Vision Statement of First-Centenary United Methodist Church: Build a healthy and diverse community of disciples of Jesus Christ.

The First-CentenarianThe First-CentenarianVolume 12, No. 48 May 22, 2020Volume 12, No. 48 May 22, 2020

SUNDAY WORSHIPMay 24, 2020

Seventh Sunday of EasterAscension Sunday

Services available online at www.fi rstcentenary.com

Sanctuary at 10:45 a.m.Living Faith

I Peter 5:6-11Dr. C. Mark Gooden

The Vine at 10:45 a.m.God the Provider

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35Rev. Barry Kidwell

Reading from the LectionaryActs 1:6-14

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-351 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

John 17:1-11Televised sermon by Dr. Gooden –

Living GraceTelevised on Channel 12, WDEF-TV at 6 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. each Sunday.

First-Centenary UMCPO Box 208 37401419 McCallie AvenueChattanooga, TN 37402 Dr. C. Mark Gooden, Senior Pastor(423) 756-2021www.fi rstcentenary.com

Please remember that all activities at the church are suspended at least through May 31. We will off er services digitally May 24 and 31.

This May, ironically, the Children’s Ministry is focusing on being UNSTUCK! (Isn’t God’s humor the best?) When you feel like giving up, that’s a sure sign it’s time to reach deep down and fi nd the determination to get the job done.

Parts of life are going to be hard. We’ve experienced it more times than we can count this year alone. But we can trust God’s promises! We can Hope... and NEVER Give Up! We can keep going because God knows the end of the story! Parents check your email for the full Sunday lesson.

On Wednesdays, we are beginning Week 6 of our Mission of Hope! Digging into the scripture and memorizing one Bible Verse a week. Spreading hope and changing lives one verse at a time.

Join us on Sunday and Wednesday at www.fi rstcentenary.com/ children or on our FirstKids Facebook page to focus on

the ONE who can ultimately help us get unstuck!

Graduation Smiles!The fi rst ever class of graduating

Centenary students were honored with a parade of decorated cars driven by current and former staff

and volunteers. Each graduate was presented with a personalized

cookie cake, balloons, and handwritten letters from each adult while Pomp and Circumstance blared over Athletic Director, Ian Goodman’s sound system. There were lots of smiles and some tears

as students and family welcomed the caravan. All three students, who continued in the program though 12th grade, are refugees from war and turbulence in Africa, arrived in the United States

as young children, and spent part of their childhoods living in some of Chattanooga’s most diffi cult housing projects. In the greatest testament to their resilience and the power of your gifts of time, prayer, and money, all three students earned

scholarships allowing them to attend the college of their choice. Hawa will attend Hampton

University; Aissatou, Chattanooga State; and Mbogo, Emory University. Your love will be a part of their lives forever.

As you may have realized, Vacation Bible School is going to look completely diff erent this year. We won’t be able to have the traditional gathering, due to all the restrictions. However, we are planning something that will be perfect for this season we are in! Stay tuned for more exciting details!

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CLERGY CORNER (cont’d)

Hello everyone! I hope you all are staying safe and are still remaining rock solid in your faith. Wow! Who would have thought we would have already had 8 online worship experiences?! Please remember that we will still be worshipping online at least through May 31 and possibly longer. All activities at the church will be suspended at least through May 31 as well.

I have leaned on the following persons and groups for support and guidance: Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor, Governor Bill Lee, local government offi cials, scientifi c data from the CDC, the Executive Team of FCUMC, and one scripture in particular; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and fi rst commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NRSV)

As one wrote: “During this pandemic, love for ourselves is expressed in the ways we protect ourselves from getting infected. In the same way, love for our neighbor is expressed in the ways we protect them from getting infected.”

As you know, things are changing on a daily basis and this virus seems to be choosing new candidates to attack like our children. I am going to share a possible strategy for re-opening the church when that time comes but please know that this may change depending on the level of infection in the Chattanooga area.

I am proposing a four phased

plan. We are already in Phase One with online services only and all activities at the church suspended. In Phase Two, we hope to have small groups with specifi ed numbers gather and limited numbers in Worship. This phase is dependent on the guidance we receive from the Bishop and from state and local offi cials.

In Phase Two we will practice social distancing and wear face masks while on the FCUMC campus. Why? See Matthew 22:37-39 again please. Phase Three will be less restrictive and Phase Four will allow us to resume in person ministries.

Of course we move backwards or forward from one phase to the next with prayer and guidance from all available sources. I hope this information helps. I will provide a more detailed plan in the near future. In the meantime, I off er the following prayer from ll Thessalonians 1:11-12 for you: “To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfi ll by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorifi ed in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

–– Mark

CLERGY CORNER

Dr. C. Mark Gooden

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ORRRNNNEEERRR

DrDr CC MMararkk GoGoododenen

Holston United Methodist Homefor Children Fifth Sunday Offering

May 31 Please give generously...

Saturday, September 26The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Registration Fee: $100 per player – Form you own 4-person team OR request to be placed on a team. Save the date and plan now to attend! We’re excited about exploring new formats to help everyone stay healthy and have a great time. Questions? Concerns? Contact: Don Washburn, Camp Lookout Director, don@camplookout.com, (706)820-1163 or (423)280-5848