“Is it Block Party time again?” This was the question that a neighbor asked Rebecca as they walked by and saw the flags (bunting) up on Saturday. She remembered them being up last year, and seeing them down by the harbor for a gazebo service. Evidently, we’re beginning to have something of a reputation of being the church with the flags hanging. We’re beginning to be the church that is known for putting on the Block Party – for throwing a

A (spoiler free!) blog by Next Gen Pastor, Rebecca DeLucia On Sunday, I (Rebecca) was reminded of the powerful role that film and television can play in our conversations around important issues and the way our faith ought to impact them. Thanks to the dreariness on Sunday afternoon, we were faced with an empty day ahead of us - a rare occurrence in our household. We decided to uphold the classic rainy-day activity and go see the new Thunderbolts* movie.  Without giving

This past Sunday, we kicked off our spring series in our Central Steps year-long series of series. We’ve taken a “Step Up” in the fall and a “Step In” in the winter – and now we’re taking a “Step Down” as we learn to become like Christ.That’s what our spring season of Step Groups is going to be focusing on: becoming like Christ. Becoming like Christ is a life-long journey. It's a key part of the process called "discipleship". There are a million books about and philosophies

Isn’t it the most beautiful day today? After our men’s bible study, we walked to and from the bagel shop, and I just couldn’t get over it. Get outside today, if you’re able! Today’s beauty reminded me that, more than the weather,we live in the beauty of a post-Easter world.  We live in a world where resurrection – life, with and from God – is our future.   We live in a world where, in Christ, it can be our present too.  That was the

Another year, another Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt completed. And it was a great one. If you were there – you know and could feel the excitement in the building. If you missed it, what you missed was a building packed with kids and families - excited to hunt eggs and do crafts and play games and have fun together – and a building packed with volunteers from Central – both young and old – excited to see other

A guest blog by Rebecca DeLucia, Next Generation Pastor. This coming Sunday is our third annual GLOW Easter Egg Hunt and Party!! While this event may get the most foot-traffic through the church and be among the most fun, it does something even greater: advances God’s Kingdom.  Events like this are a direct invitation to those who may never set foot in the church to do so in a non-threatening way. Games, crafts, and egg hunts also break down barriers. Church is an

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58b I find this to be one of the most comforting verses in all of scripture. I imagine that for most of us, we are familiar with the experience of working for some purpose, pouring out our energy and sweat and tears – laboring, as Paul puts it – and just not seeing the results.  We think, “what’s