Centennial Newsletter We are many — one in Christ … a church that embraces diversity... December 2013 Centennial United Methodist Church 5401 Freeport Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95822 Phone: (916) 452-4477 Email: [email protected]Website: www.centennialumc.com Office Hours: Monday to Friday , 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday Schedule Beginning Sept 8: 9:15 am Youth & Adult Sunday School 10:30 am Morning Service 10:45 am 4yrs-6th grade Sunday School 1:00 noon Fijian Language Service 6:00 pm Praise and Prayer (Informal Praise Service) Staff Pastors: Linda Loessberg-Zahl Jae-Haeng Choi Music Director: Ralph Buell Praise & Prayer Music: Rod Ellenberger Hand bell Director: Loretta Fransham Organist: Gerlene Kwan Nursery Coordinators: Hulita Fakalata Tania Baldwin, Elaine Hironaka Preschool Director: Denise Tessman Youth Director: TBD Admin. Assistant: Maina Koroi Receptionist: Trish Fountain Custodian: Sisi Finau January Newsletter Deadline: Sun, Dec. 8 What I Really Want for Christmas Make this year different. Experience joy that doesn’t come with a price tag through this December sermon series Christmas Crafts Workshop! Sat - December 7 - 10-Noon Hands on activities for ALL ages Centennial Parking Lot CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Tuesday, December 24 6:00 pm Experience Christmas through the eyes of a child: pageant, carols and candlelight! 9:00 pm Let the light and wonder of Christmas lift you through beautiful music, carols, candlelight and the powerful Christmas message of hope!
Transcript
Centennial Newsletter
We are many—one in Christ … a church that embraces diversity...
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Tuesday, December 24
6:00 pm
Experience Christmas through the eyes of a child: pageant, carols and candlelight!
9:00 pm
Let the light and wonder of Christmas lift you through beautiful music, carols, candlelight and
the powerful Christmas message of hope!
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What do you really want for Christmas?
Dear Friends,
When have you awakened the day after Christmas feeling like you missed something? With all the crazy activities and preparations maybe it hadn't turned out the way you
hoped.
This year I invite you to focus on things that really matter and the beautiful gift of this season – life. Not just any life, but rich, full life from the heart of God – given to us in Christ.
Hope, peace, joy and love are not just candles we light in an advent wreath – they
are signs of God's love to be lit in our lives and our communities. Christmas can be a season of renewal, energizing us for the new year ahead.
This month come learn life-giving principles to help you experience Christmas dif-ferently this year, through our new sermon series:
What I really Want for Christmas.
Invite your friends and family to join you as we discover a Christmas full of hope, peace, joy and love!
Many blessings to you and your loved ones in this holy season!
Creating a Welcome Place December Update:
New Sign Coming!
The big news from the Capital Campaign is that a new sign is being built and
preparations for installation have begun. All the city approvals have been obtained and we are weeks if not days away from having a sign. Watch the front parking lot for this
big change in the upcoming weeks.
A very big thanks to Mary Castro who has led this effort and persevered in the face of
slow city approval process.
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Those Held in Prayer
For the People of the Philippines.
For Luis Aguilar and Dennis Stransky as they undergo medical tests.
For Fay Delevan, Tamari Peters and all who are being treated for cancer.
For Semisi Vavae.
For Butch and Donna Granico with multiple health issues.
For Louise Chan.
For Semisi Vavae.
For Hermann Schier.
For those facing illness or undergoing tests.
For those who are homebound.
For all those serving in the military.
For those who struggle with some form of addiction.
For all those who are hungry and struggling in our world.
For our church in this time of discernment about the future.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFTS
The contribution of your time, talent and resources has a broad impact at Centennial. This year new members have been welcomed, youth have been sent in mission and service, a new ministry helping immigrant families receive accurate legal counsel has
begun, children from our church and community have learned the stories of Jesus through Vacation Bible School, students in our neighborhood elementary school have
received tutoring help with their homework, homeless families have found hope, hungry families have been given sustenance, a grant for a special older adult program on how to
keep our brains young has been received, and all of us have seen a glimpse of the beautiful diversity of the Kingdom of God.
Thank you for the many ways you have partnered with God this year to make all of this possible! If you would like to fulfill your pledge or give an extra gift in thanksgiving for
the blessings in your life please remember that checks must be delivered or postmarked by December 31 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2013.
GIFTS OF STOCK TO THE CHURCH
Giving appreciated stock to Centennial can mean tax benefits for you. When you donate a stock that has grown in value over the years, you can avoid steep capital gains taxation
while still enjoying the full charitable deduction. Consult your tax advisor for details. Contact Ken Iritani at 916 487 8478 or e-mail at [email protected] for more
information and the details. Please plan on 3 weeks for the completion of the stock transfer process. So, if you are thinking of doing this before the end of year, please start the process by December 1.
Thank you for your generous support of our shared ministry!
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Centennial Financial Status
From Your Finance Committee
In keeping with our responsibility to keep everyone informed of the church’s financial status, the following charts
and bullet points show the current financial status. This information is as of the end of September 2013.
Through September 2013, we are $32,476 behind on the revenue budget.
Because revenue has been behind, we have not been keeping our commitment to Conference Programs
(apportionments). We are $17,229 behind on our apportionment giving..
Salaries/Benefits have been slightly more than budgeted.
Programs and Outreach have been less than budgeted as staff have been watchful of expenses.
Overall, we are much further behind in our financial picture than in 2012 and prior years.
What can you do? Simple, if you have fulfilled your pledge commitment please consider an “extra mile” gift to the
church. If you are behind on your pledged giving, please use this holiday season to catch up.
Remember, your giving makes the programs of Centennial possible, including:
• An Immigration Clinic offering accurate information on current immigration law
Vacation Bible School for all ages
Sending 13 youth and adults to Sierra Service Project repairing homes
Tutoring at Hollywood Park Elementary
Planning for a workshop on the brain and how to keep it young
Revenue thru Sep 2013 Budget Actual (over)/under
Weekly Offerings $247,500 $216,517 $30,983
Additional Offerings $13,650 $14,972 ($1,322)
Usage of Church Property $14,694 $12,568 $2,126
Interest Income $7,825 $7,136 $689
$283,669 $251,193 $32,476
Expenses thru Sep 2013 Budget Actual (over)/under
Conference Programs $27,660 $10,431 $17,229
Pastoral and Lay Personnel $203,878 $206,846 ($2,968)
We are looking for a Handy Person who can convert the sliding plexiglass
doors on the bulletin boards outside the Sanctuary to hinged doors that can be locked. We are also looking for creative people who would like to help maintain the bulletin board throughout the church year.
Thank you to Ralph and Agnes Buell for helping with the Thanksgiving and Christmas bulletin boards! Please contact Trish in the office to volunteer.
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Family Information
From: Brenda Cunningham
Instilling the Spirit of Giving in your Child
Teaching the gift of giving is a valuable life lesson appropriate for any age.
Research shows that people who are involved in charitable giving when they are young are twice as likely to con-tinue giving in adulthood, and volunteers live happier and healthier lives. By involving your child in community
service activities, you can begin a tradition that last a lifetime.
Children, like adults, can donate time and effort to most any community project. When children participate in
community service they:
Experience a connection to their community
Develop social responsibility
Become aware of diversity in their communities
Learn about teamwork, problem-solving skills, and citizenship
Build confidence in knowing they can make a difference
To Encourage Your Child’s Participation In Community Service, Keep These Recommendations In Mind:
Start small, at home:
Lead by example around the house by recycling or starting a donation box for gently used clothes.
Engage them in frequent conversation about why it’s important to help others and community service.
Let your child pick out a non-perishable food item at the grocery store that will go toward a donation.
Be a good neighbor and help out on a cleanup crew at a local park.
Then go bigger, and have fun:
Serve as a role model by volunteering for a community organization such as your child’s school, your local
community center, or even participating in a charity walk as a family.
Involve your child in selecting a project or cause in which they want to participate.
Consider a developmentally appropriate activity based on your child’s interests and skill level; frequently or-
ganizations can help connect you with volunteer activities appropriate for children.
Prepare your child for the experience by asking questions, providing options, and listing to your child’s needs
and wants.
Praise your child’s efforts and talk about your volunteer experience afterward.
Knowledge Universe Education 2013
The Giving Tree Each year Centennial members give money they would spend on sending Christmas cards to other members to a cause which will make a difference in
our community. This year all funds raised from the Giving Tree will go to sup-port children at Hollywood Park Elementary School who have needs. We hope
you can be a part of helping these children who are struggling. A small Christ-mas tree will be placed in the narthex. Place your donation in the basket, sign your name
to an ornament and hang it on the tree.
Adopt A Family
We will adopt three families for Christmas by providing gifts for the children. Look in the
narthex for gift ideas for each child in the narthex on the Adopt A Family dis-play. Unwrapped gifts, labeled for each child should be brought to the church by Decem-
ber 15.
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Church Activities
10:30 am Morning Worship 1:00
pm Fijian Language
6:00 pm Praise & Prayer
December 1st Liturgist: Fijian Ministry
Head Usher: John Thompson
Ushers: Jim Klewer, Phillip Branch, Carol Harris
Greeters: Jane Hing,
Acolytes: TBA
Sound Tech.: Dwight Crocker
December 8th Liturgist: Kaylee Kazee
Head Usher: John Thompson
Ushers: Mere Kuru, Gary Allison, Laraine McQuillen
Greeters: Estelita C, Dennis S, Luis Aguilar
Acolytes: TBA
Sound Tech.: Paul Sakakihara
December 15th
Liturgist: Dennis Stransky
Head Usher: John Thompson
Ushers: Luis Aguilar,Jokaveti Tuisawau,Tangi T
Greeters: Archie Parker, Tim Kuru
Acolytes: TBA
Sound Tech.: TBA
December 22nd
Liturgist: Estelita Cooper
Head Usher: John Thompson
Ushers: Barry Kwan,Estelita C, Carl Denton, Setita R
Greeters: Tim Kuru
Acolytes: TBA
Sound Tech: Joe Green
December 24th Christmas Eve Services
6:00 pm
Liturgist: TBA
Head Usher: TBA
Ushers:TBA
Greeters: TBA
Acolytes: TBA
Sound Tech:TBA
9:00 pm
Liturgist:TBA
Head Usher:TBA
Ushers:TBA
Greeters:TBA
December 29th
Liturgist: Tongan Ministry
Head Usher: John Thompson
Ushers:Hermann Schier, Bev S, Clarence S
Greeters: Elaine Lederer
Acolytes:
Sound Tech: TBA
Note:
If you are interested in being an usher or a
greeter on Sunday, please contact Clarence
Smith.
If you are interested in being a sound technician
on Sunday, please contact Brian Hing at 399-
4492.
If you are interested in being a liturgist on
Sunday please contact Sue & Stephen Daly
on 361 - 1638
Ushers & Greeters, please arrive by 10 am
Sunday.
If you need a substitute for Sunday, please
call the office by Wednesday.
Birthdays !
1st Wally Kwan
2nd David McQuillen
3rd Donna Granico
Akanesi Jackson
6th Selai Niu
7th Tupou Kuresa
8th Clarence Smith
9th John Thompson
13th Arlene Palmer
Timilai Kuru
Julia Silver
17th Jane Hing
19th Dwayne Hendrikson
Tod Fortner
Philip Howard
22nd Jane Rosenberger
23rd Michael Cunningham
Sireli Rokoyawa
24th Akosita Taumoefolau
27th Tim Tautuiaki Jr.
30th Darren Pal
31st Rigieta Takai
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
FIJIAN MINISTRY : ACTIVITIES FOR
DECEMBER
1st - Women’s Fellowship will lead the service.
- Veisiko- Sireli & Setita Rokoyawa
- Bose Dauvunau -Preachers meet
8th - Tevita Koroi & Semi Leweniqila
Veisiko - Noa Ikanivere & Timaima K
- Bose Vulavou-monthly meet
15th - Combined Service - Centennial hosting
- Visitation- Virisila Batiratu & Mere Kuru
22nd - Ifereimi Tawake & Akanisi Vula
-Visitation - Lanieta T & Viliame R
24th - Christmas Eve Service, 6pm & 9pm
29th - Laitia & Losalini Kurucake
- Visitation - Tevita K & Semi L
NEED ACOLYTES
We are experiencing a shortage in
acolytes, because our acolytes are
growing up and some are going
away to colleges and other such places. Therefore, we
are looking for a new crop of young folk, 3rd grade to
young adult to pick up the banner ( no, actually, they
pick up the candlelighter/extinguishers!) and carry
them forward to bless our worship services.
Acolytes perform a service during morning worship by
lighting the candles on the altar at the beginning of the
worship service and then extinguishing them at the end
of the service. They also collect the offering plates
from the ushers and place them on the altar. During
communion services acolytes also bring forward the
bread and the cup to the altar. Being an acolyte is a
great opportunity for young people to participate in
worship services and to learn about Methodist
traditions as well as to perform a community service.
Those interested in becoming an acolyte please contact
Beverley Green on 916 -395- 4154.
Be A Blood Donor
Did you know that Centennial has a blood ac-
count at Blood Source! The donations are avail-
able for church members.
Join in donating a pint of whole blood at 16th &
Q St. every 8 weeks, or blood plasma every 6
weeks. Thank you for all the ways you give!
SSIP Food Closet
I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed
me. - Matthew 25:35
SSIP would like you to contribute any number of
these items, all of one or a mix of these non-
perishable food items.
canned meat or fish cereal
canned beans pastas
canned tomato products rice
canned fruit baby food
canned vegetables top ramen
canned soup peanut butter
sauces 16 oz.
The Food Closet is open Monday through Friday
from 9 am to 11:30am except on major holidays.
Paper bags are needed too. Be a Volunteer to collect,
sort, and distribute these and other items at the SSIP
Food Closet. The hour or half-day per week you
give will give something back to you...the joy that
comes with putting your faith into action.
Financial donations are extremely welcome and can
go a long way. If you wish to volunteer at the food
closet, call the Volunteer Coordinator at (916) 428-
5290.
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Church Activities
Please come and join us
for a Christmas Crafts
Workshop!
When: Saturday, December 7, 10:00 am—noon
Where: Centennial Church Parking Lot
Make Christmas more meaningful for the whole
family. Bring friends and relations to this fun event.
Hands on activities for ALL AGES organized by
our Youth & Young Adults.
In case of rain we will meet in Thee Place
Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsals
Sundays, December 1 & 8
Children will gather right after service in
Room 6 for 20 minutes.
Sundays, December 15 & 22
Children will gather right after service in
the sanctuary for 45 minutes.
Tuesday, December 24
Children will meet in the sanctuary at
5:30 pm
DIRECTORY UPDATE
We would greatly appreciate if you
could update all your information in the church office for our phone directory and
include email addresses and cell phone
numbers if you would like them
included. Please call the office on 452-
4477.
Thank You.
December 2013 News
from Centennial
Preschool
This is the busiest season by far for the little
ones at Centennial Preschool. We had 3
wonderful Thanksgiving Feasts and now all
attention is on the celebration of Christmas.
One way we have been celebrating the season
of giving is by collecting canned food for the
Kids Can Food Drive with the beneficiary
being the SSIP. It’s one way for the fortunate
children of Centennial to begin to understand
that there are families less fortunate than they
are.
In the next few weeks each class will visit the
sanctuary and wear garments for a
re-enactment of the nativity. Each class will
also have a visit from Santa and our Pre-K will
have their annual Christmas Tea and
performance for their families. It’s such a
pleasant way to send everyone off for the
special season of the birth of Jesus.
The children, parents and staff of Centennial
Christian Preschool wish everyone a blessed
Christmas. Denise, Wendi, Rosa and Anna
LOST and FOUND
1 wool shawl
1 pair reading glasses
2 sets of keys
Please contact the church office on 452-
4477
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SMALL GROUP CORNER...
A Ministry of Small Group Meetings—Get connected!
Thank God We’re Retired (TGWR): Meets every first and third Monday,
