Blessings, Brian Swain Administrator

Transcription

1 Volume 5, Number 39 Catch the Spirit September 26, 2012 We live in a lost and hurting world. I have heard this phrase many times but as I have reflected on it lately I think of: the violence around our world, millions who suffer daily with hunger and thirst, the horrors of human trafficking, and the polarization of our politics. These things break my heart and I believe they break the heart of God. The decline in the morality of our country and world seems to permeate many of our woes. My observations suggest to me that we have had serious shifts in our moral compass over the past several decades. Yes, many of us who are older long for the good old days while younger folks just grin and indulge us. No doubt we have always had violence, hunger, distortions, and perversity in our world. However, the degree to which these things are apparent in our culture today seems to be exponentially greater than it was just a few generations ago. Why are things worse now than they used to be? There are many reasons, but I want to lift up three. First, we have let them become worse by being too tolerant. The Bible teaches us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), but I don t believe it asks us to shut our eyes and walk away when we see or hear something that challenges the teaching in the Word of God. Essentially Matthew 5:39 is telling us not to retaliate, but it doesn t mean we should not defend ourselves when we (or our God) are under attack. The second reason I want to lift up is that we have seen our passion wane for the cause of Christ. I am a through and through Razorback fan and as most of us could agree the last few weeks have not been highlight reel material. I have to confess that I left Razorback stadium after the losses to both Alabama and Rutgers highly frustrated and angry. Can some of you relate? There is nothing inherently wrong with that except that I think many of us may be more passionate about the Hogs than we ever are about defending and sharing our faith and holding to Biblical moral standards in our world. We are called to defend and suffer for our faith. (II Timothy 3:12). Finally, we have been worn down gradually. I think the media, through television, movies, and games, and enhanced use of the Internet has led to pollution of our minds to levels that we don t even realize and has de-sensitized us to things that years ago would repulse us. So what can we do? Well, we can either continue on our course of decline or we can stop compromising ourselves and do what Jesus asks us to do in Luke 9:23 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ is the better path. However, it comes at a price as measured by the world s standards but the eternal rewards are well worth it. Blessings, Brian Swain Administrator

2 A new message series for all Services of Worship I. When Tolerance Is Not a Virtue September 30 II. Are There Many Roads to God? October 7 III. Marriage and Sexuality in Our Times October 14 Bishop Gary Mueller October 21 IV. Life Hanging in the Balance October 28 UMW Fun -Raiser Luncheon for Central s International Missions All women of Central UMC and guests are invited to attend a Fun -raiser Luncheon at Central on Saturday, October 6, in Central s Activities Center. The luncheon is sponsored by the Central United Methodist Women and all funds raised will go to Central s Mission Projects in Uganda, the Amazon, and Mexico. The doors will open at 11:00 a.m., a silent auction will be held from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, and the luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. Most of the table themes will be reflecting the countries where Central serves in mission. Reservations must be made in advance, but the luncheon is free. Donations will be gratefully accepted! Childcare will be available with a reservation. Make your reservation online at register, or by calling Donations may be made online at We are going to be hearing from some of the people serving in Central s international missions. Come and enjoy the fun, fellowship, silent auction, delicious luncheon, and creative tables. Bridge Family Night at the Ozark Corn Maze Its finally fall and time for all things harvest, like a corn maze! Young adults, bring your families and friends and join us for an evening at the Ozark Corn Maze on Friday, September 28, at 6 p.m. There will be fun for all ages with a six-acre maze, kids maze, petting zoo, corn cannon and much more! The price for admittance is $8. Kids under 3 are free. Please note the childcare will not be provided since this is a family-friendly event. Visit for directions to the maze. Let us know you re coming by ing Rebecca Newcome at rnewcome@stephens.com, or calling her at It s going to be an a-maze-ing time! New Sunday School Study. The Testament Class will begin a new six-week study on Sunday, October 7, entitled Radical based on a book by David Platt. This study will ask participants to challenge our beliefs of the American Dream and what Jesus actually said about being his disciple. It will also challenge many comfortable notions that are common among Christ s followers today and propose a radical response to them. The key challenge will be to identify practical ways to live out the gospel in our world today. If you have any questions, please contact study leaders Brian Swain (bswain@centraltolife.com) or Lamar Pettus (pettus720@me.com). The class meets in Wesley 202 at 9:40 a.m. each Sunday morning. All are welcome. The River Feel the need to be renewed? Come to The River and drink deep from God Sunday, September 30th, from 6:00 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. It s a time of worship, prayer, and renewal. Childcare will be provided. Community Kids Closet Fall Drive The fall drive of Community Kids Closet is here, and needs tags have been posted! You may provide new clothing for a child in need and directly impact their self-esteem. Please return the items listed on the tags to the bin under the tag board by Sunday, October 21st, or make your tax deductible check out to Community Kids Closet and place it in the offering plate. This is the 24th CKC drive in which Central has participated under the sponsorship of Good S.A.M.

3 Wednesday Night Live Menu October 3rd Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Rolls, Dessert Kids: Chicken Strips Feed My Sheep: Youth Team Sack-It Sunday Sack-It Sunday, Central s annual food drive to support Cooperative Emergency Outreach, will be held on Sunday, October 7th. Sacks will be distributed after worship services this Sunday, September 30th. Please remember to fill your sack with food and return it to the truck located under the portico of the Sanctuary Building on the 7th. Sack-It Sunday is sponsored by the Good S.A.M. Committee. Partnering with Parents: Discipline Workshop As a teacher or parent, have you ever felt out of control in situations arising in the classroom or at home? If so, make plans now to attend an introductory workshop on Sunday, October 7th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Education Building, Room 210, led by Central member, Leslie Corbell. This workshop is designed for not only teachers in the classroom, but for parents as well. The skills and principles taught in the workshop will empower you to handle conflicts in a positive manner and with integrity and are applicable to all children regardless of their age. Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend this important workshop. Childcare will be provided for this event. To reserve childcare, please contact Amber Hutson at ahutson@centraltolife.com. Save the Date Patriotic Veterans Day Concert Everyone is invited to enjoy the Bellows, Brass, and Bells! Veterans Day concert, to be presented by Marci Milus, Jonathan Story, and Kerry Johnston, organists; Jubellation! and Ozark Bronze Handbell Ensembles, and brass choir. November 11, 4:00pm, immediately after the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Day parade that will take place in Springdale. Planned by Central s music department, this concert will take place at FUMC Springdale, 206 W. Johnson Avenue. No charge all are welcome! For more info, contact Fenner (frussell@centraltolife.com; ). Upper Room The Upper Room devotional guide is an excellent way to have a daily quiet time. Pick up your daily devotional guide for September/October in the CAC Foyer, Sanctuary Narthex, or Church Office. You may also read the Upper Room online at Discovery Class for Prospective Members Central s next Discovery Class for those desiring to explore membership in Central will be held on Sunday, October 14, The class will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon and conclude around 8:00 p.m. Cenral s three pastors will lead the class and cover the History of Christianity and United Methodism, Distinctive United Methodist Beliefs, Central s Mission and Vision statements, Steps to Salvation, and the Meaning and Expectations of Membership. A light meal will be served halfway through the evening and childcare is available with reservation by October 10th. Registration is available online at or by contacting Lora Hayes at , or lhayes@centraltolife.com. Children s Ministry Volunteers Needed Looking for a place to serve and be in ministry? Then join us in Central Park on Sunday mornings and be part of our Ministry Team for young families and children. Two opportunities to serve are available for the 11:00 worship hour. They include greeting families at the Welcome Center Desk, 1st floor, Student Ministries Building, and helping with the check-in process from 10:45 to 11:15. The second opportunity is showing God s love to the next generation by helping in a classroom for young children. For more information, contact Jennifer Kidd at , or jkidd@centraltolife.com. Mission Trip to India Do you have a heart to see Jesus among the unreached, poor, and outcast? Are you passionate about evangelism, prayer and orphan care? Central is sending a team to northern India February 28th-March 11th, 2013, for a trip to share the love and gospel message of Jesus Christ. With a population that is home to 1 of every 6 people on earth and is less than 6% Christian, this is an opportunity to serve among the lost and the least. Come hear more about the upcoming trip on Thursday, October 4th, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in Wesley 310. For more information, contact Clint Elcan at or clintelcan@gmail.com.

4 Family Worship Central encourages families to worship together. Elementary age children are ready to begin learning the rhythm of worship from the historic creeds, prayers, and hymns to the contemporary praise songs. The privilege and responsibility of helping your child learn to truly worship their Creator may seem overwhelming. Not to worry! The Children s Ministries staff has made available a great book called Parenting in the Pew. This humorous, insightful, and Christ-centered book will provide you with the motivation and encouragement needed to help you engage your children in the very thing we all were created to do worship God. Copies of the book along with further information are available by contacting Susan Williams, Director of Children s Ministries, at Infant Baptism Travis and Leigh Bowen will present their infant son, Barrett David Bowen, in Christian Baptism at the 11:00 a.m. worship service in Central s Activities Center this Sunday, September 30, Hospitalizations WRMC - Paul Hewitt, Dottie Wood, Steve Wood Previously Hospitalized and Released - Connell Brown, Susie Colwell, Dan Nichols, Truman Yancey Note Due to privacy laws, our pastors are unable to access hospital admission records as they have in the past. For our pastors to know you are in the hospital, please inform the Church Office or let the hospital admission officials know you are United Methodist Sympathy to... Susan Meek in the death of her father, James Meek, of North Little Rock. Nancy Cope and Jim Cope in the death of their son and brother, Larry Cope, of Sardis, AR. Here We Grow Again... Bryant and Lauren Adams Bryant transfers his membership from Downtown Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA and Lauren transfers from First United Methodist Church in Forrest City, AR. Bryant works in Public Relations for Mitchell Communications Group and Lauren is a Recruiter for Wal*Mart. Record of Our Stewardship General Operations 9/23/12 Needed each week $ 65,170 Received this week $ 55,920 Property Maintenance Needed each week $ 4,707 Received this week $ 7,041 Count Me In Received this week $ 14,255 Life-to-Date $ 1,987,459 Check out our website for all the details on what s happening with Central Student Ministries! studentlife This Sunday, September 30th studentlife is our weekly meeting for all 8th-12th Grade Students! Whether you ve been involved or this is your first time, we d love to help you plug in to a small group! 5:00 5:30 Hang Time (CAC & SMB Café) 5:30 6:00 Snack Supper (CAC Great Hall) 6:00 7:30 Worship/Small Groups (SMB 2nd Floor) Sunday Mornings at CSM We ve got plenty going on for students on Sunday mornings at Central Student Ministries! All 7th-12th Grade Students are invited to join us for grade-specific classes during the 9:40 Sunday School hour every week on the 2nd floor of the Student

5 Calendar of Events Sunday, September 30 8:00 Sack It Sunday - Distribution (North Sanctuary Doors) 8:00 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) 8:30 Traditional Worship Celebration (Sanctuary) 9:15 Truth Seekers Class (Wesley 307) 9:40 Sunday School 9:40 Confirmation Class (CAC Sideroom 3-5) 9:40 Central 101 (Wesley 103) 9:40 Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall) 10:00 College and Careers Class (Wesley 206) 10:30 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) 11:00 Traditional Worship Celebration (Sanctuary) 11:00 Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall) 5:00 studentlife Hang Time (Great Hall & SMB Café) 5:15 studentlife Leaders Meeting (CAC Sideroom 1) 5:30 studentlife Snack Supper (Great Hall) 5:30 Ozark Bronze (Ed Bldg 109) 6:00 studentlife Worship & Small Groups (SMB Worship Center) 6:00 The River (Wesley Chapel) Monday, October 1 9:30 UMW Executive Meeting (Wesley 102) 10:00 Timothy Team Teachers Meeting (SMB 206) 12:00 Finance Committee Meeting (CAC Siderooms 4&5) 4:30 BELLdazzled (Ed Bldg 109) 4:30 studentlife Praise Team Rehearsal (SMB Worship Center) 5:30 Jubellation! Handbells (Ed Bldg 109) 6:00 Stephen Ministry Peer Supervision Groups (Wesley 102) 6:00 TOPS (Wesley 304) 6:30 Boy Scouts Troop 102 (CAC Siderooms 1 & 2) Wednesday, October 3 9:30 The Gathering (Wesley Chapel) 10:30 Senior Saints (Wesley 102) 5:45 Timothy Team (Wesley Chapel) 5:45 Tiny Tims (SMB 1st Floor) 5:45 Team 4:12 (SMB 2nd Floor) 6:00 WNL Classes Begin 6:00 Handbells 101 (Ed Bldg 109) 6:00 Disciple I - Palmer (Wesley 310) 6:00 Disciple I - Horlick (Wesley 103) 6:00 Disciple II - Jones/Useche (Wesley 307) 6:00 Disciple III - Tucker (Wesley 306) 6:00 Disciple IV - Johanson (Wesley 102) 6:00 Apprentice of Jesus Class - Pettus (Wesley 105) 6:30 Contemporary Worship Team Rehearsal (Great Hall) 7:00 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) Thursday, October 4 10:00 Community Meals Bible Study (CAC Siderooms 1 & 2) 11:30 Community Meals (Great Hall) 2:30 Children s Ministry Prayer Gathering (Wesley 107) 5:30 String Coalition (Ed Bldg 2nd Floor) 6:30 Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts Class (Wesley 304) 7:00 India Trip Information Meeting (Wesley 310) Friday, October 5 6:00 Courageous Men s Study (SMB 2nd Floor) 9:00 UMW Fall Fundraiser Set-up (Great Hall 5:00 Baskin/Ray Wedding Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 6:00 Baskin/Ray Rehearsal Dinner (CAC Siderooms 3-5) Tuesday, October 2 6:30 Men s Bible Study (Wesley 310) 6:30 Men s Bible Study - Broyles (3263 N. College) 9:00 Worship Team Meeting (Wesley 303) 9:00 Disciple IV - Herriman/Green (Wesley 310) 9:30 Apprentice of Jesus Class - Gullett (Wesley 304) 10:00 Staff Meeting (Wesley 307) 11:30 Community Meals (Great Hall) 6:30 AGATE Ice Cream Social (Great Hall) 6:30 Disciple 1 - Farrell (Wesley 304) 6:30 Disciple II - Pendleton (Wesley 306) 6:30 Apprentice of Jesus Class - Dunagin/Thorn (Wesley 307) 6:30 The Second Coming Class - Holifield (Wesley 310) 7:00 Deeper: Marriage Enrichment Class (Wesley 205) 7:00 Wesley Foundation Worship (Wesley Chapel) Saturday, October 6 11:00 UMW Fall Fundraiser (Great Hall) 4:00 Baskin/Ray Wedding (Sanctuary)

6 Lord s Day Celebration Sunday, September 30, th Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Services - Sanctuary Message Engage the Culture Dr. Steven K. Pulliam When Tolerance is Not a Virtue 9:40 & 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Services - Great Hall Message Engage the Culture Rev. J. Anthony Holifield When Tolerance is Not a Virtue To Reach the Pastor on Emergency Call this Weekend, Call