Courtland United Methodist Church
January 2023
NEWSLETTER
From the Pastor - Where did these past six months go? That’s the question I found myself asking when Susan (who does her best to keep me on track) said to me last week, ‘Pastor Mike, would you please have something ready for the January 2023 Newsletter?’
I thought, holy cow, we’ve been here in Courtland six months already, how is that possible? I guess the old adage really is true, time flies when you are having fun! Oh, I know, we’ve had our share of tough times. Julie and I both arrived in Courtland in late June with COVID. Soon after our church lost one of our most beloved members, Mr. Bill Wright. But as Julie and I got better and stronger following our battle with COVID, something exciting was brewing. The people of Courtland UMC began to recover as well! To be honest, I truly believe that all of the ingredients were already present to return this wonderful church family to a place where we could all thrive together. Just think about it, we’ve got an awesome group of Key Leaders, people are absolutely committed to our Children’s Ministry, The Trustee’s continue to ensure that our buildings & grounds are well taken care of. We enjoyed a much needed upgrade to our church sound system this year, plus…. We are in the process of designing a new playground to be built sometime in 2023 that will serve our young families for many years to come!
I don’t know about you, but personally I feel the excitement not only on Sunday mornings, I feel it just about every time I walk in the building. On Christmas Day during the message, I said ‘none of us knows what the New Year will bring’, and while that’s true, I am trusting God to continue to bless the ministry as well as the church family here at Courtland Methodist Church. And, I’d like to close this message with a challenge for us all. Would you like to see Courtland church grow? If so, you could be the reason for that growth in 2023. How you ask? I’ll let you in on a well-kept secret. The truth is most people who visit any church do so because a friend, a co-worker or a neighbor has invited them (and usually invited them more than once) So there is the challenge. Want to see this church grow? Go out and sow the seeds of God’s love to others. Then leave it up to God. After all, God is the one who’s really in control anyway, right?
Happy New Year, from Pastor Mike
Methodist Women – Courtland Methodist Women will be starting 2023 with our monthly meeting on January 2, 2023, at 2:00 pm. All women of the church are invited.
Love Meals –Love Meals in December were delivered on Dec. 18. Many thanks to Doris Magette for the delicious chicken Divan casserole and to Joan Herring and Scott Claud for the cakes. There were 7 church members who came to deliver! Also, appreciation to Andrea, Doris, and Erma for the cakes they made for the funeral reception for Matt Burgess, brother of Dennis Burgess, ,who passed away the week before Christmas. These gals so generously baked and at very short notice!! January Love Meals will be prepared on January 15.
Playground Area
The church is working on updating our playground area. Plans include kill/remove the sandspurs and updating the equipment. If you would like to donate, please write on your check “Playground” on the memo line. Thank you for supporting this project and the children of our CUMC!!
Goal is $10,000 and received $4,722
Choir – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” ♪♫♪
Choir practice will resume on January 4, after a month-long break. The choir worked diligently on preparation for our cantata on December 4, and it was a beautiful performance, getting us all into the Christmas spirit!! We so appreciate your attendance and love to get accolades from time to time for our contribution to worship! Thanks to those of you who always remember to thank choir members!!
Abby Geary has joined our choir and her solo in the cantata, and her beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve, were lovely. What a blessing she is to us!
Missions:
Flowers for the Altar - Flower Calendar for 2023 is outside the church office for anyone who would like to sign-up to put flowers in church. Please sign and let the office know before Wednesday prior to the Sunday, you want them on the altar. Also, let the office know if you would like a dedication for the flowers in the bulletin
Franklin Lion’s Club - “Help a Child Read and Learn” Franklin Lion’s Club is collecting usable eyeglasses. Collection box is outside church office.
Family News, Special Thanks and Notes:
2023 Calendars – does anyone need one? We have several in the office if you would like one.
Thank you to Leighann and Andy Kitchen for the great job decorating our Christmas Float. It was wonderful.
Thank you to Carolyn Beale and our talented choir for a beautiful cantata this year. It started the Christmas season off on a sweet note♫♪♫♪.
Prayers for Steve Clark and family on the passing of his mother, Martha Clark, on December 7.
Prayers for Dennis Burgess and family on the passing of his brother, Matt Duane Burgess, on December 17.
Head Usher for January - Jimmie O’Berry
Church Ground Maintenance for January:
January 1 – Joan Herring
January 8 – Eric Benton
January 15 – Steve Clark
January 22 – Cass Camp
January 29 – Jimmy O’Berry
Looking for volunteers to be on our Ground Maintenance Team. Please let Kay Joyner or the church know you would like to be added to our much-needed volunteer list.
Nursey Volunteer Schedule for January:
January 1 – Annie Thompson/Amy Turner
January 8 – Grace Davis/Maxine Ritter
January 15 – Allie Joyner/Andrea Ellis
January 22 – Lauren Joyner/ Kay Joyner
January 29 – Sarah Stephens/Kim Nixon
Upcoming Events:
(subject to change)
January 2 – Courtland Methodist Women 2:00 pm
January 10 – Children’s Ministry 6:00 pm
Key Leader Meeting 7:00 pm
January 11 – Trustee Meeting 6:00 pm
January 2023
NEWSLETTER
From the Pastor - Where did these past six months go? That’s the question I found myself asking when Susan (who does her best to keep me on track) said to me last week, ‘Pastor Mike, would you please have something ready for the January 2023 Newsletter?’
I thought, holy cow, we’ve been here in Courtland six months already, how is that possible? I guess the old adage really is true, time flies when you are having fun! Oh, I know, we’ve had our share of tough times. Julie and I both arrived in Courtland in late June with COVID. Soon after our church lost one of our most beloved members, Mr. Bill Wright. But as Julie and I got better and stronger following our battle with COVID, something exciting was brewing. The people of Courtland UMC began to recover as well! To be honest, I truly believe that all of the ingredients were already present to return this wonderful church family to a place where we could all thrive together. Just think about it, we’ve got an awesome group of Key Leaders, people are absolutely committed to our Children’s Ministry, The Trustee’s continue to ensure that our buildings & grounds are well taken care of. We enjoyed a much needed upgrade to our church sound system this year, plus…. We are in the process of designing a new playground to be built sometime in 2023 that will serve our young families for many years to come!
I don’t know about you, but personally I feel the excitement not only on Sunday mornings, I feel it just about every time I walk in the building. On Christmas Day during the message, I said ‘none of us knows what the New Year will bring’, and while that’s true, I am trusting God to continue to bless the ministry as well as the church family here at Courtland Methodist Church. And, I’d like to close this message with a challenge for us all. Would you like to see Courtland church grow? If so, you could be the reason for that growth in 2023. How you ask? I’ll let you in on a well-kept secret. The truth is most people who visit any church do so because a friend, a co-worker or a neighbor has invited them (and usually invited them more than once) So there is the challenge. Want to see this church grow? Go out and sow the seeds of God’s love to others. Then leave it up to God. After all, God is the one who’s really in control anyway, right?
Happy New Year, from Pastor Mike
Methodist Women – Courtland Methodist Women will be starting 2023 with our monthly meeting on January 2, 2023, at 2:00 pm. All women of the church are invited.
Love Meals –Love Meals in December were delivered on Dec. 18. Many thanks to Doris Magette for the delicious chicken Divan casserole and to Joan Herring and Scott Claud for the cakes. There were 7 church members who came to deliver! Also, appreciation to Andrea, Doris, and Erma for the cakes they made for the funeral reception for Matt Burgess, brother of Dennis Burgess, ,who passed away the week before Christmas. These gals so generously baked and at very short notice!! January Love Meals will be prepared on January 15.
Playground Area
The church is working on updating our playground area. Plans include kill/remove the sandspurs and updating the equipment. If you would like to donate, please write on your check “Playground” on the memo line. Thank you for supporting this project and the children of our CUMC!!
Goal is $10,000 and received $4,722
Choir – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” ♪♫♪
Choir practice will resume on January 4, after a month-long break. The choir worked diligently on preparation for our cantata on December 4, and it was a beautiful performance, getting us all into the Christmas spirit!! We so appreciate your attendance and love to get accolades from time to time for our contribution to worship! Thanks to those of you who always remember to thank choir members!!
Abby Geary has joined our choir and her solo in the cantata, and her beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night" on Christmas Eve, were lovely. What a blessing she is to us!
Missions:
- Franklin Cooperative Ministry – collecting hygiene items for men, women, & children. Band-Aids, bleach, brushes, combs, conditioner, cotton swabs, dental floss, deodorant, detergent, dish liquid, disinfecting wipes, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, hand soap, lip balm, lotion, mouthwash, nail files, paper towels, disposable razors, shampoo, shaving cream, soap, tissues, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash cloths. Donation box outside church office.
- Laundromat Mission – Collecting detergent pods, and dryer sheets. This is an Outreach mission for our community.
- Courtland Fire Department Meal – We will be preparing a meal for the Courtland Volunteer Fire Department on January 27. Is there a Sunday School class or church committee/group that would like to take the lead and prepare the January meal? This is a church wide community mission project, and everyone is welcome to help and show support to our Courtland VFD. Please contact Kim Nixon if you would like to help.
- Food Pantry – CUMC has a small food pantry that we try to keep stocked for emergency purposes. In the past year we have had several people from the community coming in need of food. Our supply has dwindled down. We need soups, can vegetables, can fruits, can meat, dried beans, rice, spaghetti sauce and noodles. Please put these items in the church office so we don’t get it mixed up with Franklin Cooperative Ministry donations.
Flowers for the Altar - Flower Calendar for 2023 is outside the church office for anyone who would like to sign-up to put flowers in church. Please sign and let the office know before Wednesday prior to the Sunday, you want them on the altar. Also, let the office know if you would like a dedication for the flowers in the bulletin
Franklin Lion’s Club - “Help a Child Read and Learn” Franklin Lion’s Club is collecting usable eyeglasses. Collection box is outside church office.
Family News, Special Thanks and Notes:
2023 Calendars – does anyone need one? We have several in the office if you would like one.
Thank you to Leighann and Andy Kitchen for the great job decorating our Christmas Float. It was wonderful.
Thank you to Carolyn Beale and our talented choir for a beautiful cantata this year. It started the Christmas season off on a sweet note♫♪♫♪.
Prayers for Steve Clark and family on the passing of his mother, Martha Clark, on December 7.
Prayers for Dennis Burgess and family on the passing of his brother, Matt Duane Burgess, on December 17.
Head Usher for January - Jimmie O’Berry
Church Ground Maintenance for January:
January 1 – Joan Herring
January 8 – Eric Benton
January 15 – Steve Clark
January 22 – Cass Camp
January 29 – Jimmy O’Berry
Looking for volunteers to be on our Ground Maintenance Team. Please let Kay Joyner or the church know you would like to be added to our much-needed volunteer list.
Nursey Volunteer Schedule for January:
January 1 – Annie Thompson/Amy Turner
January 8 – Grace Davis/Maxine Ritter
January 15 – Allie Joyner/Andrea Ellis
January 22 – Lauren Joyner/ Kay Joyner
January 29 – Sarah Stephens/Kim Nixon
Upcoming Events:
(subject to change)
January 2 – Courtland Methodist Women 2:00 pm
January 10 – Children’s Ministry 6:00 pm
Key Leader Meeting 7:00 pm
January 11 – Trustee Meeting 6:00 pm
