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"Gym Shorts and Tennis Shoes"
"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28
He walked in right at the beginning of the service. Most everyone had already found a seat. The choir had already entered the loft. The prelude had already been played. It was a high and holy moment. At least for a brief moment it was. Was.
Centenary's Homecoming Sunday was a much-anticipated day. Each year the college enjoys a whole host of gatherings for friends, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and anyone else who just likes to get caught up in the excitement of it all. People from all over gathered to see colleagues, to rekindle long-time friendships, to hear the magnificent Centenary Choir, and to listen as the new president of Centenary, Rev. Dr. David Rowe, delivered the sermon. As the service began, excitement filled the air. It was truly a high and holy moment. Was...
"Let us turn our attention to the choral introit...as the light of Christ is brought into our presence." Flame in hand, the acolytes processed down the aisles, a high and holy moment in the service of worship.
But just behind one of the acolytes, who by the way, were dressed in their Sunday best and proudly wearing their acolyte robes, came a teenager... In gym shorts and tennis shoes!
At first, I thought the young teenager would walk all the way down to the altar with the acolytes. But he took a seat amongst the crowd. And the service moved on.
I thought about it all day. The stark contrast of shirts and ties, acolyte robes, gym shorts and tennis shoes. The wonderful mix of people who don't normally hang out together. The unusual gathering of young and old, rich and poor, long-time members and first-time visitors, black and white, students and faculty, dress shirts and gym shorts.
"...for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."
It truly was a high and holy moment!
I'll see you at the "oneness" place this Sunday,
Rev. Flint E. Shea |
 Upward Basketball Has Started!
Here are a few of our Noel guys and friends, ready to go!
Games at Noel will be on Saturday, February 13 and 20
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the Gym.
Come out and support our kids!
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Keeping in the Spirit of "Spirit League"
The games are blessed with prayer. Wrapping up a great season, Noel has been represented exceptionally well by our own Spirit League team and their loyal fans. We have a great team of boys this year, consisting mostly of our Noel youth and a few of their friends and neighbors. It has been an exciting season watching these young men become a team under the leadership of coach, Brian Middleton. So if you get a chance, congratulate them on their teamwork, dedication, and making Noel proud.
The final tournament games are held at Broadmoor United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 9, and Thursday, February 11, at either 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. depending on our ranking.
Noel's Spirit League Team: Robert Bell, Clyde Crawford, Aaron Dowis, Alex Dowis, Ryan O'Donnell, Forrest Shea, Nathan Skinner, Garrett Summers, and Maze Thornton. |
Noel Neighborhood Ministries' News
Food Pantry Hours are Monday-Thursday and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Our 2010 Spring Flower Sale is in full swing. Order forms have been mailed out and are also located in various locations around the church. Be sure to order your flowers and help feed a family.
Sue Kamm has been a Noel Neighborhood Ministries Flower Sale customer for many years. "The flowers are always beautiful and healthy." says Sue. "They last a long time. My pansies are blooming their hearts out. The freeze didn't touch them at all."
The deadline to order is Friday, February 19, and the flower pick up date is Saturday, April 17. |
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OUR LIFE IN CHRIST
Remember in your prayers our known ill: John Carpenter, Sugar Clary, Julie Ezernack, David Fite, Mollie Griffith, Billie Haacker, Bill Hightower, Bootsie Huddleston, Carol Massey, Jesse and Norma Morgan, Art Reasor, Glenn Richardson, Harry Risor, Libby Roby, Bob Rushing, Alton Sartor, Claud Spence, Jackie Thurmon, Renee Webb, and Herman Williamson.
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MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
Contributions have been given to special funds in memory or honor of loved ones as follows:
Memorial Fund in memory Lucy Devereaux by Harbin Boddie, Rasmussen Memorial Class, D. Richard Mauery, Jr., Mrs. Donald R. Mauery, Larry and Cissie Franklin, Dr. and Mrs. John Carter, Gynell Stacy, N. H. Wheeless, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Lane Sartor, Mrs. W. J. Garland, Susie and Scotty Jones, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Ogilvie, Virginia Shehee, Robert Shields and David Nesser, Morris and Ann Inabnet, Mr. and Mrs. Don Trussell, Mr. and Mrs. George N. Drake, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Knight, Mr. and Mrs. B. Lee Sutton, Juan and Bonnie Watkins, and Marshall Shaw; in memory of Jack Kelly by Harbin Boddie, Ramona Wigley, and NORLAQ; in memory of Maggie Sour by Patrick and Angela Cordaro, Dr. Marian Feducia, Ben and Kim Lay, and Connie and Jeff Harriss; in memory of Eleanor Greve by Mrs. Mary Frances Shepherd and Mr. and Mrs. Don Trussell; in memory of Martha Denton and Hoy Strickland by Harbin Boddie; and in memory of Mary Audrey Snelling by Mr. and Mrs. B. G. Nichols.
Youth Fund in memory of Eleanor Greve by Carolyn Warren.
Scholarship Fund in memory of Lucy Devereaux by Midge Arthur and James and Jean Goins; in honor of Hugo and Ann Holland by Nancy, Dane, Chance, and Duke Holland; and in memory of Martha Denton by Margaret Kempton.
Chancel Choir Fund in memory of Alice Brown and Bert and Eleanor Greve by Judy Butcher.
Food Pantry Fund in memory of Jack Kelly by Red River Hatters.
Mexico Mission Trip in honor of Skip Buford, Jim Byrd, James Goins, Ann and Hugo Holland, Gordon Latham, William Peeples, Bob and Ellyce Thomas, Jackie Watson, Don Whittington, and David Williamson by Gene and Lynda Land and the Upper Room Class. |
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
UMW General Meeting, Saturday, February 6, 10:00 a.m., Parlor. UMW Circle #2 will be hosting and the program will be the Installation of the 2010 officers and Prayer and Self-Denial.
Highland Mardi Gras Parade, Sunday, February 14, 2:00 p.m.. Join us for this great family event. Bring your lawn chairs and get a good spot to watch. Free lemonade and popcorn!
Administrative Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 16, 7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall. All members are encouraged to attend.
Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday, February 17, 12:10 p.m., Lane Chapel. Plan to join us as we begin the Lenten season.
Sacred Pathways, Thursday, February 18, 6:00 p.m., Chapel. An evening of contemplative practices including a labyrinth walk, centering prayer, and Lectio Divina. Gather in Lane Chapel for a brief time of worship, then choose one of the three practices to experience in a quiet, meditative setting.
Noel Neighborhood Ministries Spring Flower Sale. Order forms have been mailed out and are located around the church. Complete your forms and place in the offering plate, church office, or mail. The deadline to order will be February 19.
The Inner Room, a Contemplative Dialogue Small Group led by Rachel Scott and Alan Prater, Mondays, beginning February 22, 6:30 p.m., Couples Classroom. The group will be studying the book "The Wisdom Way of Knowing" by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. Please call the church at 221-5207 if interested.
February Wednesday Night Dinner, Wednesday, February 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Cafe Noel (rear Fellowship Hall). A suggested donation of $3.00 per person or family maximum of $12.00 for those who are able to give.
Blood Drive, Sunday, February 28, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Gym. Give the gift of life!
Noel NOW Newsletter is going digital and we are sending the Noel NOW out on a weekly basis by e-mail. "Go Green" cards are located in the pews and around the church. To receive the Noel NOW by e-mail, indicate that choice on the back of the "Go Green" card and include your e-mail address, call the Church Office, or e-mail us at bbrown@noelumc.org.
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