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  - July 27, 2005
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Helping Others Never Tasted So Good”
   The Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston is very innovative when it comes to helping children.  They have been helping children for years.  They started as an orphanage and have adjusted their mission through the years to serve children in need.  Now they offer group homes in Ruston and outreach throughout the state to children, and families, in need of counseling.  They also have an Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center (OWL) north of Ruston.  It is at the OWL where Screamin’ Owl Salsa is produced.
   In 1999, two 3000 square foot greenhouses were donated to the center.  Jay Hinkley, a staff member, started growing tomatoes as a fund raiser for the children.  Not all the tomatoes were pretty enough to package for sale.  Another staff member, Tammy Stevens, made salsa as a way to use the surplus tomatoes, and as a way to raise money for a summer trip.  To make a long story short, the children are now involved in the production of Screamin’ OWL Salsa and the proceeds of the sales go directly into special events for the children.  The salsa comes in three varieties from “just a tad warm”, to hot enough to live up to the name “Screamin’ OWL.”  
   Doug Hall, who is known to many of you through his work at the MacDonell United Methodist Children’s Home here in Houma, is now the South Louisiana representative for the Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston.  He will be providing salsa for us for as long as we can sell it.  This Sunday, I’ll have samples available during the Fellowship Time between services.  After that, bottles of salsa will be available in the office for only $3.00 for a 13-ounce bottle.  Help the children by helping yourself to a bottle or two of salsa.  Who knew that helping others could taste so good?
                                                                       Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME
When: After 8:30AM Service     
 Where: Fellowship Hall
Join us for great fellowship, hot coffee, juice, milk and fresh donuts!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN-AUGUST SCHEDULE
August 2   9:30 AM FH “UMW Through the Years”
                   Leader: Joyce Thibodeaux
                   Hostesses: Dean Cancienne, Rita Landry
August 6   9:00 AM Koinonia Circle at the Golden Corral
August 9   9:30 AM Faith Circle in the Fellowship Hall
                   Hostess: Bette Adams
August 20  9:00 AM Sager Brown Center, District UMW Mini School of Mission.

RANCH HOUSE KIDS-VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
HOWDY, Y’ALL! It’s time to saddle up! Have all you little buckaroos signed up for “Adventure of the Open Door” at the Circle G Ranch? Git along now! Pronto! The trail ride gears up  August 1-5th, from 6:00-8:30PM. **Those who have signed up, come about 5:45PM in order to sign in before Dinner time at 6:00PM. This will ensure a much smoother registration for all. 
   Our little cowpokes should be mature three years thru 5th Grade!  We have rounded up ranch pony “Sunny”, ranch hand “Dusty”, and other hands who will help you understand how to apply what you are learning to everyday life. Circle G Ranch will supply cowboy hats and grub to all our partners!
   Adult Partners, y’all want to learn something?  Sign up for Trail Boss Barry’s Adult Bible Study–God Opens Doors: Responding to God’s Grace.  This five-session Bible study explores a variety of ways that we may knock on the doors of God’s Kingdom.
Don’t forget that “grub” (supper) will be served at the Chuck Wagon at 6:00PM in the Fellowship Hall EACH NIGHT!
Y’all want to donate something?  Our “Chuck Wagon” could use creamy Peanut Butter, Grape or Strawberry Jelly in the squeeze bottle, Hot Dogs, commercial size cans of peaches, Fruit Cocktail, or Vanilla and Chocolate pudding.
Y’all want to loan us something? We’d like to spruce up the ranch for our little buckaroos with decorations such as wagon wheels, hay, lanterns, cowboy boots, saddles, ropes, etc. Thanks for your help!                      -Jeanne Scott 868-7787  

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR LIFE!
Itty-Bitty-Four Year Olds are with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery.
Five Years-Sixth Grade will be with Mrs. Michelle and Mrs. Lynda in the Library.  This week’s lesson is “Jesus Shows Mercy”.  People who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, ask for his help.Adult Sunday School:  You are welcome to sit in on any of the following classes and hopefully find one that you will want to join.
Classes: Fellowship Class in Room 403 (Activity Bldg.)
                Disciples Class in Room under the breeze way
                Discovery Class in Chapel in Activity Bldg.
                Friendship Class in the Pastor’s office
                Let’s Talk About It Class in Fellowship Hall
For further information contact Jeanne Scott in the church office or call her at 868-7787.

GOOD LUCK!
    We bid our Youth Director, Myles Barr, a very fond farewell as a member of the staff.  Myles will start his new career as a teacher at Ellender School in early August.   Myles and Niki, Sarah and Tyler will still be members of our church family, so we will still have the pleasure of having them in our lives.  We pray for the very best for this young, Christian family in all their endeavors.  May God bless them all the days of their lives!

 Our Stewardship Sunday, July 24,  2005
             Attendance                            Gifts                 
         Worship   SS           This week       YTD        Budget
            223       62        (See next week’s C.R.)   $458,990    

WORSHIP     Sunday,  July 31, 2005
8:30 AM       Special Music
11:00 AM     Special Music
The Sermon: “Wrestling Match” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

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, Jarod Martin, Richard Schandorff,  Paul Tholen, Don Adams, Jeremy Brunet, Jerry Troy Cooper, Robert Cooper, Jamie Authement, Allison Foreman, Eddie Doiron, Lance Chatagnier, Bryan Stringer, Ben White, Joseph Frisella, Jr., Billy Odom, B.J. Guidroz, and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard. Soldiers of the TN 278th as well as all soldiers in Iraq.

UM WOMEN’S “SUNSHINE SOLES”   If you would like to help provide new  school shoes for needy children in our area for the new school year, please contribute  to the “Sunshine Soles” program.  Thanks to all who have already contributed!                         -Rita Landry 

DO YOU LOVE TO SING?
   The Chancel Choir has begun work on music for “Old-Time Religion Sunday” on September 25th.  NOW is a great time to begin singing with us.  We rehearse every  Wednesday night from 7-8:45 PM.  A nursery can be provided by calling the office ahead of time.

THANK YOU FOR THESE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Piano Fund by M/M David McMath
Sunshine Soles by M/M Larry Babin
VBS by M/M George Shely and Lynda Wright
Building Renovation by M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Ronald Blanchard, Al Cowan and Clinton Morgan

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
   Would you like to be part of a weekly Prayer Group?  We have a dedicated group of people who meet every Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM in the Sanctuary. Join us!

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