SERMON NOTES WELCOME TO
SUNDAY • SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
“Wide Receivers” Mark 10:13-16
Preaching
Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister
Liturgist
Rev. Oliver Helsabeck
Associate Minister for Congregational Care
Music
Keith Byrd
Alternative Music Leader Zakiyyah Niang, vocals Ahmad Johnson, vocals Rodney Archie, vocals Doug Wright, bass Jacob Anflick, drums
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BEGINS SEPTEMBER 13
ANNOUNCEMENTS • SEPTEMBER 6, 2026
WELCOME!
Learn more and register for events at www.centenary-ws.org/church-event or scan our QR code.
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
IN MEMORIAM Frances “Tancy” Stacy Entwistle August 16, 2026 The ministers and members of Centenary extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.
CENTENNIAL CONVERSATIONS You are invited to join the conversation as we discuss the opportunity ahead to replace our existing organ and help build a legacy for our church and community. Rev. Willis Greene, Mary Ann Wexler, Jonathan Emmons and Tate Addis will be our presenters. • Septmber 14 Noon • UWF Luncheon • Auditorium Lunch Reservations Now Closed • September 17 Noon • Senior Adult Luncheon • Auditorium Lunch Reservations Required by September 4 • September 20 Noon • Sanctuary • Following Worship • September 30 2:00PM • Arbor Acres • Piner Hall CHURCH CAMPUS CLOSED In observance of Labor Day, the Centenary campus will be closed Monday, September 7. CHURCH-WIDE OPPORTUNITIES
CENTENARY LEADERSHIP CONNECTIONS 336.724.6311 + Extension (for the Minister on Call • Option 2) Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister wgreene@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1362
Tammy Pollock Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1337
Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1346
Stacy Holley Executive Assistant sholley@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1359
Jonathan Emmons Director of Music & Arts jemmons@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1339
John Markle Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1347
Reverend Oliver Helsabeck ext. 1357 Associate Minister for Congregational Care ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org
Doug Peninger Director of Communication dpeninger@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1368
Reverend Dianne Lawhorn ext. 1361 Associate Minister of Outreach & Adult Formation dlawhorn@centenary-ws.org
John Rogers Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org
ext. 1356
Reverend Kate May ext. 1331 Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 646 W. FIFTH STREET • WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27101 WWW.CENTENARY-WS.ORG • 336-724-6311
Back to Church Sunday Picnic Sunday • September 13 • Noon • West Lawn Join your Centenary family for worship at 9:00 am in Memorial Auditorium or 11:00 am in the Sanctuary as we kick off a new season of ministry. Following the 11:00 am worship service, we will have a catered picnic lunch on the west lawn, beside the library. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Angel Tree is Coming! Even though it is only September, Angel Tree will be here before we know it! As we prepare to make Christmas merrier for over 300 local children we are looking for folks who can help make it all happen! If you would like to help with data entry, assist with angel adoption, organize gifts, wrap presents, or deliver gifts let us know! Contact Rev. Kate May.
ADULT FORMATION Women’s Wednesday Sermon Study 1st & 3rd Wednesdays • Begins September 16 9:30AM • Room 112 This group convenes twice a month to reflect upon sermon themes and topics from the Centenary pulpit. Please register via the Announcements QR code. If you would like more information about this exciting discussion group, contact Sue Stephens or Tammy Pollock. Women’s Book Study: Joyful Anyway Biweekly on Tuesdays • Begins September 22 Noon-1:00PM • Room 115 This study, led by Nancy Powell, will discuss Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler. Bowler is a Duke seminary professor, podcaster, writer, and a wise and funny person. The group will meet for six sessions every other Tuesday from September 22 to December 1. Register via the Announcements QR Code. The registration deadline is September 16 as there is a short reading assignment to complete before the first session. Questions? Contact Rev. Dianne Lawhorn. CHILDREN’S MINISTRY No Children’s Worship Today, rather than leaving for children’s worship, K-3rd graders will remain in the service with their grown-ups to participate in worship and communion together. If you did not pick up a worship bag on your way in, they are available in the narthex and outside the East transept. We look forward to having your child join us for children’s worship next week! Bible Sunday September 20 We are excited to gift kindergarteners and third graders with Bibles this year on September 20. Grown ups should register their kids by September 9 using the QR code at the top of the page. Questions? Contact Rev Kate May. $6.18 Feeds a Student for the Weekend! Our backpack program helps provide food for students over the weekend when they cannot enjoy the free breakfast and lunch available to them at school. For about the cost of a grade frappuccino you could provide for a student over the weekend and help set them up for success for the next week! Do you want to help students succeed? You can do so by contacting Rev. Kate May. CONGREGATIONAL CARE Refresh Wednesdays • Noon-12:45PM • Chapel 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 4½ Street parking lot. For more information, contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck or Becky Tate.
SENIOR ADULTS
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
Luncheon Thursday •September 17 • Noon • Auditorium
UWF General Meeting Monday • September 14 • Noon • Auditorium All women are invited to kick off a new program year with United Women in Faith. Join the conversation as we discuss the opportunity ahead to replace our existing organ and help build a legacy for our church and community. Jonathan Emmons, Tate Addis, Mary Ann Wexler, and Rev. Willis Greene will be leading our discussion. Not in a Circle? Contact Susan Grubbs at shgrubbs4@gmail.com. Lunch reservations are now closed but you are welcome come for the presentation.
September’s guest speakers will be Rev. Willis Greene, Mary Ann Wexler, Jonathan Emmons, and Tate Addis, who will share about Centenary’s organ and building a legacy for our church and our community for the arts. We gather at 11:45 and lunch will be served at noon. To register, send an email to seniorlunch@centenary-ws. org or call the church office during business hours. Luncheon cost is $12.00 and the signup deadline is Wednesday, September 9. If you need a ride to the luncheon, please let Rev. Oliver Helsabeck know. The Senior Adult Council will meet briefly in the choir room at 11:00 before the luncheon. MISSIONS A Bed and a Book Saturday • October 3 • 10:00AM-Noon Truist Stadium A Bed and a Book provides beds to kids in our community who don’t have their own. We’re partnering with them to pre-assemble beds for later delivery to local families. No special skills needed—just the ability to read and follow directions. A great project for the whole family! A Bed and a Book will provide lunch, so please register soon. Scan the QR code above, or contact Rev. Dianne Lawhorn for more information. MUSIC & ARTS Join the Carillonneurs Monday Nights • 6:30PM • Begins September 14 Centenary’s adult handbell choir, the Carillonneurs, is looking for a few good ringers. Have you rung bells in the past? Would you like to ring again? We might have just the spot for you! Know your marts, plucks, Shelleys, singing bells and brush damps? Extra points if you can ring the big bass buckets! We’re a pretty friendly group and we would love to have you join us. Contact Camille Jones (camillemurphyjones@ gmail.com) for more information. Youth Handbells Returns This Fall Thursdays • 6:00PM • Begins September 17 Calling all youth in grades 6th through 12 grades! The West End Ringers (aka youth handbells) invite you to join us for a fun year of ringing. Rehearsals start in September and there’s plenty of room for new ringers! No prior experience necessary. Contact Camille Jones (camillemuphyjones@gmail.com) to learn more!
YOUTH MINISTRY Niner-Niner September 12 • 5:00PM-7:00PM • Top Golf GSO Calling all freshmen! Niner-Niner is a ministry created just for you. Join us one Saturday each quarter to reconnect with friends, build community, and grow together in faith. Scan the QR code to register through the Youth Ministry webpage. SIXERS! September 18 • 6:00pm-8:00pm Adventure Landing Calling all sixth graders! Join us one Friday each month for fun, friendship, and faith. This month we’re heading to Adventure Landing for mini golf, arcade games, bumper boats, and pizza! Scan the QR code to register. For more information, contact Kevin Garrity at kgarrity@ centenary-ws.org. Twin City Conference Basketball Tuesdays • Oct. 27-Feb. 2 • 6:00-8:00 pm Fulton YMCA Twin City Conference is a co-op basketball league in partnership with our friends at Winston-Salem Street School and other churches in Winston-Salem. If you’re a Senior High boy (9th-12th grade) who is not on your school’s varsity basketball team, come lace them up and play for Centenary! Cost is $50, and friends are welcome too. To register, scan the QR Code above. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kevin Garrity. Upcoming Fall Events October 25: Annual trip to Scarowinds November 8: LISTEN event with Saul Malek (Teens & Gambling) DIETRICH BONHOEFFER PILGRIMAGE Germany • May 17-29, 2027 Join tour guides Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene and husband, Dr. David Greene, on a 12-Day tour through Germany as you encounter a story of courage, faith and conviction that still speaks today. Along the way, we’ll wrestle with one of history’s most urgent questions: how a deeply Christian nation became the setting for profound moral tragedy. For more information, contact Stacy Holley.