Centennial United Methodist Church

Even before I walked through the door a smiling man reached out his hand to greet me. Inside, I was handed a program by a smiling woman who welcomed me, noticed I was new, and introduced herself. I chose a seat and a severe-​looking older woman turned to me. Uh oh, I thought, maybe I sat in someone’s regular seat and she’s going to say something. She broke into a warm smile and introduced herself! When I told her I was just visiting, she invited me to join her and the others in Fellowship Hall after the service for coffee and snacks. (When I did, after the service, she introduced me to all the people at the surrounding tables.)
During the service the Pastor invited visitors to take a plant home from the welcome table. Pastor Linda is a gem — knowledgeable, warm, and so caring! She remembered my name the second time I attended, and recalling that I mentioned loving to ski and snowboard, introduced me to a woman who invited me to join her ski club! When I brought my husband, a New England guy, to check it out, even he loved it. The «frozen chosen» thawed right out! Pastor Bobby had us laughing and giving an «Amen!» When I asked another member about baptizing a new baby, he mentioned it to Pastor Linda. She gave me her cellphone number and said just call her! Between the welcoming Pastors and congregation, the preschool, the small groups, (and location near Freeport Bakery for a stop on the way home :-D) we have, after a few months, found a church. I had visited three other churches in the area, of different denominations, also nice, but this one is really special.
This is a church that practices what it preaches. Centennial is the most diverse church we’ve attended regularly — when the Tongan or Fijian choir sings it’s like being transported to the South Pacific — beautiful men’s and women’s voices blending in perfect harmony. (The chancel choir and pianist/​organist share beautiful music, too.) Canned goods are collected, and donations just for the hungry taken at communion. Another couple, newly married, was sitting next to us our first time at Centennial together. They, too, were there for their first time. Yesterday we happened to see them sitting next to us again and recognized each other — all agreed we’ve found a good church and plan to keep coming.