THE CIRCUIT RIDER
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6109 Highway 311           Houma, Louisiana 70360 
Telephone No. (985) 868-7787  /  Facsimile No. (985)868-7086
R. Don Ross , Pastor                                                                   Volume XXV  -  June 2, 2009

PASTOR’S NOTES:
     While I missed being with you last Sunday, we were involved in the marriage of our daughter, Sharon, to Brad Mangrum and his 4-year old son, Brady.  Brady told everyone that, “we are marrying Sharon.”  It was a wonderful day with friends we have known since 1971 in Lafayette and Alexandria.  Family and friends came from Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, California, Arkansas, and Louisiana.  The food was wonderful and the setting was beautiful.  Now you ought to know that the bride was the most beautiful of all, except for my own bride.  Following a honeymoon in Jamaica, Sharon and Brad will return to Lafayette where they will work and make their future plans.  Ann and I came back to Houma filled with satisfaction and joy for how well everything came together.  We were also exhausted!  Thank you for your support and understanding during this special event in our family.  We should have pictures soon.

     Although I was in worship in Lafayette last Sunday, I missed being in community with you. We have come a long way together during the last 11 months and have witnessed challenges and victories.  This Sunday I will be preaching from John 3 under the title, “Can you See?” 
     I have been dreaming dreams lately.  As I walk around this place and talk with different people, I can easily imagine all these rooms being filled with people both young and old during the week, weeknights, and weekends.  I can see people coming to know Jesus and learning how to live and teach the faith to others.  I can see families getting to know each other.  I can see different generations become supportive and encouraging to each other.  Some of you have come to me with ideas or concerns that can help us be faithful disciple makers.   I’m looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as “We gather to gather to ask the Lord’s blessings…Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining.”

Pastor Don


OUR CHURCH FAMILY
   Jack and Donna Gafford welcomes a new great-granddaughter to their family.  Her name is Lilly Kate Gafford and her parents are Jason and Jessica Gafford from Zachary.  Grandparents are Jack and Robin Gafford of Gonzales , former members of our church.

FELLOWSHIP TIME
    Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 9:45AM on Sunday mornings for Coffee, Milk, Donuts and fellowship!                                                                   
          
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
            CAMP E.D.G.E.
Experience + Discover God
          Everywhere Kids, join us for an extreme adventure into God’s word!
            July 19th – 23rd
            6:00PM – 8:30PM
     For children - Pre K – 6th Grade
Parents, registration forms can be picked up in the Church office!  Deadline to register is June 30th!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
   This summer during UMY we will be doing things a little bit differently!  We will be going on Fieldtrips!  Make sure you have your bathing suits with you JUST IN CASE!  All I can say is that it is going to be a very fun summer!
DCYM Training:  This Friday and Saturday three youth will be going to Woodworth for DCYM training.  Youth attending should be at the church for 4:00PM.
Sunday School: This past Sunday morning we talked about the plagues in Egypt.  This week’s lesson is on the Passover in Exodus 11-12.  Any youth grades 7th through 12th are invited to join us at 9:45AM in the upstairs room in the Activities Building.
End of the School Pool Party and Parent Social!  
   All youth and incoming 7th graders should bring a towel, wear your bathing suit, and bring your parents.  On Sunday, June 7th, we will be going to Jimmy and TeresaHardin’s home at 213 Denning Drive from 5:00PM – 7:00PM. This is a great time to start coming back or to join UMY!  We hope to see you there!
June 19th – Family Game Night at the church at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall.
June 21st – No UMY due to Father’s Day!
June 27th – Mission Opportunity for Youth and Adults at 2nd Harvesters Food Bank.  We will meet at the church at 7:30AM.  Have a blessed week!                               –Niki

   Prepare yourselves for a soul-stirring, inspirational musical experience on Old-Time Religion Sunday,  June 7th ,  at the 11:00AM service!  We can all reminisce while we sing such oldies as “Holy, Holy, Holy”, and “Amazing Grace”.  Our amazing Chancel Choir will treat us to such beloved hymns as “O, How I Love Jesus”, “When the Roll is Called up Yonder”, “When We All Get to Heaven”, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and MUCH MORE!
    You won’t want to miss this opportunity to enjoy all the memories this service could evoke!                                                                  

CHERUB CHOIR
   The Cherub Choir will practice Sunday, June 7th, from 4-5:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.  Cherubs, the song we will learn is  “Tell Me Why”.  You’ll love it!

CHURCH MEETING
   Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, June 11, at 6:00PM in the Pastor’s Office! (For June only!)

 FAMILY GAME NIGHT
   Family Game Night is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite game, some snacks to share, and enjoy the fellowship!

KREWE OF DISASTER
     REMINDER!  All hands on board!  Saturday, June 27th, is a workday at Second Harvesters in New Orleans.  We hope to leave the church at 7:30AM and leave New Orleans around 2:00PM. 

Our Stewardship for 2009
   WK 22  May 31, 2009 
    Attendance  204      Sunday School  76
     Offering   $ 5,773
    Building /Renovation  Offering  $    650

MORNING WORSHIP   Sunday, June 1, 2009
 The Music:  OLD TIME RELIGION SUNDAY
   The Chancel Choir
The Sermon:  “Can You See?” Pastor Don Ross
Readings:   Isaiah 6:1-8;  Psalm 29;  Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Renovation Fund by M/M Larry Babin, M/M Charles Blake and Jeanne Scott.  In honor of Emily Elmore for her birthday and Mother’s Day by Rachel Elmore Davis and family.
Apportionments in memory of Jack Barbee (Robin Laird’s dad) by M/M Mike Tingle.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.  In memory of Rachel Boone (Linda Jenkins’ mom) by M/M Nolan Eschete.  
                  
NEWSLETTER REMINDER
   The Church secretary will be on vacation the week of June 8-11th.  There will be no Circuit Rider that week

Trinity Sunday - June 7, 2009

SPECIAL DATES IN JUNE

Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2009
Flag Day, June 14, 2009
Father’s Day, June 21, 2009
First Day of Summer, June 21, 2009

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
+Nursery Class – For Infants
+2-3 Year Olds - in Room 106
+4-5 Year Olds - in Room 101
+Children’s Class for K-3rd Grade- in EB Room 209.)
+Children’s Class for 4th-6th Grade-in EB 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 F. Hall Parlor.)
+Discovery Class
(This class for people who are interested in becoming Christian Disciples meets in the Act. 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.)

+Christian Symbol+
      Triquetra     
An early symbol for the Holy Trinity is formed from three equal arcs.  The arcs represent equality, the continuous line
expresses eternity and the interweaving represents indivisibility.  At the center is a triangle, another symbol of the Trinity.  Because of its beauty and simplicity, the triquetra is often used as a design element in church architecture.  
  
FOCUSING ON THE TRINITY
   Christians are monotheists, meaning we believe in only one God.  Yet we talk about the doctrine of the Trinity.  In the church year, the Sunday after Pentecost is known as Trinity Sunday.  It’s a day for focusing on what theologians call the Triune God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
   Someone said about the concept of the Trinity, “You will lose your soul if you don’t believe it, and you will lose your mind if you try to explain it.”
   The bottom line is this:  God (one Person) has been revealed to mankind in three ways.  He is our Creator, who then came to Earth as our Savior (in the person of Jesus) and is eternally present with us as the Holy Spirit.
   On Trinity Sunday, we praise our Triune God for meeting all our needs.

SATISFIED SERVANTS
   According to a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, clergy members rank highest in job satisfaction.  More than 87% of pastors report being satisfied with their jobs.  Firefighters are second (80%), and physical therapists are third (78%).
   The survey collected data from more than 27,000 people for almost two decades.  At the bottom of the job-satisfaction scale are roofers, waiters and gas-station attendants. 
   Survey director Tom Smith admits he was surprised that pastors topped the list.  “Apparently the rewards of spiritual guidance and leadership outweigh the burdens of being a religious leader,” he says.
   Job satisfaction is highest in professions that involve “caring for, teaching and protecting others, and creative pursuits,” Smith adds.  Prestige and happiness aren’t necessarily linked.
   If you want to be happy in your work, seek out a career or volunteer opportunities that allow you to make a difference.  Pray that God will show you ways to use your gifts to help others.                   -NewsletterNewsletter

 
May you have a happy, blessed week!

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