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R. Don Ross , Pastor
Volume XXV - Jan. 12, 2009
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2009 Budget Approved/Planning Event Set
Tuesday’s Church Council received the complete year’s end report on the 2008 Budget. First of all, 100% of our apportionments were paid. Second, after all bills were paid, we were able to carry a small balance forward.
When the 2009 Budget was presented, the following points were lifted up: our pledging units increased from 82 to 123; the proposed budget includes all pledges to the Renovation Fund; the monthly debt payment has been incorporated into the budget; apportionments will be paid on a monthly basis (You will no longer read that we are behind on our apportionments.); and finally, the budget presented represents known pledges, giving patterns, and expected fees. After adjusting the budget for increases in utilities and insurance, and reducing funding in areas where the need was not expected to be as great, the 2009 Budget of $519,071 was unanimously approved. |
In order to receive input from the congregation and involve the greatest participation in the future ministry of this church, a special Congregational Planning Event has been set for Friday evening, January 30th and Saturday until 3 PM, January 31st. All members are encouraged to sign up to participate in this historic and pace setting event. Everyone attending will have an opportunity to participate in the goal setting, program planning, and emphasis for this year. We will use the consensus model for decision making, thus allowing all participants to be a part of any decisions made. Friday evening will be highlighted by a meal, affirmations of our assets, and listing of areas where we need to improve or develop new ministries. Saturday will involve breaking into smaller interest groups to develop specific plans to carry out our vision of ministry.
If you wish to be a part of this powerful decision making event, let the church office know of your intentions to participate so we can properly prepare the meals, etc. Call the office 868-7787, email me rdon.ross@gmail.com , or write it on the attendance pad.
I look forward to Sunday’s worship when I will be preaching on “Expectations”. I promise you will be blessed through this service of praise and worship. Did you notice the excitement of last Sunday’s services? With 99 people at the 8:45 service and 172 at the 11:00 service the sanctuary was filled with power. Bring your family and friends with you Sunday as we come together to be transformed for the transformation of the world!
Blessings, Pastor Don |
Two Scout Announcements:
1st Scout Sunday is February 8th. All Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms to worship.
2nd I will be organizing the Religious Awards program for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The informational meeting will be Wednesday, February 4th at 6 PM in Room 403 of the Activity Building. Pastor Don
SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENT MEETING
There will be a Sunday School Parent Committee Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, at 4:00PM in Room 206. All Parents/Adults both currently helping with Sunday School and those who wish to help should attend this meeting. Planning will be done for all 2009 activities! Thanks! -Dwayne Rebstock
YOUTH MINISTRY
New Sunday School and UMY Series!
Don’t know much about the Bible? On Sunday mornings we will be diving into the Bible starting in Genesis. We will go chapter by chapter in a new series called Amazing Bible Race. This is more of a scavenger hunt, where we will be digging and search for new discoveries to open up your faith.
On Sunday nights we will start a program that includes games, skits, off-site activities and much more. This week’s topic is on The Game of Life.
Start your New Year with us. Come check out what you are missing!
Youth Fundraiser for a Mission Group
Calendars are in! You may pick up your order in the office if you have not done so already. We are also still selling calendars and notepads. Wall and pocket calendars are $6, magnetic note pads are $4, and regular note pads are $2. Thanks for your support!
January 18th-Youth Council Meeting
Youth Council meeting in the Activity Building after Sunday School. We will go bowling after UMY. The cost is $5.75 per game. (We will possibly play 2 games.) You are welcome to bring a friend!
Superbowl Party
We are having a Superbowl Party at Nic Guy’s house on Sunday, February 1st at 5:00PM. He lives at 2 Freeport Circle. We will have a sign up list of things to bring.
-Niki Barr
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A SPECIAL PERSON!
You have undoubtedly received a birthday card at some time from the church. You may not know that a very special lady (Miss Lori Rogers) is in charge (with the help of her trusty helpers, Mom & Dad) of our Birthday Card Ministry!
She has sent billions (almost) of Birthday cards to all of us through the years! Her birthday is Jan.14th. Perhaps this year, YOU’D like to send a card to wish LORI a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Lori, we APPRECIATE you!
NAME BADGES ARE IN!
If you have not already picked up your specially made name badge, you may come by the church secretary’s office and pick it up during the week. The badges are $7 each.
If you are interested in ordering a name tag (now that you know what it looks like), we will be placing an order around February 15th. 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).
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!
We need to congratulate two of our Church youth for being honored at the Teenager of the Year Banquet last weekend! Kimberly West represented Terrebonne High School and Charles Guyer represented Vanderbilt Catholic High School. Charles also received the award presented by the American Legion as Terrebonne Parish Teenager of the Year!
We’re PROUD of you, Kim and Charles!
DUE TO 2009 BUDGET CONSTRAINTS . . .
A few things will need to change this year in order to live within our 2009 budget. Here are a few of the changes!
We can no longer provide Donuts at the Fellowship Time between services. Coffee will still be available.
We need to change the Circuit Rider mailings to every other week rather than every week. If we have your correct e-mail address you will start receiving your Circuit Rider by e-mail in the near future. If we do not have a correct e-mail address for you, you will still receive your newsletter by regular mail. Check the announcement section of your Sunday bulletin for updates and news between Circuit Riders.
When you have an article for the newsletter, please plan ahead of time and submit the article by noon on Mondays (any Monday)! Thanks for your cooperation!
Our Stewardship for 2009
WK 02 January 11, 2009
Attendance 271 Sunday School 79
Offering $ 11,185
Building Fund Offering $ 855
MORNING WORSHIP Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Music: “Be Thou My Vision” Chancel Choir
The Sermon: “Expectations” Rev. Don Ross
Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6; 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Building Renovations by Carla Smith, M/M John Walton, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Paul Sammarco. In memory of Cecil Bordelon by Dena Bordelon. In memory of Hilda Brantley, Buford Autin (Audrey Buquet’s brother), Billie Hardwick (Bill Vincent’s mom), Rosemand Mouret (Paula Rutledge’s sister), Rachel Boone (Linda Jenkin’s mom), and Madge Price (Barbara English’s mom) by Juana Woodard.
Apportionments in memory of Billie Hardwick and Roberta Liner (Phyliss Martin’s mom) on her birthday, January 26th by M/M Justice. In memory of Rachel Boone by M/M Bill Jenkins.
Music Fund in honor of Bette Adams and in memory of Rosemond Mouret, Billie Hardwick, Madge Price and Edna Boyd by Dena Bordelon. In memory of Madge Price by M/M Nolan Eschete.
Pastor Benevolence Fund in memory of Madge Price by M/M George Shely, M/M George Geoffroy and Bonita Laughlin. In memory of Billie Hardwick and Rachel Boone, and in honor of Lori Roger’s birthday by M/M George Shely.
UMY Fund by M/M Glen LaJaunie and in memory of Billie Hardwick by M/M George Geoffroy.
IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy and prayers for comfort to these grieving families:
Bill and Star West on the death of their 25 year-old daughter, Tiffany Pye Luke. Tiffany died on Monday, January 12. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.
John and Bonnie Daigle on the death of their 38 year-old son, Johnny Daigle. Johnny died on Tuesday, January 13. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.
ALTAR FLOWERS
If you would like to place altar flowers one Sunday in memory or honor of a loved one or a special occasion, please contact our Flower coordinator, Mrs. Judy Navarre at 879-1924.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
January 18-25, 2009
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.)
Remedy For a Flat Spirit
Almost everyone has an occasional down day. You
know the dreaded “flat” or “blah” feeling. Sometimes you don’t even feel like praying. Is there any hope for this condition?
In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk named Guigo felt drained and depressed. But as he rested, the following prayer came to his mind:
My soul is so dry that by itself it cannot pray;
Yet you can squeeze from it the juice of a thousand prayers.
My soul is so parched that by itself it cannot love;
Yet you can draw from it boundless love for you and for my neighbor.
My soul is so cold that by itself it has no joy;
Yet you can light the fire of heavenly joy within me.
My soul is so feeble that by itself it has no faith;
Yet by your power my faith grows to a great height.
Thank you for prayer, for love, for joy, for faith;
Let me always be prayerful, loving, joyful, faithful.
-Newsletter/Newsletter
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. |
