What’s Happening at CG 4/20/2022

A Note From Our Pastor

A Note From Our Associate Pastor:
Pastor Marian Royston





There are many lessons that we hope to instill in the hearts and minds of young Christians before they fully enter society on their own—the power of prayer, the beauty of service, and the grace that is found in community. Almost all of us who have internalized these lessons know that they are learned best by experience. Life is a great teacher for us all, but often we need help interpreting and reflecting upon our experiences. This is the simple brilliance of the QuadW Missional Internship (QuadW). It is an internship that allows young adults to experience and make sense of community, service, and Christian spirituality throughout the summer.

QuadW gives young adults the opportunity to live in community with one another throughout the summer. This living entails sharing space, chores, and meals. Negotiating the ups and downs of daily life is formative enough in itself. Yet, there is more. Interns also serve a community together. There are several different kinds of worksites. For example, some may work with children, others may serve people experiencing poverty and homelessness, and others may work with adults with disabilities. Finally, interns also participate in activities that facilitate reflection and growth. Through worship, scripture reading, group accountability, and mentoring, interns can better understand God’s work in the community, the world, and their own lives. 

I served as a QuadW intern several years ago and I count it as one of the most transformative experiences of my young adulthood. It truly set me on a path that blends spirituality and service in a life-giving way. Too often, we as Christians are tempted to overvalue either service of spiritual disciplines in our lives with God. This is a false separation. Both are necessary as followers of Christ, and they support one another. I met God in people I encountered daily, but I would not have been able to properly recognize God in them without the individual spiritual work. 

The North Alabama Conference has two QuadW sites—Huntsville and Birmingham. I have the honor of serving as the site director for the Huntsville site. I am excited about the opportunity to serve an organization that has been so important to my young adult life. We need your help!

Here’s how you can get involved:

Recruiting: Are you looking for a summer transforming internship or do you know young adults between the ages of 19 and 23? Huntsville Alabama or Birmingham Alabama is waiting for you. We still have spots for both sites set to begin June 1-July 27, 2022. Apply today at www.quadwmi.org

For more information contact:
Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield – Birmingham Site
emily.penfield@umcna.org

Rev. Marian Royston – Huntsville Site
marianroyston@gmail.com

Meals: Please consider sponsoring a meal for the interns while they are in Huntsville. Also, consider sharing that meal with them. Anything from pizza to a home-cooked meal is welcome. If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact me. 

Laundry: Interns are committed to understanding the community in which they serve. Therefore, they do laundry at a local laundromat. Please save your quarters and consider donating them. When they have extra quarters, interns share with members of the community who are washing alongside them. It is a simple, but powerful way to bless the community.

Prayer: Please pray for the young people who are participating in this life-transforming internship. The work can be challenging!

Thanks for all that you do in service to God’s Kingdom!


Blessings,
Pastor Royston

“Unexpected Resurrection Blessings”
Did anything unexpected happen for you on Resurrection Sunday weekend? We have the privilege and honor of knowing the entire story – Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. However, many of the early disciples of Jesus did not understand nor expect something so miraculous to happen, although he had told them his purpose and mission. Simply put, it was an unexpected blessing that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus would give us hope in our present lives and a chance at life eternal.
During the Lenten Season, we prayed, fasted, and found ways to connect with God more closely in our lives. I pray that as a result of celebrating the resurrection this year, God has revealed something new and extraordinary in your life. Something unexpected! I know for me personally, I am excited that after two very long years of “finding my way” through the pandemic, I can truly say that I feel refreshed and renewed for the work of ministry. I believe now more than ever people are eager to experience the love of God. We have seen evidence of this in our church over the last few weeks and the record numbers at our Family Fun Day and our Worship Celebration only adds to the joy of what God is doing in our midst.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the ministries of the church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. Thank you for allowing God to use you for the work of Kingdom-building in our community and beyond.
Blessed to be your pastor! Pastor Cowser 

Worship Celebration

April 24, 2022

Join us for our Worship Celebration on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. via In-Person, or Facebook Live on the Center Grove United Methodist Church Facebook page.
You can also join our live streaming celebration via the following media outlets:


YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfMEFeWdt294sXw_EOH7jA
Church Website:  http://centergroveumc.org/
Vimeo:  https://vimeo.com/event/51681

Remember The Sick & Home-bound


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
Mrs. Ollie Gilliam
Pastor Ruth J. Smith
Mr. Matthew Baker
Mrs. Daphne Morris
Ms. MeAsia Chapman
Mrs. Olene McGowen


Words of Encouragement

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