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THE CHIMESA Newsletter of

Centennial United Methodist Churchest. 1963

January - February 2020

1503 Broadway - Rockford, IL - 815 397 2771 - www.centennialumcrockford.org

Words from the Pastor…“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they

will walk and not be faint.” – Isaias 40:31

Dear members and friends, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and happy new year! I hope you were blessed during this past Advent and Christmas seasons. I know I was. It was such a blessing being with you in our services and special time as we received our loving God. I give thanks to God for God’s faithfulness and for every person who participated to make our end of the year celebrations memorable. Thank you! A new year can bring often a combination of emotions and memories for many of us. Some may have just experienced an awesome year and look forward with enthusiasm to an even greater looming ahead. Others may have just experienced one deep struggle after another. Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life or are incredibly glad to see this one finally over, one truth still rings clear amidst it all. You are not alone. Not ever. Our God is with us. The celebration of the birth of our King is a reminder and has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start. He is Immanuel. God with us. And through things and people around us shift and change, our God never changes.

We are beginning the new year with expectation and good tidings to all the earth. We are beginning with a time of coming closer to God in prayer. During Advent, we discussed the importance of preparing the way for the Lord. And we prepared by listening to the good news of Jesus’ coming. We prepared by planting the seed of Hope, Peace, Joy, Trust and Love. Now we affirm the Lord is with us. This should lead us with enthusiasm to find out what God has for us. Let us begin a new year with expectancy of God revealing his holy purpose for our lives, our church and our community.

We will enter the Christian season of revelation, Epiphany. Epiphany is a season that commemorates the manifestation and revelation of Christ as our Lord to the gentiles, the Jews and us by remembering the coming of the Wise Men, Jesus’ baptism and other important biblical stories. On this season, we will listen carefully to God’s Word being reveal to us in scripture, worship, service and in our love for God and our neighbors. And what better way to enter this time but with prayer. God will speak to us in amazing ways.

I am looking forward to this new year and the many opportunities as we put our lives in service and in praise to our God. As my pastoral mentor used to say, I say to you, “be kind, be kind, be kind, everyone is fighting a battle.” May God bless you always!

Faithfully Yours,

Rev. Uziel Hernandez Martinez

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Palabras del Pastor…“Pero los que esperan a Jehová tendrán nuevas fuerzas; levantarán alas como las águilas; correrán, y no se cansarán; caminarán, y no

se fatigarán. – Isaías 40:31

Queridos miembros y amigos, ¡los saludo en el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo y feliz año nuevo! Espero que hayan sido bendecidos durante las pasadas temporadas de Adviento y Navidad. Se que yo lo fui. Fue una bendición estar con ustedes en nuestros servicios y tiempo especial cuando recibimos a nuestro amoroso Dios. Doy gracias a Dios por la fidelidad de Dios y por cada persona que participó para hacer que nuestras celebraciones de fin de año fueran memorables. ¡Gracias!

Un nuevo año a menudo puede traer una combinación de emociones y recuerdos para muchos de nosotros. Algunos pueden haber experimentado un año increíble y esperar con entusiasmo un futuro aún mayor. Otros pueden haber experimentado una lucha profunda tras otra. Ya sea que haya pasado por el mejor año de su vida o esté increíblemente contento de ver que este finalmente haya terminado, una verdad todavía suena clara en medio de todo. No estás solo. Jamás. Nuestro Dios está con nosotros. La celebración del nacimiento de nuestro Rey es un recordatorio y tiene el poder de llevarnos a un nuevo comienzo. Él es Emanuel. Dios con nosotros. A través de las cosas, las personas que nos rodean cambian, las cosas cambian, pero nuestro Dios nunca cambia.

Estamos comenzando el año nuevo con expectativa y buenas nuevas para toda la tierra. Estamos comenzando con un tiempo para acercarnos a Dios en oración. Durante el tiempo de Adviento, discutimos la importancia de preparar el camino para el Señor. Y nos preparamos escuchando las buenas noticias de la venida de Jesús. Nos preparamos plantando la semilla de Esperanza, Paz, Alegría, Confianza y Amor. Ahora afirmamos que el Señor está con nosotros. Esto debería llevarnos con entusiasmo a descubrir lo que Dios tiene para nosotros. Comencemos un nuevo año con la expectativa de que Dios revele su santo propósito para nuestras vidas, nuestra iglesia y nuestra comunidad.

Entraremos en la temporada de revelación cristiana, Epifanía. La Epifanía es una temporada que conmemora la manifestación y la revelación de Cristo como nuestro Señor a los gentiles, a los judíos y a nosotros al recordar la venida de los Reyes Magos, el bautismo de Jesús y otras historias bíblicas importantes. En esta temporada, escucharemos atentamente la Palabra de Dios que se nos revela en las Escrituras, la adoración, el servicio y en nuestro amor por Dios y nuestros vecinos. Y qué mejor manera de entrar esta vez, pero con oración. Dios nos hablará de maneras asombrosas.

Espero con ansias este nuevo año y las muchas oportunidades a medida que ponemos nuestras vidas en servicio y en alabanza a nuestro Dios. Como solía decir mi mentor pastoral, les digo: "sean amables, sean amables, sean amables, todos están peleando una batalla". ¡Que Dios los bendiga siempre!

Fielmente,

Revdo. Uziel Hernández Martínez

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SERVICIOS DOMINICALES EN ESPAÑOL

ENERO - FEBRERO 2020

Tema para el tiempo de Epifanía “¿Quiénes Somos?”

ENERO 2020

FECHA LECTURAS BIBLICAS SERMON & PREDICADOR/A Enero 5 Domingo de Epifanía

Santa Comunión Isaías 60:1-6 | Mateo 2:1-12

“Somos Herederos” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Enero 12 BAUTISMO DEL SEÑOR Isaías 42:1-9 | Mateo 3:13-17

“Somos hijos(as) amados por Dios” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Enero 19 2do Domingo Después de la Epifanía Isaías 49:1-7 Juan 1:29-42

“Somos Piedras” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Enero 26 3er Domingo Después de la Epifanía Isaías 9:1-4 Mateo 4:12-23

“Somos Pecadores” Pastor Uziel Hernández

FEBRERO 2020

FECHA LECTURAS BIBLICAS SERMON & PREDICADOR/A Febrero 2 4to Domingo Después de la Epifanía

Santa Comunión Salmo 15 | Mateo 5:1-12

“Somos Buenas Nuevas” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Febrero 9 5to Domingo Después de la Epifanía Isaías 58:1-9ª | Mateo 5:13-20

“Somos Sal y Luz” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Febrero 16 6to Domingo Después de la Epifanía Deuteronomio 30:15-20 | Mateo 5:21-37

“Somos Comprometidos” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Febrero 23 7mo Domingo Después de la Epifanía Salmo 99 | Mateo 17:1-9

“Somos Alumbrados” Pastor Uziel Hernández

Febrero 26 Servicio Unido de Miércoles de Ceniza

Joel 2:1-2,12-17 Mateo 6:1-6,16-21

“Ser un lugar de Resurrección” Pastor Uziel Hernández

“Así pues, la fe nace al oír el mensaje, y el mensaje viene de la palabra de Cristo.” – Romanos 10:17

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JANUARY 2020

DATE SCRIPTURE SERMON TITLE January 5 Epiphany Sunday

HOLY COMMUNION Isaiah 60:1-6 | Matthew 2:1-12

“Three Gifts” Pastor Uziel Hernandez

January 12 BAPTISM OF THE LORD Isaiah 42:1-9 | Matthew 3:13-17

“Becoming One of Us” Pastor Uziel Hernandez

January 19 2nd Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7 | John 1:29-42

Receiving a New Name Pastor Uziel Hernandez

January 26 3rd Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 9:1-4 | Matthew 4:12-23

“Laying Our Nets for Jesus” Pastor Uziel Hernandez

FEBRUARY 2020

DATE SCRIPTURE SERMON TITLE February 2 4th Sunday After Epiphany

HOLY COMMUNION Psalm 15 | Matthew 5:1-12

“Good News for the Ages” Pastor Uziel Hernández

February 9 5th Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9a | Matthew 5:13-20

“Salt and Light” Pastor Uziel Hernández

February 16 6th Sunday After Epiphany Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Matthew 5:21-37

“The Gift of Reconciliation” Pastor Uziel Hernandez

February 23 Transfiguration Sunday Psalm 99 | Matthew 17:1-9

“Filled with Awe” Pastor Uziel Hernandez

February 26 Ash Wednesday Joint Service

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 / Mathew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Becoming a Place for Resurrection”

Pastor Uziel Hernandez

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have

eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me” John 5:39

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We want to invite you to attend our Rockford District Leadership Training 2020. Every year, we have a wonderful opportunity to get together, to worship, to attend different workshops and to have fellowship with one another. Every pastor, leader, and member is invited to attend.

Our Bishop Sally Dyck will be our guest speaker at the Opening Service.

DATE: Saturday, February 1, 2020TIME: 8:00 to 12:30pmPLACE: Freeport: Faith UMCFree event

Queremos invitarlos a asistir a la Capacitación de Liderazgo del Distrito de Rockford 2020. Como cada año, tenemos una maravillosa oportunidad de reunirnos, adorar, asistir a diferentes talleres y tener comunión unos con otros. Todos los pastores, líderes y miembros están invitados a asistir.

Nuestra obispo Sally Dyck será nuestra oradora invitada en el servicio de apertura.

FECHA: sábado 1 de febrero de 2020HORA: 8:00 a 12:30 p.m.LUGAR: Freeport Faith UMCEl evento es gratis

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The unit meetings of United Methodist Women are held the third Wednesday of each month at(unless otherwise notified) at Centennial United Methodist Church. 1503 Broadway.

The purpose of the UMW shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Our vision is “turning faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.”

At the November UMW meeting a Thank Offering was taken by the members present. We were able to send $200 to the District UMW as memorials for Jean Castle and Jordis Downey from a very generous offering. Bev Dahlgren, Sharon Sodergren and Mimi Jacobson also presented a program on Thanksgiving Traditions. We learned how Thanksgiving started, many historical and family traditions and how to share thanks with family.

On December 18, 16 UMW members enjoyed a brunch at Hoffman House. We started with this prayer: In a world where so many are hungry May we eat this food with humble hearts. In a world where so many are lonely, May we share this friendship with joyful hearts. Amen

We finished cherishing the friendship of our UMW friends.

Upcoming UMW Programs

All meetings are at 1:00 pm. Please note dates and locations. January and February are different dates and locations than the usual 3rd Wednesday of the month at Centennial. Centennial UMW will be sharing programs with Brooke Road and Court Street UMW the first two months of 2020.

Tuesday, January 14, 20202020 PledgesProgram: Police Presence in Our NeighborhoodsSpeaker: Rockford Police DepartmentLocation: Brooke Road UMC, 1404 Brooke Road, RockfordThere will be a short business meeting following the program for the 2020 Pledges. Please plan on staying.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020Program: Miss CarlysSpeaker: Carly RiceLocation: Court Street UMC, 215 N Court Street, RockfordMiss Carly feeds and clothes many of Rockford’s homeless.

Cindy Whitmer, President UMW

UMW Projects

Schnucks gas card/Escrip program. Each time you use your registered card at Schnucks donations are made to the church and if you have the gas card you earn discounts on fuel as well. Keep shopping and earning both for Centennial and gas discounts for your selves.

Good Search program - A penny is earned for each search and if you shop online at any of the Good Shop partners bigger earnings are available.

Amazon Smile - We have another opportunity to earn donations to the church by shopping with Amazon and their smile program. If you already shop with Amazon we have signed up to receive donations for Centennial with this program. You shop as you already do just go through the smile program and select Centennial to support.

UNITED METHODIST WOMENFAITH-HOPE-LOVE IN ACTION

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Ash Wednesday

February 26, 2020

6:00 pm

Joint Ash Wednesday Service

Lent Begins

February 26, 2020 Ash Wednesday

April 5, 2020Palm Sunday

April 10, 2020Good Friday

April 12, 2020Easter Sunday

Finance Corner January-December 31, 2019

Operating Revenue 95,537 Withdrawals - Wells Fargo 172,199 Endowment Income 23,382 291,118

Total Operating Expenses 147,123 Parsonage Purchase 130,404 277,527

Chimes Fund:The Chimes that add so much to our worship on festive occasions were originally borrowed from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Oregon, Il. Their original purchase price was $4000. After much negotiating, we were later able to purchase the instruments, including the pads, music stands and covers for $2000.

Thanks to the generous donations received during a fundng campaign for this project, we have covered the cost of the chimes with extra to support maintenance and music.

A very big Thank You to all who donated to make the hand chimes a permanent part of our worship experience!

Jan Rungren, Chimes Choir Director

$2000

$1750

$1500

$1250

$1000

$750

$500

$250

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Mission and Outreach

The months of November and December have been a time of celebration for Mission and Outreach.

23 Thanksgiving baskets were delivered from Christ UMC to be given to our outreach families. We had a team of about 10 members that helped to unload and deliver the 69 boxes of food. We are so thankful for their help.

Also in November we began our very successful collection of gloves and mittens for the kids at Constance Lane Elementary School. Pam and Carol delivered two large bags and a big box filled with clothing to help the kids stay warm. Thank you for your very generous donations.

As Christmas grew nearer, thanks to your gifts and support, Santa's helpers were able to give gifts to SKC kids at our Christmas celebration. Santa was there and a good time was had by everyone. After Sunday worship on Dec. 22nd, our Sunday school kids were given gift bags filled with an activity book, crayons, a Christmas pencil, gloves, and candy.

We are so grateful for the continued support of Centennial members for our outreach missions. Thank you.

Carol Risenhoover, Chair

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GREETERS AND COMMUNION SERVERS

Pastor Uziel wants to thank all those willing to serve as a greeter or as a communion server. These are important ministries in our church.

GreetersJanuary: Jeff & Grace Palmer

February: Gordy BlaisdellMarch: Carol Byers

Communion ServersJanuary: Lori Doll

February: Dougal WhitmerMarch: Joyce Russ

Nurture Committee

The Nurture Committee focuses on the internal needs of our congregation—nurturing our Christian faith so we cultivate the spiritual resources necessary to provide effective ministries.

The Centennial Café continues every Sunday between the first and second services. If you would like to bring a treat to share at the Café, please sign up on the Centennial Café Signup Sheet. The Café signup sheet is on the Café table on Sundays and in the church office Monday – Saturday.

A special thank you to those who helped decorate the church for Christmas during the Hanging of the Greens. We were a small but mighty group. Thank you to Linda Gentry for making sure we had poinsettias to make the sanctuary beautiful on Dec 22 and Dec 24. And a final thank you for everyone who helped with the Christmas Potluck on Dec 22. It takes many hands to make a potluck go smoothly.

Nurture will help with the following events in January and February 2020

Sunday, January 12At 3 pm we will help take down Christmas decorations. The more hands the easier the workload. Please come. Linda and Jim Gentry will be in charge.

Wednesday, February 26At 6 pm there will be a Joint Ash Wednesday Service. Nurture will assist Pastor Uziel as needed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the way You created us. Thank You for giving us the emotional capacity to love others and to feel the love of others. Thank You for making these things a natural part of us. Help me to be more empathetic in my encounters today. Help me to show patience and compassion. Help me to recognize the opportunities to nurture others. Give me the humility to accept nurturing from others. Bless my family, my friends and everyone I will encounter today. Amen.

http://myocn.net/daily-devotion-being-a-nurturer/

Cindy Whitmer, Chairperson

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1/1 Matthew Gomez1/2 Karen Garza1/2 Deborah Wescott1/3 Edward Hanebuth1/5 Jorge Gomez1/6 Enrique Sanchez1/8 Lesley Harrison1/9 Carl Dean1/9 Gabriel Mankarious1/10 Tara Arencibia1/13 Max Garcia1/13 Ryan LeBeau1/16 Noreen Slade1/19 Fred Wescott1/20 Judith Kelsey-Powell1/24 Eric Brown1/24 Jasmine Morgan1/26 Amber Brown1/26 Rev. Mario Mayer

Our prayers and thoughts for our home bound members. We love you and miss you very much.

At Wesley Willows: Mae FosterHenrietta DayArt HuenkemeierAt Home: Jo MarshallNancy O'LearyMicaela SerranoAida BejesusCleo EnglishJo HarringtonJerald GradyUndergoing Treatment/Rehab:Keith SodergrenKen DahlgrenJohn Paul (Margie's son)Jonathan Garcia (Myriam Luna's son)Mickey WibomRev. Bettye MixonTara ArencibiaPastor Fabiola's fatherRosa MendozaPortia HanebuthChuck WhitmoreJim WhitmoreSilvia DuranPat NelsonEllen DeanRay Kellermann

2/2 Brian Gomez2/5 Jill Vails2/7 Jonathan Garcia2/8 Jesus 'Beto' Garza2/8 Julio Garza2/9 Laquisha Dixon2/9 Veronica Gomez2/11 Miriam Jacobson2/11 Benora Howard Purifoy2/13 Sandy Rivas2/14 James Warring2/15 Carol Waxler2/16 Carol Risenhoover2/17 Nicholas Berry2/21 Gyl Faeth-Miller2/21 Roberto Garza2/22 Karla Garza2/23 Ava Brown2/23 Kim Whitmore2/23 Paige Whitmore2/24 Mark Renfro2/24 Cindy Whitmer2/25 Lindsey Jacobson Kinsey2/28 Kyle Brown

Contributors to this issue of the Chimes:Pastor Uziel Hernandez Martinez Lori Doll Carol RisenhooverCindy WhitmerJan Rungren

Next issue: March-AprilArticles and items due February 23, 2020

FLOWER CHARTYou can worship God through the flowers you bring to church.The cost of the flowers is $26 with checks payable to Centennial. Please sign up at the Flower Chart. There are still openings.

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

JON’S AUTO SERVICE5603 E. STATE STREET, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

PHONE 398-0032

“WHERE CUSTOMER’S SEND THEIR FRIENDS”

February 2020 1

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23 24 25 26 27 28 29

MARCH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Valentine’s Day

Groundhog Day

Presidents’ Day

JANUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Full Moon

Mardi Gras

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

JON’S AUTO SERVICE5603 E. STATE STREET, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

PHONE 398-0032

“WHERE CUSTOMER’S SEND THEIR FRIENDS”

January 2020 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Full Moon

New Years Day

FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

DECEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Chinese New Year

CALENDAR ABBREVIATIONSEBS-ENGLISH BIBLE STUDY, SKC-SATURDAY KID’S CLUB, HBS-Hispanic Bible Study

Chimes items due

SKC 10:00 am

SKC 10:00 amRockford DistrictLeadership Training

SKC 10:00 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

SKC 10:00 am

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pmUMW 1pm@ Brooke Rd

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pmHBS 7pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pmUMW 1pm@ Court Street

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pmAsh WednesdayService 6pm

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

English Serv. 10 amSpanish Serv. 11:30 am

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

Office Hours9am to 12pm

SKC 10:00 am

SKC 10:00 am

SKC 10:00 am

SKC 10:00 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

Hand Chimes Practice 11:30 am

SKC 10:00 am

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Centennial UMC is a multicultural congregation strongly committed to being open, accepting, welcoming and loving to all, making a difference

in our community through our Christian outreach.

Centennial United Methodist Church1503 BroadwayRockford, IL 61104

Find us as: Centennial UMC - Rockford, IL

Join us for Sunday ServicesEnglish 10:00 amSpanish 11:30 am