What’s Happening at CG?

Center Grove Family and Friends: I pray this note finds each of you well. This week, I simply want to use this opportunity to encourage those who have not yet had the COVID-19 vaccine to make an appointment to take it as soon as possible. On April 5th, all individuals in the state of Alabama age 16 and older became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information about the vaccine and where to register, visit the website of the Alabama Department of Public Health (https://alcovidvaccine.gov). If you need assistance, please feel free to contact our church office (church.office@centergroveumc.org or 256-851-6223) and we will help point you in the right direction. This has certainly been a difficult year for so many of us; however, we see glimpses of hope around us. On this weekend, I was able to gather a small group of family members at my home and felt very comfortable knowing that not only were we protected by the love and grace of God, but each of us had gone to take the COVID-19 vaccine to add an extra, and extremely important layer of safety and protection for one another. As Christians, who choose to live out our faith as United Methodists, we believe that faith and science go hand-in-hand. God has gifted us with so many extraordinary health professionals in our community who have the wisdom and knowledge to provide us with the best healthcare possible. Many of these individuals have risked their own lives during the pandemic to ensure that our communities are safe. And for them, we give thanks to God! Therefore, it is our job to encourage one another to take appropriate steps to protect ourselves and one another. Simply put, I hope you will join me in trusting that God is at work in the world to work things out for our good. Each day someone asks me: “When are we coming back to in-person service?” I honestly feel that we are making steps in the right direction and I look forward to the day we return with great rejoicing. In the next few weeks, our Center Grove Church Reopening Team will give us an update on where we are as it relates to our church reopening process. Let us continue to pray for our community, our church, and our leaders (especially, the Senior Pastor) that God will give us the wisdom we need to ensure we make the right decisions in this season. The future looks bright! Grateful to be your pastor, Pastor Cowser

All are encouraged to continue to Tithe, and contribute to our ongoing Capital Campaign.

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Evelyn Roberson
Mrs. Gladys Jacobs
Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mrs. Zena Love Hill
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mr. Bobby Readus
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mrs. B. Patricia Hill
Mrs. Sara M. Bradley

Community Information

Words of Encouragement

What’s Happening at CG?

What’s Happening at CG?

“Resurrection Power” “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25 (CEB) While in seminary and working as a chaplain at a university hospital, I had an opportunity to sit with a patient who was very ill. Over the course of several conversations, he spoke of his life and how grateful he was to God for many years of joy and happiness. He was thankful that he could look back over his life and see that ultimately “the good outweighed all of the bad.” I will never forget what he told me at the end of one of our conversations. He said: “I’m ready for heaven, but if heaven is as half as good as what I have experienced here with Jesus as my Savior, I know I’m in good hands.” Many people speak of the promise of heaven and living with God in the after-life, but the resurrection is more powerful than that. The resurrection is a glimpse of not only what is to come after we die, but the hope of life today. I challenge each of you to see each moment in life as an opportunity to live in the promise of God’s resurrection power. Every day will not be a good day, but every day will be a “God day” – a day to celebrate that we serve a God who specializes in not only turning lives around but ultimately, turning the pain and darkness of death into a glorious resurrection. Happy Resurrection! Blessings, Pastor Cowser

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Evelyn Roberson
Mrs. Gladys Jacobs
Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mrs. Zena Love Hill
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mr. Bobby Readus
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mrs. Cynthia Jackson
Mrs. B. Patricia Hill
Mrs. Sara M. Bradley

Community Information

Words of Encouragement

What’s Happening at CG?

“Keep Growing, Keep Inviting” May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you. May the Lord cause your hearts to be strengthened, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his people. Amen. –I Thessalonians 3:12-13 (CEB) One question that several church members have asked me is “How can I help the church?” I typically have two responses: (1) Keep growing to be more like Jesus, and (2) Keep inviting people to Center Grove. Our most valuable asset is not our building, not our finances, not the mechanics of worship, not marketing or branding, but our most valuable assets are dedicated disciples who are growing in their walk with Jesus Christ and inviting others to join them on the journey. In his writings to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul celebrates the eagerness of these newly converted Christians to spread the faith and their unwavering love for God and one another. In essence, Paul tells them to keep doing what they’ve been doing by allowing their love to increase and overflow. Over the next few weeks, let us continue to build upon our assets by dedicating our energies toward growing deeper in love with Christ, one another, and inviting those around us to join the journey. As you read this note, I pray that God is revealing ways for you to grow in your faith journey. I also pray that you will allow God to use you as his witness by inviting others to worship and study the Bible with you online at Center Grove on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesdays at noon. Think of the Kingdom difference we would make in our lives, our church, and our community if we keep growing and inviting. Blessings, Pastor Cowser

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Evelyn Roberson
Mrs. Gladys Jacobs
Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mrs. Zena Love Hill
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mr. Bobby Readus
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mrs. Cynthia Jackson
Mrs. B. Patricia Hill
Mrs. Sara M. Bradley

Community Information

Words of Encouragement

Wednesday In The Word Will NOT Air Today. Please Join Us Next Week On March 24th At 12:00 Noon.

What’s Happening at CG?

A Note From Our Associate Pastor: Pastor Ruth J. Smith

Living A Resurrection Life Since , then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NIV) I like the Message Bible version which states “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it!! Many times, when we see the word resurrection, we immediately think about rising from the dead – life after death, but I believe that is not what the writer of this text is referring to. I believe that the writer is talking about our daily living. Every morning should be a day of resurrection because Jesus has allowed us to rise and see another day – a new day filled with new possibilities; new opportunities; another chance to break the chains that have us bound to our past. The writer gives us some pointers on how to live a resurrection life in this text. First, we are to pursue things over which Christ presides, in other words, we are to kill off everything connected with the way of death. Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Secondly, we need to change our wardrobe. Just as we clean out our closets in our homes, we need to clean out the closets in our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 states “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Thirdly, we need to live in peace with one another. We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts. Psalms 133:1 says “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.” As we spend time in the word during this Lenten Season on our forty-day journey to the Cross, let us examine ourselves, our motives, so we can shed off the sins that are weighing us down. Let’s die daily to the flesh! You know in forty-days, we can shed off a lot of stuff. If we do this, our journey to the Cross will be filled with testimonies, hallelujahs, and praises because we are living the Resurrection Life!!!!! Rev. Ruth Smith Associate Pastor

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

Join the Pray Without Ceasing Ministry for prayer on the Prayer Line — Saturday, March 20th from 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. For we know, prayer changes things, circumstances, situations, and much more!

Prayer Line Dial In Information:
Dial In Number: 978-990-5000

Access Code: 349017

Hosted By:
The Pray Without Ceasing Ministry

Center Grove Family:
On Sunday, March 21st from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., ALL will have an opportunity to bring your Tithes Into The Storehouse!

You may come to the church, drive through, and deliver your tithes in person! Always remember, For God LOVES a CHEERFUL GIVER!

Rev. Dr. Dedric Cowser, Senior Pastor CGUMC

North Alabama Conference
Safe Sanctuary Training

The North Alabama Conference will hold a virtual Conference-wide Safe Sanctuaries training on Sunday, March 21, 2021, from 2 to 3 p.m.

For more information, and to register please click on the link below:
https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/15119063

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Evelyn Roberson
Mrs. Gladys Jacobs
Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mrs. Zena Love Hill
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mr. Bobby Readus
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mrs. Cynthia Jackson
Mrs. B. Patricia Hill
Mrs. Sara M. Bradley

Community Information

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Click the link below to apply:
https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/14931243

Words of Encouragement

What’s Happening at CG?

What’s Happening at CG?

General Conference postponed to 2022; Bishops Call Special Session of General Conference, issue timeline forward

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE ON THE BIBLE APP

North Alabama Conference
Safe Sanctuary Training

The North Alabama Conference will hold a virtual Conference-wide Safe Sanctuaries training on Sunday, March 21, 2021, from 2 to 3 p.m.

For more information, and to register please click on the link below:
https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/15119063

Remember The Sick & Home-bound

Mrs. Evelyn Roberson
Mrs. Gladys Jacobs
Mrs. Madgie Jamar
Ms. Marjorie Ewing
Mrs. Cora King
Ms. Theresa Hope
Mrs. Zena Love Hill
Mr. Carl Bradley
Mrs. Barbara Baker
Mr. Bobby Readus
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mrs. Cynthia Jackson
Mrs. B. Patricia Hill

Community Information

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The Covid-19 Vaccine is now being offered at Sam’s Club. Click the link below to register:

https://www.samsclub.com/pharmacy

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United Methodist Higher Education Foundation accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Click the link below to apply:
https://www.umcna.org/postdetail/14931243

Words of Encouragement