Central United Methodist
To make Disciples of Christ who WORSHIP God,
GROW in their faith, and SERVE in the
church and world.
Please know that everyone is welcome to Belong and Grow at Central UMC!
Please COME AS YOU ARE!
Sunday School for all ages meets at 9:00am.
Our 10:00am worship service is open to all and will offer you a worship experience unlike any other with a time for children,
a strong focus on prayer, a blend of musical offerings featuring many of our talented church members,
and a message that will revive your spirit for the week ahead!
When we celebrate Holy Communion, we practice an “Open Table,”
meaning that ALL are invited to partake of the bread and juice, regardless of denomination or age.
We offer Family Night Programming on Wednesdays at 5:15-6:00pm. This includes children's choirs, an Adult Bible Study, and a Parent Life Group.
Sunday School for all ages meets at 9:00am.
Our 10:00am worship service is open to all and will offer you a worship experience unlike any other with a time for children,
a strong focus on prayer, a blend of musical offerings featuring many of our talented church members,
and a message that will revive your spirit for the week ahead!
When we celebrate Holy Communion, we practice an “Open Table,”
meaning that ALL are invited to partake of the bread and juice, regardless of denomination or age.
We offer Family Night Programming on Wednesdays at 5:15-6:00pm. This includes children's choirs, an Adult Bible Study, and a Parent Life Group.
Sunday Services
Sunday School
9:00am
Sunday Worship
10:00am
Holy Week Reflections from Pastor David
Daily reflections from Pastor David as we travel with Christ from Jerusalem to the resurrection.
Thursday Mark 12:38-13:13
I imagine the scene of the widow and her offering play out before me with Jesus, his disciples and everyone at the Temple. I see these rich men lined up and giving their large offerings. How would we know that a person gave a lot or a little?
Back then, there was no paper money or personal checks to drop into an offering plate. Everyone used coins. So the fact that Jesus and everyone there knew who gave a lot and who didn’t, means the ones giving large offerings were making a show of it. I can hear the sounds of clinking as the coins drop one after another after another. I wonder if some there were even counting to see how long an offering was given.
Jesus is not impressed with the pretense of faith. “Beware of the scribes,” Jesus says, “who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (13:38-40).
In what ways have I been guilty of trying to show off my faith? Is it when I draw attention to my attendance record or how long I’ve been in a Sunday school class? Or how much of the Bible I’ve read or know by heart? What committees I’ve served, and how much my family has done for the church. Why are we so obsessed with getting the credit and wanting our names on some plaque?
Jesus, I often hear people use this passage to praise the widow for giving beyond her means. Today, help me simply to see the widows that I may serve them. Amen.
I imagine the scene of the widow and her offering play out before me with Jesus, his disciples and everyone at the Temple. I see these rich men lined up and giving their large offerings. How would we know that a person gave a lot or a little?
Back then, there was no paper money or personal checks to drop into an offering plate. Everyone used coins. So the fact that Jesus and everyone there knew who gave a lot and who didn’t, means the ones giving large offerings were making a show of it. I can hear the sounds of clinking as the coins drop one after another after another. I wonder if some there were even counting to see how long an offering was given.
Jesus is not impressed with the pretense of faith. “Beware of the scribes,” Jesus says, “who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (13:38-40).
In what ways have I been guilty of trying to show off my faith? Is it when I draw attention to my attendance record or how long I’ve been in a Sunday school class? Or how much of the Bible I’ve read or know by heart? What committees I’ve served, and how much my family has done for the church. Why are we so obsessed with getting the credit and wanting our names on some plaque?
Jesus, I often hear people use this passage to praise the widow for giving beyond her means. Today, help me simply to see the widows that I may serve them. Amen.
Wednesday Mark 12:18-37
I am drawn to this story of the Sadducees coming to test Jesus. The Sadducees who don’t believe in resurrection come to ask Jesus about a hypothetical resurrection situation. As soon as they are done telling their tale, Jesus nips it in the bud – “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (v24)
You see the woman in your story as property. You think she exists to be given away in marriage to this person or that person. You believe her purpose is for bearing children. You assume her worth comes from these things because that’s how the world sees and values her.
Is this not the reason you are wrong because you neither understand the Scriptures, God, or His intentions? You’re trying to compare earthly things to heavenly things. But you see, the ways of men are different from the ways of God.
When you die to yourself and put an end to that world, you will rise to a new kingdom and see God’s true intentions. You will be like angels in heaven. Because our God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
Lord, I want to love you with all my heart, mind and strength. Help me to love my neighbor as myself. For this is what you deem most important. Amen.
I am drawn to this story of the Sadducees coming to test Jesus. The Sadducees who don’t believe in resurrection come to ask Jesus about a hypothetical resurrection situation. As soon as they are done telling their tale, Jesus nips it in the bud – “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?” (v24)
You see the woman in your story as property. You think she exists to be given away in marriage to this person or that person. You believe her purpose is for bearing children. You assume her worth comes from these things because that’s how the world sees and values her.
Is this not the reason you are wrong because you neither understand the Scriptures, God, or His intentions? You’re trying to compare earthly things to heavenly things. But you see, the ways of men are different from the ways of God.
When you die to yourself and put an end to that world, you will rise to a new kingdom and see God’s true intentions. You will be like angels in heaven. Because our God is not the God of the dead but of the living.
Lord, I want to love you with all my heart, mind and strength. Help me to love my neighbor as myself. For this is what you deem most important. Amen.
Tuesday Mark 11:27-12:17
“By what authority are you doing these things…?” (Mark 11:28). The religious leaders are coming after Jesus now. The incident at the Temple was the last straw. What gives you the right to turn over our tables and drive out the money changers? Who do you think you are coming into our house and turning everything upside down. We had a good thing going here before you showed up.
That’s when Jesus reminds them that it was His Father’s house first. It was meant to be a house of prayer – a place to commune with your Maker.
Sometimes, Jesus comes into our lives unannounced, disrupting our carefully laid plans and threatening our comfort and security. And we react – I don’t have time for this – right now! What are you doing to me? I was doing just fine. What gives you the right to interfere with my life?
Jesus reminds me gently but firmly that it was His life first and that I belong to Him. “I had to get your attention somehow,” Jesus seems to say, “because you’ve gone off the rails, and I needed to bring you back. I needed to remind you that there is plan for your life – a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).
God – you are the Lord of my life. Help me to submit to your will. Amen.
“By what authority are you doing these things…?” (Mark 11:28). The religious leaders are coming after Jesus now. The incident at the Temple was the last straw. What gives you the right to turn over our tables and drive out the money changers? Who do you think you are coming into our house and turning everything upside down. We had a good thing going here before you showed up.
That’s when Jesus reminds them that it was His Father’s house first. It was meant to be a house of prayer – a place to commune with your Maker.
Sometimes, Jesus comes into our lives unannounced, disrupting our carefully laid plans and threatening our comfort and security. And we react – I don’t have time for this – right now! What are you doing to me? I was doing just fine. What gives you the right to interfere with my life?
Jesus reminds me gently but firmly that it was His life first and that I belong to Him. “I had to get your attention somehow,” Jesus seems to say, “because you’ve gone off the rails, and I needed to bring you back. I needed to remind you that there is plan for your life – a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).
God – you are the Lord of my life. Help me to submit to your will. Amen.
Monday Mark 11:1-25
The day after his triumphal entry, Jesus comes into the city and goes to the temple. Immediately, he begins to drive out those buying and selling in the temple. There’s a notion that the money changers and those in charge who allowed it are taking advantage of the people – preying on the poor. The mention of “pigeons” which are small and inexpensive, gives the indication of wringing every penny from those without money. The temple is meant to be a house of prayer, but they have made it into a den of robbers.
What is sacred in my life that I have taken advantage of and exploited for my gain? But now I see the cost was too high. Now I see it needs to be cleansed. No negotiation necessary. It needs to be driven out if I am to really follow Jesus.
Lord, what do I need to come clean about that is keeping me from you? Give me the strength to drive it out. Amen.
The day after his triumphal entry, Jesus comes into the city and goes to the temple. Immediately, he begins to drive out those buying and selling in the temple. There’s a notion that the money changers and those in charge who allowed it are taking advantage of the people – preying on the poor. The mention of “pigeons” which are small and inexpensive, gives the indication of wringing every penny from those without money. The temple is meant to be a house of prayer, but they have made it into a den of robbers.
What is sacred in my life that I have taken advantage of and exploited for my gain? But now I see the cost was too high. Now I see it needs to be cleansed. No negotiation necessary. It needs to be driven out if I am to really follow Jesus.
Lord, what do I need to come clean about that is keeping me from you? Give me the strength to drive it out. Amen.
Upcoming Special Services & Events
Vacation Bible School
Summer 2024
Latest Sermon
We welcome you to join us online for worship no matter what day or time. Pastor David's sermons can be found by clicking the link below. And we invite you during the week to turn his words into action by seeking ways to serve the needs of your community.
We have become a Lighthouse Congregation of The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church in partnership with The United Methodist Collective Movement of our District and Conference. In doing so, we not only commit to remaining a part of The United Methodist Church but also to serving those who have lost their church homes through disaffiliation or closure.