Weekly e-newsletter
Our Mission: 
Grow in God's grace.
Love with all our heart.
Serve with all our strength.  
A Word from Pastor Tom
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Great things are happening in and through the First Coppell Church family!
 
Our 2019 musical, "Beauty and the Beast" opens in just one week!  This year a Sunday Matinee has been added so our community has four performances to choose from. Get your tickets today (Click here ) and pray for all who are a part of this wonderful endeavor!
 
Our Costa Rica Mission Trip is just over two weeks away. We will be sending our largest group in recent years (20 - 16 adults, 4 students) to construct the next phase of the La Fortuna Iglesia Metodista, provide a Vacation Bible School for area children, and lay the groundwork for important additions to the Methodist Rural Center. Gifts to support these projects can be made here and of course we covet your prayers for safe travels and a fruitful time of mission. 
 
Speaking of prayer, a few years back our church formed a prayer team to support the visioning work of our church.  In light of the opportunity before us in our 140th Year of Living in God's Presence, we are again activating our prayer team to undergird the important work God is calling us to do in our community. If you would like to be a part of this vital ministry or for more information, please contact prayer team facilitator Kim Conner ( kimconner751@gmail.com ). 
 
See you Sunday as we gather for Worship at 9:30 and then Learn Together at 10:45!
 
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Tom
 
P.S. As you may know, the General Conference, the highest decision making body in our denomination, will be gathering in a special session February 23-26 in St. Louis. This global gathering of 864 elected delegates (half-lay and half-clergy) will seek to discern "A Way Forward" regarding our decades-old impasse over differing Biblical and theological understandings of human sexuality. Please be prayerful and informed. For updates, please follow the conference staff on Facebook (North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church), Instagram (North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church), and Twitter (North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church) and receive emails. The Conference staff will send daily emails, delegate reflections and other news throughout General Conference. #GC2019 #ntcumc.
Sunday

Join us for Worship
on February 24

The Vine and Branches
John 15:1-5

9:30 am
Concurrent services in
Sanctuary and Ministry Center


  Click here to listen to last week's sermon.

A Community Study, based on the weekly sermon, is available online at FumcCoppell.org . The study includes questions that relate to the Scripture used as well as ways you can challenge yourself in the week ahead to implement community and personal action items in your daily life.
This Week
Take Your Next Step
New to FUMC Coppell or interested in knowing more about the church? Join us February 24 to explore Christian essentials, distinctive Methodist practices, the ongoing story of FUMC Coppell, and possibilities for your “next steps” as a part of that. Class meets in Room 301 at 10:45 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Please RSVP to Rick Williamson at rwilliamson@fumccoppell.org .
Bring your family and friends and join us for dinner and fellowship from 6-6:45 pm. Price: $7 adults, $6 adults half-portion (half size entrée), $5 kids.

Menu for Febr uary 27 is burrito bowl . Salad, fruit, and dessert available to all. Reservations needed by Monday evening.

Click here to sign up.
First United Methodist Church of Coppell presents “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” the smash Broadway musical at the Ministry Center. Performance dates are February 28-March 2 at 7 pm and March 3 at 2:30 pm.

Reserved-seat only ticket prices are $20, $24, and $29 and only available online. Click here to get your tickets today .
Pre-Registration for returning Camp Pike campers starts Monday, February 25. If you have been to Camp Pike for at least 1 year you may pre-register online February 25 through March 1.

 Open registration for new Camp Pike campers starts Sunday, March 3 at 7 am . If you’re currently in grades 6 through 11, we’d love for you and your friends to join us at camp this summer! You do not need to be a member of FUMC to attend camp so please spread the word to your friends and classmates.
Camp Pike 2019
Friday, July 12 - Saturday, July 20
Stringfellow School
Now enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Serving ages 12 months to 5 years. Call today for a tour and more information (972-393-0698, www.stringfellowschool.org ).
 
Notes and Upcoming Events
Combined Worship in Sanctuary
On March 3, we will be having a churchwide worship service in the Main Sanctuary at 9:30 am. Worship music will be led by FUMC Chancel Choir along with Elevate Band. Bring the whole family along for a meaningful morning of worship!
Free Firewood
Paul Hinkley has done some tree trimming on our property. There is firewood (some live oak) near the dumpsters on both properties available to anyone.
 
We want your photo for the First Coppell online directory!
On Sunday, March 3 we will be taking headshot photos for First Coppell’s online member directory. If you have not already upload a photo to the Realm directory, stop by the photo table in Wesley Hall anytime between 10:15 am - 12 pm. No appointment necessary. 
 
Ash Wednesday, March 6
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a time when Christians prepare for Easter by either taking on a life-giving practice (additional prayer, devotional reading, acts of service, fellowship, fasting, etc) or letting go of something or some practice
that gets in the way of abundant life.

  • 11:45 am- 1:15 pm - Imposition of ashes offered in the Rosenburg Chapel.
  • Join us for the 6 pm Pancake Supper in the Ministry Center. Donations accepted to support Student Ministry Summer Mission Trips. 7 pm imposition of ashes and worship following.
Missions
Sponsor a Child
FUMC Coppell is teaming up to increase our commitment to stand in the gap and help empower children who are at risk in Ghana, West Africa. Touch A Life is the only long term rehabilitative care center in Ghana and there are 8 children that are currently without Educational sponsors. Since 2006, TAL has provided school, housing, uniforms and more for over 120 youth. We have set a goal to sponsor these children for the educational needs. $125 a month ($1,500 a year) sponsors the child and ensures that they will have a bright future!

To sponsor a child, contact Anne White at anne@fab-studio.com , 214-783-8753 or Martha Hagan-Smith at mhagan@fumccoppell.org . Click here for more information and to read about the children.
Mission of the Month
February mission designation is for the March 9-16 Costa Rica Mission Trip. Every gift you give helps the team continue building churches as well as provide VBS for area children. This year we hope to start the next phase of church building in La Fortuna as well as create a covered basketball court at the Methodist Rural Center.

Make checks payable to FUMC with memo “Costa Rica” or you can TEXT 2 GIVE. Text to 73256 with subject line as FUMCC. You will receive a link and simply follow the instructions.

Thank you as well for praying for our 2019 Costa Rica Mission and the 16 adults and 4 students who will be participating.
Assistance League Coppell ...
is partnering with Coppell Cares and Project Transformation to collect new and gently used children’s and youth books for their reading programs. Coppell Cares sponsors the Reading Buddy Programs at Wilson and Town Center Elementary Schools. Project Transformation has a North Texas Chapter and is currently serving at 11 site churches, with 135 PT Corps Members providing after-school and summer programs for approximately 1,200 children and youth, grades 1-12 annually . ALC will be collecting these books through the end of February. Please drop off at Allegiance Title in Coppell (301 S Denton Tap Road, Suite 120) or at the church in the designated box in Wesley Hall.
Coppell Cares ...
provides healthy snacks to students who need them throughout the school year. The following snacks are needed for the 2018-2019 School Year: Prepackaged snacks (NO nuts) such as raisins, craisins, fruit snacks, veggie stick, pretzels, chex mix, Goldfish, Cheez-its, popcorn, cheese & crackers, granola bars, breakfast bars. A complete list is available on the website . Please leave them in the bin marked "Coppell Cares" in Wesley Hall.
Austin Street Center
There are openings for members (or occasional substitutes) on our teams. Monthly, you prepare 24 sandwiches, 24 hard-boiled eggs, and 24 pieces of fruit. Three times a year, travel on a Saturday at 5:15 a.m . to help with food distribution. For more details, contact Fawn Marshall at fawniece@gmail.com .
 
Let's Connect
Stay connected to our church wherever you go by downloading the free Realm Connect app for iPhone and Android devices. Use it to search the church’s online member directory, communicate with your groups, RSVP to events, manage your giving, and more. It’s as easy at 1 – 2 – 3! Note: you must use Firefox or Chrome to launch this program.
 
1)       From your computer or mobile phone, open the email you recently received from First United Methodist Church inviting you to join our online Realm community. If you are unable to find the email, contact the church office (972-462-7097) or send an email to realm@fumccoppell.org to request an invite.
 
2)       Select the link in your invite email to create an account, then create a password, and press the Register button.
 
3)       From your mobile phone, search the App Store for Realm Connect and download the app. Open the app and select “Already have an account? Sign In” located at the bottom of the screen.
Care and Concern
Grief & Healing Support Group
A six-week support group for persons who have experienced the painful death of a loved one - to work through the grief process, grow through the loss, and find support from others. New group begins Sunday, March 24, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Library. $15 suggested donation for book, "How to Go on Living When Someone You Love Dies," by Theresa A. Rando. Led by Carol Sheer and Ron Harrison. Call the church office at 972-462-0471 to register.
You Don’t Have to Face Your Crisis Alone
One of FUMC Coppell’s trained, caring Stephen Ministers will listen and walk alongside you as you deal with life’s challenges. Contact Debbie Burgess at dlburgess@earthlink.net or Mike Ridgley at martoo@verizon.net to see whether Stephen Ministry is the answer for you.