Cook's UMC

December 2023

Newsletter

Advent is here! 

The season of Advent is the beginning of the Church year, liturgically speaking. To remind ourselves of what really is at hand for us, let’s refresh our understanding of those two church words: advent and liturgical. First, Advent comes to us from the Latin and means “to come or arrive.”  And, it’s not just any old arrival of something or someone; we use ‘Advent’ to speak of the coming of something new, something precious. Namely, the coming of Emmanuel, God’s Messiah, Promise and Redeemer!  Second, “liturgy” comes to us from the Greek language (with both French and Latin influence) and means, specifically, public working or worship. In essence, liturgy is the work of the people who gather to worship God. What work do we, do YOU do? We hear and respond to the call to worship, we pray together, we sing hymns and offer gifts of silence or music or money to God, we display colors of the season and observe prolonged and guided attention in particular ways like we do during Advent or Lent.

Every Advent is new. Not just the newest iteration of celebrating Jesus’ coming to us, like us, for us, but a new beginning. So, in December of 2023, the Cook’s UMC family will be preparing for the coming of Christ into OUR world, OUR lives, OUR darkness, OUR need. This promise of God is both revealed (already) and new. I invite you to consider the primary themes that help us wrap our minds around a new Advent of Christ and what it means for Jesus Christ to enter our world, our lives, our darkness, our need: We believe that Jesus is our HOPE; not wishful thinking but a sure truth that is worth waiting on and watching for no matter how long his arrival my take. We believe that Jesus is our PEACE; beyond the eradication of chaos in innumerable forms, Jesus is true shalom – wholeness, reconciliation, and calm no matter the circumstances. And, that shalom is peace between and around and beyond all peoples. We believe that Jesus is LOVE; his coming, his life, his faith journey and obedience, his death, his resurrection – everything about Emmanuel – is revelation of God’s agape love for us as individuals and as humanity. We believe that Jesus IS JOY (remember … joy is grace recognized). Everything about Jesus is God’s grace for us and worthy of celebrating because God’s grace is enough! No matter the circumstance.

As we anticipate, prepare for, and celebrate Jesus’ coming to us – the Advent of God’s New Thing – we hope you’ll join us.

December 3 – First Sunday of Advent (Hope) including Holy Communion both worship hours

December 10 – Second Sunday of Advent (Peace) during both worship hours

December 17 – Third Sunday of Advent (Love), with special music during each worship experience (choir and special musicians at the Traditional Worship Hour with Eric Coomer and the Cook’s Band during The Well Worship)

December 21 – “Follow the Star,” a self-guided time of worship and reflection in the historic Cook’s Sanctuary. Come anytime between 7a – 7p and be bold to claim the hope of Christ for this longest night of the year!

December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent (Joy) – One morning worship hour at 10am (Sunday School at 9 am) Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion at 6 pm*

December 31 – First Sunday of Christmastide, One morning worship hour at 10am, filled with music and, so, joy of the season! (Sunday School at 9 am)

Come, Lord Jesus! Amen!!

Sandra

Christmas Luncheon

Be sure and mark your calendar for Saturday, December 2nd, and plan to join us at 1:00 p.m. for our Christmas luncheon. We look forward to seeing you there! If you missed the RSVP date of November 22 and still would like to attend please contact Betsy Cline. 

Communion Sunday

We will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday, December 3. If you will be worshipping/celebrating with us from home, please gather bread or crackers, and juice. 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.

Christmas Eve Schedule

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Sunday School @ 9am

Blended Worship Service @ 10am

Candlelight Service @ 6pm

Many of us operate by a Rule of Life, generally a lesson learned the hard way or a trusted truth taught us by someone’s who wisdom we value. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all;” “When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go (Carol Burnett);” “Always do your best – what you plant now, you will harvest later (Og Mandino).” A Rule of Life, however, takes practice.

Sabbath is an observation of rest (body, mind, and spirit) mandated by God that makes it possible to experience renewal from work/life expended and for work/life to come. Sabbath is supposed to be a part of our Rule of Life as Jesus Followers and Sabbath used to be easier for us to practice. Businesses and establishments were not open so activities outside the home were few and far between. Is Sabbath just about doing nothing, taking it easy on Sundays? No, that’s never been God’s intent.

If you are interested in recovering the deepest meaning and practice of Sabbath, we’ve got a great opportunity for you. On Wednesdays in January and the first Wednesday of February, I will host two Sabbath small groups: one at 11:45am in Room 107 (the Seekers classroom) and the second at 5:45pm in Friendship Hall. 

Please sign up for the group you prefer by emailing Pastor Sandra (revsandra@cooksumc.org) by December 17. Each group will meet over a light meal which you provide; simply bring something for your lunch or supper, even enough to share with a few friends. Cook’s UMC will provide the materials you’ll need for group study/discussion as well as paper goods and utensils.

I hope you’ll join me for a Sabbath Adventure!

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.

Follow the Star

Mark your calendar now for Thursday, December 21. You’ll recognize that date as Winter Solstice, or the longest night of the year. For most of the last decade, Cook’s UMC has offered an opportunity to face our pain headlong and make peace with the fact that not everything is holly or jolly in this season. The Longest Night also holds our Brightest Hope for nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:39)

We invite you to “Follow the Star,” a self-guided time of worship and reflection in Cook’s historic Sanctuary at a time of your choosing between 7:00 am – 7:00 pm. You may enter through the front doors of the sanctuary or through the western most interior door. Worshippers will grab a devotional guide and find a comfortable spot in this beautiful sacred space. Music of the season – either live or looped – will offer a gracious backdrop for your time with the Christ of Christmas. Invite your neighbors and coworkers and friends; oh and watch our email updates for the scheduled times for live music. We hope you’ll join us for this most meaningful time with Emmanuel.

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.

December Calendar of Events

Friday, Dec. 1 BSA Planning Meeting @ 9am

Saturday, Dec. 2 Christmas Lunch @ 1pm

Monday, Dec. 4 “Sacred Slow” Study @ 12:30

Monday, Dec. 4 Trustees Team @ 6pm

Tuesday, Dec. 5 SPR Team @ 6pm

Saturday, Dec. 16 BSA Christmas Party

Sunday, Dec. 17 UMM Breakfast @ 7:45am

Monday, Dec. 18 “Sacred Slow” Study @ 12:30

Monday, Dec. 18 Worship Team @ 3:30pm

Wednesday, Dec. 20 CareGivers @ 1pm

Thursday, Dec. 21 "Follow The Star" @ 7am-7pm

Sunday, Dec. 24 Sunday School @ 9am

Sunday, Dec. 24 One Worship Service @ 10am

Sunday, Dec. 24 Candlelight Service @ 6pm

Church Office Closed, Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 25 & 26

Wednesday, Dec. 27 Congregational Care Team @ 10am

Sunday, Dec. 31 Sunday School @ 9am

Sunday, Dec. 31 One Worship Service @ 10am

Church Office Closed, Monday, January 1, 2024

Youth Room Reserved Every Wednesday from 5:30pm till end of day

Mondays & Wednesdays Nov. 13 – Dec. 27 Older Adult Exercise Class @ 11:00am

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

Wednesdays @ 7:00pm Choir Practice

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

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

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

Church Kitchen Reserved every Friday morning from December 1 to mid-March

Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24

6:00 pm

Cook's Sanctuary

Advent 2023 Devotionals

These are available in the church office.

Please notify the office if you'd like to have one mailed to your home.

Concerns

Ken; Molly Alspaugh; Ethan Fesler; Flatt Family & Friends in the passing of Jerry; Lynda Gentry; Carolyn Gordon; Debbie Lackey; H. E. Leach; Leigh Ann Leatherwood; Jeanne Mays;

Paul McCulloch; Danny Ray; Danny Ray, Jr.; James Thomas; Randy Thomas

Unrest in the Middle East. Those suffering. Those rejoicing.

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, December 20 @ 1pm.

Good Neighbor Bag 

The Discipleship Committee has put together a Welcome to Cook’s neighborhood bags. They are made to help us reach out to new persons in our area and family members who are new to us or are looking for a church home and family. They have information about us as well as a pen, letter opener (with Cook’s on it), small wooden cross, activity sheets for children and box of crayons, an Upper Room and even a coupon for a free doughnut at Gourmet doughnuts! If you have someone, you’d like to give a bag to they are available in the church office. We hope we have helped to make it a little easier for all of us to be the body of Christ! 

Your neighbors, Discipleship Committee

Church Office Closed

Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 25 & 26

and Monday, January 1, 2024

Home Centered

Dot Creasman, Billie East,

Gladys Pennington,

Norman & Ruby Walker

Prayer Shawls

Have you ever wished for a visible way to show your love, care and concern for a family member, friend or neighbor who is suffering? Something they can hold onto and feel your prayers? There is a way, and your church family can help. Members of our church family are making prayer shawls for anyone who asks for one. They are prayed over before starting and completion of each one. Would you like a prayer shawl, have it prayed over by the congregation for the need of your family or friend? They are available with love from us. Contact me (615-516-2439, text, or email evaughane@yahoo.com ). Blessings, Edna. We are looking for persons to help with this ministry who can crochet or knit. If you are interested, please contact me.  

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).

United Methodist Men's Club Breakfast

3rd Sunday of each month @ 7:45am

Cook's Youth Room

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

to see what new and exciting things our Men's Club is up to.

NEXT Breakfast Sunday, December 17 @ 7:45am

Fellowship Coffee & Donuts

 Volunteers needed to bring donuts in 2024 for our fellowship time. There is a sign-up sheet on the counter in the central hallway. 4-5 dozen needed each Sunday. Keep your receipt to be reimbursed for donuts. Tax free letters available in the office.

Cook’s Inclement Weather Policy

Sunday worship schedules will depend on the weather / road conditions on those mornings. A decision will be made as quickly as possible and will be posted on Facebook as well as email communication sent. Please use your own discretion on those days.

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 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.

Online Giving

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

Electronic Bank Draft

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