Cook’s United Methodist Church

April 2024

We exist to make followers of

Jesus Christ who love God and others.

He is Risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Our Lifesong from Easter worship still rings in the air and echoes in our hearts! The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior is true and real!

What does that truth mean for us today? What does that truth mean for YOU today? Most creeds or faith statements made in corporate settings for the worship of God Almighty include the recitation of history: Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried. Though refuted by others to save face or keep rebellion at bay, we still believe that the reports of his physical appearance to and interaction with others following his resurrection are true and real, too. And we weren’t even there!

Is the resurrection of Jesus a historical fact that proves the wisdom of your faith in him as Lord and Savior? Or is it even more?

The sacrificial death of Jesus for our sakes satisfied the required covering of sin in order that relationship with God be restored. In effect, Jesus’ death on the cross – a death of obedience to God – redeems our past. Your sin is covered, cared for, cancelled in what was accomplished on the cross of Christ.

It is in Jesus’ resurrection that even more is accomplished! In Jesus being raised to new life, God defeats the power of death, the grave, and hell. They are no longer resolute for the power of God is proven greater and available! Also in new life, Jesus ushers in a new reality for those who believe in Him – Kingdom citizenship and the eternal quality of life right now … even before the end of our age(s).

Jesus’ resurrection empowers our present.  Remember the example of a seed coming undone in order to sprout, grow, and bear fruit? Remember the example of a butterfly egg becoming a caterpillar only to become a pupa encased in a cocoon only to become a butterfly? Only in the willingness to give up being a seed or a caterpillar do we find miraculous power unfolding and accomplishing a new thing in us. Though still on this side of glory, dying to self and being raised WITH Christ opens access to the power of God that raised Christ. That power can and will also raise us not just on that great day but TODAY!  God’s power is for us even now.

And Jesus’ resurrection secures our future. In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul assures them that “there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Being IN Christ Jesus is a continual submitting of ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Another biblical way of thinking about/talking about being IN Jesus Christ? Dying to self – being willing to sacrifice being a seed for the sake of becoming the fruitful plant that God designed me to be. AND being raised with Christ – enduring the cocoons and chrysalis’ of life, trusting that God is working to bring about something new!

As a matter of fact, our biblical promise is this: if anyone is IN Christ she/he is a new creation … the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17 HALLELUJAH!

Maybe the best news of all – all this is from God for you, for us! (2 Corinthians 5:18a)

He is Risen! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Sandra

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.

Communion Sunday

We will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, April 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.

Lenten Worship

Thursday, March 28 -- Maundy Thursday – Eric Coomer leads the congregation in re-membering Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples as well as his arrest. (6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:00 p.m. service, Friendship Hall)

Friday, March 29 -- Good Friday observance of following (at our own pace) modern stations of the cross – a highlight of this holy season (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friendship Hall)

Sunday, March 31 -- Sonrise Worship – Eric Coomer and the Cook’s Praise Band lead us to greet Easter morning with joyful worship (6:30 a.m., Church Pavilion)

Sunday, March 31 -- Our United Methodist Men will provide a warm breakfast for the Easter people of Cook’s UMC, serving in the Youth Room (7:45 – 8:15 a.m., donations welcome)

Sunday, March 31 -- Easter Traditional Worship, Cook’s Sanctuary at 8:45 a.m.

Sunday, March 31 -- Sunday School for all ages, 10:00-10:50 a.m.

Choir Practice Resumes

Wednesday, April 10

7:00pm

Seekers Room

Fellowship Donuts

Volunteers needed to bring donuts for our fellowship time (between first service and Sunday School). There is a sign-up sheet on the wall next to the donut table across from the coffee pots by friendship hall. 4-5 dozen needed each Sunday and must be here by 9:15am. Keep your receipt to be reimbursed by the office. Tax exempt forms available in the office.

Reflections on the Sabbath Study

Hope you are enjoying testimonies for the study of "Sabbath" from the participants.  

Discipleship Committee

Sue Wilhoit shares her Sabbath experience this week.

"Dan Allender's book on the Sabbath was wonderfully written, and I very much enjoyed the class discussion. I wish it could have gone on for several more weeks! It was a "wake-up call" that I had slipped into poor habits on the Sabbath and forgotten the "holy" and that it is a commandment.  I underlined many passages in the book but want to especially remember "that it is a day put aside to celebrate our union with God."  Sue Wilhoit

LIVE LIKE MOLLY

I’m struck with how many people have recently told me they might not have been members at Cook’s if it wasn’t for Molly Alspaugh. 

It usually goes like this: “I came to visit once and she wouldn’t let me leave.” The stories often include phrases such as, “bounded over the pews to get to me,” and “chased me down in the parking lot.” The thing is no one ever says any of this without a huge smile on their face. They are always so grateful she pursued them.

Molly‘s recent passing has hit the praise team particularly hard. Hoss Peterson has taken to the hashtag #LiveLikeMolly. I think this is especially apt because, at the end of the day, we all just want to be like Molly when we grow up.

Molly was tremendously talented. Sometimes I think she didn’t realize how good she was. I’ve worked with many pianists over the years, at churches and events and in the studio. She was among the best. She always knew exactly what to play, whether it was something someone else had written or something she made up herself. It just always fit perfectly. I think this is yet another testimony to how compassionate she was. She saw a need and filled it in a way no one else could. 

Her beautiful and quiet low alto singing voice would become a high soprano when she laughed, and it filled the room to the rafters. It would also grow quite loud when she was passionate about something. 

I recently went through her Facebook posts from the past several years and was incredibly humbled to realize that most of her posts that weren’t health updates were about our friendship, the Cook’s praise team, or my solo music. She was my biggest cheerleader, and I bet a lot of other people would say she was their biggest cheerleader too. 

That’s how Jesus lived. He was a soft spoken and quiet when most of us wouldn’t have been; loud and flipping tables when the need was truly there. And I bet he had an infectious laugh that filled whatever place he inhabited. 

Like others before him in the Bible, Christ was a storyteller who told parables to help us better understand the character of God. In several parables, he tells of someone in relentless pure. Whether it was the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep behind to find the one that was lost, or the father who never stopped pursuing his prodigal son, our Heavenly Father never stops pursuing us. 

No. Matter. What.

He bounds over pews. He chases us down in the parking lot. And he relentlessly cheers for us. 

In December and January, I had the pleasure of having Molly come to my studio to record some beautiful songs she had written. I was honored to be able to produce completed recordings that included her beautiful piano playing and singing. I did the rest and it’s now available on Spotify and coming soon to Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube and everywhere else that streams music on the internet. 

Molly sings in “Silver Linings” that God was preparing her heart for its forever home, but I have a feeling a lot of heaven was already in her heart. May we all strive for the same. 

Live like Molly,

Eric Coomer

Sunday, March 24

Offering - $4,973

United Methodist Men's Club Breakfast

3rd Sunday of each month @ 7:45am in the Cook's Youth Room

Everyone is encouraged to attend the breakfast and stay for the meeting.

NEXT Breakfast Sunday, April 21 @ 7:45am

Worship Service Opportunities

Are you looking for a creative way to serve your brothers and sisters at Cook’s? Have we got some ideas for you!! We are looking for volunteers in the following areas in number such that we can create a rotating schedule of helpers. If you’re interested, please contact Ms. Kathryn Kimball or Rev. Sandra for more details.

We are looking for the following help:

• Mobile Communion: Individuals or pairs are needed to take consecrated communion elements to home-centered members before evening on Communion Sunday.
• Communion Steward(s): Individuals or pairs are needed to prepare for and clean up altar following Communion on designated Sunday.
• Special Sunday Worship Arts – Individuals are needed to work with Worship Team in designing and creating altar-scapes (and/or other displays) in Sanctuary and Friendship Hall for the observance of special worship themes.

SALT (Serving at the Lord’s Table)

CANNED MIXED VEGETABLES; RICE (1 lb. bags)

CANNED BEANS (northern, pinto, black, kidney, pork & beans)

TOILET PAPER (4-roll package)

PAPER TOWELS, LAUNDRY & DISHWASHING DETERGENTS

BAR SOAP (individually wrapped)

SHAMPOO, TOOTHPASTE

All donations can be left in totes in back hall.

Backpack Program

The Backpack program supports our neediest children. Students are supplied with food items to bridge the weekend gap during the school year. The Church at Pleasant Grove sponsors the Backpack Program for 5 schools in our area and they need help 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). All donations can be left in the totes in back hallway.

Caregivers Coffee Connection

A Caregivers Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm in Cook’s UMC Youth Room. 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 to 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.

NEXT Meeting Wednesday, April 17 @ 1pm.

Trustees Team

Monday, April 1 @ 6pm

Youth Room

Missions Team

Wednesday, April 3 @ 6pm

Library

Finance Committee

Sunday, April 14 @ 3pm

Lamplighters Room

Church Council

Sunday, April 14 @ 4pm

Youth Room

Worship Committee

Monday, April 15 @ 3pm

Library

CareGivers Connection

Wednesday, April 17 @ 1pm

Youth Room

Discipleship Committee

Thursday, April 18 @ 5pm

Library

United Methodist

Men's Club Breakfast

Sunday, April 21 @ 7:45am

Youth Room

Congregational Care

Wednesday, April 24 @ 10am

Lamplighters Room

Calendar of Events

Office Closed, Monday, April 1

Trustees Meeting, Monday, April 1 @ 6pm (Youth Room)

Lenten Study, Wednesday, April 3 @ 11:45am (Seekers Room)

Lenten Study, Wednesday, April 3 @ 5:30pm (Youth Room)

Missions Meeting, Wednesday, April 3 @ 6pm (Library)

Finance Committee, Sunday, April 14 @ 3pm (Lamplighters Room)

Church Council, Sunday, April 14 @ 4pm (Youth Room)

Worship Meeting, Monday, April 15 @ 3pm (Library)

CareGivers Connection, Wednesday, April 17 @ 1pm (Youth Room)

Discipleship Meeting, Thursday, April 18 @ 5pm (Library)

Men’s Club Breakfast, Sunday, April 21 @ 7:45am (Youth Room)

Congregational Care Meeting, Wednesday, April 24 @ 10am (Lamplighters Room)

Staff Meeting, Tuesday, April 30 @ 10am (Library)

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

Wednesdays @ 7:00pm Choir Practice (Seekers Room)

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

Tues. & Thurs. 9am-3pm Oliver Academy

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

Last two Wednesdays of the month Women’s Ensemble Practice @ 6pm

(Seekers Room)

Home Centered

Dot Creasman, Billie East,

Gladys Pennington,

Norman & Ruby Walker

Current Information

The most recent Newsletter, Financial Statement, 2024 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).

Ken Cowan; Sandra Carney’s Dad;

Bette Edwards; Scott Foster; Lynda Gentry; Faye Walker

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.

In Person Giving

An offering plate is passed around during traditional worship service in the sanctuary and an offering basket is available at the back of the Friendship Hall during “The Well” worship service, or you can drop your offering off by the church office during regular business hours.

Online Giving

You can give online at www.cooksumc.org or text cumc to 73256

Standard text message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP to 73256 for help. Text STOP to 73256 to cancel.

Electronic Bank Draft

If you are interested in this easy and convenient way of giving, please contact the church office.

7919 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet TN 37122

615/449-2573

 www.cooksumc.org

Sunday Schedule

8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary), Facebook Live & YouTube

10:00am Sunday School

11:00am “The Well” Worship Service (Friendship Hall), Facebook Live & YouTube