“COFFEE WITH THE PASTORS”Several times a year, the Central pastors and staff offer “Coffee with the Pastors.” Thisis an opportunity for inquirers to learn more about faith in Jesus Christ, more aboutMethodism, and more about Central UMC and its mission. Those who attend are underno obligation to make a commitment; but those who wish may join at the “Coffee” andeven be baptized if needed.

We would love for any interested person to join us Sunday,March 30th in the Wesley Room at 10:30 a.m.

WNL MEAL &PRESENTATION

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SENIOR ADULTDAY TRIP

Lignite PlantPage 4

FAMILY LEGACYRETREATWEEKEND

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CENTRAL RAMPMINISTRY

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Volume XXXVI March 26, 2014 Number 13

CURRENT EVENTS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - APRIL 2ND This Wednesday night we will be studying The Lutheran Denomination. Martin Luther, for whom thedenomination was named, was a devout Catholic but became disenchanted with some of the theology andpractices of the church. He hoped to reform the Catholic Church but met violent opposition and as a resultmoved in a different direction.

Most of us know more about other Christian denominations than we do about the Lutheran Church. We hopeyou will join us this Wednesday as we explore this interesting denomination.

Tommy Gilbert Tommy Gilbert Tommy Gilbert Tommy Gilbert

WEDNESDAY NITE LIVE MEAL - APRIL 2ND - 5:00 P.M.MENU: Oven Roasted Pork Loin/Fried Chicken Tenders, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Breaded Okra,Rolls, Assorted Salads, Assorted Desserts. $6KIDS: Chicken Tenders, French Fries assorted Desserts. $3Please call the Church office at 601.693.1521 to make your reservation no later than 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 1st.

BABYSITTERS NEEDED!We are currently compiling a list of babysitters for both our Community Groups and individual families. If you are interestedin being on this list, please contact Sabrina at sabrina@cumcmdn.org

CCC SUMMER PROGRAM The Children's Center is planning on having a two day a week summer program beginning June 3rd and ending July 24th.Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding VBS week) from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Cost for the summerprogram is $175 payable at registration and non-refundable unless classes do not make. For more information, call GlendaThomas at 601.693.0830 any weekday morning or check the bulletin board outside the CCC office for registration forms.The Summer program will not be offered if we do not have enough interest OR if we cannot find enough teachers. Thedeadline for registration is April 11.

CCC SUMMER TEACHERS NEEDED Applications are now being accepted for teachers for the Children's Center summer program. Must be 18 years of age orolder and love children. Contact Glenda Thomas for more information at 601.693.0830. This would be a great part timejob for college students home for the summer.

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDWe have a wonderful problem! Some Sundays our nursery is full to overflowing and we need “just a little extra help, or wehave a worker who is out.” If you are willing to sign up to help out, either on a designated time and Sunday, or on an asneed basis, please let us know. For more information, or to sign up, you may email or phone Sabrina Williams atsabrina@cumcmdn.org, 601.479.2178 or Angela Tharp at atharp@meridiancc.edu 601.527.4345.

CENTRAL COMMUNITY

THIS WEEK AT CENTRAL

PRAYER CONCERNS

OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO:~Tyler and Elizabeth Wiggins, following the birth of their daughter, Delta Jane Wiggins, born Monday, March 24th. Theproud grandparents are Philip and Kathy Busbee and Janis Nowlan. Great grandmother is Mrs. Pauline Busbee. ~Doug Fort following his selection as one of three 2014 Silver Beaver Recipients of the Choctaw Area Council Boy Scoutsof America. He received his award at the annual Gathering of Eagles & Silver Beaver Council Banquet.

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO:~Joyce and Harry Tillery following the death of his sister, Sue Blaise, who passed away Monday, March 24th. The funeralwill be held Friday, March 28th in Nashville, TN.

FH=Fellowship HallSunday, 3/30/14 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - Worship/Sunday School 9:45 a.m. - Connect Service 10:30 a.m. - “CWTP” 10:55 a.m. - Worship Service 4:30 p.m. - Youth Praise Band 5:00 p.m. - Girls Choir Practice 5:30 p.m. - Club 412 5:30 p.m. - TheZone 5:30 p.m. - House of God Monday, 3/31/14 3:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesday, 4/1/14 6:00 a.m. - Ledbetter Bible Study 6:30 a.m. - Pratt Bible Study 9:30 a.m. - Tuesday Bible Study 10:45 a.m. - XYZ 6:15 p.m. - Girl Scout Troop 6:30 p.m. - Boy Scout Meeting 6:30 p.m. - Praise Band Practice 7:00 p.m. - College Bible Study

AR=Adult Activities RoomWednesday, 4/2/14 5:00 p.m. - WNL Meal 6:00 p.m. - Lutheran Presentation 6:00 p.m. - Small groups - Youth & Children 7:00 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, 4/3/14 6:00 a.m. - Allred Bible Study 12:00 noon - Lenten/CUMC 6:30 p.m. - Connect Band Rehearsal

Friday, 4/4/14 11:00 a.m. - Williams Men Bible Study 11:30 a.m. - Lunch Bunch 5:00 p.m. - Makey Rehearsal

Saturday, 4/5/14 6:30 p.m. - Kristina Makey Wedding

In order to keep everyone better informed of current concerns, names will remain on the Prayer Concerns list in the “Call” for onlytwo weeks unless there is a new concern.

John Avent Bart Francis W.L. LandrumJim Bigelow Phil Freeman Carlton LaffertyDon Davis Harold Grissom Louise McBrideGypsy Carns Larry Jones

MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS:Family & FriendsStanley Mackin, grandson of Edwin & Betty Maude DownerAll U.S. Military Personnel

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY

LUNCH BUNCH - FRIDAY - 11:30 a.m. Adult Activities Room - Cost is $5.00

XYZ - TUESDAY, April 1, 2014 - 10:45 A.M.PROGRAM: Jeff East - The Hymn Prayer

Jim Wall - Hymn StoriesGerald Robinson - Piano

Menu: Fried Catfish/Roast Beef Au Jus, Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Rolls, Assorted Salads, & Assorted Desserts.

Please call the Church office at 601.693.1521 no later than 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 31st to make your reservation.

SENIOR ADULT DAY TRIPMarch 24, 2014

Kemper County Lignite Coal Plant

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

FAMILY LEGACY RETREAT WEEKEND21 CUMC families spent the weekend together at Timber Creek Camp in Pulaski, MS. Saturdays weather couldnot have been more perfect. The staff at Timber Creek, under the direction of David and Lori Lynne Cooke isphenomenal and the speaker for the weekend, Rev. Mark Yoda brought a message of God-Centered Parenting.His focus was on parents passing on their passion for God to their children; living a lifestyle in humility andservice – “you can pass it on, or pass on it.” He reminded parents of the importance of “wasting time with yourchildren.” In a society that places emphasis on “quality not quantity,” he held a different view – quality comesWITH quantity…in those moments when there is no agenda – when you are just wasting time. There weregames, octoball, rock-wall climbing, canoeing, soccer, volleyball, campfires, archery, walks on the trails…a timeto just be…both as a family and as a church family. All who attended came back tired, renewed and blessed!Look for more pictures and sharing of the weekend this coming Sunday!

Mark your calendars for Central’s annual Easter EggHunt on Sunday, April 13th at 3:00 p.m. This years huntwill be held on “Hawkins Hill,” the home of Doug andMelanie Hawkins. [1120 Willowlake Rd.] As always, weare asking for help with candy, small trinkets, tattoos,etc. to stuff the eggs. Look for the drop off location in theCrossing. Thank you in advance for your help. April 13th will be here before weknow it!!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL-JUNE 16 - 20, 2014

Please help us out with our numbers as we begin to ordermaterials for VBS.

Go to our website and follow the link to VBS 2014 to register!!!

Pass this info on to your friends and family!

MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM

CENTRAL RAMP MINISTRY - RAMP COMPLETION

On the morning of March 15th a group of volunteersfrom Central UMC enjoyed fellowship and Christianservice in the construction of a ramp for Mrs. Iva Odomon Cook Road. Following the building project, severalmembers of the group proceeded to load, from aresidence on Highway 493, a recycled ramp which willbe used on a future job. Participants from Central wereAlan Brown, Randy Hammon, Sandy Johnson, TomJohnson, David Labutka, Blair Mitcham, Ben Rucks,Logan Rucks, Mark Scarborough, James Whitley, andLester Williamson. Also assisting were Paul Buckmanof Holy Name Catholic Church (Henderson, KY) andCharles Blake (Chunky UMC).

SPIRITUAL FORMATION & GROWTH

4TH QUARTERS & SPARE CHANGE NEEDED!You may notice a large covered water bottle by the drink machine in the Crossing and remember that you haveseen it before. It’s back again this year! In preparation for the “STOP HUNGER NOW” annual event, pleasedrop the 4th quarter from your dollar and your spare change in this container beside the drink machine. It willbe rolled and used to help with the $2500 needed to offset the 10,000 meals that we will package onWednesday, April 30th.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INFORMATION DESK

The EVANGELISM COMMITTEE is looking for volunteers to work the Information Desk on Sunday Mornings.Available times are twenty minutes prior to each of the three services. This is a great way to get involved and meetpeople as they visit Central. If you are interested please contact Kathy Busbee at kbusbee@mcginnislumber.comor Don Pratt at donaldcpratt@gmail.com or you may call 601-527-3740.

Food for the Journey[suggested Bible readings for Mar. 31 - Apr. 6, 2014]

Morning Noon EveningMon. Mar. 31 Genesis 34 Psalm 33 Mark 5Tue. Apr. 1 Genesis 35 Psalm 34 Mark 6 Wed. Apr. 2 Genesis 36 Psalm 35 Mark 7Thu. Apr. 3 Genesis 37 Psalm 36 Mark 8Fri. Apr. 4 Genesis 38 Psalm 37 Mark 9Sat. Apr. 5 Genesis 39 Psalm 38 Mark 10Sun. Apr. 6 Genesis 40 Psalm 39 Mark 11

YOUTH MINISTRY

FINANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

YOUTH COMMITTEE MEETINGTuesday, April 1st - Noon - Wesley Room

MARCH & APRIL CONFIRMATION SCHEDULESunday, March 30th - “Did the Methodist Church Really Start Because of some holier-than-thouTeenagers?” The History of the Methodist Church - Tommy GilbertSunday, April 6th - “What it Means to be a Christian” - John BranningWednesday, April 9th - CONFIRMATION REHEARSAL - 6:00 p.m.- Project (Make crosses out ofpalm branches) John Branning, Bob Peden, & Jim Cain Sunday, April 13th - CONFIRMATION SUNDAY (Palm Sunday)

MERIDIAN DISTRICT CONFIRMATION RETREATSATURDAY - APRIL 5TH - 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Poplar Springs Drive UMC C Open to students in grades 6th and up - the cost is $ 5.

< And this includes; study materials and pizza for lunch < The deadline to register is 1 p.m. on Monday, March 1st, and can be done by calling the Central

church office 601-693-1521C The Retreat will consist of 5 sessions on "What It Means To be A member of the United Methodist Church"

< With a special focus on the Vow of the United Methodist Church< There will also be a time of fellowship and game playing to help the students to begin to build

friendships with students from the other churches in the Meridian districtC This event is meant to enhance the confirmation experience at the student's home church and will act as a

make-up for any students needing to make-up missed sessions at Central UMCC Each student must have a parent (or their mentor) with them for the entirety of their time at the retreat

SENIOR BANQUET INFORMATIONPlease turn in your senior pictures to Lee Williams for the Slide Show. These pictures should be in electronic form (e-mail, flash drive, or CD)

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTJacob said, ”All that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you.”

Genesis 28:22 (NRSV)

WORSHIP

On Call Pastor

Mar. 28 - Mar. 30, 2014

Bob Peden

Cell: 601.938.7868

Home: 601.485.3716

AttendanceMarch 23, 2014

Live Streaming - 8

Family

Retreat

8:30 9:45 SS 10:55

79 170 61 196 154

2014 DOWNTOWN LENTEN SERIESThe Downtown Lenten Services will be held Thursdays at noon and each

pastor will preach at their own church. • Thursday, April 3rd - Central UMC - Rev. John Branning• Thursday, April 10th - First Christian Church - Dr. Tom Sikes

EASTER LILIESYou are invited to place an Easter Lily in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday in “honor” or “memory”of a relative or friend. We have arranged with World of Flowers again to furnish the Easter Lilieswrapped and delivered to the church, provided the church takes the orders. The price per Lilyis $15. This means, your only responsibility will be to order and pay for your Lily (or Lilies) bycalling Anita Betts in the Church office at 601.693.1521 no later than April 11th. Payment may bemade by mailing a check payable to Central UMC, or come by the Church office. The mailingaddress is:

Central UMC - Easter Lilies, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302

LiveStreaming/PodCastingView 8:30 worship here: http://www.cumdmdn.org/#/sermons-teachingsPrevious here:http://cumcmdn.org/#/sermons-teachings/sermon-archive