Labor Day was first celebrated in New York in 1882 where the Knights of Labor honored the working class.  That tradition of celebrating the labor of others who serve us continues to this day.  Sometimes we loose the meaning of celebrations by our own busyness.  I know for many, Labor Day means no school or no work.  For others, it means a longer weekend or the end of summer.  I would like for you to reflect on the meaning with me today and Sunday.

As I have quoted recently, “There are many gifts, but the same spirit . . . all given for the common good.”  Without each of us using our particular gifts, others would suffer.  Likewise, if others did not use their gifts, we would suffer.  Some of us are blessed with employment that uses all our gifts; other jobs use only a few of our gifts; and some of us are still seeking a place to use our gifts.  I want to challenge each of us to do two things.  First, look around and notice the different jobs that people do that benefit you and your family.  Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God, then when possible, thank the person providing the service.  Second, join me Sunday as we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving.                                                                                                                 Bro. Don

FELLOWSHIP TIME Coffee, Donuts, Milk and Juice!
    Join us between services (9:45AM) in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and fellowship!

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery.
K-6th Grade meet during July in Room 209.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
    PLEASE NOTE: UMW will not meet on Tuesday, September 2, due to Labor Day Weekend.  UMW will meet on Tuesday, September 9, same time, same place!

COVERED DISH LUNCHEON

 MOMS, have you been craving a comfortable place to quickly slip into after Sunday church that would provide your family with a delicious meal, and a scrumptious variety of desserts?  Can all of you handle great fellowship AND great food?  If you can, join us in the Activity Building on Sunday, September 14, after the 11:00 service for a Covered Dish Luncheon.
   Please bring a dish of your best recipe, your family, a HEALTHY APPETITE, relax and enjoy yourself!

YOUTH GROUP NEWS
*Sunday School–August 31    Faith Topic
*Fall Convo–Saturday, September 6
Cost $28.  Form and money due by August 31.
*Youth Council
   Those of you (youth and adult) who signed up to serve on the Youth Council should plan to come to UMY on September 7th.  We’ll be discussing upcoming ministries including our 2009 Summer Trip and the District wide Mission Weekend we are hosting.  All youth and parents are encouraged to attend.
*Calendar Correction: No UMY or Voices of Light on Labor Day weekend.

AGAPE BIBLE STUDY CLASS
  The Agape Bible Study Class will resume on Monday, September 15, at 9:30AM in Room 403 in the Activity Building.  The class plans to begin this session with Beth Moore’s Bible Study on Daniel. 
 If you are interested in joining this dedicated group in serious Bible study and great fellowship,  please call Mary Geoffroy @ 860-2994.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS
   The Lay Leadership Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 2, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.
 The Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 9, at 6:00PM in Room 403.
   The Church Council will meet on Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.

UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN’s LEARNING CENTER NEWS!
 THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN COCA COLA!
      We are having a fundraiser!  We all know THINGS GO BETTER WITH COKE!    The United Methodist Children’s
Learning Center will be selling cases of Coca Cola products.   The cases are $20.00 and the 24 bottles are all 20 oz. except for the Mineral Water which is 12 oz.   The proceeds from this endeavor will go to our SNOW DAY that we have every year and for all the extracurricular activities for the children such as Space Walks, etc.
  The Fundraiser begins on Monday, August 25, and the products will be delivered on Wednesday, October 1.
Payment is due at time of order payable to UMCLC. 
                                                             -Sue Peace, Director

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS!
Please mark your September calendar as follows:
Sept 23–SPR Committee Meeting has been postponed!
Sept. 28–Ecumenical Songfest has been postponed!

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Let’s Talk About It–A discussion based class for adults of mixed ages, led by Donna Sammarco, meets in the Fellowship Hall.
Disciples Class–A class for people who are interested in theological debate.  It meets in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.
Discovery Class–This is a class for people who are interested in becoming Christian Disciples.    They meet in the Activity Building Chapel.
Fellowship Class–This class of retirees is interested in fellowship.  They sing for a while and have a lesson taught by either Ed McCarty or Frank Porter.  It meets in Room 403 in the Activity Building.
A New Class of Mixed Ages, led by Jimmy HardIin,  meets in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meets in Activity Building.

WE’VE GOT SALSA!!
   The Salsa is made by the La. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and all sales go to benefit the children.

WE RECYCLE!
ALUMINUM CANS
OLD EYE GLASSES
CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS 

ALTAR FLOWERS
   If you would like to dedicate a Sunday’s  Altar Flowers   in memory of honor of a loved one, please call Judy Navarre at 879-1924.

  Being connected with Pastor Don by e-mail will eventually allow you to get the Circuit Rider on line, receive his updates, and communicate with him directly with questions, comments, and suggestions. Do we have your current  e-mail address? Write your address down again on the attendance record (very legibly, please), or call the church office and give it to the Secretary. 

UMCOR FLOOD BUCKETS
(United Methodist Committee on Relief)
A United Methodist Women’s project.  Money donations should be made out to FUMC and designated “Flood Buckets”. This drive will continue through 9/07/2008.
Flood Bucket Kit Items:
*5 Gallon Bucket with resealable lid, purchased separately.  May be found at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
*Bleach-two 1-quart or one 82oz to 96oz bottle.  The bottle diameters are the same.
*5 Scouring Pads-Open the package to get exactly 5 pads; and to more easily stuff into bucket.  No soapy pads like Brillo.
*7 Sponges-Count out exactly 7 sponges.
*1 Scrub Brush
*18 Cleaning Towels (reusable wipes).  They often come 6 in a bag, so use 3 bags.  Dollar Tree has 8 in a bag, so use 2 bags and add two.
*Liquid Laundry Detergent two 25oz or one 50oz.  DO NOT GET LARGER.
*One Household Cleaner 12-16oz bottle.  This is condensed cleaner like condensed Lysol.  Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Family Dollar has it.  Spic and Span 15.8oz concentrate is at the Dollar Tree.
*1 Disinfectant Dish Soap 16-28oz bottle.  The antibacterial dish soaps are usually orange in color.
*1 Pack of 50 Clothes Pins
*Clothesline-two 50 feet or one 100 feet.
*5 Dust Masks
*2 Pair Latex Gloves Many packages have 2 pair.
*1 Pair Work Gloves
*24 Bag Roll of Heavy Duty Trash Bags 33-45 gallons.  Remove from box and count before placing in bucket.
*1 Insect Repellent Spray 6oz  to 14oz aerosol can.  Must have protective cap.
*1 Air Freshener 8oz to 9oz aerosol can.  Must have protective cap.
Kit Assembly Information: All items in kits must be new.  Do not enclose any personal notes, money, etc.  Include only the requested items and sizes.  Cleaning agents must be liquids and in plastic bottles - NO POWDERS

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
   The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 1, Labor Day.

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
UMW Flood Buckets: 1 Flood Bucket donated by Dennis and Janice Pennison, 2 Flood Buckets donated by the Fellowship Sunday School Class. 
UMY Fund from Landon Graves.
Baby Blankets by Jamie Juckett.
Bell Choir in memory of Bobby Mahler by M/M Bud Geoffroy.
Apportionments in memory of Bobby Mahler, Don Murphy and Cecil Bordelon by M/M Milton Cancienne.
UMW Flood Buckets by M/M Wayne Reid, M/M Bud Geoffroy, M/M George Shely, M/M Mike Charpentier, Charlene Shrigley, M/M Tom Becnel,  and Let’s Talk About It Sunday School Class.
Renovation Fund by M/M Kenny Graves, M/M Melvin Childers, M/M Paul Sammarco, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M Richard Simons.  In memory of Roy Baker, Kathleen Baker Chaisson, Bobby Mahler, and Edward Rolf (Mary Justice’s dad).  In memory of Roy Baker by M/M Wayne Reid.

SHARE YOUR TALENTS!
   Please take the time to fill in your SHARE YOUR TALENTS FORM.  You will find a copy in the front and back foyers of the church.  You may drop it in the offering plate, or bring it to the church office.
   Every member pledges to support the church with their prayers, presence,  gifts, service, and witness when they join the church.  There are a variety of areas in which you can serve.  Even if you aren’t a member, your participation will make a difference.  There is a place for all of us to use our time and talents within our church and community.  Please indicate the area in which you wish to serve this year!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!