SUNDAY • JULY 20, 2025
“The Middle Seat” John 1:35-41
Preaching
Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister
Rev. Kate May Associate Minister with Children
Keith Byrd Alternative Music Leader
Zakiyyah Niang, vocals
Ahmad Johnson, vocals
Rodney Archie, vocals
Doug Wright bass
Jacob Anflick, drums
WELCOME!
The congregation and staff of Centenary welcome you to today’s worship.
It is our honor to have you with us! Our ministers, staff, welcome team and ushers are happy to assist you with any questions you may have. We hope our worship will inspire, comfort and challenge you as we hear God’s message proclaimed through preaching, music, prayer and liturgy.
WORSHIP AT CENTENARY
SUNDAYS
9:00 am • Memorial Auditorium
11:00 am • Sanctuary
MEMBERSHIP
We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you. If you are interested in learning about church membership, please contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck (336-724-6311 ext. 1361/ ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org) to schedule a time to meet.
WATCH
Each Sunday morning, our 11:00 am worship service is broadcast on the Internet through our Live Stream. Visit www.centenary-ws.org. Once there, click on the Live Stream link at the top of the home page.
HEARING LOOP
Our Sanctuary is fitted with a Hearing Loop system. Please switch your hearing device to T-coil. If you need a listening device, please contact one of our ushers. Be sure to sit in the pews located on the floor of the Nave.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CENTENARY
There is always something happening at Centenary and we invite you to join us. To learn more about Centenary ministries and events, visit our website at www.centenary-ws.org. You may also contact our receptionist who will guide you to the appropriate ministry area.
STAY CONNECTED
Reception Desk • 336-724-6311
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS
336.724.6311 + Extension (for the Minister on Call • Option 2)
Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene ext. 1362 Senior Minister wgreene@centenary-ws.org
Mary Ann Wexler ext. 1346 Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org
Jonathan Emmons ext. 1339 Director of Music Ministries jemmons@centenary-ws.org
Reverend Oliver Helsabeck ext. 1357 Associate Minister for Congregational Care ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org
Reverend Kate May ext. 1331 Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS • JULY 20, 2025
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/church-event or scan our QR code.
CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS
IN MEMORIAM
Patricia “Patty” Fitzgerald Poole June 30, 2025
Wayne Minton Yelverton July 4, 2025
The ministers and members of Centenary extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.
NOURISH RETURNS
Wednesday • September 3
Dinner at 5:15 pm • Programming at 6:00 pm We’ll kick off with a fun interview with our new Senior Minister, Rev. Willis Greene, followed by a chance to learn about all of the great opportunities that will start September 10. There will be something for everyone: children, youth, and adults so make your plans to join us now and go ahead and start inviting your friends!
SUMMER READING
The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee
This year the recommended “Book with a Purpose” from Bookmarks bookstore is The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee which argues that our society would benefit from a more inclusive approach to how we do life together.
The author will be in Winston-Salem for the Bookmarks Festival the end of September and Centenary will be offering an opportunity to have facilitated small group discussion based on the themes of the book during Nourish leading up to the festival. Consider picking up a copy of the book now at Bookmarks and adding it to your summer reading!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
FAMILY SUMMER CELEBRATION
Today • July 20 • 4 - 5 pm
Tammy Pollock ext. 1337 Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org
Stacy Holley ext. 1359 Executive Assistant sholley@centenary-ws.org
John Markle ext. 1347 Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org
Doug Peninger ext. 1368 Director of Communications dpeninger@centenary-ws.org
John Rogers ext. 1356 Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 646 W. FIFTH STREET • WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27101 WWW.CENTENARY-WS.ORG • 336-724-6311
Promotion Sunday & Parent Open House
Sunday • August 17 • 10 am
This is when everyone will move to their new class for the school year.
Bible Sunday
September 21 • 9 am or 11 am Worship
A time for Kindergarteners and 3rd graders to receive a Bible from us! Watch your mail for more details!
4th and 5th Grade District Retreat
September 26 – 27 • Camp Hanes
Watch for more info!
STUDENTS WITH FULL BELLIES ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL
Centenary has the privilege of partnering with the Backpack Program organized by Second Harvest Food Bank. We are currently partnered with Brunson Elementary and Wiley Middle School. This program helps provide food for students who receive free breakfast and lunch at school through the year, but may not have access to food over the weekends. For just $260, you can feed a child on the weekends for a whole school year! If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Anna Thomas (athomas@centenary-ws.org/336.724.6311 ext. 1332).
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
REFRESH
Wednesdays • Noon - 12:45 pm • Sanctuary
The Refresh Prayer Ministry invites you to be refreshed in a mid-week service of worship, reflection, and prayer in a sacred space. From Noon - 12:15 is a time for quiet reflection with music, and from 12:15 - 12:45 is a time for prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation. Parking is available in the Fifth Street parking lot; enter from the Fifth Street entrance to the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck or Becky Tate.
SHINING LIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH
Peer Connector Ministry
Join us this afternoon for fun for the whole family! We will have a foam party, slip and slide, playground and popsicles. Park in the 5th Street parking lot and meet us on the lawn outside of the Chapel. Water shoes and goggles are recommended for the foam party. You will not want to miss it!
SAVE THESE FALL DATES
Kindergarten Worship Readiness
Sunday •August 10 • 10 am • Sanctuary
All new kindergarteners and at least one grown up are invited to join us for a time to orient themselves to worshipping together.
Backpack Blessing & Sunday School Open House
Sunday • August 10 • 5:30 pm -7 pm
Dinner for the whole family, a time of blessing before the school year starts and a time to meet your Sunday school small group leaders!
BLOOD DRIVE
Tuesday • August 5 • 12:30 pm - 5:00pm Community Room
Centenary is partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive. If you would like to sign up to donate blood, you may do so by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. If you cannot give blood but would like to volunteer, please email Mary Ann Wexler or check the website.
MUSIC & ARTS
REGISTER FOR CHILDREN’S CREATIVE ARTS EXPERIENCE 2025/2026
Did your kids love CMA Camp? Keep the creativity, joy, and friendship going all year long with the Creative Arts Experience! We invite children ages 2 through 5th grade to join us when CAE resumes on August 27! CAE’s multifaceted model engages children with various levels of musical and artistic interests, all while cultivating more regular worship leadership opportunities for Centenary’s youngest! Email Music Ministries Assistant, Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenary-ws.org) with any questions.
YOUTH MINISTRY
WHAT’S FAITH GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Youth Sunday School Hour
Sundays - August 10 • Youth Commons
Ever wondered what you might do when you grow up? All of us begin dreaming what we might be when we are little and continue to figure that out throughout our lives. Join us, once again, this summer as we host various members of our church & community to hear from them what they do, how they got there, and how their faith is lived out in their daily lives.
WAFFLE WEDNESDAYS
Wednesdays • Through August 6
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm • Youth Commons
We’re mixing things up this summer! Join us mid-week for a summer-long documentary series as we follow along with Morgan Freeman in his production “The Story of God.” Bring your appetite for thought-provoking exploration about God, and of course, an appetite for a waffle-bar spread and other breakfast-fordinner foods!
If you experience a crisis of mental health, it’s important to know you are not alone. Our Peer Connector Ministry establishes a confidential connection between you and someone with similar experiences. Peer Connectors serve as supportive friends and listening ears, can provide prayerful, emotional support, and can help to direct you to additional support or resources. Send a confidential message to Rev. Oliver Helsabeck and he will connect you with a Peer Connector.
MISSIONS
LOAVES & FISHES SUMMER STOCK
Loaves & Fishes is once again collecting items for Summer Stock! Anytime this summer, you can take a brown paper bag located in the Narthex or at the 4 ½ Street entrance to fill with needed items. This year we are collecting the following foods: canned chicken, canned tuna, canned beef stew, Spam, and Vienna sausages. Please make sure the canned items are regular sized cans. You can drop your donations off at the 4 ½ Street entrance or in the Narthex to the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, contact Mary Ann Wexler
ARE YOU HEADED TO CAMP?
Calling out to all you SUMMER CAMPERS! Let us know your camp address and how long you will be there...we will send you mail from your youth ministry family! I mean, who doesn’t love to get mail!? And we certainly love to send it.
LOOKING AHEAD
July 19 - 27: YouthWorks! Senior High Mission
August 14: Youth Leadership Team
August 15: 6th Grade Promotion Party
August 17: Sunday school Open House & Fall Kick-Off
August 19: LTN Leadership Team
August 24: Love Thy Neighbor
September 3: Fall Bible Study begins (Nourish)
September 9: LTN Leadership Team
September 13: Niner, Niner
September 14: LTN
September 19: Sixers! @ Adventure Landing
For more information or to sign up to receive Youth Ministry updates by email, contact Tammy Pollock Follow us on Instagram @ centenary_youth.