Stop by one of the Angel Trees in the Narthex, the 4 ½ Street Reception Narthex or at the 5th street check-in desk and fill out the sign out booklet with all of the requested information! If you want to be involved but don’t want to shop, you can sponsor an angel! You can give online and select “Angel Tree”, through check or cash or email Anna Thomas if you have any questions. Please return gifts by December 3. Join us next Sunday, December 7 from 3-5 pm for a Wrapping Party in the Community Room! Let’s fellowship and spread Christmas cheer!

During the season of Advent, we will be offering devotions based upon the sermon of the week. Daily, there will be a reflection, Scripture reference, focus question, quote and a prayer. This digital-only product, will be delivered each Sunday evening, through an email link. As we “Prepare the Way“ for the birth of Christ, join us and go deeper in your faith journey as we anctipate the birth of Christ.

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Our year-long journey continues through the books of Luke and Acts, featuring Bible studies, a weekly reading plan, study guides, and other opportunities to engage with these transformative scriptures.

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April 24-26, 2026 • Lake Junaluska

Registration is now open for Centenary’s Thrive! Women’s Retreat—please note the updated date! This special weekend is designed for women of all ages to step away from daily routines, rest, and reconnect with God and one another. Our keynote speaker, Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene, Centenary’s Senior Minister, will lead us in exploring what it means to cultivate a thriving spiritual life. Artist and teacher Lee Chappell Monroe will guide creative arts sessions that invite us to encounter God through hands-on expression. Cost is $345 for a shared room or $595 for a private room if you take advantage of early bird registration, available through January 15. Space is limited, and we expect a full house.

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1st & 3rd Wednesdays
9:30–11:00 am • Room 112 

A sermon is like a seed—it often needs a few days in the soil of our hearts before it begins to sprout. Join facilitators Sue Stephens and Tammy Pollock on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month as we respond to and reflect on the previous Sunday’s sermon. No preparation is needed, and you can participate even if you didn’t hear the sermon in advance. Please bring your Bible. Please register below.

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December 13 • 9:30 - 11:30 am

Infants through 2nd graders are invited to join us for a morning of holiday themed fun full of age-appropriate crafts, games and more! The cost is $5 per child. Register by December 10. Scan the QR code above to register.

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Sunday • December 21 • 10 am • Sanctuary

Join us as we gather in the Sanctuary, where everyone will choose a costume and take part in creating a beautiful picture of what the first Christmas might have looked like as the story is told through rhyme and song. There will be no Sunday school for elementary-aged kids. We will be collecting hats, gloves, and scarves for students at Wiley Middle School on our Tree of Warmth.

Sunday • January 11 • 2:30 - 4:30 pm • Bowlero

Join us for our annual Mother/Son Bowling event at Bowlero! Cost is $10/person and includes bowling, arcade card, and pizza for kids, dessert, and drinks. Register by January 5. Contact Anna Thomas with any questions.

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Sunday • January 25 • 5 - 6:45 pm

All third and fourth graders are invited to join us ​at the church on ​Sunday, January 25, ​from 5-6:45 pm for an escape room ​style Bible adventure to get to know your Bible better! We'll explore our Bibles first and end with dinner together. Cost for the event is $15 per child ​which covers resources for the evening and dinner. Registration will be open December 9 - January 21. Have questions or need more information? Contact Rev. Kate May or Anna Thomas.

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CareNotes are concise booklets that provide uplifting guidance to those who are hurting. They address topics that include grief, aging, healthcare, mental wellness, family care, spiritual support, and more. Our collection of CareNotes is located on the 3rd floor near the Resource Room.

Each week after Sunday worship, the Altar Guild takes the beautiful altar flowers from Centenary’s Sanctuary and creates several small arrangements that are shared with church members and friends who may be homebased, those who may be recovering from surgery, or who just may need a sign of love and care from our congregation. We are in need of someone to help coordinate this congregational care ministry. Volunteers who have a couple hours a week to deliver flowers are also needed. Associate Minister for Congregational Care, Rev. Oliver Helsabeck, will provide the list of persons to receive flowers each week. If you feel a calling to lead this ministry or to help deliver flowers, please contact Oliver.

Centenary Cares, a ministry of Shining Light on Mental Health, is a simple way that care and encouragement are extended from Centenary UMC. If someone you know is struggling or has a loved one struggling with mental health, submit the person’s name to Rev. Oliver Helsabeck, Associate Minister for Congregational Care, (336.724.6311 ext. 1357). A member of Shining Light will confidentially deliver a Centenary Cares bag to the recipient. More information can be found here.

First Mondays • 10 am - Noon

Calling all knitters and crocheters! Join Healing Hands for a time of fellowship, instruction, and service as members create prayer shawls, lap throws, and other handmade items to provide a tangible blessing for people experiencing loss, crisis, or other need for prayerful care. Items are prayed over and blessed to be given away to others in time of need. No experience is necessary. Contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeckor Dianne Moore for more information. Look for a Healing Hands opportunity during Nourish on Wednesday evenings starting in January! No experience is required.

Join the Refresh Prayer Ministry for a mid-week service of reflection, music, and prayer. Each Wednesday from Noon-12:15 pm there will be a time for quiet reflection with music, and then the service will begin at 12:15 pm and finish by 12:45 pm. Parking will be available in the Fifth Street parking lot, and you may enter from the Fifth Street entrance to the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck or Becky Tate.

If someone in your family is experiencing a crisis of mental health, it’s important to know you are not alone. Shining Light on Mental Health is launching the Peer Connector Ministry, which establishes a confidential connection between you and someone who has experienced a similar situation. Peer Connectors serve as supportive friends and listening ears, and they can provide prayerful, emotional support and can help to direct you to additional support or resources, as needed. Send a confidential message to Rev. Oliver Helsabeck and he will connect you with a Peer Connector.

First Thursday • 7:30 - 8:30 am • Community Room

We gather in the second floor Catering Kitchen for coffee, biscuits, and fellowship, followed by a presentation from a special guest speaker. We hope you will join us in this time of community and fellowship!

To learn more about Men’s Ministry at Centenary, contact Chris Munnelly, Tanner Robinson, Michael Rogers, or Tom Lawson.

December 2 • 5:30 - 7 pm

Men’s Ministry invites all Centenary men and their spouses/partners to join them at Lesser Known Brewery (901 South Broad Street). Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy fellowship and to support ministries with a gift. For more details, please contact Tom Lawson. 

Tuesday • December 16 • 12:30 - 5 pm • Community Room 

Centenary is partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive. If you would like to sign up to donate blood, you may do so by clicking on the link below. If you cannot give blood but would like to volunteer, use the volunteer link.

Give Blood   Volunteer

Check out Centenary’s monthly Music & Arts magazine! Find the latest edition on the Music & Arts page, subscribe by clicking here, or pick up a printed copy from the Music Suite.

We invite all children ages 2 through 5th grade, new or returning, to join us this fall when CAE resumes on August 27! CAE’s multi-faceted model engages children with various levels of musical and artistic interests, all while cultivating more regular, more varied worship leadership opportunities for Centenary’s youngest! Email Music Ministries Assistant Virginia Sheffield with any questions.

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Thursdays • 6 pm • Handbell Room

Do you love to ring? West End Ringers begins September 18! Youth in grades 6 – 12 are invited to join this exciting ensemble this fall as they embark on a season of worship leadership and special outside performance opportunities. Previous handbell/musical experience encouraged. Those who wish to also participate in YCC will be released for handbell rehearsal each week. Email Director of Handbell Ensembles, Camille Jones, for more information.

Music & Arts is delighted to share our brand-new year-long Program Booklet! Inside, you will find a full season of inspiring worship opportunities, events, concerts, and more that will fill Centenary with music, creativity, and community. Pick up a copy from the magazine racks around campus or explore the digital version by clicking the link on the Music & Arts page (p. 27) of Through Centenary Windows! 

All Things Bright & Beautiful 
Now-January 8 • Atrium Gallery & Commons

Join us as we celebrate our community’s artistic talents! “All Things Bright & Beautiful: A Neighborhood Showcase,” Music & Arts’ annual community exhibit. Artists represent our congregation (including youth!) and Arbor Acres residents. See you in the gallery! 

Sunday • December 14 • Sanctuary
Prelude at 4:30 pm • Worship at 5 pm

Join the Centenary Choir, Festival Chorus, Carillonneurs, West End Ringers, Winston- Salem Choral Academy, and orchestra for this beloved service. 

Thursday • December 18 • Noon • Memorial Auditorium 

Join Centenary’s Senior Adults as we celebrate the joys of the season with a special music program featuring Virginia Sheffield, Oliver Helsabeck, and Jonathan Emmons! We will gather at 11:45, and lunch will be served at noon. To register, send an email to or call the church office during business hours. Luncheon cost is $10.0,0 and the signup deadline is Wednesday, December 10. If you need transportation to the luncheon, please let Rev. Oliver Helsabeck know. The Senior Adult Council will meet briefly in the choir room at 11:00 a.m. before the luncheon.

The Centenary ornament is still available. It would make a great gift to honor a baptism, confirmation and/or wedding that takes place in our beautiful Sanctuary. If you would like to reserve one, please contact Susan Grubbs.  All proceeds go towards the mission projects of the UWF.

Every Sunday • 10 - 10:50 am • Youth Commons

6th-12th graders are welcome to join our Fall Sunday School series! Join us as we consider the unique characteristics of Mark’s Gospel -- which is known for its simple writing style, fast-paced and episodic coverage of Jesus’s life, and emphasis on the actions of Christ more than His teachings.

Festival of Lights
December 5 • 5:15 - 8 pm • Tanglewood Farm Stables

Calling all 6th graders to come take a holly-jolly hayride through Tanglewood’s Festival of Lights! Be sure to bundle-up in layers, but we’ll have hot cocoa and tasty treats to keep us warm while we ride! To register, click below. For questions, contact Kevin Garrity (ext. 1349). 

Register

December 13 • 2:15 - 8 pm • iFLY 

9th graders! Take a leap of faith with your fellow freshman at iFLY Indoor Skydiving. Join us for a free-falling good time of faith, friendship, and of course, food! For questions, contact Kevin Garrity (ext. 1349).

Register

Wednesday’s • January 9 - May 13 • 6 - 7:30 pm • Youth Commons

We invite all 7th graders to join our Confirmation class as we learn about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the spiritual life. Throughout Confirmation, our hope is that you will encounter Jesus in a very real way, and that your experience changes the way you live your life! Registration is now open via Realm. For questions, contact Tammy Pollock.