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. 8, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Christian Education Matters”
   I was raised in a family that went to church whenever the doors were open.  We went to Sunday School.  We went to church in the morning.  We went to choir practice.  We went to something which was like boys or girls scouts.  We went to the youth group.  We went to church again at night.  Then there were occasional church socials and meetings.  Church was not one of many places for us to be–it was the place to be.  Family, friends, and pretty much our entire social network were all found at church.  Church was not just a part of our lives–it was the center of our family’s life.  Much of my spiritual development took place during the days of my childhood and young adulthood.
   Life has gotten so much more complicated for families today.  If there is more than one child in the household it takes both parents, and sometimes the help of grandparents, to shuttle children from one event to the next.  Meals consist of what can be grabbed at the drive-thru at a fast food place and eaten in the car on the way to the next place.  Enrichment programs are beneficial to our children.  And yet, there is stress finding the time for all there is to do.
   I believe that Christian Education matters for both children and adults.  That is why we offer Sunday School on Sunday mornings for children, youth and adults.  That is why beginning on the first Sunday in March, we will offer even more opportunities for spiritual nurture and growth for children, youth and adults in the afternoon.
   I hope that you will consider becoming a part of a small group activity here in addition to your regular worship attendance.  It may be a spiritual discipline you adopt during Lent and continue throughout the rest of the year.
                                                                       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 will be  with Mrs. Mary and Miss Maddie in the Nursery for a Sunday School Lesson and Playtime.
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will meet with Mrs. Jeanne and Miss Lori for music. 
  This will be our last week on the theme Jesus is Baptized. The children who attended learned about Jesus’s Baptism in various activities centers.  A BIG THANK YOU to the dedicated teachers who prepared these learning experiences.
   Our next Power X-Press theme which begins February 19th is Easter: Peter’s Story.  The Easter Story tells us that Jesus loved Peter, forgave Peter for denying him, and asked Peter to care for God’s children.    The story also tells us that Jesus loves us, forgives us, and asks us to care for others.   SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR LIFE!

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE!
   Please have your article in by NOON on MONDAY! Any later and you’ll probably miss out.   Our goal is to bring the newsletter to the Post Office a whole day earlier!  We are  hoping this will help them with their backlog so that YOU  can get YOUR Circuit Rider on time!  THANK YOU!            UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTER
 We hate to brag, but . . . if you are looking to enter your child in one of the most sought after preschools in Houma, LOOK NO FURTHER!  Our own UMC Children’s Learning Center is now taking registration for the 2006-2007 school year for members of the church and those who have children who are already enrolled.  If you are interested, please call 868-7793 for information.  Sue Peace is our experienced director and will be glad to fill you in.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF OUR YOUTH!
   On Sunday, February 12th, at 3:00 P.M., the South Louisiana Community Orchestra will hold their Coffee Classics Concert Series which will feature a solo violin performance by Kristin Farrar.  The concert will take place at the Harvest Cathedral on Museum Drive.  Tickets are $3.00 in advance from the South Louisiana Center for the Arts or $5.00 at the door.

SUPERBOWL TAILGATE PARTY IS A HUGE SUCCESS!
   We’d like to express  a “SUPER THANK YOU” to all who made our first Tailgate Party such a success!  The fellowship was GREAT and the Burgers and Hot Dogs were just YUMMY!    A special THANKS to our Master Grill-Chefs (Delvin Foret and David McMath).     The next Family Luncheon will be Sunday, March 5th, after the 11:00 A.M. worship service.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS!
      The Finance Committee Meeting has been changed to Monday, February 13, at 6:00 P.M. in the  Activity Building  in Room 403.  (Changed due to Valentine’s Day!)
   The Trustees Committee will meet on Sunday, February 12th, at 3:00 P.M. in Room 403 in the Activities Building.

UNITED METHODIST MEN PLAN SPECIAL EVENING!
   United Methodist Men will hold their Annual Sweet Hearts Dinner on Tuesday, February 21st, at 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall.  Ladies, if you like being treated like a “Queen”,  and enjoy delicious food and fellowship, DON’T MISS THIS NIGHT!  Methodist Men are GREAT COOKS and gentlemen who certainly know how to treat a lady!
   Mark your calendars NOW, and check FUTURE Circuit Riders for more details about this very special night.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
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.

WOMEN’S ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT
   It’s time again for the Women’s Annual Lenten Retreat, which will be held on March 10-12 at Sager Brown in Baldwin.  We will leave Houma on Friday evening, work at the Depot on Saturday morning until noon, and come together Saturday afternoon for prayer and meditation.  The retreat is open to all women in the church.  For information, please contact Darla at 876-4104 or Lisa at 872-4204

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE!
   Please have your article in by NOON on MONDAY! Any later and you’ll probably miss out.   Our goal is to bring the newsletter to the Post Office a whole day earlier!  We are  hoping this will help them with their backlog so that YOU  can get YOUR Circuit Rider on time!  THANK YOU!

Our Stewardship February 5, 2006
                 Attendance                                   Gifts                          
         Worship   SS                   This week       YTD        Budget
              199      46                   $7,826       $51,875     $461,990
                      Bldg. Fund          $3,277       $50,098

WORSHIP   Sunday, February 12, 2006
The Sermon: “If Only . . .” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Music: “Jesu, Word of God Incarnate” Choir
The Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Mark 1:40-45

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!

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.

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!    

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Operating Fund in memory of Connie Drew, Robin Laird’s sister, by M/M Robert English.
Choir Fund in memory of Billie Garlington by Sally and Kathryn Moise.
Building Fund by Louise Autry, M/M George Shely, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Will Williams, M/M John Woodard, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Gene Milford, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Ed South, M/M David McMath, M/M Don Murphy, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M Pat Peace, and M/M Ken Klaus.
Piano Fund in memory of Billie Garlington by Louise Autry and the Agape Bible Study Class.  In memory of Connie Drew by Louise Autry.

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