What's Happening This Week - February 14

New Member Sunday is February 16th

Prospective members may join Centenary at any time. You can come to the church office to begin transferring from another church or speak to a pastor about making a first profession of Christian faith. Anyone who wants to become part of the Centenary family is welcome to stand before the congregation during any worship service and make a public commitment.

About once a quarter, we designate a “New Member Sunday” to explicitly invite and welcome new members. Sunday, February 16th, is the next such day. If you have questions about Centenary or church membership, call or visit us soon.

Welcome home to Centenary!

Personalized 2025 Contribution Envelopes

Personalized 2025 Contribution Envelopes are available for pick-up in the Narthex. If you do not find personalized envelopes for your family and wish to receive them, please contact Kathy Mitchell at the church office, 636-4181 or kathymitchell@centenarychurch.com.

Discipleship Ministries

Everyone has a place in music here at Centenary! For questions about our music ministry, contact Director of Music Ministries Paul Saik at paulsaik@centenarychurch.com or

252-637-4181 ext. 105.

Music Rehearsal Schedule

(Subject to change)

Please watch your email for updates if you are a part of the choir

or any music ensemble.

Sunday

Carnegie Hall Choir

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Leaves the 99

Sanctuary - 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Tuesday

Instrumental Ensembles

Chapel – 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Handbell Ensemble

Sanctuary – 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Wednesday

Children’s Choir

Chapel – 6:00pm – 6:30pm

Junior Handbell Ensemble

Sanctuary – 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Sanctuary/Chapel Choirs

Choir Room - 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Thursday

Faith We Sing

Sanctuary – 7:00pm – 7:00pm

Children & Youth

CENTyouth Happenings

To stay in the loop on our youth program, please check out our latest CENTYouth Happenings Newsletter by following the link below:

YOUTH NEWSLETTER

If you want to support our youth ministry, here are a few ways you can help:

If you would like to provide a meal for our Sunday evening CENTyouth meetings, please use the following link to sign up:

CENTyouth MEAL SIGN UP

If you would like to provide snacks for our Midweek Middle School Hangout, which takes place on Wednesday, please use the following link to sign up:

MIDWEEK SNACK SIGN UP

Consider contributing financially to our youth-designated fund. You can give online using this link:

YOUTH FUND

Centenary Scholarships

Centenary United Methodist Church offers three scholarship opportunities for high school graduates intending to continue their education:

John and Helen Morton Scholarship Fund

Eligibility:

Active members of Centenary
Graduating high school in spring of this year
Accepted to enter college in the Fall, either a 2-year or a 4-year degree

The maximum grant is $1,000.00 for one year.

Click for Morton Application

T. M. Diggs Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility:

Resident of Craven County at least 2 years (does not require attendance at Craven County School)
Graduating high school and accepted as a full-time student at a 4-year college or university
Worthy student who has distinguished himself/herself personally, scholastically, and otherwise, who has a reasonable need for financial assistance.
Candidate selected must maintain an acceptable level of achievement and personal demeanor to be a credit to this program.

The scholarship is for 4 consecutive school years.

Click for Diggs Application

William F. Rawls Scholarship

Eligibility:

Must be a resident of Craven or Pamlico Counties
Graduating high school or comparable secondary school, and accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college or university in North Carolina to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Must be a worthy student who has distinguished himself/herself personally, scholastically, and otherwise, who reasonably has a need for financial assistance in order to attain a college level education.
Must show a record of significant service to church and community.

The scholarship is for two consecutive years.

Click for Rawls Application

Print an Application form using the provided links or pick one up in the church office.

The deadline for submitting forms is April 1.

RONALD W. IPOCK CAMPERSHIP FUND

Establishment

The Ronald W. Ipock Campership Fund was established by Mrs. Belle Ipock in memory of her husband on October 15, 1984.

Purpose

The Ipock Campership Fund enables select Craven County youth to attend approved residential summer camps (this does not include weekend retreats or family weekends).

Eligibility and Selection

Recipients will be selected based on need, and priority will be given to youth involved at Centenary United Methodist Church. The selection committee for the Ipock Campership Fund shall be comprised of the following persons:

The Lead Pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church
The Chair of the Centenary United Methodist Church Council
The Chair of the Centenary United Methodist Church Endowments Committee
The Centenary United Methodist Church Director of Youth Ministries
The Centenary United Methodist Church Director of Children’s Ministry

Disbursement of Funds

The amount of the campership award will vary each year depending on the revenue generated by the Ipock Campership Fund and the number of qualified applicants. No more than six (6) camperships will be awarded each year. A check for the campership award will be made payable to the camp of the recipient’s choice to assist with the cost of attendance.

Stewardship of the Ipock Campership Fund

Only the revenue generated by the principal of the Ipock Campership Fund may be used to provide camperships. A 3⁄4 vote of the Church Council will be required to spend principal monies or to distribute the funds to be used for any purpose other than to be used for camperships.

Application Process

Anyone wishing to apply for the Ipock Campership should request an application form through the church office. Applications shall be returned to the church office either in person or by mail no later than March 1st, 2025.

Click for Ipock Campership Application

Scouting at Centenary

We want to encourage any families with children between the ages of 5-17 to join our Scouting program here at Centenary UMC. We are an old, established troop that runs on a tradition that goes back to 1929. We keep the outing in scouting, and the boy in scouts. Scouting builds a young person in so many ways and we need more youth in our programs. Please join us!

Dylan Muse-Eagle Scout Project Fundraiser

Dylan Muse, member of Centenary and a Scout with Troop 13 is working towards his Eagle Scout project. His plan will repurpose and transform a downtown parking lot into a green space for both the church and community to utilize for gatherings and events. In order for that to happen, Dylan first had to get approval from the Board of Trustees at Centenary and then the Historical Preservation Committee of Downtown New Bern. After presenting his plans to both groups, he was given the go-ahead and received final approval from the Eagle Review Board to begin the fundraising process and complete the project.

Dylan is asking for donations as part of the fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of supplies. His plans include the installation of a black aluminum fence around the perimeter so that this area will not only be a safe place to gather but will also prohibit parking on our grass. This will allow the existing grass as well as fresh new sod to grow. The fence will be low profile with free-flowing entrance and exit areas so that it does not distract from the ambiance of nature that Dylan is trying to help create here at Centenary.

Any amount that you are able to donate is greatly appreciated. Every bit of your support helps Dylan reach his goal of providing a green space for all to enjoy in a predominantly concrete environment.

Click here for more information or to donate online:

YouTube Video

Go Fund Me

Creation Care Tips for February

Here are some earth friendly cleaning ideas using lemons.

Microwave oven steam cleaner-Fill a microwave safe bowl halfway with water. Add the lemon and heat on high for 2 minutes, until the water is boiling and giving off steam. Keep the door closed for 5 minutes. The microwave will be easier to clean thanks to its citrus steam bath.

Fruit and vegetable wash-All produce needs a thorough washing before use, especially those that have a waxy coating. Fill a small spray bottle with 1cup of water, 2 Tablespoons of baking soda, and1 Tablespoon of lemon juice. Give the mixture a shake to combine well. Spray on fruits or vegetables before prepping or eating. Be sure to rinse well after the wash. This wash will last about a week.

Garbage Disposal Deodorizer-To rid your disposal of bad smells run the rinds of lemons

through the disposal with plenty of cold water. This is a good way to dispose of any lemons that are past their prime and can’t be used in cooking.

Centenary is a Stephen Ministry congregation.

If you're going through a tough time and find it difficult to cope with it alone, Centenary has a solution for you. As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we offer one-on-one, confidential support from our highly trained and compassionate Stephen Ministers. Whether you're dealing with a personal or family crisis, grief, illness, or any other challenge, our Stephen Ministers are here to help.

To learn more about this caring ministry and how it could benefit you, please reach out to Jan Hood, Sherry Parker, Judy Tymes, or Pastor David.

We are here to support you through difficult times.

Stephen Ministers are at the altar following each service for confidential discussion or questions.

GriefShare meets

Mondays 10am–12pm in Rm 210

GriefShare is a support group for people who have lost a loved one: spouse, family member, relative or friend. It is open not only to Centenary United Methodist Church members, but our entire community as well. ALL ARE WELCOME! Participants can join us at any time. If you know of someone who is hurting, please invite them. For more information, please visit griefshare.org.

Contact Marion Bunn 252-670-2590 for more information.

For the in-person group: griefshare.org/groups/172353

Prayer Ministry

We are looking for a group of persons to spend some time in prayer for our three services we have each Sunday morning. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Dr. Ruth Cox @ 252-670-4499.

We Need Your Help!

Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, we have the ability to video testimony to share with the congregation. If you're a person who doesn't like to speak in public but you'd like to share about 60-90 seconds of your life with your brothers and sisters in Christ, consider signing up to give a short testimony that will be aired during worship. The subject is "How has Centenary Church changed my life?" Contact the church office or one of our pastors if you're interested. The more, the better!

Altar Flowers 2025

We invite you to participate in our Altar Flowers program, a beautiful way to honor or remember someone dear to you. By signing up for a Sunday, you can place flowers on the altar in their name. It's a meaningful gesture that adds to the spiritual ambiance of our church.

To sign up, simply call the church office at 637-4181 and let us know which Sunday you prefer. Once you've confirmed your date, please place your order with Odham's Florist, who will then deliver them directly to the church.

If you would like to participate in the online directory and did not have your photo taken, you may submit a photo:

Select an image (.jpg, .png, or .gif) 10MB or smaller.

TIP: Roughly square images with the subject(s) close to the center work best.

Please crop your image to be square shape.

PLEASE NOTE we cannot accept copyrighted photos taken professionally.

Submit your photo to: centenaryumc@centenarychurch.com

*Download Ream Connect from the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android to access the online church directory*

Missions

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming exploratory mission trip to León, Nicaragua, where our team will visit El Ayudante, a remarkable Christian humanitarian organization. El Ayudante, which means "helper" in Spanish, is dedicated to partnering with their community to empower its members to improve their lives.

Established with a vision to foster sustainable growth and development, El Ayudante works tirelessly to support the community in various impactful ways. The organization collaborates with a Christian home that cares for 31 children and their families. Through this partnership, they provide essential services such as housing, excellence in education, job skills training, nutritious meals, medical care, and spiritual nurturing.

Our team is excited to explore how our congregation can join hands with El Ayudante in their noble mission. This trip will allow us to understand their operations, witness their impact firsthand, and identify opportunities for collaboration. We hope that this initial visit will pave the way for a larger team to join us next year, extending our support and furthering our commitment to this meaningful cause.

Stay tuned for more updates on our journey and how you can get involved in future mission trips to León, Nicaragua.

Centenary is again hosting Habitat volunteers from colleges around the country during March. They will be staying in Sunday School classrooms on the 2nd floor of the Education Building. They are always great guests and we enjoy having them with us!

RCS OPERATION OUTPOST

On the second Wednesday of the month, Centenarians participate in Operation Outpost at the Harlowe location. Do you want to sign up and participate?

What is Operation Outpost?

Operation Outpost is an initiative of Religious Community Services (RCS) where a team of dedicated volunteers deliver boxes of food, clothing, and hygiene items to more rural populations in our area. RCS has four designated and convenient locations that serve as drive-through pickup locations for boxes filled with these essentials for daily living. Clients can also select clothing items and other essentials. Generally, 60 to 80 boxes are delivered each month at the Harlowe Community Center (125 Godette School Rd.)!

What Would I Do?

Volunteers arrive at 5:00 to:

Set up the drive-through
Unload the RCS truck with food, clothing, and other items
Position the clothing racks
Build boxes of food—perishable and non-perishable

At 5:30,clients begin the drive through, and volunteers are assigned to tasks:

Check in the client and determine amount of boxes
Load the vehicle with the food
Keep the food boxes delivery area “stocked”
At 7:00, reload the truck

There are six slots available each month!

Dates are February 12 and March 12—always the second Wednesday of the month.

Use the link to sign up and help: OPERATION OUTPOST SIGN UP

For questions, please contact Patti Peebles at ppeebles2393@gmail.com or call 252-571-2421.

Oaks Road is always in need of new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions about the possibilities, please call me. My home number is (252)637-2415.

We would love to have you join our family of Centenary volunteers,

~Gayle Midyette

Happy February!! It's time to once again gather together to make a difference in the lives of children in our area! February is the perfect time to join together for fun, fellowship and service! We will be packing 5400 weekend food bags on February 24 and 25 and in order to be successful, we're counting on YOU to help!!

Here is the link to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D4BA9AB2AA0FD0-54935087-february

See you at the build!!

Ruth Powers

A bracelet was found in the church parking lot Wednesday night January 15th.

The owner must call the office and provide description to pick it up.

A FORD car keyfob with two silver kiwi cut keys was found in the parking lot. A green rubber WALDORF FORD key ring from Waldorf, MD is attached.

If you have lost an item, please stop by the office.

Community News You Can Use!

The Marks Scholarship was created in 1968 under the terms of the will of Miss Harriet Marks as a memorial to the O. Marks family. The Taylor Scholarship, although a separate entity, is designed to complement and supplement the Marks Scholarship. Sponsored by their grandson, J. M. Hodges, Jr. to honor the memory of his grandparents, the Taylor Scholarship was created in 2015. These scholarships are jointly awarded annually based on both scholarship and financial need.

The joint scholarships contribute to the tuition, board or lodging of a senior graduating from New Bern High School for the purpose of obtaining higher education at an accredited college, university or other institution of higher learning. Renewable for three succeeding years as long as academic standards are maintained, the scholarships provide financial assistance to a deserving senior based on need and on scholarship/service to community and school.

We are very proud of the academic records of our scholarship awardees over the years, and we look forward to contributing to more students who will maintain this tradition.

Please click this link, Marks Taylor Scholarships App 2025 , to read and complete the application. The 2025 deadline is Friday, March 21, 2025.

The Marks and Taylor Scholarships further the Historical Society’s mission “to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education.”

If you would like to have communion delivered to you at home by a Stephen Minister on first Sundays, please contact the church office at (252)637-4181.