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R. Don Ross , Pastor
Volume XXV - Feb. 16, 2009
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Pastor’s Corner
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Our Ash Wednesday service will be at 6:30PM on Wednesday, February 25. This is a special service that marks the beginning of Lent. Please make plans for you and your family to begin your Lenten season together at this service. We will continue each Wednesday with a special series of communion services at 6:30PM. You will want to attend these meaningful gatherings as we sing, reflect, and seek nourishment each week on our journey towards Easter. |
Why do many of us feel like we just have not grown very much in the likeness of our Master? Are we just spiritually “thick-headed?” Are we just not “built” to be spiritual giants? Or have we simply not been taught what it means to be a student of Jesus? Perhaps in making converts we have neglected to make disciples. While we help people to become “Christian” our intentional efforts to help people become more like our Teacher have been limited.
During Lent I want to challenge you to cultivate the kind of life in which God can bring change. This is an invitation for you to train yourself in the practices for growing in the likeness of Christ. These practices have historically been referred to as the spiritual disciples. Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline uses two metaphors to illustrate the purpose of disciplines: a field and a path.
A farmer is helpless to grow grain; all he can do is provide the right conditions for the growing of gain. He cultivates the ground, he plants the seed, he waters the plants, and then natural forces of the earth take over and up come the grain. This is the way it is with the Spiritual Disciplines—they are a way of sowing to the Spirit. The spiritual disciplines are, “a means of receiving God’s grace. (They) allow us to place ourselves before God so he can transform us.”
This Sunday the Gospel focuses on the Transfiguration of the Lord as recorded in Mark 9:2-9. I will be reflecting on both this gospel and 2 Kings 2 where Elisha is not discouraged by Elijah who keeps telling him to stay put. The disciples had trouble focusing on the importance of the transfiguration. I’m looking forward to sharing a message on how to stay focused with so many distractions. Pastor Don |
KREWE OF DISASTER TO ROLL!
The Krewe of Disaster will head to Dulac on Saturday, March 28th, to work with Louisiana Disaster Relief. We need volunteers to sign up by Sunday, March 1st, so that we will be able to submit our roster. Once this has been done, we will receive our assignments. We have asked to be assigned to areas needing yard work, painting, and light construction.
Sign-up sheets will be posted in the church narthex and at the side entrance by the pastor’s study. Please consider this opportunity prayerfully. We need as many people as possible to participate! We have been blessed as a congregation; let us joyfully share our talents with those who have so much less than we!
If you have questions, please contact Jenny Charpentier at 594-5034 or call the church office.
CONFIRMATION CLASS BEGINS MARCH 1ST
Pastor Ross will be conducting a confirmation class each Sunday afternoon starting, March 1st at 3 PM. Anyone who desires to be a part of this class should contact Don or the office. A person should at least be in the 6th grade. This class is open to any youth who wishes to explore the faith and the United Methodist Church.
IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS IN FEBRUARY!
Staff Parish Committee, Feb 19th, 6:00PM in Room 205.
Mardi Gras Holiday, Feb. 24, Church offices closed!
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
March 3, 9:30AM UMW General Meeting in the Parlor.
Devotional by Barbara English.
March 10, 10:00AM UMW Executive Committee meets
in the Parlor.
“THANK YOU!” to everyone who participated in United Methodist Women’s Sunday on February 15. United Methodist Women’s Sunday is an annual reminder of the ministry of United Methodist women.
“CONGRATULATIONS!” to our two honorees! Pam Hebert received a Special Mission Recognition Pin. Our 2009 UMW Yearbook is dedicated in honor of Charlene Shrigley.
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UNITED METHODIST YOUTH
This past Saturday UMY took care of 11 children while their parents went out and enjoyed each other. The children watched Veggie Tales, played games, played with playdoh, and had a little snack. Fun was had by all!
The youth had a BLAST at the parade Sunday with their new friends from New York! We’d like to THANK Mr. Jimmy Hardin for letting us join him and Mr. Jim Justice for cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs! They were GREAT!
Sunday School This week we’re reading Genesis 12-15 and we will be talking about Abraham and Sarai. Come join us as we explore the Bible on Sunday morning!
UMY We have a new Sunday night program with different games and new lessons. This week we will be talking about The Dating Game. Come see what we are up to!
ATTENTION:Senior High Retreat The forms and fee of $80 are due February 22nd. You may pick one up from the office. Senior High Retreat is March 6-8th. If you are interested in going do not let money be the issue! We have scholarships! This is really a fun time to meet new people, eat good food, listen to a Christian band, and lots more. Come join us! Any questions? Call 870-5976.
Parent/Youth Meeting Mark your calendar for March 22nd. More details at a later date.
Like Bread and Butter Pickles? Mrs. Paige Stanton has donated some pickles that have a little kick in them for the Youth to sell. If you are interested in purchasing some, call the church office (868-7787) and we will give you more information on how you can get your hands on some good pickles! Have a Blessed Week! --Niki Barr
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
DEATH
We extend prayers for the dearly departed and for the comfort of these grieving families;
JoAnna Burrow, beloved wife of Bob Burrow and mother of daughters Jolynn and Jan, died suddenly on Tuesday, February 10th. Her funeral service was held at FUMC in Welch on Saturday, February 14.
Jean Robinson, beloved wife of James Robinson, also passed away last week. Jean is the daughter-in-law of Joe Robinson.
Elvia Landry, beloved mother of Jessica Chatagnier, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15th. The funeral service is Thursday, Feb. 19th, at 11:00AM. Arrangements are at Chauvin Funeral Home.
WHOOOPS!
We gave you Paul and Cindy Craft’s new address last week. Please change the zip code to 70546.
Our Stewardship for 2009
WK 07 February 15, 2009
Attendance 202 Sunday School 91
Offering $ 6,919
Building /Renovation Offering $ 675
MORNING WORSHIP Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Music: “The Lord is My Light” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon: “Staying Focused” Pastor Don Ross
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Renovation Fund by M/M Charles Blake, M/M Richard Simons and In memory of Truman Fairley by Mary Arceneaux. In memory of Raymond Berger by M/M Severn Berger.
Apportionments in memory of Amy Giroir Shely and Truman Fairley by M/M Robert English.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath. In memory of Truman Fairley by Charlene Shrigley.
Benevolence Fund to the Food Bank by M/M Bill Jenkins. In memory of Truman Fairley by Dena Bordelon.
UMY Scholarship by M/M Larry Matherne and M/M Wayne Reid.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LENT
Lent is the fourth season of the Christian year. Its length is the 40 days preceding Easter Day, not counting Sundays. This means Lent always begins on a Wednesday, known as Ash Wednesday.
Lent commemorates Jesus’ fast and temptation in the wilderness of Judea Province, which, according to the Gospel, lasted 40 days. Just as Jesus confronted his temptations during these 40 days, Lent helps Christians focus on our most basic need as sinners: forgiveness.
The only way our Lord’s forgiving power can become effective in our lives is by our taking the initiative to confront our sins, confess them and repent of them. In short, Lent is a season of pentinence.
Some Christians fast during Lent. This denial of bodily comforts can help encourage self-reflection about the need of Jesus’ forgiveness. –NewsletterNewsletter
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
At this time of year, we hope to raise $1,000 in Designated Givings for a scholarship to Centenary College. If our church contributes $1,000, it is matched with $2,000, and provides a $3,000 scholarship to the recipient. This year’s recipient is our own Sarah Duet, daughter of Rick and Beth Duet. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please mark your envelope or check “Scholarship Fund”.
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.)
FUNBALAYA ON OUR MIND!
FUNBALAYA is our Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and MUCH MORE! The kids will enjoy searching for Easter Eggs, Games, Prizes and FREE FOOD! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 11, 11:00AM until 2:00PM.
YOU can help bring this fun event to our children and children from the community by donating plastic Easter Eggs (filled with safe wrapped candies, NOT CHOCOLATE because it melts), 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.
A DAY FOR ASHES
Since the Middle Ages, Christians in the so-called Western Church have observed Ash Wednesday (the seventh Wednesday before Easter) as the first day of Lent. On this day, in many churches, worshipers receive ashes on the forehead as a reminder of their sorrow for their sins. The ashes are often made by burning palm branches left over from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday is February 25 this year -NewsletterNewsletter
IT’s A BABY SHOWER
And You’re invited!
Baby Goebel
Everyone’s invited to help Cyndi Goebel
welcome a new baby boy!
Date: March 7, 2009
Time: 2 to 4 PM
Place: First United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
RSVP: 985-879-1355 or 985-868-7787
Registered at Target
Given by United Methodist Women
PART-TIME REPAIR PERSON NEEDED!
Our Maintenance Department is in need of a handy part-time worker who could tackle the many things that need to be repaired around the church. This position is for 15-20 hours a week. If you are interested and need more details about this job, please call Pastor Don during the week (868-7787).
ATTENTION, BELL CHOIR MEMBERS!
Beginner Bells and Les Belles Clochettes WILL NOT practice this Sunday, February 22!
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