and 3

Cooper Memorial UMC Connections
January and February 2010
Volume 4, Issue 24
It is hard to believe we are on the doorstep of a new year. For a moment, let us reflect on this past year of 2009.
We implemented the mission of the month program, which saw more people involved in mission in the first 4 months than
we had projected for the year. We experienced a slight increase in attendance of visitors and
new members. Our people continued to be generous in their giving. We held our second
Consecration Sunday Celebration. A preschool class on Sunday morning was added, other
classes took on new identities and focus. We celebrated our Scouting ministries: BSA Pack
190, BSA Troop 190, BSA Crew 190, BSA District Committees, GSA Troop 1794, GSA
Troop 1355, GSA Troop1021/242, GSA Troop 331, GSA Service Unit Meetings and Area
Events, continued to house the Okolona AARP, offered a flu clinic to the community,
participated in bell ringing for the Salvation Army. This summer we had a combined
worship experience and rocked the Crocodile Dock for VBS. We celebrated new arrivals
for the Mousers and Duncans, and grieved the loss of members Ralph Adams, Dorothy
Jared, and Tom Tichenor as well as several other deaths in the extended family of the
church. We continue to pray for comfort for these families during this season of grief. We
continue to take part in the Okolona Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service and Good Friday
Service with Okolona Presbyterian and Bethany United Church of Christ. We again
provided food baskets for ten families and had our second annual Thanksgiving Dinner for those who wanted to be with
friends and church family. Our Forever Young Group continues to meet, as does Sacred Stitches, Lamplighters, and Lydia
Circle. Currently we are gearing up for the 12th season of Upward Basketball, and continuing the discussion for soccer. The
Church Health Team, consisting of Deborah Bluestone, Mary Beth Granado, Renee Hudgell, Bob Murphy, and Bob Smith,
began reading and discussing “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations”, by Bishop Robert Schnase. They hope to have a
report at the Leadership Team meeting in January as we work through the Natural Church Development Program with Rev.
Fred Goodwin as our coach. Just a few of the things I remember…can you add more to the list?
What a year, we celebrate but now must plan for 2010. What can we do better? Where are the areas for
improvements? How can we continue to offer Hope and Love through Jesus Christ? There are three questions I would like
us to pray about as we go into a new year; send your responses to the church office: (1) What would you like to see happen
at Cooper Memorial this year? (2) What needs to take place for that to be accomplished? and (3) Are you willing to help
make it happen?
Use the words of the following hymn as a devotional tool for January. “This Is A Day of New Beginnings” United
Methodist Hymnal, 1989, #383.
This is a day of new beginnings. A time to remember and move on, A time to believe what love is bringing while laying to
rest the pain that’s gone. For by the life and death of Jesus, God’s mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of
difference, as faith and hope are born again. Then let us, with the Spirit’s daring, step from the past and leave behind our
disappointment, guilt, and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find. Christ is alive and goes before us to show and
share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new. In faith we’ll gather round the
table to taste and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
Shalom
Practice Passionate Worship
Passionate Worship is not restricted to any particular style.
An hour of Passionate Worship changes all the other hours
of the week.
-The Church Health Team
•
•
•
•
Worship Times
9 AM and 11:15 AM
Sunday School at 10:10
Cards for Military and their families...contact the church office for more information
Interested in visitation? Contact Rusty Hudgell
Cooper Memorial sponsors Cub Pack, Boy Scout Troop, & Venture Crew 190. Any boy 1st grade through age 20 is
invited to become a part of this vital ministry. Contact Rusty Hudgell 964-5251 for more information.
Children’s Ministry volunteers needed– contact Peggy Mouser
Cooper Memorial UMC Connections
January and February 2010
Sacred Stitches
Children ages 4 and up are encouraged to pick up a
"Worship Bag" as they enter the Sanctuary . We are
excited that you will be joining us for worship and look
forward to seeing you grow in Jesus. All “Worship
Bags” are to remain at church.
Do you crochet, knit, or sew? Be a part
of our prayer shawl ministry. Call the
church office or see Vicki Basham for
more information about joining this
ministry!
Donations of yarn always appreciated!
The New Year is a time to learn to
rely more heavily on the grace of
God. -Unknown
Forever Young
Meets monthly 4th Monday of every month.
Serendipity Prayer Group
Meets every Wednesday morning from
10 :30 AM to 11:00 AM
AARP
Meets 3rd Thursday of every month.
Thanks to everyone
who supported the
Cooper cookbooks!
We are now
completely SOLD
OUT!
Volume 4, Issue 24
Practice Radical Hospitality
Every member of the body of Christ is the fruit
of someone’s ministry and faithfulness. People
are searching for churches that make them feel
welcome and loved, needed, and accepted.
Do it for Christ’s sake.
-The Church Health Team
Lamplighters
A mixed age group that meets
Thursday evenings 6:45 – 8:30pm
Beginning with a light carry in
meal
Explores a Variety of topics and
studies
Ladies Dining Out
Fellowship
Jan. 26 and Feb. 23
at 6:30 PM
Potluck at the church
Craft night Tuesdays 7:00pm
Gather at church for a devotion and fellowship.
A time to come together and work on craft items.
You may do needlepoint, knit, crochet, paint,
stamp, scrapbook, quilt, sew, work on warm
fuzzies or just join us for some fellowship. We will
be putting some items together for a bazaar in
the fall.