THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON ALL OF US!      Often we adults look at the children and youth in our families, in our congregation, or in our neighborhoods with a sigh of concern.  We wonder if these children will have the same work ethic we have.  While we are amazed how smart and able looking this next generation seems to be, we express our concerns to one another about the ability of these young families to manage children and finances during these uncertain times.  We wonder if they will fill these pews in future years.  We wonder if they have the same love for God and desire to serve Him … as we do?

I do know that my knowledge and understanding mostly came from either my parents or other adults who invested time in me.  I think about my Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders.  I think about by baseball coaches.  I have given a lot of thought to my church choir director and my youth group counselors.  I fondly remember the bus and van drivers who transported us to camp or around town.  Without my 5th grade Sunday School teacher, I don’t know when I would have asked the questions that eventually led to my profession of faith.  Without the lay volunteers who supported my youth group, we may never have gone to church camp where I heard God’s call into ministry.  Without those parents and grandparents who put in the extra hours to make Vacation Bible School such a wonderful experience, my friends would have never invited me to come to their church.  Without people being open to God’s guidance, I may never have heard the word of God that I share with you each week.      When a child is baptized, we are asked, “Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?”  Our affirmation of this question along with our own renewal of our covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church is the key to the future of our church.      Our church’s future really does depend on our faithfulness.  These young families, youth, and children are depending on us keeping our promise.      FIRST MEETING SUNDAY:  Youth Council meeting following 11 AM service in the Activities Building kitchen.  Youth and Adults who are committed to the future growth and development of our youth should attend.      SECOND MEETING SUNDAY:  Sunday School Parents’ meeting at 4:00 PM in the Library (Room 205 upstairs in the Educational building).  This is for anyone who cares about the children of this congregation.  We need both biological parents and spiritual parents to be present.  Your gifts are needed. In His Service,  Pastor Don

 CONGREGATIONAL PLANNING EVENT!
     A special congregational Planning Event has been set for 6:00PM Friday evening, January 30th, and Saturday, January 31st from 8:30AM until 3:00PM.  Friday night will be high-lighted by a meal, affirmations of our assets, and listing of areas where we need to improve or develop new ministries.  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. 

YOUTH MINISTRY
January 25th! Youth Council Meeting RESCHUDULED!  We will meet in the Activities Building after the second service at 12:30.  Food will be provided.  UMY will be held after the Youth Council meeting.  We will head outside and do some weeding and cleaning around our Learning Center White House.  Bring some work clothes. Anyone interested in helping is welcome to join us!
Church Planning Event Friday, January 30th and Saturday, January 31 is our church-wide planning session.  All Youth and Parents are encouraged to attend.  We hope to see you there!
Superbowl Party! We are having a Superbowl Party at the West’s home at 712 Quickie Drive on Sunday, February 1st, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM.  We will have a sign up list of things to bring.
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 to entertain your children.
Youth Fundraiser for a Mission Group!  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!         -Niki Barr                                                   

 NAME BADGES NEED TO BE PICKED UP!
  If you have not already picked up your specially made name badge, you may come by the secretary’s office and pick it up during the week.  Badges are $7 each. 
   If you are interested in ordering a name tag 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).

SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENT MEETING!
   There will be a Sunday School Parent Committee Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, at 4:00PM in Room 205. 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
                  
NEWS BULLETIN ON THE BULLETIN BOARDS!
   The bulletin boards in the Education Building and the Fellowship Hall will be undergoing transition during the next few weeks.  If you have photos or other display material on these bulletin boards, please retrieve them before Feburary 1.  If you can’t get around to it by then, your items will be in Jackie’s office if you are interested in keeping them.  Please be patient as we make these changes and refrain from placing display items on these bulletin boards until the transition is complete!  At that time, boards that will be at your disposal will be announced.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
                                                                      -Judy Foret
                
TRUSTEES MEETING
   The Trustees Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 21, at 6:00PM in Activity Building Room 403.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 9:30PM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.  Leader is Jeanne Scott.  The program is Call to Prayer Service.

Our Stewardship for 2009
    WK 03  January 18, 2009 
    Attendance   181       Sunday School   52
     Offering   $    7, 337
    Building Fund Offering  $         140

IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy and prayers for comfort to these grieving families:
     Jo Morris’s beloved mother,  Edna Boyd, passed away last week.  Edna was a resident of Hammond, LA., and has long been on our prayer list.
      George Shely’s beloved mother, Amy Theresa Shely, passed away on Sunday morning.  She was a resident of The Oaks Nursing home.  Her funeral service was held at Hargraves Funeral Home in Morgan City on Tuesday, January 20.

THE ROSEBUD
   The Rose Bud on the altar last Sunday was placed in honor of the birth of Ella Irene Grant, infant daughter of Kathryn Rhea and Jeff Grant.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity,
January 18-25, 2009

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM JR. AUXILIARY
   On behalf of the Houma Junior Auxiliary I would like to extend my sincerest thanks for letting our organization use the Fellowship Hall for our monthly meetings.  Our membership truly appreciates your willingness to assist us as we continue to meet the needs of the children of our community.  We are sincerely grateful for your generosity.  With deepest thanks, Ann Robichaux

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.

CLUES TO AGING WELL
   Whether or not we like it, “the days dwindle down to a precious few,” as an old song puts it.  We’re aging daily and hourly.  “The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, moves on . . .”
   The question, sooner or later, is:  How do we best handle the aging process?
   It begins with keeping a healthy spirit.  The body ages, but our spirits can remain vibrantly alive.  We can keep spiritually alert by carrying on a conversation with God, truly listening more than talking.  We can strengthen our spiritual life by attending worship services and reading the works of people who lived close to God, such as Mother Teresa, E. Stanley Jones, Dietrick Bonhoeffer and others.
   Keeping one’s body in tune through exercise and diet are also keys to aging well.  But just as important are fellowship with others, working on interesting projects, engaging in family activities, learning something new and traveling.
   Most importantly, remember that you’re never too old to grow in love for others.  After all, St. Paul tells us that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends”
(1 Corinthians13:7-8, NRSV).                –NewsletterNewsletter

ALTAR FLOWERS
   The Altar Flowers this Sunday will be  placed in memory of Thomas Givens by Jacqueline Marie Givens.