FUMC: Houma, LA: The Call, V.1, #1

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Houma, LA
6109 Hwy 311, Houma, Louisiana 70360 504/868-7787

The Call
July 19, 2000 Volume 1; No. 1

Stewardship is bringing lost souls to Christ through properly and faithfully living, giving and managing one’s time, spirit, bodies, talents, abilities, relationships, treasures, tithes and material resources for the glory and honor of, and in obedience to God.

Greetings and welcome to The Call. This is a publication brought forth by the newly formed Stewardship Committee. The Call is so named due to its biblical significance and strong ties to stewardship. Did you know that the word ‘call’ (and its variations) occurs approximately 700 times throughout both the Old Testament and New Testament? In the Old Testament, Genesis 4:26, people ‘call on the name of the Lord’ and claim His protection. In Isaiah 43:1, God calls Israel to be His

people, gives them a task, and promises them protection. Also, in 1 Samuel 3:4, He calls them to service, indicating a close relationship with Him which He initiates. As shown in the New Testament, the call of God is ‘in Christ’ to belong to Him (Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9). Of great explanation is that, given in Paul’s letters, whereby the call comes from God for salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:14), fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:9), and service (Galatians

1:15). Additionally, in Matthew 22:14, Jesus distinguishes ‘the called’ as those who hear the call, from ‘the chosen’ which are those who respond to the call.

It is the Stewardship Committee’s goal to educate the congregation of FUMC regarding the meaning of stewardship. We will also provide information concerning various projects we are planning, data on FUMC’s financial health, and ways in which each and every one of you may become involved and play key roles in the growth and expansion of our church and its ministry directed toward saving lost souls. "Let all your things be done with charity" and love (1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Peter 4:8). With this in mind, it is resolved by the Stewardship Committee to perpetuate itself, its mission and its goals and vision, in order that we may all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among us, and that we become perfectly joined together in the same mind and attitude – all in the obedient service to and for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (See 1 Corinthians 1:10).

Your obedient servant,
JoLynn D. Burrow
Chairperson, Stewardship Committee

"ATTENTION YOUTH!" There is a treasure right under your nose waiting to be discovered. Ever wish you were part of another family? Ever want to try out some new parents? Ever want little or bigger brothers and sisters? Well, TFSS, Total Family Sunday School, has got what you’re looking for!!! Come to the Fellowship Hall Sunday Mornings from 9:45-10:45am for TFSS. Money-back guarantee that you won’t regret coming. Coffee & donuts will be waiting.

So you may be wondering, what is "stewardship"? There are several places you might look to find the answer. You could check your dictionary. You should read your Bible in such places as: Luke 12:42-43, Luke 16:1-13, Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Proverbs 3:9-10, etc. Another excellent reference is the book, "Developing a Giving Church" by Stan Toler and Elmer Towns. We highly recommend this guide to you in conjunction with your biblical study of stewardship. Also, if you want to see living examples of stewardship, come to the Stewardship Committee meetings, usually held on Mondays at 6:30 P.M. in the FUMC Parlor. All of our meetings are ‘open opportunity’ – all are invited to attend and join in the excitement. Come share your ideas and talents with us. See and hear what stewardship is really all about!

Second-Mile Giving

Second-Mile Giving is giving in addition to one’s regular offering to God’s work through this church. Periodically, our Stewardship Committee of FUMC will select several projects as opportunities for your giving.

These Second-Mile Giving opportunities allow you to make a direct impact on the Stewardship Projects that mean the most to you.

Hartwell Lewis
Treasurer, Stewardship Committee

Religious Humor

The phone rings at the synagogue office. "Hello, is this Rabbi Schwartz?" the caller asks.
"It is."
"This is the Internal Revenue Service. We were wondering if you can help us."
"I’ll try."
"Do you know a Herman Cohen?"
"I do."
"Is this man a member of your congregation?"
"He is."
"Did he donate $10,000?"
"He will."

Contributed by Jonathan Powell
Reader’s Digest. June 2000.
"Laughter, The Best Medicine."

Finance Committee Report as of May 31, 2000

Fellow First United Methodist Church of Houma Member,

     As your church finance chairman, I would like to share with you how God’s church has done the first six months of 2000.
     We have averaged in pledges and offerings receiving:
          Monthly: $25,128.00
          Weekly: $5,799.00
     Our expenses to date per month have averaged:
          Monthly: $27,471.00
          Weekly: $6,243.00

Our money goes to serve God’s church in five ways:
     1. Church Expenses: $6,167.00 per month.
     2. Minister expenses: $6,121.00 per month.
     3. Payroll expenses: $10,103.00 per month.
     4. Church property expenses: $2,080.00 per month.
     5. Apportionments: $3,000.00 per month.

We are not far off from meeting our obligation. Our commitment will be tested through the summer months. They are usually slow giving months. Let us all give extra during this time.

Respectfully yours,
Bill Vincent
Chairman, Finance Committee

Dear Friends,

As you already know, our pledges for the year 2000 are lagging behind the required amount needed to fulfill the budget. This condition is extremely stressful on many of our members. The Stewardship Committee has taken up a mission to assist the Finance Committee with informing our members to assist with making up the deficit. Our goal will be to completely meet all our budgeted needs for the year 2000.

The Stewardship Committee will begin an every household phone drive, which we hope will satisfy our budgeted needs. Your patience and cooperation is truly needed and requested when a member of the Stewardship Committee calls on you. It is hoped that the phone call to you will neither inconvenience you nor cause undue stress, for our aim is merely to serve our church. Pray for us in that we achieve success for our upcoming mission. It is only with your help that we can be successful.

Jeffery Bourg
Vice Chairperson, Stewardship Committee

Who's On First?

The Stewardship Committee is a group of people who have been called to serve God through their responsible management of their gifts. Several of our people have been chosen to be leaders:
   Chairperson - JoLynn D. Burrow
   Vice Chairperson - Jeffery Bourg
   Treasurer - Hartwell Lewis
   Prayer Leader - Velma Hebert
The Call Editor - Laura Rhea
   Youth Coordinator - Andrée Aycock
   Bulletin Board - Andrée Aycock
   Service Coordinator - Bette Adams
   FUMC Member Rolls - Bill Jenkins
   Name Tag Sundays Coordinator - Donna Bourg
   New Member Package - David McMath
   New Member Adoption - Hazel Berger
   Tape Ministry - Edgar Rogers
   Financial Chairman - Bill Vincent
   Sunday School Coordinator - Jimmy Harding

All of these people have responded to the call of God by volunteering in their chosen capacities. We need more volunteers for leadership in some other areas. We have immediate openings in the following areas:
   Secretary
   Kids Money Chain Coordinator
   Phone Committee Coordinator
   Greeters Project Coordinator
   Divorce Group Coordinator
   Out-Reach Coordinator
   Technology Committee
   Every Member Visitation Coordinator
   12-Month Project Coordinator
   Faith Partners Coordinator
   Greeting Card Coordinator

As you can see, we have many projects and plans for this ministry. As space permits, we will outline each of these programs, and others to come, in our future The Call publications. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions about our programs or feel lead to be one of our project leaders, we encourage you to come to the Stewardship Committee meetings on Monday nights. You may also contact JoLynn D. Burrow at 504.879.2211.

"Reliable servants. They’re the binding of the Bible. Their acts are rarely recited and their names are seldom mentioned. Yet were it not for their loyal devotion to God, many great events never would have occurred."

"God Came Near", Max Lucado

Hi. I'm Laura, editor for The Call. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our next stewardship meeting. I'm also looking forward to hearing your opinions about stewardship. Your opinions and articles can be submitted for possible inclusion in our newsletter. As editor, I reserve the right to edit content prior to final publication. Please send your submissions to The Call, 1 Freeport Circle, Houma, LA 70360. Or, email them to Laura_bit@hotmail.com. SInce this will be a monthly publication, please submit articles by the first Friday of the month to allow time for printing.

Return to the Stewardship page