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Barry Hoekstra, Pastor
Volume XXV - Aug. 24, 2005
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PASTOR’S MESSAGE
"It Takes a Village”
Last Thanksgiving eve, a tornado destroyed my mother-in-law’s
home. I’m talking about ripping the roof off, tearing the walls down,
blowing the foundation apart, destruction. She survived by gathering
her son, her dog and herself into an interior room and huddling in a shower
stall as the house around them blew apart. It is pretty remarkable
that they all survived! A miracle! Lisa and I spent some time
earlier this week moving her mother into her brand-new house. Thank
God for good insurance! |
When the storm was over she, Michael, and
the dog, were in the dark. By flashlight they got a sense of the
destruction around them. They were stuck in the back of what was
left of the home. It was not too long before a neighbor trudged up
the road and found them in the wreckage. She helped them out of the
house and saw to it that they were okay.
Word got out about the destruction–it is a small town
after all. By the time Lisa, Sam and I arrived the next morning,
it was amazing how many people were there. Family and friends
from town and church, all helping to clear debris, salvage what little
was salvageable, provide a hug, and share some food. We drove back
to Houma that evening knowing that Bobbye would be okay. Her community
would help take care of her.
Hillary Clinton wrote a book called “It Takes A Village.”
The title is based on a tale from Africa where child rearing is
a village effort.
Community is so important. On a regular basis I
see, or hear, of folks in this Community of Faith reaching out in love
to someone else. Won’t you come be a part of creating Christian Community?
Peace! Barry |
FELLOWSHIP TIME
When: After 8:30AM Service
Where: Fellowship Hall
Join us for great fellowship, hot coffee, juice, milk and fresh donuts!
Please remember to leave a donation in the basket to help fund this
ministry! Thank you!
TRUSTEES COMMITTEE MEETING
The Trustees Committee will meet on Sunday, August 28,
at 3:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.
WHITE GIFTS COMMITTEE MEETING
The White Gifts Committee will meet on Monday, September
12th, at 3:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. It’s time to start planning
for this 2005 Christmas ministry for needy children in our community.
Questions? Call Brenda Cloud at 876-2097.
CALLING ALL ACOLYTES!
If you are in the third grade or higher and want to bring
the light of Jesus into our Sanctuary on Sunday mornings, contact Miss
Jeanne at the church at 868-7787.
I will set up a schedule which will begin the Sunday after
Labor Day.
Children, this is one way you can serve our Lord and your church.
-Jeanne Scott
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
Itty-Bitty–Four year olds are with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery.
Five Year olds–Sixth Grade
Theme: At work in Bible Times
Faith Point: Just as people work to build communities, God shapes us
to build the community of faith.
Teacher: Jeanne Scott
Power X-Press! Into the Bible will begin Sunday, September 11th.
Its name has been revived to highlight the Bible Story emphasis in each
unit. In a rotational setting, the same Bible Story or theme is taught
for several weeks. Children rotate to these different stations to
experience and reinforce the specific theme;
Music
Science
Games
Cookery
Story
Art and Video
Theme: Lost and Found
Main Idea: In the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin,
and the forgiving father, Jesus teaches us that God’s love is always there
for us no matter where we go or what we do.
Volunteers for Power X-Press!
We have been blessed to have some very faithful volunteer
teachers for Power X-Press.
We would like to see more of you volunteering to share
in the experience of molding these children’s spiritual growth.
Please contact me for information. Please remember
that Sunday School is for Life!
-Jeanne Scott, Children’s Director
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
UMW’s General Meeting will be held Tuesday, September
6th, at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. We will have a brief business
meeting. Our guest speaker will be Douglas Hall, representing the
Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston. Part of our church’s
Christian mission is to support agencies such as this one which serve the
spiritual, educational, and physical needs of children in their care.
You may have purchased the salsa; now find out more about the work of this
mission, helping Louisiana children.
Faith Circle will meet Tuesday, September 13, at
9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor. Program: Work for Peace and
Reconciliation. Leader: Pat Porter
Louisiana Conference UMW Annual Meeting will be held on
September 16-17, at the First United Methodist Church in Monroe, LA.
For more information or questions call Joyce Thibodeaux at 868-0100.
Our Stewardship Sunday, August 21, 2005
Attendance
Gifts
Worship SS
This week YTD
Budget
213
72 $5,158
$272,946 $458,990
Building Fund
$1,683 $191,004
WORSHIP Sunday, August 28, 2005
8:30 AM Special Music
11:00 AM “The Staff of Faith” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon: “Harmony” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Scripture: Exodus 3.1-15; Romans 12.9-21; Matthew 16.21-28
THANK YOU FOR THESE GIFTS OF LOVE:
Building Fund by M/M Kim Walker, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M David McMath,
M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Todd Punch, M/M Paul Sammarco, and M/M Jerry
Lemley
Piano Fund by M/M David McMath.
Benevolence Fund by M/M Jim Nunnally
Operating Fund in memory of Bill Corts by the Order of the Eastern
Star, A.W. Connely Chapter 117 of Houma
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, Jarod Martin, Richard Schandorff, Paul Tholen, Don Adams, Jeremy
Brunet, Jerry Troy Cooper, Robert Cooper, Jamie Authement, Allison Foreman,
Eddie Doiron, Lance Chatagnier, Bryan Stringer, Ben White, Joseph Frisella,
Jr., Billy Odom, B.J. Guidroz, and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National
Guard. Soldiers of the TN 278th as well as all soldiers in Iraq.
“HOLY COW! IT’S SCREAMING HOT!”
Do you like it warm, hot, or sizzling? We
have Salsa to sell for the children of the Louisiana Methodist Children’s
Home in Ruston. This delicious Salsa comes in a variety of strengths
such as “Just A Tad Warm”, “Pretty Darn Hot”, “Holy Cow! It’s Screaming
Hot!”, and the infamous “Sizzling Tail Feathers”. Whatever your taste
buds can stand!
Price: $3 per 13 ounce jar. Pick up your salsa in the church
office or order gift boxes by calling 318-255-5020.
TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
Would you like to be part of a weekly Prayer Group?
We have a dedicated group of people who meet every Tuesday morning at 7:00
AM in the Sanctuary. Join us!
MACDONELL’S GREETING CARDS!
In the back foyer of the church, you will find a box of
lovely greeting cards made by the children of MacDonell’s United
Methodist Children’s Home of Houma. The cards are a real bargain
selling for $5 per pack of 10 cards and envelopes. The proceeds
benefit MacDonell’s children.
UMW SHUT-IN MINISTRY
UMW’s next project is already perking! We will be
buying personal hygiene products for home-bound people and nursing home
residents. Please mark your donations “Shut-In Ministry.” Thank
you for always being such a caring and compassionate
congregation.
-Rita Landry |
