The Central Link Newsletter - 4/5/26 Copy

Join us for this reverent evening of worship tonight, April 2, at 7:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary. Featuring the Central Ringers, our Festival Choir, and Casavant organ. Gathering Music will begin at 6:50 P.M.

You are invited to experience this profound and soul-stirring evening of worship tomorrow, April 3 at 7:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary. Featuring our Festival Choir, Casavant organ, piano, violin, and timpani. Gathering Music will begin at 6:50 P.M.

You’re Invited to Our Easter Celebration!

All children are invited to join us for a joyful Easter Celebration!

Saturday, April 4th
⏰ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

We’ll begin with a special Easter story and a fun activity together before heading outside for our exciting Easter Egg Hunt in the garden!

Please use the church office entrance when you arrive.

We can’t wait to celebrate the joy of Easter with you!

If you have any questions, please call or text
Erica – 704-290-4607

Come ready for fun, friends, and celebration! ?✨

Have your picture taken at church on Easter Sunday morning in our beautiful prayer garden!

Sign up for a time slot either before or after the service by clicking the link below. You will then be assigned a specific time between 9:20 and 9:45am or 11:20 and 11:45am, based on your chosen timeframe.

Walk ups will also be taken, but you are highly encouraged to fill out the sign up to ensure that the photographer can fit you in!

This is sponsored by Dylan Haigler, photographer and Central’s Hospitality Ministry.
Invite a friend, join us for worship, and have capture the wonderful memories of Easter 2026!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

On Easter, we gather in a radiant celebration of the resurrection, the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and love that reigns forevermore! This is a day of victory and joy, when the church lifts its song and proclaims the good news that Christ lives and hope is alive for all.

Join us on Sunday, April 5, at 10:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary for a glorious service of worship as we celebrate the risen Lord and share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, giving thanks for the promise of new life made known through Christ. Featuring Festival Choir, 801Praise!, Central Ringers, Casavant organ, piano, violin, trumpet, and timpani. Gathering Music will begin at 9:50 A.M.

The church office will be closed on Monday, April 6 in observance of Easter.

Our April Shareback is Turning Point.

From Turning Point's website: "Turning Point is the only organization in Union County that provides emergency and lifesaving resources for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.  We offer a wide range of services at no charge to the client.  Turning Point believes that everyone who experiences abuse deserves a safe place to heal and receive the resources they need to seek independence and justice."

We are collecting the following items for Turning Point, and these items will benefit the Tree House Advocacy Center. The Tree House Advocacy Center, "offers a variety of services for children and their families related to traumatic events such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, or witnessing violence."

Items Needed:

Toys for boys and girls, including -

• Sports balls (such as football, soccer, and basketball)
• Toy cars
• Dolls (such as Barbie)

Please no Nerf guns or other toy weapons

Office Supplies, including - 

• Pens
• Highlighters
• Printer Paper

Cleaning Supplies, including -

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels

The Shareback table is now located on your left as you enter the church building at the office entrance.

The Sally Shirley Bivens Scholarship is given by the Parlor Group Sunday School Class of Central UMC in loving memory of Sally Shirley Bivens.

To apply for the scholarship, visit https://www.centralumcmonroe.org/sally-shirley-bivens-scholarship. Complete the form and obtain your high school or college information as well as your recommendation letters. Once all information is together, scan and email to Dr. Jane Neese at jneese773@gmail.com.

For questions, please call 704.776.3227, leave a message and Dr. Neese will return your call.

Applications are due May 1st.

Through the generosity of the Starnes Family, the youth of Central have been the recipients of 124 scholarships totaling $807,700 since 2013.  Scholarships are available to active youth of Central who are committed to growing in their faith while furthering their education.

Complete the Intent to Apply.  Your application will then be sent to you via an email link from Julie. The deadline for applications for the Starnes scholarship is May 13th.

Soul Food Bible Study is beginning a new study on Thursday, April 16 at 10 A.M.,  "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God?"

Discover how your life can change, using one simple word: Yes. Join us!

April's Birthday Club will be on Thursday, April 16 at Logan's Roadhouse in Monroe at 11:30 AM. Jeanne Mackay is this month's host. 

The following gifts were made to the memorial fund in March 2026:

In memory of Nancy Presson by Beth Hargett
In memory of Nancy Presson by Cindy Sartain
In memory of Nancy Presson by Pam, Jody, Justin, and Jake Sanders
In memory of Beth Abbott by Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Thomas

Several church office staff will be out of town the week of April 5, following Holy Week. We have some wonderful volunteers who will be supporting the office during this time.  We appreciate your patience with your requests to the office this week.

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.