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 25, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Stewardship”
   In 1927, there was a flood along the Mississippi River Delta of almost biblical proportions.  Since then a series of levees were constructed to keep the river from flooding.  This was good news for towns and cities along the lower Mississippi Delta.  This was not such good news for the marshlands and coastline.  The natural order of things is for rivers to flood leaving the heaviest sediment along the river banks, and for other sediment to settle and build  land mass.
As a result of my liberal arts education at Centenary College, I actually know the word for this geological formation–an alluvial fan.
   Recently there has been a large natural gas field discovered in Jackson Parish.  This parish is in north-central Louisiana.  I read an article which suggested that people are getting rich in this rural parish because there is so much natural gas.  A geologist said that it is not really so remarkable that this gas was discovered where it was.  “After all, this was the original coastline of Louisiana” he said.
   Let me return to my first point: we live on what is nothing more than an alluvial fan.  In other words–anything south of Jackson is nothing but landfill.
   Stewardship is all about taking care of the land and environment.  From the time of the Garden of Eden, humans were to be the stewards of the land.  If the truth is told, we have not always been the careful stewards we should be.  Marsh and coastline have been destroyed to the extent that even lessor hurricanes threaten towns and cities farther inland than ever thought possible.
   My hope is that we will take environmental stewardship seriously–if not, it won’t be long before Houma has gulf-front property.                                                            Peace!  Barry

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

FELLOWSHIP MEALS ON SUNDAY NIGHT!
 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  Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad, and Jello. COME AND ENJOY!

VOICES OF LIGHT SING ON MOTHER’S DAY
   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)

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S DAY APART
  The United Methodist Women will meet on Saturday, April 29, 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall for a special service of reflection and renewal. The guest speaker is Rev. Peggy Foreman.
*May 2–9:30AM General Meeting in the Fellowship Hall.  The program is on Gandhi.  The hostess is Pat Porter.
*May 6–9:00AM Koinonia Circle meets at Golden Corral.
*May 9–9:30AM Faith Circle meets in the F. Hall Parlor.

  Who Is This King?
Cantata for the Easter Season
 Sunday, April 30th
8:30 & 11:00AM Worship Services
Featuring 
The FUMC Chancel Choir
Donna Sammarco, Pianist
  Rick Duet, Vocalist
  You won’t want to miss it!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 30
**MORNING ACTIVITIES
Itty-Bitty to Four year olds are with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery.
Kindergarten to Sixth Grade are with Ms. Jeanne for Art.
   We are beginning a new Power X-Press Unit on Easter People.  The lives of Jesus’ friends were changed on the day of resurrection.  Our lives are changed as we become Easter people through God’s grace.
**AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
3:30-4:15PM   Art with Ms. Jeanne
4:15-4:45PM   Activity Time with Ms. Jeanne or Mr. Anthony
4:45-5:30PM   Drama
5:30-6:15PM   Dinner

“HEY, DID YOU HAPPEN TO SEE . . . . . .   . . the most beautiful girl in the world?”  Well, look no further.  According to PROUD DADDY Andy Messina, she was born on Wednesday, April 19!  Mom Andrea did a great job, and she and little Felicity Cadence (8 pounds 11ounces, 19 inches long, head full of black hair) are both fine and healthy.  Big brother Eyan is in charge and charmed!   Congratulations to this happy young family.

UNTED METHODIST YOUTH
         CALLING ALL PARENTS! 
  We need the parents of  all graduating high school seniors to  contact Phyliss Martin, Youth Director, as soon as possible!  Please call the church office at 868-7787 or 868-0414.

Our Stewardship for Week  #17   April 23, 2006
Offering This Week:      $ 4,610     YTD:  $135,100
Bldg. Fund This Week: $    292     YTD:   $ 73,644
Apportionments Due : $20,885  Pd YTD:$ 15,725

WORSHIP       Sunday, April 30, 2006
Music 8:30 & 11:00AM   Cantata for Easter
“Who Is This King?”   Featuring the Chancel Choir
The Scripture: Acts 3:12-19; 1 John 3:1-7
The Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
The Sermon: “ Purity” 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, 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 Larry Babin, Carla Smith, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Paul Sammarco, and Paula Rutledge.
Piano Fund by M/M David McMath.

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

NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES SUNDAY
   Native American Ministries Sunday is April 30th.
Look for offering envelopes in your Sunday bulletin.

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