Groundskeeper - Phil Gough
GETTING TO KNOW US
CAMPUS MAP
Whether you are a visitor passing through, someone seeking to know more about Jesus, or a neighbor looking for a faith community, we are grateful for the opportunity to join you on your journey. By the grace of God we embody the gospel as imperfect people learning how to live well with life's daily challenges, conflicts, and opportunities. People often remark that they felt at home as soon as they came to Cokesbury. Our heart for God's kingdom is much greater than our numbers would suggest because people here want to make a difference locally and globally. Your story is part of God's vital conversation concerning the healing of the world. May God bless you abundantly with grace and wisdom as you discern if this is the community through which to serve God and grow in your faith.
Joyfully yours,
Pastor Lucas Bonates, Lead Pastor
WELCOME
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN A WORSHIP SERVICE?
WHO IS WELCOME?
You are! Whether you are a visitor passing through, someone seeking to know more about Jesus, or a neighbor looking for a faith community we are grateful for the opportunity to join you on your journey. Cokesbury is for people who come alone, with a friend or family. By the grace of God we embody the gospel as imperfect people learning how to live well with life’s daily challenges, conflicts and opportunities.
HOW DO I DRESS?
People often remark that they felt at home as soon as they came to Cokesbury. From suits and dresses to shorts and t-shirts everyone is welcome to dress as they feel comfortable.
HOSPITALITY AND GREETING
When you enter the church greeters are located just inside the doors of the church to welcome everyone. The greeters have bulletins which list our order of service and important information about programs and events at the church. The greeters are there to assist our visitors in any way. If you have questions please feel free to ask our greeters. Sit where you like: there are no assigned seats.
10:30am SUNDAY SERVICE
Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.
At 10:30 the experience is more formal, traditional worship with a choir, organ music and traditional hymns. There is a children’s message during the 11 o’clock service.
Treasurer - Diane Witcofski
GROUPS
E-Ministry - Tim Murphy
WOMEN'S GROUP
GALS (God’s Angels, Loving Servants) meet the first Saturday of every month. They support efforts for mission, ministry and fellowship. The inter-generational GALS meet their goals through both playful and serious gatherings such as picnics, hosting speakers on subjects such as fraud, Arts & Crafts Shows and numerous events throughout the year.
MEN'S GROUP
Our Men's Group meets bi-monthly on Saturdays at 9:00am and is open to all ages and stages of life and faith. The sessions will be led by Rev. Rich Updegraff. Numerous topics and bible study will be discussed as well as engaging in community projects.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN
Youth and Children program on Sundays at 4 - 6pm with Youth leader Carmen Chan.
PRAYER GROUP
Prayer Warriors meet every Wednesday at 4:30pm in the Church Sanctuary. All our prayer warriors keep the concerns before the Lord and confidentiality is respected.
BIBLE STUDY
Bible Study Groups meet on Wednesdays at 10:00am in the Bowman Library. Link for Zoom is available.
Pastor - Lucas Bonates
Mission and Vision
Cokesbury’s Mission: To shine the Light of Jesus Christ in the local and global community for God's Glory.
Our Vision: God has called us to N.E.W.S.
...to Nurture & introduce people of all ages to Jesus through meaningful & positive experiences;
...to Evangelize;
...to Welcome all people: loving & praying for the community;
...to Serve in the community & the larger world through the church.
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CHURCH STAFF
Join us Sundays at 10:30am for Worship Service in our Sanctuary. Online available, too.
Secretary - Danielle Welsh-Morales
To shine the Light of Jesus Christ in the local and global community for God's Glory.
pastorlucas@cokesburymargate.org
Praise the Lord!
Pastor Lucas Bonates has been the Associate Pastor of First UMC of Coral Gables since 2019. While there, he has served as youth leader; director of Hispanic ministries; and leader of Experiment Church, the contemporary worship experience. Concurrent to his appointment at First Coral Gables, Pastor Lucas led weekly worship for a church plant of First UMC of Miami for its Brazilian congregation.
In March 2023, Pastor Lucas was voted to the Board of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Hispanic-Latino Caucus. He was part of the FLUMC Leadership Academy; invested in Fresh Expressions training; and served in the Racial Reconciliation Mission at First Coral Gables. Pastor Lucas speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Pastor Lucas is a graduate of Asbury Seminary, where he was a member of the Student Leadership Council for two years. He created a seminar called “Discerning the Call,” and helped found the first racial reconciliation event at Asbury.
Pastor Lucas is passionate about music, social justice, and hospitality. He loves spending time with his wife, Thaís, and his 6-year-old daughter, Luna. He believes the church is a place of transformation, on the individual level as well as on the collective, and that transformation happens when we allow God’s love and grace to guide us.
I am so grateful that you are visiting our website. I know finding a church can be challenging. I remember when I spent months visiting different churches every single week. Especially these days, we are all struggling to trusting people and trusting institutions. I honestly understand that.
For that reason, I do my best to welcome every single person, of all ages and backgrounds. Our church community wants to be a safe sanctuary where people can connect with other people and with this higher being we call God, our creator.
We do not pretend to be a holy sect. We are a group of imperfect people following a perfect God. A good and kind God who does not walk away from us because of our imperfections and sinfulness, rather he offers us healing, redemptions, reconciliation, and transformation.
I invite you to come and visit us. If you would rather plan your visit, please call our office or email us at office@cokesburymargate.org, and we will gladly connect with you. We worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30am, and you can also worship with us online, on YouTube or here, on our website.
I am looking forward to meeting you.
In peace,
Pastor Lucas