March 16, 2011Volume XXXIIIOffering Christ - Making Disciples

THE CENTRAL CALL is published weekly for members and friends ofCentral United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, Mississippi 39302

Central UnitedMethodist Church

1004 23rd Ave.Meridian, MS 39301

Phone: (601) 693-1521Fax: (601) 693-0919

Website: www.cumcmdn.orgE-mail:

central@cumcmdn.orgLead Pastor

Dr. Bob RamboAssociate PastorRev. Amy Roller

On Call PastorMarch 18-20, 2011

Bob Pedencell: (601) 485-3716

home: (601) 938-7868

Sunday Services8:30 a.m. Contemporary9:45 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Traditional

Attendance8:30 S.S 10:55175 146 111

Number 11

Stewardship Thought:

“Since you are God‛s dear children, you must try to be like him.”

Eph. 5:1 (Good News)

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD IN LENTThe season of Lent began March 9th with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of spiritual preparation in which we pray, examine our lives in light of Scripture, and ask God to change us so that we might experience Easter resurrection.

One way we can renew our devotion and commitment to God during Lent is by giving sacrificially to our special “Lenten Offering.” This is “sacrificial giving” because it is above and beyond our tithes and “regular” gifts to Central [it’s not a “sacrifice” if we take away from one to give to the other]. This year, our Lenten Offering will help support two mission projects:

•STOP HUNGER NOW – the first $2500 we raise will fund our next “SHN” event scheduled for Wednesday night, April 27th.

•METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME [Jackson] – The Methodist Children’s Home ministry has purchased the old Baptist Children’s Village in Jackson. The buildings there are currently being renovated. MCH is calling on United Methodist congregations around the state to help with the expense. The money we give that exceeds the $2500 for STOP HUNGER NOW will be given to the Methodist Children’s Home project.

Each Sunday in worship, our children will “move among us” to collect our donations of loose change, paper money, and checks. Please give

generously!

NAMETAG REVIVAL!

Once upon a time, everyone at Central was encouraged to wear a nametag on Sunday mornings. Where is yours? Mine is in a drawer somewhere, I think. Does your nametag live untouched on the board outside the fellowship hall? Did you lose it? Per-

haps you wear yours every week. Regardless, wearing nametags is one simple way that we can help make our large church a place of even greater hospitality. At the last “Coffee with the Pastors,” we accepted approximately 30 new members into our church! Let’s dust those nametags off and wear them, especially to help our new members be more comfortable as they seek to get to know our congregation. Wearing nametags will help us all get to know each other even better. Amy Roller

Lunch BunchWhen: Fridays at 11:30 a.m. Where: Adult Activities Room Cost: $5.00

March 18th - NO LUNCH BUNCHFriday, March 25, 2011Friday, April 1, 2011Friday, April 8, 2011

SENIOR ADULT/LEISURE MINISTRIES

UPCOMING EVENTS

2011 L����� S�������T�������, M���� 24�� - H���: S�. P������ C������� C����� P�������: R����� L���� (F���� B������)T�������, M���� 31�� - H���: S�. P��� U����� M�������� C����� P�������: B�� R���� �� A�� R����� (C������ UMC)T�������, A���� 7�� - H���: C������ U����� M�������� C����� P�������: F���� C������� (S�. P������/S�. J����� C�������)T�������, A���� 14�� - H���: F���� C�������� C����� P�������: R���� P���� (F���� P�����������)

AX2 DANCEGirls, ages Kindergarten and up, who would like to participate in the Easter Worship Service will

practice with Mrs. Caroline Carns and Mrs. Heather LaCoste on Sunday, March 27th, April 3rd, & April 10th at 4:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For more information call Sabrina Williams at (601) 693-1521, ext. 226.

GREETERS NEEDEDCentral’s Evangelism Team is looking for church members excited about welcoming people

to our church! We need Greeters to serve on Sunday mornings as well as for special events. Please join this effort to help make Central be a church of even greater hospitality. If you are interested, please contact Amy Roller at the Church Office: (601) 693-1521 or via email: amy@cumcmdn.org.

FCA SUNDAY IS MARCH 27TH

March 27th will be “FCA Sunday” at Central. During both Worship Services, Mr. Randy Swearingen, area leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, will briefly describe the work and influence of FCA in Lauderdale County and the surrounding area. We will receive a special offering that day to support FCA.

CLOTH BAGS NEEDED FOR MISSIONSLinda Whitley is a member of the 8:30 Praise Team. Her parents attend a church in Jacksonville, AL that is involved in an annual summer mission trip to Honduras. One of the ways they reach out to the people of Honduras is to give away bags filled with items of use. Mothers of young children receive bags filled with diapers and wipes, and children receive bags with small toys. The local congregation has depleted their supply of bags after several years and is in need of bags to fill and small toys – handbags, make-up bags, convention bags, and toys from Happy Meals. A designated collection area is in the Crossing for you to place any items you wish to contribute. Who knew that cleaning out a closet or toy box could be used to share God’s love in Honduras? The deadline to bring these items is April 10th. Thank you for supporting this outreach effort.

C����� M�������Shields Circle

March 25th - 2:30 p.m.Ruth Temple’s home

April 18th - 2:30 p.m.Ruby Robinson’s home

Asher CircleMarch 22nd - 6:00 p.m. - PotluckMelinda Rose’s home

“THE GOSPEL OF JOHN”April 15 - 16 - 17, 2011

Led by :Dr. Ben Witherington, III

Registration: $50 before April 1st$75 after April 1st

SPRC ANNOUNCES NEW HIREThe Staff-Parish Relations Committee announces the hiring of Kim Culpepper as the new Receptionist/Secretary. Kim has previously worked at Central UMC.

She assumed her new duties at Central on Monday, March 14th. Please join us in welcoming Kim to the staff!

The Senior Class of 2011Is your senior on the list? If not, please turn their name into the Church Offi ce as soon as possible so we can celebrate their graduation with them. Parents, please begin turning in your pictures for the senior video that will be presented at our Senior Recognition Banquet and Baccalaureate Service on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. If you want the pictures returned, please put them in an envelope with your name and phone number on the front.

Church-Wide Easter Egg Hunt

When: Sunday, April 17th - 2:00 p.m.Where: At the home of Dave & Cat Owen (2668 - 45th Street)

We are collecting candy and small prizes to stuff in plastic eggs. If you have anything to donate, please drop it off in the Crossing.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEKSUNDAY, MARCH 20 - SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011

Sunday, 03/20/11 8:00 a.m. - Finger Food Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - Special Needs Ministry - Room 333 8:30 a.m. - Praise Service - Fellowship Hall 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School10:55 a.m. - Worship Service - Sanctuary 4:30 p.m. - AX2 Dance - Fellowship Hall 5:00 p.m. - Youth Choir Practice 5:30 p.m. - The Zone 5:30 p.m. - Disciple II Bible Study - Adult Activities Room

Monday, 03/21/11 2:30 p.m. - Shields Circle 3:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Adult Activities Room 5:00 p.m. - Prayer Shawl Ministry - Adult Activities Room

Tuesday, 03/22/11 9:30 a.m. - Tuesday Morning Bible Study12:30 p.m. - Circle of Friends - Gym 4:00 p.m. - Weems Basketball - Gym 5:30 p.m. - Celebrate Recovery - Annex 6:00 p.m. - Asher Circle 6:30 p.m. - Praise Band Practice - Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, 03/23/11 5:00 p.m. - Holy Communion - Chapel 5:00 p.m. - WNL Meal 6:00 p.m. - Small Groups 6:00 p.m. - Youth 7:00 p.m. - Sanctuary Choir Practice

Thursday, 03/24/11 8:15 a.m. - CCC Parent Conferences12:00 p.m. - Lenten Service - St. Patrick Catholic Church12:00 p.m. - Ladies Lunch with the Lord - Adult Activities Room

Friday, 03/25/11 11:30 a.m. - Lunch Bunch - Adult Activities Room

Saturday, 03/26/11No Activities Scheduled

GOOD NEWS JAIL MINISTRYCentral has purchased a table for the Good News Jail Ministry Banquet on April 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the MSU Kahlmus Auditorium. We have seven tickets up for grabs – no cost to you. The food will be provided by “The Rib Shack.” If you are interested in attending the banquet, please contact Amy Roller in the Church Offi ce at (601) 693-1521 or via email at amy@cumcmdn.org.

Cliff AllredCourtney BlackTaylor BucurelAlexa ChisolmMaddie Covert

Shelby HittMatthew Ivey

Hailey JohnsonHenry Sanders

Emily SollieLuke StanleyTyler Stanley

Chris StuckmanHarrison ThomasSpencer VanZandtAshley WatkinsKaylee Watkins

The African Children’s Choir will be making their fourth appearance at Central on Saturday, April 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. This year, we will also have the privilege of having the choir participate in the 8:30 Worship Service on Sunday, April 3rd.

We are still in need of Ushers & Greeters for Saturday night.WNL MEAL FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23RD

Chilled Shrimp & Homemade Cocktail Sauce, Italian Pasta, Lemon Herb Broccoli, Taco Soup, Garden Salad, Garlic Bread, and Strawberry Shortcake

(Chicken is available if you don’t eat seafood)KIDS’ MEAL - Fish Sticks & French Fries

Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children with a $20 family maximum cost.*PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY 9 A.M. TUESDAY BEFORE WEDNESDAY’S MEAL

THE CENTRAL CALL (557440) published weekly omitting one issue in December by Central United Methodist Church, 1004 23rd Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301-5019. Periodical Postage paid at Meridian, MS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE CENTRAL CALL, P.O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302-1706

FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY[suggested Bible readings for March 21- 27, 2011]

MORNING NOON EVENINGMon. Mar. 21 Psalm 107 Luke 15 Romans 1 Tue. Mar. 22 Psalm 108 Luke 16 Romans 2Wed. Mar. 23 Psalm 109 Luke 17 Romans 3 Thu. Mar. 24 Psalm 110 Luke 18 Romans 4 Fri. Mar. 25 Psalm 111 Luke 19 Romans 5 Sat. Mar. 26 Psalm 112 Luke 20 Romans 6 Sun. Mar. 27 Psalm 113 Luke 21 Romans 7

P����� C�������W��������, M���� 16, 2011

C������ M������ �� ����

Emily BryanMark Earnest - Friend of Be�y ThomasKatrina Hale Cathy HallBobby Harper - Father of Charlie HarperHarold Johnson - Friend of Emme� MurrayLevoe Lavender - Friend of David WareAshley Lee - Daughter of Greg & Julie HeblonJack Lemmons Martha Lemmons Stan Lockley - Friend of Be�y ThomasDavid MurrayLela Pa�onBob Rivers Julyn Shirley - Friend of Ashlee FrazierEmma Welch - Great-niece of Kay PellegrinAnita Yeatman - Niece of Tommy Gilbert

Military Personnel Serving Overseas:• Nikki Bohls, friend of Beverly Davis/Melissa Goldman• Mac Hamburg, nephew of Mike and Suzanne Hamburg• Lamar Hickman, grandson of Jack & Martha Lemmons• Andy Hollingsworth, nephew of Richard and Faye Hollingsworth• Kyle Lowry, great nephew of Bobbye Lowry, (Serving in Afghanistan)• Stan Mackin III, grandson of Edwin and Betty Downer• John Mayfield, brother of Kay O’Shaughnessy (Serving in Afghanistan)• Scott Rawson, son of Beverly Davis• Jeremy Woodard, nephew of Vicki Dyer (Serving in Afghanistant)• All U.S. Military personnel

Lay Worship Leaders - March 20, 201110:55 Service

Bible Reader - Alan BrownBanner - Patsy Temple

Cross - Don PrattAcolytes - Phyllis Campbell & Bennie Jean Fortenberry

Children’s Moments - Lynn BryanUshers: Jerry Mason, David Rosenbaum,

Lynn Dorrough, Roy Farrar, Doug Fort, Don Farrar, Mark Scarborough, Scott Whitcomb,

Ed Skipper, and Victoria Sellers

UPCOMING DATES:APRIL 2ND - AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR 7:00 �.�. (F��������� H���)

APRIL 15TH & 16TH - “THE STUDY OF JOHN” SEMINAR - BEN WITHERINGTONAPRIL 17TH - PALM SUNDAY EASTER EGG HUNT 2:00 �.�. (H��� �� D��� � C�� O���)

APRIL 27TH - STOP HUNGER NOW PACKAGING EVENT D�����: B�������� AT 5:00 �.�. P�������� E����: 6:00 �.�. �11�� S����� G���