
The Passover meal has been celebrated since Moses led
the Israelites out of Egypt following the ten plagues. This
was the meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples for the
Last Supper. However, the symbolism of the original Seder
was reinterpreted by Jesus for the New Covenant. Come
discover how the story of the Exodus is woven together
with the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Missionary
Lynn McCoy will be with us to share how the Hebrew
words spoken in the upper room came alive in Christ. We
will share the meal together and make our way through the
traditional Haggadah (celebration order) around tables of
“families.” Register online at www.centenary-ws.org/?p=46
or contact Tara Snow (397-1342)[email protected].
Cost is $10/person.
SENIOR ADULTS
Luncheon • April 16
Noon • Memorial Auditorium
Our speaker will be Dr. Bill Leonard who is retired from
the Wake Forest Theology School. “Religion in America”
will be the subject of Dr. Leonard’s presentation.
Special guests for our April meeting will be Jack and Sylvia
Yarbrough. We will celebrate Jack’s eighty-first birthday
along with others who have birthdays in April. Register for
the luncheon meeting by contacting Charles Monroe (7730446)/[email protected].
8
MISSIONS
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
Samaritan Ministries Volunteers Needed
March 22-25
Tony Abbott Lecture Series Concludes
Poetry as Prayer, Prayer as Poetry
March 24 • Memorial Auditorium • 7 pm
March is the month for Centenary and other Methodist
churches to provided volunteers at Samaritan Ministries’
homeless shelter. This March, Centenary will send 6
volunteers per night from Sunday, March 22 through
Wednesday, March 25. Shelter teams work from 6:15 pm
to 7:30 am the next morning, serving meals, helping guests
prepare for bed, and then taking 2-hour shifts overnight
to assist the night monitor. Join us in continuing the longstanding relationship between Centenary and Samaritan.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or 17 with a parent.
If you would like to volunteer or if we have more people
sign up than we need, we may be able to add additional
volunteer dates in March. To sign up, contact Rev. Sarah
Howell (397-1348)/[email protected].
March Food of the Month
The March food of the month is canned spaghetti sauce (not
tomato paste) & packaged noodles. Please bring your food
donations to the Missions bins, located in the Reception
Narthex at 4½ Street.
Overflow Shelter
Centenary is working with churches all across WinstonSalem to provide an overflow shelter for our homeless
neighbors during the cold winter months. Volunteers are
needed to help with check-in, provide meals, and stay
overnight. Donations of men’s socks and gloves and trialsized toiletries are also being accepted. The overflow season
runs through March 31.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more,
contact Rev. Sarah Howell (397-1348)/[email protected].
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).
March 24: Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Welsh Sonnets & the “Terrible” Sonnets
This series examines the extraordinary lives of these two
poet priests, Donne an Anglican and Hopkins a Roman
Catholic.
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 11 am Traditional Worship
as we journey through these seasons of Jesus’ life in liturgy
and song.
ROOTS REVIVAL
Wednesday • March 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 will focus on the prisoner. We will use
Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” and Warren Zevon’s
“Prison Grove” in this service, at which Robert Esleeck,
a Centenary member and longtime participant in prison
ministry, will preach. A representative from Forsyth Jail and
Prison Ministries will join us to share about their important
work with prisoners here in our own city. We will collect
bath-sized soap to be distributed to inmates through FJPM.
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]).
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SCHOLARSHIP TIME
GLAD TIDINGS
Our congregation is honored to be able to offer three different
types of endowed scholarships, due to the dedication and
generosity of past members:
What happens if you love deviled eggs, but are only making
them for two? Those deviled egg plates that hold a dozen
eggs are not practical for only one or two people. Come to
Glad Tidings because we offer two styles of cute egg plates
with bunny handles that hold six half deviled eggs. They
are perfect for Easter and spring meals!
• 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 ARCHIVES
We need your Centenary documents!
Centenary is building a digital archive of minutes, reports,
presentations, etc. so that all of our governance documents
will be in one place, and easily-accessed by staff and
committee members, alike.
Documents may be in any format, paper and/or electronic.
When possible, please note when minutes have been
approved by your committee or ministry group.
If you served in Centenary leadership in the last 10 years
and have any of the documents mentioned above, please let
us know so they may be added to the archive. For questions,
please contact or send documents to Stacy Holley (3971359)/[email protected] or leave at the reception
desk.
Our Easter Basket treats include flashing chicks, bunny coin
purses, small wooden sailboats (just the right size for the
tub), soap crayons for the bath, little gold jeweled bracelets
for $3 (beautiful colors) and Easter books. We have Easter
and spring plush for baskets as well. Remember, you may
come in and pick out your selections and we will have them
bagged for secrecy with a ticket ready for you to pay. This
should result in a quick in and quick out before or after the
worship service of your choice.
Spring has sprung with our beautiful infinity scarves and
spring ponchos from Two’s Company priced in the $10
- $15.00 range. This year’s spring colors are so soft and
creamy and include geometrics, polka-dots, solids and
woven’s. There is something for everyone and they go
beautifully with the MSC bags!
We have the new shipment of Flashing Chicks and Bunny
Table Runners in Glad Tidings along with Chirping Chicks
and Hopping Bunnies which are perfect for baskets!
Shop Glad Tidings where good things happen!
Judy Jones, Manager (918-0346)/[email protected].
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Pencil – Want Ads – Telephone…
“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.Call Craig Ford at 397-1353, to find out
more about having a Stephen Minister help you during this
difficult time. All calls are confidential.
RECEPTION FOR INTERIM MINISTER
April 19 • Noon • Memorial Auditorium
The Staff/Parish Relations Committee invites you to a
reception welcoming our new Interim Minister, Dr. Bill
Medlin. Please join the Centenary community as we
welcome Bill into this role and offer our warm hospitality.
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CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
Dr. W. Mark Ralls, Senior Minister
[email protected] | 397-1362
Reverend Jonathan L. Brake
Associate Minister
[email protected] | 397-1334
Reverend R. Craig Ford
Reverend Sarah S, Howell
Associate Minister
[email protected] | 397-1353
Reverend Kate May
Associate Minister with Children
[email protected] | 397-1331
Associate 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
Dr. Robert E. Frazier
Financial Assistant
[email protected] | 397-1341
Director of Music and the Arts
[email protected] | 397-1339
Judy Jones
John Markle
Congregational Care Coordinator
[email protected] | 397-1361
Director of Operations
[email protected] | 397-1347
John Rogers
Jan Sawyer
Director of Information Technology
[email protected] | 397-1356
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
March 10 - March 16
Worship Attendance
Tithes & Offerings
8:45 Traditional
9:00 Simplify
10:10 Rejoice!
11:00 Traditional
Children's Worship & Nursery
Food for Thought
Roots Revival
108
81
137
426
52
46
57
Offering
Miscellaneous
$70,376
1,473
Total
$71,849
Total
907
Sunday School
205
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