Cook’s United

Methodist Church

September 2022 Newsletter

From the Pastor's Desk

I hope that by now you’ve heard the news … Sunday, October 2 begins a new season for us at Cook’s UMC! We want YOU to be part of all that God is doing anew!

Traditional Worship in the Historic Sanctuary begins at 8:45 a.m.

Sunday School / Small groups begins at 10:00 a.m.

Worship at The Well in Friendship Hall begins at 11:00 a.m.

This decision by Cook’s Church Council is purposed toward several missions that we ask you to pray for with us:

• Gathering at the same general time keeps the Cook’s family visible to each other and able to interact even if we’re not all in the same worship space or classroom.

• Sharing one educational, or formational, “hour” provides a greater community experience for all who seek to grow in their faith.

• A variety of experiences makes it more possible for us to meet the needs of our neighbors – old and new.

• Sharing worship, fellowship, and formation together strengthens the bond of our church family, making us more ready to be on mission with Jesus.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE A PART OF THIS NEW SEASON? 

One, join us for worship in person! If you are comfortable being in public and just haven’t made the move to be physically present yet, do it! Wear your mask, sit more distantly, do whatever you need to feel safer while among us … just join us!

Two, do your part to keep yourself and others as healthy as possible, including physically wellness. If you are feeling under the weather, worship with us from home. Both worship services will be live streamed each Sunday and then posted to Facebook and YouTube. We will miss you and anticipate you joining us again soon, and healthy! Be mindful of talking and laughing very closely with others and remember to ask before you hug someone. Let’s take care of each other.

Three, decide to find a class or small group to grow with. In these small(er) groups, we have the privilege to pray with and for each other, to learn about God’s Word for us, to grow in our faith. Already a part of a class/group? Great! Keep it up, yet with renewed commitment. Got room in your class/group for others? Reach out and let it be known. Invite someone to meet you, even sit with you in worship and in class. Ready to start something new in your life? Come join me for a new class beginning Sunday, October 2 at 10 a.m. in the Shine Room #111. We’ll forge our way together into being community … God’s community.

Four, pray. Pray! Pray with joy and curiosity, with excitement and conviction about all the possibilities that life with God brings about. In particular, I hope you’ll join me in praying for:

• Our worship at both hours to be heartfelt and honorable before God.

• Growth in our practice of and intimacy with God in the privilege of prayer.

• A fresh desire to meet our neighbors and make room for them in our family.

• A hunger in each of us to know God’s Word to the purpose of living its Truth.

• Determination to go into our world as messengers of the gospel, loving every stepping of the way.

Let’s get ready for all that God is doing in and through us! Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Sandra

Calling all liturgists and greeters!

We need more volunteers too.

September 10^th at 10:00 AM in the SANCTUARY

Training and refresher!

Moving back into the sanctuary

Requires some training even if you have done it before.

Volunteers to help with electronic media are needed too! See Eric for specifics on media training.

There will be a district event taking place the same day in the

Friendship Hall and Youth Room.

Please enter and exit through the side door by Rick’s office.

Communion Sunday

We will be celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday, September 11, 2022. 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.

Join Us for A Potluck Lunch

Congregational Care is hosting a potluck lunch on Sunday, September 25th, at 11:00 a.m. Fried chicken will be provided, and we are asking that you bring a favorite side dish as designated below based on the first letter of your last name.

Vegetable / Salad: A-L

Dessert: M-Z

We hope everyone will join us for some good food, fun and fellowship.

New Worship Times

beginning October 2, 2022



Traditional Worship in the

Historic Sanctuary begins at 8:45 am

Sunday School / Small groups

begins at 10:00 am

Worship at The Well in Friendship Hall begins at 11:00 am

This year we are excited to announce that we will hold the 5^th annual Chili Cookoff at Wilson Bank & Trust during Oktoberfest on October 15^th between 11-2pm. We will gather on the West Lawn (across Castle Heights Blvd behind brick entrance gate), to eat chili, to raise awareness about homelessness in Wilson County and to hear about the work of Compassionate Hands, to enjoy great fellowship, and to have a little healthy competition.

We are also excited to announce that we have a sponsor. Modern Woodmen of America is graciously matching our fundraising up to $2,500. We are so grateful for this wonderful partnership.

Someone will walk away as the 2022 Compassionate Hands Chili Champion, Non-Chili Champion, and People’s Choice Champion.

NO TICKETS REQUIRED but this is one of our yearly fundraisers – so dropping at least a $5.00 donation in the bucket would be greatly appreciated.

There are many ways for you to participate!

You can enter to be chili contestant by emailing shelia.weathers@compassionatehandstn.org. There is a $30 entry fee. You can also donate time or items to help make the event a success.

If you cannot attend and want to keep unhoused friends safe this winter, please make a donation via PayPal, tithe.ly or mail a check to PO Box 1156, Lebanon TN 37088.

God keeps blessing our work in amazing ways – come take a tour to see what happens when the church works together! Our facility allows us to offer year-round services beyond winter shelter and it provides offices and meeting space for staff and volunteers. Great stuff . . . thanks for being part of it!

If you have further questions, please email Shelia at shelia.weathers@compassionatehandstn.org or call/text her at 615/426-5758.

2022 Chili Cookoff Contestant Details

Details: This year the Chili Cookoff is in collaboration with Wilson Bank & Trust Oktoberfest October 15. Although the Oktoberfest begins at 9:30 am and ends 4:30 pm we will not begin our Chili Cookoff event until 11:00 and will end at 2:00 pm however, if we have chili and hotdogs left, we will serve them until 4:30 pm. If you run out of your chili, you may leave with your crockpot and minimum décor as they have stated they do not want us to tear down until 4:30 pm.

Your arrival time: Be there no later than 10:15 am as we do have to gather all chilis in small cups for the judges to make their decisions. You may bring your decorations and chili starting at 7:00 and no later than 10:15 am.

Parking: We have a place to park close by. It is at Smiles by Samantha at 727 West Main Street. We will have orange cones there as well as two volunteers. This will be for you and other volunteers that will be serving. This WILL NOT be for anyone else, no family and friends, as we are limited on spaces. Other parking for guests and attendees is at Immanuel Baptist and shuttle will be running. You can still turn onto Mitchell House St by Regions Bank, (text Shelia at 615/426-5758) to let her know and someone will be right there at the end of the sidewalk to retrieve your containers chili/supplies and then you can drive around back of Regions Bank, and it will take you down to the parking lot.

Can you have a theme: YES, please do, however you will be partnered with one other chili contestant on your table so don’t plan on bringing a lot of decorations. We will have tables decorated with fall décor already, but you can decorate over it. If you want to decorate your table, it will need to be done by 9:00 am at which time you could bring your chili and turn it on low.

Condiments & other foods: We will have sour cream, shredded cheese, oyster crackers, ketchup/mustard (packets) on a table in small cups with lids so no need to bring your own. If you do bring some different fixins, please have prepared in single servings. No bowls with spoons or be prepared to serve your guests yourself. We will also have wrapped hot dogs, desserts, and water.

Categories to enter: Holy Smokes (hot & spicy and must be labeled “hot”), Best Chili, Best Theme, Best non-chili item (soup, gumbo, etc.). All of these are awarded by judges. There is also People’s Choice award that will be decided by attendees voting.

Entry Fee: $30 can be paid by choosing PayPal or tithe.ly or check can be written to Compassionate Hands and mailed to PO Box 1156, Lebanon TN 37088.

Saturday, October 29th

Please use this link for registration:

https://volunteerhabitatnashville.cloud9strategies.com/wilson-fall-2022-cooks-umc/

AFTER VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP: They will receive automated emails containing GENERAL information about the build including directions to the site, a basic schedule, build information, and the safety handbook. These emails will be sent prior to their build (10, 3, and 1 day prior). For volunteers to receive this information, they must be entered in the system.

Coming SOON

cooksumc.org is getting a new look!

Look for the unveiling of our revamped website coming soon. 

On behalf of the Wilson County Community Help Center, thank you for your donation of $500 on August 5, 2022. The Wilson County Community Help Center exists to provide food, clothing, and household necessities to the needy. We also provide financial assistance for utilities, gasoline, and prescription drugs for individuals in need in Wilson County. The Center can only fulfill its mission by receiving support from donors such as you. For more information about the help center please visit www.wilsoncountyhelpcenter.org.

SALT Needs

Canned vegetables; Canned soup; Canned meats; Canned beans;

Canned fruits; Spaghetti; Macaroni and cheese; Boxed cereal; Saltine Crackers;

Rice (1 or 2 lb. packages); SpaghettiOs or similar items

Please take a Cook’s tote from the rack by the door for your donations

and place them on the cart in the back hallway.

Boxes: 14"x14"x10", other sizes can be used if they are roughly the same in volume. Depth is one of the more critical dimensions -- at least 8".  We use over 350 boxes a month. 

Random September Holidays

1 No Rhyme or Reason Day

4 Eat an Extra Dessert Day

5 Be Late for Something Day

10 Swap Ideas Day

 12 Chocolate Milkshake Day

17 National Clean Up Day

18 Rice Krispie Treat Day

21 Miniature Golf Day

26 Love Note Day

28 Good Neighbor Day

Church Office Closed

Monday, Sept. 5

Labor Day

SPR Committee Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 6

6:00 pm

Youth Room

Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 6

6:00 pm

Seekers Room

Missions Committee Meeting

Wednesday, Sept 7

6:00 pm

Seekers Room

Cumberland River District Meeting

Saturday, Sept. 10

9:00 - 5:00 pm

Friendship Hall & Youth Rooms

Liturgist/Greeter Training

Saturday, Sept. 10

10:00 am

Sanctuary

Finance Committee

Sunday, Sept. 11

3:30 pm

Lamplighters Room

Church Council

Sunday, Sept. 11

4:00 pm

Youth Room

Lay Leadership Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 13

6:30 pm

Youth Room

United Methodist Men's Breakfast

Sunday, Sept. 18

8:15 am

Youth Room

Girl Scouts

Tuesday, Sept. 20

6:30 pm

Lamplighters / Shine Rooms

Congregational Care Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 22

10:00 am

Lamplighters Room

Discipleship Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 22

5:00 pm

Library

Newsletter Deadline

Friday, Sept. 23

Potluck Dinner

Sunday, Sept. 25

11:00 am

Oliver Academy

Tuesdays & Thursdays

9:00 - 3:00 

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.

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.

Dot Creasman,

Billie East, 

Everett Horton, 

Judith Mabb,

Phil & Gladys Pennington,

Jean Phillips,

Judy Smith,

Norman & Ruby Walker,

Jim Webster

September Trivia Questions

In the tradition of Labor Day rest and celebration, let’s take a look at the hard workers in God’s Word:

1. Who was the first to do the “job” as reported in the Bible:

The first carpenter?

The first employed woman?

The first farmer?

The first priest?

The first prophet sent to the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

The first prophetess?

The first seamstress?

The first shepherd?

Bonus: What was the first employed woman’s job?

2. Bezalel and Oholiab were empowered by God to help build a tabernacle. Circle the name of the skill(s) they did NOT use in accomplishing that huge task?

Carpentry

Metalwork

Forging

Embroidery

Baking

Weaving

Perfumery

Carving

Pottery

3. The first generation of disciples left their vocations in order to follow Jesus. Circle the name of the job(s) which were held by the 12 before they met Jesus.

Tax agent

Medical Doctor

Fisherman

Metalworker

Carpenter 

Political Anarchist

Baker

Priest 

Legal Expert

4. Paul found it not only necessary (for income) but also helpful (for an evangelistic avenue) to be bi-vocational. Name his “job” (other than evangelism):

Bonus: Name 2 of his partners in that second job as well as their relationship with each other.

5. In 2020, women held 50.04% of the U.S. workforce (not including farm workers or the self-employed [Bureau of Labor stats]). The female “workforce” in scripture is amazing as well. Match the following women with their respective work:

Abigail

Deborah

Dorcas

Esther

Huldah

Lydia

Martha

Miriam

Puah

midwife

household manager

spinster

worship leader

prophet

clothes designer

queen

judge

political liaison

August Trivia Answers

1. Of the six days of creation, on which day did God stock the waters with animal life? 

a. 2nd

b. 3rd

c. 5th

d. 6th

2. After the rain stopped while Noah and his family were on the ark, how many days passed before the waters subsided?

a. 30

b. 90

c. 120

d. 150

3. Moses’ Mom gave him up (in a pitch-covered basket) in hopes he would be found and raised by an Egyptian. What water was he “set sail” in and who drew him out?

a. Miriam, Nile River

b. Jochebed, Nile River

c. Bithiah, Nile River

d. Puah, Tigris River

4. When the Israelites came to the Red Sea, fleeing Egypt, what did God instruct Moses to do (that resulted in the parting of the waters)?

a. Raise his staff and stretch out his arms toward the water

b. Raise his staff and strike the surface of the water

c. Strike the surface of the water with his staff and step into the waters himself

d. Raise his staff and usher his leadership into the water

5. How many times did God enable Moses to get water from a rock when the Israelites were without?

a. 4

b. 3

c. 2

d. 1

6. Naaman, Commander of the Aramean army, contracted leprosy and was told by Elisha that healing could be found by doing this:

a. Soaking himself in the Dead Sea

b. Dipping into the Jordan River seven times

c. Being sprinkled with water from Jordan River

d. Being sprinkled with water from the Temple/Tabernacle Basin

7. Which of the following tribes of Israel was not located on the Dead Sea?

a. Reuben

b. Judah

c. Benjamin

d. Naphtali

8. The Sea of Galilee is connected to another body of water by yet a third body of water; name those two bodies:

a. The Red Sea and the Jordan River

b. The Red Sea and the Dead Sea

c. The Nile River and the Jordan River

d. The Dead Sea and the Jordan River

9. All four gospels mention the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist; in only one is the event told indirectly. Which gospel is that?

a. Matthew

b. Mark

c. Luke

d. John

10. The River of Life mentioned in John’s Revelation is described after the New Jerusalem appears from God in heaven. What is the source of the River of Life?

a. Throne of God

b. New Heaven

c. The source isn’t named

d. Beyond New Jerusalem

September Calendar of Events

Church Office Closed, Monday, Sept. 5

SPR Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 6 @ 6:00 pm

Trustees Team, Tuesday, Sept. 6 @ 6:00 pm

Missions Committee, Wednesday, Sept. 7 @ 6:00 pm

Cumberland River District Meeting, Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 9:00 – 5:00 pm

Liturgist / Greeter Training, Saturday, Sept. 10 @ 10:00 am

Finance Committee, Sunday, Sept. 11 @ 3:30 pm

Church Council, Sunday, Sept. 11 @ 4:00 pm

Lay Leadership, Tuesday, Sept. 13 @ 6:30 pm

UM Men’s Breakfast, Sunday, Sept. 18 @ 8:15 am

Girl Scouts, Tuesday, Sept. 20 @ 6:30 pm

Congregational Care, Thursday, Sept. 22 @ 10:00 am

Discipleship Team, Thursday, Sept 22 @ 5:00 pm

October Newsletter Deadline, Friday, Sept. 23

Potluck Dinner, Sunday, Sept. 25 @ 11:00 am

Mondays @ 9:30 am Pastor’s 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)