Cokesbury United Methodist Church of Houston, TX

Highlights (Weekly Update of Happenings):    - This section contains information about recent or future events at Cokesbury UMC. This might be considered the "News" section of the web site.

Praise & Worship
Food & Fellowship
Sunday evenings at 5pm

Sunday evening services at Cokesbury are a time to refresh the spirit and share the joy of knowing our saviour, Jesus Christ.

30 Minutes of
Music and Message
Supper provided by Sunday School Classes

Come as you are.
All are welcome.

The Children's Ministry of Cokesbury United Methodist Church has recently launched a great new opportunity for children and their families.

The second Friday of every month is dedicated to a fun event for kids. Kids in the Kitchen, Fun and Games, Movie Night, Crafty Business, and more will give our families a chance to get away from the TV and do something fun together!

For information or to share your ideas for a fun kids activity, contact Ministry Director, Alison Myers at children@cumchouston.org.

Bible Verse of the Day:    - A bible verse provided for your contemplation or study. Each day a new verse is shown.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”  -  1 Peter 3:15

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From the Pastor:    - A message direct from our pastor, especially prepared for visitors to this web site.

Everyone needs a church home and so we invite you to our home at 10030 Scarsdale Road. There is a place for you, your family and friends.

We strive to make God known through his compassionate love and daily power for all of lives. As we practice "open doors, open hearts and open minds" there is a place for everyone. We have expanded our intentional outreach by adding a director of children's ministry, Ms. Alison Myers. She shares the desire to reach all people, especially young children and their parents.

Serving a mighty God is an awesome life-style. Come try out this style at Cokesbury United Methodist Church. After all, home is a great place to belong!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Bill Newcomb
Senior Pastor
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Opinions (Words of Faith from Fellow Christians):    - This section contains opinions and thought pieces written for the web site by members of our congregation. Please read and enjoy.

The story goes that many years ago an art dealer offered what he described as an 18th century French painting to Alfred Dupont - artwork purporting to be a Dupont ancestor. When the dealer asked for $25,000 (a large sum at the time) a suspicious Dupont hesitated, so the dealer dropped the price first to $10,000 and finally to $1000. Reasoning that the frame was worth at least $400. Dupont bought it at the lowest price.

Later he had an art expert examine the painting, and learned that while it was indeed a fake, the "ancestor" portrait was actually an over painting. This meant that the forger had taken an old canvas with another painting on it, and covered the old work with his forgery. He reasoned that the old canvas would assure the acceptance of the over painting as an original. The expert suggested Mr. Dupont have the surface work removed to reveal what was underneath, and when this was done there was found something unusual. Beneath the fake painting was a depiction of a Madonna and Child by the Spanish artist Murillo.

So as it turned out Mr. Duupont spent $1000 for something of little value, but underneath was a masterpiece worth some $150,000. In other words, what was worthless on the surface had great unseen value.

Often it's the same when we encounter someone we don't consider very important. Maybe he's a ragged stranger or even a co-worker or fellow church member but whoever it is we often have a tendency to reject the person when we look at the exterior instead of the interior.

Yet God doesn't think that way. For we know that he looks below the surface at the real person and what we don't see he regards as of great value. Something priceless beneath the ostensibly worthless - it sometimes works for paintings and always for people where God is concerned.
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Bill wiped off the counter of his snack bar as he scanned the beach and looked for customers. He'd been busy that day at his lemonade stand since it had been so hot. Still, just as he was about to close up a man stepped over to the counter and ordered lemonade. Bill filled a paper cup from the cooler, and set it back down. The man paid him, then picked up the cup.

"Splash!"

The lemonade hit Bill right in the face, sending him back a few steps, grasping and sputtering.

"I'm so sorry!" The man put down the now empty cup and whipped out a handkerchief to offer it to Bill. "You see, I have this uncontrollable compulsion to do it." He explained. "And though I fight it but I still do it and I always feel so guilty afterward. I just don't know what to do about it."

Bill spurned the handkerchief and instead reached for a paper towel, swabbed his face and then glowered at the man. "Well, all I can tell you is that you'd better do something about it before you come back." The man bowed his head as Bill continued. "I don't mean to be unkind but I just can't serve you again till you solve your problem."

The man turned away and disappeared in an oncoming crowd of beach goers.

Over the next few weeks Bill didn't see the lemonade tosser but he did not forget the incident. Then one day when Bill looked up to see his next customer, he saw the strange man again.

"Oh, no!" Bill told him. "I told you not to come back."

"But I'm cured." The man explained earnestly. "I've been to a psychiatrist and I solved my problem."

Slightly reassured Bill decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and served him lemonade.

"Splash!"

This time Bill swabbed his face with his sleeve as the man lowered the cup. "I thought said you were cured."

"I am," the other replied. "I still throw the lemonade, but I don't feel guilty about it."

That fellow figured he'd solved his problem by changing his attitude and that's sometimes how God helps me when I seek his assistance when I have a problem. It can occur when God helps me not by changing the situation but altering my attitude toward it. He might give me the strength to handle the difficulty so it's no longer a real problem. Or maybe he helps me see it as an opportunity to grow and serve him and I come to see it as a challenge instead of a struggle. Yet no matter how he does it, he solves my problem by leaving the situation as it is but changing me, so I can continue to serve him for my benefit and his glory.
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Site News (Recent Changes to the Web Site):    - Any changes to the design or content of the web site are noted here. This section will keep you up-to-date on information contained on this web site.

The calendar that the church has used for its official calendar of events has been better integrated into the website. The calendar page now looks and acts like any other page on the site. You will immediately notice the visual differences when you visit the calendar page.

The functionality of the calendar has not changed in any way. Please post all events for the church. Any member can add an event to the calendar. The event will be approved by the church secretary and will then appear on the calendar. Our secretary checks for new items on a regular basis.

If you have any questions, or suggestions, please contact the website team via e-mail or in person. Enjoy! (more)...