Announcements for the Week of Sunday, September 5, 2010 New Member Class Coming Have you ever wondered more about being a member of Central UMC and what that might mean? Pastor Larry will be starting a two part New Member Class on Wednesday, September 8th and 15th at 6:30 pm. If you would like to be part of the class or have questions about membership, please give Pastor Larry a call at 602-258-8048, ext 101 or Pat Goss at ext 102. Get My People GOING Please join the CUMC Wellness Cabinet on Wednesday September 22, from 7 to 8:30 pm for Get My People GOING, a small group experience, designed to help you make a change in one self-selected area of your life! Choose from 9 options, listed in Friday's on-line Announcements or at the sign-up tables today.  You will have the opportunity to improve your body, mind or spirit, while supported by fellow parishioners, in a program loosely based on the Exodus. If you have questions, call Gail Davis at 602-253-9459.  Click here to sign up. Please give us your name, phone number, and if you need transportation or child care. Pictorial Directory Photo Sign Up Start Today Photos will be take for the new family pictorial directory October 5th through 16th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Click here to sign up or call Susie in the office at 602-258-8048 X108.    140 Hours of Service CUMC's 140th Anniversary Committee's Mission Project is to achieve the goal of 140 hours of service to give back to our community! Some suggested mission groups are: Serving the Homeless, Justa Center, or UMOM. Or, there are many other facilities which could use volunteers. Choose one and begin now! Then report your hours to Betsy Morse or the church office. We hope to have reached 140 hours of service. Kid's Worship coming soon at 11:00am.

Mission Opportunities Please consider supporting these projects with a gift beyond your tithe and offering to Central United Methodist Church. AYUSA Looking for Sponsors The foreign exchange group is looking for sponsors for 11 High School Youth that are temporary homes but need family sponsors ASAP. For more information, please call the program area coordinator, Mollie at 602-435-4321 or Katherina Ontiveros at 602-486-0955.   Serving the Homeless Serving the Homeless will be serving September 12. If you are interested in helping please see Paul Estes in the Kitchen at 1:00 pm to help prepare or 5:00 pm to help serve. The team will be serving again on September 26. If you would like to help please sign up on the sign up sheets in the kitchen. Just a reminder that you must be at least 12 years old  to help. Manna Bags Available Manna from heaven and Central Church members. The youth will have some Manna Bags available after the 9:30 am and 11:00 am services today for $5 each. At times on our journeys around town, we are inclined to help our less fortunate ones with a few necessities. These Manna Bags provide a bite to eat, water, new pair of socks, toothbrush and paste a few other items valued at $5 but bought in quantity to keep costs down. We also include some scripture about Manna from heaven and some lists of shelters in the area. Keep one or two in your car and we will have more available to replace in the future.   Mission Fair and Luncheon Sunday, September 19th, 12:30pm in Kendall Hall Displays from 15 of our Mission Projects (Local & International Missions) A Luncheon will be served for a suggested donation of $12.00 with proceeds going to support the Serving the Homeless Ministry. Tickets available between Sunday services from today, August 29 through September 12th. Come and Learn more about all the Projects that your gifts to Missions help support here and around the world!   Mission Item of the Month The Mission Committee is collecting t-shirts for July and August. Your donation can be placed in the white box in the East Dining Room each Sunday.   UMOM Woman's Auxiliary 5K Walk   The Second Annual UMOM Woman's Auxiliary 5K Walk will be held Saturday, September 25th. You can be a part of the Central UMC Group of Walkers. Registration prior to September 12th is $20 per person or $15 for students. After that date it is $30 and $20. Brochures with registration forms are in the church office or check with Meryl Ahart.   Justa Center Needs Non-monetary donations are welcome, and regularly needed items include the following: Coffee, paper towels, hand soap, laundry soap, facial tissue, books and magazines, furniture, unopened toiletries, sugar, coffee creamer, toilet paper, office supplies (paper, pens, etc.), cleaning products, reading glasses, new socks, disposable coffee cups, paper plates, and computers.

This Sunday's Sermon Join us Sunday, September 5, 2010 Have I Counted the Cost? In the reading for this Sunday, the words of Jesus are strong and sharp. There are "large crowds" who "were traveling with him" as he makes his way to Jerusalem. There are undoubtedly many who look at Jesus and wonder, "Is this guy for real? What does he really want from me?" Perhaps you have asked the same questions of Jesus. In this passage, Jesus delivers a "back to basics" course on discipleship. What does he mean when he says that if you do not hate your family, you cannot be my follower? Further, what does Jesus mean when he says that whoever does not carry my cross cannot be my disciple? It is clear that Jesus is being very specific about the demands of discipleship. He is sorting the serious from the curious bystander! Two analogies in the passage make it clear that before you make a decision to follow Christ, count the cost! Scriptures: Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 Philemon 1-21 *Luke 14:25-33 * Scripture that will be taught from.

Bible Studies and Discussion Groups The Pilgrim's Sunday School Class- This class meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the Parlor, Pastor Franklin Evans is the instructor. Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God, a video and discussion with John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg.  Everyone is welcome!   Singular Purpose Bible Study and Discussion Group, Sundays from 9:00 am to 10:30 am in room 103.