THE CIRCUIT RIDER
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6109 Highway 311           Houma, Louisiana 70360 
Telephone No. (985) 868-7787  /  Facsimile No. (985)868-7086
R. Don Ross , Pastor                                                                   Volume XXV  -  April 13, 2009

PASTOR’S NOTES:      
   “This is the day of new beginnings…”

EASTER SUNDAY was awesome as nearly 400 people attended services to celebrate and claim the power of the resurrection.  We received 5 youth in the confirmation class during the 8:45 service.  Many people who had not been in worship for some time returned Sunday.  A number of people came to worship with us for the first time, and out of town family members joined the celebration. 

TWO NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES  will start on May 3rd for our children:  2-3 year olds in Room 106 next to the Nursery and a 4-5 year old class in Room 101 (the corner room on the breezeway next to the Fellowship Hall).  If you are interested in being part of a team of teachers who will be leading these classes, please contact me or Martha South.  A complete team will have one teacher, one helper, and a backup teacher. 

A Children’s Council has been formed that will continue to seek ways to serve our children and their families.  If you are interested in serving on this council, please contact me or Martha South. 

“IF & UNLESS” is my sermon title for this Sunday as we explore the new possibilities that Christ brings to our living.  So many wonderful things are happening in our congregation that we must praise our Lord.  I look forward to seeing you at Sunday’s celebration.

Pastor Don

GAME AND FELLOWSHIP NIGHT THIS FRIDAY!
   Join us this Friday night at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall for a lively time of fun and games!  Bring your favorite game, some snacks to share and prepare for some competition.  Call the office (868-7787) AHEAD of time if you need a nursery!                               -Judy Matherne

CONFIRMED!
   The following young people were confirmed on Easter Sunday.  Katherine Burgess, Joseph Caletri, Anthony
Lajaunie, Emily Lajaunie and Sarah Lajaunie, may the Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. 

MUSIC MINISTRY
   Voices of Light and Les Belles Clochettes will resume this Sunday at 4:00 and 5:00PM respectively.  See ya there!                                                    -Ken Klaus

CHURCH ACTIVITIES                      
+UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   On April 25, UMW will participate in Acadiana District UMW Day Apart at Bayou Blue UMC.
+UNITED METHODIST MEN
   United Methodist Men will meet on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall.
+STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
   The SPR Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 28, at 6:00PM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.
                        
UMM BAR-B-QUE THIS SUNDAY!
   United Methodist Men’s Annual Fundraiser features a mouth-watering Plate Lunch Dinner that will be served in the Activities Building on Sunday, April 19, from 10:30AM to 1:00PM. 
                           Enjoy this delicious Bar-B-Que in the Activity Building or bring it home. Tickets are $7.00, and available from Methodist Men OR from the  church office.
    This GREAT lunch includes BAR-B-Que Chicken, Sausage, Baked Beans, Dirty Rice, and French Bread. UMY will be selling delicious, home-made desserts!

YOUTH MINISTRYNEWS!
Sunday School:  This Sunday morning we will be reading about the reunion of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 42-45.  Any youth grades 7th-12th are invited to join us at 9:45AM upstairs in the Activities Building Youth Room.
UMY: We are still talking about “Garbage” in our lives.  This week’s topic is about throwing your life away.  This week’s games include a garbage bag and soda cans!
Game Night:  Join us on Friday, April 17th , at 6:30PM, in the Fellowship Hall for Game Night!  Bring your favorite game, a snack to share and a friend!  Call the office (868-7787) if you will be participating.
UM Men Barbeque: Sunday April 19TH   UMY will be selling desserts and helping with the To-Go orders.  Youth, get out your cooking pans and bring desserts to sell! Have your baked goods at church at 8:30AM.
The Christian Fellowship Night at Zephyrs is on Saturday, April 25th. There will be a post game concert and fireworks.  The cost is $7.  T-shirts cost $10.  Please call me this week (870-5976) to sign up to go.
Attention High School Seniors!  It’s that time of year for Senior Recognition.  We have a slide show and I need your pictures.  Please turn them in NOT LATER THAN Friday, May 1st to the church office.
Mark your Calendar! The Youth Rummage Sale is on May 16th.  We will be accepting donations starting May 13th—NO SOONER, PLEASE!  If you would like a booth to sell items let me know.   
We have Pickles! If you would like to buy some @ $3 per bottle, please call or come by the church office.   –Niki Barr

FUNBALAYA WAS A BIG SUCCESS!
  The weather held up!  The children came!  They had a GREAT TIME! Last Saturday, approximately 200 (children, parents and grandparents) had a BLAST at Funbalaya!  They enjoyed the games, prizes, Easter Egg Hunt, the delicious Hamburgers and Hot Dogs (prepared by Bill Vincent, Jerry Cobb and sons).  Thanks so much!
   So many people to thank!  Special days like Funbalaya cannot happen without volunteers! Brenda Cloud and Jeanne Scott headed the program and many volunteers helped to make this exciting event happen.  Thanks to all who helped out in any way, and to all who stuffed eggs, donated goodies, prizes, or money!  Special thanks to Paula Rutledge and the AT&T Telephone Pioneers for donating Hug-A-Bears for the children!  Thanks to the Learning Center for donating Drinks!
   ONWARD to next year’s Funbalaya! Check future Circuit Riders for a follow-up meeting.  Our first year was such a success!  Next year will be even better!       -Brenda Cloud

Our Stewardship for 2009
    WK 15  April 12, 2009 
    Attendance  393     Sunday School   56
    Offering  $  11,343                                                                   
    Building /Renovation  Offering  $        535

MORNING WORSHIP   Sunday, April 19, 2009
 The Music: “Slow Down”  The Chancel Choir
The Sermon:  “IF AND UNLESS” Pastor Don Ross
 Readings: Acts 4:32-35;  Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2-2; John 20:19-31

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club by M/M Bill Jenkins
Pastor Benevolence Fund in memory of Mary Arceneaux by Dena Bordelon.
Operating Fund in honor of Julie Jacobson and family by M/M Felix Botsay.
Apportionments in memory of Pat LaBruyere by M/M Jim Justice.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.

EASTER LILIES WERE DEDICATED . . .
In memory of Donna McElroy by Jack & Diane Dryden.
In memory of Hazel & Susan King by Jack & Diane Dryden.
In memory of Glenn Weaver by his wife and son.
In memory of Madge & L.P. Price by Barbara English.
In honor of Rachel & Gene Milford from Billy & Myra Austin and family.
In honor of Velia Pavlu by Judy and Larry Matherne.
In memory of Julius Pavlu by Judy & Larry Matherne.
In honor of Don & Ann Ross by Judy Matherne.
In memory of Tom Givens by Jacqueline Givens.
In memory of Jack & Jackie Walker by Marjorie, Jacqueline and Vickie.
In memory of Bobby Aycock by Vickie Aycock.
(Please pick up your plant in the back foyer of the church as soon as possible!  Thanks!)

ASSOCIATE MUSIC MINISTER NEEDED!
   The SPR Committee is looking for an Associate Music Minister to direct the Voices of Light Youth Choir and Les Belles Clochettes English Handbell Choir. Musical knowledge is required, but a degree in music is not.  Applicants must have an interest in being a part of the ministry team at FUMC.  The salary is $10-$14 an hour, depending on experience of the applicant, and the position would require around 10 hours per week.  If you are interested in applying, please pick up a job application and a complete job description in the church office.  Applications will be accepted through the end of April.

A PRAYER REQUEST
   In Dr. Burns’ Prescription of Happiness, comedian-actor George Burns wrote that after he played “God” in a movie, he received a letter simply addressed to “God –Beverly Hills, California.”  It was from a 6-year-old boy who asked “God” to keep it from raining on the day of his baseball team’s championship game.  The boy ended by saying, “Don’t forget; it’s this Sunday.”
   Burns said he guessed it didn’t rain that day because he later received another letter from the boy that read, “Thanks, but we lost.”

A PASTOR’S PRAYER
   Theodore Parker Ferris, who was pastor of Trinity Church (Episcopal) in Boston a half-century ago, once wrote a prayer on an airline napkin as he flew home.  It’s especially helpful during Lent:
   Lord Jesus, I would like to be able to do myself the things I help others do.  I can give them confidence I do not have, and I can quiet their anxieties, but not my own.  What do I lack?  Or is it the way I am made?  I want to be free to move from place to place without fear, and I want to face the things to be done without panic . . .
   I like to think that you can be with me, and in me, and that with your help I can do better.  This is what I hope and ask for.  Amen.
                                 
WHAT IS PRAYER?
   If the bible is our food, then prayer is our air.  It’s the way by which we draw in the atmosphere of God.
   Prayer is rich and varied.  Sometimes we confess our sins in a prayer of penitence.  Sometimes we praise God in worship and thanksgiving.  Sometimes we ask God for help and grace to meet whatever comes our way.  Sometimes we pray for other people.  Sometimes, we’re quiet, knowing that when we stop clamoring and pleading our case, there comes a sense of God’s reply, some intimation of his will, some message from him to us.
   Remember that nothing God can ever give is comparable to himself.  It is God we seek in prayer.  Everything else is secondary. 
                                                           -NewsletterNewsletter

ALTAR FLOWERS
   If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday in memory of honor of a loved one, please call Judy Navarre at 879-1924.  Most Sundays are open for the rest of the year.

SALSA FOR ALL SEASONS
   Need a dip? Drop by the Church office and you can chose from “Just a Tad Warm”, “Pretty Darn Hot”, or “Holy Cow, It’s Screaming Hot” Salsa made by La. UM Children’s Homes in Ruston Louisiana. All proceeds benefit the children.

THE BOB LAY 1000 CLUB
   Help us raise the funds to build Faith Crossing United Methodist Church in Livingston Parish.  Checks should be made payable to Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club.  This call ends April 30, 2009.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY
   We extend our Christian sympathy to James and Gail
Shanklin on the death of James’ cousin, Maggie Sloan.
Maggie was a resident of Detroit.  Her  funeral arrangements are on Saturday, April 17, in Meridian, Mississippi.

 
May you have a happy, blessed week!

Back to News