Worship Online

Scripture Reading

Derek Peterson shares this week’s scripture - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - and a message on resilience, providing a phramework (the spelling is intentional here and you may learn why!) for how we can be faithful and creative.

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PRAYER

Laura Williams shares a closing prayer.

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Offering

If Central is your church home, we encourage you to continue your tithes and offerings during this season. In so many ways, the work of Central is more important than ever before as we step up to serve those lacking important resources of daily living. You can give one time or set up a recurring payment by clicking on the donate button to the right. 

NEXT SUNDAY FUN!
Next week, we kick-off the new program year.  This year, affectionately named 'Caring Together Sunday', we are adding a special gathering event reflective of this unusual time.... a car parade! On Sunday, September 13 between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. take a casual drive through the MPR parking lot and experience a little bit of what makes our Central community wonderful!  While you stay in your vehicle (or, if you are walking over, stay socially distanced), you will share in experiences for all ages.

• Backpack blessings and blessings for anyone returning to school.

• Prayer shawls and pocket shawls for those in need of comfort in these difficult times.

• A fun I Spy scavenger hunt for all ages.

• Live music by our talented Central musicians.

• A wall of prayers.

• Ice cream refreshments.

Come over anytime during the hour for this open house-style event. 

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
The September newsletter will be hitting your mailbox soon, but you needn't wait to catch up on the latest news.  Simply click on this link to read a digital copy. Want to be added to the mailing list?  Simply drop a call or email to Anna Sanchez in the church office and be added to our print mailing list which delivers to your mailbox or our digital mailing list which will send a copy to your email inbox.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INVOLVEMENT
The Coordinated Mission Committee is inviting you to participate in our bi-monthly volunteering event on Saturday, September 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. serving lunch at the St. Paul Opportunity Center.  The St. Paul Opportunity Center is part of Catholic Charities and is located at 422 Dorothy Day Place, St. Paul, MN.  Volunteers must be at least 16 years old .  This is our second year volunteering with Catholic Charities and we invite everyone at Central to serve.  To sign up, simply visit our Volunteer page.  If you have questions about Covid-19 safety, contact Anna in the office to be connected with this team.

CHOIR CHECK-IN AND FELLOWSHIP
On what would have been our first rehearsal of the fall, the choir is invited to a Zoom check-in and fellowship event on September 9 at 7:15 p.m. This time for those involved with the Central Choir will allow us to hear how our summers have been, to check in with each other, and to connect.  A Zoom link will be sent to each choir member directly.

SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR ELDERS AN DEACONS
Central's Nominating Committee has begun its work to prayerfully consider people to serve as elders and deacons for the next terms.  Presbyterians elect elders to exercise leadership, government, and discipline, and deacons to minister to those in need.  At this time, we are seeking your ideas and suggestions of people that you think might be good elders and deacons.  Self-nominations are encouraged!

To learn more, pick up the August newsletter.  To submit a nomination, email your confidential suggestions to Rev. David Colby with your reason for the nomination and he will share your suggestion with the whole Nominating Committee.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The Session has called for a congregational meeting to act on recommendations to amend the congregational bylaws will be held on Sunday, September 20 at 11:30 a.m.  All active members of the Central congregation are eligible to vote.  This meeting will be conducted using Zoom technology.
 
The Session recommends two changes to the bylaws of the congregation that will be acted upon at this meeting.

• Congregational bylaw #2 states "there shall be an annual general meeting of the congregation in the church edifice at a time and date in the first quarter of the calendar year following a Sunday morning worship service." 

  • Session recommends deleting the words "in the church edifice".

  • Bylaw #17 notes that "Rule 2 is subject to amendment with respect to date, hour and place of meeting only".

• Recommend the amendment of Congregational bylaw #12, which states "There shall be twelve ruling elders divided into three equal classes . . ."

  • Session recommends changing the word "twelve" to "fifteen". 

Watch your mailbox and email inbox for further details with the Zoom link, passcode, and specific details about how to participate. 

QUESTIONS AND EMERGENCIES
If at anytime you have questions, concerns or ideas, we invite you to reach out to our staff who will continue to be available.  While voice mail will be checked as staff are able, we encourage you to send emails for more immediate response.  If you have a pastoral emergency, please call 651-224-4728 ext. 102 and the voicemail will provide instruction to reach the pastor.

• Pastoral care: Rev. David Colby

• Deacons: Deacon Committee Chair, Mark Vance

• Music: Jennifer Anderson

• Children and Youth: Katie Morris

• General Inquiries: Anna Sanchez

• Communication/Website: Christie Rachelle