First United Methodist Church
of Coppell
Weekly E-Newsletter
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Our Mission:
Grow
in God's grace.
Love
with all our heart.
Serve
with all our strength.
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New Sunday Morning Schedule for 2019
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9:30-10:25 a.m.
Sanctuary & Modern Worship conducted at the same time
in both the Sanctuary & Ministry Center
10:25-10:45 a.m.
Fellowship & Refreshments in Wesley Hall
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Sunday School
For more information and FAQs click
here
.
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Dear Friends in Christ,
In his eulogy for our 41
st
President and his father, George W. Bush noted that George H.W. Bush nearly died twice in his early years–once from a staph infection when he was a teenager and once when he was shot down in the Pacific in World War II. George W. Bush then said, “For dad’s part, I think those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life. And he vowed to live every day to the fullest” (Denison Forum 12-6-18).
Certainly there is no question that George H.W. Bush, along with his wife Barbara, lived full lives, and a multitude of voices have recently attested to their lifelong devotion to serving others and the greater good. I join many in deep gratitude for their example of abiding faith and graciousness in a day when we desperately need more people like them. As Wordsworth wrote in his poem “London, 1802” about an inspirational and influential man of a prior era:
“MILTON! thou shouldst be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen…”
Of course, John Milton was no longer living on earth at that hour. George and Barbara Bush are no longer living on earth today. But
we
are. The all-important question for us - how are we going to use the gift of life that
we have been given
?
The season of Advent points to the greatest Christmas gift of all, the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. The gospel reminds us that we can’t self-improve our way to living life to the fullest, nor can we self-help our way to more selfless life (Ephesians 2:8-9). But as we humbly receive God’s best gift (“let every heart prepare him room”), we can live life more fully each day. Because we are beloved, we belong and we are becoming the people God has called us to be through the grace of his Son, we can share his amazing gift with others. We can invite others to experience the joy of this season, such as
Christmas Pops
this Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Ministry Center,
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
(4,6,8,11), or many of the other special events that will be offered over the next few weeks. We can also accept the
140 year challenge
, to invite one person to one event once a month in our 140
th
year – 2019. Stay tuned for more information about the
140 year challenge
soon.
Surely there are many other ways to live fully, but inviting others to experience God’s grace is among the greatest gifts that we can ever give. Let us give that gift today! See you Sunday!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Tom
P.S. I am grateful for your abiding faith and graciousness as the people of God known as FUMC Coppell. I am looking forward to great new year ahead complete with a
new Sunday morning format
(
click here for more information
). Set your phone alarm to remind you to pray for our church and community every day at 1:40 p.m. Blessings!!
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Join us for complimentary coffee and donuts in Wesley Hall or Ministry Center.
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Join us for Worship
on December 9
A Mary Christmas
"The Path to Peace"
Rev. Tom Palmer
8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship in Sanctuary
9:45 a.m.
Elevate Modern Worship in Ministry Center
Click
here
to listen to last week's sermon.
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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.
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The Cookie Jamboree...
began as a fund raiser for United Methodist Women in 1986. It is always held in December in preparation for Christmas. Being able to select from dozens of different types of cookies has always been the most fun part. Families buy for holiday entertaining, neighborhood gift-giving and personal nibbling!
Cookies will be available for sale on Sunday from 9-11 am in Wesley Hall and 9-10 am in Ministry Center. Cost is $10 per box. This year the funds raised will be used to buy a new stove for Christ’s Foundry Mission, a United Methodist mission church we support that ministers to the Hispanic population.
We have a baking opportunity at the church on December 7 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Contact
Nancy Monroe
for more information.
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This Sunday
at 6:30 p.m. in the Ministry Center.
An unforgettable evening full of Christmas fun for all—with special guest, Santa! You’ll hear timeless Christmas melodies from Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” to Trans-Siberian orchestra’s version of “Carol of the Bells” and Pentatonix’ Christmas medley!
Childcare provided.
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Bike Drive
Christmas is fast approaching and United Methodist Men is holding their annual bike drive again this year! The drive will benefit the Metrocrest Holiday Store, which serves low-income families in Coppell and surrounding communities. A donation of $100 will provide a bike and helmet for one child.
Ways to Donate:
- Bring a check or pay by credit card at the UMM table in Wesley Hall or the Ministry Center on this Sunday morning.
- Bring a check to the church office anytime before December 9.
- Click here to go to website GIVE page. Select OTHER as the fund option, and enter BIKE DRIVE in the memo box
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Supporting CCA this Christmas
You can offer hope to the community through donating items to the Christian Community Action (CCA) food drive, toy drive, or volunteer.
- Food Drive: Bags with list of Food Panty Items are available in Wesley Hall, Wilkinson Hall and worship exits. Simply take a bag and fill it up with the products listed and return to the designated bins in Wesley Hall and Ministry Center. Also, a donation of $20 will help provide a turkey for a family. Please leave your donation in the church office. Make check payable to “FUMC” with “CCA holiday” in the memo line. New this year you can purchase food through Amazon and have it delivered directly to CCA. Go to our website for more information.
- Toy Drive: Come by the tree in the Narthex to pick up an ornament tag (s). Shop for the item listed and then return the item (not wrapped) with the tag attached to the tree no later than December 16. These items will stock the CCA “Christmas Store” where underprivileged families who are enrolled in the CCA program can come get gifts for their kids.
- Volunteer: CCA has various volunteer openings for the holiday season. To sign up as a volunteer go to ccahelps.org; click on participate. Some opportunities are Giving Tree Booth Attendants, Toy Sorting Elves, Wish List Elves, Indoor Elf Order Taker, Outdoor Elf Runners
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Christmas Eve Family Service
(4 p.m. in Sanctuary)
Children in K-5th grade are invited to participate in the pageant. There are reading and character parts plus worship element opportunities. There is no rehearsal but all participating children must arrive by 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve for instructions.
Call the church office at 972-462-0471 and give the name, grade, and part preference of each child
by Sunday, December 9.
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Women to Women Christmas Party
Join us on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. for a casual, fun get together at Julie Madden’s house (511 Heath Ln). Bring an appetizer, dessert and/or beverage to share.
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“A Different Kind of Gift Giving”
Give a gift that gives back by shopping fair-trade items for the holiday on Sundays in Wesley Hall from 9-11 a.m. through December 16. Featured groups will be SERRV, Partners for Just Trade, Christ Foundry, Scholastic Books, and more. This event is designed to let us come together as a church family to help others in need. The items will also be out during the week for everyone to view.
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Special Holiday Wednesday Night Meal
Bring your family and friends and join us for dinner and fellowship from 6-6:45 p.m. Price: $7 adults, $5 kids.
Menu for December 12: Special Holiday Meal
- turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Reservations needed by Monday evening.
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2019 Costa Rica Mission Trip
Sign up is now open! The trip will be from March 9-16. To sign up or for more information, email
fumccostarica@gmail.com
.
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Sunday, December 16
This Advent Cantata will be performed with orchestra on December 16 during both 8:30 and 11 a.m. services. Join us for a wonderful musical experience
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Hope and Healing Service
Sometimes the Christmas season comes with grief and struggle over losses suffered. Join us on December 19 at 7 p.m. in the Rotunda for a service that helps to honor the remembrances of what has been lost and leads us to be encouraged by what God will birth anew in the future.
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Women's Retreat
Women's retreat is set for January 11-13 and registration is open.
Theme is
The Geography of Grace
with guest leader, Rev. Jessica Wright. Retreat will be held at Camp Copass in Denton.
Registration is open.
Cost is $230 with deadline of December 19.
Brochures are available in the church office and
online
.
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Mission of the Month
December funds are designated for Coppell Cares which was started by FUMC Coppell to help families and individuals in our community who have needs driven by financial challenges. We depend totally on donations and faithful people serving from our church. We operate behind-the-scenes working through a school care team and a community care team to uncover and deliver on short term needs. Your gifts ensure this much needed ministry continues to transform the community of Coppell.
Make checks payable to FUMC with memo “Coppell Cares” or you can TEXT 2 GIVE. Text to 73256 with subject line as FUMCC. You will receive a link and simply follow the instructions.
Questions, contact Rev. Martha Hagan-Smith at mhagan@FumcCoppell.org.
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Student Mentoring
One + One is a United Methodist partnership that serves children, changes lives, and transforms communities. The concept of One + One is everyone gives 30 minutes, one time per week, to one child. We have a
new campus
(Town Center) that has a need for 12 mentors starting in January. Through these one-on-one mentoring relationships here in Coppell, YOU can help by reading with a child, partnering with teachers and administrators, and praying for Coppell ISD. Contact Martha Hagan-Smith at
mhagan@fumcCoppell.org
to participate in this powerful ministry!
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Austin Street Center Opportunities
Christmas Morning
Our church members share a wonderful tradition of serving a hot breakfast and caroling at Austin Street Center Christmas morning. We gather in the parking lot on the east side of the church at 5 a.m., fill up the cars with food, and drive down to serve breakfast at 6 a.m. If you are able to bake egg casseroles (we need them hot at 5 a.m.) please sign up online (see link below). Baking pans and recipes will be distributed on December 9 & 16 between services in Wesley Hall & Ministry Center. We need servers and singers, too. All ages are welcome to join us.
Donations
Current needs are new or gently used sheets (prefer twin), blankets, bath towels, long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, sweat shirts, men's & women's long pants. Place donations in the Austin Street bin in Wesley Hall.
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Ultimate Gift Cards
Give something that people will really appreciate: a mission gift in honor of them. The gift cards are available in Wesley Hall through December 16 and year-round in the church office. Cards are available for the following missions:
- Austin Street Center
- Christian Community Action
- Coppell Cares
- Costa Rica Mission Trip
- Metrocrest Social Services
- Project Transformation
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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.
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Are you experiencing the Christmas blues?
The joy of Christmas can turn into a time of painful loneliness and emptiness for those who have suffered a loss or who are going through a difficult time. But help is available. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care. They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support you through the holidays and as long as your need persists. For assistance contact: Debbie Burgess at
dlburgess@earthlink.net
or Mike Ridgley at
martoo@verizon.net
. Our Stephen Ministers are there to care
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