The Colonnade - Cokesbury United Methodist...
Transcript of The Colonnade - Cokesbury United Methodist...
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
The Colonnade Cokesbury United Methodist Church October 2014 14806 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, Virginia Volume 53, No.10
Operation Christmas Child
Members have been wrapping shoeboxes for the congregation to take and
fill with small toys and other gifts to be delivered to children in countries
torn apart by war and natural disasters. These boxes may be the only
Christmas those children will have.
Helping Hands sponsors this program for Cokesbury each year. Each box will include a brochure that will
give instructions for packing a shoe box gift, including suggested gifts and a list of items that may not be
included. Labels will be included to indicate age and sex of child to receive the gift. It is also requested that
postage be included in the box for shipping. If you are not able to do that, filling the box is a great gift by
itself. It will travel anyway.
The first year we shared this project, we supplied 40 boxes to the collection point. Last year, with the
generous contributions by the congregation, we sent 100 gift-filled boxes to needy children. It is a great joy
to fill the boxes as well as it is for those who receive them. This is a wonderful project with your children
also; they love to share their Christmas with a far-away friend. Please pick one up and return it to us by
November 23.
KiDS Mission Group Coordinators: Sharon Lasko and Barbara Firth
KiDS (Know His Design for Service) Mission group will be starting back up
with its first meeting on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 12:15 in the Sunday school
room. KiDS is open to all children 2nd through 6th grades (younger children are
welcome with an adult or teen helper) and provides the opportunity for our
children to Serve God by Serving Others by supplementing or getting involved in mission work already
ongoing within Cokesbury through fun craft projects and some hands-on work. We had a wonderful time in service last year and hope to continue it this year.
At the October meeting we will be creating table decorations for the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter in support
of Cokesbury providing meals in November. We will also be creating Christmas cards to be signed by the congregation and then sent to the Missionaries of the Virginia Conference.
We are hoping for a great turnout each month, so parents please arrange your schedules so that your children
can attend this important fun and learning experience. KiDS meets the 4th Sunday of the month from 12:15
p.m. until approximately 1:30 p.m. 2014 meeting dates are Sunday, October 26 and Sunday, November 16, a
change from the 4th Sunday due to Thanksgiving. There will not be a meeting in December. Please see Sharon Lasko or Barbara Firth with questions.
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
Pastor’s Perspective
During the last few months we prepared for our 2014 Charge Conference Session
conducted by the Reverend Jeffrey P. Mickle, our newly appointed District
Superintendent for the Alexandria District of the Virginia Conference. We had a
great Charge Conference with Cokesbury United Methodist Church’s business
conducted in an orderly and reverent manner giving God the glory for being the
Church of Jesus Christ. Thanks to all of you for making the 2014 Charge
Conference actions of love a gift of praise to God!
The end of 2014 is swiftly approaching, I pray that we will end the year in a
victorious spirit through our increased attendance in our Holy Spirit filled worship
celebration, Christian Education, uplifted spirituality, finances exceeding our
expectations and God is praised for this year being filled with grace and blessings.
Please pray for Cokesbury United Methodist Church to be the center of God’s
presence on the corner of Reddy and Blackburn Roads for all to see God breathing
life, new hope, and love into us to be a viable, vital, and Holy Spirit led
congregation and community today and in the future!
Have you seen the Cross of Jesus Christ in Cokesbury United Methodist Church?
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
THURSDAY EVENINGS
The Bible study entitled “Bible Interpretation:
a Road Map,” led by Barbara Horne, meets
each Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Please join in learning the tools to being able to
read and understand the Scriptures. Everyone is
always welcome – enjoy fellowship and explore
your relationship with God, yourself and others!
Hilda Barg Homeless
Shelter Meals
By Mary Beth Patane
Ready or not, the holiday season is just around
the corner! There are many families right here
in Prince William County in crisis and need a
home-cooked meal. November marks the next
opportunity for Cokesbury UMC to provide
meals on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday –
November 5th through 7th
. Missions &
Outreach Commission will provide juice, milk
and bagged lunches for three days. The dinner
meals needed are simple to prepare but hearty
dishes. Please join us in this food ministry - it is
rewarding to participate in blessing people in
their time of need. Sign-up sheets to prepare
meal items and/or serve the meals will be posted
in the narthex beginning Sunday, October 5th.
Those unable to join us may help by placing a
monetary donation marked "Homeless Shelter
Feeding" in the offering plate which will be
used to purchase needed food items.
Your support for this Food Ministry is much
appreciated!
If you are interested in learning more about Missions & Outreach Commission, please come join us at our next meeting on October 19th at 12:15 p.m.
Calling all Runners! Do what you enjoy and
help the ministry and mission of Rising Hope UM
Mission Church (a church that serves the least, the
lost and left out – the homeless, the poor and those
in recovery). Register to run in the 5K Halloween
Hustle for Hope on Saturday, October 25, 2014,
at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Entry fees for this
run and the Trick or Trot fun run for children
under 12 (same day and place) are low, low, low –
just $20 per runner ($10 for children under 12 and
a $50 family maximum). For more information,
and to register, go to the Bi-district website
(http://www.novaumc.org/event-items/hustle-for-
hope-2014) or contact Herb Brynildsen at the Bi-
District office.
The Lord’s Table, St. Paul MC
By Deirdre Dorsey,
Lord’s Table Coordinator
The Lord’s Table is scheduled for
Thursday, October 9. Missions
& Outreach members will prepare the food in the
Cokesbury kitchen then transport and serve the
meal to the homeless at St. Paul UMC.
Homeless Shelter Feeding envelopes will be avail-
able as a bulletin insert on October 5 for donations
to purchase food items.
Aluminum Ministry By Don Dorton, Aluminum Can Ministry
703-494-7616
Kyle Keen and I took 400 lbs. of aluminum cans
to the Recycling Center in Lorton, earning $244.
Appreciation is expressed to all of our Cokesbury
members and friends who consistently and
faithfully support this ministry by saving and
depositing their aluminum cans in the collection
bin in front of the UMM fruit shed.
Special thanks to Mike Haman who spends
countless hours crushing and bagging these cans.
If you would like to help crush and bag cans,
please call me or the church office for full details.
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
1 William Clark
3 Kenneth Kerton, II 4 Tom Taylor Jeremy Jewell 6 Joe Burnette Sean Rodriguez 7 Skylar Hawes Vicky Lutman 8 Michael Obeng, Sr. 9 Helen Azzano 10 Mary Crist Kenneth Kerton 11 Shelby Wilson 13 Aubrey Astore Brian Nelson 14 Joe Greene Audrey Burbage 15 Bobby Kinson 16 Danielle Haggart Beulah Green 17 John Schiele Ted Kelley, Jr. 18 Winifred Jones 19 Don Dorton 21 Paula Simensen 22 Harry Fizer Kyle Mahan 23 Felicia Akowuah 26 Blair Wilson 27 Barbara Commerce Corey Ritenour 30 Wenona Marques 31 Vera Edmonds
4 Melanie & Chad Westog Patsy & Carl Armentrout 10 Brenda & Kenny Johnson 18 Gwendolyn & Cory D’Aiutolo 20 Maria & Michael Haman
Thank you! Thank you! Thank You! Cokesbury Congregation!!
Red Bird Mission has received over 170
Devotion Books, Bibles and Bible study
materials through your wonderful generosity.
You have provided the materials needed for this
most important Christian ministry. Through
your contributions, lives will be touched by the
Word of God bringing hope and love to the
community of Beverly, Kentucky.
Thank You!
We, the Wirick family, would like to thank our
Cokesbury family for such a prestigious award.
Glenn/Dad/Pop-Pop was truly an outstanding
example of Christian love. He certainly felt it
was a privilege to worship at Cokesbury. We
know that he would have been very humbled by
this gesture. We are grateful to the church for
recognizing and honoring him. He will live on
in our hearts forever and the plaque will remind
us of how wonderful he really was.
Blessings,
Bunny, Tim, Shamaillah, Hannah, Sofya,
Wayne, Amy,Tracy, Hazel, Kyle & Baby Kylie
OC T O B E R
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
By Deirdre Dorsey,
Missions & Outreach Chair
Burke UMC has invited Cokesbury UMC to parti-
cipate in their 2014 collection of stuffed animals
that may be shipped to Dominican Republic, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica and Guyana.
The stuffed animals will be given to children in
orphanages abroad or areas of disaster in the United States.
Everyone has a special stuffed animal at home or
two or three that may be shared with children in
need. Please consider contributing a gently used
stuffed animal (no battery operated or gigantic
animals, please by Sunday, October 19th, and
place them in the Teddy Bear Brigade collection
bags in the narthex. Missions & Outreach
Committee will provide the shipping cost of $1.00 per stuffed animal that is sent. Thank you!
Maternity Clothes Drive By Deirdre Dorsey
Birthright of Woodbridge, Inc. is a non-profit,
non-political, interdenominational emergency
pregnancy service offering alternatives to abortion
Volunteers provide pregnancy services and
counseling as well as resource information and
materials. All services provided are free and
confidential helping distressed women in our
community.
In response to their current need for maternity
clothing, Missions & Outreach Commission will
be collecting new and agently used clothese for
mothers-to-be. Please join us in filling the
Birthright clothes donation box located in the
narthex during the month of October.
The directors of Birthright ask that Cokesbury
UMC keep them in their prayers.
Children’s choir is an important component of a
child’s Christian education. In choir they learn at
an early age to work with others as they practice
to sing in front of the congregation. They learn
the old songs that are a part of our rich heritage
and the new songs of praise and worship. They
also learn that they are valued and contributing
members of our church family.
Children’s choir will meet at 6:30-7:00 p.m. every
Wednesday evening through May. Children’s
choir sings at the 11:00 service the last Sunday of
each month. Leaders are Melissa Clark and Mary Jane Fizer.
By Cynthia Rohlfs
We are continuing the holiday baskets through Sunday, November 12. Any item is welcome from the following list.
October 12 – Green beans or peas October 19 – Pie filling or cake mix and frosting October 29-November 12 – donor’s choice from list Mashed potatoes & gravy Stuffing & muffin mix Sweet potatoes or yams
Cranberry sauce/applesauce
Corn and carrots
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
Church Finance – what do you know….?
When it comes to the church’s finance/ budget,
many people claim that they understand not so
much, but there are a few who actually know it.
There are some who think of Budget and Finance
merely as a list of confusing figures and dollar signs.
To others, it is a challenge and to some – a blessing.
Sometimes, it remains the red flag of disturbance in
the Church.
Years ago, Cokesbury’s budget was broken down to
more simplistic and understandable components by
Mary Seltzer and still continues to be made more
friendly by our current treasurer, Rick Clark.
Every bit of giving by anyone in the congregation is
RECORDED and ACCOUNTED for. Any member
can ask for a monthly copy from the CHURCH
COUNCIL or members of the FINANCE
COMMITTEE or contact the Church Office for
familiarization, and/or even attend any of their
meetings for any details.
There is still another aspect of the Finance/Budget
ministry that we would like to mention. For this
Church, and for any Church with sound accounta-
bility, finance is a part of every visit, every sermon,
every telephone call, and every aspect of the Church.
Our finances make it possible for the pastor to
preach and to comfort our people in their deepest
need. It is part of each letter from our church’s
office desk, that makes it possible for the secretary
to write out the bulletins we hold in our hands to
worship each week.
Every week, and beginning from January 1st of every
given year, we start with an empty offering plate to
receive faithful GIVING from all of us. Our Pastor,
the secretary, the Music Director, the Custodian and
other services rely on our collective giving to be
PAID. And above all we rely on it to pay our
APPORTIONMENT TO THE DISTRICT AND
THE VA ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Just suppose WE WERE ALL absent for 4 Sundays
–one month. The personnel who depend upon our
budget would go without pay, and we would have to
seek some attention from the District or through the
Conference.
The Sunday school would not be supported.
The Various Trainings could not be carried out.
There could not be any tuning of the organ and piano
for good accompanying music at or worship
services.
The choir would have no songbooks.
No organ or piano music would be heard.
The various rooms would be dark from the lack of
electricity and cold from the want of heat.
The rooms would be void of furniture or equipment.
There would be no flowers for the ill or the
bereaved.
The community would not be blessed with the
ministry of the church.
There would be no church here – no Flea Market
And In just the period of one year we would see our
creditors in possession of the church property.
All that we have gained in growth for our last 55
years would be lost in some short time.
It is worthy to stress that, we are to applaud our-
selves for being able to help provide such services
to the Lord through our giving, even during these
HARD economic times. On behalf of the Finance
committee, we say a BIG thank you for helping each
other to support all the activities in the Lord’s house
by our giving, gifts, prayers, service and talents. And
like all growing things, finance is becoming more
complex and challenging year after year with respect
to the cost of living. But we are to TRUST and
OBEY. As the Bible says in Malachi 3:10 10
Bring
the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may
be food in my house; and thereby put me to the
test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the
windows of heaven for you and pour down for
you an overflowing blessing.
The church is the people. If we were to meet in a
cave or in a classroom, we would still be the church.
The church is God's people. We are the church. And
the giving program of the church is we. The
community would not be blessed with the ministry
of the church, if there were no church here. If
nothing else we are the hope of the future. Those
who started this Church 55years ago have given the
candle to us to help LET IT BURN. We are to do
our part.
God has given into our hands the blessedness of this
ministry. He didn't have to. He could have turned it
over in administration to the angels, to the seraphim
and the cherubim. God could have done it in some
other way. But in His goodness and grace, He
turned it over to us. We have it all together. It is
ours. Under His love, and surveillance, and
inspiration, and direction, all of it is in our hands.
God has committed it to us. WE WILL…GOD
BEING OUR HELPER. AMEN!!!!!
Submitted by Michael Obeng, Finance Committee
Member
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
UNITED
METHODIST MEN’S
COAT DRIVE
Do you have coats around the
house that you want to give
away? Are there any extra coats in your closet? (New coats are also welcome!)
The UM Men are sponsoring a coat drive from
October 12 until November 2. Please bring gently
used coats and other warm outerwear to share with
those in need. Winter is fast approaching and time
is needed to distribute as well as collect.
Collections will be given to ACTS and Rising
Hope.
Through this coat drive, kids and families will
know that when the colder weather hits, or when
snow and ice may come, they’ll have a jacket or
other articles that will keep them warm and
comfortable. Your help will be appreciated many times over.
More Soup! By Bunny Mahar
Helping Hands will sponsor their Soup & Salad
luncheon again on November 5. Once again you can
share in a wealth of delicious homemade soups -
from bean soup to clam chowder. If you have a
favorite, you will almost surely find it here.
Along with a variety of cold-weather comfort food,
you will enjoy a tossed salad, crackers, beverages
and dessert. The cost for this wonderful repast is
only $5 per person. Please take one soup so
everyone gets their favorite, then come back for
more. Take all you want, but eat all you take.
Church Picnic - Thanks
Thank you to all the helpers for the church picnic
on September 21 without whom it would not have
been possible to host this well-attended church event.
John Jewell & Cynthia Rohlfs
38th
Annual Fruit Sale – 2014/2015
Cokesbury United Methodist Men
Welcome to another fun-filled year with our fruit
ministry. If you have been a customer in the past,
we thank you. Our program has passed through
generations. Our United Methodist motto is
“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” As
you participate this year, please know that you are
supporting the mission and ministries of the United Methodist Men.
Flyers are available with types of fruit available,
prices, and order and pickup dates. First order is
due by November 3 and pickup will be November
14, 15. You may order online at
www.cokesburyumc.us, call 703-494-6552, or email [email protected].
What's a Christian to do
with Halloween?
These days, children associate Halloween with trick-or-treating and candy. But centuries ago, Christians named the night before All Hallows’ Day (All Saints’ Day) “All Hallows’ Eve.” As the faithful prepared to remember people who were entrusted to resurrection life, they adopted various traditions to poke fun at death.
Around the world, Christians observe Halloween differently: In Poland, kids pray aloud while walking through forests to comfort souls of the dead. In Spain, tolling church bells remind people to remember the saints. In Finland, so many people light candles in cemeteries that the observance is called “seas of light.” Although some Christians steer clear of Halloween, others use it as an evangelism opportunity and provide entertainment alternatives such as harvest parties. No matter your views, you can remind children that though it’s fun to pretend, we can always be ourselves with God. Whatever our features and flaws, we need not and cannot hide from God behind masks. God made us in his holy image and loves us as his holy — hallowed! — children.
“Loving others...as Christ first loved us!”
Sunday Worship Services 8:30 AM & 11 AM
Nursery available at both services.
The 11 a.m. worship service features a children’s worship for elementary school aged children.
Sunday School at 9:45 AM (for children, youth, and adults)
If there is a 5th Sunday in the month, the worship service that day begins at 10:30 AM and there is no
Sunday School. See the web site for more information:
http://www.CokesburyUMC.us
The Colonnade Staff Editor: Bunny Mahar
Postal Coordinator: Joe Greene
Articles for the Colonnade are due by the 20th of each month for the next month’s edition.
Place articles in Church Mailbox #3 OR e-mail them to: [email protected]
Church Office: 703-494-5400
Cokesbury United Methodist Church
Lord’s Table, Oct. 9 October 2014 Coat Drive begins, Oct. 12What's a Christian to do with Halloween?Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
17:00 Chancel Choir7:00 IPDC
27:00 Bible Study7:00 IPDC
37:00 IPDC
46:00-2:00 Flea Market (Missions & Outreach)10:00 Recovery, Inc.2:30 UMM to Envoy
58:30/11:00 Worship9:45 Bible Study, “Acts”12:15 HH meeting/potluck 1:30-5:00 IPDC5:30 UMY, St. Paul, Oktoberfest
66:00 Prayer Group7:00 IPDC
76:30 Girl Scouts7:00 Finance Meeting
810:00 Prayer Shawl
Comforters6:30 Children’s Choir7:00 Chancel Choir7:00 IPDC
97:00 Bible Study7:00 Lord’s Table at
St. Paul UMC7:00 IPDC
1011:00 UMM to Rising Hope7:00 IPDC
116:00-2:00 Flea Market (UMM)10:00 Recovery, Inc.3:00-9:00 IPDC Sanc./FH (T)
128:30/11:00 Worship9:45 Bible Study, “Acts”9:45 Trustees Meeting12:15 Worship Meeting1:30-5:00 IPDC 5:30 UMY, St. Paul UMCBegin Coat Drive
136:00 Prayer Group7:00 UM/UMW7:00 IPDC
146:30 Girl Scouts7:00 Admin Council
156:30 Children’s Choir7:00 Chancel Choir 7:00 IPDC
167:00 Bible Study7:00 IPDC
177:00 IPDC
186:00-2:00 Flea Market
(Finance)10:00 Recovery, Inc.
198:30/11:00 Worship9:45 Bible Study1:30-5:00 IPDC 5:30 UMY, St. Paul UMC
206:00 Prayer Group7:00 IPDC
ColonnadeDeadline
216:30 Girl Scouts7:00 Education/Sunday School Planning
22 10:00 Prayer Shawl
Comforters6:30 Children’s Choir7:00 Chancel Choir7-9:30 IPDC
237:00 Bible Study7:00 IPDC
247:00 IPDC
256:00-2:00 Flea Market
(Worship)10:00 Recovery, Inc.
26 8:30/11:00 Worship Service9:45 Bible Study12:15 KiDS in Service1:30-5:00 IPDC 5:30 UMY, St. Paul UMC
276:00 Prayer Group7:00 IPDC
286:30 Girl Scouts
2910:00 Prayer Shawl
Comforters6:30 Children’s Choir7:00 Chancel Choir7:00 IPDC
307:00 Bible Study7:00 IPDC
314:00-7:00 IPDC Outdoor children’s program w/kitchen & pavilion7:00 IPDC