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  - Dec. 21, 2005
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"More Than Ever”
   I served for about three and a half years as the pastor of the Pecan Island United Methodist Church.  Hurricane Rita hammered the coastline of Louisiana.  We felt some of Rita’s fury here in Terrebonne Parish.  Something like 10,000 homes and businesses flooded.  The Pecan Island United Methodist Church flooded, but the building is intact.  It has been cleaned out but it will be quite a while before it serves as a church again.  The people who attended the church have relocated.  Until they come back, there is no one there to worship.  Since Pecan Island is strategically located, the mission of the church will change.  Showers will be added and the church will serve as a staging area for  volunteers who will come to help rebuild that region on the gulf coast. 
     The devastation of New Orleans is immense!  United Methodist Churches had toxic gumbo in them for weeks at a time.  Imagine if you evacuated for three days and had those three days turn into four months!  Your home, your church and your neighborhood–all destroyed.
   I read in Sunday’s newspaper that our sales tax collection in Terrebonne Parish is more than 30% higher than it was a year ago at this time.  This indicates that most of us fared pretty well in the hurricanes.  Damage was much worse somewhere else.  It could have been us!
   I believe more than ever that we ought to pay our apportionments this year!  Some New Orleans and Lake Charles area churches are basically out of business, or barely getting by.  Conference Ministries are being scaled back at a time when they are most needed.  The Finance Committee of our church thinks we will fall short.  I don’t think we will.  I have faith that our congregation will respond to the year-end appeal for second mile giving.
   On the way out of church this past Sunday, someone told me not to give up–to believe in miracles.  This is the time of year for miracles, don’t you think!
                                                                      -Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME
  Fellowship Time will not be held in the Activity Building on Christmas day.

  CHILDREN’S MINISTRY-SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty-Sixth Grade
No Sunday School on Christmas Day.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
   Please check with your Sunday School Class teacher as to whether or not you will have class on Christmas Day.

YOUTH MINISTRY
   The youth will not meet on Christmas Day.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   UMW will hold their General Meeting on January 3rd, at 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall.   Program: The installation of 2006 Officers, and planning for United Methodist Women’s Sunday.  Mission ribbons are available.

LES BELLES CLOCHETTES
   The Handbell Choir will not rehearse again until Wednesday, January 11th.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CHURCH STAFF!
   The Church Staff would like to express our appreciation  to all our Church Family for the “Staff Appreciation” offering.  We are most grateful for your generosity and the kindness and support you show us all year long.  We all share in this offering, and feel so blessed to work in such a loving environment!  A BIG HEARTFELT THANKS from all of us!     The staff would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, blessed New Year!
Barry, Pam, Jeanne, David, Phyliss, Donna, Kenny, Jackie, Mae, Mona, Michael, Mary, Kathy, and Cody 

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
   We are happy to welcome our newest members to our church family.  Larry and Martha Crain recently joined our church by transfer from Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette.  

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT CLASS
   The “Let’s Talk About It Class” will not meet Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.  Class will resume on January 8th.  At that time discussion will return to the popular “Fruit of the Spirit” series.  The topic will be Patience.   Anyone interested in this topic is invited to attend.  The class meets upstairs in the education building.

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
   A meeting has been called for the 2006 SPR Committee 
for  Thursday, January 5, at 6:00PM in the FH Parlor.

 Schedule of Services
4:00PM Worship Service
5:30PM Worship Service
7:00PM Worship Service
    Christmas Day Worship Service                 10:30AM One Worship Service

Our Stewardship Sunday, December 18, 2005
             Attendance                            Gifts                                      
           Worship   SS        This week       YTD        Budget
            400      72              $8,536     $411,607    $458,990
          Building Fund           $4,298     $227,564

WORSHIP   Sunday, December 25,  2005
The Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
   Become a part of our Prayer Group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

   MacDonell Children’s Greeting Cards made by the children of our LOCAL home is available for $5 per pack of ten cards and envelopes.  Check with the church office.  

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, B.J. Guidroz, Travis Twiggs and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard. Soldiers of the TN 278th.

STOCKING STUFFERS  AVAILABLE HERE!
   Don’t forget about the tasty Salsa made by the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston.   Price: $3 per 13 ounce jar.  Pick up your salsa in the Church office or order gift boxes by calling the home @ 318-255-5020.
   Christmas is on its way!.  And, besides the salsa, here is a reminder for another great gift.  Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD- “On Eagles Wings”.  If you haven’t heard it, you should!  It’s gorgeous!  Anyone you give it to will appreciate it.  The CD is only $15 and is available from the Church Office, www.amazon.com , or  the Sammarco’s (876-2489).

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Operating Fund in memory of Evelyn Stevens and Martha Brown by Mary Arceneaux.
Staff Gifts by Mary Arceneaux, Velia Pavlu, M/M Jack Gafford, M/M Kim Walker, and Ben Myers.
Building Fund by M/M Jim Justice, M/M Larry Babin, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Ed South, M/M John Woodward, Patricia Cobb, M/M Wayne Reid, M/M Emory McChargue, M/M Sonny Navarre, M/M George Shely, M/M Melvin Childers, M/M Dana Lofton, and M/M David McMath.
White Gifts from M/M Dan Naquin, and M/M R.L. Golden.
Card Ministry by Lori Rogers.
Extra Mile Giving by M/M Keith Rhea, M/M David Elmore, M/M Byron Bennett, and M/M Kim Walker.
Apportionments by M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Mike Charpentier, Mary Arceneaux, Dean Cancienne, M/M John Kelley, M/M Larry Matherne, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M John Woodard, and M/M Roy Alexander. 

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