The Courier 2016

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Along the Way: New Old Blessings

While the gospel message doesn’t change the ways we use to spread it always have found fresh expressions. In Ireland one sees the “High Crosses,” towering stones sculpted with Bible stories such as The Garden of Eden and Jesus Stilling the Storm. In olden days the storied crosses were highly painted and served as outdoor paintings teachers could use in sharing God’s Word.

At Cokesbury we are committed to everyone having the right to hear the gospel. This means we seek new ways to make connections across the larger community. Having Scott Didriksen serve as our Ministry Intern is one new way forward. This month we’ll also be connecting through hosting the pumpkin patch, a community cookout and inviting friends and neighbors to join us in having professional portraits taken. Details are in this Courier.

In this issue also is an article from Wesley Theological Seminary to inspire us to keep reaching out in new ways. Meditate on it and then share what the Holy Spirit whispers to your ear—we never know what new old way God will next use to enable us to be a blessing!

In worship we’ll be looking at “New Old Blessings” from another perspective. Our theme is UNSETTLED: ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS. We’ll wrestle together with the role questions play in our life, our faith and our ability to become the best versions of the people God created us to be. A clue comes from looking at the questions Jesus asked—often in response to being asked a question. Asking the right questions can make all the difference!

Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16.15-16 (NLT)

Blessings for the journey,

Pastor CJ

Introducing Ministry Intern, Scott Didriksen and his family! We are delighted to have Lauren (Scott’s wife); and their children, Shane 12, Peyton 10 and Riley 8 weeks with us for “a season.”  Scott lives in Pompano Beach and was in the construction industry for 15 years before answering the call to full-time ministry. He is an active member of Christ Church, Ft. Lauderdale and in the Walk to Emmaus program, Kairos prison ministry and mission trips abroad. Cokesbury is serving in a PILOT PROGRAM of preparing pastors for work in local congregations. We will help Scott gain what he needs to be an effective pastor and he will help us energize outreach and renovation projects. Be sure to keep them in your prayers as we journey together!

PICTURE TO FOLLOW… IN OUR NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY. Have you scheduled your photograph sitting?

Blessing of the Bikes

The rural Pennsylvania community surrounding our historic church has changed drastically in the past several decades. Following a flood in the 1970s, many people moved away from town, and now the community is beset with problems we used to consider “big city” issues, like gangs and drugs. Trinity United Methodist Church has been looking for new ways to reach people in our community — people whose culture is different in many ways from our own, who might not normally feel welcome at church.

We’ve discovered that connecting with a niche group or a special interest is a powerful way of reaching out to people without them feeling that we’re dragging them in to the church.

Our mission team came up with a novel idea. They reached out to the local chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA), and together we brainstormed how we could reach out to bikers. And in June, we held our first Motorcyclist Worship Service. The event was held on a Sunday morning. It began with a special service that took the place of our normal worship. The service featured a presentation by the “4 Given Riders.” Afterwards, everyone was invited to the church parking lot for a “blessing of the bikes.”

Our goal was to reach people who wouldn’t normally come to us and “meet them in the middle.” The event was advertised in the local bars, at the post office, and in the newspaper. CMA members talked to their neighbors who were also bikers, and they shared the invitation with their friends.

After the service, we hosted a fellowship meal where 80-year-old church ladies sat across the table from tattooed motorcycle enthusiasts clad in leather. It was a pretty cool sight! The original plan was that a 30-mile ride would follow the meal, but it had to be cancelled due to weather. But the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for this outreach.

We’re looking forward to another blessing of the bikes in the future. And we’ve also planned a service for first responders in September. We’ve discovered that connecting with a niche group or a special interest is a powerful way of reaching out to people without them feeling that we’re dragging them in to the church. Instead, we are meeting them in the middle.

This article by Pastor Daniel Kerlin is reprinted by permission from Leading Ideas, a free e-newsletter from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary and available at churchleadership.com; September 21, 2016.

Cokesbury’s Mission

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
for the Transformation of the World

Our Vision: God has called us

...to Welcome all people: loving & praying for the community;

...to Nurture & introduce people of all ages to Jesus through meaningful & positive experiences;

...to Equip believers for ministry;

...to Serve in the community & larger world through the church

We will continue to collect children’s-size toothbrushes and toothpaste ONLY (small). NO mouthwash, please. There will be a packing party for preparing boxes from the items donated throughout the year.

If you want to pack an entire shoebox in November please speak with Sondra Bass or Bobbie Gruber. They can help you with ideas and let you know the date for turning it in. Whichever way you choose to support this outreach to children: THANK YOU!!!

Save the Date! On January 8, 2017 Cokesbury will host a “Blessing of the Pets” to get the New Year off on the right paw!

.October 2016 The Courier

GALS (God’s Angels, Loving Servants)

Mark your calendars—all women encouraged to participate!

November 5th - Fruit Baskets for Shut Ins

     Will also make for friends of GALS members who are shut in.  

December 3rd - Christmas Tea with gifts for Drew Parenting and PACE

       Entire church invited to this festive “finger food pot luck” as we bring gifts for these 2 community organizations.

January 7th - Sing a Long

Dr. Delbert Bailey leads us in a joyful morning.

February 4th - Flowers/Nursing homes

         Putting together small vases which we’ll take to one or two local nursing homes to distribute and visit residents.

March 4th - Crafts for Craft Fair in April

        Make Easter/Mother’s Day crafts to be sold at the April Craft Fair.

April 1st - Craft Fair in Lowe Chapel 9am - 2pm

        Committee = Gerry Leone, Liz Hill, Gladys Norris, May Gordon. Are you a crafter? Host a table for $20.

May 6th - Spring Tea for entire church and larger community.

June 3rd - Indoor Pot Luck Picnic for everyone!

July and August - No meetings.

September 2nd - Planning meeting for the new season of ministry and mission.

LUNCH BUNCH: Monday, October 17^th at 1:00 pm in Settle Hall. Bring a dish to share and enjoy the fellowship!

CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER

Other Groups Sharing the Campus:

Monday through Friday, Victory Living, 7 am- 4 pm, Rooms 2, 3, 4

Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Spanish Alcoholics Anonymous, 8-10 pm, Grace’s Place (Room 4)

Tuesdays the 4th, 11th: Cub Scouts—7:00 – 8:00 pm

Wednesday and Fridays, Anglo Alcoholics Anonymous, 7-8 pm, Don Lowe Chapel

Thursdays, Spanish Al-Anon,  8-10 pm, Don Lowe Chapel

Always check with our Church Secretary about room availability before you schedule usage as there are “one-off” meetings NOT listed. Thank you.

01 9:30 AM – GALS (God’s Angels Loving Servants) – Settle Hall

02 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship; also Sunday School & Children’s Church

9:45 am - Choir Practice - Room 7

10:45 am – Bible Study – Lowe Chapel

6:00 pm - Youth Group

03 7:00 pm – Trustee Meeting – Library

04 6:00 pm —Community Cookout Planning

7:00 pm – Evangelism Meeting - Library

05 10:00 am - Ladies Small Group – Library

5:30 pm - Intercessors – Sanctuary

6:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study – Library

06 2:15 pm – Thumbs Up – Settle Hall

7:00 pm - Praise Band Practice – Sanctuary

7:00 pm — Membership Committee

08 11:00 am — Funeral Service for Gwendoline Stevens

3:00 pm – Pumpkins Arrive

09 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship; also Sunday School & Children’s Church

12:00 noon – Pumpkin Patch Opens

9:45 am - Choir Practice - Room 7

10:45 am - Bible Study – Lowe Chapel

6:00 pm – Youth Group

10 4:30 pm – Food Pantry – Settle Hall and Room 1

6:30 pm — Finance, Library

11 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

7:00 pm — Lay Leadership Development and Nominations

12 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

10:00 am – Morning Bible Study – Library

5:30 pm - Intercessors – Sanctuary

6:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study – Library

13 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

2:15 pm – Thumbs Up - Library

7:00 pm - Praise Band Practice – Sanctuary

16 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship; also Sunday School & Children’s Church

9:45 am - Choir Practice - Room 7

10:45 am - Bible Study – Lowe Chapel

6:00 pm - Youth Group

17 1:00 pm – Lunch Bunch – Settle Hall

7:00 pm —Church Council

7:00 pm – Digital Photo Discovery – Library

18 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

6:00 pm – Mission & Ministry Meeting - Library

19 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

10:00 am – Morning Bible Study – Library

5:30 pm - Intercessors – Sanctuary

6:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study – Library

20 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Storytime

3:30 pm MICAH —Chapel

7:00 pm - Praise Band Practice – Sanctuary

23 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship; also Sunday School & Children’s Church

9:45 am - Choir Practice - Room 7

10:45 am - Bible Study – Lowe Chapel

6:00 pm - Youth Group

24 4:30 pm – Food Pantry – Settle Hall and Room 1

26 10:00 am – Morning Bible Study – Library

5:30 pm - Intercessors – Sanctuary

6:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study – Library

_______________________________________________________

27 & 28: PHOTOS TAKEN IN SETTLE HALL FOR NEW DIRECTORY, ETC.

27 2:15 pm – NO Thumbs Up – Early Release

7:00 pm – Praise Band Practice – Sanctuary

30 9:30 & 11:00 am Worship; also Sunday School & Children’s Church

9:45 am - Choir Practice - Room 7

10:45 am - Bible Study – Lowe Chapel

3:00 pm – Charge Conference

5:00 pm – Community Cookout

31 6:00 pm – Pumpkin Patch Closes

HELP NEEDED:

1) Prepare WELCOME BAGS for Sunday first-time visitors

2) Pickup “will-call” Sam’s Club orders (prepaid) and deliver to church

3) Unload pumpkins

4) Serve lunch after pumpkins are unloaded

5) Signup for a shift to sell pumpkins

6) Signup for a day and time to host school children for Storytime

7) Join Sub-Committee to help organize the Community Cookout

Call the church office and let us know where you would like to serve!

———————————————————————————

JANE BERG-SABOL

All phases of Domestic Duties

Call: 754.366.9863

Dog Sitting • All Party Services • Cleaning • Laundry

Ironing • Closet Organized • Certified Home Health Aide

———————————————————————————

REFRESHMENTS: If you would like to celebrate someone or a special occasion by providing a cake or cupcakes or cookies, and/or drinks between services, contact Harry Murphy or Debbie Toombs.

A Sign-up Sheet is also available at the Refreshment Counter.

LEGACY BRICK PROGRAM: Honor or memorialize someone special or a special occasion by designing your own brick for the garden on the north side of the sanctuary. Order forms are available in the narthex and office.

the Pumpkin Patch

Cokesbury hosts a popular patch for a large part of October. Many families have a tradition of coming to the church to take pictures in the patch and to buy their pumpkins here because they want to support the good work of the church. We get the opportunity to meet the neighbors and to provide farmers on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Farmington, NM meaningful employment. According to our partners, Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers (www.pumpkinsusa.com), approximately 2 square miles of pumpkins are grown and 700 Navajo are employed during the harvest months of September and October. There is also a full time off-season NM staff comprised of Navajo—a great boon in a region with 42% unemployment.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Pray for good weather, solid pumpkins, and community support of the patch.

2. Sign up for as many two hour shifts staffing the patch as you possibly can. Please don’t simply “take a turn” because some folks cannot participate so we really need able-bodied people to contribute a lot of time.

3. Invite people you know to come to the patch and tell them about the support they will be giving to Navajo farmers. Our pumpkins cost more but the positive impact on lives is greater.

4. Volunteer to unload pumpkins—scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday, 8th October. Volunteer to clean up the patch by sorting out rotting produce, which has to be done on a daily basis.

5. Cook and feed the pumpkin unloaders on the 8th October. Includes hungry boy and girl scouts!

6. We have a modest craft table alongside the patch; how about making some items for sale?

7. Phone call and text reminders are needed to ensure each shift’s staff is able to be present.

8. Counters are needed to ensure the funds are deposited each evening so we keep a good account.

9. VERY IMPORTANT: we host over 300 pre-schoolers during the patch season. The children come with their teachers during the school day and receive a small pumpkin, goody bag, and a lovely story read to them. We need people willing to greet the children, hand out the bags and read one of the books from our collection.

This year we are having a community meal and outdoor praise concert the evening of Sunday, 30th October instead of a Saturday night block party. The city and Margate Elementary host parties; we have a unique contribution to make and will have the help of our sister churches in our cluster. HELP ORGANIZE THE NIGHT BY COMING TO THE LIBRARY ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 4 AT 6 PM. We will have a cake auction but the rest of the evening is free to the community. Our partners, Margate Elementary and Michelle’s International House of Learning are participating as well as the cluster churches.