COMING BACK TO WORSHIP - Central United Methodist Church
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Volume 51/ Issue 10
OCTOBER 2020
COMING BACK TO WORSHIP
In Jesus’s time, His followers were eye witnesses to many miracles and teachings and even in this day we can
be eye witnesses to some very amazing things. I had the blessing of being eye witness to the excitement and
joy of being on the first team of greeters and ushers to welcome the first group of worshipers back to Central
United Methodist in 6 months!! The excitement built as we were all in our places and it was almost time to
open the door!! It felt absolutely great to be back in the building and as people started to come in to be seated
in the sanctuary I know God was in our midst as we got to gather again. The sermon by Jim was so inspirational
and the music especially with Rusty singing The Lord’s Prayer was something I’ll always remember. This was the
first baby step back to worship in person but it was a huge blessing just to be there and be a part of this won-
derful feeling of worshiping together that we have all missed so much. Praying for everyone who is able to join
us in the Sundays going forward!!
-Martha Sell, Attendee
.
THE RIGHT DECISION
By Sr. Pastor Jim Lenderman
By now you should have received the church-wide letter informing you that I am moving onto medical
leave effective October 1. It was a difficult decision to make, but one, given all the contributing factors,
that is right for me and for Central.
For me, medical leave will enable me to focus my attention and energy on beating this cancer. I thought
I would be able to continue serving in ministry as the months of chemotherapy went on. But I’m two
months into my treatments and it’s clear my oncologist knew what she was saying when she told me my
best chance to work would be prior to my surgery. We will head down to Houston next week for scans in
anticipation of surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center. When we return I’m looking at 6-8 weeks of reco-
very, followed by 4 more months of very aggressive chemo. Truth is there won’t be much left in my tank
to offer for ministry as the months drag on. I realize that now.
For Central, my medical leave will enable me not to be a weight holding back the church or the staff from
moving forward in ministry. You don’t know how fortunate we are to have the strong pastoral team of
Matthew and Dawn to help lead the church forward in the months ahead. Our executive leadership team
is made up of people who love the Lord and love Central. They have many years of ministry and lea-
dership experience that will serve our church well in the coming months. And our staff – I’d put them up
against any staff anywhere. They have done an amazing job helping people stay connected and grow in
their faith throughout this COVID downturn when nothing is the way it was before. And I have complete
confidence that they will help lead Central forward during this time as well. And last but not least, Central
is truly blessed with many highly gifted lay leaders who have already stepped forward to say they will
help in any way possible. I am absolutely confident that Central will not miss a beat. Central is in really
good hands.
I want to thank you again for praying for and supporting me and my family during this difficult time. I’m
truly humbled by all the #TeamJim support. What a great church family to be a part of. As I’ve said be-
fore I know God is with me as I battle this cancer and God is with Central helping us connect people to
Christ. My prayer is that good will come out of all of this. That God will be glorified through my cancer and
through Central and that the name of Jesus will be lifted up for all to see. I believe God will do that – both
through me and through our church. Thanks be to God for that.
STEWARDSHIP: HEART BEATS
Sermon Series
What is the sound of the Body of Christ’s beating heart? It sounds like a love for God
and a love for neighbor. In this series we’ll explore what it looks like for us
to have a heart beating with the same generous, joyous love as we live out
our mission to make discples together.
4 October : Ministry
As an uncertain future approaches, one thing is certain—God has called us to minister together out of
the gifts he has given us so that we demonstrate the power of the gospel in all that we do.
11 October: Mission
Staying is easier than going, but it bears no fruit. Real mission requires risk but the reward is people in
relationship with God.
18 October: Generosity
Our hearts follow the gravitational pull of our treasure. When we intentionally place our treasure where
it is sure to bless others, our hearts will find peace.
25 October: Imitating the Generosity of God
God is love and when we mimic God’s ways of self-giving sacrifice, we abound in joy and freedom for
this is what we were made for.
Congratulations to Lindsey Russell
By Rev. Dawn Spragg, Contemporary Worship Pastor
As many of you know, Lindsey is continuing her journey toward ordination as a Deacon in the United
Methodist Church.
On September 12th, the NW District approved her to seek Provisional status with the AR Board of
Ordained Ministry (BOM). She will be interviewing with the BOM in the Spring of 2021. As we celebrate
this amazing accomplishment, let’s continue to pray and encourage Lindsey as God moves in and
through her for His glory.
Hannah Carter
Director of Children’s Ministries
Each month, I make resources available for kiddos in our church and our community. In the Back-to-School September pack-
et, there were two resources that seem to be making big connections with our kids. One is an Adopt-a-Pet where each child
received a little stuffed animal and a calendar with scripture. Each day, they read and teach their pet a new scripture. I visited
with Gianna and Brecken Swanson who have been reading scripture to their pets everyday throughout September. They both
mentioned that it has helped them read more scripture and have more fun while reading scripture. I also included a set of Holy
Listening Stones. Holy Listening Stones are a tool to help children put their feelings, insights and thoughts into words. They
also help adults to remember to listen to what children express. These are also great to get your kids involved in the 777 Prayer
Movement. Begin with discussion about the prayer prompt topic…help them understand what you’ll be praying over, then let
your child pick out three stones to describe their thoughts on what you’ve discussed before you pray. We’ve been using these
stones in the Carter house and it has opened up such great conversation with Colin and Mason…I think they’re also great for
adults. Not just kids! For more information about the Listening Stones (including information on how to make your own set),
check out the founder’s website at Leanne-hadley.com/holy-listening.
We are still planning on hosting our Trunk or Treat this year on October 25 from 4-5:30PM, but it will look different than in pre-
vious years. Our trunks will be physically distanced in the East parking lot and families will drive through to pick up their treats
instead of walking through…kind of like a reverse parade! We are asking volunteers and trunk or treaters to wear a mask to
keep each other safe at this event. Trunks are still needed! Please visit our website to register your trunk, or donate towards extra
candy and treats (all treats should be nut free).
Lucy Swanson
Director of Youth Ministries
Gravity hosted Over & Out, a mission project focused on summer being OVER and encouraging our students to
go OUT and love our neighbors by serving. We had 12 Gravity students, along with Trey Carter and John Mounts,
serve on Monday, September 7, next door at Teen Action Support Center. They spent the day hauling off logs and
tree limbs lost from the tornado, cleaning up vines and bushes, organizing firewood, and yardwork. Our students
ROCKED it; the yard looks amazing at TASC! Trey and John did a TREMENDOUS job organizing and leading the work
at TASC! I never cease to be amazed with the hearts and desire to “get their hands dirty” our teens have for serving.
As John Mounts shared following Over & Out, “I was quite impressed with the Gravity kids who worked at TASC yes-
terday. They were all examples of what their peers should be doing as contributors to society. They showed interest,
respect, competency and giving hearts. These are qualities that our society needs more of. Give them my profound
thanks.” Thank you Gravity students for serving at TASC!
FALL STUDIES & UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
By Matthew Johnson, Discipleship Committee Member
In John Wesley’s preface to his Sermons on Several occasions, he writes: “I want to know one thing the way
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to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this
very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give
me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be [‘a man of one book.’]” One of the things I’ve noticed as I’ve
taken the opportunity to read the King James Version of the Bible is how saturated Wesley’s sermons and writings are with that Bible.
He loved the Scriptures. He invested himself in the means of grace we call “searching the Scriptures.” It’s a trait that we want to keep
up at Central to help people Grow Deeply in their faith. Since it is a means of grace, we know that reading the Bible is a way for us to
experience the grace of God. Remember, we use the means of grace not to earn God’s grace but to experience God’s grace. When we
open the pages of the Bible, the Bible reads us and gives us what we need for life and salvation.
We’ve got some great classes that have started during September around Sandra Richter’s Epic of Eden series. Three groups complet-
ed the Jonah component of her series and currently they are doing the Ruth component. A smaller group has started in a hybrid class
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over twenty-four weeks in the Disciple III Bible Study class going over the Prophets and Paul’s letters. We are making plans to offer
the whole Old Testament overview component of the Epic of Eden in Winter/Spring of 2021. We also have a couple of Sunday School
groups using video teaching and discussion questions that I’ve filmed and written on Jesus’ signs in the Gospel of John, the Letter to
the Hebrews, and the Letter to Ephesians.
Even though Covid-19 has thrown a wrench into our lives and the way we do church and discipleship, we’re trying to adapt as best as
we can to help you stay connected to Grow Deeply. If you are interested in upcoming studies, please email me at mjohnson@cum-
crogers.com. I’d love to get you connected to the life-giving practice of searching the Scriptures.
AS A FIRE IS MEANT FOR BURNING
By Cathy McHaney and Janet Tate, Mission Committee Members
Words: Ruth Duck, Music: From The Sacred Harp, 1844. TUNE: Beach Spring This tune is probably the
most widely used in the three United Methodist Hymnals: UMH, FWS, WS The Faith We Sing hymnal,
#2237
1. As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame, so the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God’s
name not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care, we join hands across the nations, finding neigh-
bors everywhere.
2. We are learners; we are teachers; we are pilgrims on the way. We are seekers; we are givers; we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions we would show that Christ is light. In a humble listening Spirit we would live to God’s de-
light.
3. As a green bud in the spring time is a sign of life renewed, so may we be signs of oneness ‘mid earth’s peoples, many
hued. As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is part and gone, may our lives reflect the radiance of God’s new and
glorious dawn. As I read the words to this song, immediately my thoughts are how simple life with Christ can be; however,
life becomes complicated! From our sermon series, we found this to be true.
1. We know that we, not the building, are the church. ( This has been announced loud and clear as we have functioned for
almost 6 months without even entering the building.)
2. We know we have been commanded to love God and to love others. ( We are about Missions, showing our love by help-
ing those with need of every type, giving glory to God.)
3. We are sharing God’s love in His honor with everything we do.
4. We are God’s children and our lives should reflect the radiance of God. God has a plan and we are all participants in
these plans. Just as a fire is meant for burning, we are meant for serving always giving glory to God’s name.
This is our purpose.
Amen
PRAYER
By Ama Engmann, Evangelism Committee Member
Some of us shy away from it especially when we have to pray in front of or with someone else.
It can be so uncomfortable. Even when we are alone, finding the right words, being in the right
mood, the space we are in all make it difficult sometimes to pray. Should we kneel, lift up our hands, pray quietly or speak
out loud? What if we we burst out in tongues?
That is entirely up to us and what the Holy Spirit leads us to do. The Holy Spirit lives in each one of us and Isaiah 30:21
says, “ And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when
you turn to the left.” That is the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is communicating with the One who is always ready to listen to and answer us according to His perfect will for
us. We have to remember this because the response to each prayer is different. Last month, I prayed for the Lord to hold
and hug me. Immediately after that prayer, my son came to the room and held and hugged me! There are times when
we receive immediate responses. At other times when the time is not right for the Lord’s answer or action, all we can do
is wait. Sometimes, the response is a simple no. That too is for our own good.
GIVING
By Tami Stewart, Church Administrator
It’s FALL!!! A chill is in the air, leaves are changing colors, football is happening and pumpkins are appear-
ing. All the familiar sights, sounds and smells associated with this time of the year are occurring. And I have to say it feels good.
It brings a small sense of normalcy to this current crazy year at least for me.
Here at Central, October has always been stewardship month. This is the time where we are asked to commit not only our fi-
nancial gifts to the Church but our time and talents as well. This year will be no exception although it will look a little different.
Over the next several weeks you will hear about and be receiving information on the vital part you play in carrying out the
missions and ministries of Central.
I have to admit that I was at a loss as to what to write this month. For some this is a touchy subject when we, the Church, men-
tion the word money or financial gifts and giving so I decided to look up the actual definition of the word ‘giving’ just to see
what it said and if it might bring some clarity to the ask. I think it does.
verb (used with object), gave [geyv], giv·en [giv-uhn], giv·ing.
to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow
to hand to someone
to place in someone’s care:
verb (used without object), gave [geyv], giv·en [giv-uhn], giv·ing.
to make a gift or gifts; contribute:
to yield somewhat:
Thank you for giving!
SINGING BETWEEN THE LINES
By Jachin Mann, Director of Music Ministry
“In pity angels beheld him, and came from the world of light
To comfort him in the sorrows he bore for my soul that night.”
Wow, what a verse! Take a moment and try to see if you recognize what hymn this verse comes from. Though this line comes from a very
well-known hymn, I don’t think I have ever actually sung it in a worship service. This is verse 3 of a 5 verse hymn that includes a refrain.
Have you recognized it yet?
Each and every Sunday, myself and other Worship Directors and Ministers not only choose hymns to sing in worship, but often what vers-
es to sing. Some times it’s because of time limitations, other times we’ll select certain verses because of how they go with the sermon.
Some hymns have just a few verses and we’ll often sing them all, such as How Great Thou Art. But then others like O For A Thousand
Tongues to Sing have 17 verses and even John Wesley wanted to split the verses into separate songs. Over the decades, this had led to
many hymns having a few verses that everyone knows and loves (often the 1st and last verse), and then several that they’ve never heard
before. Some of these unknown verses are so beautiful, and I find it a pity that so few people have heard or sung them.
So back to the words above...have you figured out what hymn this comes from? I’ll give you a hint...I’ll tell you the first verse.
“I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean.”
Now I bet you recognize the hymn! It is Charles Gabriel’s beloved hymn, with that triumphant, joyous refrain, “ How marvelous! How
wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me!” A hymn I’m sure many of you have
sung a hundred times. So where does this leave us? Being selective with verses is something that will always be practiced, and there’ll al-
ways be plenty of unused verse you’ll never know. However, what I encourage you to do is pick a few of your FAVORITE hymns...do a little
research and find out if they have verses you are not familiar with. You may be surprised to find beautiful lines that will help you worship
using an old hymn in a fresh way.
CENTRAL STAFF
Jim Lenderman Senior Pastor jlenderman@cumcrogers.com
Matthew Johnson Associate Pastor mjohnson@cumcrogers.com
Dawn Spragg Contemporary Worship Pastor dawn@cumcrogers.com
Karen Brown Congregational Care Coordinator kjb@cumcrogers.com
Carole Baker Director of Connections cbaker@cumcrogers.com
Jachin Mann Director of Music Ministries jachin@cumcrogers.com
Marilyn Lee Church Organist
David Embree Director of Tech Ministries david@cumcrogers.com
Lucy Swanson Director of Youth Ministries lswanson@cumcrogers.com
Hannah Carter Director of Childrens Ministries hcarter@cumcrogers.com
Lindsey Russell Administrative Assistant lrussell@cumcrogers.com
Kris Mickna Executive Director of Child Development kris@cumcrogers.com
Jennifer Singh Director of Central Child Care Center centralchildcare@cumcrogers.com
Misty Revoir Director of Tiny Tots Preschool tinytots@cumcrogers.com
Tami Stewart Church Administrator tami@cumcrogers.com
Cathy Blackwood Bookkeeper cblackwood@cumcrogers.com
Amy Penny First Impressions Coordinator apenny@cumcrogers.com
Brian Carroll Director of Facilities bcarroll@cumcrogers.com
Felipe Velazquez Custodian
Lita Rosales Custodian
Leticia Loza Custodian
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
ALL DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
OCTOBER 2020
4 Traditional Service LIVESTREAM 8:15a Website, Facebook Live
4 Contemporary Services LIVESTREAM 10:15 Website, Facebook Live
4 Blended Worship IN PERSON 11:00 Sanctuary
4 New Sermon Series: Heart Beats
4 Communion Service- IN VECHICLE 4:00p Upper East Parking Lot
4 Communion Service- Outdoor 4:30p Upper East Parking Lot
4 Gravity Youth Small Groups 6:00p East Back Lot
4 Growing With Study 6:30p East Back Lot
7 Sacred Thread 9:00a Zoom
7 Gravity Mid Week 7:00p Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
7 Generations 6:00p Sanctuary
11 Traditional Service LIVESTREAM 8:15a Website, Facebook Live
11 Contemporary Services LIVESTREAM 10:15 Website, Facebook Live
11 Blended Worship IN PERSON 11:00 Sanctuary
11 Gravity Youth Small Groups 6:00p East Back Lot
11 Growing With Study 6:30p East Back Lot
14 Generations 6:00p Sanctuary
14 Gravity Mid Week 7:00p Facebook, Instagram, Youtube
18 Grace Community Meal- Chancel Choir 4:00p- 5:00p Grace United Methodist Church
18 Gravity Youth Small Groups 6:00p East Back Lot
18 Growing With Study 6:30p East Back Lot
20 Central Blood Drive 10:00a-4:00p Blood Mobile in Westside Lot
21 Generations 6:00p Sanctuary
25 Commitment Sunday All Day 2021 Commitments Due
25 Treat Street 5:00p-6:30p East Parking Lot
25 Gravity Youth Small Groups 6:30 East Back Lot
25 Growing With Study 7:00p East Back Lot
25 Church Wide Prayer 6:30p Courtyard
28 November Circuit Rider Mailed Out
28 Generations 6:00p Sanctuary
WE ASK THAT AT ALL EVENTS TO REMEMBER SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WEAR A MASK FOR OTHERS SAFETY
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION VISIT CUMCROGERS.COM
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