CENTENNIAL NEWS

All Church Picnic & Game Day: Sunday, September 14th, 10am, Central Park. Join us for a day of church fun! We will have games, food, music, and fellowship. This is a great opportunity to have some fun as ONE church. Please note there will be NO WORSHIP SERVICE SEPTEMBER 14TH.

Join a Team to Serve (not cook) One Meal Monthly to Project Home Families: Centennial’s Compassion Team is organizing teams of five or six adults and youth to serve weekend noon and evening meals to families experiencing homelessness at Interfaith Action’s Project Home.  Weekend Meal Team duties include setting tables, serving meals, having dinner with the families, and cleaning up after dinner. No cooking is involved.  Each session involves about 2.5 hours.  Project Home is located at 1010 Bandana Blvd W. and Energy Park Drive between Lexington and Snelling Avenues. You can sign up as an individual or with family members and friends.   Centennial’s Compassion Team will organize teams based on preferences for meal times and weekend days.  It is most helpful to Project Home if teams are dedicated to a regular schedule, such as “first Saturday noon of the month.”  Sign up at the Connection Point or you can contact Compassion Team Member Betty Gumbrell bettygumbrell@outlook.com

Growing Through Loss Grief Series: Thursday evenings, September 18th-October 23rd, 6:45pm-9pm, St. Phillips Lutheran Church. This 6-week grief series provides an opportunity for individuals to obtain information and support for a variety of loss and grief issues. Each session begins with an educational presentation followed by small group meetings, with leaders who understand the grieving process. There is no cost to attend. Centennial is a part of the North Suburban Grief Support Coalition which sponsors this event. Brochures are available at the Connect Point and near the Care Notes in the narthex. Further information is available at www.growingthroughloss.org.

Coffee Hour Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for the Sunday Coffee Hour at the Roseville Campus. [CLICK HERE] for easy online sign-up . If the link is not for you, please sign up on the paper form at the Roseville sign-up center or email Dodie |  dodiewoodis@gmail.com with the Sunday(s) you are available.

Want to get involved? Contact: Randy Oelschlager rjjdo123@comcast.net

Life Together Groups: These are a short-term, small group experience designed to deepen our faith through intentional listening, storytelling, and community. This year we will have two groups with differing meeting times. Tuesday’s at 6:30pm led by Jerry Matchett | matchett.jerry@gmail.com and Thursday’s at 6:30pm led by Amy Hostetler | amymhostetler@gmail.com. Sign up if you are interested at the Welcome Sunday ministry fair or email the leaders!

Youth & Parent Look Ahead of the Year!: Wednesday, September 17th, 6:30-8:00pm, Roseville Campus Youth Room. Parents and youth please join us for a look ahead at what youth group has in store for the year! Contact lrheingans@centennialumc.org if you have questions.

Bible Study at St. Anthony Park: *starting up September 28th
Sundays 9:30am before worship, in the fellowship hall downstairs. | St. Anthony Park campus |  Questions contact Alan O'Donnell, arodonnell@hotmail.com.
Bible Study at Roseville Campus: 
Wednesdays, 6:00pm, Asbury 1. Questions contact Mark Meyer m1meyer@protonmail.com 

Resources Regarding The Tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church & School: At Centennial we are devastated by the news of yet another school shooting and this time right in our city. We are lifting up those affected, all children, family members, first responders, and the community as a whole in prayer. This painful moment reminds us of our deep need for peace, for reconciliation, and for communities where God’s justice and mercy are not only proclaimed but embodied. As followers of Jesus, we cling to the promise of resurrection as we resist fear with love, despair with hope, and violence with the unrelenting grace of God. We are all dealing with this tragic events in various ways. Because of this we have linked some resources that can be helpful for those who have families and resources for those who feel called to act whether it’s donating money to a supporting organization or taking the time to share concerns with legislators.

Resources to Support Families

• What Must Our Children Think?  — Harold S. Koplewicz, MD (Child Mind Institute)
• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings & Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)

If You Feel Called to Act

• Reach out to your legislators and share your concerns—yours is an essential voice.
• Support organizations already working toward change:
  • Everytown for Gun Safety
  • Moms Demand Action
  • Protect Minnesota
  • Sandy Hook Promise

SAVE THE DATES - UWF: October 4th, 8:30am - 10:30am - Roseville Campus Parking Lot - Shred Right
October 4th & 5th, 8:30am - 10:30am - Roseville Campus Parking Lot - Alley Shoppe
Janet Folsom 612-396-9634.  Pauline Richards 651-324-4655

Worship at Roseville Campus is at 9:00am  |  Worship at St. Anthony Park is at 10:30am
No Sermon This Week: All Church Picnic & Game Day!
Preaching Next Week: Alan O'Donnell

Upcoming Sermon Series - I Am: Exploring God’s presence in Jesus: September 21st-November 2nd. Extended series on the I Am sayings of Jesus. The first Sunday sets the groundwork with the story of Moses at the burning bush, where God first reveled the divine name “I Am who I Am”. From there we’ll turn to Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John, where Jesus takes on this sacred identity and draws us closer to the heart of God. Each week we’ll be invited to listen deeply, reflect on our relationship with Christ, and see how these “I Am” declarations might still speak to us today.

Star Words: As the Magi were led to Jesus by the guidance of a star, Star Words are spiritual focus words often distributed to congregations on Epiphany Sunday. These words are intended to inspire reflection, growth, and discernment throughout the year. [SIGN UP HERE] to receive prompts weekly for the year of 2025. If you did not receive a star word on January 5th and would like one email Pastor Jen | janderson@centennialumc.org  
or Pastor Whitney | wsheridan@centennialumc.org

Discover Centennial: Sunday September 28th, 11:45am, St. Anthony Park Campus. Want to learn more about Centennial? Considering membership? Join us for lunch & conversation at an area restaurant following worship at the St. Anthony Park campus. Let us know you are coming by registering HERE.

Monthly Community Meals!: October 1st, 5:30-6:30pm, Roseville Campus Fellowship Hall. Community meals are back! We will be having a monthly community meal on the first Wednesday of the month, starting on October 1st. To help our amazing hospitality team, please sign up either at the connect center or via the online form to let us know you are coming so we can accommodate dietary restrictions and have enough food for everyone! On October 1st we will be serving....a baked potato bar! SIGN UP HERE! 

We are Hiring a Congregational Care Facilitator: Centennial is actively hiring for a congregational care facilitator to support Centennial's mission by nurturing spiritual connection and community through compassionate care. This person guides the church's ministry of Christian nurture by offering care, prayer, and support during key life moments. You can find the full job description HERE.

Download the Centennial App!: A new way to connect with groups, find events, watch past worship services, and give all in once place. Look up Centennial UMC in the apple or android app store! [CLICK HERE]