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 7, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Come and See”
   Most people have a negative image of evangelists.  They think of the people who go door to door to try to persuade people to join their religious group.  Or they think that evangelists are the kind of people who will do whatever they can to button hole others into a conversation about religion and extol their religious view as the true truth.
   Evangelism is simply one who shares good news with others. We have good news to share.  God in Christ loves us–and others–and we ought to be evangelical.  We ought to share the Good News.
   We have a window of opportunity which may not come along for another fifty years.  Our worship space is brand new.  There has been interest from our community at large ever since the port-o-potty and dumpster were moved in front of the church.  It seems like everywhere I have gone over the last seven months, folks have asked me what we are doing at the church.  When they have asked I have suggested that they, in the words of Jesus: “Come and see.”  (When Jesus calls Andrew these are the words Jesus uses.  See John 1.29 and following.)
   Perhaps you have had similar experiences over the past number of months.  If people know that you are a member of this church they are naturally curious about what we have been up to:
*   Now is a good time to invite an unchurched friend to church.
*   Now is a good time to invite an unchurched family member to church.
*   Now is a good time to invite someone whom you haven’t seen around here in a while.
*   Now is a good time to invite an unchurched coworker to church.
   Come and see.  We have good news to share.  Won’t you share this good news with me?
 
                                                                      Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME 
Join us in the Activity Building after the  9:45AM Service for Fellowship and Hot Coffee! 

                           JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST!
   We are now serving a hot, delicious breakfast in the Activity Building between 9:15 and 10:00AM every  Sunday morning.  Breakfast menus vary from week to week.  This Sunday’s menu will be Biscuits, Bacon, Hash Browns, Juice, Milk and Coffee.  Only $2 per person to cover costs.   

SUNSHINE SOLES PROGRAM IS IN FULL SWING!
   United Methodist Women’s “Sunshine Soles” program is now accepting donations to help provide new school shoes for needy children in this area.  This program helps MANY children to have news shoes they might not otherwise have to start their new school year.  Please give generously!  The children appreciate it so much!                                           -Rita Landry

   The Church Council will meet on Tuesday, July 11th, at 6:00PM in Room 403 in the Activity Building.

  ADVENTURES OF THE TREASURE SEEKERS!
 Vacation Bible School Registration
forms are now available for children  Five Years through Fifth Grade.  Adult registration slips are available as well.  You can pick up a registration form in the office or in the Fellowship Hall.

                                        SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years are with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery for a lesson and playtime.
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will be in Room 206 with Mrs. Jeanne for a lesson on “Deborah”.  Meet in the Activity Building at 9:45AM.                                              
-Jeanne Scott-Children’s Ministry Director

         CHILDREN’S CHURCH
   The children will be able to attend Children’s Church during the 11:00AM service.  The children will follow Ms. Jeanne to the Activity Building after Rev. Barry’s Children’s Sermon.  The message for Sunday is “Coming to church helps us build our faith.”            

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW SANCTUARY?
   If you did not make it to church last Sunday, try to make it this Sunday.  You will not believe how beautiful and comfortable it is until you see for yourself!  Come!

BIBLE STUDY IN THE CHURCH LIBRARY!
   Kim Walker is leading a Bible study on the book of John at 11:00AM each Sunday morning in the Church Library.

A PRECIOUS KEEPSAKE  OF THE MARBLE ALTAR
   Some of the pieces of the previous marble altar have been made into paper weights, and/or, shelf or desk decor.  There are many different sizes and shapes, which  have been cut and fashioned by Frank Porter.  These items will be for sale in the passage way outside of the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 25th, and July 2 (if any are left over) before and after the three services.  There will be a small donation asked, depending on size and shape.  The money collected will go to the Grand Piano Fund.  What a wonderful way to have a piece of religious history from the Sanctuary of our church!  These items make beautiful gifts as well as keepsakes.  Although a minimum donation is asked, please be generous.  Grand pianos are EXPENSIVE !  Supply of these items is limited.

Our Stewardship for Week  #27   July 2, 2006
Attendance in Worship: 279      Sunday School 44
Offering This Week:      $ 7,677       YTD: $214,527
Bldg. Fund This Week: $ 2,636      YTD:  $106,800
Apportionments Due:  $36,750       YTD:  $ 17,150

IN WORSHIP        SUNDAY, July 9, 2006              
The Scripture: 2 Samuel 5.1-5, 9-10    2 Corinthians 12.2-10
The Gospel:    Mark 6.1-13
The Sermon:  “Perspective” Rev. Barry Hoekstra

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,  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, Travis Twiggs, Blake Dryden,  and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard, the TN 278th.

ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE
*Scrumptious Salsa is still available!  How do you like yours?  “Just a Tad Warm”, “Pretty Darn Hot”, “Holy Cow, It’s Screaming Hot”, or the infamous “Screaming Tail Feathers”?  We’ve got them for only $3 per 13 ounce jar.  All sales benefit Ruston’s LA. Methodist Children’s Home.
*T-Shirts are still available 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.
*World’s Finest Chocolate Bars are now being sold as a fundraiser for the youth.  You can pick up your supply of this delectable candy bar (Almond, Crisp, or Caramel) in the Church office or from Phyliss Martin during the week.  The Church Staff (who have a weakness for chocolate) would like to see you enjoy this candy  as much as we do before they have to wheel us off to the fat farm!
*Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD “On Eagles Wings” is available.  Proceeds benefit the Grand Piano Fund.

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Building Fund by M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M Pat Peace, M/M Ken Klaus, M/M Jimmy Hardin, Carla Smith, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Richard Simons, M/M David Caletri, M/M William Brunet, M/M John Walton, M/M C.E. Robideaux, M/M Rex Soulet.  In memory of Bobby Rutledge by Paula Rutledge.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.
Sunshine Soles By M/M David McMath.
Apportionments by M/M Bill Vincent and Elise McGuyre.  In honor of Will and Sadie Williams 50th Anniversary by M/M Jerry Lemley.

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