Countdown. Couts. Go WEST - Welcome, Equip, Serve, Transform. November 1, 2017 Volume 11 Issue 11. Worship. Sunday School.

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1 Couts Countdown Go WEST - Welcome, Equip, Serve, Transform November 1, 2017 Volume 11 Issue 11 Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. 802 North Elm Weatherford, Texas Church Office 8am - 5pm Monday - Thursday Closed on Friday Visit us on the Web Sr. Pastor - Matt Hall

2 From The Pastor Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! What a wonderful time of year! Today, Halloween, as I am writing this article, I am reminded of several things. Today kicks off a season of giving. For example, Weatherford College is giving candy to 5,000 to 7,000 children on Halloween! Wow! That is a lot and it takes the whole community to do it. There are so many businesses and individuals that give throughout the year and this time of year is no exception. Also today, we served 60 young adults at the Wesley Foundation. Thanks to all who served and prepared the meal. At Couts, everyone gave so much of their time, effort and money to make our Harvest Festival a success. After expenses we will make at least $8500. (The final numbers are not in yet.) Thanks to everyone for making everything possible. The children s area, BBQ (special thanks to Ricky Torbett for selling the tickets), auctions and bake sale were all awesome. Several in the community have told me how they appreciated and enjoyed the Harvest Festival this year. I am already looking forward to next year! During November our youth are doing a month of service. They will be at the night shelter in Fort Worth and will stock shelves at the Center of Hope. On Sunday the 19 th we will have our church Thanksgiving meal following worship. Also, we will be participating in the community Thanksgiving service that night at First UMC of Weatherford. Anyone interested in singing in the community choir should let Cindy know. On three different weekends in October I attended some workshops/ seminars hosted by the conference. One weekend the topic centered on how our denomination is discerning how we can move forward regarding the human sexuality issues that we are facing as a denomination. There are 32 people working on a proposal for the 2019 special session of General Conference. They are seriously considering how to God is leading us to move forward, and this effort is surrounded in prayer. They ask everyone to pray and to be open to how the Spirit is leading us as United Methodists. The other two weekends focused on being the church as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One common theme that I noticed was: 1) As we meet the needs of people through our mission outreach, we need to focus on building relationships. 2) As we address the needs of the community in starting new faith communities (worship services), we need to focus on building relationships. Making disciples is about building relationships in worship and mission so that people who have not made a commitment to follow Christ with their lives can see Christ with skin on. What does that look like for Couts? How does every Sunday School class, children, tween, youth and adult group build relationships outside the walls of the church to share the compassion, love and grace of Christ? Is there a place and time that Couts could start 3 new faith communities in the next 3 years? I pray continuously to see where and how God is calling Couts UMC to be a part of God transforming this world at this time and place. Join me in this prayer. Enjoy the blessings of the holidays and look forward to what God has in store for us. Grace and Peace, Pastor Matt This month we welcome Alex Garcia, a student at Weatherford High School, who was baptized and committed his life to Christ. Debt Reduction Commitment total $381,448 Debt Reduction Amount Collected: $115,100 Loan Balance As of 1/31/17 - $908, As of 11/30/17 Page - $778, Also, we welcome the Gonzales family, Vince, Shelly, A.J. and Max. Vince and Shelly come to us as affiliate members. Shelly is serving as a chaplain this year at Harris in Fort Worth. This past week Vince received an historic honor. He was nominated and elected to the Board of Trustees for Texas College. Texas College is an historically black college founded in 1894 by a group of Christian Methodist Episcopal ministers. Congratulations, Vince! Your work of serving in the general church of the United Methodist Church and other ecumenical work along with your commitment to your local church will be a blessing in your area of service. Page 2

3 Page 3 November 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Couts Care Corps 11:45 a.m. Youth to CCA Color Run 1 pm - 5pm Jr. League Basketball Registration 6 pm Handbell Rehearsal Parker County Extension - Gym 6 pm -Emmaus 1st UMC Operation Christmas Child Boxes Due 6pm - Children s Mission Team 6:30pm Finger Food & 42 7pm - SPRC All Church Thanksgiving Meal 11:45 a.m. 6 pm Handbell Rehearsal 1410am Break R& K for Willing Workers Church Office open 8-3 Due to Thanksgiving Church Office Closed CCA Thanksgiving Feast Children s Mission Team - Make an Advent Wreath following 6 pm Handbell Rehearsal Spaghetti Fundraiser Cub Scout Pack pm - Couts gym

4 Couts United Methodist Church Sunday school We are wrapping up our Old Testament study this month with the stories of: Aaron and the Golden Calf God gives Caleb Courage God Makes Ballam s Donkey talk. Tweens We have a lively and engaged group of Tweens this year. Tweens are fifth graders who will enter the youth program next year. Their help at The Fall Bash was wonderful, and they enjoyed having the youth team up for the crafts and games. No Tweens meeting Wed Nov 22 due to Thanksgiving Break. Make Your Advent Wreath November 26 following the service in fellowship Hall. Suggested Donation for lunch & materials Kidzone Will not meet Wednesday November 22, due to the Thanksgiving break. We will meet again Wed. November 29 Sundays in November Upcoming Events: 9:30 Sunday School meets 10:30 Worship: Children s Sermon Children s Church: for all children unable to remain during the sermon. Wednesdays: 3:30 Kidzone meets (weekly) 5:30 Snack Supper (weekly) 6:00 Tweens (weekly) Epiphany Pageant auditions: November 19 right after the service Advent Wreath Making and Lunch in Fellowship Hall November 26 right after the service: Suggested donation15.00 Page 4

5 Newsletter Nov SERVE is what Couts Youth will be focusing on in the month of November. We are partnering with Couts Christian Academy in the collection on Non-perishable items. Collection dates Oct 29,2017-November 15, All items will be delivered by the youth during their Wednesday night youth time. Jennifer at COH will lead the youth on a tour and give information. We will stock the pantry with all the items collected!!! The CART will be located in the Welcome Center. Lets serve/donate to the Center of Hope! Sunday School: 9:30 10:20 (6th-12th) GREAT STORIES OF THE Mark your calendars! 11/1 Wed night youth 5:15p- 7:30p (pizza and movie) "Pay it Forward" 11/5 SS 9:30a "Moses Birth" 11/8 Wed night youth Couts SERVE AT PRESBYTERIAN NIGHT SHELTER 11/12 SS 9:30A "Elijah" 11:45a Service project bring $ for lunch 11/15 Wed night youth-collection of food to Center of Hope 5:30p- 7:30p 11/19 SS 9:30a "Hot Topic" Church Wide Thanksgiving Lunch after service 11/22 NO YOUTH-THANKSGIVING WEEK 11/26 SS 9:30a "Mary & Joseph" Snack Supper Menu: 11/1 Pizza 11/8 Baked Spaghetti & Salad 11/15 Chili and fixings To receive mobile updates by text message, text keyword coutsyouth to /29 Wed night youth 5:30p- 7:30p Shop for Angel Tree kids Bring $$ 11/29 TBA Check us out at CoutsYouth on the Facebook, and the Instagram. CONTACT INFO Katrina Nager - katrina@coutsumc.org Amy McSwainamy@coutsumc.org For Questions about Couts UMC Youth Ministry, call the church office at Page 5

6 Jr. League Basketball Final Registration Saturday, November 4th 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Couts Gym Cost = $70.00 Adult Nurture, Youth, and Hospitality Mission Teams will not meet In November or December Worship Mission Team Meeting Tues., Nov. 7th - Couts Children s Mission Team Meeting Tues., Nov. 14th - 6 p.m. Willing Workers Breakfast Group Tues., Nov. 14th 10:00 a.m. R & K Restaurant on Bankhead (everyone is welcome to attend) Home for the Holidays Thursday, November 9 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Cost = $12.00 The Parker County Extension Agency is planning a Home for the Holidays event in our gym to give people ideas for the upcoming holidays. Special activities include: Gifts from a Jar by Tanya Davis - Judy s Wonderful Creations by Judy Leonard - Christmas Cookies by Margaret Avery Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas by Alinda Cox The Art of Bow Making by Antoinette Reed Emmaus Community Gathering Friday, November 10th 6:00 p.m. at 1st UMC 301 South Main Street Please bring a covered dish to share with the group. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. You do not have to have been on an Emmaus Walk to come and share dinner and fellowship. Finger Foods and 42 Tuesday, November 14th 6:30 p.m. - Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited to attend. Please bring a finger food to share with the group. Page 6

7 Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 14th 7:00 p.m. The Finance Committee and the Trustees Committee will not be meeting in November. Both committees will address needs via if need be. Church-wide Thanksgiving Meal Sunday, November 19th following the Worship Service around 11:45 a.m. Please bring two covered dishes to share with others: Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Squash Casserole, Bread, Pumpkin Pie, and etc. Operation Christmas Child Boxes are now available in the Welcome Center to be filled for Children who would not otherwise experience the joy of a Christmas gift. They also will be given the opportunity to know Christ. If you would like to provide a gift, there are packing lists and instructions on the table. The deadline for bringing back the boxes is: Sunday, November 19th Sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance Community Thanksgiving Service Sunday, November 19th at 1st United Methodist Church Time - Evening (TBD) (everyone is invited) SERVE is what Couts Youth will be focusing on in the month of November. We are partnering with Couts Christian Academy in the collection on Non-perishable items. Collection dates Oct 29,2017-November 15, All items will be delivered by the youth during their Wednesday night youth time. Jennifer at COH will led the youth on a tour and give information. We will stock the pantry with all the items collected!!! We would love each of OUR Church family members to bring items and FILL the CART in the Welcome Center. Cub Scouts Pack #375 Spaghetti Dinner Thursday, November 30th 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Couts gym (Get tickets in the church office) Come and support Couts Cub Scout Pack #375 by attending a spaghetti dinner on Thursday, November 30th. The cost is $8.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Children 12 and under. Proceeds will go to fund activities such as camping, awards, pinewood derby and etc. Page 7

8 Go Welcome, Equip, Serve, Transform Couts Methodist Church 802 North Elm Weatherford, Texas W E RE ON T HE WEB - V I S I T US WWW. C OUTSMETHOD I S T C HURCH. C OM Our Military November Birthdays Billy Burris Matt Couch Will Dowd Matthew Geyer Michael Gilliam Jeff Johnson Blake Hubbard Mike Hebert Hunter Hiett Kali Yarnell Lussier (back home in OKC) Michael Martin Matthew Mitchell Josiah Sorrells Doug Yarnell Cody Williams Page 8 November 3 Beje Linden November 4 Lizzie Mitchell November 5 Ember Mitchell Kristen Miller November 8 Linda Fuller Clay Clifton Ted Walker Pam Torbett Whitney Petersen November 11 Jeff Mitchell Alice Cox November 12 Courney Samson Hulsey Kevin Miller November 15 Vada Elders November 17 Jacie Prichard November 19 Gena Jester Nichols Evan Sosebee November 22 Joan Jenkins November 24 Ted Barber November 26 Len Johnson November 29 Jennifer Cockerell November 30 Leslie Real Jackson

9 Congratulations to Vince Gonzales on being elected to the Board of Trustees of Texas College One of our newest members, Vince Gonzales, was honored this past month by being nominated and elected to the Board of Trustees of Texas College ( a Historically Black College, founded in 1894 in Tyler, TX by a group of Christian Methodist Episcopal ministers. He was recommended by Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Vince is one of 23 Board members from around the World serving The General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church and has been serving in the position sine This new opportunity is a direct result of the ecumenical work he has been part of through the Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships, Bread for the World, the Inter-Faith Working Group on Foreign Assistance, Christian Churches Together, Churches Uniting in Christ (where he serves as the Chair of the Racial and Social Justice Task Force) and the commitment of his local church families and, above all, the grace of God. He is married to Shelly Gonzales, a Certified Candidate in the ordination process of The United Methodist Church. They have two sons, A.J. (age 12) and Max (age 10). Your prayers are greatly appreciated as he embarks in this new endeavor. Page 9