Weekly e-newsletter
Our Mission:
Grow in God's grace. Love with all our heart. Serve with all our strength.
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Did you miss anything in the video when you viewed it for the first time? Again, in the midst of all the distractions, we can even miss a moonwalking bear if we are not looking for it. This is certainly true for Thanksgiving. Even if we are not able to celebrate the holiday in the same way in 2020, gratitude can be experienced by those who are looking for God’s blessings in everyday life. I pray that none of us miss out on a thankful heart, regardless of how this Thursday unfolds.
Speaking of a thankful heart, the FUMC Coppell family is truly one of the great blessings of my life! You are an amazing congregation! I wish I had taken pics of the thanksgiving bounty that this community of faith, led by Sally McCurdy and Julia Moomau, provided for families in need in the Coppell area this past Saturday. Through your volunteer hours and other gifts, 91 area families in need will be blessed with a full table this Thursday. Moreover, as Lisa and I made ‘weekend ‘backpack’ deliveries last Friday, one woman in particular wanted you to know how much she appreciated what Coppell Cares was doing for her family. As a single mother working her way through grad school toward a better future, these meal supplements have been a life line. Multiply her witness by a factor of hundreds and you can begin to imagine the impact of your gifts. God is blessing so many in this community and beyond through you.
There are things I miss in the midst of life’s many activities and distractions. But when I stop and truly take stock of God’s blessings, I am grateful (yes, even in 2020). To say I thank God for each of you seems understated and impersonal, but it is true. I hope I never take for granted the wonderful gift of God that is FUMC Coppell. I wish for each of you the gift of true abundance in Christ this Thursday and always.
Yours gratefully in Christ,
Pastor Tom
P.S. I am excited about this coming Sunday as we begin a worship series entitled “Unwrapping Advent.” One of the greatest (and most overlooked) gifts of this season is the gift of Hope. I look forward to worship with you this Sunday as we consider how to unwrap hope (in person – register here, live-stream or prerecorded; no 8 a.m. RISE UP this Sunday, November 29). And of course in these hope-challenged days, please be in prayer for those who are battling Covid-19 on so many fronts as area case levels increase. For your information, we at FUMC Coppell are seeking to do our part by making the Sanctuary worship experience as safe as possible for those who choose to worship in-person. This includes physical distancing, appropriate mask-wearing, and installing an HVAC air purification system (‘air scrubbers’) similar to those used in hospitals and airplanes.
P.P.S. See this video that Kathy Braem found if you are interested in making your own home advent wreath (youtube.com/watch?v=nfLercSrzD4&feature=youtu.b). Thanks, Kathy! Some of the steps can be simplified according to your preference, but having a family time around the Advent wreath is a wonderful way to prepare for the birth of Christ!
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Join us in Worship
Sunday, November 29
Unwrapping Advent
"Hope - It's what I always wanted!"
Isaiah 11:1-9 (NRSV)
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Sunday morning, to check in and send prayer requests,
text fumcc to 94000.
services are available on Facebook.
9:30 am Sanctuary blended worship is available in-person (see note below about required registration) and via Facebook live stream.
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We encourage you as an individual or a family unit to dialogue
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Please Note:
We will not have 8 am Rise Up service on November 29 but plan to be back on December 6 (weather permitting) at the outdoor amphitheater area on the west side of the Ministry Center.
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In-Person, Indoor Blended Worship ...
available via live stream so persons can also worship remotely via the FUMC Facebook page. NOTE: in-person services require mask-wearing and preregistration (for communication in case someone tests positive for Covid-19.)
Registration is open weekly from Sunday through Saturday morning at 9:30 am. You will receive a confirmation and a ticket (email will come from eSPACE). Please have the ticket available (via phone or paper) for check-in on Sunday morning. (we will scan the barcode)
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Weekly ZOOM Meetings
Pastor Tom's Bible Study - Wednesdays at 10:30 am. "Dynamite in Small Packages." Click here. (Note next meeting is December 2.)
Children's Learn and Sing - Sundays at 10:45 am. Click here.
Adult Bible Study - Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Click here. (Note next meeting is December 2.)
Student Ministry Sunday School - Middle School & High School Sunday at 10:45 am. Click here.
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Christmas Eve Survey
Be on the lookout. A survey will be sent out on Sunday to get your input on Christmas Eve services. Your feedback is very important for our planning. Please respond by Sunday, December 6.
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The Church and Society Committee
A discussion of the movie "Selma" via Zoom is scheduled for December 6 at 3 pm. Watch the movie at your leisure and be prepared for the discussion facilitated by Rev. Andrew Fiser and Jurrita Williams Louie, Associate Directors of Missional Outreach for the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Please prayerfully consider joining the discussion as we learn from the past and help prepare a future where all are equal.
Please sign up here for the discussion and a link will be sent to you before December 6.
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Cookie Jamboree - A Bit of News we Have Today!
A favorite tradition is on its way for one of FUMC’s most favorite and longest running traditions. In the past, UMW asked church members to bake cookies for our Annual Cookie Jamboree in December and then sell boxes of these homemade goodies to provide for children and families.
Even though we can’t bake and sell this year, the need remains. United Methodist Women would like, this year, to provide funds for clothing to area children and need your help by “baking” and “buying” a virtual box of cookies! This year we are asking for monetary donations only, and ask that you consider a couple of things. If you typically bake and donate cookies please consider the cost of your recipe’s ingredients, or if you typically purchase a box (or 2 or 3!) please remember we charge $10 per box.
Cookie Jamboree, is UMW’s largest fundraiser, and we need your help in order to provide for these children. Of course, any monetary donation, large or small, is welcome, and very much appreciated.
WAYS TO GIVE
1. Online Giving
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Go to FUMCCOPPELL.ORG, select GIVE from the navigation bar and then select GIVE ONLINE NOW.
- Enter an amount to give, select UMW-Alt Cookie Jamboree from the FUND drop down, enter your email address, and press CONTINUE to enter payment information.
2. Text FUMCC Cookie to 73256 and then following the instructions above to enter amount and payment information.
3. Mail a check (note – Cookie Jamboree) to the church office anytime before December 6 (420 S. Heartz Road, Coppell, TX 75019).
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Annual Bike Drive for Kids
Christmas is fast approaching and the United Methodist Men (UMM) are holding their annual BIKE DRIVE FOR KIDS again this year! The drive will benefit Metrocrest Holiday Store, which serves families in Coppell and surrounding communities. A donation of $100 will provide a bike and helmet for one child.
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WAYS TO GIVE
1. Online Giving
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Go to FUMCCOPPELL.ORG, select GIVE from the navigation bar and then select GIVE ONLINE NOW.
- Enter an amount to give ($100 per bike), select Bike Drive from the FUND drop down, enter your email address, and press CONTINUE to enter payment information.
2. Text FUMCC BIKE to 73256 and then following the instructions above to enter amount and payment information.
3. Mail a check (note - BIKE DRIVE) to the church office anytime before December 6 (420 S. Heartz Road, Coppell, TX 75019).
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Supporting CCA this Christmas
You can offer hope to the community through donating items to the Christian Community Action (CCA) toy drive or by volunteering.
Toy Drive: 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. If you are attending our live worship on Sunday morning, you can pick-up an ornament tag(s) after worship; or you can find our list on-line (click here).
- Shop for the item listed and then return the item (not wrapped) with the tag attached (or note if item selected on-line).
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We will be accepting gifts up to the 2nd of December with a drop off set for Sunday, November 29 between 10:45-11:30 am. If this time and day is not convenient, please contact Pastor Beth at bkellner@fumccoppell.org to arrange a delivery. PLEASE do not drop in the bins by the Rosenburg Chapel.
- If ordering items through Amazon, have them sent directly to the church (even better if the gift is part of AmazonSmile).
Shipping address is:
First United Methodist Church
Note: CCA Christmas
420 S Heartz Rd
Coppell, TX 75019
Volunteer: CCA has various volunteer openings for the holiday season. To sign up as a volunteer, go to ccahelps.org.
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Adopt-A-Child For Christmas
First Coppell is partnering with Methodist Children’s Home again this Christmas to provide kids with clothes and gifts that will make their season bright! If you or your family would like to “adopt” and shop for a child, click here to sign up. You do not have to purchase everything on a child's list but we encourage you to have 3 items for each child.
All gifts need to be wrapped, tagged, and delivered to the church office by December 13. We will have drop off options on Sunday, December 6 and 13 between 10:45-11:30 am. PLEASE do not drop items in the bins by the Rosenburg Chapel.
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November Mission of Month
Our mission of the month is the new initiative - Honduras Partnership. For more than 20 years, the United Methodist Church has had a growing presence in Honduras. In 2019 our Bishop, Michael McKee, was appointed to be Bishop for the Honduran churches. He is asking for our assistance in this vital and developing ministry.
Today, the Mission there consists of 23 congregations and numerous United Methodist affiliated organizations. A partnership has mutual benefits for all participants.
To support this partnership, make checks payable to FUMC with memo “Honduras” or you can TEXT 2 GIVE. Text FUMCC to 73256. You will receive a link and simply follow the instructions.
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Annual Christmas Pops Concert
This year the Christmas POPS concert will be streamed on December 20 at 6 pm. We would like to invite you to send in the photos of your pets dressed in Christmas outfits for the slideshow. Please send the photos by 6 pm on December 10. You can either email them to Anastasia at amarkina@fumccoppell.org or upload them directly to https://rb.gy/oeygon. The file name should have your pet’s names and your last name.
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Drive Thru Bethlehem
On December 13 from 3-5 pm, come drive through Bethlehem to see the Christmas story. This event will be in the main church parking lot in front of the Ministry Center.
- visit from the angel
- journey of the shepherds and wise men
- animals and the stable where Jesus was born
- have your picture taken with Santa in a physically distanced, safe way
- receive a gift of treats as you leave
Volunteers Needed: This event can’t take place without some wonderful volunteers. If you and/or your family would like to help us act out the Christmas story, please contact Kathy Braem.
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Virtual Educational Conference
Last February, FUMC Coppell co-hosted a well-received Caregiving Seminar. The organizers of that one-day event would like to now refer interested caregivers to a December 15 virtual educational conference covering a wide range of topics and featuring dementia care expert Teepa Snow.
A Holiday Affair with Teepa Snow
Tuesday, December 15
8:00am - 3:00pm
$10 for family caregivers
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For those of you that may like to know more about FUMC Coppell, her history, DNA, Methodism, vision/focus for the future, and opportunities for spiritual growth, this class is the NEXT STEP for you.
This brief but informative prerequisite for church membership will look at Methodism from the prism of how it fits into Christendom, along with Methodist distinctives, and then we will explore more fully FUMC Coppell and what makes her unique – history, mission, vision and how you can be involved in moving the church forward as a disciple of Jesus Christ. At this time the class will be on zoom and be led by Pastors Beth, Sumesh and Tom.
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More information and links can be found in this week's
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Thanksgiving Schedule
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November 25: No Life Groups
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November 29: Sunday school/Confirmation in the morning, Christmas Cookie Jam in the evening
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December 2: Life Groups are back - Jordan's Last Life Group!
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December 6: The Table
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Volunteer Opportunities
After Thanksgiving, we will need your help! The current plan is to be back in person for Sunday night activities and combo Zoom/in person for Wednesday nights. Check out the sign up to see what days are available. If you would like to help with Middle or High school Learning Groups/Sunday School, email Christy.
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Charitable Provisions for 2020 |
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These three significant charitable provisions are only available in 2020.
- Deduct gifts of cash to public charities to offset as much as 100% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
- If you take the standard deduction, an above-the-line deductible charitable contribution is available for gifts of cash up to $300 per each tax filing unit.
- Corporations can deduct up to 25% of cash contributions made to public charities.
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