Volume 6, Number 20
Catch the Spirit
May 22, 2013
My heart breaks, as I am sure yours does, for the people of Oklahoma. As I write this, first responders are still sifting through the wreckage of the town of Moore and surrounding areas. As you read this, I am sure you have heard much of the devastation and casualties suffered by our neighbors to the west. I implore you to continue to pray for those affected, as well as those who have and will come to their aid in the days and weeks to come. My mind has gone to the story in Luke chapter 10 of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus compelled his hearers to show compassion and love to one’s neighbors, no matter who they are. I feel that He is impressing that same message to us today. Our neighbors are in need, and we are compelled to show Christ’s love to them. How, then, can we best show Christ’s love to our neighbors? 1. Pray – pray for the people of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and all those affected by these violent outbreaks. Everyone can pray. Prayer is, as Stephen Foster wrote in Celebration of Discipline, “God’s invitation to us is to cocreate with Him a preferred future.” Prayer cannot change the past, but prayer creates a future that can give hope to the present. Pray. 2. Give – there are many relief agencies that have and will respond to assist our neighbors, but let me strongly encourage you to give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief. 100% of funds donated for disasters go directly to fund those causes and all administrative costs are absorbed through our church’s apportionment giving. You may go to www.umcor.org to donate. A link has been set up on Central’s webpage as well with addtional information and options to help. You may also text ‘RESPONSE’ to 80888 to donate $10 to UMCOR right now. - Another way to give is by providing materials for “Tornado Tubs” – a creation of the Arkansas area disaster response specialists. A list of Tornado Tub supplies is inside the Messenger and on Central’s website. A drop-off site at Central will be set up near the CAC Welcome Center. 3. PREPARE to go, but DON’T (yet) – Often in cases like this, there is a ‘second wave’ of disaster, brought about by well-meaning but untrained people just trying to help, and they end up either getting in the way of First Responders and thereby hindering their work, or end up getting injured themselves. UMCOR is our United Methodist relief arm, and specifically trains and equips volunteers for relief work. If you are a trained and certified ERT (Early Response Team - you need to have an ERT badge) through UMCOR or another organization, wait for instructions from your deploying agency (UMCOR connects to us through the Northwest District). There will be many ongoing projects in the coming months as UMCOR and UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) keep “boots on the ground” until the last home is restored, and even if you are not ERT certified, there will be later opportunities for service. Wait for the First Responders and ERT’s to do their work, so that there isn’t a second wave of disaster. As your Pastor of Outreach, it is my duty to help coordinate our outreach to those in need. I will keep you apprised of how you can best serve, and when. Just as the Good Samaritan helped his neighbor by providing food, water, shelter, and medical care, we are called to a Good Samaritan work for our neighbors. I hope you will prayerfully consider how God is leading you to be a neighbor to those in need.
Carl Palmer Pastor of Outreach
Celebration of Ministry - Last Chance for Tickets! Only one Sunday is left to purchase your tickets for the special retirement event honoring Rev. Tony & Sarah Holifield, held at the Fayetteville Town Center on Monday, June 3rd. The event, which celebrates the Holifields’ 46 years of ministry together and 18 years at Central, will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-dinner reception in the Town Center lobby hosted by the United Methodist Women. A dinner service and program will follow at 6:00 p.m. This will be an exciting and memorable evening that you will not want to miss. Tickets for the event are $12 and include the reception, dinner, and program. You may purchase your tickets this Sunday, May 26th, before and after the 9:40 worship service in the Activities Center. You may also purchase tickets through the church website at www.centraltolife.com/celebration, or by coming to the Church Office in the Wesley Building. We want all interested persons to be able to attend, so if your financial situation makes the purchase of tickets a challenge, you may obtain tickets at no charge from the Welcome Center on Sunday morning, or by contacting the Church Office at 479-442-4237.
Tornado Relief Opportunities As Rev. Palmer mentions in his article on the front page of this newsletter, a great way to help with relief of the disaster caused by recent tornadoes is by providing materials for “Tornado Tubs” – a creation of the Arkansas area disaster response specialists. Here’s a list of what should be included in these kits: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 18-gallon tubs with lids (stack one inside the other) 1 5-8 oz. can or bottle of insect repellent (be cautious of the name of the scent - see note below) 1 8-12 oz. can or bottle of spray air freshener 1 pair of work gloves 1 pair of rubber gloves 1 package of zippered plastic gallon bags (20-count) 1 package of zippered plastic quart bags (30-count) (Both sizes will help sort through smaller items that need to be kept together such as jewelry, paperwork, etc.) 1 permanent marking pen 1 roll of colored duct tape (can help label and identify one household’s items) 5 dust masks 22 heavy duty trash bags (more for trash removal) 20 kitchen trash bags for larger, personal items that need containment. (Since these bags are white, it can help survivors also have an idea what is in the bag.) 1 40-50 oz. laundry detergent (Be cautious of the names of the scent. A name like “after the rain,” which normally sounds peaceful, in this context may be upsetting to some.) 1 UMCOR health kit
Place all items inside the inner tub and tear off a 2-3 ft. section of duct tape; place the rest of the roll in the tub. Put both lids on and snap them down. Put the section of duct tape on the tubs to hold everything together. Tubs may be dropped off at the CAC Welcome Center.
Special Offering this Sunday for CEO Cooperative Emergency Outreach (CEO) was founded in 1990 by the Fayetteville Ministerial Alliance to consolidate and improve delivery of emergency support to citizens of Washington County. The CEO mission is to offer the people of Washington County help during financial emergencies due to illness, job loss, and natural disasters. During each of the last two years, CEO has distributed a 3-day supply of food to 10,000 people. For each of the last 5 years, CEO disbursed nearly $200,000 in assistance for utilities, rent, clothing, medical prescriptions, and transportation. Churches contribute about 60 percent of CEO resources. The rest comes from organizations, individuals, and memorial donations. The all-volunteer CEO staff devotes nearly 6,000 hours each year to serve community needs. The closure of City Hospital required CEO to find a new facility. After a search for suitable facilities, CEO located a property and completed the purchase in February, 2013. Costs for the purchase, remodel, and building addition are $316,000. CEO hopes to raise $400,000 to cover all associated costs and provide a reserve for maintenance, repairs, and upkeep. A CEO Capital Campaign is underway. This Sunday, May 26th, we will continue to receive a special offering for Cooperative Emergency Outreach, to help fund a new facility. Please write “CEO” on the memo line of your check and place it in the offering plate, or you may also donate through the Central website. Designate your gift for CEO.
Women’s Summer Bible Studies Women’s Connection’s Ministry Evening Summer Study will be Beth Moore’s: Believing God. Do you take God at His Word, believing what He has told us, or do you just believe in His existence and the salvation He offers? Come join us as we explore what it means to believe God. This 10 week study will be offered Tuesday evenings, beginning June 4th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., in Wesley 310. The cost is $15 for materials. To register, contact Susan Meek at 479-442-4237 or
[email protected] or you can register online at www.centraltolife.com/connection. For additional information, you can contact the co-facilitators Jennifer Haas at 479-841-743, or Janet Hailey at 501-258-6042. The Gathering is excited to offer Daniel by Beth Moore for our summer Bible Study. We will be using Part I of this study, which covers the first six chapters of the book of Daniel. The seven-week study will begin on June 5th and end on July 24th (we will not meet the week of VBS). Daniel shows us how to live a life of integrity in a culture full of pressures and temptations. We hope you will join us on Wednesday mornings in the Wesley Building, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., for this timely study of God’s Word. You may sign up online at www.centraltolife.com/thegathering, or by calling Susan Meek in the church office at 479-442-4237. The cost of the workbook is $15. Childcare is available upon request. When God transforms lives, He often brings more than we bargained for: new identities, new journeys, even new names. Namesake, by Jessica Lagrone, is a six-week women’s Bible study that explores the transformational power of God through the stories of biblical characters who met God and whose lives and names were changed forever. The class will meet each Friday, beginning June 7th, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Wesley 310. Childcare will be provided. Register and purchase the participant book for $13.00 online at www.centraltolife.com/namesake. Special Offering for The Uganda Project This Sunday we will be receiving the last Sunday of the month special offering for our Church-Wide Missions Emphasis – The Uganda Project. This year we are continuing our efforts to raise funds to assist CYORF (www.cyorf.org) in a master-plan for His Mercy Primary School in Kikubo, Uganda, which will establish classrooms for every age group, residential housing for 30 orphans, a full kitchen, latrines, a protein and water source, and a worship center for a church plant that was established from our previous year’s outreach. All are invited to participate in this project by giving a special offering this Sunday.
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
5/19/13 $ 68,971 $ 42,580 $ 4,994 $ 8,035 $ 8,525 $ 2,787,931
Check out our website for all the details on what’s happening with Central Student Ministries! www.centraltolife.com/students Mountain Man Weekend | May 31st – June 1st Due to some early May snow, we’ve rescheduled Mountain Man Weekend for May 31st – June 1st. We’ll camp out, eat s’mores, and canoe the Buffalo River. It’s going to be an awesome weekend of adventrure! Open to all 8th-12th Grade Guys (and their Dads). Cost: $30 (Register Online). Questions? Contact Greg Gibson (ggibson@ centraltolife.com | 442-1807) SOS 114 (8th-12th Grade) Information We currently have a few spots remaining for our 8th-12th Grade trip to SOS 114 in Memphis this summer (July 14th-20th). We’ll work hard to repair homes as a way of showing God’s love. The final payment ($175) for SOS will be due on Sunday, June 2nd. Cost: $275 ($100 Deposit | Scholarships Available). For more information, contact Greg Gibson (
[email protected] | 442-1807). VBS/Day Camp Volunteers Needed | June 17th – 21st We are looking for students who would be willing to help out at Central’s VBS & Day Camp ministries this summer. Here’s the lowdown: • VBS: work with preschool and lower elementary children on Central’s campus. Volunteers must have completed the 6th Grade. • Day Camp: Hang out with older elementary students up on Mt. Sequoyah as you play hard in the sun. Volunteers must have completed the 9th Grade. To volunteer, contact Andrew Brown (
[email protected]).
Wedding Bells Congratulations to Lydia Cille Seifritz and Caul Wright Corbell who were united in Holy Matrimony in the Sanctuary, Saturday, May 18, 2013. Lydia is a Central member, and Caul is from Ashdown. Lydia is the daughter of Sonya Jones. New Arrival Congratulations to Sean and Ashley (Hubbs) Dorey, of Camden, on the birth of a son, Wyatt Haischer Dorey, on April 26, 2013. Russell and Melissa Thomas are the maternal grandparents. Congratulations to Bryce and Keather Hansen, of Wichita, Kansas, on the birth of a son, Judah Stone (Jude) Hansen, on May 16, 2013. Tom and Cynthia Hansen are the paternal grandparents. Hospitalizations WRMC - Charles Ranson Willard Walker Hospice - Penny Fox Previously Hospitalized & Released - Kim Drake 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... Marge Branch in the death of her sister, Shirley Worthen, of Pine Bluff. 2013 Confirmation Class On Sunday, May 19th, 43 young people professed their faith in Christ and were confirmed into the membership of Central during the 11:00 a.m. traditional service. Please join us in congratulating them! Lillian Grady Adams Daughter of Brian & Angela Adams Kennedy Ann Bobbitt Daughter of Derrick & Susan Averitt Bobbitt Madisen Lucille Brown Daughter of Jason & Cameron Brown Carson Anthony Capo’ Son of Anthony & Stacy Capo’ Denver James Davis Son of Duane & Martha Davis Jackson William Down Son of Brian & Brenda Down Robert Brooks Farrah Son of Bobby & Traci Farrah Lydia Marilee Fink Daughter of Roger Fink & the late Stacey Fink Jeffrey Kole Freeman Son of Mark & Lisa Freeman Katherine Faye Harmon Daughter of Kelley Harmon and Rob Harmon Grant David Hearne Son of Kipp & Lisa Hearne Morgan Elizabeth Heflin Daughter of Shelby & Kelli Heflin Holley Susan Helms Daughter of Ken & Jeanne Helms Suzanne Gwendolyn Kane Daughter of Jim & Wendy Kane Nicholas Alexander Kilgore Son of Joe & Sheri Kilgore Fletcher Austin Lyons Son of Kabe & Angey Lyons Lauren Kate Maritan Daughter of Doug & Kim Maritan Joseph Colin McCrabb Son of Joe & Becky McCrabb Elizabeth Abigail Morris Daughter of Clint & Natalie Morris Max Benedict Olsen Son of Sunny Sokol & John Olsen Ethan Mathias Peters Son of Michael & Karren Peters Brooke AnnaRose Pulliam Daughter of Steve & Allison Pulliam Reannon Lin Ray Daughter of Matt & Kristin Ray Martin Miller Redfern Son of John & Brooke Redfern Hailey Elizabeth Rissinger Daughter of Kelvin Rissinger & Casey Rissinger Jessica Erin Robinson Daughter of John Robinson & Stacy Robinson
Abby McKinney Rogers Daughter of Brandon & Carol Rogers Amanda Faith Schumacher Daughter of Tom & Lynn Schumacher Jacob Ryan Shaw Son of Brian & Lynn Shaw Houston Gray Smith Son of Todd & Clarissa Smith William Griffin Smith Son of Jim & Courtney Smith Sarah Elizabeth Stewart Daughter of Jim & Lynn Stewart Keaton Dean Stone Son of Mort & Carol Stone Seth Thomas Swain Son of Brian & Jovie Swain Madison Elizabeth Taylor Daughter of Mark & Liz Taylor Emanuele Joseph Terminella, III Son of Manny, Sr. & Diana Terminella Noah James Terminella Son of Manny, Sr. & Diana Terminella Emily Quinn Terry Daughter of Tony & Heather Terry & Courtney Simmons Kariel Jordan Thornton Daughter of Chris & Kysia Thornton Jake Riley Webb Son of Courtney Brian & Brian Webb Katie Elizabeth Wilson Daughter of Lee & Ann Wilson Garrett William Womack Son of Leigh Ann Pleimann Grace Anne Wood Daughter of Tommie & Stephanie Wood
Calendar of Events Sunday, May 26 8:00 8:30 9:15 9:40 9:40 10:30 11:00 11:00
Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) Traditional Worship Celebration (Sanctuary) Truth Seekers Class (Wesley 307) Sunday School Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room) Traditional Worship Celebration (Sanctuary) Contemporary Worship Celebration (Great Hall)
Wednesday, May 29 12:00 12:00 5:00 6:00 6:00 7:00
Finance Committee Meeting (CAC Siderooms 1-2) Red Cross Blood Drive (CAC Siderooms 3-5) Pieceful Hands Quilters (Wesley 200) Disciple I - Horlick (Wesley 103) Contemporary Worship Team Rehearsal (Great Hall) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Thursday, May 30 10:00
Monday, May 27 Church Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day
11:30 12:30 12:30 2:30 5:30
Tuesday, May 28 6:30 6:30 9:00 10:00 11:30
Men’s Bible Study - Broyles (3263 N. College) Men’s Bible Study - Conner (Wesley 310) Worship Team Meeting (Wesley 303) Staff Meeting (Wesley 307) Community Meals (Great Hall)
6:30
Community Meals Bible Study (CAC Siderooms 1 & 2) Community Meals (Great Hall) Men’s Step Study (CAC Sideroom 4) Women’s Step Study (CAC Sideroom 5) Children’s Ministry Prayer Gathering (Wesley 107) Celebrate Recovery Snack Supper (SMB 2nd Floor) Celebrate Recovery Worship (SMB Worship Center)
Friday, May 31 5:00 5:30 6:00
Kids’ Night Out (SMB Central Park) Middle school Students leave for DISCIPLE camp (SMB 2nd floor) Student Ministry Mountain Man Weekend Departs (CAC Parking Lot)
Saturday, June 1 10:00 6:00
Uganda Mission Prep (CAC South Foyer) Student Ministry Mountain Man Weekend Returns (CAC Parking Lot)
Summer Job Opportunities in Childcare Looking for the perfect part-time summer employment? Central United Methodist is now hiring parttime childcare workers. Candidates should possess a desire to work with young children and their families. Times available are on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. If interested, you may contact Amber Hutson at
[email protected] or apply online at www.centraltolife.com/nursery.
Lord’s Day Celebration Sunday, May 26th, 2013
1st Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Traditional Services - Sanctuary Message
Sermons I Have to Preach Rev. Carl D. Palmer The Tome of the Unknown Saints
9:40 & 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Services - Great Hall Message
A Trip Down Memory Lane Rev. J. Anthony Holifield (Sermons I Love to Preach) V. The Winning Edge!
To Reach the Pastor on Emergency Call this Weekend, Call 479-799-7473
