Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Before we arrive on the Eve of Lent, there are two

more important Sundays, both of which involve

Guest Preachers for very special occasions. To

culminate our Celebration of Black History Month,

we welcome the Reverend Lorenzo Small, Sr. on

February 24th. To Celebrate the Gifts of Women

Sunday, we welcome the Reverend Jane Mitchell on

March 3rd. Both will offer a unique perspective on

your past, present, and future ministry.

The Reverend Lorenzo Small, Sr. has served as

Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church since

June 18, 2014. He graduated from Union

Presbyterian Seminary in April 2013 with a Master

of Divinity degree. Rev. Small was ordained as a

PCUSA Teaching Elder and installed as the pastor

of Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church on June 8,

2014, where he served for 6.5 years. Please read

John 5:19-40 to anticipate his sermon: “Your Best

Life or Eternal Life.” Rev. Small also serves as the

Committee on Ministry Liaison to your Pastor

Nominating Committee.

Rev. Jane Mitchell will lead us as we join with a

whole host of Presbyterian Women here and across

the Church to Celebrate The Grace of God Has No

Boundaries. Much of the liturgy we use will

connect us to worship experiences happening near

and far. This Celebration usually occurs on the

Sunday before March 8, which is the United

Nation’s International Women’s Day. {ALL Women are heartily encouraged to arrive in the ‘Choir Room’ at 9:30am on this Sunday

(3/3) and contribute to the joyful singing!}

Please read Acts 10:34-43 and Matthew 3:13-17 to

anticipate the sermon theme. Rev. Mitchell served

as Chaplain at the Levine-Dickson Hospice House

at Southminster.

Also! Please mark Tuesday, March 5th from 5:00 -

8:00 PM to enjoy Pancakes & Sides served by the

Youth in Fellowship Hall and to support their

Fundraising Event. Food, Fun, and Fellowship will

be fully enjoyed as we engage the last night of

festivities before turning toward the Sacred and

more serious Season of Lent. We will turn the

very next evening, March 6 at 7:00 PM, to receive

the Imposition of Ashes and observe Communion to

begin our journey to “Transform Chaos into

Wholeness.”

Peace,

Lynn Thompson Bryant

Vol. 19 No. 4

First Sunday!

The first Sunday of each month

after the worship service will be a

time to dine together and learn about

a current topic in the life of the

church. This is a simple lunch,

fellowship, and a short program to

educate or entertain. Beginning

March 3, we will serve Chicken Pot

Pie, salad, tea and dessert. The

presentation will be about the traits

of thriving Presbyterian churches.

Please plan to join us for a free lunch,

donations gladly accepted. {**Note: there will NOT be a lunch/program

on Sunday, May 5.} Audrey Brady, Congregational Care

--------------------------------------------------

Sunday Mornings at 9 is an opportunity to continue to learn the lessons of The Bible and how they relate to our daily lives. There are classes for ALL ages!

Teachers have prepared for babies, children, teens and adults to join them.

They are looking forward to seeing you next Sunday at 9am!

MISSION CORNER

**We need YOUR help for the March

dates for ROOM IN THE INN!** Our Girls Scouts and Playschool are in charge of

the March 2-3 and 16-17 Room In The Inn nights

here at Cook’s BUT they need volunteers for

DRIVERS (both pickup and drop off) and

OVERNIGHT Host. If you would be willing to

help out, please contact Pede Self asap at

704/516-1753 or the church office. Thanks!

The Group from Cook’s that goes to help serve drinks to the guests

of Urban Ministries during their lunch would like to invite

YOU to join them on the 1st Tuesday of every month (March 5th)…meet @ church at 10am! If you have any questions,

call Pede Self at 704-516-1753.

FEBRUARY's non-perishable food item that we

are collecting for Loaves & Fishes is CANNED

PASTA (no glass containers please). Collection

boxes are in the Ed Bldg lobby & FH. {March’s food

item will be cereals.}

Lily Pad Haven’s February's collection

item is cleaning products. A collection

basket is in the Narthex. {March’s item will be

laundry detergent/softeners.}

URBAN MINISTRIES IS IN NEED OF EYE GLASSES. Please bring your old glasses and place

them in the basket in the Narthex.

Please remember to save your Campbell Soup Labels for Barium Springs Home for Children… you can put them in the ‘Soup Can’ in the Ed Bldg.

Items needed for 'Leah's Love Box' that is in

front of Rowan Hall: Soap/body soap; Cleaning

supplies (Laundry detergent; counter sprays,

window/bathroom cleaner); Kleenex; Sunscreen;

Hats/gloves; Insect repellant; Feminine hygiene

products; shampoo/conditioners; Lotion; Diapers;

Toothpaste/ toothbrushes/floss; Deodorant. For

more details, contact Heather Lyerly at 704/618-

6947.

Kajiado Children's Home…For those

interested in learning more about Kajiado Children's

Home in Kenya or to become a sponsor of a child in

need, please contact Gaye List (704-909-9910) or Pede

Self (704-516-1753). Thank you for your love,

prayers and continued support as we follow our

mission to love God, love ourselves, love our

neighbors and go tell others about Jesus!

It won’t be

long now – new

church

directories

coming soon!

Do you remember how

much fun Salt Shakers was?

A time when people who

didn’t know each other very

well, got together once a

month to share a night of

sharing that would evolve

into lasting friendships!

This time of intergenerational sharing proved to

result in sharing quality "extended family time". If

you participated before, you know how meaningful

it can be. If you are a newcomer to this idea, you

are in for a treat. Let’s gather together to re-

energize the Salt Shakers program. It’s a wonderful

opportunity to really get to know others in our

church family. We will assign people to groups of

8 to 10. These groups will meet every 4-6 weeks

for the remainder of 2019 to share a meal in each

other’s homes or at a restaurant, share a group

activity such as ball game or bowling, or take part

in a community volunteer initiative. We will be

glad to help to connect people/families and provide

ideas for activities. The point is, let’s spend some

quality time together! By the way, it’s ok to invite

other friends to join your dinner group for dinner

too! It’s a great way to introduce your friends to

our wonderful church family! SIGN UP TODAY!

Sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex. It’s fun!

Contact Richard White, Fellowship Ministry

at retiredcrw@gmail.com or (704) 995-5412.

Name ____________________________________

Phone #s __________________________________

Email address ______________________________

------------------------------------------------------------

Cook’s KID’S CLUB

is NOW meeting on

SUNDAYS and will

meet again SUNDAY,

March 3rd from 12-1pm! We invite

ALL preschoolers (ages 3-4) and ALL

elementary aged kids (grades K-5) to join

Graham for lunch with their family in FH (during the new FIRST LUNCH being offered

every 1st Sunday of each month with the

exception of 5/5), games, devotion & music

in the basement of the Education Building!

We hope to see all of you here! ------------------------------------------------

Cook's PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet on Sunday,

March 3rd, at 9am in the parlor. Please

join us for a time of devotion, fellowship and

instruction if needed. Call Audrey Brady (704-609-

7931) with questions.

Cook’s YOUTH

are once again

sponsoring a

SPRING

PLANT SALE… DEADLINE for ordering is

MONDAY, March 11th! Order forms are available each

SUNDAY in the Narthex & in the

church office.

Proceeds from this Sale will go

towards the Youth’s 2019 summer

activities. Thanks for your support! -------------------------------------------------

YOUTH, grades 6-12,

are welcome to be a part

of the Youth Ensemble. They meet on Wednesdays at

6pm in the sanctuary and prepare songs

for our Sunday morning worship services. If

interested, write Charles Mathews at

singuheavens@yahoo.com. Music reading is

not a requirement and you do not have to

have a great voice. If you wish to serve the

Lord along with other youth, you are

welcome. --------------------------------------------------

2019 FLOWER

CALENDAR

INFORMATION

Here are the AVAILABLE dates that we have

at this point on our 2019 Flower Calendar: May 12; September 29; December 1. Please

contact Cheryl in the church office if you'd like to

honor or remember a loved one by supplying our

sanctuary flowers on one of these dates…704/399-

7735 or office@cookschurch.org.

-----------------------------------------------------

COME, LET US SING

FOR JOY TO THE

LORD! PSALM 95:1

YOU ARE INVITED …. Sunday, March 31, 2019, at 10:00am

is “Cook’s Playschool Sunday” at Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church.

All Playschool students will be performing and are encouraged to attend;

bring the whole family!

Mark your calendars; additional details coming soon.

My sincere thanks to

everyone for the many calls,

visits, cards, gifts and most

definitely your prayers

during my hospital/rehab

stays as well as home confinement time during the

past months. I can’t tell you how much each and

every act of kindness has meant to me and I so

appreciate them all. I truly hope that before long I

will be able to join my Cook’s family once again

for Sunday worship services as I so miss being

with you. May God bless you all. - Hazel Dunn

We are writing to express our deepest appreciation

for your recent donation of Christmas gifts.

Holiday contributors from donors like you

continue to provide the caring support needed to

warm the hearts of our students and their families

here at Paw Creek Elementary!

Kind regards, Paw Creek Staff.

----------------------------------------------------

ATTENTION LADIES

@ COOK'S!

If you'd like to attend a CIRCLE

meeting but can't make it during

the week, then please join Audrey Brady on the

first Saturday of every month, MARCH 2nd at

9:30am in the parlor!

ALL Women are heartily encouraged to arrive in the ‘Choir Room’ at 9:30am on

Sunday, 3/3, and contribute to the joyful singing!

-------------------------------------------------

FYI – Cook’s Session and Property Ministry has

decided that ROWAN HALL needs to be

CLOSED completely due to it being a safety

hazard. The power & water will be turned off

completely and no admittance allowed

whatsoever as of 3/1/19. If you are currently

storing items in Rowan Hall, please be sure that

everything that you want/need is removed by

3/1/19. If you have any questions, please contact

Dale Luckey at sdlhomes@aol.com. Thank you for

your help in this matter.

------------------------------------------------

It is almost Rock N Roll time…

Saturday, April 27! Dinner will be served in the Soda Shoppe.

A Talent Showcase will be the

entertainment.

Some have your tickets but others

do not. It is TIME! Tickets will go on sale

March 3…see Jeannie McClure for tickets

and/or questions.

We wish a Happy Birthday

to the following:

Feb. 24 - James Harper

Feb. 25 - Carrie Brady, Richard White, Cameron

Miller

Feb. 26 - Sandy Birmingham

March 3 - Dan Griggs

March 4 - Courtney Thompson, Heather Lyerly,

Rebecca Wilz

March 5 - Scottie Stroup, Elizabeth Knutson

March 8 - Paul Love

------------------------------------------------------

Feb. 24: Dolores Freeman, Mary

Thompson

March 3: Linda Lynn, Toni Thompson

March 10: Sandy Birmingham, Beth

Noles

{If you cannot keep nursery on your assigned day please

find a substitute by ‘swapping dates’ with someone on

list or call Diane at 704/398-8388.}

Greeter Schedule: Feb 24-New Horizon SS Class;

March 3-Spiritual Life/Adult SS Class; March 10-

Cook’s Youth

Usher Schedule: February-Mike Stanford, Jim

Phipps, Richard White, Marty Crosby; March-Al &

Linda Alexander, Denise Vead, Jerry Spurlock

Sound Tech Schedule: February-George Wilz;

March-Chris Birmingham

Teller Schedule: Feb 24-Ginger Thompson, Dwight

Black, Gordon Stanley; March 3-Ginger Thompson,

Scott Jones, Bonnie Pace; March 10-Audrey Brady,

Sheila black, Christi Brafford

Weekend Opener/Lockup: February-Mike Stanford; March-F.D. Hager

-------------------------------------------

2/10/19: 108

2/17/19: 92

2019 Offerings:

Weekly offering needed for Budget YTD: $51,604

YTD General Fund offerings rec’d: $33,255

-------------------------------------------------

During these next 2 weeks,

Feb. 24-March 9, please make

a special effort to recognize

Nancy Stanley and Loretta

Hinson with a visit or a card.

They would love to hear from

you!

Nancy Stanley, 10923 Ridge Acres Rd, 28214

Loretta Hinson, c/o Concord Place Assisted Living,

2452 Rock Hill Church Rd, Concord, 28027

Here is a complete list of our Homebound

Members: Betty Hunt, Loretta Hinson, Melva

Thompson, Nancy Stanley, Annie Luckey, Mildred

Alexander & Carolyn Young…please pray for

them all daily.

Please remember in your prayers the

following people:

Members

McKensie & Terrell Gore Hazel Dunn

Frances Dean (Stanley Total Living Ctr) Elizabeth Bolick

Scott Stroup & family (death of grandfather) Jill Griffin

James Harper Nancy Stanley

Gerri Rhodes Connie & Dale Luckey

Vera Smith Debbie White

Pede Self Corky McClure

Pat Hager Mork/Weldy family

Ronnie Ransbottom Cook's Pastor Search

Friends & Relatives

Jerry McClure Gary Carter

Emalie Barnes Ledane Poplin

Kevin Cook Willi/Jimmy Messick (Hospice care)

Brian Thompson Ava Davis & Tate family

Gary Shuler & son Marcia Larson

Grier Stanford & family Tonya Rhom

Sarah Nixon Drew Jolly

Serena Todd Lee Stilwell

Butch Meyer/Richard Meyer Dee Peterson

Cole/Davidson family Kelly & Teresa Cousineau

Cynthia & Mike Wicker Jeff & Gloria Herman

Anita H. Gloria Ricker

Mike Gant Susan Kenley

Theo Helms Eric Cuellar

Mother/daughter who fell @ McD’s

Dementia patients & caregivers

those hungry/abused/scared/depressed (Please note: we leave names on prayer list for 4 weeks

unless otherwise notified/updated.)

Please remember in your prayers

the following soldiers (and all

veterans and their families) that

are in some way associated with

Cook’s Church: Triston Thompson, Austin

McCrary, Turner Salm, Cecilia (Parker) Loren, Anne

Ledford, Ronald J. Ransbottom, Shane Bennett,

Andrew Simmerson, T.J. Sudderth, John Makahilli Jr.,

Jake Gibson, John Gibson, Eddy Self, Terrell Gore

**CONGREGATION**

Please notify the church office (704-399-7735 / office@cookschurch.org)

or Pastor Lynn (330-701-0426 /

ltb4unc@alumni.unc.edu) of any

deaths, sickness, surgeries, births, etc. that you

and/or a family member may be experiencing.

------------------------------------------------------

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO BE PART

OF SUNDAY’S WORSHIP SERVICE? THEN, WE NEED

YOU!!!! We are currently looking for people to read God’s Word on Sundays. If you are

interested, please contact Teena Ridenhour (704-516-8957 / teenaridenhour@bellsouth.net).

We have slots open as soon as APRIL, 2019…step right up…YOU are a very

valued part of our service.

C H U R C H C A L E N D A R

Sunday, February 24

9:00am – Sunday School classes for all ages!

10:00am – Worship Service/sanctuary

11:00am – Fellowship on the Lawn (cookies &

drinks for everyone!)

~ 4:00pm – YOUTH Group/Youth Room

Monday, February 25

9:30am-1pm - Playschool

Tuesday, February 26 9:30am-1pm - Playschool

6:00pm - Aerobics/FH

7:00pm - Boy Scouts/Ed Bldg 3rd floor

Wednesday, February 27

9am-2:30pm – Quilting Bees/Rm 201

9:30am-1pm - Playschool

~5:45pm-Youth Ensemble Rehearsal/Choir Room

~ 6:00pm - String Trio Rehearsal/sanctuary

~ 6:30pm - Adult Choir/Handbells Rehearsal

Thursday, February 28 9:30am-1pm – Playschool

6:00pm – Daisy Scouts/bmst

Friday, March 1 12:00pm – Chiapetti Eagle Scouts Banquet/FH

Saturday, March 2 ~ 9:30am – Saturday Morning CIRCLE

mtg/parlor

~ 3:00pm - Room In The Inn/FH & bus

Sunday, March 3

~ 9:30am – PRAYER SHAWL Ministry/parlor

9:00am – Sunday School Classes for all ages!

10:00am – Worship/Women & Girl Scout Sunday/

sanctuary

~11:00am – FIRST LUNCH…everyone

is invited!/FH

~11:15am – FINANCE Ministry mtg/office

~ 1:00pm - KID'S CLUB/Ed Bldg basement 2:00pm – LPH/FH

Monday, March 4-DEADLINE for next newsletter

9:30am-1pm – Playschool

6:30pm – Brownies/bsmt

6:30pm - Cub Scouts/Ed Bldg

~ 7:00pm – PROPERTY Ministry mtg/Rm 113

Tuesday, March 5 9:30am-1pm – Playschool ~10:00am–Group to Urban Ministries/bus

~ 5-8pm – YOUTH Fat Tuesday’s

PANCAKE Supper Fundraiser/FH 7:00pm - Boy Scouts/Ed Bldg 3rd floor

Wednesday, March 6 9am-2:30pm – Quilting Bees/Rm 201

9:30am-1pm - Playschool

~5:45pm-Youth Ensemble Rehearsal/Choir Room

~ 6:00pm - String Trio Rehearsal/sanctuary

~ 6:30pm - Adult Choir/Handbells Rehearsal

~ 7:00pm – ASH WEDNESDAY Service/

sanctuary

Thursday, March 7 9:30am-1pm - Playschool

6:00pm – Jr Girl Scouts/bsmt

Friday, March 8

Saturday, March 9

Wise Words & Quotes - Vern McCellan

"A kingdom at war with itself

will collapse. A home divided

against itself is doomed." (Jesus, Mark 3:24-25)

"All your strength is in union. All your danger is in

discord.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

---------------------------------------------------

This is Cook’s Memorial

Presbyterian Church’s new QR

code. There is an “app” you can

put on your phone that lets you scan the QR code

and donate to the church with your credit card. You

can download the “app” from our website

(www.cookschurch.org).

If you shop at Amazon.com,

link your account to Cook’s

Memorial Presbyterian

Church and we’ll get 5% back

from your purchases through their Amazon Smile

program! After linking the church to your account,

start your purchases at http://smile.amazon.com. If

you have questions, contact Ginger Thompson at

704-562-7558.

--------------------------------------------------------

Cook’s Communicator

is a bi-weekly newsletter published by:

Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)

3413 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Charlotte, NC 28216

“Cook’s mission is to love God, love yourself, love your

neighbor and go tell others about Jesus.”

“We, the members of Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian

Church, are a community on a journey of faith dedicated to

spiritual growth and Christ’s teachings. We are committed

to be a community of God, open to all people. We pledge to

be witnesses for God and to be caring Disciples of Christ.”

STAFF: Interim Pastor: Pastor Lynn Thompson Bryant

Coordinator of Youth & Children Ministries: Graham Hughes

Music Director & Organist: Rev. Charles Mathews

Office Manager: Cheryl Cole

Custodian: Susan Mundell

Playschool Directors: Kelly Carter/Bobbie Penninger

Treasurer: Ginger Thompson

Financial Secretary: Audrey Brady

RULING ELDERS: Class of 2019: Sheila Black (Education), Audrey Brady (Cong Care), Penny Love (Worship), Jerry Spurlock

(Property); Class of 2020: Dale Luckey (Property), David Lyerly

(Missions), Bonnie Pace (Finance); Johnnie Quinn (Clerk); Class of

2021: Joe Chichetti (Personnel), Dan Griggs (Nominating), William

Savelle (Worship), Richard White (Fellowship)

DEACONS: Class of 2019: Steve Gilmore (New Members), Dave

List (Special Needs), Bonnie Spurlock (Homebound), Deana Stanford

(Special Needs); Class of 2020: Debbie Myers (Homebound), Jack

McClure (Homebound), Jeannie McClure (Moderator/Special Needs);

Class of 2021: Dwight Black (Homebound), Loretta Butler (New

Members), Barbara Stevens (New Members), Sydney Thompson (New

Members)

PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Joe Chichetti, Laura Griggs, James Harper, Jeannie McClure,

David Myers, Johnnie Quinn, Mike Stanford

Sunday Schedule: Sunday School for ALL ages at 9:00am;

Worship Service at 10:00am; Fellowship on the Lawn

(Cookies & Drinks for everyone) immediately after worship.

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm; (704) 399-7735;

fax #: (704) 399-0823; E-Mail: office@cookschurch.org

Website: www.cookschurch.org/www.cmpcyouth.weebly.com

Sermons/newsletters are available on our website!

Now you can find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! {Online Directory User Code-allusers; Password-CJR53ERW}

Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church

3413 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road

Charlotte, North Carolina 28216

Good News Inside!

God, we thank You for:

Fat Tuesday is a celebration before

the beginning of the Lenten season.

So plan now to join the Youth

on Tuesday, March 5th from 5-

8pm for their annual Fat

Tuesday Pancake Dinner! The

youth will be serving pancakes and

other breakfast sides to raise money

for this summer's activities. The

dinner is completely funded by your

donations, so bring your whole family

for fellowship and food! We look

forward to seeing you there!

Written articles to be in Church Office by

Monday, March 4 at 4pm for next newsletter!

On Ash Wednesday, March 6,

2019 at 7:00pm in our sanctuary.

Cook’s will worship God together by

sharing scripture, hymns, prayer, the

receiving of ashes and observing the

sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

Please bring your families, friends and

neighbors as we begin our journey

through Lent, and find our place on

the path alongside Him.