Calendar of Events

The readings for Sunday,  September 5 are: Jeremiah 18: 1 – 11; Psalm Voices United (VU) 304; Philemon: 1 – 21; Luke 14:
25 – 33. The readings for Sunday, September 12 are: Jeremiah 4: 11 – 12, 22 – 28; Psalm 14/VU 735; 1 Timothy 1: 12 – 17; Luke 15: 1 – 10.

The Scripture Summary ~ September 5

Jeremiah 18: 1 – 11
Jeremiah the prophet goes to the potter's house where God explains that God, as the great potter, can take a bad work of clay and change it into a good one.

Psalm Voices United Hymn Book # 304     "O God, beyond All Face and Form"

Philemon 1 – 21
The author appeals to his friend, Philemon, to provide loving care to the slave, Onesimus --'to welcome him as you would welcome me' (not as a slave but as a loved child).

Luke 14: 25 – 33                Rev. Alanna Menu
Jesus describes the conditions for discipleship -- complete commitment in which God comes first.

OFFICE HOURS

The office is open Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 2 pm. The church office is located at 612 David Street upstairs on the main floor.

PRAYER FOR SEPTEMBER
Our prayers this month are with all those starting anew - returning to school and or university. We pray that all will be able to be fed with knowledge and that the knowledge comes from both school books and also the most important book.

FACILITY USE and EVENTS
If you would like to have an event or meeting at Centennial United, please contact the church office. Let us know the date(s), time and type of event by email centen1@telus.net or call 250-384-6424. Thank you.

Bible Study
You are warmly invited to join Centennial folks in the fall Bible Study. The study will focus on Genesis, the first book of the Bible. There will be twelve sessions starting on Monday, September 13 to December 6: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm; followed by a bag lunch. Participants are invited to bring your own bag lunch. We will again take advantage of Dr. Pawson's insight through his DVD series, "Unlocking the Bible". Sessions will include prayers, hymns, and discussion. Please register by contacting the Centennial Church Office at 250-384-6424; E-Mail: centen1@telus.net. All sessions are in the Centennial Lounge at 612 David Street.

COMMUNITY

CAMP PRINGLE
Table and Chair Drive for the New Hall
Camp Pringle is looking to replace their old tables and chairs with beautiful new furniture through Heritage Office Furnishings to match the gorgeous new dining hall. They are asking congregations and individuals if they would be interested in supporting this effort by purchasing one set (1 table & 8 chairs) at a cost of $1,250. If you are not able to purchase a full set, donations in any amount towards our efforts are appreciated. Full table-set donations will be recognized in the hall. Tax receipts will be issued for the full amount of any contributions over $10.

CAMP PRINGLE 60th ANNIVERSARY
Mark your calendars! Camp Pringle at Shawnigan Lake, will celebrate its 60th Anniversary on October 9, 2010 between 2:00 – 5:00 pm with an Open House (free) and a “Camp Style” dinner and entertainment: 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Dinner Tickets $20 each (5 and under free) Advance purchase only. Tickets are available at the Camp Pringle office, 932 Balmoral Avenue. The Open House and dinner will be held at Camp Pringle at Shawnigan Lake. For information please call 250-472-6877.

UPC CODES

Just a reminder we are still collecting Island Farms UPC codes and Campbell soup labels. The soup labels need the picture and the UPC code intact please. There are baskets on the table by the office or in the Narthex. Thank you.

USED POSTAGE STAMPS
Please bring your used postage stamps with ½” borders and leave them in the box in the vestibule of the Gorge St. entrance. The stamps provide funds for the Cancer Society. Thank you!

OUR PLACE

Our Place Society provides transitional housing, meals, support and advocacy, hygiene facilities, training and more to Victoria’s inner city. We are striving to give people a hand up and not simply a hand out. We work in compassionate Christian love with those who are homeless and others in need in an effort to enrich and improve the lives of all. All who enter our doors, all who support our vision and all who work with us make up the Our Place family.

Donations of items, as well as financial donations, will be gratefully accepted at 919 Pandora Avenue. Thank you so very much for your support and generosity.
Suggested Donation Items:
Shampoo and small containers are needed for “Our Place” on a regular basis.
Toiletries, sleeping bags, warm scarves, socks, hats, gloves.
Non-perishable food items like canned meats, tuna, dry pasta.

Other ways to support Our Place include volunteering, purchasing “Help End Hunger” vouchers from Thrifty Food stores, donations of postage stamps or bus tickets. Centennial collects for Our Place the last Sunday of the month.

More information about programs at Our Place can be found in the Our Place newsletter. Copies are available at Centennial United or call Our Place at 250-388-7112.

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THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Tuesday August 17, 2010

United Church Launches Emergency Appeal for Pakistan

Toronto: The United Church of Canada announced today that it is launching an emergency appeal for donations designated for flood relief and reconstruction in Pakistan.

The United Church will receive donations to its Emergency Response Fund to be used by the ACT Alliance, a global network of 100 churches and church-related organizations that work together to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term development. ACT members in Pakistan are working diligently to deliver assistance including food, water, tents, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical care.

Gary Kenny is The United Church of Canada's Program Coordinator for Emergency Response. He says the United Church has a solid history of working with its in-country partners and organizations like ACT to deliver aid to affected communities in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. Delivering aid to the affected communities is extremely difficult, because they are in mountainous, remote, and hard-to-reach regions. Nonetheless Kenny says he's confident that the
initial emergency funds the United Church has sent-$65,000 from emergency relief funds and $75,000 through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank-has reached or will soon reach communities in need.

"Patience, ongoing consultation, and careful planning and monitoring are critical requirements in responding effectively to a humanitarian crisis as complex as that currently unfolding in Pakistan," says Kenny.

Individuals are invited to contribute to the United Church's Pakistan appeal either through their local congregations or directly to The United Church of Canada's national office: 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4. Cheques should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked "Pakistan Flood Relief." Online donations can also be made at www.united-church.ca/pakistan

Additional background material related to the United Church's Pakistan appeal has been posted on The United Church of Canada's website (www.united-church.ca/pakistan). Please watch for updates as new information becomes available.