Centenary United Methodist Church

429 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY

Vol. 20 No. 2 502.633.4510 February 2016

February Sermon Schedule

February 7, 2016

Communion Sunday 1 Corinthians 1 — 13 (TNIV) “Redefining Love”

February 14, 2016

First Sunday of Lent

Have a Heart For Senior’s Special Offering

Matthew 4: 12 — 17 (TNIV)

“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”

Week #1 of the “What’s My Next Move” Lenten Sermon Series

February 21, 2016 Second Sunday of Lent

Matthew 7: 7 — 8 (TNIV) “Why Are My Words All Mixed Up?”

Week #2 of the “What’s My Next Move”

Lenten Sermon Series

February 28, 2016

Third Sunday of Lent

Mark 8: 27 — 33 (TNIV)

“Pursuing Things That Aren’t Trivial” Week #3 of the “What’s My Next Move” Lenten Sermon Series

“Changes”

It seems to me as if half the music industry that I grew up with

passed away during the month of January. One of the major

passings was that of David Bowie. Now, truth be told, I was

never a huge Bowie fan. There are some songs of his that I re-

member well though. One such song being the song “Changes.”

It is pretty safe to say that the Church (universal – not any one

particular local church) does not (to use Bowie’s lyrics) “turn and

face the strange” very well. We tend to like stability and comfort.

I have come to understand that for many of us a church rep-

resents the last bastion of stability in an unpredictable world.

Yet this journey with Jesus that we are taking ultimately requires

us to be in transition. To change; Paul – writing in Romans –

calls us to be “transformed by the renewal of our minds (Romans

12: 2).” That requires us to be willing to change.

During this upcoming Lenten season, we will have the opportunity

to reflect not only on where we are in this moment but where we

hope to go in the future both as individuals following Jesus and

as a church attempting to discern Christ’s call upon us. The first

step in that process, however, will be a willingness to listen to the

call of God upon our lives.

It may be that the Holy Spirit affirms the direction we are headed.

Perhaps, we are called to make a minor adjustment. It might be

that God longs to see major “ch-ch-ch-ch-changes” happen in us.

Will we be willing?

A final thought…being open to God’s leading can be quite

challenging. Often Christ calls us to come and follow him when

we have no idea of the direction he is leading. I have never

heard anyone who said “yes” to God ever express a regret in

doing so. So, if there are “ch-ch-ch-ch-changes” that God has in

store for us, you can be assured that they are indeed for our

growth and the growth of God’s Kingdom.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Willard

Our Sunday Worship Schedule

Contemporary Worship Service 8:48 am

Sunday School 10:00 am

Traditional Worship 11:00 am

Wednesday Night Programming

Connection Classes 6:30 pm

CYF—Youth 6:30 pm

Children’s Ministry 6:30 pm

Choir 7:45 pm

February Birthdays

1. Robert Raisor

2 Jamie Smith

8 Diana Beaton

Coy Crowe

9 Bob Ethington

Jon Riggs

10 Mei Le Bradley

Lorrie Hawkins

11 Charlotte Bond

Bernice Nichols

Faye Rice

12 Patty Burks

Ashley Ethington

Ronnie Freels

Cheryl Gibbons

David Leo Greulich

13 Tracy Gayle

John Gerlach

Greg Horn

Blake Shelton

14 David Price

Sarah Smith

15 Harold Hawkins

17 Kim DeCandia

Ted Igleheart

18 John Andrew Greulich Jr.

20 Paul Gayle

21 Caroline Husband

22 Tony Husband

24 Leigh Burnett

25 Donna Meador

Pauletta Stovall

26 Mark Knowles

28 Shirley Luttrell

March Newsletter Items Due February 17th

Quilter’s Meeting is 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 in Room 206

For more information about the Quilter’s, contact

Linda Sanford 502.330.9524 or Geri Roberts

502.226.8126

UMW Harriet Poynter/Lucile Smith Circle will meet on Tuesday, February 9th @ 2:00 pm.

For more information about United Methodist Women, please contact Helena Kruer

502.939.4158, Linda Sanford 502.330.9524, or Bonnie Burks Gray 502.633.6941.

Choir Rehearsals resume February 3rd @ 7:45 pm

Do you just want to SING!? Do you love music and

want to sing in a casual, friendly environment where

any level of ability is welcome and celebrated? Our

Choir members range in age from High School to

Octogenarians…the commonality is their love of

music! Come, expand your musical repertoire, make

new friends and join the Choir.

We rehearse each Wednesday evening at 7:45 pm.

Sunday, February 7th 6:30 pm

Souper Bowl Party @ Matt Bell’s Home (93 Beechwood Ave. Shel-

byville). Come out and root for your favorite team and help those in

need too! Each student is to bring (2) cans of their favorite soup

(pop top cans only) to be donated to the Shelby County Backpack

Program. Please email/RSVP centenary.cyf@twc.com by February

5th to attend.

February 20th —Ski Trip to Perfect North Slopes

Cost: $50.00

Open for all CYF/Youth. We will meet at the church at 8:00 am and

return around 10:00 pm. Registration forms are available on the

website under the youth/event tab and posted outside Room 206.

You must register by Sunday, February 14th.

April 29 –May 1st—Youth H.S. Spring Retreat-- Smoky Mountains —

Open for students in Grades 9— 12. (More Information to come).

For more information about CYF/Youth activities, contact Matt Bell,

Director of Student Ministries: centenary.cyf@twc.com or

502.655.3009.

We are taking the children to Crescent Place on Wednesday, February

3rd to deliver homemade cards and cookies to the residents there.

Children’s Ministry will meet at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 10th.

We will provide stations to teach the children about the meaning and

significance of Ash Wednesday & the Lenten Season.

A VBS Planning Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 21st follow-

ing the 11:00 worship service. VBS is scheduled for July 18 —20th 2016

this year.

The Easter Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 19th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm at

Colonel Sanders Pavilion/Clear Creek Park. We are planning on having

crafts, games, snacks and pictures with the Easter Bunny. This event

will be open to the community.

For more information about Children’s Ministry activities, contact Sarah

Krauss, Director of Children’s Ministry: centenary.children@twc.com

Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center is now accepting registration for

Summer Camp 2016.

To view their 2016 Summer schedule and make reservations go to

www.aldersgatecamp.org

Our Ash Wednesday Service is February 10th @ 6:30 pm. There are no

Wednesday Night Connection classes. Children’s Ministry will meet at

6:30 pm and will provide stations to teach the children about the

meaning and significance of Ash Wednesday & the Lenten Season.

Due to the inclement weather, our “Living Our Vision 2016” Lead-

ership Retreat has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6th

9:00 to 3:00 pm. We will carry over the RSVP’s from January

23rd, if you have not RSVP to attend, please contact Angela

502.633.4510

Sunday, February 14th

Which way?

There's an old story about a gravestone

with this inscription on it:

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, you are sure to be.

So may I say, as now I lie,

Prepare yourself to follow me.

Someone came along and wrote these

words in chalk beneath the inscription:

To follow you I'm not content

Until I know the way you went.

Church Council Meeting Minutes Summary

November 16, 2015

Larry Crouch called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

The group shared prayer requests and praises with a time of formation. Larry then closed this time

with prayer.

Larry asked the minutes of the October 26, 2015 meeting be approved. The motion was passed.

Larry moved to the Finance Committee Report. Tracy Bertram started a discussion with the use of

the Endowment Fund for scholarships. Kim Aitken stated that the Scholarship Fund only allows inter-

est to be used towards the scholarships awarded to graduating High School seniors. Matt Bell added

that there are 7, possibly 9 seniors that are members and will be graduating in May 2016, with only

$1500.00 available in interest. Donald Durden indicated that we had a little over $1000.00 that went

into the 2015 Scholarship account. Tracy Bertram made the motion that we allocate up to $2500.00

from the Endowment Fund for the Class of 2016 Scholarships. This motions was approved and

passed. Tracy Bertram finished the report indicating that the budget reports had been received but a

couple more are still needed. The Finance Committee would like to pass a budget in December rather

than in January.

Donald Durden then gave the Treasurer’s Report. He stated that we are in good shape. We have

spent $3800.00 more than we have taken in, but that we actually had expected it be more than that.

Vance Burnett then addressed the council. He stated that the Trustee Committee is still working to

get the main furnace for the Sanctuary fixed. The Icemaker has been repaired. He stated that Bonnie

Burks Gray is working with the Judge Executive to see if the county is responsible for the concrete

sidewalk/ramp repair between the church and youth building. Larry Couch asked about an easement.

It was decided that we will need the deed/platt information. Vance indicated that those documents

are in the church’s lockbox. He asked that if anyone has a key to the box please turn it in, otherwise

we will have to pay $125.00 to have to drill out the lock.

Larry asked if there was any other business. Glen Dreher stated that as Staff-Parish Relations (SPR)

works through to assure that job descriptions are realigned to match our vision they many need

budget line items to be adjusted. He stated that SPR appreciates prayer as they work through this.

Willard, thanked Kay Burney for leading the 8:48 worship service as they work through this and said

that Jamie Buchanan was a delight while he served as interim worship leader for the 8:48 service.

Willard also stated that they received a letter of resignation and have a plan for the Financial Secre-

tary position.

Willard Knipp then gave the Pastor’s report. Willard addressed the handout from the Committee on

Lay Leadership and Nominations for 2016. Per the council they are using the new format. Willard

pointed out that leadership reflected on the handout is not finalized, some are still considering their

acceptance, and others are designated as “to be determined” because no one is considering accept-

ing the position yet. The Operations Team is the SPR, Trustees, and Finance Committee’s merged

together. They have asked 10 people to serve and have had 9 to accept the nomination.

Church Council Summary Cont.

Larry who is serving as the chairperson for the Send/Mission Team has asked that they find a successor. The

Age-Level councils could use more help. Trisha Hobbs asked that the 2016 Leadership nominations be cor-

rected to reflect that she no longer is a part of the Children’s Ministry Team. Council then approved the rec-

ommendations from Committee on Lay Leadership and Nominations as amended and it was passed.

There were no reports from Mark Burks Lay Leader and Larry had nothing to report as Lay Delegate.

Everyone was encouraged to attend the Charge Conference on Sunday. Larry asked if there was any other

business.

Willard stated that our DS Paul Fryman feels led to lead a workshop on the Lord’s Prayer and has asked us to

host the workshop on Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 9:00 to 2:30. Willard also asked that we pencil in

January 23, 2016 as a tentative date for the ministry team church vision retreat. He also asked that a tenta-

tive date of January 25, 2016 to be the first meeting of the Operations Team.

Donald Durden asked if the Council needs to set the Mission Covenant giving amout prior to the Charge Con-

ference on Sunday. Willard stated that the Centenary has been using 10% for this year, and the Conference

request is 13% with us using 1% for district support requested at 1 –1/2%. A motion by Tracy Bertram to

increase the Conference support from 10% to 13% for 2016 was tabled for further discussion. Following the

discussion, a motion was made to renew Tracy’s motion to increase the Conference support to the requested

13% for 2016. The motion was passed unanimously. A motion was then made to raise the District support to

1-1/2% as requested. This motion passed unanimously.

It was noted that the usual Council meeting falls during Winter Break. The Pastor stated that main business

for that meeting would be approving the budget. Since several members of the council have travel plans, a

motion was made to move the meeting from Monday December 21st to Thursday, December 17th at 6:30

pm. The motion was passed.

There was no other business.

Larry Crouch thanked everyone for their time and asked Pastor Willard to close the meeting with prayer.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Trisha Hobbs

Dear Centenary Children’s Ministry:

Before Christmas I received a letter thanking me for teaching your Sun-

day School Children. I believe I had more fun than my students! It was a

pleasure.

Thank you,

Catherine Hail

District Superintendent Paul Fryman offered his thanks for allowing him

to host the Districts Lord’s Prayer Workshop on January 21st at the

church.

Wednesday Night Connection Opportunities

6:30 pm

Pastor Willard (Seekers SS Room/3rd Floor) for the

The Synoptic Gospels – A study of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels” because they see life and the ministry of Jesus in very similar ways. Bring your bible, build your biblical knowledge, and learn more about the life of Jesus with others.

Meg Hughes (Room 206) for a seven week study of John 1, 2, & 3 “What Love Is?” by Kelly Minter.

This study will encourage you to remain faithful to the truth and challenge you to look at contrasting themes such as walking in the light instead of the darkness, truth versus lies and deception, loving God more than loving the world,

and the meaning of true fellowship and community rather than shallowness.

The Daniel Plan—40 Days to a Healthier Life. This is an interactive study on Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends! Centenary will be offering this study in 2 different groups – Group 1 will meet every other Wednesday even-ing at 6:30pm in Room 206. Group 2 will meet also meet every other Wednesday at 5:30pm, also in Room 206. Group 1 will be alternating with Meg Hughes’ women’s study, so that interested parties can participate in both. So the first few weeks of the studies will look like this:

Group 1 2/3, 6:30pm

Group 2 2/17 5:30pm

The first session for both groups will be an introductory session to better communicate what this study is all about. Come and check it out, and see if you want to participate and commit to being healthier in mind, body, and spirit.

The Daniel Plan is not about perfection – it’s more about progress and community. For more information contact Donna Meador 502.321.1197

The Greatest Love of All

40 days to Spiritual Health

Lent is the 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Traditionally, it has been a time when Christians re-examine their

spiritual life and try to discern the quality of their relationship with

God.

There are many individual approaches to strengthening the spiritual

life, including: choosing to fast, praying more often, reading the Bible

and devotional literature, engaging more often in public worship,

serving God more intensely in the world.

We miss the mark if we focus only on our desires. Lent ought to be a

time of deeper dedication to God and seeking ways in which we can

help to further God’s kingdom on Earth.

Remember in Prayer

With our Prayer…

Mark Burks Dick Burnett Chuck Cicchella

Renee Clark Joe Cleveland Cinda Compton

Melvin Cook Glenn & Renee Dreher Annie Gardner

John Gerding John Gerlach Catherine Hail

Ted Igleheart Jeremiah Jobe Dottie Miller

Roger & Bernice Nichols Robert Raisor Allison Shafer

Brenda Snawder Meghan Stucker Felicia Swigert

Eloise Terhune Phil Tripp

Christy Bitzer (Friend of Sarah Bell) Connie Bock’s Husband & Son (Friend of Kate Raisor)

D.O. Burden (Friend of Joyce Cassin) Kristin Chandler

Frank Curry (Friend of Marilyn Macfarlane) Matt Decker (Military stationed in Afghanistan)

Sarah & Jacob Dorf (Friends of the Headley’s) Fran Ernspiker (Renee Clark’s Mother)

Alec Furrow (Grandson of Carol Furrow) Carole Greulich (John Greulich’s Mother)

Tara Haley (Friend of the Headley’s) Sherri Harkuss (Friend of Joyce Cassin)

Richard & Martina Hembree (Friends of Linda Ethington) Robin Hetman (Nick Headley’s Mother)

Anita Hill (Friends of the Raisor’s) Barsha Honchell (Jim Benton’s Sister)

Robyn Hotman (Reesa Headley’s Mom) Beth Huggins (Daughter-in-law of Jan Huggins)

Marcia James (Duanne Puckett’s Sister) Anna Jones (Barbara Scott’s Cousin)

Scott Jones (Chuck Jones Brother) Dr. Kutmah (Friends of Robert & Kate Raisor)

Tracy Logan (Friend of Renee Clark) Kim Maddox (Geri Robert’s Niece)

JeanAnn Martin (Member of Impact Shelby & UMW) Eric Mattson (Donna Meador’s Cousin)

Family of Judy McCarty Norma Mescher (Friend of Don Ernst)

Robin Millard (Friend of Bill & Margaret Tuttle) Jo Murley (Judy Knowles Sister)

Sherri Nelson & Brandon Lassley (Friends of Carol Furrow & Mickey Hayes)

Linda Parson (Friend of Don Ernst) Nick Pitakis (Julie Knipp’s Father)

Gary Price (Friend of Joyce Cassin) Dorothy Probus Craddock (Larry & Karen Crouch’s Aunt)

Susan Ramey (Friend of Don Ernst) The Reed Family

Carson Richardson (Mark Knowles Nephew) Crystal Rogers (Bonnie Landers Cousin)

Jennifer Settle Reese (Daughter-in-law of Jon & Janice Riggs)

Marilyn Sesker (Jan Huggins’ Sister) Kellie Jo Shepherd & Son Alex Wente

Beryl Thompson (Friend of the Polston’s) Kristie Tolson (Kate Raisor’s Cousin)

Rita Wilkins (Karen Whittle’s Mother) Nancy Williamson’s Family

Bill Winburn (Charlotte Pridmore’s Uncle) Avanell & Raymond Wray

Christians in the Middle East Our Military & Our Leaders

Our Sympathy & Condolences to Terry Crittenden & Family at the passing

of his mother, Anna Crittenden Sunday, January 17th.

Congratulations to Matt Wall & Tia Ford (Parents) and Nancy Overstreet

(Grandmother) at the birth of Hadley Alexus Wall (6lbs 4 oz 18 ½ “) born

on December 31, 2015.