February 2013

Dear Centenarians,

A recent article in The Japan Times Weekly contained this headline:

         “N.Y.C.’s Grand Central Station on track for centenary.”

It cited the 100^th anniversary of the United States most famous train station two weeks ago, while recounting its “grand opening” in 1913; the station began with 67 trains that enabled thousands of people to depart and arrive daily.

Of particular significance to me was the article’s identification of Grand Central Station as more of a “terminal” instead of a “station.” The former is a place where trains stop and start their routes, while the latter is a place where trains just pass through.

That analogy can be applied to many churches today, and particularly Centenary United Methodist Church. Throughout our 100+ years as a congregation, there have been many families whose presence has spanned two, three, four, and perhaps more generations, giving faithful witness to Jesus Christ during that time.

At the same time, there are also persons and families whose time within the congregation has been of limited duration, before they moved on to the next phase or destination in their life journeys. Nevertheless, their contributions to our worship and community life have blessed us in deep and lasting ways.  More recently, Centenary has received newcomers into the fold, both beginning Christians as well as seasoned faithful, who have stepped right in and are contributing to our congregational life in new and exciting ways.

We have just begun the season of Lent, the 40 day period that began with Ash Wednesday and culminates on Easter. The season of Lent is a time for “new beginnings” in faith to take root, and also for established faithful to return to the Lord. Of all the church seasons, Lent and Easter define the most important aspects of the Christian faith: repentance, forgiveness, fellowship, prayer, fasting, baptism.

Whether your life as a Christian has been lifelong, recently begun, or in an exploring stage, I invite you to join us during Lent for worship, Bible-study, and a variety of faith-building opportunities.  This is the perfect time to establish a new beginning in your faith journey, or to strengthen your present journey of faith.

I look forward to seeing you in church!

Grace and Peace

Rev. Mark M. Nakagawa