JanuaryJanuary 7, 2010Dear Centenary friends, We are at our best in community. There is something about connecting that is of God. I am fed as I watch community happen. Here are some snapshots:
Worship, Wonderful Wednesdays, study groups, small groups, choir, all provide opportunities for connection. God is present. All of this makes my heart smile. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jerry Elder is birthing a School of Music at Centenary. Here is what he writes about the idea: We are exploring the possibility of beginning a school of music at Centenary that will connect children and adults who are interested in learning to play instruments with some of our musicians in the area. The vision is to have a place where we can encourage people to learn and share the gift of music with our community in an supportive environment. Scholarships would be offered as well as opportunities for people to contribute toward the purchase of instruments. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity as a student, teacher or supporter, contact Jerry at jerry@centenarymacon.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ February 27 and 28 is an incredible opportunity for Centenary and the middle Georgia area. World-renowned musician, Buddy Greene, will be with us on Saturday and Sunday. I have arranged for a conversation between Buddy Greene and David Dark, author of The Sacredness of Questioning Everything (which can be easily ordered through amazon.com) on Saturday afternoon, February 27. From 2-4, David will talk about faith issues in between songs presented by Buddy. On Saturday night, Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor (another outstanding Nashville musician) will give a full concert in our sanctuary. Sunday morning Buddy and David will lead worship for the Centenary Outreach breakfast at 8 a.m. and will also lead worship at 11 a.m. You can learn more about Buddy Greene at www.buddygreene.com Listen to a little of the music and learn more about Buddy. Spread the word. This will be a very large event. By the way, a group at the church is studying David Dark's book in preparation for David and Buddy. If you want to be a part of that discussion, contact Matt Martin (mattmartin63@gmail.com) or Dave Driggers (dave@stoneanddriggers.com) The group will meet Sundays at 9:45 beginning January 17. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One last taste of Christmas. This Sunday I will be preaching a sermon focused on the coming of the Magi. The traditional date for their arrival is January 6, 12 days after Christmas Day. So, let's talk about Splintering the Darkness. See you in worship! Grace and peace. Tim Bagwell Love God. Love Others. Love Yourself. Serve. January 13, 2010Dear Friends, As I write this, the horrific crisis in Haiti is unfolding. For this earthquake to happen anywhere in the world would be horrible. For Haiti, it is devastating. Consider these facts:
This earthquake has killed unknown thousands. The United Nations building has collapsed and more than 100 U.N. workers are missing. More sobering news will, no doubt, come in the days ahead as news agencies begin to see the larger picture of the destruction. You will be interested in knowing that at least two people who are connected to Centenary have served on medical mission teams in Haiti , Patrick Roche and Richard Scherer. They know far more from their first hand experience than I am able to convey in this email. I am grateful that our church is already present in Port-au- Prince (the capital of Haiti) through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Volunteers are serving on many different levels and we are working with the Haitian Methodist Church to figure out how we can best make a difference. On Sunday, Susan and I are bringing a special offering for the earthquake victims. We are glad that 100% of our gift will go to the need in Haiti because the administrative costs are covered from other directions. If you want to join Susan and me in making this second mile mission gift, make your check out to Centenary Church and mark it clearly for "Haiti Earthquake". We will make certain that your gift gets to those who desperately need our help. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Jerry Elder is birthing a School of Music at Centenary. Here is what he writes about the idea: We are exploring the possibility of beginning a school of music at Centenary that will connect children and adults who are interested in learning to play instruments with some of our musicians in the area. The vision is to have a place where we can encourage people to learn and share the gift of music with our community in an supportive environment. Scholarships would be offered as well as opportunities for people to contribute toward the purchase of instruments. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity as a student, teacher or supporter, contact Jerry at jerry@centenarymacon.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ February 27 and 28 is an incredible opportunity for Centenary and the middle Georgia area. World-renowned musician, Buddy Greene, will be with us on Saturday and Sunday. I have arranged for a conversation between Buddy Greene and David Dark, author of The Sacredness of Questioning Everything (which can be easily ordered through amazon.com) on Saturday afternoon, February 27. From 2-4, David will talk about faith issues in between songs presented by Buddy. On Saturday night, Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor (another outstanding Nashville musician) will give a full concert in our sanctuary. Sunday morning Buddy and David will lead worship for the Centenary Outreach breakfast at 8 a.m. and will also lead worship at 11 a.m. You can learn more about Buddy Greene at www.buddygreene.com Listen to a little of the music, but then click on ?enter the site? and learn more about Buddy. Spread the word. This will be a very large event. By the way? a group at the church is studying David Dark?s book in preparation for David and Buddy. If you want to be a part of that discussion, contact Matt Martin (mattmartin63@gmail.com) or Dave Driggers (dave@stoneanddriggers.com) The group will meet Sundays at 9:45 beginning January 17. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This Sunday, I am preaching on ?A More Excellent Way?. Many of us have come to Centenary because we are sick to death of the church wars all around us. Paul had a lot to say about the non-sense that goes on in many denominations and churches. At times the church is its own worst enemy! So, how can we live so as to be the church that the New Testament envisioned? Hope you will be present on Sunday! Bring a friend. Grace and peace. Tim Bagwell Love God. Love Others. Love Yourself. Serve. |