To be a diverse community of faith, committed to worship, spiritual growth, and service through Christian love.

The Centenary Family is honored that you are visiting with us. Our prayer is that the Lord will bless each of us as we open ourselves to God's presence, Word, and Holy Spirit. If you are new to our congregation, please share with us your contact information so we can share with you information about the church's varied areas of ministry.

Centenary United Methodist Memphis

584 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106, USA

Sunday 10:30 AM

Live Stream on YouTube

Check in and let us know if you are worshiping with us on Sunday online or in-person! This helps with our records! You may also send prayer requests, update your contact information, or join our email list!

* If able, please stand.

**Worshippers may enter.

†Please refrain from walking

The Flame of God

Introit 

“Anthem of Praise”

Words & Music by Richard Smallwood

Leader: God’s grace is abundant throughout the earth!

People: Praise be to God for the blessings that enrich our lives; for the strong, enduring foundation of His love, grace, and mercy. 

Leader: Give us spirits committed to service and justice.

People: Make us stewards of your creation, O God. Hide your word within us that we may serve and help your people.

Leader:  For the Lord is good;

People: God’s steadfast love endures forever; God’s faithfulness to all generations.

All: Amen.

What is an Invocation?

Heavenly Father, thank You that we are celebrating this church anniversary and we thank You that we are all one in Christ. We pray that as members of Your body, Your Holy Spirit will knit us together in the bond of unity and love. Lord, you have promised that You are the One that would build Your church and we ask that You continue to equip each of us, both individually and corporately, with the talents and gifts that may be used to edify your kingdom.

Protect us from the enemy who seeks to destroy and cause divisions among Your body. Let us not be motivated by selfishness but by humility. May we seek to regard the needs and necessities of others before our own. Give wisdom to the elders and give wisdom to those who teach and a teachable spirit to those who listen. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all this day and forever. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

All: Amen.

“Jehovah Sabaoth”

Soloist: Jessica Merriweather, Alto

Words & Music by Donald Lawrence

What is The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. 

Amen.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen. Amen.

“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”

Arranged by Rollo Dilworth

Dr. Nichols is a native of Memphis, TN and proud to have graduated with honors from the historic Booker T. Washington High School and LeMoyne-Owen College. In May 1996, Dr. Nichols graduated summa cum laude from the Memphis Theological Seminary and in 2004, she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from the historically black Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. On Sunday, Nov 4, 2001, Dr. Nichols and faithful visionaries organized Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church (DOC). We remain faithful to the call of reaching those who are unconnected to and disconnected from the life affirming and life transforming relationship with Jesus and His Church. Dr. Nichols has served as visiting professor at the Gweru Baptist Theological Seminary in Gweru, Zimbabwe South Africa; travelled as a church planter throughout the provinces of China and participated in a renewal pilgrimage to Galilee and Jerusalem. She has served as facilitator and preacher for the Samuel D. Proctor Conference, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship & Mercer University Conference on Sexuality and Covenant, and with the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention. As a founding member of MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) on March 8, 2022 she was elected as its 2nd Board President. Dr. Nichols served as the Director of Advancement for Special Programs of the prestigious Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Endowment Fund, and the Starks Scholarship & Awards Ceremony. From 2021-2024, she served as Inter-Faith Officer for MIFA (Metropolitan Interfaith Association). 

As of Nov 2024, she became the Assoc VP of Advancement at her alma mater LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis, TN. Dr. Nichols has received numerous awards, is a Memphis Leadership Graduate, a member of the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter. Her writings have been featured in numerous articles and books.

Dr. Nichols’ deepest passion is teaching, preaching, transformational ministry, and working with others who strive in common practices for the beloved community of God.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.                                 

Leader: 160 years ago Divine Inspiration gave birth to a vision that led to what is now Centenary  United  Methodist Church.

People:  Through the years we built a firm foundation. Through the years We moved towards our  Mission.

Leader:  Our mission: We are committed to Worship of the One, True God. We are committed to  Spiritual  Growth within a diverse community of faith. We are committed – with Christian love – to Service to,  and Advocacy for, those in need.

People:  Through the years we built a firm foundation. Through the years we marched for civil  rights.

Leader:  Treading the path of non-violence, we walked with conviction, ever mindful of The Cause.  Nowadays we walk with confidence, ever mindful of Who We Are. We walk boldly by faith,  ever mindful of Whose We Are.

People:  Through the years we built a firm foundation. Through the years we learned to cherish  our Past.

Leader:  We remember the faith and work of those who came before us. We share precious memories  and reflect on the grace and goodness of God.

People:  Through the years we built a firm foundation. Each moment brought us to this wonderful Present.

Leader:  Everyone has a role in the life of the church. We carry the torch our ancestors passed to us.  We hold it high to light not only our own path but also the path of those who come after us.   

People:  Through the years we built a firm foundation. After 160 years we look towards a bright  Future.

Leader:  We vow to work consistently and faithfully in the church and the community that there may  be life within these walls, and outside these walls, for years to come.      

People:  We are building upon a firm foundation. We will continually serve God.

Leader:  Jesus Christ the Rock of Ages. Jesus was our ancestors’ Rock, and it is upon that Rock they  built Centenary. Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be our Cornerstone.       

People:  We are building upon a firm foundation. We are moving towards our Destiny.

Leader:  We love you, Lord! O that You would bless us to build upon our strong foundation. O that  You would enlarge our territory, that we may expand our missions and our ministries. Bless  us, O God. Hear Your servants’ prayer.

People: We are Building Upon a Firm Foundation! We are a Church Built to Last!

Written by Kametris Waytt, November 2025

Extinguishing the Light 

Closing Song

“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”

Arranged by Rollo Dilworth

Dismissal with Blessing

Postlude

Worship Participants

Worship Leader: Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Williams     

Music: Mass Choir   

Musicians: Cynthia Haley, Gerard Harris, Autry Parker, Jr., Roney Simelton 

Sound Technician: David Parker

Online Worship Team: James Haley, II, LaRue Keller,

Robin Mathews, Charles Parker, Denise Parker, Nicole Parker,

Rosalyn Ross, Glenese Scales, Geralyn Seals,

Renee Parker Sekander, Kierra Taylor, Stephanie Walker

Centenary’s MICAH core team will meet on Thursday, November 20th, at 5:30 pm (same day of our marker dedication) in the W. A. Miller Room. Be a part of the team whose mission is to have a just Memphis community.

 Advent season is the beginning of the liturgical year.  

It is a season of expectation and anticipation, preparation 

and contemplation.  It is four weeks of preparing our hearts 

to receive Jesus our Savior, who will bring incredible promise, healing, hope for peace on earth, and joy to the world.

Beginning November 30th, we will have a family to light the 

Advent candles on each of the Four Sundays in Advent and read scriptures as part of the Advent Liturgical Celebration.

The Hanging of the Greens service will be on November 30, 2025. This service is one of decorating the sanctuary with the symbols of life - evergreens and lights. We will pre-decorate our sanctuary on Monday, November 24th at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are welcome!!

The Angel Tree program is designed to provide gifts to children as a token of love. It was specifically designed for children of persons who are inmates within a prison facility. This year, we will follow the same guidelines as proposed by Prison Fellowship for the national Angel Tree Program. Gifts will be purchased and distributed accordingly.

Item #1:  Each child will receive two (2) gifts: one article of clothing and one toy, or a fun item specifically requested by the child.

Item #2: All gifts should cost between $20 to $30. Additional Information will be posted in next week’s bulletin.

Some of the requests are posted online, and the link below can be used to reach the names. (https://sponsor.angeltreetool.org/64717a95-1257-4b48-9c99-792aa221a316/children

Please, when you take a child’s name, purchase both gifts. His name is in duplicate to ensure this. Thanks to everyone. You may use this link until Nov 24. Please do not take any from the online service after November 24. 

Rev. W. Frank Jones is available for Grief Counseling. 

Persons in need of guidance and support during their bereavement may contact him at 219-789-4923.

Our Capital Campaign continues. Thank you for your pledges and contributions to date.

We Need Your Help!

We are organizing to assist the pastor in supporting as well as caring for our sick-and-shut-in members. If you are aware of any homebound members, please call the church office and give their contact information {name, address, phone number} to the secretary. We welcome the opportunity to care for our

members. Thank you in advance for your prayers as we undertake this endeavor.      

Billie Hansbrough, Chairperson

The Worship Leader, Ushers, Communion Stewards, and Acolyte Ministry can use you. If you are interested in serving in one of these ministries, please contact the church office at 901-774-7604.