December 1, 2019 Volume 13 Issue 12

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Go WEST - Welcome, Equip, Serve, Transform

Worship

10:30 a.m.

Sunday School

9:30 a.m.

802 North Elm

Weatherford, Texas 76086

817-599-8601

Visit us on the Web

www.coutsmethodistchurch.com

Senior Pastor - Marilyn Jones

Associate Pastor - Clint Jones

Church Office Hours

Monday - Thursday 8am - 3pm

4:30 p.m.

Family Service

(designed for children

and their families)

11:00 p.m.

Candlelight/

Communion

Service

Debt Reduction Commitment total

Loan Balance

as of 12/1/2019 - $445.960.75

Commitment Total

$381,448

$342,875.12 paid in pledges

Page 2

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

There are many days during this season

that I truly feel that way (usually when

Kentucky basketball is on my television

screen). But if I’m honest, there are days

that are truly a struggle. Days are shorter

and nights get longer. Life gets so busy

that finding rest and recharging becomes

nearly impossible. There is the stress of

travel and shopping and parties….

Several years ago, I discovered The Long-

est Night, or Blue Christmas and I knew

that I needed to lead a worship service for

folks like me. Those of us that aren’t al-

ways happy and cheery. We deal with

missing loved ones, the loss of jobs, can-

cer and other dis-eases that plague us,

changes in relationships and so much

more. I needed a sacred space to lay all

of these worries and heartaches at the feet

of Jesus.

So I began holding “A Service of Peace”

during the Advent season. This worship

service usually coincides with the Winter

Solstice, the “longest night” of the

year. This same day is also the feast day

of St. Thomas the Apostle, who we all

know struggled to believe the resurrection

of Jesus. This service is more reflective

in nature, but it gives voice to many of the

emotions that so many of us experience

and all people are invited to celebrate with

us the joy of Christmas. At 11:00 pm, we

will have a service similar to Sunday

mornings as we welcome Christmas to-

gether. We can’t wait to see you, your

families, and your friends here at Couts on

Christmas Eve!

My prayer for you in the days ahead is

that you won’t settle for just an “Almost”

Christmas, but that you will savor each

aspect of this Advent journey to the man-

ger. May you find peace, hope, love, and

joy along the way.

Blessings,

Pastor Marilyn

during the holidays.

So this year, we will again hold that sacred

space for those of us that need to lay our

burdens at Christ’s feet, trusting him to set

us free. If you are going though a “dark

night of the soul,” please feel free to come

and spend this time crying out to God. If

you know someone struggling in this sea-

son, invite them and come along with

them. This is always a powerful worship

experience for me and I trust it will be fore

you as well. Join us in the sanctuary on

Sunday, December 22, at 4:00 pm.

There are other ways that you can cele-

brate the Advent season at Couts this

year. Pastor Clint is beginning his Bible

study. I will also be leading a new study

on the book “Almost Christmas.” This

study will be held on Monday mornings at

10 am and Wednesday evenings at 6:30

pm. This book will help us take a deeper

dive reflecting on Sunday sermons. Study

books are $12.00. There are also devo-

tional books available for $8.00. Please let

me know if you’re interested in joining

one of our study groups.

Don’t miss Christmas Eve worship! Either

service will be a beautiful celebration of

the birth of our Savior. At 4:30 pm, our

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

First Sunday of

Advent

Second Sunday of

Advent

Third Sunday of

Advent

Fourth Sunday of

Advent

Service of

Peace

4 p.m.

Christmas Eve

Services-4:30pm

& 11:00 p.m.

Wesley Foundation

Lunch 11 am - 1 pm

Jr. League

Basketball Coaches

Meeting -6:30pm

Northside Baptist

Boy Scouts

Meeting - 7pm

Boy Scouts

Meeting - 7pm

Boy Scouts

Meeting - 7pm

Boy Scouts

Meeting

Noon - 10pm

Fellowship Hall

CCA Staff Party

9:30am - 2pm 9:30am - 2pm 6pm

F. Hall

Meeting Times:

7pm - Monday, Tuesday,

and Thursday

Noon - Friday

9am - Saturday

CCA

9:30AM

CCA Christmas

Program -

6:30pm

Finger Food & 42

6:30pm - FHall

Church Office Closed

Church Office

Closed

Church Office

Closed

Wednesday

Schedule

1:30 pm

Prayer Force

3:00 pm

Kidzone

5:15 pm

Snack Supper

6:00 pm

Worship

6:30 pm

Bible Studies,

Tweens, Youth

7:15 pm

Praise Band

Girl Scouts

6:30-8:30 pm

Girl Scouts

5pm

Girl Scouts

5pm - F. Hall

Page 3

Youth eat FREE!

12/4 Sloppy Joes

12/11 Sweet Hawaiian

chicken and rice

12/18 Youth party

SNACK SUPPERS IN DECEMBER

Join us Wednesday nights from 5:15-7:30pm for FOOD,

WORSHIP, AND FELLOWSHIP!

12/4 Shopping for Angel

12/11 Christmas Caroling

12/18 Party

D e c . 2 0 1 9

a m y @ c o u t s u m c . o r g

k a t r i n a @ c o u t s u m c .

o r g

Dec. 18th Youth party

Dec. 24th Christmas Eve

Services @ 4:30 & 11:00 pm

Jan. Confirmation class

February 14-16 Mid Winter

REJOICE

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his

only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth

on him should not perish, but have eternal

Page 4

December Menus

Adults - $3.00 each

Children under 12 - $1.00 each

Youth - Free

December 4 - Sloppy Joes & Chips

December 11 - Sweet Hawaiian Chicken/Rice/Noodles

Salad & Side

December 18 - To be determined

Wesley Foundation Meal

Tuesday, December 3rd

11:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Baked Ziti, Salad, Breadsticks

& Dessert

Sign up to bring food and/or help serve in the Welcome Center.

Couts Christian Academy

Christmas Program

Tuesday, December 10th

6:30 p.m. - Sanctuary

Everyone is invited to see our Schools (PreK3-6th grade)

Christmas Program

Finger Foods

and 42

Tuesday, December 10th

Fellowship Hall

Everyone is invited to

bring a finger food and

Holland Lake

Christmas Shoppe

Thursday, December 12th

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

We encourage you to come and be a part of our yearly Holland

Lake Nursing Center Christmas Shoppe. We need the follow-

ing items for the store: Socks, Cologne, Stuffed

Animals, Dolls, Scarfs and Blankets.

December 19th

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Couts Christian

Academy

On the Longest Night, or Blue Christmas we will have a Service

of Peace. This service is for those that aren’t always happy and

cheery during this time of year. Many are dealing with missing

loved ones, the loss of jobs, cancer and other dis-eases that plague

us, changes in relationships and so much more. This service gives

us sacred space to lay all of these worries and heartaches at the

feet of Jesus. It will be held in the sanctuary at Couts on Sun-

day, December 22nd at 4:00 in the afternoon. Feel free to invite

your friends and loved ones to attend. Page 5

Page 6

Christmas Eve Offering

Center of Hope is a source of help for those in our community who find themselves strug-

gling in a variety of ways. Center of Hope is much more than a food pantry. They provide

groceries, meals, financial assistance, medical assistance, dental assistance, education,

assist with career development, and host family empowerment programs, and provide

referrals to other agencies that assist people in times of need. Center of Hope is currently

moving to a new facility to better serve our community and has asked for our help in this endeavor. It is our joy to designate our

2019 Christmas Eve Offering to Center of Hope who is our local ministry partner. As we approach our Christmas this year we

hope you will consider a second mile gift that will aid of those in our community who find themselves pressed against life’s wall.

Christmas Eve Services are: 4:30 p.m. - Designed for Children & their families; 11:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols. Both services

will be candlelight/communion.

Nochebuena Bags

Nochebuena is the term in Spanish used for Christmas

Eve. Literally translated from Spanish into English it means

“Night good” and highlights that Christ’s coming into the

world makes for a night of good for the world. As we con-

tinue in growing our partnership with the Capdevila Method-

ist Church in Havana, Cuba, we have been in conversation

with them about what would be helpful for their congrega-

tion. Pastor Ernesto and Pastora Madelaine shared with us

how parents struggle to find and afford school supplies for

their children. Thus, our Nochebuena bags will help worried

parents have a good night’s rest and of Christ’s love

knowing their children have vital items needed for their

academic studies. Each of the items on our shopping list

has been handpicked by our partners in Cuba as they best

know what their children need. The church in Cuba is cur-

rently gathering names of the children who will receive these

bags when our teams arrive in 2020. This is a second mile

opportunity for you to make a difference in a family’s life.

Shopping lists will be made available starting November 3

in the Welcome Center. It is requested that your bring your

shopping list items and $10 check to fill your bag on or be-

fore December 24, 2019. We will consecrate these bags in

worship during our Christmas Eve Services. If you have

Wednesday Night Bible Study

The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm - A simple girl, an ordinary man, and an unforgettable destination

Beginning Wednesday December 4 at 6:30 pm Pastor Clint Jones will offer bible study you won’t

want to miss: “The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem.” In the study, Adam Hamilton travels

with us from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. We will look at historical information, archaeological findings,

and discuss this most amazing moment in history. We follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others, gaining insight into our own

journeys with Christ.. Whether you are a long-time Christian or simply curious about the story of Christmas, you are invited to join us on this inspiring

journey. Materials offered for purchase for the class are:

The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem The Journey: A Season of Reflections, a devotional book

Since the story of Christmas is so central to our faith, please use this opportunity to invite members people you know to participate in our

Wednesday activities. For more information about this special event and how you can participate, please contact Pastor Clint Jones at

clint@coutsumc.org

Cuba Update/Interest being Gauged

Couts UMC entered into a sister church partnership a year ago this month!!

Thank you Couts for your continued support!

Our initial journey revealed to us the deep faith of our Cuban brothers and

sisters. At the current time a youth mission journey is being explored for our

junior and senior high youth and their families. They are projected to travel

toward the end of July 2020.

At this time Pastor Clint is now gauging interest in an adult journey that

would launch in early 2020 with travel taking place likely during the summer

or fall of 2020. He’s keeping the date open for the time being to open the

door to the greatest number of people participating.

Unlike traditional mission trips, the goal here is to

launch a mission journey – a small group of people who

meet and pray regularly that will be tasked with partici-

pating in a pilgrimage to not only find God but also

learn about themselves and God’s kingdom through

their travel.

It is important to mention Cuba is different than most missional contexts as the government

limits the scope of what we can do in task based work. But, mission at its best is about

relationship. It is a known fact that each journey will reinforce the relationship in which we

share and each team will worship in one of the most spirit filled contexts in the world. Each

team will take much needed resources with them to empower the Capdevila church to do minis-

try in a place in the world that is hungry for the gospel. Each team will discover more about

God’s kingdom by seeing God’s church worshipping along with them in new and different

ways.

If you would be remotely interested in participating in our

projected 2020 Adult Cuba Mission Journey please be in

touch with Pastor Clint at clint@coutsumc.org or by

calling him at (682) 317-9385 on or before December 15.

It is estimated that the travel cost will be approximately

$1700 per participant depending on team size. Your

prayers are appreciated as we discern God’s will about this

missional opportunity.

Page 7

Billy Burris

Matt Couch

Will Dowd

Matthew Geyer

Michael Gilliam

Jeff Johnson

Blake Hubbard

Mike Hebert

Hunter Hiett

Kali Yarnell Lussier

Michael Martin

Matthew Mitchell

Josiah Sorrells

Doug Yarnell

Cody Williams

Go Welcome, Equip, Serve, Transform

W E ’ R E O N T HE W E B - V I S I T U S

W W W . C OU T S M E T HOD I S T C HU R C H . C OM

Our Military December Birthdays

December 1

Katie Mitchell

December 6

Cindy Ross

December 7

Gloria Black

December 10

Pat Holt

December 14

Paul McAdams

December 17

Dennis Watters

Jenny Garrett

Couts Methodist Church

802 North Elm

Weatherford, Texas 76086

Page 8

December 19

Marilyn Jones

Wyatt Worsham

December 22

Kayleigh Wood

Karri Roberts

Eliza Utley

December 29

Paula Pendergrass

For More Information

Contact Pastor Len Johnson

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