THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY • JANUARY 22, 2023 • 9:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
The gathering music 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
GATHERING MUSIC
Learning to be the Light — Joel Parisien and Thomas Salter
GREETING
†OPENING PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us. We ask this in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE — Matthew 5:12-20 (pew Bible New Testament page 5)
This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
SERMON — “Wear Life Out”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
Early American Melody
First Stanza:
How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord Is laid for your faith in His excellent word What more can He say than to you He hath said To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled
OFFERTORY
Alive and Breathing — Elle Limebear and Matt Maher
†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 THANKSGIVING
Most holy and gracious God accept these gifts from our hearts. May they be used to share the message of your love with a world that is hurting. May these gifts shine like light in the darkness offering hope, and peace. May we offer ourselves and dedicate our lives to your service this week using our talents and time to build your kingdom. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
Second Stanza:
Fear not I am with thee O be not dismayed For I am thy God I will still give thee aid I’ll strengthen thee help thee And cause thee to stand Upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand
Third Stanza:
In every condition in sickness in health In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth At home and abroad on the land on the sea As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be
Fourth Stanza:
When through the deep waters He calls thee to go The rivers of grief shall not thee overflow For He will be with thee in trouble to bless And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress
†HYMN
†
HYMN
†
How Firm a Foundation — FOUNDATION (See side page.)
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare:
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.
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.
#419 I Am Thine, O Lord — I AM THINE
†BENEDICTION
†BENEDICTION RESPONSE Go In Peace — Sam Baker
†CELEBRATION MUSIC Overflow — Matt Maher
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP
MUSIC Eddie Pollock, Band Leader Lydia Berger • Nathan Clark • Sam Clark Matthew Epermanis • Joanna Holden • Jacob Hollar • Larry Hollar • Amy Goodman • Lilly Robbins
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342
By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.
WELCOME!
The congregation and staff of Centenary welcome you to today’s worship.
It is our honor to have you with us! Our ministers, staff, welcome team and ushers are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. We hope our worship will inspire, comfort and challenge you as we hear God’s message proclamed through preaching, music, prayer and liturgy.
WORSHIP AT CENTENARY
SUNDAYS
9:00 am • Memorial Auditorium 11:00 am • Sanctuary
MEMBERSHIP
We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you. If you are interested in learning about church membership, please contact Rev. Meg Peters (336-724-6311 ext. 1361)/mpeters@ centenary-ws.org to schedule a time to meet.
WATCH
Each Sunday morning, our 11:00 am worship service is broadcast on the Internet through our Live Stream. Visit www.centenary-ws.org. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on either Live Stream or the Live Stream arrow.
HEARING LOOP
Our Sanctuary is fitted with a Hearing Loop system. Please switch your hearing device to T-coil. If you need a listening device, please contact one of our ushers. Be sure to sit in the pews located on the floor of the Nave.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTENARY
There is always something happening at Centenary and we invite you to join us. To learn more about Centenary ministries and events, visit our website at www.centenary-ws.org. You may also contact our receptionist who will guide you to the appropriate ministry area.
STAY CONNECTED
Reception Desk • 336-724-6311
Reverend
Senior Minister
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS • JANUARY 22, 2023
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/engage
CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS
Today we celebrate the baptism of Brooke Rooney Burr, daughter of Tyler and Meg Burr.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
STEPHEN MINISTRY
In the beginning, a Care Receiver said of her situation, “I don’t know if can do this.” At the end of her time together with a Stephen Minister, she said, “I have hope, and I feel I can do this now.” That’s what a caring relationship is all about--someone facing a struggle getting over the hump. Stephen Ministry can be life-changing.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Stephen Ministry, please contact Deena Morgan (336-692-2314), Wilba Brady (336-723-6236), Rev. Craig Ford (336-724-6311 ext. 1353) or Rev. Susannah Pittman (336-724-6311 ext. 1357).
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
BIBLE BONANZA
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 26 • 5-6:45 PM
We want our 3rd and 4th graders to continue to grow in their relationship with God through reading the Bible so we invite them to participate in our Bible Bonanza on Sunday, February 26 from 5-6:45 pm. This is an Escape Room style adventure and dinner with friends. Cost is $15/student and registration will open through Realm and on the Engage Page of the church website on January 31. Mark your calendar now! Questions? Contact Kate May (kmay@centenary-ws.org/ext. 1331)
CREATED BY GOD MARCH 3-4
Our 4th and 5th graders have growing and changing bodies, hearts, and minds. March 3-4 we will be offering our annual Created by God weekend for these growing 4th and 5th graders and their grown ups. Cost is $40/student. Registration opens January 31 through Realm and the Engage page of the church website. Space is limited so make sure to register early. Questions? Contact Kate May (kmay@centenary-ws.org/ext. 1331)
MISSIONS
WINTER
Mary Ann Wexler ext. 1346
Executive Director
Jonathan Emmons ext. 1339
Director of Music Ministries
Reverend R. Craig Ford ext. 1353
Associate Minister
Reverend Kate May ext. 1331
Associate Minister with Children
Reverend Meg Peters ext. 1361
Assoc. Minister of Evangelism, Engagement & Missions
Reverend Susannah Pittman ext. 1357
Associate Minister of Congregational Care & Adult Formation
CENTENARY
Tammy Pollock ext. 1337
Director of Youth Ministries
Rick Gibbons ext. 1342
Congregational Care Assistant
Stacy Holley ext. 1359
Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister
John Markle ext. 1347
Director of Operations
Doug Peninger ext. 1368
Director of Communications
John Rogers ext. 1356
Director of Information Technology
OVERFLOW SHELTER
NOW – MARCH 28
This vital ministry provides persons experiencing homelessness a meal and a warm place to sleep, and we are honored to be a partner with City with Dwellings in this effort. Centenary furnishes transportation from the check-in site to the overflow shelter on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings. We are in need of drivers and ridealongs. Ride-alongs help with boarding the busses and serve as an extra pair of eyes for drivers. To volunteer as a driver or a ride-along, please contact Rev. Meg Peters mpeters@centenary-ws.org/ext. 1361) or sign-up on our Engage Page.
MUSIC & THE ARTS
JOIN THE CENTENARY CHANCEL CHOIR
Thinking about New Year’s resolutions? Consider joining the Centenary Chancel Choir! The choir is the heart of the weekly 11 am worship service and sings a wide range of choral repertoire. Open to high-schoolers and adults of all ages, the choir includes members from a variety of musical backgrounds and levels of experience. All are welcome and no audition is required! Join us as we seek to equip and empower the congregation to lift its collective heart and voice in worship and praise. Rehearsals every Thursday from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
SUBSCRIBE TO SIGHTINGS & SOUNDINGS Check out Centenary’s monthly Music & Arts magazine! Find the latest edition on Centenary’s website (Music & Arts’ page), subscribe via the QR Code below, or pick up a printed copy from the Music Suite.
CHILDREN’S MUSIC & ART NIGHT CONTINUES IN JANUARY – NEW PARTICIPANTS WELCOME! Children ages 2 through 6th grade are invited to join us every Thursday night from 5:00-6:35 pm for Children’s Music & Art Night. Programming includes choir, handbells, handchimes, Kindermusik, art and more! Dinner (suggested $5 donation) is available from 4:30-6:30pm. Adult supervision is required for dinner. (Children ages 2-3 are dismissed at 5:40, and those participants require adult accompaniment.) Current participants need not register; the QR code below will direct new participants to the registration form. For more information, please contact Music Ministry Assistant, Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@ centenary-ws.org).
SIGN UP NOW FOR CHILDREN’S MUSIC & ART CAMP
JULY 17 - 20, 2023
CMA Camp is offered for infants through rising 5th grade. Offerings include singing, handbells, handchimes, creative movement, art, Kindermusik, and more! Snack is provided daily. The week ends with a camper-led worship service on Thursday at 12:30 pm followed by refreshments. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled week! The QR code below will direct you to the registration form. For more information, please contact Music Ministry Assistant, Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenary-ws.org).
YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS
•January 22: Middle School Youth @ 5:00, All Youth Dinner @ 6:15, Senior High Youth @ 6:45
•January 24: Youth Basketball @7 vs. St. Pauls
•January 25: Confirmation – Apostles Creed: Holy Spirit
•January 29: Combined Youth Group look for more details in the weekly email
For more information or to sign up to receive Youth Ministry updates by email, contact Tammy Pollock (tpollock@centenary-ws.org). Follow us on Instagram @centenary_youth.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Join us every Sunday at 10:00 am on the fourth floor for ALL youth Sunday School taught by our Associate Director of Youth Ministries, Andrew Epermanis. There will be snacks and fellowship before the lesson every week! As we journey through Christmastide, Epiphany, and the beginning of the Confirmation season, we invite you to join us as we take a long, loving look at Jesus’ life as we see it lived out through Luke’s eyes.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation by definition is faith formation, one part of a life-long journey. We have designed an incredible Confirmation process to help our 7th grade youth begin to claim their faith as their very own. Through our Confirmation ministry you will have opportunities, be given tools, support, and the inspiration you need to build your faith on a firm foundation. Registration is now open. Check the Youth Announcements for more details.
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
We are so excited to be starting back our Love Thy Neighbor Ministry for the year! One Sunday a month, the youth and other church volunteers work together to provide a hot meal and medical clinic for our homeless and marginally housed neighbors from all around Winston. This is a beautiful time of community building that we hope you will feel called to join us for. LTN takes place from 12 pm – 2 pm (with set up beginning at 11 am) on the following Sundays:
•February 5, 2023
•March 5, 2023
•April 16, 2023
•May 7, 2023
OPEN FLOWER DATES
A wonderful way to honor or remember a loved one, friend, group, birthday, or anniversary is by providing flowers in our Sanctuary for Sunday morning services. Our Flower Calendar has several open dates available: January 29, 2023, March 5, 2023, May 7, 2023, July 16, 2023, and August 6, 2023. If you are interested, please contact Paige Morgan Foy pmorganfoy@centenary-ws.org).
MINISTRY
Dear congregation,
I want to let you know how very thankful we at Loaves & Fishes are for the donations through the Advent offerings. In 2022, we helped 362 clients for a total of $122,941.58. Rent accounted for 67% of that, with rest going toward utility bills. We tried very hard to help as much as possible while being good stewards of the money given to us. Our last day being open for 2022 was December 20 and we ended that day with $158 in the checking account! You can see what a difference your donations made in allowing us to start back in the new year. We also helped 295 households representing 504 people with food—giving out a total of 17,718 pounds this past year. We are so thankful that Centenary has this ministry and has continued it throughout the difficult two years of COVID. It’s because of all of you that we have this ministry and continue to be known as a helping hand to the needly.
With great gratitude, Marianne Bach