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R. Don Ross , Pastor
Volume XXV - Feb. 2, 2009
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Plans for the future . . .
“The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Here at First UMC, we further understand our mission is to “create Christian community through serving and sharing.”
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This past weekend we explored our mission in four areas of ministry: Nurture, Education and Formation, Mission, and Outreach. This exciting time led to decisions to start new ministries and expand existing ones. We will be reaching out to our existing members seeking to reconnect with those who have been absent for some time. We will be expanding our outreach into the community with service ministries. We are exploring an after-school program as well as a ministry with those whose spouse has died. We are looking at an expanded Wednesday evening ministry night that could include: a family meal, Bible Study, children’s ministry, youth worship, and special interest classes. We laid out an outline for campus ministry at Nichols University. We created a different way of thinking about how we do special activities as an outreach into the community. The much needed ground work for young adult and young family ministries was laid.
You will receive a detailed report from all four focus areas very soon, and experience new ministries as we seek to be faithful to our calling.
I’m excited about this Sunday. We will have two baptisms, plus the attendance of many members of our Cub Scout Pack 401 and our Boy Scout Troop 311. My message this week is entitled, “Honor and Duty”. Sunday Worship is going to be awesome!
Pastor Don
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PARSONAGE FURNITURE NEEDS A GOOD HOME!
The dining room table and chairs out of the old parsonage are available for adoption! The table is in need of refinishing and is missing one brass leg tip. The chairs seem stable, but the seats probably need covering. There are 7 chairs.
This set is available to a good home in exchange for transportation and a donation to FUMC-Houma. If interested, call Emily Elmore at 876-4060.
FUNBALAYA IS BACK!
What is Funbalaya?
It is our Spring equivalent to Trunk or Treat. We will have an Easter Egg Hunt, Games, Prizes and FREE FOOD!
Whenis Funbalaya?
Saturday, April 11, 2009 from 11:00AM til 2:00PM.
Where is Funbalaya? On the grounds of FUMC-Houma.
How can you help? That’s easy! We are in need of donations of plastic Easter Eggs (filled with wrapped candies), toys and trinkets for prizes, baked goods (cupcakes), Hamburgers, Hot Dogs with buns, Drinks and/or monetary donations. If you have any questions about how you can help, please call Brenda Cloud @ 876-2097. Check future Circuit Riders for more ways that YOU can get involved!
Who can come? This event is open to the community. Spread the word – the more the merrier! Let’s show the community what an AWESOME Church we are!
Please add to our Prayer List the family and friends of Douglas Suire who passed away recently.
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Attention Parents: Valentine Parents Night Out!
Have a night out on the Youth! They would like to offer their services to entertain your children so you can have time to spend with your spouse. This is a FREE service! You may drop off your children in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00PM. Please pick your child up at 8:30PM. We will have games, snacks, and movies for entertainment.
Youth Council Meeting on February 8th at 12:30 in the Activities Building. Food will be provided.
Mardi Gras Parade at Color your World Store on February 15th. We will leave church after Sunday School to head to 6770 West Park. We will come back to church for Voices of Light practice at 4:00PM. Parents, please pick up at 5:00PM.
Senior High Retreat is March 6 – 8th. Sign up now. The deadline is February 20th! The cost is $80. Do not let money hold you back as we have scholarships to help out! Forms will be available in the church office.
Parent/Youth Meeting on Sunday, March 22nd from 5-7:00PM. Look for more details at a later date!
--Niki
PERMANENT NAME TAGS ARE AVAILABLE!
We will be placing an order around February 15th for name badges. Because the new order will be a smaller quantity, the additional tags will cost $9 each. To order, call the church secretary (868-7787) or Judy Matherne (879-1355).
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
We offer prayers for the dearly departed and extend our sympathy and prayers for comfort to the families of:
Raymond Berger---Raymond passed away February 1st after a long illness. His visitation was held at Chauvin’s Funeral Home on Monday, February 2nd. Raymond’s memorial service was held in our Sanctuary at 11:00AM, Tuesday, February 3rd.
Jimmie Lee Williams—Jimmie Lee passed away on January 22nd. Jimmie Lee worked in our maintenance department for several years. He loved working here and was very popular with the Learning Center children!
May God bless these loved ones and their families!
“HOW DOES ANYONE KNOW GOD EXISTS?”
Sparked your interest? Jimmy Hardin’s Sunday School Class is studying the book “How Does Anyone Know God Exists?” This Class for Mixed Ages meets in Room 206 of the Education Building. If you would like to join them in this study, you will be warmly welcomed!
IMPORTANT MEETINGS IN FEBRUARY!
Sunday School Parents, Feb. 8th, 4:00PM in Room 209.
Finance Committee, Feb. 10th, 6:00PM in AB/403.
Church Council, Feb. 10th, 7:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.
United Methodist Men, Feb. 17th, 6:30PM in the F. Hall.
UMCLC Board Meeting, Feb. 18th, 6:30PM in Room 205.
Staff Parish Committee, Feb 19th, 6:00PM in Room 205.
JUST SO YOU WILL KNOW . . .
We will have different groups of Disaster Relief workers staying in our facilities beginning February 14th and continuing through March 18th. Then another group arrives March 22nd and stays through March 28th. This is part of FUMC-Houma’s continuing effort to assist in hurricane recovery efforts.
Our Stewardship for 2009
WK 04 January 25, 2009
Attendance 241 Sunday School 64
Offering $ 7,445
Building /Renovation Fund Offering $ 10,185
MORNING WORSHIP Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Music: “Great is the Lord” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon: “A Great Combo” Rev. Don Ross
Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Donut Fund in honor of Pat Frolich by the Discovery Sunday School Class.
Renovation Fund by Vicki Aycock, M/M Jerry Cobb, M/M Tillman Gillaspie, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, Charlotte Lill. In memory of Amy Shely by the Discovery Sunday School Class. In memory of Billie Hardiwick and Amy Shely by Hideo Koike.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath and in memory of Madge Price by Bobby Condon.
Bereavement Fund in memory of Madge Price by Bobby Condon.
UMW Shut-In Ministry by Charlotte Lill.
Card Ministry in honor of Lori Roger’s birthday by a secret angel.
Pastor Benevolence Fund in memory of Amy Shely by M/M Kenward Clement and Dena Bordelon.
X = KISS
During the Middle Ages, when few people were able to write, many documents were signed with an X. Signers kissed the letter to affirm their sincerity in the same way they kissed the Bible when taking an oath. The letter X wasn’t selected at random. It was the sign of St. Andrew, who was crucified on an X-shaped cross. The X implied a sacred promise to fulfill one’s obligation in the saint’s name.
VALENTINES TO GIVE YOUR CHILDREN
*Acceptance – Teach kids that you love them for who and what they are. Give this gift with a kiss.
*Self-confidence – Help children understand that they can trust themselves. Give this gift with a hug.
*Life without needless fears – Don’t let your kids see you as a worrier. Give this gift with laughter.
*Appreciation – Help children acquire a spark of gratitude and enjoy all of life. Give this gift as they go out the door.
*Faith – Introduce your children to God, the best friend they’ll ever have. Give this gift by taking them to church every Sunday. -NewsletterNewsletter
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
Nursery Class–For Infants -4 year olds
(Meet in the Nursery.)
Children’s Class for K-3rd Grade
(Meet upstairs in Room 209.)
Children’s Class for 4th-6th Grade
(Meet upstairs in Room 206.)
Youth Sunday School Class
(Meet upstairs in the Activity Building Youth Room.).
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 meets in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.)
Discovery Class
(This class for people who are interested in becoming Christian Disciples meets 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. They meet in Room 403 in the Activity Building.)
Class of Mixed Ages
(This Class led by Jimmy Hardin meets in Room 206.)
BLOOD DONORS NEEDED
Raymond Berger needs to replace blood used during treatment for his illness. If you would like to help by donating blood, please do so with the Blood Bank in Raymond’s name. Thank you.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Special Dates in February 2009
- African-American History Month
- La. Prison Chapel Offering, February 1
- Boy Scout Sunday, February 8
- Valentine’s Day, February 14
- President’s Day, February 16
- Transfiguration of the Lord, February 22
- Ash Wednesday, February 25
PRAYER FOR PRESIDENT’S DAY
Lord of heaven and earth, we offer you our deepest appreciation for this blessed land. Stir up a sense of stewardship in every citizen so we may all care for our nation and each inhabitant in it.
We pray especially for our leaders. Prompt everyone in a position of authority, from local to national leaders, to strive for righteousness, justice and the welfare of all citizens.
Finally, we pray that we may be ever mindful of the psalmist’s teaching that “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord . . .” (Psalm 33:12, NRSV). May that promise become real “from sea to shining sea.” Amen.
VALENTINE’S DAY
In the early Christian church, there were three priests named Valentine or Valentinus. Though they didn’t live at the same time, each was said to be holy and each had been martyred for his faith. All three priests were designated as saints. Around the year A.D. 498, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day came to be associated with love, romance and marriage. The day is now so popular that only during the Christmas season do people mail more greeting cards.
No matter how many cards, flowers or sweets you receive this Valentine’s Day, be assured that God loves you with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3, NRSV).
-NewsletterNewsletter
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