THE CIRCUIT RIDER
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6109 Highway 311           Houma, Louisiana 70360 
Telephone No. (985) 868-7787  /  Facsimile No. (985)868-7086
Barry Hoekstra, Pastor                                              Volume XXV  - April 18, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Community”
   I used to love the television show “Cheers.”  Sam Malone was a former baseball player who opened a bar in Boston when his playing days were over.  It was a friendly place.  It had a cast of regulars who knew and cared for one another.  One of the reasons this place was so compelling was because, as the theme song said, it was the place “where everyone knows your name.” 
   There used to be a time in our history when everyone knew the people in their neighborhoods.  After supper people would gather on their front porches and visit with their neighbors while children played together.  Life has changed for most of us.  We have moved from the front porches to patios in the back of our homes.  Hot summer nights now find us inside, enjoying the cool air-conditioned breeze, instead of the still steaminess of our tropically humid climate.  Community is hard to find these days.
   The early church was an experiment in progress.  It was an attempt to be in community.  The early Christians shared what they had with the others.  The book of Acts tells us that this experiment worked, at least for a short time.  “There was not a needy person among them” is what Acts 4.34a tells us.  Imagine a place where everyone had what they needed.
   I believe that the church ought to still be a place to find community.  We ought to be the kind of place where everyone knows our name.  We ought to be a place where we connect with others so that when tough times come our way we realize that we are not alone.  “Creating Christian Community” is a part of our mission statement. Are you ready to create community with me?               Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME
When: After 8:30 Service               Where: Activity Building
Join us for coffee, milk, juice, donuts and fellowship!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   United Methodist Women will meet on April 29, 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall for the   Acadiana District UMW Day Apart.  This is a service of reflection and renewal. The guest speaker is Rev. Peggy Foreman. Come join us!

NSU CONCERT CHOIR HONORS MOZART!
   The NSU Concert Choir will present a concert in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Mozart on Tuesday, April 25th, at 7:30PM in the Talbot Theater.  Admission is free.  The concert will feature FUMC members Michael Klaus and Andy Messina as soloists along with Chancel Choir and Band Member, Toni Guidry.  Madeline Lowe is a member of the NSU Concert Choir as well.  Kenny Klaus will conduct.

VOICES OF LIGHT REHEARSAL SCHEDULE!
 Voices of Light will host the Nite Lite Service on Sunday, May 14th (Mother’s Day).  We invite the entire congregation, family and friends to share this special evening with us!
We need prompt, dedicated attendance at Sunday afternoon rehearsals until then!  On May 14th, we will do a run-through at 4:30PM; supper at 5:30PM, last minute details at 6:00PM, and the service from 6:30-7:30PM.  Wear khaki with spring-colored shirts.  Thanks!                                              -Ms. Beth (879-1770)

BAYOU’S BEST EVER BAR-B-QUE BARGAIN!
  That’s saying a mouth-full!! But, we stand behind our claim! The United Methodist Men’s Annual Fundraiser features a mouth-watering  Plate Lunch Dinner that will be served in the Activities Building on Sunday, April 23, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. You may experience this “best ever Bar-B-Que” in the Activity Building  or pick up your order and enjoy it at home.  Tickets are $6, and available from Methodist Men or from the church office. This GREAT lunch includes Bar-B-Q Chicken, Bar-B-Q Sausage, Baked Beans, Dirty Rice, Cole Slaw, and French Bread. Cold drinks/dessert will be offered for sale by the UMY. 

   COMING SOON TO A WORSHIP SPACE NEAR YOU!
           Who Is This King?
Cantata for the Easter Season
         Sunday, April 30th
8:30 & 11:00AM Worship Services
                                     Featuring 
The voice talents of the FUMC Chancel Choir,
The keyboard wizardry of Donna Sammarco, 
The dramatic vocal stylings of Rick Duet.
 You won’t want to miss it!

“PROPS FOR EASTER” 
   A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to a STAND UP little guy, Davey Lusco,  for his participation in our Palm Sunday presentation.  His name was inadvertently left off our “thank you” list last week.  We COULD NOT have done it without you, Davey! 

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 23!
**MORNING ACTIVITIES
Itty-Bitty to Four year olds are with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery.
Kindergarten to Sixth Grade will be with Mrs. Kathy Torbert for a video, Jesus is Risen.   Meet in the Fellowship Hall for Fellowship at 9:30AM.
**AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
Kindergarten-Fifth Grade Mrs. Mary will show the Video Jesus is Risen in the Nursery.  
4:15–5:15PM   Music with Mrs. Shirley
4:15-5:30PM    Activities with Mr. Anthony

FELLOWSHIP MEALS EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT!
 Find yourself busy on Sunday afternoons?  Too busy to cook and attend church activities?  Give yourself a break! Drop by the Activities Building between 5:30-6:15PM and you and your family can eat a hot meal at a cost of $3 per person, not to exceed $10 per family.  This week’s menu is  Chicken Patty on bun, Cole Slaw, Chips, and Ice Cream!  COME AND ENJOY!

Our Stewardship for Week  #16   April 16, 2006
Attendance Worship:  384    Sunday School: 
Offering This Week:  $ 5,201     YTD:  $130,608
Bldg. Fund This Week: $ 1,360  YTD:  $ 73,352
Apportionments Due : $19,600  Pd YTD:$ 15,725

WORSHIP       Sunday, April 23, 2006
Music 8:30AM: Special Music   Maddie Lowe, Soprano
Music11:00AM: “Come Build a Church” Chancel Choir
Music 6:30 PM  Special Music by the Band
The Scripture: Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 1:1-2.2
The Gospel: John 20:19-31
The Sermon: “Community” Rev. Barry Hoekstra

PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR PEACE AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY:  Jerry St. Pierre, John Parks,  Jason Babin, Andy Weaver, Kevin  Adams, Brian Ratcliff, Brandon Ratcliff, Charles Arabie, Bryan McDonald, Brian Medaris, Chad Campbell, Ryan Kurras, Chris Pollard,  Michael Wegler, Brent Hollingfield, Bryan Patton, Kristopher Pugh, James Lyle, Richard Schandorff,  Paul Tholen, Don Adams, Jeremy Brunet, Jamie Authement, Lance Chatagnier, Joseph Frisella, Jr., Billy Odom, B.J. Guidroz, Travis Twiggs, Blake Dryden,  and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard, the TN 278th.

SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS AVAILABLE IN OFFICE!
  *Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD“On Eagles Wings” is available. Proceeds benefit the Piano Fund.  
 *Scrumptious Salsa will still be available in the church office.  Sales benefit LA. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana.
 * T-Shirts are now available for sale in the Church office.  These T-shirts are a fund-raising project for the youth and cost $14 each.  We have all sizes from Small to XXX.   
  *World’s Finest Chocolate Bars are now being sold as a fundraiser for the youth.  You can pick up your supply of this delectable candy bar (Almond, Crisp or Caramel) in the Church office or from Phyliss Martin during the week.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
**Building Fund by M/M Franklin Bridges, M/M Dana Lofton, M/M Melvin Childers, M/M Charles Blake, M/M David Caletri, Paula Rutledge, M/M Max Cloud, M/M David McMath, and M/M Charles Jenkins.
**Piano Fund in honor of the marriage of Sue and Earl Pertuit.
**Choir Fund in memory of John Woodard by M/M Gene Milford.
**Contingency Fund in memory of John Woodard by M/M Ronald Hayes and M/M Bill Goodwin.

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
   Need a lift?  Why not become a part of our Prayer Group that meets every Tuesday morning in the Fellowship Hall?

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