November 23, 2025
This Week's Opportunities for Connection
Dedications
Although poinsettia orders have now closed, you are still welcome to make a dedication in honor or in memory of a loved one this Advent season.
Donations of any amount may be given to Central’s Worship Fund. Forms for dedications are available in both worship spaces.
Please submit your dedication form by December 14.
Donations of any amount may be given to Central’s Worship Fund. Forms for dedications are available in both worship spaces.
Please submit your dedication form by December 14.
Birthday Club - November 20
Join us for the November Birthday Club at 11:30 AM on Thursday, November 20 at Gus' Family Restaurant in Monroe. Jean Semken is the host.
Western NC Conference Events
On November 20th, there will be a combined meeting of the Metro and Uwharrie Districts at Blair Street United Methodist Church in Mint Hill from 10am – 3pm.
Bake Sale - THIS Sunday, November 23
Please be sure to stop by Central UWF's bake sale THIS Sunday from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Items will be available for purchase in the upper hallway.
Celebrating and Honoring Members 90 + Years Old
Please join us on Sunday, November 23 at the 11 AM traditional worship service, where we will honor 18 members of Central United Methodist Church who have blessed those around them for 90 or more years.
Ongoing Opportunities for Connection
Central Festival Choir
We are getting ready for Advent and Christmas and we want YOU to be part of our choir! Lifting our voices together is more than just singing, it’s a way to lead one another into a worship experience that is closer to God! Our commitment is to vital worship and transforming hearts, and through this experience your own heart can be transformed too.
We truly have fun together and it’s a low-stress way to serve and grow in faith. Even if you’ve never sung in a choir or touched a piece of music before, you are welcome. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays 6:45–7:15 and Sundays 9:55–10:35. They begin THIS WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY! So, come join us as we share the good news of the season and make a joyful noise to the Lord! We truly need your presence!
Join today by signing up at the link below. You can also come to our rehearsals, but the form helps us plan more effectively!
We truly have fun together and it’s a low-stress way to serve and grow in faith. Even if you’ve never sung in a choir or touched a piece of music before, you are welcome. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays 6:45–7:15 and Sundays 9:55–10:35. They begin THIS WEDNESDAY & SUNDAY! So, come join us as we share the good news of the season and make a joyful noise to the Lord! We truly need your presence!
Join today by signing up at the link below. You can also come to our rehearsals, but the form helps us plan more effectively!
Join Celebration Singers
Children in Kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome to join the Celebration Singers as we learn some Christmas melodies. Please join us starting Wednesday, November 5 from 6:15-6:45 PM in the choir room!
November Shareback
Our November Shareback is Loaves and Fishes of Union County.
Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based community food pantry program that exists to support local families in crisis. Funds and food come to Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. from local individuals, local congregations, civic and church groups, businesses, independent drives and local schools.
They are in need of shelf stable grocery items, such as canned meats, canned beef stew, canned fish, canned fruits like applesauce, and vegetables, soups, dry pasta, canned tomatoes, boxed instant potatoes, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, boxed baking mixes, flour, sugar, dried beans, rice, grits, oatmeal, apple juice, and ramen noodles.
Additionally, they will accept personal care items such as bars of soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.
Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based community food pantry program that exists to support local families in crisis. Funds and food come to Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. from local individuals, local congregations, civic and church groups, businesses, independent drives and local schools.
They are in need of shelf stable grocery items, such as canned meats, canned beef stew, canned fish, canned fruits like applesauce, and vegetables, soups, dry pasta, canned tomatoes, boxed instant potatoes, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, boxed baking mixes, flour, sugar, dried beans, rice, grits, oatmeal, apple juice, and ramen noodles.
Additionally, they will accept personal care items such as bars of soap, paper towels, and toilet paper.
Future Opportunities for Connection
Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
The church office will be closed for Thanksgiving Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 26 - 28.
Hanging of the Greens - Saturday, November 29
Many hands make light work! Join us for Hanging of the Greens on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM as we prepare our sanctuary and spaces for the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas. Your help is truly needed and deeply appreciated!
Please click the link below to register to help, so we can know to expect you or connect with Julie Miles or Sylvia Jenkins:
Please click the link below to register to help, so we can know to expect you or connect with Julie Miles or Sylvia Jenkins:
Advent at Central
Following the beautiful spirit of unity we experienced during our Summer Combined Services, Central will once again gather as One Body in Christ during the Advent and Christmas season! From November 30 through December 28, we will worship together in one Combined Service at 10:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary. These services will include elements from both our Traditional and Modern Worship styles, allowing everyone to experience the richness and diversity of our worship life at Central. As we move through this meaningful season, this schedule also helps us practice good stewardship of our resources and accommodate holiday travel schedules, while giving us the gift of growing closer as a church family. We are excited to experience this time of worship, hope, peace, joy, love, and anticipation together! Don’t miss this powerful season of coming together as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Our regular worship schedule will resume on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Advent by Candlelight
Take some time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, the special celebration of Jesus' birth. Judy Cook from The Storefront Theater in Waxhaw will personate Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Following our program, there will be warm drinks and food to allow for fellowship with our sisters in Christ.
Please make reservations by clicking the link or calling the church office at 704-289-3186.
Hope to see you there.
Following our program, there will be warm drinks and food to allow for fellowship with our sisters in Christ.
Please make reservations by clicking the link or calling the church office at 704-289-3186.
Hope to see you there.
Baptism
We will celebrate Holy Baptism on Sunday, December 21, 2025, during the 10:00 AM Combined Worship Service. If you are interested or desire your child to be baptized that Sunday, please complete the registration form below.
In order to receive Holy Baptism, adult candidates and the guardians of children and youth candidates must attend a preparation class. The class will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Library. Anyone who is interested in learning more about Baptism is encouraged to attend the class, even if you will not participate on December 21.
Register for Baptism by clicking the link below or call the church office at 704-289-3186 to let us know if you would like to attend the class.
In order to receive Holy Baptism, adult candidates and the guardians of children and youth candidates must attend a preparation class. The class will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Library. Anyone who is interested in learning more about Baptism is encouraged to attend the class, even if you will not participate on December 21.
Register for Baptism by clicking the link below or call the church office at 704-289-3186 to let us know if you would like to attend the class.
Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Come and be renewed with hope, peace, joy, and love as we celebrate the good news of the season in Worship for The Light of Life: A Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in the Central UMC Sanctuary. Gathering music will begin at 9:50 A.M. Let this morning be a pause from the busyness of the season, a time to open your heart to wonder, reflection, and the radiant light of Christ.
Through scripture and song, we will encounter the light that comes into the world, the light that sustains life, the light that gives life, the light that is life itself, Jesus Christ.
The service will be filled with wonderful music from the Central Festival Choir, 801Praise!, our mighty Casavant organ, trumpet, violin, and timpani; all under the direction of Nathan Clements. These fantastic musicians will lead us in music that lifts our spirits and words that stir our souls, as the light of Christ shines brightly among us.
Come and worship deeply, sing boldly, and let your heart be filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love of the Light of Life.
Through scripture and song, we will encounter the light that comes into the world, the light that sustains life, the light that gives life, the light that is life itself, Jesus Christ.
The service will be filled with wonderful music from the Central Festival Choir, 801Praise!, our mighty Casavant organ, trumpet, violin, and timpani; all under the direction of Nathan Clements. These fantastic musicians will lead us in music that lifts our spirits and words that stir our souls, as the light of Christ shines brightly among us.
Come and worship deeply, sing boldly, and let your heart be filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love of the Light of Life.
Other Church Announcements
The Sonshine Class Thanks You
The Sonshine Class wants to express its gratitude to all who helped made the Sonshine Social a success!
Member Name Tags
We love seeing our church family grow, and name tags help us feel even more connected!
Please remember to wear your new name tag each Sunday. It’s a simple way to help everyone put names to faces and make newcomers feel right at home.
Do you need a name tag or would you like a change made to the one you have? Please click on the link to request a new one, or look for the name tag request forms in Central Hall and the narthex before and after Sunday worship.
Please remember to wear your new name tag each Sunday. It’s a simple way to help everyone put names to faces and make newcomers feel right at home.
Do you need a name tag or would you like a change made to the one you have? Please click on the link to request a new one, or look for the name tag request forms in Central Hall and the narthex before and after Sunday worship.
We Are Hiring - Director of Music Ministries
We welcome those who are called to provide leadership of a music ministry team and serve with a church whose calling is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
App Logins & Notifications
Do you have the Central App? Are your notifications on? Are you logged in? We're going to help you get started!
To turn notifications on:
Open your Central App
Click the person icon at the top right
Scroll to App Settings
Click on Notifications
Ensure that General is toggled on and lights up green
You are good to go! Now you won't miss any communication from the church!
To Log In:
Tap the person icon at the top right
Tap Login or Sign Up
Tap Create an Account (in gray above the email box, on the right)
Enter your first and last name, email, and create a password
The app should remember your password so you won’t need to log in every time
If you choose not to create an account or skip the password, you may miss out on important features like event registration and personalized updates.
To turn notifications on:
Open your Central App
Click the person icon at the top right
Scroll to App Settings
Click on Notifications
Ensure that General is toggled on and lights up green
You are good to go! Now you won't miss any communication from the church!
To Log In:
Tap the person icon at the top right
Tap Login or Sign Up
Tap Create an Account (in gray above the email box, on the right)
Enter your first and last name, email, and create a password
The app should remember your password so you won’t need to log in every time
If you choose not to create an account or skip the password, you may miss out on important features like event registration and personalized updates.