2018 Through Centenary Windows November/December

OUR CLERGY AND STAFF Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister gkinken@centenary-ws.org Reverend Bret Cogan Assoc. Minister of Spiritual Formation & Education bcogan@centenary-ws.org Reverend R. Craig Ford Associate Minister cford@centenary-ws.org Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org Reverend Jeremy Pegram Assoc. Minister of Evangelism, Engagement & Missions jpegram@centenary-ws.org Tamara M. Pollock Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org Susan Bates Organist and Music Associate sbates@centenary-ws.org Martha Bassett Alternative Music Leader mbassett@centenary-ws.org Kristy Eaton Contributions keaton@centenary-ws.org

OUR PAGES Table of Contents/Clergy and Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 All Saints Evensong ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 From the Editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 Celebration of the Saints ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 Ministry Spotlight: Jordan Gross Remembers ~~~ 6 Page Eight: Room in the Inn~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8 Impromptu Christmas Pageant ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Angel Tree ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11 Jeremy Pegram: Advent Offering~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 Trent Maner: Welcome in the Inn~~~~~~~~~~~~ 14 Advent at Centenary~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 15 Four Advent Devotionals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 16 UMW December Meeting~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20 New Members~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 21 Rob Frazier: Advent...Prepare the Way~~~~~~~~ 22 Stock Deliver & 2019 Women’s Retreat ~~~~~~~ 24 Stewardship/Faith in Films 2019~~~~~~~~~~~~ 25 Calendar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 26 Lessons & Carols~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 28 Poinsettias for Advent~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 29 Memorials ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 30 Honoraria~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 31 Centenary Scenes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 32 Dr. Glenn Kinken: Room in the Inn~~~~~~~~~~~ 34 Back Cover: Worship Schedule~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 36

Sandra Gramley Congregational Care Coordinator sgramley@centenary-ws.org

OUR COVER

Stacy Holley Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister sholley@centenary-ws.org

The Nativity — “And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16) The star of Bethlehem hangs over the manger. An even brighter source of light in the scene, however, emanates from Jesus, a symbol that the baby is the Light of the World.

John Markle Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org Doug Peninger Director of Communications dpeninger@centenary-ws.org Debbie Pilson Director of DAYBreak/Respite Care dpilson@centenary-ws.org John Rogers Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org

You can learn more about the windows of the church by reading Centenary United Methodist Church Symbols: The Story Told in Glass, Stone and Fabric.

For a video tour of the ministry and office spaces located at The Haven, scan the QR code below.

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From the Editor As I am writing this introduction on the 3rd of October, the temperature is still hovering in the mideighties and we are gearing up for our annual Worship in the Park at Tanglewood. So, that being said, how in the world do we turn our attention and thoughts to the journey of advent?

Well, for this issue, that’s exactly what we are doing.

For November and December we invite you to contemplate the idea of “Making Room in the Inn.” Throughout this issue, our writers approach this subject in different ways, inviting each of us to come along.

We hear from a former confirmand who is now in full-time youth ministry. One statement she makes brought me to tears. See if you have the same reaction.

One section offers four

posters. Be sure to mark your calendars for all of the seasonal offerings.

We don’t want you to miss a single moment.

devotions for advent where we take a few moments to make room for hope, peace, love and joy--the four themes found with the advent wreath.

What about all those Christmas carols? Dr. Frazier talks to us about the “little lent” season and we contemplate advent and spend the time in contemplation.

Of course, there are numerous events at Centenary during the season of advent. Throughout the issue, you will see the various advertisements and

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Finally, our Senior Minister, Dr. Glenn Kinken, invites each of us to make “Room in the Inn.” His introspective look at three main characters from the Christmas story is moving as he offers us a challenge to invite our friends and loved ones to our Inn, our worship, for the season and throughout the year.

May the joy of the season surround you. I’ll see you at Centenary. 

Doug Peninger Director of Communications

We remember...

On Sunday, November 4, Centenary will celebrate All Saints Sunday when we will remember the Saints who have gone before us. May the fire of their devotion light our way. *

Sylvia F. Alderson O. R. “Dick” Ayscue William M. “Mac” Batchelor Carolyn Neal Blackwood Bennett Carolyn Beam Branton Patsy Brinson Burwell Joseph Glenn Butler Jack Franklin Canady Mary Jean Carlson Sara Marie Pate Chambers Jeffrey Smith Coltrane Jr. Jessie Bennett Cook William Andrew Copenhaver Thomas Henry Crichlow Jr. Derrick Lee Davis Mary Elizabeth Emler Mary Reavis Farrell Robert E. Frazier Leigh Sullivan Fultz Myra “Mary” Grant

Martha Bond Hilburn Clark W. Hunt Beverly Barrett Isley Walter Eugene Johnston III Joseph Freeman “Joe” Jones Ronald W. Jones Theodore Allen Keith Charles T. Kluttz Wanda Gail Luck-Willis William Frank Maready Doris Anne Walker Miller Wade Alexander Morris Jane Secrest Fuller Niven Sarah Lou Norman June Chandler Parker Harold Calloway Pollard III Nancy Ann Pollok George Parks Robinson Mae Lynn Ross Betsy Ivey Sawyer Roger E. Schultz Barclay Laird Setzer Sylvia Wells Shelton Betty Sue Sink Mary Stimson Sheppard Barbara Porter Smith Nancy Watkins Sommer Nancy Clendenin Spach Jean Stevens Stockton Robert Louis Strickand Jeanne T. Suttle Roger Irvin Sutton Jonathan “Jon” Karl Vickers Mary Frances Bost Wester

Martha Hanes Womble Judith Hawley “Judy” Zollicoffer

*As of October 23, 2018.

Shirley Long Hammill

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| ministry spotlight |

I Grew Up in Those Rooms

I Jordan Gross Guest Writer

t is difficult to articulate how meaningful my experience growing up at Centenary United Methodist Church was. I still have vivid memories of my experiences being ministered to through Sunday school in early elementary school, Vacation Bible School as a child and a youth helper, children’s choir, and then on into my experiences in youth ministry.

It was through Centenary’s children and youth ministries that I found a profound sense of self.

Adolescence is messy and emotional at best, and it can be difficult to navigate those years without the support of a loving community. I feel that my growth as a person can be vastly attributed to the many Sundays I spent on the fourth floor. It was Confirmation that allowed me to develop my faith in a way that continues to serve as the foundation for what I believe.

It was mission trips and Love Thy Neighbor that instilled in me a deep sense of compassion for the world and everyone in it.

a rare thing it is to have an adult in your life who simply delights in your presence, who is present to you, who received you in the midst of your pain as well as your breakthroughs.

This is exactly what I received at Centenary. To be a product of a ministry that was so loving, so genuine, and so grace-filled shaped my heart, and I am grateful each day that I was loved so well. For years I thought it would be a mistake to go into youth ministry, because I worried that I would never be able to measure up to the ministry that I had so lovingly received. I finally came to realize that it was a disservice not to attempt to share my own ministry in hopes that another person might experience the benefits that I received.

My youth group experience allowed me to know that I was loved, that I was valued, that I was included, and that there was a space for me - whether I was there every week or fell in and out of habit. I was offered grace, a listening ear, and a loving presence.

Always. I was shown that true mission is not just word but is action and truth.

I was continuously reminded to love my neighbor: my homeless neighbor, my oppressed neighbor, my neighbor sitting next to me in class.

I have always been a bit resistant to change, and so it was no different when I learned of the renovations at Centenary; I was hesitant to

A few months ago before the renovations began, Tammy and Tyler allowed the kids to write prayers and messages on the walls of the youth rooms.

In Mark Yaconelli’s book, Contemplative Youth Ministry, he poses this question: “Who would we become if we spent time in the presence of Jesus? How would we live if we spent long periods of time with someone who trusts us, enjoys us, listens to and cares for us?

Who would our youth become if they were companioned by adults who embodied such love and attention?”

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let go of the image of the youth and children’s wings that had meant so much to me during my formative years. This past May, I arrived early to help Tammy and Tyler prepare for the confirmation retreat that I was attending (ten years ago as a youth, ten years later as a shepherd), and I took a moment to weave quietly through the rooms of the 4th floor. Seeing the prayers, scribbled and scripted in bold black sharpie, filled

me with emotion. Some, such as “I lost a ball out of this window” made me laugh out loud and revealed the lighthearted playfulness that this ministry was so mindful of. Others, such as a prayer of thankfulness for “all the love and acceptance that has been and will be shown in this space,” filled me with pride and gratitude. The prayer that gave me the most pause, and caused tears to stream down my face, was this simple phrase: “I grew up in this room.” Because it was true.

We experienced the fullness of life in those rooms when we were still learning to navigate not only our individual faiths but life itself, those rooms and those who ministered to us in them remained constant.

The sanctuary that those rooms provided allowed us to encounter the entirety of the human emotional spectrum - deep sadness, deep laughter, and deep joy.

To update them acknowledges that our church values its young people and honors who they are becoming; we are simultaneously preparing to send them off into the world while still forever making a space for them to return home to. I know that these renovations will make way for brighter, richer goodness for young people to enjoy for years to come. It is my most fervent prayer that these renovations, alongside the soulful work that our children and youth ministries do, might pave the way for young people to receive the gentle grace of the Holy Spirit in the same way that I did. It is such a gift. 

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8 | feature |

Page Eight

This past summer, at the end of august and into early Septemerb, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to return to Italy. I was celebrating a milestone birthday and was eager and ready to unplug from email and take a much needed break to renew and reenergize. Don’t we all need that from time to time?

Doug Peninger

dpeninger@centenary-ws.org

The first leg of the trip was a two-day stop in Rome. Words cannot begin to describe the sights and experience. To think that this city has been around for centuries and still thrives is difficult to comprehend. Of course, the trip to the Vatican is indescribable. To see the inscription in the basilica stating “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church” brings it home to me how connected we are globally.

Next, I boarded a cruise ship and toured around the Mediterranean seeing sights from Pisa, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Mallorca, Naples, Sorrento, and Pompeii. It was a whirlwind trip and the memories will be forever etched in my mind.

After each excursion, returning to the ship, the crew would eagerly greet us with “welcome home” and offer cooling cloths to wipe sweaty faces and offer a cool drink of water before going through security. They knew how to make you feel welcome and they had been trained to make you feel special.

Following a week on the cruise ship, I traveled up to the town of Gubbio in the province of Perugia. This ancient town sits thirty minutes north of Assisi. Upon arrival, I checked into the bed and breakfast where the owner joyfully greeted me and forbade me from carrying my luggage. His words were, “relax, you are on holiday.”

You know, that can be a little hard to live into. How could I possibly let go of email for another week? How could I just sit by the infinity pool and look out into the Appenine valley to watch the sun kiss the trees and enjoy the gentle breeze as it rose up to cool me down? But, I did. I needed it.

I am reminded of the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast.” Within the musical is the famous “Be Our Guest.” In the most recent live-action release, the audience enjoyed the magic of the movies as Ewan McGregor welcomed us all to the main event, the dinner.

How in the world they created all those special effects is beyond me. But I bought in to it.

When I think on these things, I am profoundly reminded of the amazing welcome and sincere joy that the crew and the cast gave to me on the cruise, bed and breakfast and the characters in the movie. How did these experiences differ from that of Mary, Joseph and the unborn Christ-child?

Think on this for a minute. Imagine, if after flying across the Atlantic, upon arriving at the hotel, I was told that there was no room. What if after disembarking from the cruise and arriving in Gubbio I was told that my room had been given to someone else because of overbooking or some other festival happening in town?

I would be lost. Granted in these modern times I would probably just pull out the handy smart phone and open up the latest hotel app and see what I could find.

Travel back 2,000 years. Mary and Joseph had just arrived to register for the census. They were beyond exhaustion. They were dirty.

They were thirsty. They were hungry. Mary

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was ready to deliver her baby. And there they were, no room, no soft bed, no warm shower, no hot meal, no warm greeting of welcome.

And then, there was the innkeeper. The story tells us that he made room in the stable. A manger, full of hay, became the bed of our Savior. Was there anyone there to offer Mary help, other than Joesph? What was that scene like? On a quiet night in a stable, Jesus came into our world. The word became flesh and dwelt among us.

So it brings to question, how in the world do we make room in our hearts for Jesus? There is no one-way that each person invites Christ into their inn, their heart. We each come to in from a different place and time and the grace given to us comes to us when we are ready to accept it.

every single day. Does it come easy? Some days yes, some days no. You know, life gets in the way sometimes. There is work, bills, family, exercise, commute, friends, chores, etc. When it’s all said and done, I am reminded of the text of the familiar hymn, one I grew up with and remember singing:

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,when Thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room, or Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,There is room in my heart for Thee.

May each of us, during this season of anticipation and waiting, and through out the year, make room in our inn, our heart, for Jesus. 

Making room in my inn (heart) is something that is a daily journey. The decision to commune in dialogue with God is something I have to do

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Angel Tree

L

ast year we got new furniture for our living room. When December rolled around the big question was, “Where do we put the Christmas tree?” We moved furniture around and around trying to make room for the tree, for the presents, for the stockings, for all the decorations that help us celebrate Christmas. It may have seemed annoying in the moment, but what a blessed annoyance.

Rev. Kate May

kmay@centenary-ws.org ext. 1331

Crossnore School and Children’s Home, and our backpack schools, are so blessed when you make room for them as you prepare for Jesus. 

I imagine that many of the families who are a part of our Angel Tree ministry would love to have the annoyance of trying to figure out where to put the tree and the presents amidst the configuration of new furniture. So many of us make room for things amidst other things at Christmas and then once all the presents are opened we make room for all the new things.

This year I hope you will consider making room in your busy schedule and your present buying budget to adopt an angel from our Angel Tree. When we make room for others and for generosity, we make room for God. This year there will be two places you will find angels to adopt. One tree will be in The Hub as usual and the other tree will be in the Reception Narthex outside of Memorial Auditorium. Trees will go up Sunday, November 4 and we ask that gifts be wrapped and returned by Sunday, December 9. Our angels, who come from two local Hispanic churches, the Winston-Salem Street School,

Where: The Hub & Memorial Auditorium Reception Narthex Trees Go Up: Sunday, November 4 Gifts returned to the Church by: Sunday, December 9 We can use your help! Want to do more than simply shop for this great ministry? Contact Ashley Maner (ext. 1332/ amaner@centenary-ws.org) if you would be willing to help prep angels or sort gifts.

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| evangelism, engagement & missions |

Advent Offering

A

dvent, the season that helps us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Christchild, is also a season to help us prepare for the second coming of Christ.

The second coming, in my opinion, is not spoken of often because discussing it seems trite or invokes feelings of uneasiness. Through Scripture, experience, tradition and reason, I have come to understand the second coming of Christ to be both a one-time event when Jesus will come in final victory and the daily coming into our midst to us to set us free from our weaknesses and hardships.

Rev. Jeremy Pegram

The advent hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” based on Psalm 72, offers to us inspiring words about the future and daily arrival of Christ in our lives.

The first poetic line is:

jpegram@centenary-ws.org

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son! Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free; to take away transgression, and rule in equity.

These words remind us that Christ came to offer restoration, redemption and reconciliation to all who experience life’s challenges. Christ will come again, but Christ comes to us daily through the holy and mysterious encounters that we have with one another. The words we say and the deeds we perform for love of God and neighbor are the mechanisms in which Christ comes to break oppression, to set the captive free and to wash away all that is painful and sinful.

Each Centenary member is called by God to participate in the daily work of Christ.

If we are honest, even during such a holy season as advent, it is easy to delay our

participation. It takes each of us doing our part to usher God’s beloved Christ into the lives of our neighbors. This is no different than the effort it takes of every member of an athletic team to work towards their goal.

When I was in the sixth grade, I signed up for recreation league football. It was the first and last time that I played football.

I must share that during my childhood I possessed very little athletic ability. I was unable to run very fast. Any sport that required hitting, throwing or catching a ball was out of the question as I had little to no eye-hand-coordination. In gym class, I was the kid who was always picked last when teams were being formed. When it came to football, I played the “bench warmer” position dutifully. The coach would only put me in the game after all the other boys were injured.

In football we were required to wear a mouth guard. No mouth guard meant no participation. There was a game where I had forgotten to take my mouth guard. I kept my lack of mouth guard a secret as I felt there was no way the coach would put me in the game. During the last few seconds of the game, and after many players had sustained injuries, the coach called my name. “I have no mouth guard!”

I shouted. “Use mine,” said another boy (oral hygiene was not a concern in that moment).

As I was running across the gridiron, I glanced at the stands and caught a glimpse of my dad. He was elated! He was so proud! He was jumping up and down and cheering me on as if I was the star player. I do not remember the outcome of the game, if we won or lost. But I will never forget the pride I saw on my dad’s face when I was able to participate, if even only for seconds.

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Friends, how much greater does our Heavenly Father desire for us to participate in the work of his son Jesus.

I believe God celebrates as we make strides towards breaking oppression and liberating the captive. During the month of December, I invite you to participate in the advent offerings that will be received at Lessons and Carols and on Christmas Eve. Every dollar that is shared goes to directly supporting our community ministry partners in their efforts to do the restorative work of Christ in the life of another. From children who reside at Crossnore School and Children’s Home,

to men in recovery at Samaritan Ministries, to women seeking medical care at the Shalom Project’s clinic, your participation in this year’s offering offers hope and love, but most of all it offers Christ. I invite you to participate and add to the celebration of heaven this advent season. 

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| hospitality | | children’s ministry |

Welcome in the Inn

T

he hospitality we receive, or the lack thereof, will determine if our experience was one that left us feeling welcomed or desiring a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, my family and I have experienced the latter of the two.

When my wife Ashley and I were newlyweds, my job took us to a beautiful coastal town in eastern North Carolina. We were very excited about the move and eager to find a church that would become our new church home. Once we arrived, we did our research online and it seemed that we had several great options to choose from. Wow, were we ever surprised. As we left each of the four churches we visited, we received the same disheartening experience. Instead of the love Trent Maner and sense of community we were Guest Writer anticipating, we received curious stares, silent voices, and the feeling of being unwelcome. This experience has created a passion in my heart to do all that I can to make ALL people that step into our

beautiful church feel loved and accepted just as they are.

In the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph were also looking for a warm, inviting place where they would be welcomed just as they were.

Instead, they were greeted with closed doors and told there was no room in the inn. As we prepare our hearts for this advent season, my desire is for us all to take time and look around at those worshiping with us. I am very proud of the outstanding hospitality our Welcome Team provides each week. However, we are all called to share the love of Christ with all those we meet. Whether you are the first face they see when they arrive in the parking lot, the one sitting next to them in the pew, or the last “goodbye” they hear as they depart, know that you are a vital part of the hospitality they receive while they are here. The holiday season brings people to church for various reasons. Some are filled with joy while others are in despair. Let us greet each one with open arms and show them what Centenary is all about! 

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| devotional |

Making Room for Hope But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. -Luke 2:19

W

hen a family is anticipating the birth of a new baby hope abounds. There are hopes for what the baby will look like, how the baby will act, how the family will interact with a new addition, what the child will be like as he or she grows.

into his life because of his heavenly father.

What hopes do you have this Advent season?

In what way is God asking you to be like Mary and make room in your heart for hopes that are already in the heart of God? ď Ž

And then the child arrives‌

Rev. Kate May

kmay@centenary-ws.org

Those beautiful, photographic moments that were the hopes of pregnancy are often quickly replaced with new hopes, hope for sleep, hope for patience, hope for tomorrow, but also new hopes based on who you realize this new tiny person is, who God created him or her to be, which is often much more amazing than anything we could have hoped for on our own.

So as I think about hope and what that means in light of how we prepare room, I think about Mary and how we hear she pondered all of these things in her heart. I think she was making room. She was making room in her heart for a whole new set of hopes for this precious tiny baby boy who she was finally having the chance to get to know as his own tiny person apart from her. She, I am sure, had the same kinds of hopes all parents have before Jesus was born, perhaps even overlooking his miraculous conception as she was overwhelmed with the realities of pregnancy and life. But suddenly, as soon as he was born there was the star, there were the shepherds, the angels, the wise men. She quickly had to come to grips with the reality of who this tiny person was, the Son of God. And I imagine as she did she had to make room in her heart for new hopes. Hopes that she would understand the magnitude of who he was, hopes that he would not feel different from his peers as he grew, hopes that he would have a good relationship with his earthly father, hopes that she would be able to protect him from whatever evil might come

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| devotional |

Making Room for Peace Peace: (noun) freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions (verb) to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

- Isaiah 52:7

M

any of you know I don’t like feet! I think they are weird and awkward, stinky, and many times unkempt. Growing up with brothers and then having sons, feet for me became a source of torture.

My older brother had ‘monkey toes’ that allowed him to climb trees and walls extraordinarily well…he could also use those toes to pinch me from across the couch. My boys’ feet developed from sweet tiny toes to giant, sock eating, feet Tammy Pollock in a matter of years. Their ability tpollock@centenary-ws.org to tear up socks is amazing to me. And more than two decades in Youth Ministry has taught me that there is nothing worse smelling than a gaggle of middle school boys when they have taken their shoes off. I, on the other hand, have always taken extraordinary care of my feet…washing them, painting my toenails and wearing fun shoes.

However, after my son, Nathan, was born I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis. It first showed up in the joints of my feet. There was a period of almost a year where I could not walk. I would shuffle along because taking steps was too painful to me.

All of this unfolded during Advent, the most holy and one of the most demanding times of the year in the church. But because it was Advent I was spending much of my quiet time in scripture, giving most of my attention to Mary. As a new mother, I resonated with her, was fascinated with her, and found a kindred spirit in her. I, too, had a new baby boy and was filled with such wonder and amazement. But now, I found myself in a place of deep questioning. How was it that I, at twenty-nine, a new mother, developed this

debilitating autoimmune disorder? As I dove into the pages of my bible, I realized that Mary was asking God the same question…

How can this be? I found such comfort in knowing that the mother of Jesus wasn’t afraid to ask God questions; she simply spoke out loud what was on her heart. And that asking questions didn’t disqualify her from doing what God needed her to do.

We all have questions about God... How can a virgin give birth to our Savior? How can God be both human and divine? Why would God come into the world as one of us? How can Christ redeem me from my sin? Will I be whole and healed? How is it that God loves me the way I am when I don’t know that I do?

Just like Mary, what I realized is that I don’t have to understand what God is doing and I can speak to God what is on my heart and mind. All we have to do is have faith that God knows and understands things we don’t.

That is our faith and faith brings us peace.

Mary was able to hear what the angel spoke to her and peacefully treasure them in her heart. I finally came to a place of peace too.

A place of not having to understand the why, but having the peace that God knows things we don’t and will give us all we need to endure. After all, the angel reminded Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God”. 

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| devotional |

Making Room for Love

M

any years ago I found myself in Atlanta on Christmas Eve. I had scheduled my flight home on Christmas to save some money.

Besides, I knew the family gathering would not happen till later so I had plenty of time to get home and still find room at the table.

The week before Christmas I learned of a need at the homeless shelter connected to the ministry where I served, so I decided to help. When I arrived on Christmas Eve to begin the process of getting things ready for our guests, I passed through the line of those who had gathered. It was a cold, gray day and the shelter filled to maximum capacity quickly, which meant we had to turn people Rev. Bret Cogan away. This was never easy, but on bcogan@centenary-ws.org Christmas Eve I felt the sting more keenly... “No room in the inn” was taking on new meaning.

he gathered his things. Bob made room in the shelter, but his act did not ease my discomfort that night. To this day it continues to challenge me to seek the places in my life where I need to make room for the call of the One who comes at Christmas... 

As the night wore on my thoughts turned to those I told we had no room for them. Each time I had turned a person away I felt how cold the night had become adding to my discomfort and unease. We were at maximum capacity and there was nothing I could do.

Late into the evening one more knock came.

He was an older man in tattered clothing. He asked pleadingly if he could come in, even just to get warm for a moment. The rules said no, we had no more room. So I gave him some food and closed the door. As I did so I realized it was now Christmas morning.

I fell into the bench beside the door and I sat there pleading with God for relief, an answer... a message of hope. It came from one I did not expect. His name was Bob. He was a self-proclaimed street preacher who chose to live in the streets. He sat down beside me and said he knew the man I had just turned away. He said he was going to leave so his friend could come in. He assured me he was going to be OK, and told me to go out and find him before he got away while

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| devotional |

Making Room for Joy

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. -Luke 2:19

W

hen I think of the word joy and what it means, two of the greatest hymns of the church come to mind. The first one is “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” No matter what season of the year, when you sing that great hymn, it lifts you spiritually. The first and last verse of that hymn is as follows: “Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

Rev. Craig Ford

cford@centenary-ws.org

Mortals join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began; love divine is reigning o’er us, binding all within its span. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife; joyful music leads us sun-ward, in the triumph song of life.”

We are coming to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons. Both give us many reasons to celebrate and sing for joy. I know that this has, in many ways, been a difficult year. Added to many other issues has been the recent devastation in eastern North Carolina caused by the hurricane. Many suffered tremendous loss. Yet, in the midst of the devastation and loss, we experience joy when we see people coming together to help in any way they are able. Communities, schools, churches, like Centenary United Methodist, and others have joined hands to provide all the help they can.

the forces and people who divide and hurt, find the one that unites and heals us.

Once again, we are reminded of the love of God given to us in Jesus Christ. Again, we find that we can live with a feeling of hope as we strive for the best for all of God’s children. Yes, we can dream of peace, of a world where “swords will be turned into plow shears and spears into pruning hooks.”

Then, with joy in our hearts, we can sing another great hymn which has captured the spirit of the season, ”Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.” The first and last verses are as follows: “Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing and heaven and heaven, and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.” 

When we approach the Advent and Christmas Seasons, it brings joy as we visualize the manger stall where all people come together. The rich and the poor, the humble and the proud, the white and the black, the old and the young, all converge at the manger stall. There, and there alone, do

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New Members We welcome you in Christian love...

Jim Bagatta

Neil & Susan Grubbs

Jane Irwin

Kay Rogers

Tiki Smith

Maxwell & Julie Taylor

...we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

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| music & the arts ministry |

Advent Journey

A

Susan Bates

sbates@centenary-ws.org

s organist at our lovely church I cherish many hours in the sacred space of our beautiful Sanctuary.

The magnificent architecture, adorned by the glorious stained glass windows, transports my soul to heaven as I worship and practice. The ways in which the light changes throughout the day create dazzling images. This, for me, is in concert with the seasons of the church year: the revelation of spiritual light touches our hearts and lives in new and different ways, from the beginning of the Advent journey through the empowerment of Pentecost.

Every year my children would hear me repeat that Advent is the time for the Holy Spirit to make our hearts ready for Christmas, so that we may truly be ready to receive God’s miraculous gift of Jesus’ saving grace. “The Lord is my light and my salvation,” from Psalm 27:1, prophesies Jesus’ coming as the Light of the World. In The Message translation Eugene Peterson expresses this same verse as “Light, space, zest!” I love this so much! The energy and power conveyed makes my heart truly sing and fill me with gratitude for the mystery and miracle of God’s love, revealed through the Light of the World, our Messiah.

The way in which God orchestrated my faith journey has brought me into deep communion with the Moravian heritage, which, as we all know, greatly impacted our founder of Methodism, John Wesley. The witness of the Moravians who founded our community and imparted an example of faithful, covenant living is truly profound.

Simply to contemplate that the very name of our historic area, Salem, was an ancient form of “Jerusalem,” meaning “peace,” and that we worship Jesus, the Prince of Peace, create for me a sense of spiritual sanctuary that cannot be easily shattered.

People in darkness are looking for light, come, come, come, Jesus Christ; people with blindness are longing for sight, come, Lord Jesus Christ. These days of adventure when all people wait are days for the advent of Love.

(People in Darkness Are Looking for Light ~ ADVENT) I would also like to share a verse from a beloved Methodist hymn: I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus. In him there is no darkness at all.

The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

(I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light ~ HOUSTON) It is my hope that these words may sing in your spirits, and my prayer that the Holy Spirit will illumine and enrich our Advent worship and journey, making room in our hearts to contain more Christmas joy than ever! 

In closing these I would like to share a verse from a Moravian Advent hymn:

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I want to walk as a child of the light.

I want to follow Jesus. God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.

In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

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Stock Delivery Instructions Making a gift of securities to Centenary United Methodist Church is another way to contribute to the church. Such a gift offers tax savings to most donors. Electronic transfer is the most common method of delivering a gift of securities to Centenary. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kristy Eaton (ext. 1341)/ keaton@centenary-ws.org.

(1) Instruct your broker that your DTC-eligible securities are to be transferred electronically to:

Centenary United Methodist Church

Federal Tax ID # 56-0552783 (2) Provide Centenary or instruct your broker to provide Centenary with:

1. a description (name of stock) and the amount of your securities to be transferred 2. the name of brokerage firm 3. the name of the fund to be credited or the purpose of the gift

(3) Provide your broker with the list of brokerage firms listed below that Centenary has accounts with: Charles Schwab Account # 2184 0742 DTC # 0164 Commission: $5 per transaction

Scottrade Account # 20746083 DTC # 0705 Commission: $7 per transaction

Stephens, Inc. Account # 160980382 DTC # 0419 Commission: $50 per transaction

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kristy Eaton (336-397-1341)/keaton@centenary-ws.org.

Always be sure to notify Centenary when you authorize an electronic transfer of securities.

SAVE THE DATE March 22-24, 2019 Montreat, NC Cost: Early Bird Registration $205 double and $405 Single until December 16

(After that registration increases to $250/$450).

Registration Deadline: February 17 (After the 17th we can take late sign-ups but rooms may not be available.)

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For consideration in the 2019 Annual Operating Budget, all pledges are due by December 31, 2018.

For questions, please contact Executive Director, Mary Ann Wexler (ext. 1346)mwexler@centenary-ws.org.

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Be sure to mark your calendars with the events on these pages. For the most current information, be sure to see the Sunday bulletins and the church website.

November

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December

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Memorials

We remember the saints who have gone before....

Capital Campaign In memory of Jonathan “Jon” Karl Vickers

by Marie Hathcock. In memory of Roger E. Schultz by Paul & Susan Armstrong.

In memory of Wanda Gail Luck-Willis by Marie Hathcock, Paul & Susan Armstrong.

Centenary Fund In memory of Anne W. Kenan by Barrett & Hamp Kenan. In memory of Betsy Ivey Sawyer by Susan Lounsbury. In memory of Beverly Barrett Isley by Barrett & Hamp Kenan. In memory of Dr. Theodore Allen Keith by Elms & Harriet Allen, Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Kay & Bill Baldridge, Laura & James Bland Jr., Katy & Mickey Boles, Josephine Bolling, Mary Booe, Betty & Jim Brewer, Missy Butler, Tom & Nancy Cannon, Kay & Ken Chalk, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Dunnagan, Forsyth Country Club, Tom & Vicki Hunt, Judy Ingram, Henry & Dyeann Jordan, Steve & Lea Kirkland, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Koontz, Margaret & Rick Lewis, Wait McCormick, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Milner lll, Sam & Mary Ceile Ogburn, The Philocalians, Carolyn, Eddis, Cindy, Kim, & Les Poole, Raymond & Cornelia Roy, Ron & Sharon Shealy, Christine Storch, The Club of Twenty Gardens, Vernon & Frankie Winters, Jason & Kristen Zaks. In memory of E.T. Isley by Barrett & Hamp Kenan. In memory of Ella R. Isley by Barrett & Hamp Kenan. In memory of Farrell B. Barrett

by Barrett & Hamp Kenan. In memory of Reverend Doctor George Parks Robinson

by Dean & Vicky Harris. In memory of Jean Twiddy Suttle by Anne Bennett Williams.

In memory of Jonathan “Jon” Karl Vickers

by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Nancy & Tom Cannon, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Milner lll, Elizabeth & Phil Pleasants, Robert & Rosemary Pulliam, Tommy & Susie Smith, Ruth & David Keeney, Centenary UMC Stephen Ministry. In memory of Joseph Glenn Butler by Diann Butler & Stewart Cherney. In memory of Martha Hanes Womble by Harry & Nancy Fitzgerald. In memory of Mary Jean Carlson by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Mrs. J. Robert Elster.

In memory of Nancy Ann Carter Pollok

by Mitch & Gloria Lowery. In memory of Nancy Clendenin Spach by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Tom & Nancy Cannon, James Hancock. In memory of O’Briant “Dick” Roger Ayscue by Tom & Nancy Cannon.

In memory of Peter King Davis by Ken & Susan Sommerkamp. In memory of Roger E. Schultz by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson.

In memory of Sara Lou Norman by Jean Boiter, Richard, Kristy, & Avery Eaton, Jo Ann Frazier, Jo Ann Hicks, Ruby Holland, James Hudson Jr., Judy Ingram, Mary Lois Leith, Henry Lewis, Nancy Porter, Wayne

& Sandra Shugart. In memory of Shirley Long Hammill by Curtis & Julie Kimbrell.

In memory of Sylvia Wells Shelton by Christine Bland, Mr. & Mrs. James A. Cavenaugh lll, Robbie Clearley and the Gaston Fence Company Inc., John & Sandra Diemer, Charles & Elizabeth Duckett, Megan & Rick Erickson, Laura Esleeck, John & Shelia Fox, Judy Ingram, Kelly Office Machines, Scott & Michelle Livengood, Johnsie & Bruce Mason, Morgan’s Expert Fence Company, Jane & Sam Ogburn Jr., Rob & Pam Saunders, Jean & Phil Waugh, Leigh & Reuben Welch. In memory of Wanda Gail Luck-Willis by Nancy & Tom Cannon, John & Betty Earle, Judith Ingram. Dr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Milner lll, Donna Moore, Kathy Rhyne, Michael & Laura Salmen, Tommy & Susie Smith. In memory of William “Bill” Frank Maready

by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Nancy & Tom Cannon, Putter Caudle, Gayle & Turner Coley, Anne Copenhaver, Leslie Davis, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Dempster, Mrs. J. Robert Elster, Forsyth Country Club, William & Elaine Fulk, Betty Fultz, Mr. & Mrs. John Gallins, Gazebo, Janie & Jarman Jenkins, Kilpatrick, Townsend, & Stockton LLP, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Koontz, William & Marjorie Lyon, Karan & Martha Martinat, J.B. & E.P. McCombs, Mary Martin & Phillip McKinley, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Milner lll, Mr. & Mrs. George Newton, Mr. & Mrs. L. Glenn Orr Jr., Wesley Reed, Dot Sugden, Dan & Gwynne Taylor, Marguerite Taylor, James & Karen Uschkrat, William Z. Wood Jr. & Marilyn M. Wood, Louise Wooten. In memory of William R. Barrett by Barrett & Hamp Kenan.

DayBreak/Respite Care In memory of Jane Secrest Fuller Niven

by Bobbi Caldwell, Beth Boulton, Ted & Rose Bowen, Susan Brami, Steve & Bettie Carroll, Mr. & Mrs. James A. Cavenaugh Jr., Sue Cole, Barbara Cook, Betty Cranford, Mrs. J. Robert Elster, Steve & Julie Giljames and family, Beth Rogers, Cindy Giljames, Doug & Anne Gunnell, Larry Hamlin, Mary Jo Hanes, Michael & Pamela Worth Harris, Maurice & Dina Jennings, Virginia & Charles Lawrence, Sam & Johnsie Long, Mrs. William F. Maready, Karan & Martha Martinat, Steve & Lucy Mullen, Paul, Cox, & Todd PLLC, Virginia Rouse, Violet Shaver, Alma Thompson, Ralph & Lisa Whitfield, Richard & Patsy Yeatts

Loaves & Fishes In memory of Mary Jean Carlson by Bob & Ellen Cash.

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Love Thy Neighbor In memory of Dr. Harold Calloway Pollard lll by Missy Butler. In memory of Joseph Glenn Butler by Missy Butler. In memory of William M. “Buck” Butler Jr. by Missy Butler.

Music & the Arts Ministry In memory of Wanda Gail Luck-Willis by Dr. & Mrs. Michael R. Lawless.

Sacred Music In memory of Dr. Theodore Allen Keith by Paul & Nancy Gwyn. In memory of Sara Fountain Lore by Ann Lore.

Senior Adult Ministry In memory of Dr. Theodore Allen Keith by Ken & Susan Sommerkamp. In memory of Roger Irvin Sutton by Jane Sutton.

In Memoriam William Frank Maready August 9, 2018 Mary Eugenia (Jean) Carlson August 17, 2018 Jeanne Suttle August 20, 2018 Sylvia Wells Shelton August 30, 2018 Sarah Lou Norman August 31, 2018 Theodore Allen Keith September 8, 2018 Jeffrey Smith Coltrane, Jr. September 10, 2018 The ministers and members of Centenary Church extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.

Honoraria

We celebrate the kingdom of God among us...

Backpack Program In honor of Bryan, Magan, Avery, and Corbin Smith by Susan Reiner.

Centenary Fund In honor of Sarah Rohrbaugh by Bobbi Caldwell.

Children’s Ministry In honor of Susan Reiner by Caroline Hollan.

Missionary Friendship Fund In honor of Bobbi Caldwell by Ruth Deudney.

Senior Adult Ministry In honor of Revernd Craig Ford by Jane Sutton.

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| senior minister |

Room in the Inn

E Rev. Dr. Glenn Kinken gkinken@centenary-ws.org

ach December I reread the account of the Christmas story found in the Gospel of Luke.

Each time I am amazed. The story is full of miracles. Mary a teenage girl, engaged but not yet married, finds out she is bearing a child- God’s child.

Joseph, her fiancé, learns the news soon after and he is persuaded not to banish her from the village but to go on as if this is normal and that nothing has changed in their relationship. By government decree they must travel a great distance to register for the census in the final month of her pregnancy.

Upon arrival at their destination they find that there is no place for them to sleep except a stable where the animals are kept. Finally, Jesus is born and laid in a manger for a bed.

There is not one aspect of this story that is not a miracle. I know how the story starts. I know how it ends. I know it by heart. Yet, every time I read, tell, or hear the story I am utterly amazed by it. Many times, there is a character or a phrase that sticks out and becomes the center of my focus – my advent/Christmas pondering. This year the phrase is “room in the inn.” The Christmas story is all about making room. Take three of the characters in the story – Mary, Joseph, and the innkeeper – each of them made room, physically or metaphorically, in the story. I believe that this year we could learn something from each of them as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s birth. In each lesson, we too could find ourselves making room – for others, for God, for love.

Mary’s story is one of making room in her life for a different plan. Much has been written about Mary, a teenage girl chosen by God to bear the savior of the world. But if we put ourselves in her shoes for a moment, we begin to see that hers is a story of faithful living to God’s call upon her life. What teenage girl wants to be pregnant? In her day that meant not only shame, but banishment from the village and a far more difficult life than we can imagine. She would be a social pariah. All of this comes to mind as she learns the news and yet she also hears the words of the angel telling her to be faithful. Mary’s lesson for us is that of making room in our lives for God’s plan.

As we read and prayerfully consider the Christmas story on a personal level, we might ask ourselves how is God changing our life plan? What might God be calling us to do this year? Is there a place where God is calling you to serve the church or the community? Have you thought about serving through one of our mission partners which feed the hungry, care for the homeless, or tutor children? Have you thought about visiting the infirm or the lonely of our congregation, yet you have not made the call to do it? Maybe God is calling you to do something that is totally out of your comfort zone.

Making room in the inn is about having a Mary-like faith to opening our lives up to what God has in store.

Joseph is one of the characters in the Christmas story who is often overlooked.

There are few carols or hymns about him. He is mentioned briefly, early in the

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story, and then he appears beside Mary in the nativity scene. Not much else is said about him. Joseph’s story however is truly about making room. He was a carpenter who had a simple life planned – get married, work in his carpenter shop, have a family, enjoy life. As we know, life does not always go as planned. His plans fall apart almost from the beginning. He learns his fiancé is pregnant and that she is carrying God’s child. Not only is he persuaded not to banish Mary, but he is forced to bear the public ridicule and shame. But Joseph opens his heart. He makes room in his heart to love the child Mary is bearing. He raises the child, God’s son, as if it were his own.

Joseph’s story is understated. It should not be overlooked though. Instead it should challenge us. Like Mary’s, Joseph’s story is about opening your life to the possibility of what God is calling you to do. More importantly Joseph’s story is about opening our hearts to love others.

As we make room in the inn this year, who is God calling us to love? We encounter all sorts of people. Some are like us. Others are quite different—from different places, speak with strange accents, have difficult attitudes, have different political views, have strong opinions, don’t do as we think they should, and so forth. Sometimes they make us angry. Sometimes they frustrate us. Sometimes they surprise us with blessings. They are all children of God! I pray that we will be like Joseph and open our hearts to love God’s children more deeply.

The final character is the one who physically found room in the inn – the innkeeper. I am sure as he opened his door for the umpteenth time to tell a weary traveler that the inn was sold out he wished for a neon NO-Vacancy sign.

I imagine the shock on his face when he sees weary Joseph and tired, very pregnant

Mary. Call it compassion or intuition, but he knew he could not turn this couple away. The innkeeper knew he must find room for them somewhere, somehow. He did not have a presidential suite to offer.

The best he could do was a stable, but it was a place. While his is a story of finding actual room in the inn. It is also a story of realizing this couple needed to be in the inn. It is a story of radical hospitality. He saw what they needed and invited them.

How might we be like the innkeeper? I look around our Sanctuary on Sundays and Wednesdays and cannot help but see that we have room. There is plenty of space for more people to join us in worship. Imagine what worship would be like if all the seats – including the transept balconies – were filled with fellow travelers on the road of life, like us, seeking rest from the week past and searching for hope and God’s love for the week to come. Imagine the impact upon the world of that many people receiving God’s blessings each week. As we fulfill Centenary’s vision of loving God and loving neighbor downtown and throughout the region, people will be drawn to us. But to truly fill the pews beside us we will need the wisdom of the innkeeper. Intuition and compassion help us recognize in our friends, neighbors, co-workers and others who need God’s direction, God’s love, and God’s grace in their lives. As we recognize these needs, like the innkeeper, we must invite our friends, neighbors, co-workers and others.

We must let them know there is room in the inn --a place for them -- and invite them to join us for worship.

As you ponder how to make room in the inn this Christmas for what God is calling you to do, and the people God is calling you to love, I pray that you will invite people in to our church. We have room in the inn! 

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(USPS 628-480)

Periodicals Postage Paid at Winston-Salem, NC

Published By: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 Fax: (336) 723-5840 Website: www.centenary-ws.org Postmaster Send Address Changes to: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 A Stephen Ministry Congregation Printed on recycled paper

WORSHIP DURING THE RENOVATION

Traditional Worship Sunday 8:30 am Memorial Auditorium

Sunday 9 am Sanctuary Includes Children’s Worship

Sunday 11:00 am Sanctuary Includes Children’s Worship

Wednesday 7 pm Memorial Auditorium