Volume 5, Number 15
Catch the Spirit
April 11, 2012
What does it mean to be a Christian? What does a person who is a true Christian look like? What are the things that a true Christian does? What are the attitudes that a true Christian has? We could ask that question in a number of different ways… and we could probably give a myriad of answers. But it is a valid question, and one that we should legitimately ask ourselves. As we bask in the glow of Easter, we are reminded once again of what Christ did for us. His suffering on the cross brought forgiveness and mercy into our lives. His resurrection from the tomb offers us victory, power, and assurance of salvation. As we are reminded again of the great Truth of what God has done for us in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, it is natural for us to ask these sorts of questions. We want to know—now what? What part do I play in this great story of God’s redemption? Where do I fit in? Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice for me. What sacrifice can I make? Lately, in our weekly Team 4:12 Middle School Bible Study (quick plug!), we have been studying the parables of Jesus. One such parable we’ve looked at is known as the” Parable of the Talents” and is found in Matthew 25:1430. This is one of a number of parables Jesus told to and for the benefit of His own disciples—as He was preparing to leave them—to explain how they were to continue on. I’ll not give you a synopsis, but I think this parable teaches us all about the Christian’s role in the Gospel story. Jesus reminds us that all of us have things “in trust” from God which He expects us to use to continue the building up of His kingdom. It also serves as a warning to those who profess to be His followers, but neglect to live as such. The parable gives us some clues to our role in God’s story. First, everything we have is given to us from God. Therefore it is God’s property not our own. So everything we have been given we owe back to Him who gave it. Second, the Lord gives different people different gifts so that they all might work together. Third, the Lord expects us to invest the things He has given us, and the investment must be made solely for the Lord! So what does it mean to be a Christian? What is our role? One answer might be this: To take every opportunity to use everything God has given us (Time, talents, abilities, gifts, and resources) to further His kingdom, to bless others, and to give Him the glory. Central is a place of opportunities. May I suggest that we use this time in our lives, as we reflect on the Easter story, to re-commit to the ministries and work of the church to further God’s kingdom. Seek out places to volunteer and give back to God what is ultimately His. I promise you will be blessed!
Keith Hoggard Associate Director of Student Ministries
Easter Cantata The Sanctuary Choir and orchestra will present Who Do You Say That I Am? at both traditional services this Sunday, April 15th. This cantata invites the congregation to experience anew the earthly life of Jesus, seeing His life, ministry, death, and resurrection through the eyes of front-row participants, whose varied answers to the title question reveal the “Messiah,” “Emmanuel,” “gifted Teacher,” the “miracle Worker,” the “King of glory,” the “King above all kings,” a “Man of sorrows,” the “sacrificial Lamb of God,” and the “triumphant Lord of life,” the “Son of the living God.” Come join us for this exciting journey!
Traffic Challenges The 35th Annual Hogeye Marathon is being held this Sunday, April 15th, and will be going on throughout the morning. This will result in traffic issues throughout much of the western half of Fayetteville and the downtown square area. We encourage you to leave a little early that day as you depart for church to ensure you have ample time to deal with any traffic delays and detours.
Special Guest Speaker in Contemporary Services this Sunday In the afterglow of Easter, we are pleased to have Jaime Useche, our missionary in the Amazon, as our guest preacher for the 9:40 and 11:00 o’clock contemporary services this Sunday, April 15th. Central has been a strong supporter of Jaime and his work in the Amazon for many years, and we regularly send a mission team to the Amazon each summer to work with Jaime in various ministry capacities. Take advantage of the opportunity to hear Jaime this Sunday as he brings a special word to our congregation. In fact, this is a great Sunday to double dip. Hear Jaime during one hour and then attend the Sanctuary Choir’s Easter Cantata during another hour. Like chewing Doublemint gum, you can double your pleasure and double your fun with just one trip to Central. You’ll be glad you did!
The River Feel the need to be renewed? Come to “The River” and drink deep from God this Sunday, April 15th, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Wesley Chapel. It’s a time of worship, prayer, and renewal. Childcare will be provided.
Central to Host AARP Driver Safety Class Central will be hosting an AARP Driver Safety class this Friday, April 13th, in Wesley 310. The class, designed especially for drivers aged 50 and older, will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last until approximately 3:00 p.m. Most, if not all, insurance companies will give a discount to those who complete the class. Fees for the class are $12.00 for AARP members (you will need to have your AARP membership card with you) and $14.00 for non-members. The fees will be collected the morning of the class and must be paid by personal check made out to “AARP.” Participants must also bring their driver’s license to the class. Self assessment quizzes are part of the class, but NO pass/fail tests will be given. A light lunch will be provided. To register, go to www.centraltolife.com/aarp, or call Susan Meek in the church office at 442-4237. Impact Amazon 2012 Amazon Ministries International YWAM – Leticia, will be hosting Impact Amazon 2012 on April 30th to celebrate 15 years of ministry. Based in Leticia, Columbia, the ministry reaches out to all nations and people and would like to invite alumni and others who have a desire to know what the Lord has done and is doing in that area of the world. Enjoy hearing from Jaime Useche and others that the Lord has touched an estimated million people in this isolated area and that they now have access to the Word of our Lord. Reserve a table for this delicious catered meal for $500 by contacting Julie Thibodaux at 479-633-4397 or by visiting the AMI website at www.AmazonMinistries.org for more information. The dinner will be hosted at Central and will start at 6:30 p.m. A portion of your ticket cost will be tax deductable. Only 40 tables with six persons per table, so consider asking others to join this exciting evening and to help participate in what the Lord is doing.
2012 Music Scholarship Available Central UMC is pleased to announce that applications are being received for a scholarship award from the Music Scholarship Fund, which is made possible by an endowment gift. The amount of the scholarship depends on market conditions but should range this year between $500 - $750. This scholarship is open to students who are Arkansas residents and are either graduating high school seniors or college undergraduates enrolled in a four-year-accredited college or university. Applicants should also be majoring in music, music education, or a related field with potential for a career in music ministry. The application may be accessed at www.centraltolife.com, under the “Music and Worship” tab in the “Ministries” section, or interested persons may contact Fenner Russell at frussell@ centraltolife.com or 479-442-1824 for more information. The completed application must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2012. Scholarship award decisions will be made by July 16, 2012.
Northwest District United Methodist Women’s Spring Retreat This Saturday, April 14th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Northwest District of UMW will hold their spring retreat at Mt. Sequoyah. Central’s UMW members are encouraging anyone who is interested to attend. The program will be a Spiritual Growth Study entitled, “The Journey to Peace: Forgiveness, Restorative Justice, and Reconciliation,” and will be led by Rev. David Baker of Perryville UMC. The cost is $16.00 and includes refreshments and lunch. Payment should be made to NW Arkansas UMW and sent to the district treasurer Jan Garrett, 1602 Overcrest, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Trustee Update From their recent meeting, the Board of Trustees reports the following: 1) The Sanctuary Parlor has received a makeover with new carpet, fresh paint, and some new accessories. 2) The exterior columns at the south entrance of the Sanctuary have been repaired and re-painted. 3) Exterior repairs to the windows and trim of the Wesley Building have been completed. 4) Repairs have been made to shelving in the Wesley adult library. 5) Additional security equipment has been added to the Education Building and Wesley Building to improve safety. 6) A section has been added to the church website regarding estate planning to assist our parishioners with these matters. 7) Minor repairs have been made to the parking deck as noted in a 2011 engineering review. The Trustees have set aside funds from a bequest to assist with the future replacement of the Education Building chiller system which will be a very costly project. A portion of funds from the bequest were also committed to assist with the development of a church online experience that will allow for Internet transmission of worship services at some point in the future. In the months ahead the Trustees have scheduled replacement of the roof on the Sanctuary, interior painting of the Sanctuary, parking deck striping, and consideration of a campus emergency evacuation plan. Donations Requested for Potter’s House The Bridge, Central’s young adult ministry, is collecting donations for Potter’s House Thrift as part of Beyond Our Walls on April 21st. Potter’s House is a ministry to at-risk children and youth in Fayetteville that has expressed a specific need for men’s clothing as well as decor, electronics, books/movies, kitchenware, toys, furniture and health & beauty items. We invite you to bring your donations for Potter’s House to the Great Hall from 8:30-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 21st, then serve our community through one of the many available hands-on projects that are arranged through Beyond our Walls. You will be blessed! For more information contact Rebecca McBride at
[email protected]. 2012 WorkMatters/Chick-fil-A Leadercast WorkMatters will host the annual Chick-fil-a Leadercast on May 4th at Central. This year’s event will feature ten of the most dynamic leaders in culture today, ranging from Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of the New York Jets; best selling author, Patrick Lencioni; CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, renowned leadership communicator, Andy Stanley; and the infamous leadership expert John Maxwell. Tickets are $85, with group ticket discounts available as well. Tickets are available online at www.workmatters.org or by phone at 479-444-1477. Handicap Parking Central UMC has a number of designated handicap parking spaces around the campus. We want to remind our members and guests that only vehicles with a proper handicap permit or license plate are allowed to stop or park in these designated spaces including for drop off and pick up purposes. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping these spaces available and open for persons who are lawfully allowed to use them.
Beyond Our Walls Community Service Day On Saturday, April 21st, you can make an impact on our local community by serving on one of several Service Projects. Families, individuals, and groups are encouraged to be in service for 2-3 hours from 8:3012:00 am. All participants will meet in the Great Hall at 8:30 am for fellowship, prayer and sending out. Then teams will disburse into the community to complete projects. Projects include yard clean-up, housecleaning, hosting a cook-out and more. Projects for families with children (7 years old and up) are indicated on the Project List. Childcare is provided for young children and infants. Check out the Project list which includes a description of the Service Projects and how many are needed to complete each project at www.centraltolife.com/beyondourwalls.
Infant Baptisms Hunter and Leanne Deweese will present their infant son, John Grady Deweese, in Christian Baptism at the 9:40 a.m. worship service in Central’s Activities Center on April 15, 2012. Bennie and Susan Jamerson are the maternal grandparents.
Wednesday Night Live Menu April 18 Hamburgers or Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Salad Bar, Dessert, Drinks
Justin and Andrea Lewis will present their infant son, Justin Andrew Lesley Lewis, in Christian Baptism at the 11:00 a.m. worship services in Central’s Activities Center on April 15, 2012.
Feed My Sheep: Backus Team
Hospitalizations WRMC - Stacey Fink Previously Hospitalized & Released - Dexter Brown 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... Cathy Rigby in the death of her mother, Arrilla Zimbelman, of St.Francis, Kansas, on April 5, 2012.
Record of Our Stewardship General Operations Needed each week Received this week Property Maintenance Needed each week Received this week Count Me In Received this week Life-to-Date
4/8/12 $ 65,170 $ 63,580 $ 4,707 $ 2,774 $ 14,395 $ 1,622,634
Check out our website for all the details on what’s happening with Central Student Ministries! www.centraltolife.com/students • studentlife This Sunday, April 15th There are only two more weeks of regular studentlife left for the 2011-2012 School Year. Come join us for Worship and time with your 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 Worship Center) • Mountain Man Weekend | This Weekend, April 13th-14th It’s finally here! All Mountain Man Weekend participants should plan to depart the North CAC Parking Lot this Friday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m. (eat before you come). We’ll head down to Ponca to spend the night before floating the Buffalo River on Saturday. We should return by 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th. Questions? Contact Greg Gibson (
[email protected] | 442.1807) • Beyond Our Walls | April 21st Beyond Our Walls is Central’s quarterly community outreach taking place from 8:30 – noon on Saturday, April 21st. We are encouraging our studentlife Small Groups to participate. Check with your small group leader for more information. • Senior Dinner | May 6th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM All Seniors and their families are invited to attend our annual Senior Dinner on Sunday, May 6th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the CAC Great Hall. A wonderful dinner will be served, followed by a very meaningful program. Please RSVP to Greg Gibson (
[email protected] | 442-1807) by Wednesday, April 25th. • Summer Missions 2012 Join us this summer as we head out to serve on two week-long mission trips. Cost is $300 ($50 Deposit Due ASAP). More information and online registration at our website – www.centraltolife.com/students. - Service Over Self (June 10-16): Memphis, TN - Ozark Mission Project (July 8-14): Siloam Springs, AR
Calendar of Events Sunday, April 15 8:00 8:30 9:15 9:40 9:40 9:40 9:45 10:30 11:00 11:00 12:00 12:00 3:00 3:00 4:30 5:00 5:15 5:30 5:30 6:00 6:00 6:30
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) Traditional Worship Celebration Easter Cantata (Sanctuary) Truth Seekers Class (Wesley 307) Sunday School 3rd Grade Milestone - Holy Communion (Sanctuary) Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall)
College and Careers Class (Wesley 206) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) Traditional Worship Celebration Easter Cantata (Sanctuary) Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall) University Task Force Meeting (Wesley 304) Young Adult Ministry Task Force (Wesley 103) UMW Naomi Circle (Wesley 105) Jonathan Story Organ Concert (Sanctuary) Team 4:12 Leader Meeting (CAC Sideroom 3) studentlife Game Time (SMB Café and Great Hall) studentlife Leader Meeting (CAC Sideroom 1) studentlife Snack Supper (Great Hall) Ozark Bronze (Ed Bldg 109) studentlife Worship (SMB Worship Center) The River (Wesley Chapel) studentlife Small Groups (various locations)
Monday, April 16 8:30 9:30 10:00 3:30 5:30 5:45 6:00 6:30 6:30 6:45
UMW Priscilla Circle (Offsite) Apprentice of Jesus - Pulliam (Wesley 304) Timothy Team/Tiny Tims Teachers’ Meeting (SMB 206) Celebration Ringers (Ed Bldg 109) WorkMatters Leadership Team Meeting (CAC Sideroom 5) Jubellation! Handbell Ensemble (Ed Bldg 109) studentlife Senior Guys Meeting (Great Hall) Boy Scouts Troop 102 (CAC Scout Room) Second Coming - Holifield (Wesley 310) Stephen Ministry Meeting (Wesley 104)
Tuesday, April 17 6:30 6:30
Men’s Bible Study (Wesley 310) Men’s Bible Study - Broyles (3263 N. College)
9:00 9:00 9:30 10:00 11:30 6:30 6:30 6:30 6:30
Worship Team Meeting (Wesley 303) Disciple III - Green/Herriman (Wesley 102) Disciple II - Gullett (Wesley 310) Staff Meeting (Wesley 307) Community Meals (Great Hall) Disciple I - Farrell (Wesley 102) Apprentice of Jesus - Pulliam (Wesley 304) Apprentice of Jesus - Thorn (Wesley 307) Second Coming - Holifield (Wesley 310)
Wednesday, April 18 9:30 4:45 5:45 5:45 5:45 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:30 7:00
The Gathering (Wesley 310) WNL Express Meal (Great Hall) Timothy Team Classes (Ed Bldg) Tiny Tims Classes (SMB 1st Floor) Team 4:12 (SMB 2nd Floor) WNL Adult Classes (Various Locations) Intermediate Handbells (Ed Bldg 109) Disciple I - Haas/Jones (Wesley 102) Disciple I - Vaughan (Wesley 304) Disciple II - Graves/Tucker (Wesley 310) Disciple III - Johanson (Wesley 306) Contemporary Worship Team Rehearsal (Great Hall) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Thursday, April 19 9:00 10:00 11:30 2:30 4:00 5:30 6:30 6:30 7:00
Men’s Walk to Emmaus (Mt. Sequoyah) ACPAC Performance Appraisal (SMB Worship Center) Community Meals Bible Study (CAC Siderooms 1 & 2) Community Meals (Great Hall) Children’s Ministry Prayer Gathering (Wesley 107) studentlife Praise Team Rehearsal (SMB Worship Center) String Coalition (Wesley 1st Floor Rooms) Perspectives Course (SMB Worship Center) Prayer Group (Wesley 206) BOW Coordination Team Meeting (Wesley 310)
Friday, April 20 Men’s Walk to Emmaus (Mt. Sequoyah)
Saturday, April 21 8:00 10:00
Men’s Walk to Emmaus (Mt. Sequoyah) Beyond Our Walls Community Service Day (Great Hall) AR Conference Task Force on Pension and Insurance (Wesley Chapel)
Lord’s Day Celebration Sunday, April 15, 2012
8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Services - Sanctuary Message
Who Do You Say I Am? Easter Cantata
Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra
9:40 & 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Services - Great Hall Message The Meaning of the Great Commission Jaime Useche Missionary to the Amazon
To Reach the Pastor on Emergency Call this Weekend, Call 479-799-7473
