Sunday Worship Schedule

9:00 AM Worship and Kids’ Time
10:00 AM Fellowship Time
10:30 AM Worship and FaithWalk
Wednesday Night Worship: 7:00 PM

Summer Brochure Deadline: May 7
Next Centinel Deadline: June 4 at 12:00 Noon
Sunday Bulletin Deadline: 12:00 Noon on Wednesdays

Vacation Bible School

Register now for Vacation Bible School so you are ready to Lift Off with us the week of June 11-15 and Soar to New Heights with God! We still need lots of adults and youth to volunteer to be part of VBS. Registration forms (PDF files) and volunteer forms (PDF files) (youth and adult) are available at church (look for the hot air balloon) or on the church website. Click here for Word documents of forms: general registration form,a youth volunteer form, or adult volunteer form. Come and join the flight!

RAFT (Refugee Assistance Faith Team) Update

Once again, the RAFT Committee is coming to the congregation with an update on the resettlement of as well as a request for the O Moo family from Burma. The family is doing well and is happy in their apartment. They added a baby boy in February and the father has been working hard on his English skills. He is able to travel the bus lines, but one of our members continues to take the mother and baby to medical appointments.

We are currently working on job placement for O. The types of jobs we are looking at are entry level: Cleaning, kitchen help, assembly line, outdoor lawn care etc. One of the necessities is availability to the bus line. So far, we have been unsuccessful so are hoping that some of you may have a contact or idea that we can pursue. He is a willing worker but because of his long time in the refugee camp, he does not come with training or particular skills. Employment is an important component to having the family successfully independent. If any of you have a lead, a contact, or even an idea that we can pursue, please contact Janet Folsom, 651.484.1883 or Karen Rudd, 651.490.5299.

A Farewell Celebration

Our Youth Band Director, Jacob Notch, will be leaving his position on May 19.  Jake has done a wonderful job getting our youth band on its feet and preparing them to lead worship each month.  We would like to thank him for all the great work he has done here and will be celebrating his ministry on Wednesday night, May 9 after the 7:00 PM worship service.  Please join us on May 9 at the church at 7:30 PM for desserts and fellowship.  

United Methodist Women (UMW)

Spring Luncheon and Silent Auction

Saturday, May 12

The auction will begin at 11:00 AM, with lunch at 12:00 Noon and the program will follow. Phebe Hanson, poet and author of several books of poetry, including "Why Still Dance" and "Sacred Hearts", will give the program. In her poems, she writes of many life experiences with wonderful humor and inspiration. The auction will include: foods, crafts, art, woodworking, meals, services, plants, and more. UMW members are asked to donate an item, sign up to work, or both. Donated items from other church members are also requested for the auction. Please see the Welcome Table for auction ideas and a donation form. Tickets ($10 each) will be available during Fellowship Time on April 29 and May 6. This is a major fundraiser for the UMW pledge to missions and your support is much appreciated. Call Bev Montain at 651.644.2644 with any questions.

Summer Music Sign-up

It’s not too early to be thinking about summer and participating in Summer Music. Instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to participate in providing special music for summer worship services.

Watch for more information.

La Puerta Abierta UMC Groundbreaking Ceremony

for their new church building will take place on Sunday, May 20 at 2:00 PM. The community of La Puerta Abierta has been working toward this moment for many years – it’s time to celebrate! Sign up at the Welcome Center by May 13 if you plan to attend.

Spring Clean up Day

May 19, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM It’s time to spruce up the building and the Trustees are inviting you to help.  Activities include cleaning windows, painting, kitchen clean up, and more.  Many hands make light work, so wear your work clothes and join in the fun!

Funeral/Memorial Serving

Thank you to all who so willingly respond to our requests for help with funeral and memorial services. The gift of your time in both serving and baking is appreciated. If you are not being called to help and would like to, we’d like to hear from you. Please call Jean Rieke at 651.484.6194. This is a wonderful opportunity to offer our Christian love and support to families and friends.

Jean Rieke and Ray Roberts, Funeral Reception Coordinators

It’s Time to Tend the Lilies

and other plants that are popping up around the church! If you'd like to give some time, one or two weeks of the growing season, to weed (there aren't a lot of weeds as everything is mulched) and take off the dead flowers, please sign up at the Welcome Center.  It's good to give our church home a welcoming appearance.

Mary Ann Krinkie

New Choir Robes

The Chancel Choir has ordered new choir robes to replace the robes we have worn for 20 years.  Look for them this May.  We want to thank the Foundation for funding the majority of this purchase.

Mary Ann Schultz

Building a Better World, One Sip at a Time

You have the opportunity to support exploited workers and bring about positive economic change in our world by using fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate. Help small farmers while you enjoy superior beverages at fair prices by purchasing your coffee, tea and cocoa here at CUMC on Sunday, May 20.  We serve Equal Exchange coffee and tea each Sunday.

UMW Reading Program

Book Review: " BETHLEHEM BESIEGED: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble" by Mitri Raheb.

This book is in the Education for Mission category. Former Bishop Desmond Tutu and George McGovern enthusiastically recommend this book for reading by all Americans and western Europeans.

Mitri Raheb is the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. He describes the desperate conditions that he and his family, his church members, and all of the Palestinians in Bethlehem are living in since the siege of Bethlehem in 2002. Words of the hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" are contrasted with the conditions of the present: Walls surrounding the little town, curfews, restrictions, bombs, threats and the firing of guns. The second half chapters describe the many hopeful accomplishments that have been made in spite of devastating attacks and ongoing conflicts. Examples of how tourists and sympathetic westerners have helped to turn despair to joy and optimism give the hopeful side of this book. His last short chapter is entitled "Building Walls or Plant an Olive Tree.” Hope is their aim and preventing suicide bombings.

Books for this program are on a special shelf in our library and many are also available in the Ramsey County Library. Jo Slifer is Chairperson. We’ll meet again on Oct. 15. Good Summer Time Reading!

The Pastors' Keyboard

We had three worship informational meetings during the week after Easter here at Centennial.  These were meetings to hear input from the congregation about the proposal of the program staff (comprised of the pastors, deacon, youth director and music director) to change the second Sunday service starting in September to an alternative worship format, using a variety of music styles including rock, folk, jazz, world music, etc.  This service would be more interactive and inclusive of other arts, using PowerPoint, video, and other arts, seeking to engage children, youth, families, and young adults, although it is our hope that both services, traditional and alternative, would include people of every generation.  The proposal also includes a change in Sunday schedule that would look something like this: 9:00 Traditional Worship, 10:00 FaithWalk classes, and 11:00 Alternative Worship. The proposal was approved by the Worship and Music Ministry Team at its March meeting and is being considered by the Church Council, who will make the final decision. The Church Council will be seeking added input from the congregation. 

  In this Pastor’s Keyboard I want to report to you some of the affirmations, insights, and concerns shared with us at the three worship information meetings.  We had about a dozen persons present at the Tuesday meeting, a dozen persons at the Thursday meeting, and about sixty at the Sunday meeting after worship.

Affirmations

“I’m excited” about this worship opportunity.

It is very important to make this worship change in order to reach younger people.

“It’s about time!” to offer a new kind of worship in addition to traditional worship.

We would simply be catching up with what many or most churches are already doing.

We will reach some people we are not reaching now.

We grow when we are open to change.

We have a very good thing going now—let’s make sure that any change is positive.

It would be good to hear directly from our youth about their worship needs.

Concerns and Questions

How will we handle the coffee hour?

If we move to a two-hour coffee hour (9:30 to 11:30), will people be able to connect significantly enough?

Is one traditional service enough?  Should we be adding a third service on Sundays, so that we have 2 traditional services and 1 alternative/contemporary service?

If the words to the songs are on the screen, it is helpful to have the music notes included also.

We prefer traditional worship, and a 9:00 traditional service does not work for us because of health or transportation needs.

Why 9:00 for the traditional service option?  Why not have the contemporary service at 9:00 instead of 11:00?

Will we overwork the staff?

How well did this kind of schedule work when we did it a few years back?

How can we recruit enough volunteers for added help with coffee time, as well as with the tech needs and set-up needs for the services?

How will we afford the projectors and screens needed for this service?

It is difficult to have children in worship for the whole service.

We do not want to make this an “us vs. them” situation.

Traditional worship is important for the spiritual impact of the hymns, which is important not to lose.

Where would children go for the 9:00 hour if they prefer the contemporary service and the parents prefer the traditional service?

Could we do a rotation of services?

Could we do a “blended service” of contemporary and traditional elements at one or both of the services?

Insights

We are reaching people who are comfortable with our form of worship.

We are not reaching a lot of younger adults, youth, and baby boomers in worship.

Find ways to include those with disabilities.

Include some creative elements in the traditional service.

This proposed change would give people the option of two kinds of worship here at Centennial.

A Sunday night service might work with a supper included.

  Change is often not easy.  But one of the key learnings of church history is that the church always needs to be reformed and reforming in order to share Christ’s love with the world around it in its present time and place.  How can we both minister to the people we are presently reaching, and reach the many people we are not presently reaching? 

On the Journey with you, Brian

Thank You

A Day Apart, sponsored by United Methodist Women (UMW) was held on Sat., April 14. It was a very meaningful event for 24 attendees. The program, presented by Donna Draeger, centered on Peace and Prayer. Thank you to Donna, and to everyone who participated and helped to make this a special "time apart.”

Many thanks to Brian and Melanie for their many visits, prayers, and encouragement during my illness. I would also like to thank all of the members of Centennial for the prayers, cards, food, caring, and help. I am very blessed and am doing well. Thank you!

Jo Ann Snyder

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.

We remember

Donna Utecht, who passed away on April 22, 2007. Her memorial service was held at Centennial on April 25.

Jim Geske, who passed away on April 22, 2007. His memorial service was held at Centennial on April 27.

We celebrate

Ellie Marie Reissner, daughter of Jason and Kristin Reissner, who was baptized at Centennial on Sunday, April 22, 2007.

Praying through our Membership Rolls

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

• Amelia Sancilio
• Philip Sancilio
• Suzanne and Michael Sancilio
• Jerome and Shirley Sandin
• Kenyon, Lisa, and Alan Sayler
• Jeff Sayler
• Jodi, Mark, Alex, and Maddie Schaber
• Becky and Stephanie Schenk
• Marvin and Stella Schlenker
• Dale and Sue Schroeder
• Diane and Annamarie Schuberg

Fellowship Opportunities

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 (September-May), 8:30 AM, at Roseville Baker’s Square. Call Nancy Ness, 651.483.3663.

Junior High Confirmation Sunday is May 20. The last Confirmation Wednesday of the year is May 16.

LOGOS Senior High Mission Trip meeting Sun, May 13,12:00 Noon.

Married Couples Group (20’s, 30’s and 40’s) will meet for fellowship at 6:30 PM on Saturday, May 19. 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. Hot Jazz in the afternoon! Jazz Won of Mounds View High School will play for your listening enjoyment. $6.50, payable at the door. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Contact Joyce Rosene, 612.781.3500.

S.O.S. (Slightly Older Singles) will be going to Fabulous Ferns for lunch on Sat., May 19 at 1:00 PM. RSVP by May 15 to Corky Donaldson, 651.765.0046 or Donna Moser, 651.484.7573.

United Methodist Women (UMW) Spring Luncheon/Silent Auction Sat., May 12. Auction at 11:00 AM; lunch at 12:00 Noon. Program: Phebe Hanson, poet and author of several books of poetry. UMW members are asked to donate an item, sign up to work, or both. Auction Ideas and donation forms are at the Welcome Center. Tickets: $10. Call Bev Montain at 651.644.2644 with questions.

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