May 2023 Newsletter

Cook's UMC

May 2023

Newsletter

From the Pastor

Happy Eastertide! That’s the name of this season following Easter, leading to Pentecost. Since that glorious morning of Jesus’ Resurrection, believers in Jesus as the Lamb of God, God’s Only Son, our Savior, Lord, and Friend have been celebrating that great victory. However, it was another 100 years – into the 2^nd century before the Church recognized and celebrated this great season of ‘unmitigated joy!’

Jesus’ followers began worshipping corporately on the first day of the week in celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. That was a move from the 7^th day of the week, in honor of God’s work of creation and then, rest. Every Sunday that you and I worship is a Resurrection party!

As the Church began to organize and order itself across its far-reaching geography and practice, unity in observance of the holiest of days was sought. The Church began marking and celebrating Eastertide as beginning at sundown on Holy Saturday and lasting through 40 days as scripture bears witness to Jesus’ appearance to and teaching/encouraging of his followers for 40 days following his resurrection. 10 more days are added to this season of Eastertide commemorating the days of waiting that the disciples did (as Jesus commanded), waiting for the Holy Spirit to fall and to empower them to go in the name of Jesus. So, Eastertide is a season of 50 days following the 40 days of Lent.

The Orthodox Church often refers to this season as a season of “unmitigated joy.” Just imagine: 50 days of absolute, unlimited joy. How does a person, much more – a community, sustain that kind of fervor when our experience of the Resurrection is much different than those first generation disciples’ experience? Well, it becomes possible by taking our thoughts captive and by intentional practice of what the Resurrection means for all believers, whether we were present to witness the miracle on Easter morning or not.

Unmitigated joy begins for you and me when we remember that the revelation of the Risen Christ began with folks who were not Church or movement leaders. Jesus didn’t reveal himself first to the best-known disciples, but instead to a couple of the women who ministered to him and to a couple of little-known disciples on the way home to a nowhere town. (Archeologists can’t find Emmaus today.) That means that the Risen Christ is just as likely, if not more so, to show himself to YOU and me as anyone else. That’s some good news!

Unmitigated joy is born in us when we realize that the Risen Christ may appear to us differently than we expect. We must pay attention to the scripture witness that Mary and those disciples on their way home to Emmaus, even the 11 who spent so much time with Jesus didn’t recognize him at his first revelation after being raised. Did he look physically different somehow? Was it just because their tears or the trauma of all they’d experienced, or their assumptions of what can (or cannot) be blinded them? All we know is that Mary mistook Jesus for the gardener until he called her name and the disciples on their way home to Emmaus didn’t recognize him until bread was broken between them. That means the Risen Christ may appear to YOU and me differently than we could imagine and, so, we must be intentional in staying tuned to the spiritual presence around us of the Risen One. If we’re ready to be surprised by the Risen Christ’s revelation, even companionship, we most certainly will know it. That’s some good news!

And, if it is dependable that the Risen One will come to us, reveal himself to us, surprise us with his presence and his purpose, then we know unmitigated joy in the waiting, too. Remember what you, what WE are waiting on – the power of God’s Holy Spirit (the same power and Spirit that raised Jesus on Easter morning) to fall on us, to fill us so that we will be faithful witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ, the Risen One! What a reason to celebrate and revel in this great joy! Indeed, Happy Eastertide!!

Sandra

Communion Sunday

We will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, May 7. If you will be worshipping/celebrating with us from home, please gather bread (or tortillas or crackers, etc.) and juice (if you don't have grape, any juice or liquid will suffice) enough for everyone in your household. We look forward to celebrating God's grace in this very special way.

Samaritan Fund

The dollars in this fund are used to help those in our community with immediate needs. The money used to fund this account comes from donations left on the altar rail during communion.

Mother’s Day Annual Box Lunch

$12 per box

Preorder by May 7, 2023

Chicken Salad, Croissant, Fruit Salad, Chips & Cookies

SALT (Serving at the Lord’s Table)

Needed from Cook’s

Canned Mixed Vegetables; Rice (1 or 2 lb. bags) &

Canned Beans (e.g., northern, pinto, black, kidney, pork & beans)

All donations can be left on the cart in the back hallway.

Project Transformation

June 20-22

9:30 – 12:15

Cook’s dates to read for Project Transformation will be June 20 – 22 from 9:30 – 12:15 each day at Matthew’s Memorial UMC. We need 7-10 volunteers. Please contact Carol Haislip cfh2963@yahoo.com or 615/496-6535 if you are interested in helping or have any questions. Carpooling from Cook’s is available, but you MUST be here by 8:25. If you wish to meet at Matthew’s Memorial UMC the address is: 300 Anderson Lane, Madison TN.

Happy Graduation!

We want to celebrate the graduates in your lives! In worship on Sunday, May 21, we will acknowledge and pray over all those finishing one chapter and heading into another. If you have a loved one graduating from high school, college, a program of certification, etc., we hope you'll share the following information with us: name, relationship to you, school/program graduating from, and plans following graduation (next level education, internship, employment, etc.). Please submit that information to the Cook's Church Office cooksumcoffice@comcast.net or monica@cooksumc.org by the close of business on Monday, May 15. We can't wait to share our "Congratulations!" with you.

Coins For Lent

Thank you to everyone who helped make Coins For Lent such a success. We raised $1,842.50. Below is the breakdown of everything we found in the jars.

Monies Raised

Checks -- $275.00

Cash -- $213.00

One Dollar Coins -- $10.00

Half Dollar Coins -- $ .50

Quarters -- $808.00

Dimes -- $321.50

Nickels -- $125.90

Pennies -- $88.60

Foreign Currency

Austrian Coins -- 1

Mexican Coins -- 30

Bahamian Coins -- 9

Philippine Coins -- 1

Canadian Coins -- 11

Aruban Coins -- 1

Miscellaneous Items Received

History Channel Club Token -- 1

Wilson County Bicentennial Token -- 1

Family Amusement Center Token -- 1

Batting Cage Token -- 1

Eagle Token -- 1

Angle Token -- 1

Ozzi Token -- 1

National Museum of Play Tokens -- 2

Gulf Car Wash Token -- 1

Toys for Tots Marine Tokens -- 7

CR 2032 Battery -- 1

Paper Clips -- 4

Safety Pins -- 3

Buttons -- 2

Screw -- 1

Rivet -- 1

Rubber Piece Off Bottom of Furniture -- 1

Bathroom Hook with Screws for Hanging -- 1

Caregivers Coffee Connection

Wednesday, May 17 @ 1:00 pm

Cook’s Youth Room

We are starting a Caregivers Support Group, meeting on the third Wednesday of the month starting May 17th at 1:00. This is to offer respite, support, and connection for those who are caregivers. Our purpose is to surround each other with support and friendship as we encourage the journey of a Caregiver. If you or someone you know would benefit from a loving time of encouragement or just a place meet and have coffee, desert and conversation please know you are welcome to meet with us. If you have any questions call Judy at 615-417-9002.

Backpack Program

The Church at Pleasant Grove is sponsoring the Backpack Program for 5 schools in our area: Springdale Elementary, Stoner Creek Elementary, West Elementary, Mt. Juliet High School and Wilson Central High School. They need help in stocking their shelves. Items requested are: Instant Oatmeal Packages; Individual Mac & Cheese; Pudding Cups (non-refrigerated; Ravioli, Spaghetti-O's; Granola Bars; Fruit Cups; Applesauce; Juice Boxes (avoid those with lots of sugar). There will be a cart in the back hallway at church for your donations.

Home Centered

Dot Creasman

Billie East

Judith Mabb

Phil & Gladys Pennington

Norman & Ruby Walker

Current Information

The most recent Newsletter, Financial Statement, 2023 Officers / Committee Members Listing, and approved Church Council minutes can be found in the literature rack in the back hallway (just outside the Friendship Hall).

Handbell Practice Schedule

(Wednesdays in the Youth Room @ 6pm)

May 10, 17 & 24

Choir Practice Schedule

(Wednesdays in the Youth Room @ 7pm)

May 3, 10, 17 & 24

June 7 & 14

Are You on Facebook?

You can help us spread Cook's news! It's easy: first, be sure to "Like" Cook's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cooksumc/). Then keep your eye out for announcements, inspiration, and invitations to worship. When they show up in your FB feed, "Like" or "Share" the posts. The more who do, the more people see it, even if they're not yet members and/or don't “Like” the CUMC page. Have photos from a church event or something you want to promote on social media? Send info/photos to Alison Nash or to the church office.

May Calendar of Events

“Sacred Slow” Study, Monday, May 1 @ 12:30

Trustees & Oliver Academy, Monday, May 1 @ 2pm

Trustees Meeting, Monday, May 1 @ 6pm

Friendship Hall Reserved, Saturday, May 6

SPR Team, Tuesday, May 9 @ 6pm

“Sacred Slow” Study, Monday, May 15 @ 12:30

Girl Scouts, Tuesday, May 16 @ 6:30pm

Care Givers Coffee Connection, Wednesday, May 17 @ 1pm

Worship Team, Thursday, May 18 @ 3:30 pm

Discipleship Team, Thursday, May 18 @ 5pm

Finance Team, Sunday, May 21 @ 3:30 pm

Church Council, Sunday, May 21 @ 4pm

Congregational Care, Wednesday, May 24 @ 10am

Office Closed, Monday, May 29, Memorial Day Holiday

Mondays @ 9:30 am Bible Study (Youth Room)

Thursdays @ 6:00 pm Boy Scouts (Youth & Shine Rooms)

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Oliver Academy

Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays @ 6:00 pm TKD (Friendship Hall)

GIVING OPTIONS

In Person Giving

An offering basket is available at the back of the Friendship Hall during all worship services, or you can drop your offering off by the church office during regular business hours.