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  -  Aug. 22, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Separation Anxiety”
   As I write this, it is very clear that a new school year is starting at the Learning Center.  As parents dropped off children this morning, some of the children were unhappy.
Some children were being separated from their parents for the first time this school year.  One child was profoundly unhappy!  He was going off like a car alarm.  At one point, he  broke free from his teacher and came running past my office.  The teacher was close behind, gently picked him up and patiently carried him back down the hall.  I say patiently because he was kicking and screaming and hitting the teacher with every step she took. 
    I am sure that this teacher has seen this before.  It’s called separation anxiety.  When children are separated from their parents, it takes awhile to adjust.  I am sure that in time this 
child will adjust.  In fact, the noise level has decreased considerably in only an hour or so.  In the loving and caring environment of the Learning Center preschoolers not only adjust but enjoy their day.  They quickly get to the point where they look forward to coming here to play and learn and laugh and relate to other children.
   One of the most important ministries of our church is the Learning Center.  There is a lack of quality care from birth to two years  in our community.  The Church Council has approved expanding the Learning Center into the Old Parsonage.  Infants through two year olds will receive care in the Old Parsonage  as soon as electrical and other work takes place.  Pray for the Learning Center and its leaders, teachers, staff, and students as they begin the new year.  May God continue to bless this important outreach of our church.                                                       Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME AND HOT COFFEE!
  When: After 9:45AM Service  Where: Activity Building 

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!
   We are serving a delicious breakfast in the Activity Building between 9:15 and 10:00AM on  Sunday mornings.  This Sunday’s menu will be Grits, Eggs, Sausage, Toast, Jelly, Coffee, Juice, Milk.  ONLY $2.00 per person.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
September 5–Open Meeting 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall
   Kathy Kraiza, Director of Outreach Ministries for UMCOR/Sager Brown will address the work of UMCOR at the Depot in Baldwin, including the history, disaster relief, and emergency aid for those in need.  Come learn more about this National Mission Project.  All interested persons (men and women) are welcome to attend.
September 9–Koinonia Circle 9:00AM at Golden Corral.
September 12–Faith Circle 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.  The Program is Celebrating the Earth!

NEEDED: VOLUNTEERS!
   We have a pressing need for
volunteers willing  to work the soundboard and the Power Point Presentations for the sanctuary video screen.  You will be trained!  Interested?  Call Jimmy Hardin, Rex or Lori Soule to volunteer.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
+SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years will be with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery for lesson/playtime.
Three and Four Year Olds will be with Ms. Maddie for a                                                             lesson/playtime in the Nursery.
Five Years-Sixth Grade will be with Ms. Jeanne in Room 209 for the lesson, Blessed Are the Peacemakers.  Matthew 5:1-12.
Jesus came to bring peace to all people of the earth.     We will be making several crafts related to peace.
+Sunday School is for life!
                  We are ready to begin  our rotational Sunday School program, “Project Power X-Press”, “Jesus and the Children” on September 3.   Children will have the opportunities to hear the story of Jesus welcoming the children in Bible Experience Stations.  During a seven-week period the children will experience this story in Centers.  They include Storytelling, Games, Art, Music, Video, Cookery, and Science.
   Each Center is filled with Biblical background and various activities to get the main objectives across.
+Children’s Church
   The message this week is “Following the Star.”  Matthew 2:2.
The children will follow Ms. Lynda Wright  to the Activity Building after the Children’s Story Sermon at 11:00AM service.

          UMW’S SHUT-IN MINISTRY GEARING UP!
   It will be Christmas time before we know it!  United Methodist Women is beginning their annual campaign to bring gifts (personal toiletry items) to our homebound members.  In order  to do this, UMW is asking that you consider donating items such as: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, brush, combs, bath soap, Kleenex, cotton balls, Q-tips, bath powder.
   Any of these items and/or monetary donations will be gratefully accepted and used toward making care packages.  You may drop your donations in the church office.  Please call Rita Landry @876-7740 with any questions.

            “LET’S TALK ABOUT IT”
   This Sunday School Class will resume on September 3rd.  We will meet upstairs in the library at 9:45AM.  The topic will be “Fruits of the Spirit: Kindness.”  We always welcome new members! Any questions? Contact Donna Sammarco at 876-2489.

“OLD TIME RELIGION SUNDAY!”
  The Chancel Choir is rehearsing music for “Old-Time Religion” Sunday on September 24th.  We practice on Wednesday nights at 7:00PM, and we’d love to have YOU sing with us.  Won’t you join us for this special Sunday and lift your voice in praise?

GOING, GOING . . . . . ALMOST GONE!   
  We still, have a few (8) small chairs left  (appropriate for children)!  The chairs are FREE!  If you could use these chairs for your little ones, please call the church office or David West at 232-7756 during church hours.

Our Stewardship for Week  #34   August 20, 2006
Attendance in Worship:  236   Sunday School  27
Offering This Week:     $ 6,767    YTD:  $265,493
Bldg. Fund:                   $ 1,225    YTD:  $119,971
Apportionments Due:  $45,325    YTD: $  19,600

IN WORSHIP        Sunday, August 27, 2006              
The Scripture:  1 Kings 8: (1,6,10-11) 22-30, 41-43
                          Ephesians 6:10-20
The Gospel:    John 6:56-69
The Sermon:   “Armor All” Dr. Kenneth S. Klaus 
The Music: 
  8:30AM  “Make Me A Chancel of Your Peace”
                  Sung by  Marissa McMath, Soprano
11:00AM “I’ll Walk With God”   The Chancel Choir

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER!
   We extend a warm Christian welcome to our Church Family to Norma Winegeart.    Norma joined by transfer from another denomination on August 20!  

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,  Bryan McDonald, Brian Medaris, Chad Campbell, Ryan Kurras, Chris Pollard,  Michael Wegler, Brent Hollingfield, Bryan Patton, Kristopher Pugh, James Lyle, Richard Schandorff,  Paul Tholen, 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.
(If you know of someone on this prayer list who is now safely home, please call 868-7787 and let us know!   We’d like to share that news with the Church family!)

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE!
*Scrumptious Salsa is still available!  How do you like yours?  “Just a Tad Warm”, “Pretty Darn Hot”, “Holy Cow, It’s Screaming Hot”, or the infamous “Screaming Tail Feathers”?  We’ve got them all for only $3 per 13 ounce jar.  All sales benefit Ruston’s LA. Methodist Children’s Home.
*T-Shirts are still available 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 being sold as a fundraiser for the youth.  You can pick up your supply of this delectable candy bar (Almond, or  Crisp) in the Church office for  $1 each.
*Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD “On Eagles Wings” is available.  Proceeds benefit the Grand Piano Fund.
*Greeting Cards are still available in the back foyer of the Church.  The cards are made by MacDonell’s Children’s home, and all proceeds go to the children.
*Would you like a piece of the Marble Altar?  Check  the church office if you are interested.  There are a few pieces left.  Donations toward this project go  toward the Grand Piano Fund and so far have totaled approximately $2,059!
*We have furniture for sale!   In the old Parsonage we have a Dining Room set (table and six chairs) for approximately $600.  Interested?  Call 868-7787 or contact David West at church!

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Pastor’s Benevolence Fund by M/M Jim Nunnally and M/M Bobby Aycock.
Adult Band Drum Fund by Dawn Vincent.
Building Renovations by Jim Clark, Paula Rutledge, M/M Max Cloud, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Tillman Gillaspie, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Jimmy Hardin, M/M Larry Babin, M/M Melvin Childers, Juana Woodard, M/M Dana Lofton, M/M John Walton, M/M David Farrar.
Apportionments by M/M John Laird.

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