Announcements and Events for the Week of

November 30, 2025


EXALT THE LORD

Live Stream and In-person Services

Click here to learn more

This Advent Season, We Invite You To Experience Central Like Never Before!

Click on the Grinch to view the video.

"THE GRINCH. and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! are registered trademarks of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. This work is not endorsed by, licensed by, or associated with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. or the publishers of the works of Dr. Seuss."

Advent Sermon Series, "The Heart That Grew Three Sizes; Find Faith in the Story of the Grinch" starts Sunday, November 30th during the TRADITIONS and CENTERED Worship Experiences.

Sunday School Classes will be offered for our children, youth and adults based on this Advent theme. Classes will start Sunday, November 30th, 9:30am. Scan the QR Code above or click on the buttons below to register.

Christmas Cantata, 8:00am-TRADITIONS Worship Service, Christmas Cantata led by Dr. Sharon Willis and all of Central UMC Choirs, ensembles, and dancers.


Grinch Themed Sunday School Lessons for children, youth and adults, 9:30am


Christmas Concert, 11:00am - CENTERED Worship Service, led by Reggie Degraffenreaidt featuring the EPiC Choir and the Tri-Cities High School Band.


Live Nativity, 12:30pm - On Central's campus. Live animals, pony rides, s'mores, free food trucks, Santa Clause, and the Grinch! There will also be a free gift for the first 200 families!


Blue Christmas-The Longest Night, 4:00pm - For those walking through grief and loss during this season while others experience joy.

Click on the above image to access the order form.

SERMON SHOT

This Sermon Shot excerpt is from Sunday, November 23, 2025 sermon

" One King"

Click on the image below to view the video

Lectionary Lessons for Sunday, December 7 2025

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3: 1-12

THERE ARE 5 WAYS TO GIVE YOUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS


  1. Website - centralumcatl.org
  2. Text Message - 73256 in the message box type CENTRALUMC
  3. Cash App - $CUMCATL PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME
  4. Mail your offering to: Central UMC, 501 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
  5. In person worshippers may place their offering the in the offering plate.

WORSHIP SERVICE ATTENDANCE


The number of people who experienced our worship service the Sunday of November 27, 2025


In Person Worship

8:00 am - 108 | 11:00 am -55



Online Views

8:00 am -659 | 11:00 am - 153


EQUIP THE SAINTS

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97943044526?pwd=5UKc5IbjbUso5MJkXIsOaUyJUelVr1.1


Meeting ID: 979 4304 4526

Passcode: 578084


JOIN A PRAYER GROUP



THE POWER OF PRAYER


Central's Prayer Team invites you to join a prayer circle for intercessory prayer. These virtual prayer circles are hosted by members of Central's Prayer Team. They will gather to pray for individuals, our church, the government, our nation and the world.


The Prayer Circle day, time and conference call numbers are listed:


Scarlett Dukes - Mondays, 7:00 pm. Our study and prayer focus is1 Timothy 6: 6-19; . Phone number 720-843-2598, access code 2082348#


Wendy Murphy Prayer Group - Wednesdays, 6:45 pm., 605-313-5608 access code 725038#


Couties Hollis - Every other Wednesdays, 8:00 pm. 978-990-5404 access code 7685875#


Diane Wyatt - Thursdays, 8:00 pm. 267-807-9601 access code 413883#

SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY CLASSES


In-Person and Zoom Adult Sunday School Classes

9:30 am - 10:30 am



In-Person classes will meet in The Ministry Enhancement Center in the Ministry Center.

Online classes will meet via Zoom. To access the class, please use the following Zoom information:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81279756444?pwd=e4Juf8cbhFOuThiUz6XnChapoV1z4R.1


Meeting ID: 812 7975 6444 Passcode: 602269


If you have questions or need additional information, please send an email to, sunday.school@centralumcatl.org.




JOURNEY THROUGH

THE BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Tuesdays 6:30 pm


Conference Call-In Number

857-357-0254

Access Code

749979#

Rev. Frederick Gray

Class Facilitator


Wednesday Night Bible Study



MEDITATIONS OF THE HEART


Wednesdays 7:15 pm

Join Us on Zoom


Zoom Link Click Here


Meeting ID: 870 1527 9575

Passcode: 401075




THE WAY

364 Daily Devotions

by E. Stanley Jones


Thursdays 7:00 pm

Zoom Bible Study



Email Rev. Davis for the Zoom link; 

shepherdgad@gmail.com

 Rev. George Davis

Class Facilitator

EMBRACE THE COMMUNITY

BACK TO THE ROOTS: A LEGACY IN SOUND — A Concert to Benefit Jazz 91.9 WCLK


Presented by The CAU Department of Music, Belle*Noir Productions and Jazz 91.9 WCLK Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 7:00 PM

Central United Methodist Church | 501 MLK, Jr. Dr. SW | Atlanta, GA 30344


ATLANTA, GA — The CAU Department of Music and Belle*Noir Productions, in partnership with Jazz 91.9 WCLK, proudly presents Back to the Roots: A Legacy in Sound — A Concert to Benefit WCLK, a powerful evening honoring Atlanta’s deep musical heritage and the heartbeat of Jazz in our city.


This community-based concert brings together the extraordinary talent of Clark Atlanta University’s Music Faculty, Staff, and Alumni alongside some of Atlanta’s finest Jazz musicians for a night that celebrates legacy, community, and the enduring sound of our city.

With Jazz 91.9 WCLK — Atlanta’s Jazz Station — facing significant federal funding losses, Back to the Roots is more than a concert; it’s a movement to preserve the rhythm, creativity, and cultural resonance that define our community.


“Back to the Roots isn’t just a concert — it’s a call to community! WCLK has amplified our stories and our sound for generations. This is our opportunity to give back and keep that heartbeat strong.”


Early Bird Tickets $20:00, Scan the CR Code above | At The Door: $35.00


TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY TO SPAIN

Click Here For the Flyer

See Dr. Daisy McClarty for Additional Information

STANDING IN THE GAP

Faith Leaders on Navigating Health

Access and Justice.

Connecting Communities to Care


Access to healthcare remains a challenge for many communities, and faith-based institutions are stepping in to bridge the gap. This conversation highlights the initiatives, strategies, and partnerships being led by churches that are creating and sustaining pathways to care for those who need it most.



This conversation will spotlight faith leaders who are leading innovative partnerships and community health initiatives. Together, they’ll share what’s working, what they’ve learned, and how their models can serve as blueprints for others striving to meet their communities’ growing health needs.


Join us for a grounded, solutions-oriented discussion that lifts up the power of partnership and uplifts how faith leaders are creating real pathways to care for their communities.

Click above on the flyer to register

HEALTH WATCH

Central's Health and Welfare Ministry


It is National Diabetes Month



  • The Alter Dementia Summit' Youth Summit includes
  • “Youth Expression Contest” Friday, April 24th 5pm-8pm ET and youth caregiving track Saturday April 25th 8am-12p, with a basketball tournament on Saturday April 25th 1pm-3pm. 
  • Registration is $50 per youth (ages 12-20). Youth attendees can participate in the entire summit and the “Youth Expression Contest” to have a chance of winning an award.


  • The Alter Dementia Summit will feature informative and inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and exciting entertainment, and we’d love to see you there! Please invite a fellow parishioner, congregant, family member, friend or neighbor. 
  • General Registration fees are $150 per person (includes educational sessions, 3 meals, and a concert). Early bird registration ends on Friday, March 24th


CENTRAL UMC'S FOOD PANTRY


SUPPORT CENTRAL'S FOOD PANTRY



Thank you, Central family, for your unwavering support of Central's Food Pantry! Your generous financial contributions and the countless cases of food you have provided have made a significant difference in the lives of those we serve in our community. However, we now face a critical challenge as the Atlanta Food Bank undergoes reorganization, impacting our ability to secure essential food supplies. With our next distribution approaching, we are at risk of running low on food, and your help is more crucial than ever! Together, we can rise to this challenge, demonstrating our collective strength and commitment to those in need.


We invite our members to lend a helping hand by purchasing food items that will be distributed to those in need within our community. Together, we can ensure that no one goes hungry and that our pantry remains a light of hope and support. Below, you will find the guidelines for donating food to our pantry. Let's turn this challenge into an opportunity to make a difference!



The Food Pantry accepts non-perishables food item only . We prefer cases of food products. Food products should be in cans, plastic and paper containers. NO GLASS CONTAINER PLEASE!


The following products are always in demand:


Canned Meats/Soups

chicken, beef, pork, salmon, sardines, tuna, Vienna sausage, etc.


Canned Vegetables

blackeye peas, corn, lima beans, green beans, etc.


Canned Fruit/ Dried Fruit

mixed fruits, peaches, apricots, etc.


Hot Cereals - Grits/ Oatmeal/ No Cold Cereal


Rice, Instant Potatoes


Raisins, Peanut Butter


Crackers/Cookies, Chips, Juice/Sodas - All kinds


Nuts

peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, etc.


FROZEN REFRIGERATED FOOD ITEMS REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE FOOD PANTRY COORDINATOR.


Bring your donations to the church office in the Ministry Building. If you have questions, please contact Malvin Trawick, Food Pantry Coordinator.



SAFE SANCTUARIES

The Week of November 30th - December 7th


Church Office Hours Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm


Sunday, November 30th - First Sunday of Advent: Hope

TRADITIONS Worship Experience, 8:00am (Sanctuary) |Continental Fellowship Breakfast, 9:15am (Fellowship Hall) | Advent Sunday School Classes, 9:30am (MEC, Youth Rm., Garden Rm., Virtual ) | CENTERED Worship Experience, 11:00am (Sanctuary)


Monday, December 1st

Staff Sabbath - Church Office is Closed | Liturgical Dance Ministry, 5:30pm (Sanctuary)



Tuesday, December 2nd

Memorial Service for Mrs. Linda Patrice Goode, 11:00am (Sanctuary)

Administrative Team Meeting, 5:00pm (Virtual) | Church Council Meeting, 6:30pm (Virtual) | Journey Through the Bible Class, 6:30pm (Virtual)



Wednesday, December 3rd

WCLK Jazz Concert, 7:00pm (Sanctuary) | Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7:15pm (virtual)



Thursday, December 4th

Cathedral Choir Rehearsal, 11:00am (Choir Rm) | SPRC Meeting, 6:00pm (Virtual) | The Way Bible Study, 7:00pm (Virtual)



Friday, December 5th

Line Dance Class, 6:30 pm (MEC)


Saturday, December 6th

United Methodist Men's Meeting, 9:00am (MEC) |The United Voices Choir Rehearsal, 10:00am (Choir Rm) |The Cathedral Choir Rehearsal, 11:00am (Sanctuary) | *SEC Football Championship, 4:00am (MBS)



Sunday, December 7th- 2nd Sunday of Advent: Peace

TRADITIONS Worship Experience, 8:00am (Sanctuary) |Advent Sunday School Classes, 9:30am (Children-Youth Rm; Youth-Garden Rm; Adults-MEC and Virtual) |No CENTERED Worship Experience|

*Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:00pm (MBS)


*Use of Parking Lot





HAPPY BIRTHDAY


November 30th - December 7th


Ray Robinson 30th

Carol Taylor-Davis 30th

Nathaniel Copeland 2nd

Tatiani Favors 2nd

Chanise Bass 4th

Marcus Webb 4th

Erin Scott-Fender 5th

Jackson Tyson 5th

Courtney Brightharp 6th

Victor Wood 6th



NURSING CARE FACILITY

Mrs. Doris Dearo, Mr. Craig Garrison, Mrs. Alice Israel,



HOMEBOUND

Mrs. Barbara Barham, Mrs. Schereline Billingslea, Mrs. Jean McPherson


BEREAVEMENT

Mrs. Linda Patrice Goode, the mother of Mrs. Shanika Tillman, the mother-in-law of Rev. Dr. Brian Tillman and the grandmother of Mr. Devin Miller, Mr. Marcus Webb, Miss Sophia Tillman and Miss Chloe Tillman, passed on Friday, November 21st. A family visitation will be held on Monday, December 1st, from 5:30-7:00pm at Grissom Clark Funeral Home, 227 E. Lake Dr. SE., Atlanta, Georgia. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 2nd, 11:00am at Central United Methodist Church. Messages of condolence may be sent to The Tillman Family, 4107 Bigsage Dr. Atlanta, Georgia 30349.




CHURCH INFORMATION

SIX MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP




PURPOSE STATEMENT

EXALT THE LORD. EQUIP THE SAINTS. EMBRACE THE COMMUNITY.





VISION STATEMENT

"A Christ-Centered, Radically Inclusive,

Inter-generational Congregation that uses

its Spiritual Gifts to meet the needs of our

unique Surrounding Community."


CONNECT WITH US

Central United Methodist Church

501 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30314

Phone: 404-524-4263

Website: Centralumcatl.org

Rev. Dr. Brian A. Tillman, Senior Pastor

Rev. Gloria Parker, Associate Pastor