Cook's United Methodist Church

February 2025 Newsletter

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

As Christians, we refer to our “followership” with Jesus as ‘being a disciple.’ This is not only a Christian term; those who practice regular behaviors like yoga or follow mentors like a financial manager-mentor are called disciples. And Rabbis throughout all Israel’s history had disciples. They called/invited individuals (most of them close to the age of accountability) to join them if they were ready to embark on a life of learning, apprenticing, and doing just as the Rabbi prescribed.

That process was often a new life-style as disciples would live in community more than they lived at home or with family. The discipleship journey with any Rabbi consisted of learning the “what’s” and “why’s” of the life the Rabbi lived and, so, taught. And, then progress to learning how to do the “what’s” … then, actually doing the “what’s.” 

Jesus was seen by many (and addressed often) as Rabbi for this reason. Now, we are his disciples. WE are the ones learning the “what’s” and “why’s” of the life Jesus teaches and we know that learning how to live must result in our living the way Jesus did if we are true disciples. One of Jesus’ most famous I AM … statements is this: I am The Way, the Truth, the Life … The goal of a Jesus disciple is to live a life HERE and NOW that looks like Jesus’ life, to live Jesus’ Way. 

In this new year, we - Cook’s - are encouraging one another toward intentional discipline as we practice the Jesus’ Way. We will be offering small group practices with the hope that in these smaller groups that will stretch over a 4 to 5 week season each, you can learn the why’s and how’s of a particular life discipline - say, prayer or observing Sabbath - and feel encouraged to walk a bit more closely with Jesus. 

Each of the 4-5 meetings of a practice group will last approximately 90 minutes and will include praying for one another, recapping what was learned the week before and sharing how your practice went, learning something new, and preparing to practice in the coming week. The following small groups will be offered soon. All materials will be provided at no cost to participants. Please sign up through the Cook’s Church Office and you will be contacted by the facilitator of ‘your’ group.

Discipleship Practices … First and Second Quarter Offerings

Solitude / Amie Vaughan Tuesday’s 3:00 p.m. from February 11 through March 11 (OFF)+ 

Fasting / Sandra Clay: Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. from March 5 through April 2 (ON)++ 

Wednesday’s 11:00 a.m. from May 7 through May 28 (OFF)+ 

Scripture / Brooks Harper Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. (start date TBD)* 

Prayer / Edna Vaughan date/time/place TBD

+Refers to an off-Church campus meeting site 

++Refers to an on-Church campus meeting site 

*This offering will last a bit longer than regular Sunday School “classes” and, so, will make attendance at The Well difficult In the Second Quarter and into the Third we will add offerings for SABBATH and GENEROSITY! Won’t you join us in The Way?!

Sandra

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, February 11 at Corner Pub, 5:30 pm

4136 N. Mt. Juliet Rd.

Tuesday, February 18 at Billy Goat Café, 10:00 am

3690 N. Mt. Juliet Rd.

February Finance Meeting & Council Meetings

These meetings will be held on Sunday, February 9.  

Finance Meeting @ 11:00 am in the Lamplighters Room

Church Council @ Noon in the Youth Room with Lunch.  

Soup, Chili & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches will be available

for lunch during our church council meeting.  

Ready to hit the books? 

For our next book chat, join us as we discuss "The Road to Bittersweet," by Donna Everhart. We'll share thoughts, questions and more as we grab a bite. Mark your calendar: Feb. 4 at Calabria in Mt. Juliet. Reach out to Alison Nash if you have any questions!

New Date: February 22, 2025

Another opportunity to come on board with us as we tend God’s garden. 

Session to begin at 9am in Cook’s Friendship Hall. 

Snacks & Lunch will be provided. 

Please put your name on any of the signup sheets

or RSVP to Monica at your earliest convenience.

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.

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.

Girl Scouts, Sunday, February 2 from 2 – 4pm (Youth Room)

Trustees Meeting, Monday, February 3 @ 6pm (Youth Room)

Worship Planning, Tuesday, February 4 @ 11:45am (Library)

Book Club, Tuesday, February 4 @ 5:30pm (Calabria Restaurant – Mt. Juliet)

Youth Room Reserved ALL DAY, Saturday, February 8

Finance Meeting, Sunday, February 9 @ 11am (Lamplighters)

Church Council & Lunch, Sunday, February 9 @ Noon (Youth Room)

2^nd Tuesday @ West Elementary, Tues., February 11 @ 6:30am (West Elementary)

Common Table, Tuesday, February 11 @ 5:30pm (Corner Pub)

Men’s Club Breakfast / Meeting, Sunday, February 16 @ 7:45am (Youth Room)

Common Table, Tuesday, February 18 @ 10am (Billy Goat Café)

Staff Meeting, Tuesday, February 18 @ 11:45am (Library)

Caregivers Connection, Wednesday, February 19 @ 1pm (Youth Room)

Tending God’s Garden Session, Saturday, February 22 @ 9am (Friendship Hall)

Congregational Care, Wednesday, February 26 @ 10am (Lamplighters)

Fridays from 4am – 7am Kitchen Reserved for UMM

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

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, February 19 @ 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.

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