Next Centinel Deadline: April 23 at 12:00 Noon
Sunday Bulletin Deadline: 12:00 Noon on Wednesdays

You are invited to attend
the Ordination of Melanie Homan

Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 7:30 PM in St. Cloud

Bus transportation from CUMC will be available. Cost: Approximately $12 per person. Sign up at the Welcome Center by April 25 to reserve your seat.

There is an opportunity for all to sing with the Chancel Choir as they participate in this service. Rehearsal schedules in May to be announced. Sign up at the Welcome Center to be a part of the choir.

Centennial member, Ron Phillips,
announced as recipient of Wolf Foundation Prize in Agriculture

Congratulations to Ron Phillips who was recently announced as recipient of the highly prestigious 2006/07 Wolf Foundation Prize in Agriculture. The award will be presented to Ron and co-recipient Dr. Michael Georges, a livestock geneticist in Belgium, in a special ceremony at the Knesset Building (Israel Parliament) in Jerusalem on May 13, 2007, where Foundation prizes will also be awarded in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and the Arts. This award honors Dr. Phillips for "groundbreaking discoveries in genetics and genomics, laying the foundation for improvements in crop breeding, and sparking important advances in plant sciences".

Ron is Regents Professor and holder of a Presidential Chair in Genomics at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics on the St. Paul Campus. The award particularly recognizes Ron as "the first to generate whole corn plants from cells grown in culture, which laid the foundation for, and sparked, a new industry, using cell-culture methods to genetically modify corn plants and other cereals. The corn cell line most widely used in the world today for genetic modification of corn has greatly accelerated the improvement of corn as food, feed, and fuel". The announcement also notes that Dr. Phillips is world-renowned for his leadership and service in the field of plant science within international agricultural research communities and for his teaching and student training in plant genetics.

In regard to the last statement, we here at Centennial are particularly aware of his efforts in founding and continued leadership in the Ag-Grad program and his frequent world travels as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Rice Research Institute, a program centered in the Philippines dedicated to the genetic improvement of rice and rice production around the world. Ron and Judy will be traveling along with son Brett and daughter Angie to Israel in May for the award ceremonies.

Confirmation Sunday is May 20

On Wednesday, May 2, our Confirmation group will be having an incredible night to learn more about the poverty in our own cities and what it is that we can do about it. 

Friday May 4, from 7:00 PM-12:00 AM, is the 9th grade Confirmation Late Night.  We will make our stoles for Confirmation Sunday, learn about our vows, go bowling and have a midnight Communion service.  Meet at the church at 7:00 PM.  The cost is $10/person.

Vacation Bible School — Lift Off! June 11-15

Soon it will be time to Lift Off and Soar to New Heights with God! Join us as we file our daily flight plans: I will follow, I will trust, I will listen, I will repent, and I will serve. We still need help with advance preparation and planning. The next planning meeting is Wednesday, April 25 at 6:00 PM. Watch the Welcome Center and the website for registration materials by April 29. Every family who registers will receive their choice of a CD or tape of this year’s music! Adults and youth who want to spend a great week in ministry with our kids should fill out a form or contact Joanne Bell, VBS Coordinator, 651.483.2060.

UMCOR / One Great Hour of Sharing Updates

UMCOR–The United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is working around the world to provide relief of all kinds. Every year United Methodist Churches take a special offering to support the work of UMCOR. This offering is known as One Great Hour of Sharing. Centennial has collected over $4,700 to date. The offering ensures that UMCOR can meet its cost of doing business and can keep its promise that designated donations will go entirely to specific causes. To read about specific causes, log onto UMCOR’s newly designed webpage: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.

Nothing But Nets—Thanks for the generous giving to Nothing But Nets. To date $1,646 has been given to this worthy project by Centennial members, and FaithWalk classes donated $73. This means 172 nets can be purchased to eradicate malaria in Africa, where the mosquito-borne disease causes the death of one-fifth of all children under five years old. Hanging nets over children while they sleep is an inexpensive way to kill the mosquitoes or keep them from biting. Gifts can still be made to this program through the church. Please write "Nothing but Nets" in the memo line of your check. As always, you can check the progress of this program at nothingbutnets.net.

The Missions Committee

100 Years of Transforming Lives, Building Communities

St. Paul Area Council of Churches Centennial Celebration and 2007 Annual Assembly with Keynote Speaker Bishop Peter Rogness May 3, 5:15 PM at the Prom Center. If you would like to register and sit with Centennial folks, please sign up at the Welcome Center by Monday, April 24. Cost is $40 per person. 

Red Robin Preschool is having a plant sale!

Hanging plants and $20 gift certificates from Pletscher’s Greenhouse will be sold between services on Sunday, April 22 and April 29. Choose from several kinds of flowers and colors which will be available for pick up on Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day), making great gifts for mom, grandma or even yourself! Gift certificates can be used for plants or gardening supplies from Pletcher’s on old highway 8 through October 15. Money from this fundraiser goes to Red Robin Preschool. Talk to Nan Carlson 651.633.7644, ext.19 or Mary Crist 651.639.0428.

AAA Driver Refresher Course

Spring has sprung and it is time once again to refresh those driving skills. The AAA Driver Refresher Course will be offered at Centennial Thursday, June 7, 2007 from 5:00–9:00 PM. Please register by calling 1.888.234.1294.

Fair Trade Coffee Sale May 15

Tea products will include Rooibos or red bush tea from small-scale farmers of the Wupperthal Tea Association in the Cederberg region of South Africa. It is a rich, fruity flavored CAFFEINE-FREE tea and contains the antioxidants which are known to promote good health. A quote from Wupperthal Chair-person and Rooibos farmer, Barend Salomo: "Fair Trade was like the sun coming up over the horizon. Before that, we saw that there was no future for us."

Pastors’ Keyboard

I found a small piece of notepad paper in the copier room here at the church when I returned after taking Easter Monday off.  On it was the outline of the Easter sermon I shared with the congregation at the 9 and 10:30 services, written in tiny script. The outline was done very well.

Now our confirmation students are asked to take sermon notes a certain number of times per year, so I’m assuming that this is what this outline was (there was no name on it).  Sometimes following the outline of a sermon while taking sermon notes is very easy: Point 1, Point 2, Point 3, etc.  But there are many forms that a sermon can take (which is part of the challenge and the joy of preaching).

One of the forms I use occasionally is the one I used on Easter Sunday.  It seeks to follow the contour of the story, in this case John’s Easter story with Mary Magdalene, Peter and the “other disciple” in the garden (John 20:1-18).  Following the contour of the story means following the passage’s twists and turns, bumps and surprises, normalities and the oddities.  As it follows the contour of the story, it points toward theological reflection—such as why I believe something powerful, Powerful with a capital P, occurred that first Easter.  A sermon that follows the contour of the story also seeks to interweave itself with our lives—such as reflecting on Mary’s weeping and our tears as prayer.  And since Scripture is multi-layered and rich, there are many touchpoints for many people in a sermon that attempts to follow the contour of a Scripture passage.

Working through the contour of one of Scripture’s holy stories is an opportunity to experience Scripture.  I hope that it points toward one way for each of us to read Scripture attentively on our own every day, asking:

• Where is God in this passage?
• What does this passage say about humans?
• What is this passage saying to me about my life? What difference does it make to me?

I’m glad the outline I found was thorough and well-done.  But even more importantly, it looked like the student who wrote it was touched by the Word in his or her life—there were bold exclamation points drawn into the outline.  Perhaps this was where the sermon was leading into being a disciple of Jesus for this week for this student…which is what I hope every sermon and every innovative way of proclaiming God’s grace will do.

Seeking to be Christ’s disciple with you,

Brian

Parish Nurse Notes

Stand Up and Be Strong!

That's what the brochure from the American Physical Therapy Association is telling us on how to determine our risk of falling and what we can do to minimize it. Each year in our country 1/3 of persons over the age of 65 fall and sustain a moderate to severe injury. These injuries consist of bruising, damage to internal organs and fractures of the hip, spine, pelvis and arm. Traumatic brain injury from a fall accounted for 46% of fatalities among older adults in 2000.

  Falls may occur for a variety of reasons. Medical problems, drugs, muscle weakness, rushing to the bathroom, and tripping over objects may lead to a fall and accidental death. Men are more likely to die from a fall, while women experience more non fatal injuries.  Once a person has fallen, they can develop a fear of falling, causing them to restrict activities, resulting in decreased mobility and an increase in their risk of falling in the future.

  All of these injuries cost money. "In the year 2000, $179 million was spent for fatal falls and $19 billion for nonfatal falls." (Stevens et al. 2006) That works out to be an average of about $20,000 per incident.

  Maintain your independence at home and protect yourself from injury by following these tips:

• Exercise regularly
• Have your eyes checked yearly
• Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications to decrease side effects and drug interactions
• Improve the lighting in your home
• Get up slowly from sitting or lying positions
• Wear shoes inside and outside the house
• Keep the floor clear of books, papers and other items
• Wear an alarm device to alert others in case you fall and can't get up

  Be sure to visit the Health Fair on Sunday, May 6 and take the APTA test to see what your fall risk is and what you can do to avoid becoming a fall statistic.
Stand Up and Be Strong!

In partnership with Lyngblomsten
Julia Nordling, Parish Nurse

* Information for this article was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and the APTA.

Remember in Prayer

Steve Koehn, Todd Lewis and Eric Nevalainen, who are in active military service. Steve is training in Arizona; Todd and Eric are now serving in Iraq.

Thank you

I want to thank Brian and Joyce for the time they spent with me and their telephone calls. Thanks to everyone else who spent time and sent cards. Connie and Maurie Grundei spent so much time with me. It’s hard to get old. Thank you, Norma Henry

We remember

Gloria E. Vogel, who passed away on March 31, 2007. Her celebration of life was held at Centennial on April 5.

Praying through our Membership Rolls

Our prayers for each other empower us and create joyful bonds of love!

• Bob and Joyce Rosene
• Darrell and Quenby Roth
• Emily Roth
• Marlene Roth
• Ryan Roth
• LeNora Roundsley
• Hal Routhe and Elaine Christiansen
• Mike, Allyson, Brenna, and Brandon Routhe
• Steve and Karen Rudd
• Beth Rudebusch
• Ella Rudebusch
• Lee Rudebusch
• John and Gwen Rysgaard

John and Gwen Rysgaard would welcome cards and notes sent to their Arizona home. Gwen is under treatment at a nearby hospital and is doing better. Please send to: 1221 Camino Valesquez, Green Valley, AZ 85614.

Fellowship Opportunities

ASSETS ** (Adult Social Singles Enjoying Togetherness) watch the bulletin for info about upcoming events.

Bridge Club group end-of-the year potluck on Friday, May 4 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. All interested Bridge players are invited. Contact Dick and Marilyn Armstrong, 651.486.9008.

Deborah Fellowship meets the first Friday of the month, 8:30 AM, at Roseville Baker’s Square. Call Nancy Ness, 651.483.3663.

Junior High and LOGOS Senior High It’s not too late to sign up and be a part of your summer trips. Contact Kelly Swanson.

Married Couples Group (20’s, 30’s and 40’s) will meet at the Meyers’ home on Sat., April 21 at 6:00 PM. Bring a snack and lawn games. Contact Dawn and Mark Meyer, 651.486.0757.

Piecemakers meets from 9:30-11:30 AM each Wednesday at the church for craftwork. Contact Donna Hedblom 651.633.4191.

Plug & Chug (age 14 and over) work for Habitat for Humanity Thursdays, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. Call Ken Tate 651.633.6108 or Don Hopkins at 651.628.9713.

RARES (Seniors) meet at noon on Thurs., May 10. Watch for more information and a sign up sheet at the Welcome Center. Tickets: $6.50 at the door. Contact Joyce Rosene, 612.781.3500.

S.O.S. (Slightly Older Singles) “Pirates of Penzance” at Lakeside Theatre Sun., April 22, 2:00 PM. Contact Mar Carlson. Meet at Centennial to carpool–1:15 PM.

United Methodist Women (UMW) check the UMW bulletin board by the Library for information about spring and summer events for the UMW.

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 in fellowship) will meet at the Good Earth in Roseville on Monday, May 7, 6:30 PM. Contact Wendy Lucas, 651.482.8592.

Young Adult Ministry (Ages 18-35, singles & married with no children) YAM Bible Study will meet following Wed. Night Worship. Contact Katie Sharpe, 651.214.5556.

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