Cook's United Methodist Church

December 2024 Newsletter

We exist to make followers of Jesus Christ who love God and others.


Advent is the name of this season of the Church’s life; we rarely hear this word in any other context anymore. The word means ‘the arrival’ of someone, something, some happening. And, so, ‘advent’ requires preparation - namely, preparation for the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. We prepare our sanctuaries and homes with rich symbols of the season: garlands and boughs of evergreen reminding us of the promise of eternity, holly, and ivy that tell of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. We listen to the prophets again who foretold the saving work of God, we tell the story of how Emmanuel came to be with us, and we light candles to remember how Jesus was, is, and will always be the Light of the World. We decorate our Christmas trees with symbols of Jesus’ life, and we sing the songs of our faith, claiming Emmanuel’s story as our own. And it is. 


We invite you to be with us for as much of the season as you can be. Our celebrations this year will focus on the many unique perspectives from which God’s Son, our Savior was welcomed the first ‘Christmas.’ We will find ourselves in the remembrances of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, in the Innkeeper’s wife’s testimony and in that of a shepherd. We will find our own questions and joys, heartbreaks and discoveries in those of an angel, of Simeon, and of Anna. Their story of welcoming Emmanuel is ours. 


We look forward to sharing this holy season with you! 


Sunday, December 1

Advent 1, Zechariah and Elizabeth

Holy Communion at both worship experiences


Sunday, December 8

Advent 2, Mary


Sunday, December 15

Advent 3, Joseph

Cantata* at 8:45 a.m. in Friendship Hall


Sunday, December 22

Advent 4, The Innkeeper’s Wife and a Shepherd

Light for our Darkness** at 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall


Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve+ - An Angel

Holy Communion and Candlelight, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.


Sunday, December 29

Christmas 1, Simeon and Anna

One Service++ at 10:00 a.m. Brunch and Worship

Friendship Hall

(Sunday School meets at 9:00 a.m.)



* Our Christmas Cantata will be presented in the Friendship Hall by the Cook’s UMC Choir and an orchestra of friends. 


** Light for our Darkness, a more contemplative worship experience, reclaiming the promise of Light in Jesus no matter how dark our days seem now. 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall 


+We will remember the coming of Christ into the world with Holy Communion and Candlelight at 3:00 p.m. (more traditional, held in the Sanctuary) and at 7:00 p.m. (less traditional, held in the Friendship Hall) 


++The first Sunday of Christmas is a 5th Sunday, and we will share brunch as a part of our Morning Worship and Fellowship. Sunday School Classes will meet at 9:00 a.m. before we gather for worship at 10:00 a.m. 


#2 

In Acts’ Chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas find themselves in a precarious position. In his first missionary excursion, Paul meets a man in Lystra who had never walked because of infirmity and with boldness Paul commanded the man to stand up! (Paul recognized the lame man believed he could be healed.) When the man stood on his ‘new legs’ the folks who witnessed this began to speak and shout words of worship toward Paul and Barnabas, thinking they were gods. Paul stopped them immediately - ‘we are just like you!’ he cried out. His words weren’t enough for some of the Lycaonians; they tried to worship Paul and Barnabas anyway. (BUT THE GUY STILL WALKED INTO THE REST OF HIS LIFE!) 


There are three categories of folks I want you to take a moment to consider: one, the Pauls of our church; two, the Barnabas’ of our church; and three, the Lycaonions of our church. This is what I mean in naming these three categories. 


The Pauls of our congregation are those who so love Jesus and the Church that even with many imperfections and a sense of unpreparedness they are willing to boldly offer what they can for the sake of Christ. These are the folks who have served as committee chairs and team leaders, those who have given hours and hours of prayer, creative thought, elbow grease, and attendance to ensure that ministry in the name and power of Jesus continues from this hill in this community. The Barnabas’ of our congregation are those who undergird and support our Pauls by joining them, praying for them, holding up their tired arms and flagging spirits, working alongside them. These are the folks who serve on teams and committees, on the frontline like the choir and in the background like those cooking breakfast for the hungry and homeless of our community and those who ready the sanctuary for worship. The Lycaonions of our congregation? Those who misunderstand the work of ministry and the power within it. Some of us give no thought for what happens at church or through this congregation as long as worship happens for us the way we want it to happen. Others still are pushing and allowing the Pauls and Barnabas to do it all (so we are released from responsibility). Well, the call of Christ doesn’t work like that, and we will continue to pray for your courage and boldness to let God’s Holy Spirit do in and through you what God dreams. 


I want to offer my deepest appreciation and my loudest atta-girls and atta-boys to the Pauls and Barnabas of the Cook’s family for all you do! Statistics show that in most organizations whether secular or faith-based, 20% of the people do 80% of the work. I believe that the percentage is a bit higher for Cook’s. Thank you, Thank YOU, THANK YOU! to all the P’s and B’s of our church family for holding the vision that God prefers for us and for leading the way boldly. For you who will catch the vision for what God longs to do in, for, and through this family, there will always be room for your unique gifts, abilities, and imperfect love for Jesus!

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, December 1, 2024. 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.


Christmas Cantata

“What Christmas Really Means”

Sunday, December 15 @ 8:45am 

Cook’s Friendship Hall

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Tuesday, December 24

3 pm in the Sanctuary

7 pm in the Friendship Hall


Thank you for everything!!

We thank you for allowing our family to have my dad’s funeral at our “home” church. Blessings, The Risner Family

The Common Table

Rev. Sandra will pick up the tab for what wets your whistle

You are always free to stay however long you want and can.

There is no agenda; YOU bring the questions, celebrations, beefs,

and burdens and we will share them.

Love will hold us together no matter what.

Come to one or both, invite a friend, meet a new friend, just come! 


Tuesday, December 10 at Corner Pub, 5:30p.m.

4136 N. Mt. Juliet Rd.

Tuesday, December 17 at Billy Goat Café, Noon

3690 N. Mt. Juliet Rd.

Pastor Christmas Offering

The SPR Committee will be receiving a special Christmas love offering for Pastor Sandra in appreciation for all she does. Please give your donation to either Monica in the office or Kathryn Kimball, mail it to the church, or drop it off during normal business hours by Wednesday., Dec. 11. It will be presented to her Sunday, Dec. 15.

What does Tending God’s Garden mean to you?

Come share your thoughts on January 11, 2025

Church Office Closed

Wednesday & Thursday, Dec. 25 & 26

& Tuesday & Wednesday, Dec. 31 & Jan. 1

SALT (Serving at the Lord’s Table)

REVISED NEED LIST

UNSWEETENED CEREAL; CANNED SOUP & SALTINE CRACKERS (4 sleeves to a box) 

All donations can be left in totes in back hall.

Concerns

Mrs B.; J. Lain Eskew; Becky Jacobs; Rebecca Lybarger; Michelle McQueen;

Lennis Radar; Karen Tanner; Kris Williams

Spiritual health for our nation.  Passion for Christ at Cook’s.

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.

Choir Practice, Saturday, December 7 @ 10am (Friendship Hall)

Girl Scouts, Sunday, December 8 @ 2:00 – 4:00pm (Youth Room)

Common Table, Tuesday, December 10 @ 5:30pm (Corner Pub, Mt. Juliet)

Choir Practice, Saturday, December 14 @ 10am (Friendship Hall)

Christmas Cantata, Sunday, December 15 @ 8:45am (Friendship Hall)

Common Table, Tuesday, December 17 @ Noon (Billy Goat Café, Mt. Juliet)

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Tuesday, December 24 @ 3pm (Sanctuary)

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Tuesday, December 24 @ 7pm (Friendship Hall)

Church Office Closed, December 25 & 26

Fifth Sunday One Service, Sunday, December 29 @ 10am (Friendship Hall)

Church Office Closed, Tuesday, December 31 & Wednesday, January 1, 2025


Wednesdays @ 7pm Choir Practice (Seekers Room)

Last 2 Tuesdays of month @ 7pm Women’s Ensemble Practice (Seekers Room)

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

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

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

Tuesday & Thursdays Oliver Academy 7:00 am – 3:00 pm 

Home Centered

Ralph & Miriam Appleby,

Dot Creasman,

Gladys Pennington,

Norman & Ruby Walker

Caregivers Coffee Connection

A Caregivers Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 1pm in Cook’s UMC Youth Room. Our purpose is to surround each other with support and friendship as we encourage the journey of a Caregiver by offering respite and support. If you or someone you know would benefit from a loving time of encouragement or just a place to meet and have 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 18 @ 1pm.

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.

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.

Help Needed!!  

We need an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands in both areas of our children’s Sunday School – the Nursery (up to Kindergarten) and the Elementary Class (Kindergarten through 5 grade).  Our Safe Spaces Policy requires a second person.  Mrs. Shari Adair is our primary teacher and does a fabulous job.  What a gift your help would be for her and our children!  Our goal is to have enough volunteers that no one must routinely leave their Sunday School to serve.  If you are willing to serve 2-3 times a quarter in one of our two children’s classes, please get in touch with the church office to sign up.  

Rise Against Hunger

Saturday, November 23rd

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).

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 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.

Mailing Address: PO Box 397, Mt. Juliet TN 37121

7919 Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet TN 37122

615/449-2574

www.cooksumc.org

Sunday Schedule

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

10:00am Sunday School

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