Sunday Worship Schedule
  9:00 AM  Worship
10:00 AM  Fellowship Time
10:30 AM  Worship and FaithWalk
  5:00 PM  The Well

Sunday Bulletin Deadline:
12:00 Noon on Wednesdays

Centennial’s Annual Christmas Concert

Sunday December 9, 3:00 PM
Christmas carols by the Brass Ensemble at 2:40 PM
Featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria performed by Chancel Choir and chamber orchestra. The concert will also include the Centennial youth and children’s bell choirs and children’s vocal choir. A free-will offering will be received with the proceeds going to concert expenses and the Music Ministry of Centennial. A reception will follow the concert and childcare will be available.

Unwrapping the Gifts of Giving

Throughout Advent the Missions Committee invites you to learn more about the four organizations designated for this year's Christmas Offering. This year undesignated funds will be split between the Minnesota-Russia Church Partnership, the UM Global AIDS Fund, Project AgGrad, and La Puerta Abierta. Please prayerfully consider a donation to this year's Christmas Offering. Christmas Offering envelopes will be available in the pews from now through Christmas. More information on each of these organizations will be available at each of the services throughout Advent. Please contact Missions Committee co-chairs Karensa Fischer or Jan Pettit if you have questions.
Lauren Wendt, Coordinator Outreach Ministries

Gifts that Give Twice!

When you share the quality, fair traded coffee, tea, cocoa or chocolate bars, you are giving a tasteful gift to family and friends as well as to the farmers who produce those products. A variety of each, including dark chocolate mini bars, will be on sale after each service of worship on Sunday, December 16.

Carols during Fellowship Time

Sundays, December 16 and 23
Do you play in instrument? Please consider sharing your talents by playing Christmas Carols between services. This is an annual event and is enjoyed by many. Meet at 9:15 AM in the Choir Room. We will also be playing at the 5:00 PM service on Christmas Eve. If you would like the music in advance to practice contact Dave Magnuson, 651.484.9439.

Phone volunteers needed in the office

Volunteers are needed to answer phones in the church office December 17-21 and December 26-28. Shifts are flexible to fit your schedule and can last from 2 hours to 6 hours. If you are able to help with this much needed volunteer opportunity contact Lisa Schuler in the church office at 651.633.7644 or email lschuler@centennialumc.org. Thank you for your consideration.

Mitten Tree Collection

Please bring in new children, youth and adult-sized mittens, gloves, scarves, and hats to be given to the Department of Indian Works at the St. Paul Area Council of Churches. Filling the Mitten Tree with these items is a long standing tradition here at Centennial. Hang your donations on the Mitten Tree located at the east entrance by Sunday, December 16. 

The Spirit of Giving with Lyngblomsten Care Center

You have the opportunity to share the spirit of giving with Lyngblomsten Care Center. The generosity of church members in past years has provided gifts at Christmas for those residents who might not otherwise be remembered. A list of possible gifts can be found on the collection box at the Welcome Center, or contact Jan Daniels, 651.633.8903, for further information. Please bring your gifts by December 16.

Thank you Notes

Many thanks for the prayers, concerns, calls and gifts from Centennial members and staff following my fall and injury on October 30. It was very comforting to know that my friends were thinking of me and praying for me during my three day hospitalization and two week stay for therapy at the Maplewood Care Center. Your thoughtfulness and kindness were very much appreciated. I returned home and am recovering very well. Evelyn (and Kermit) McDonald

Thank you to all who donated clothing and other items to God's Closet! With your donations, many families and individuals will receive assistance through this ministry of Epworth UMC. God's Closet, located at 820 White Bear Ave, is a free clothing store that seeks to be supportive of those who need help stretching limited budgets. This ministry has helped new immigrants, survivors of domestic abuse and/or fire, the homeless, people needing work clothes, and others. Caring volunteers also offer spiritual and prayer support. Thanks to Bev Montain and Nancy Jacob for coordinating this collection, and thank you for your donations making it a real success! United Methodist Women (UMW)

Say a little thank you as you see the members of the 2007 Garden Team. They have spent many hours planting, weeding, and ultimately cleaning up at the end of the season making our church property a welcoming site. All to the glory of our Creator God!
Mary Ann Krinkie, Garden Team Chair
2007 Garden Team
Ruth Barnes
Susan Blakeslee
Mary Crist 
Norene Feldsien
Carolyn Gibson
Jane Gilbert   
Murray Harpole           
Ruth Harpole
Jan House
Don Hopkins          
Nancy Jacob
Jerry Jacob
Dick Klaus
Carolyn Krinkie
Joyce Markham
Amy Mammen
Dave Magnuson
Charlie Whiting
Gracie Whiting
Julia Nordling
Ron Ness
Beth Oelke
Erv Oelke
Dwight Peterson
Laurie Resch
Suzanne Sancilio
Warren Wildes

Seeking FaithWalk Workshop Leaders

FaithWalk Workshop Leaders are needed as we look ahead to January and our Lost & Found unit. Sign up on the bulletin board if you can lead Art, Music or Movies for the 4 Sundays in January. December will be busy so we need to fill these spots now!

Christmas Kaleidoscope

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:00 PM
The sanctuary will be filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas as our youth and children share their talents in the second annual Christmas Kaleidoscope. Soloists, ensembles and choirs will share music of the season—all on a variety of instruments. The multi-media team will offer their talents this year, adding visual art to this fun musical presentation.

Pastors' Keyboard

 “Moderation in all Things” so says Terence, a Roman comic dramatist who has the right idea when it comes to the Christmas season. The hustle and bustle of the holidays—cooking, baking, shopping, entertaining—doesn’t sound too relaxing, does it? This is supposed to be a time of special events, sharing time with family and celebrating the season. All of us get caught up with trying to provide the perfect get-together, buy that special gift and make everything right. In the end, we become stressed, burnt out and broke. Here are some “Christmas StressBusters” from Susan Stern and the Better Health Channel to help you deal with this holiday season:

• Gifts—cut down on spending  by setting a limit on the cost of  presents: buy only for children; draw names; give “gift certificates” for babysitting, chores or running errands.
• Shopping—make a list of; items before you run to the mall–it could save you hours of aimless wandering: shop early, in November or the beginning of December; shop via the Internet or catalogs to avoid the crowds.
• Eating—“Once on the lips, forever on the hips.” Decide ahead of time how much (or little) you will eat and stick to it: Have a small slice of dessert; fill up on vegetables, water and salads, take a small taste of everything, so you don’t feel cheated; keep busy with non-eating activities, washing dishes, setting the table, etc.
• Relationships—plan activities to keep everyone busy after meals: avoid topics that create tension; use relaxation techniques if you feel yourself becoming anxious.
• Take care of yourself—lower your expectations, don’t insist on perfection: Delegate! Assign chores and tasks to others, so you aren’t doing it all; get enough sleep; don’t overload your system with too much food and alcohol; maintain your exercise or workout schedule

  Oren Arnold provides these Christmas gift suggestions for all of us:
  To your enemy, forgiveness.
  To an opponent, tolerance.
  To a friend, your heart.
  To a customer, service.
  To all, charity.
  To every child, a good example.
  To yourself, respect.

Merry Christmas!
In Partnership with Lyngblomsten, Julia Nordling

Cindy Gregorson to Preach

District Superintendent Cindy Gregorson will be preaching at The Well at Centennial on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 5:00 PM. Cindy is a dynamic preacher you won’t want to miss!

No Centennial Sings

Please note that due to a scheduling conflict we will not be caroling at Eagle Crest this year.

Library News: Check this out

Stop by the Library Sunday mornings, we’d love to show you what’s new on the shelves. Coffee and cookies are available. Many of the UMW Reading Program books for 2006 and 2007 are now available. Here’s what’s new or recent additions:
Harvesting Hope by Kathleen Krull, The story of Caesar Chavez
Prayer for a Child  by Rachel Field, A Caldecott Award book
My First Chinese New Year by Karen Katz
The Squirrels’ Thanksgiving
Remember the Manger by Kimberly Rinehart
Christmas A to Z by Peg Augustine
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar
A Shepherd’s Gift by Mary Calhoun
Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki, Santa tells the nativity story
The New Star by Taffy Davies
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

Pastors Keyboard

Time flies by….
when you’re having fun, as they saying goes! Getting ordained, married, and starting a new worship service all in the same year – yes, I would say that time has flown by this year, and overall, it’s been fun (although sometimes a bit stressful and overwhelming)!
    We are now three months in to worship at The Well at Centennial. We’ve learned lots in the first three months, made some adjustments, and we will continue to make adjustments as we learn and receive feedback about what’s working well. We’ve moved through a whirlwind couple of months, and I believe the whole Centennial community is stronger now than it was a year ago. We have taken some bold steps to live out the gospel imperatives that the Bishop has put forward for us:

• Reach new people
• Cultivate spiritual vitality

   As we enter Advent, this time of getting ready for the Christ Child, this is an especially important time for us to tend to the sacred and holy aspects of preparing our hearts for Jesus’ birth. And it’s also an important time for us to invite friends who are not connected to a church community to join us in our preparations.  This is a time of year when people are struggling to find deeper meaning in all of the buying, wrapping, giving, and receiving of gifts. Offer them a different gift in the form of an invitation – an invitation to come with you to one of our music celebrations or worship services this month – let’s create as many paths as possible for others to experience the Good News of this season.
Melanie

Fellowship Opportunities

ASSETS (Singles) enjoy lunch at Kozlak’s December 19 at 1:00 PM. Toy donations will be accepted, but are not a requirement. Contact Donna Moser, 651.484.7573.
Bridge Group meets at 7:00 PM the first Friday of the month in the Lounge. Contact Verne and Erma Comstock, 651.604.0646.
Married Couples Group will meet for a Christmas Potluck on Dec. 15 at 6:30 PM. Contact Dawn and Mark Meyer, 651.486.0757.
Men’s Club Watch for information about our January 21 dinner and program.
Piecemakers meet at 9:30 AM each Wednesday at the church for craftwork. Contact Donna Hedblom 651.633.4191.
PrimeTimers Christmas Potluck Saturday, Dec. 15, 6:00 PM at Pat Baker’s, 1034 Westcliff Curve, Shoreview. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call Pat, 651.631.2263.
RARES (Seniors) will meet at noon Thurs., Dec 13 for Christmas with “Jackie Burlingame and Friends.” Sign up at the Welcome Center by Dec. 9. Contact Joyce Rosene, 612.781.3500.
S.O.S. (Singles) will attend Northwestern Christmas Program on Sunday, Dec. 9, 3:00 PM. Contact Donna Young, 651.633.7578 or Mary Lu Carlson, 651.636.4632.
UMW “Somewhere it’s a Snowing” on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:00 PM. UMW will join RARES for their Jan. 10 luncheon and a program on music and mission led by Bonnie Eidman, Dee Lee, and Glenda Thors entitled "God's Mission and God's Song." Come prepared to "name that hymn"! Watch for the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center.
Women’s Breakfast Fellowship meets Wednesdays at Byerly’s, 7:00-8:00 AM. Contact Thelma Boeder, 651.489.2604.
Women’s Night Out (women of all ages in fellowship) will be gathering at Applebee’s Dec. 3 at 6:30 PM. Contact Wendy Lucas at wendylucas@comcast.net.
Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18-35, singles & married with no children) Coffee House Wednesdays, 7:00 PM in the YA Lounge. Christmas Party at Taylor’s, 1605 Minnehaha, #304, St. Paul Dec. 12, 7:00 PM. Cocoa, cider, snacks, games, songs, and white elephant gift exchange. Ice skating on Jan. 6 at 12:00 Noon. Contact Kelly Swanson.

Centennial Staff

Volunteer Staff:

Pastor: Brian C. Hacklander
bhacklander@centennialumc.org
Pastor: Melanie Homan
mhoman@centennialumc.org
Minister of Christian Education: Donna Draeger
ddraeger@centennialumc.org
Director of Music/Organist: Robert Nienaber
rnienaber@centennialumc.org
Youth and Young Adult Ministries: Kelly Swanson
kswanson@centennialumc.org
Director of Red Robin Preschool: Nan Carlson
ncarlson@centennialumc.org
Church Administrator: Lisa Schuler
lschuler@centennialumc.org
Admin. Assistant/Membership Records:
Julie Elholm
jelholm@centennialumc.org
Communications: Tami Worden
tworden@centennialumc.org
Director of Children's Choirs: Deb Olsen
debolsen26@gmail.com
Child Care Supervisor/Coordinator: Jean Moline
hewle002@tc.umn.edu
Junior High Youth and Confirmation Ministries; Youth Praise Band: Jessica Mueller
jmeuller@centennialumc.org
Custodian: Gordon Overbo
Assistant Custodian: Eve Newman
Coordinator of Outreach Ministries:
Lauren Wendt
lwendt@centennialumc.org
Parish Nurse: Julia Nordling
parishnurse@centennialumc.org
Chancel Choir Accompanist: Sharon Follingstad
Wedding Liaison: Deanna Kieffer
Alternate Wedding Liaison: Tracie Ball

Funeral Coordinator: Jean Van Doren
Associate Funeral Coordinator: Marilyn Roberts
Steward of Capital Funds and Planned Giving: Bob Rosene
Pastors Emeriti: Clarence Nicholas, Joyce Rosene

Church office hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Centennial United Methodist Church
1524 West County Road C2
Roseville, MN 55113
651.633.7644
cumc@centennialumc.org