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  - Jan. 4, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Next Three Weeks”
   One of the things which makes us unique as United Methodist Christians is infant baptism.  Parents, or other important adults in the life of a child, claim the Christian faith for the child.  When the child is older, he or she claims the faith for him or herself.  This act of claiming the faith for their own is often done as part of confirmation or some other act of commitment.
   Over the next few Sundays, we will look at what it takes to be a committed person of faith.  Baptism is our entry into the church.  It marks the start of a life of faith.  It continues with a life filled with love for God and Christian service.
   Here is what we will look at over the next few weeks:
*January 8: “Water Washed” 
            What does is mean to be baptized?
*January 15: “Hello!”  
           How do we answer when God calls us?
*January 22: “Whale Tale” 
*January 29: “Godtalk” We better be careful when we speak for God!
          Jonah’s story will inspire us to go fishing for people.
   Our financial campaign will be a bit different this year.  It will be conducted over the next few weeks.  It will challenge you to look at your commitment to Christ and this church.  It will also challenge you to deepen your commitment of time and money.
   I think that the next few weeks will set the tone for the rest of our year.  I hope that you will make an extra effort to be in church for the next few weeks–it might just change your life for the better.                   
                                                                       Peace!  Barry

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

LES BELLES CLOCHETTES
   The Handbell Choir will resume practice on  Wednesday, January 11th.

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT CLASS
   The  “Let’s Talk About It Class”  will resume on Sunday, January 8th.  At that time, discussion will return to the popular “Fruit of the Spirit” series.  The topic will be Patience.   Anyone interested in this topic is invited to attend.  The class meets upstairs in the Education Building.

MAKING OUR CHURCH BEAUTIFUL IN 2006!
   As one might imagine, the landscape aspect alone of a facility this size is a full-time project (keeping weeds out and  beautiful flowers in).
 An anonymous person thoughtfully suggested we try a project called “Adopt-A-Garden.”  Please call David West at church (868-7787), if you have an area of special interest you would like to adopt.  Working together, we can proudly make our church BEAUTIFUL!  MANY THANKS to the anonymous gardeners who have already adopted their  area to cultivate. We could not do it without YOU!   

CIRCUIT RIDER DISTRIBUTION IS DISRUPTED!
    Have you wondered why you haven’t received a Circuit Rider regularly lately?  If you received your Circuit Rider late two weeks ago, it was the Post Office’s fault! They  claimed they were “backlogged,” so the newsletter was delayed by many days.
   Last week’s newsletter could not be printed because our “ancient” Risograph (printing machine) had a nervous breakdown that blew out her sensors! After cranking out close to THREE MILLION COPIES for us, she collapsed!  What a hard worker!
   After a desperate plea to the printing company this week, we are using a “loaner.” The technicians working on her will try to find some obsolete sensors for the old girl.  In any case, we are up and running this week on a loaner.  We apologize for any inconvenience the disruption may have caused.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR LIFE!
Itty-Bitty-Three year olds are with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery.
Four Year Olds are with Miss Maddie in the Nursery. (These ladies do have a Sunday School lesson for these children during this time.)
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will be with Ms. Jeanne and Ms. Lori.
   We will be beginning a new unit from Power X-Press, Jesus is Baptized, on January 8th, the date on our calendar for the Baptism of the Lord.
   Baptism is a gift from God, given to us in love.  Over the next six weeks, the children will hear the story of Jesus’ baptism in a variety of ways and discover and recognize that:
   *Jesus was baptized as a sign of belonging.
   *John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.
   *We participate in the same sacrament.
   *God’s presence is with us always.
We will meet in the Activity Building after 8:30AM Worship Service.                        -Jeanne Scott, Children’s Director

IMPORTANT MEETINGS TO REMEMBER!
 *The Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet on Thursday, January 5th, at 6:00PM in the F. Hall Parlor.
  *The Trustees Committee will meet on Sunday, January 8th, at 3:00PM in the Activity Building Room 403.
  *The Church Council will meet on Tuesday, January 10th, at 6:00PM in the Activity Building Room 403.

UNITED METHODIST YOUTH
   The youth will meet this Sunday same time, same place (5:00PM in the Activity Building) ready to jump into the New Year.  See you there!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
 Koinonia Circle meets Saturday, January 7th, 9:00AM at the Golden Corral.
   Faith Circle meets January 10th, 9:30AM in the Fellowship  Hall.

CHERUB CHOIR
   The Cherub Choir will practice this Sunday, January 8th, at 4:00PM in Activity Building Room 403.  Cherubs will sing the following Sunday in worship service.

Our Stewardship December 24th & 25thand January 1st                        
                 Attendance                                Gifts                          
               Worship   SS          This week       YTD        Budget
12/24          369                      $2,656       
12/25          102                      $10,875          
             Thru 12/31                 $ 2,582       $455,059     $458,990
            Building Fund 12/31    $ 7,153       $234,717
 1/01            111                     $ 5,932        $   5,932    $461,990

WORSHIP   Sunday, January 8th, 2006
The Music: “The River Jordan” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon: “Water Washed” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Scripture: Genesis 1:1-15; Acts 19:1-7;
                          Mark 1:4-11

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

 *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.

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.

NEWS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY
In Sympathy
   We extend our Christian sympathy and loving concern to the families of :
   H.L. Jackson, beloved husband of Shirley Jackson, passed away on December 27th.  His children are Joe Kent Jackson, Marsha J. Guidry, and Kristi Jackson and their families.
 Ann Bergeron passed away on December 21st. Mrs. Bergeron was the aunt of Marlene Klaus and the sister-in-law of Hilda Bergeron.
In Celebration
   Ken and Karen Millwater McGowan celebrated the baptism of their infant daughter Abigail Chase McGowan
on Christmas Day.  Sharing in this celebration was Kolbey McGowan, Abigail’s older sister, and proud grand-parents  John and Carol Millwater.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
   Building Fund by M/M Wayne Ledet, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M David Caletri, M/M Michael Mitchell, M/M David West, M/M Emory McChargue, M/M Mike Tingle, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M Pat Peace, M/M Melvin Childers, M/M John Woodard, Sue Overley, Jeanne Scott, and M/M Mike Charpentier.
  Apportionments by M/M Jimmy Hardin, M/M Hubert Belanger, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M George Shely, M/M Robert Smith, Samantha Hoekstra, M/M Tom Grigsby, M/M Mike Tingle, M/M Rex Soule, M/M Bill Vincent, M/M Ed McCarty,  M/M Franklin Bridges, Charlene Shrigley, M/M Gene Milford, M/M Max Cloud, M/M Ken Klaus, M/M Ed South, M/M John Laird, M/M Sonny Navarre, M/M David Elmore, M/M Bill Vincent, M/M Terry Hartsock, M/M Danny Robichaux, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Will Williams, Michael Klaus, M/M Wayne Reid, M/M Bill Jenkins, M/M Edgar Rogers and UM Learning Center.  In memory of Sandy Einsel Bryant for her birthday by M/M Paul Craft.  In memory of Sarge Rutledge by Paula Rutledge.
   The Contingency Fund by M/M John Woodard.

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