Just a hint – Something Special is coming! – Sunday, Nov. 15 and 22
Our United Methodist Women are sponsoring an Old Fashioned Bake Sale to fund their ministry coffers. Whether you make something for the sale or purchase something one of these Sundays, you can be assured that the funds will go towards the mission and ministry of Cokes Chapel.
Mark your calendar, strike off “preparing desserts for Thanksgiving” or other family gatherings during the holidays!
More to come – but if you wish to contribute your “famous” or “favorite” home made dessert, please contact Ann Navin right away so we can get an idea of the various goodies! call Ann or text at 678-469-5851
Thanksgiving Baskets
We will again be helping people in our community to have a special Thanksgiving dinner. Due to the corona virus and our desire to keep everyone safe, we are going to provide gift cards to families. They will use the grocery cards to buy their own food, and it will not be necessary for our folks to spend so much time in stores.
HOW to participate: To donate money to purchase gift cards for food, please give funds to Caroline Huckaby or Betsy Bagley. If you prefer to write a check to the church, be sure to designate “Thanksgiving Food” on the “for” line on your check.
Growing Your Faith Through GENEROSITY
Matt. 6:1-4 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Stewardship is utilizing and managing all the resources (our time, talents and resources) that God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. Being a faithful generous steward is a choice you make. Let us take this basic idea of biblical stewardship using the following story;
A wealthy man was preparing to leave on a trip when he learned of a family that had suffered a great loss and was nearly destitute. He had compassion on them but was pressed to depart so he called for his son and gave him a check, saying: “I am leaving on a trip and I have compassion for the family who has suffered such a loss. Please take this check, keep what you need for your own expenses and give the remainder to this family as a gift from me. If you are still in need, tell me. Remember, I love you and will always take care of you.”
Week # 2…the son grew frustrated by his father’s request.
He would be obedient, but not joyful. Begrudgingly he took his portion and delivered the remainder to the family in need. Seeing it they rejoiced and told everyone of his generosity, praising and thanking him for the gift. The son accepted the praise and never told them it was from his father. If he couldn’t keep the money, at least he could enjoy the praise and honor for his lavish generosity.
When the father returned and learned of his son’s actions, he was sad. “While you gave a good amount, your heart was not right. Why, when I gave to you so selflessly, did you keep the glory for the gift for yourself?”
We must hear Scripture as it teaches us to give as God gives to us; joyfully and lavishly: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. (2 Cor. 8:2-4)
Scripture teaches us to give with a desire for God to receive all the glory: “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Cor. 9:10-14)
The Moral: We glorify God when we give in his name.
Rodin, Scott Dr. R, (2018, April17-19, The Outcome Conf, Dallas, TX) A Generosity Parable/How will you write your story’s ending? Retrieved from https://outcomesmagazine.com/a-generosity-parable/
Financial Snapshot:
Growing Our Faith…
Monthly projected operating funds needed: $20,400
Actual operating funds collected as of October 22nd: $18,973
Matthew 6: 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Thank you for your heartfelt generous contributions.
Rodin, Scott Dr. R, (2018, April17-19, The Outcome Conf, Dallas, TX) A Generosity Parable/How will you write your story’s ending? Retrieved from https://outcomesmagazine.com/a-generosity-parable/
Visit our website: cokeschapel.org to give regularly or make a one time gift.
We will be resuming Prayer next Wednesday, October 25th at 5:30. We will meet in the Eubanks Sunday School room this week due to Church Council meeting in the Fellowship Hall. We will return to meeting in the Fellowship Hall the following weeks. Everyone try to arrange your schedule to attend, if you aren’t there we will miss you. We will wear masks and social distance.
MINISTRY MESSAGE: INTER-GENERATIONAL, YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY, October 21, 2020:
In Inter-generational Ministry, Prayer Partnerships will be continuing throughout the fall. Youth and college age young adults have been partnered with adults in our congregation to pray for each other during the months of October through December. This is an opportunity for the church family to hold and support one another in prayer across the generations. Prayer partners are praying for each other daily, communicating prayer needs and celebrations on a weekly basis, and joining with the larger group of Prayer Partner Participants monthly, via Zoom, to engage a prayer focus and for breakout time with their partner.
Inter-generational Sunday School will continue with “at home” lessons until the beginning of Advent on November 29th, when the hope is to begin gathering again in-person with the start of an Advent Study. This week’s lesson continues our focus on covenant with the story of Joshua and God’s covenant with the people as found in Joshua 24:14-28. If you would like to be included in the email list and receive this “at home” lesson, please contact Kim Reindl at kim.reindl@gmail.com. Each lesson includes Bible facts to help enlighten your study, questions for thought and reflection, as well as opportunity for spiritual practice.
In Youth Ministry, our youth gathered in person this past Sunday for a time of fall fellowship! We met outdoors at the Youth House for pizza and circle time, a Cemetery Scavenger Hunt (a great way to learn about the rich history of Cokes Chapel!), and a “Speedy Pumpkin Decorating Contest!”
Cemetery Scavenger Hunt:
Speedy Pumpkin Decorating Contest:
Finally, in Children’s Ministry, in lieu of Trunk or Treat, we will continue to support the work of our Childcare Center through the donations of candy and prizes/trinkets to be used in their in class celebrations. During the month of October, please bring any donations with you to worship on Sunday mornings and place them in the bin in the narthex or drop them off anytime in the bin outside the church office.
God is at work all around us! May we hold each other by heart and lift each other by prayer as we journey together, and apart!
With love,
Kim
(Kim Reindl, Director of Inter-generational, Youth & Children’s Discipleship; kim.reindl
@gmail.com)
BUILDING USE AND ENTRY
Worship Center Activities: Our Child Safety Policy does not allow for entry through the Worship Center doors due to the Child Care Center program, from Monday-Friday, from 6:00 am and 6:30 pm. No exceptions. Should you need to access the Worship Center, please check in through the CCCC office to gain entry. |