SUNDAY • MAY 17, 2026
“Saying YES” Matthew 5:13-16
Preaching
Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister
Rev. Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care
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.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT CENTENARY
• Worship • 9:00AM • Memorial Auditorium
• Worship • 11:00AM • Sanctuary
• Sunday School for all Ages • 9:45AM or 10:00AM (Based on Classes & Ministry Area)
• Nursery is available for infants through pre-kindergarteners during both worship services and Sunday school on the first floor of the East Building.
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. 1357/ ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org) to schedule a time to meet.
WATCH
Each Sunday morning, our 11:00AM 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 & Arts 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 • MAY 17, 2026
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/church-event or scan our QR code.
PENTECOST CELEBRATION
Sunday • May 24
Celebrate the birthday of the Church through worship and community. Services are at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. A celebration breakfast is at 10:00 am in the Dining Room and we will have birthday cake on the porch following the 11:00 am worship service. Breakfast reservations are not required.
BackPack Program Student Sponsorship
Many and endless thanks to those of you who sponsored a student for the 2025-2026 school year. It’s time to start gathering sponsors for the 2026-2027 school year. For $6.25 a week, you can provide weekend food for a student –that’s about $280 to make it through the school year! If you would love to join forces with us, please select “Backpack Program” in the giving portal drop down menu or reach out to Anna Thomas (athomas@centenary-ws.org) for more information.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Camp Mail
Do you have a child attending camp this summer? We would love to send them some mail while they are away! If you can let us know when they’ll be at camp and what their address is, we will pop some love into the mailbox and send it their way! Please send information to Kate May.
Join our Children’s Sunday School Team for the 2026-2027 School Year
We hope you will consider being a part of our Sunday School team made up of amazing folks who commit to at least one semester of the school year to serve as a small group leader, large group leader, Sunday School Captain or a greeter! We provide all lesson plans, materials and any other guidance – we just need you to show God’s love! If you are interested or have questions, reach out to Kate May.
Vacation Bible School
June 15-18 • 9:00AM-Noon
Spots are filling up at Vacation Bible School! Make sure to get the kids in your life registered before May 27. Have you said yes to volunteering? Help us to continue to increase the capacity of kids we can share God’s love with! Contact Marty Coan, Diane Eshelman, Ashley Maner, or Kate May
Older Elementary Mission Week
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Refresh
Wednesdays • Noon-12:45PM • Sanctuary
The Refresh Prayer Ministry invites you to be refreshed in a mid-week service of worship, reflection, and prayer in a sacred space. 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.
JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION
Creek Clean Up Day
May 17 • 4:00PM-6:00PM
Help us care for God’s creation by cleaning up around the creek near Shaffner Park! Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy the after party at the park. Contact Kate May if you are interested in participating.
MUSIC & ARTS
Children’s Music & Arts Camp 2026
SENIOR ADULTS
Senior Adults • Save These Dates!
• June 11 - Picnic at South Fork Park
• July 23 - Trip to Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA Register by scanning the QR code.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth Ministry Summer Kick-off & 9th Grade Promo Party
May 31 • 5:00PM-7:00PM
Calling ALL youth, and most especially you rising freshman! Join us for a summer kick-off party to celebrate the end of school and the promotion of our rising freshman at ROAR W-S -- for a night of bowling, simulator games and to chow down on some nuggets, burger sliders and other snacks! To register, scan the QR code above, or visit the Realm Events page. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Garrity.
Wilderness Trail • Summer Hike
June 20-25 • Troutdale, VA
Do you love camping, hiking, and campfires? Then this trip is for you! For 38 years, Wilderness Trail Ministry has been “leading backpacking faith adventures that bring teens closer to God and each other.” Join our youth ministry as we hop on the bus and attend our first guided summer hike this June. Cost is $375 and spots are limited. For details and registration, scan the QR code above or sign-up via Realm. If you have any questions,If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Garrity.
Waffle Wednesdays
June 3-August 5 • 5:00PM-6:30PM
Youth Commons
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 Communication 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
July 21-23 • 9:00AM-3:00PM Rising 4th-6th graders are invited to join us as we do mission projects around Winston Salem and have fun fellowship time together! $45/ student. Scan the QR code above to register.
Summer Sunday School
On Sunday’s May 31-August 9, rising 1strising 6th graders are invited to gather in the community room throughout the summer! We’ll enjoy playground Sunday school, art Sunday school (June) and kitchen Sunday school (July). Kate will be leading lessons each week and is looking for a fun grown up to join us as support in our adventures! Want to sign up? Scan the QR code above.
All Creatures Great and Small July 13 - 16, 2026 • Only 2 weeks left to register!! Two by two… the animals are coming! This summer, we invite children aged 4 through rising 5th graders to step into the story of Noah and discover how God’s love and promise extends to “all creatures great and small!” Through music, art, movement, and storytelling, campers will explore this beloved biblical journey. We look forward to spending a week singing, ringing, painting and playing together! Register by June 1 via the Announcements QR code! For more information, please contact Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenary-ws.org).
Provide Snacks for Children’s Music & Arts Camp 2026
We’re setting sail for Children’s Music & Arts Camp 2026: All Creatures Great & Small and we need your help! Each day, our campers will be singing and ringing, painting and playing, moving and grooving as they learn the story of Noah’s ark. Snack time helps fuel our little artists for all the creativity ahead. Help keep our ark afloat by providing a day’s worth of snacks! Sign up as an individual or with a group of friends! Not here during camp? This is the perfect way to get involved! Snack drop-off is Sunday, July 12. To sign up, contact Virginia Sheffield (vsheffield@centenary-ws.org).
Sunday • June 7 • 12:45PM • Dining Room
The Charge Conference agenda will include setting compensation for newly-appointed clergy. Voting members are Church Council members, lay delegates to annual conference, and retired clergy holding charge conference membership at Centenary. All church members are welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided to those who register online by Sunday, May 24. Please scan the QR code above to sign up.
Join us mid-week for a summer-long film & Bible study series as we explore Christian themes in The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of The Rings. Bring your appetite for thought-provoking exploration, and of course, an appetite for a waffle-bar and other breakfast-for-dinner foods!
Mission Mondays
1st Mondays of Summer Months
June 1, July 6, August 3 • Project Times Vary Youth Ministry is excited to take on some halfday group mission opportunities this summer in our own backyard: The Betty & Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden (June), The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (July), and Imprints Cares (August). Meet us at the church for morning prayer before we set out by bus for the day’s service project. After a morning of work, we’ll stop on our way back to church for lunch, fellowship, and devotional reflection. You are welcome to sign up for one project or sign up for them all! Scan the QR Code above, or head on over to Realm for all the details! If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Garrity.