IN THE SPIRIT

-- Michele Marr

* Church name: Newport Center United Methodist Church.

* Address: 1601 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar.

* Telephone: (949) 644-0745, church office; (949) 644-0740, preschool

office.

* Denomination: United Methodist.

* Year church established: 1945.

* Service times: 8 a.m. Sunday is a quiet, meditative service with

piano; 10 a.m. Sunday is a full, intergenerational service with choirs

and organ.

* Senior pastor: Cathleen Coots, who has been at Newport Center United

Methodist Church for three years. She is the mother of two boys, who are

students at Andersen Elementary School.

* Pastoral staff: Margaret Cunningham, children’s ministries; Staci

and Bill Cox, adult, children and bell choirs; Margie Hubbard, pastoral

assistant; Chris Cornett, youth assistant.

* Size of congregation: 280.

* Child care: A comprehensive children’s program includes a special

class provided for toddlers during the 10 a.m. service.

* Type of worship: Informal, described as “warm and joyful.” The

traditional format focuses on scripture, sermon and music. The 10 a.m.

service includes a children’s sermon. The 8 a.m. service has an

attendance of about 20 people. The 10 a.m. has an attendance of close to

150 people. The sizes of the services allow all ages to interact and to

get to know one another.

* Dress: Attire ranges from casual to suits.

* Type of sermon: Coots gives personal messages to touch the heart.

She uses scripture and life illustrations to show how God’s presence

makes a difference in our lives.

* Recent sermon: A sermon series for Lent, titled, “Hidden Treasures

of Faith and Scripture.” The sermons are titled “Trial and Temptation,”

“Waiting,” “Mercy,” “Forgiveness,” and “Foolishness.”

* Upcoming sermon: On Sunday, Coots will share “The Treasure of

Forgiveness.” The April 1 sermon is titled “The Treasure of Foolishness,”

and the Easter Sunday sermon is “Only One Thing Is Certain.”

* Outreach: The church places a strong emphasis on missions.

Throughout the year, members provide backpacks, Easter baskets, Christmas

presents, food and money through local projects at Share Our Selves and

FISH. Support is given to Africa University, to missionaries in Jerusalem

and elsewhere and to the David and Margaret Home. The church’s largest

outreach is made through its preschool, which has been a part of the

community for more than 35 years.