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  - Feb. 1, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Every Time The Door Was Open”
   I grew up in a family that went to church.  In fact, it would not be an overstatement to suggest that we were in church every time the doors were open.  Sunday school, worship, youth group and Sunday evening services were all a part of the routine.  As long as we lived in our parent’s home, church attendance was expected.
      Things have changed since the time I grew up.  Sunday school and church attendance is now one of many options
to choose from on Sunday mornings.  It used to be that Sunday mornings were sacred and no one would ever consider offering a program or activity on Sunday mornings.
In the Roman Catholic culture, which holds sway in Houma, mass on Saturday or Sunday evenings is an option for the faithful, leading to more and more activities being scheduled  on Sunday mornings.
   As a church, we can keep doing things the same way, rail against the culture, and see diminishing results.  Or, we can change the way we think about Christian education and worship and consider doing things in a new way.
   On the first Sunday in Lent (March 5th)we will go back to two traditional services on Sunday morning, with Sunday School at 9:45AM.  We will add a new service with the band on Sunday evenings.  We will also be developing a schedule of programs and activities on Sunday afternoons to reach those folks who are unable to attend church on Sunday mornings.    I hope that you will be in prayer for the leaders of your church as we look to the future.
                                                                      Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME
When: After 8:30 Service               Where: Activity Building
Join us for coffee, milk, juice, donuts and fellowship.  

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY–Jeanne Scott, Director
Itty-Bitty thru Four  year olds are with Mrs. Mary and Miss Maddie in the Nursery for a Sunday School Lesson and Playtime.
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will meet with Mrs. Martha and Miss Lori in the Storytelling Center.  The lesson will be based on the theme, Jesus is Baptized.
COME JOIN US AND BRING A FRIEND!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
February 7–General Meeting 6:30PM in Fellowship Hall.
   Program:   India/Pakistan
   Leader:     Darla Bergeron
   Hostess:   Martha Hebert
   The 2006 UMW Yearbooks will be given out.
February 4–Koinonia Circle 9:00AM at the Golden Corral.
   Leader:     Shirley Hebert
February 14–Faith Circle 9:30AM in the F. Hall Parlor.
   Program:   India/Pakistan
   Leader:     Joyce Thibodeaux
   We invite the women of our church to attend one of these meetings to find out what UMW is all about.
   THANKS to everyone who participated in UMW Sunday on January 15th.  Thanks to Katie Hebert and Delvin Foret for taking photographs.  See them at the church web site www.fumchouma.org .  CONGRATULATIONS to the 2006
recipients of the UMW Special Mission Recognition Award, Virginia Elliot and Betty Jo Farmer.  The awards were presented on UMW Sunday.
                                   -Joyce Thibodeaux, UMW President

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Super Bowl Party – Sunday, February 5, 2006
   The party will start at 5:00PM  at the WOW Café & Wingery and end approximately 7:00PM or halftime.  WOW is located at 1731 Martin Luther King Boulevard, in the same building as Starbucks.  Bring money ($10-$12:00) for food if you are planning to eat there.
   WANTED: Adult team leaders for our summer mission trip Project NOAH.  Would you like to help our New Orleans neighbors rebuild their homes?  This is a United Methodist mission project.  Please contact Phyliss Martin for more information at 868-7787.  

ARE YOU READY FOR A GOOD TIME? 
   The theme for this month’s Family Ministry luncheon is SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!  We plan to gather in the Activity Building after the 11:00AM Worship Service on February 5th for a “party food” lunch, rather than a covered dish.  Got your interest so far?
  What’s cooking?  Well,   David McMath and Delvin Foret, FUMC’s “Grill Chefs Extraordinary” will be grilling Hamburgers and Hot Dogs!  Jenny Charpentier will provide the  pirogue for iced-down soft drinks.  What can you do?  Well, since you asked,  YOU could  bring party food to add to the Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. How about bringing  potato chips, Fritos, veggies for munching (maybe with dip?), potato salad, 12-can pack of soft drinks (Coke, Sprite, etc.). 
  Yes, there will be ENTERTAINMENT! We will be showing past Super Bowl highlights on our big screen for adults and youth.  Children will be viewing a children’s tape while they eat in the Activity Building Classroom.  Yes, they will be supervised!
   Plan to attend a fun time of good food and great fellowship for all!  Don’t watch football?   No problem!  Come to eat and just visit.   Questions? Call Shirley at (790-4431 or 879-2589). 

A NOTE OF THANKS!
   We would like to thank Helen Hendricks for her generous donation of a violin and mandolin.  These instruments will be put to good use in our music program. 

WE COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP!
   The maintenance department needs the assistance of a welder to weld five posts on the church steel bumpers along the parking lot.  We are updating our handicap spaces between the Fellowship Hall and the Activities Building.  If you are able to assist us or if you know someone who might be willing to help, please call David West at 868-7787 or 232-7756.  Thanks!

BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING
   The Building Committee will meet in the Fellowship Hall Parlor on Thursday, February 2, at 6:00PM.

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
   The Finance Committee will meet in the Activity Building  in Room 403 on Tuesday, February 14, at 6:00PM.

Our Stewardship January 29, 2006
                 Attendance                            Gifts                          
         Worship   SS    This week       YTD        Budget
            207        61       $4,732      $33,500      $461,990
         Bldg. Fund        $32,267     $46,821

WORSHIP   Sunday, February  5, 2006
The Sermon: “No Equal” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Music: “Strength”  The Chancel Choir
The Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

DID YOU GET YOUR NEWSLETTER LAST WEEK?
   We want to assure you that the Circuit Rider is being brought to the Post Office in the same timely manner it has always been.  When you don’t get your Circuit Rider on time, it really is because of the problems (whatever they are) that the Post Office is still having delivering the mail.  They call it “back-log”, (whatever that means).  
   We do apologize!  The Circuit Rider is a lot of work, and we are always so disappointed when you don’t receive it in time for the weekend!

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, the TN 278th.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Choir Fund in memory of Billie and Vergil Garlington from M/M George Geoffroy, Bethany World Prayer Center, M/M Dick Ayme, Donna Garlington Gleason, Nolan, and the Fellowship SS Class.
Building Renovation from M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M William Brunet, M/M Tillman Gillaspie, M/M Tommy Grigsby, Paula Rutledge and Shannon Kelley.
Apportionments by Paula Rutledge.
Piano Fund in memory of Billie Garlington and M/M Nolan Eschete.

SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!
   *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.      *Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD –“On Eagles Wings” is available in the church office or from the Sammarcos.
  *Scrumptious Salsa will still be available in the church office.  Sales benefit LA. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana.
 * T-SHIRTS are now available for sale in the Church office.  These T-shirts are a fund-raising project for the youth and cost $14 each.  We have all sizes from Small to XXX.   These T-shirts also make comfortable “sleep” shirts!    

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

PLEDGE CARDS ARE DUE
   Please get your pledge cards in ASAP!  Thanks!

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