G Chat November 19, 2020

   NO IN-PERSON WORSHIP ON NOV. 22ND OR 29TH

In June, 2020, Cokes Chapel Church Council approved Guidelines for Covid.  In it, we are mandated to notify you of a known COVID exposure.  Per guidelines, this is to notify you that a person who attended worship on Sunday, November 15, subsequently tested positive for COVID.   

In accordance with the Guidelines, we will NOT hold in-person worship Sunday, Nov. 22 and 29.  We plan to provide a recorded worship service for each Sunday.

I am sure that you find this information distressing.  We delight in one another’s company, and enjoy our worship time together. I was looking forward to returning to the pulpit Sunday.  So, while our anticipations to gather will be on hold for a bit, I confidently hold on to the truth: that we remain bound together in heart and spirit as the body of Christ.  

Please keep our member in your prayers for a quick and easy recovery.  Remember others who are also serving, caring and healing the sick.  We all recognize that exposure is a potential at all times, whether at church, the grocery store or even as we get together as families.  Church throughout history has met and survived through many challenges.  With prayer, faith and our eyes on Christ, we will join the triumphant band of those who carry the banner forward of faith.

Praying for good health and peace,
Pastor Lisa
 

 
                               FINAL WEEK TO REGISTER!
            You are invited to join us for this ADVENT STUDY!

 
                                                               
 
Sunday Mornings, November 29th-December 20th
 
PLEASE NOTE:  The first and second weeks of the study (Nov. 29 and Dec. 6) will take place via Zoom and/or through video technology. Starting on Sunday, Dec. 13, this is planned to be an in-person gathering.  When meeting in-person, all church guidelines per COVID protocol, including social distancing and mask wearing, are required.

STUDY DESCRIPTION:
During the season of Advent we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child at Christmas.  Enter Advent this year with an attitude of curious expectancy and trustful anticipation.
 
As the holidays approach, it is easy to become consumed by busyness.  If you desire a time to slow down and focus on the true meaning of the season, join us for a four week study, “Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent,” by Pamela Hawkins.  This study encourages participants to linger for a while and pay close attention to the meaning of the season as you focus on a single word each week, pray beautiful prayers and hymn texts, and try various forms of prayer such as praying with images, silent prayer, prayer beads, and compline (night prayer).

Behold the season with new eyes, new ears, a new heart, and a sense of new possibilities. Let this study encourage and help you behold the “news of great joy,” Christ the Lord, who is coming to make all things new!
 
When:  Sunday Mornings, November 29, December 6, 13, and 20
Time:  8:45-9:45 am (Before Worship)
Who:  Everyone!  This is a class for Adults, Youth, and Children
Leader:  Kim Reindl
Book Cost & “At-Home” Option: $14 with Optional Book; FREE without a book
(The book, “Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent,” by Pamela Hawkins, provides a guide for weekly class time and optional daily Scripture reading and prayer.)
To Register:  Email Kim at kim.reindl@gmail.com; Please indicate whether
or not you would like to purchase a copy of the book
Registration Deadline:  Sunday, November 22
 

Advent Series coming November 29th . . .  “Rediscover Christmas” 
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of the true light of the world, Jesus Christ. But this season isn’t Christmas as usual. We’ve been through what is perhaps the most difficult year we can remember, and we know there are challenges looming ahead. The good news is—Jesus came to earth that first Christmas in one of the darkest times in history…and He’s still the light in our night now! The season looks different this year, but this five-week series on the themes of Advent (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love), will help us discover the certainty of God’s love in uncertain times. It’s the perfect time to ReDiscover Christmas in a new light.

One of the most valuable pieces of this series is the downloadable ReDiscover Christmas Advent Reading Plan. This 30-day journey REDISCOVER CHRISTMAS PLANNING GUIDE 4 REDISCOVER CHRISTMAS PLANNING GUIDE 5 includes daily devotions for the four weeks leading up to Christmas based around the Advent themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Following is the link to access the devotional series.  Click on the second line listed in the download “Advent Reading Plan” to receive the daily devotional packet.  

https://cdn.outreach.com/Download/getfile.aspx?DigitalContentid=956&DigitalContentItemID=2712&email=jndlkd@comcast.net&ticketguid=8e83b89b-00ac-4d98-908a-873fe0863e4f

 

“At the Table with Bishop Sue,” Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson talks with Rev. Bill Britt about stewardship, generosity, and giving. Rev. Britt is a gifted leader and serves as pastor of Peachtree Road UMC in Atlanta. 

Sit in on At the Table with Bishop Sue “Frustration” Discussion provided by Clicking on the podcast here:  https://www.ngumc.org/podcast

Worship Information

Sunday, November 22nd – Online at 10:00 am 
Sermon:     “Thankfulness with Staying Power”
Scripture:    Psalm 100
 
 We continue to maintain our Covid guidelines of social distancing, wearing masks, as well as other items you can read about here:  https://www.cokeschapel.org/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Worship-Guidelines-for-Individuals.pdf
https://www.cokeschapel.org/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Guidelines-for-Individuals.pdf

Thursday, November 19 – CANCELLED – UMW Women’s Holiday Celebration – 11:30 am – Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 22  – ONLINE – Worship – 10:00 am 
                                        – CANCELLED – UMW Old Fashioned Bake Sale – 9:45 am Drop off / 10:45-11:15 am Sale
                                        – CANCELLED – Hanging of the Greens – 2-4 pm
                                        – VIA ZOOM – Youth Activity – 5:00-7:00 pm 
Monday, November 23 – CANCELLED – Staff Meeting – 12:30 – Pavilion/Fellowship Hall
Thursday, November 26 – THANKSGIVING DAY
Sunday, November 29 – VIA ZOOM – 8:45-9:45 – Advent Study Begins
                                       – ONLINE  Worship – 10:00 am 
Monday, November 30 – CANCELLED – Staff Meeting – 12:30 – Fellowship Hall
                                       – Charge Conference Meeting – 5:30 – via Zoom

Note For All Building Users:  Our guidelines from Church Council regarding Covid still remain in place for social distancing, masks and sanitary cleaning following use.

Leaders and Committee Chairs – please remember to contact Brenda in the office at office@cokeschapel.org or request meeting space and assure there will be no conflict of use.  Please do not announce meetings without clearing date and time with the office.

 


Christmas Angel Tree – UPDATE

Due to the cancellation of worship services the next two weeks, we will not have the actual Angel Tree set up in the narthex.  However, we still have many special children that need our help, so we will adapt and get it done.
If you would like to provide one or more gifts, please email Betsy Bagley as soon as possible and tell her two things:  Boy or Girl,        Toy or Clothes.
Then she will send you the information and instructions on getting the gifts to the church.
Please participate, and help make Christmas extra special for these precious children!
ebbagley@gmail.com

  

“Growing Your Faith through GENEROSITY”–  1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. I would like to suggest that you read then re-read this scripture from 1 Corinthians. Visualize yourself as part of the Apostle Paul’s community of believers.  With only these few words, what was Paul’s message?
 
Finance passed a negative budget for 2021.  That budget will go to Church Council for approval.  Finance settled on a negative budget based on projected expense from program chairs verses the projected income for 2021 and extenuating circumstances.  Finance reached this decision after much discussion based on the following:
1.  Both loans, Childcare and Youth House, are in the process of renewal which will change the financial landscape once completed.  
2.  We have been in a pandemic since March 2020 which has resulted in a decrease in attendance.
3.  Projected income was very difficult to determine for 2020 including the loss of rent for both the parsonage for 4 months and the childcare center for three months.
4.  The church has not been able to recover from the $25K+ funds spent in 2019 for unbudgeted expenses i.e. HVAC units. 
5.  Lastly, the art of compromise did not appear as an option at this point.
 
Growing Our Faith…
Monthly projected operating funds needed: $20,400
Actual operating funds collected as of November 18: $18,428.29

Finance is truly grateful for your faithful generosity. You help to keep ministries of this little white church running.  Thank you!
 
Visit our website: cokeschapel.org to give regularly or make a one time gift.
                        

UMW thanks you for your donations to the Bake Sale on Sunday, November 15th.  The Bake Sale scheduled for November 22 has been cancelled.  


MINISTRY MESSAGE:  INTER-GENERATIONAL & YOUTH MINISTRY, NOVEMBER 18, 2020: 
 
In Inter-generational Ministry, this is our FINAL WEEK OF REGISTRATION for our upcoming ADVENT STUDY!  Starting on Sunday, November 29th everyone is invited to join the Inter-generational Sunday School class as we engage in a four week study for the Advent season!  We will be gathering via Zoom and/or through video technology on Sundays, Nov. 29th and Dec. 6th.  We plan to gather in-person prior to worship on Sunday mornings, Dec. 13th and 20th, from 8:45-9:45 am.  The study focuses on a different word each week (i.e., Expectancy, Preparation, Faith, Promise) and is based in Scripture reading and prayer.  Please see additional information in this G-Chat.  To register, please contact kim.reindl@gmail.com.
 
Inter-generational Sunday School is continuing with “at home” lessons until the beginning of Advent on November 29th.  This week we will read from Luke 4 and study about how Jesus brought a new message to the people but continued to follow many of the same traditions and worship from the past.  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 we will be gathering this Sunday, via Zoom, in lieu of our previously scheduled in-person gathering.
 
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.  

PRAYER TEAM

Cokes Chapel Prayer Team is praying for all of you. Your requests, concerns, and praises are important to us. Please let us know if you need anything or have a special prayer request. I am available and happy to pray with you by telephone or just be a listening ear. Please join us in daily praying for God to heal our world. Claim it in the powerful name of Jesus Christ and give thanks to God for all things. Contact Debbie at DebbieCarter30263@charter.net or 678-233-4980.  
 

IN OUR HEARTS & PRAYERSCURRENT

Pat Harkins brother 
Ralph Hammond (brother-in-law of Michael Ross)
Burt Taylor
Julie (friend of Pat Harkins)
JoAnn (Sandy Cavender’s sister)
Jerry Chappell  (father of Nadja Williamson)
Allan and Nancy Kinnard (son and DIL of Margie Jones)
Sally Jones (mother of Carol Ross)
Richard Harkins (brother of Roger Harkins)
Leigh Cunningham (daughter-in-law (James) of Cornelia)
Craig and Cindy Cox
Larry & Debbie Carter
Betsy, daughter of Margie Jones
Nancy Lenard

ONGOING PRAYERS
Jeff Kemmerer (Sherrie Kemmerer’s husband and Sandra Oliver’s son-in-law)
Stan Smith, Marcia Smith’s husband
Jerry Freeman
Roger Harkins
Mick Moore
Pastor Wayne Ellis, Robin & Family 
Jones Family, Howard & Margie, etal

Continue to pray for one another and for our country for comfort, peace, freedom from anxiety, depression and fear. May God surround, protect and bring us assurance of God’s almighty hand with us during this difficult time.

 

 
Show our Shut-ins some Love!  A note from you would brighten their day and make a difference.  You don’t even have to “know” them, just sign the card, “your Coke’s Chapel Family”.
 
Consider sending one card each week to rotate through the list, and let the Cokes Chapel love shine out!
 
Marie Allen 355 Millard Farmers Industrial Blvd. Apt. 212 Newnan, GA 30263
Jerry Freeman 28 Sweetwater Place, Sharpsburg, GA 30277-1882
Jerry & Del Lenox 45 Soliel Ct. Sharpsburg, GA 30277-2307
Mick Moore 4661 Highway 34E, Sharpsburg, GA 30277-3509
Merlene Smith 25 Newnan Lakes Blvd.c/o Benton House Newnan, GA. 30263
Claudette Schunk 357 Jim Starr Road, Newnan, GA 30263
Joyce Taylor 152 Riva Ridge Ln   Newnan, GA 30263-6713
Al Warren 14 Hampshire Ln   Newnan, GA 30265-6058
 
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