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R. Don Ross , Pastor
Volume XXV - March 17, 2009
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PASTOR’S NOTES
What a Circus! Saturday was an awesome experience as hundreds of people came to our campus to see their children perform, play games, eat food, and enjoy the day. Yes, we did have a little rain that shortened the day, but not the excitement of the children. Many thanks go to the Learning Center Staff and the congregational volunteers who worked so hard to make this day an experience for our community to remember. We love children at First UMC. |
Our next special children’s day outreach program is called Funbalaya. This special Easter Egg Hunt and fun day will be on Saturday, April 11th from 11 AM to 2 PM. Make your plans to bring your kids and tell your neighbors.
As we make our way toward Easter, I want to encourage you to plan your week to include our Wednesday Lenten Communion Services. These 30-minute services give us mid-week refreshment and focus as we journey toward Easter. We will have our traditional Holy Week services: Holy Thursday Service at 6:30 PM; Good Friday Services at 12 Noon; and Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM, plus our regular services at 8:45 AM and 11:00 AM.
This Sunday my message is entitled, “Look UP!” We will read about Moses making a serpent of bronze and learn why the people were told to focus on it. Be sure to share your hope and faith with those who God sends your way.
Pastor Don |
IMPORTANT MEETING
SPR Committee, Tuesday, March 24, 6:00PM in 205
MARCH IS SOCIAL WORK MONTH
The regional chapter of the National Association of Social Workers recently honored Cheryl Cancienne with the Lifetime Achievement in Social Work award. Peggy Arceneaux was honored as the regional Social Worker of the Year and was also selected as the state Social Worker of the Year! Congratulations to both of you!
BLESS SOMEONE EVERY DAY!
YOUTH MINISTRY-Niki Barr, Director
The Youth would like to say “THANK YOU” to everyone who took a cake this past Sunday. The donations will go toward our Mission Trip to Weekend of the cross.
Sunday School: This Sunday morning we will be reading Genesis 27-30 on deception. Any Youth in grade 7th-12th are invited to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:45AM in the upstairs room in the Activities Building.
UMY: We will be talking about Trash! Well that is the Trash that separates us from God. Join us as we learn about a guy who had it all. Mark 10:17-22. UMY is from 5-7:00PM on Sunday nights in the Activities Building.
Youth and Parents Social has been rescheduled for a later date.
Attention Youth, Baseball Fans, and All Families: The
Christian Fellowship Night at Zephyrs is on Saturday, April 25th. The New Orleans Zephyrs will be playing Albuquerque Isotopes. There will be a post game concert and fireworks. The cost is $7. T-Shirts cost $10. Let me know if you would like to attend.
Pickles Anyone? Mrs. Paige Stanton has prepared Spicy Pickles “with a kick” for the Youth to sell. If you are interested in purchasing some call the office at 868-7788.
Have a Blessed Week! -Niki
FELLOWSHIP AND GAME NIGHT!
Do you like to play games and enjoy the company of others? We will be having a game night every other Friday night beginning April 17th at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall.
Bring your favorite game, some snacks to share and be prepared for some competition. Call the office (868-7787) AHEAD of time if you need a nursery and we will secure a sitter. If you do not like to come out at night and would rather participate in the afternoon, let us know. We can try
a game afternoon in addition to a game night.
-Judy Matherne
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE!
Does anyone know where the Choir Room waste basket is? It has been missing for about two weeks. Could have run off – could have been borrowed. It is labeled “Music Ministry”. ( No hard feelings, of course, but the Popcorn Cart will be held hostage until the missing waste basket is returned!) Thanks! -Kenny
LOST AND FOUND!
Someone left a nice black and blue jacket in the Church Office weeks ago! No one has claimed it. Check your closet, it may belong to YOU!
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S BAKE SALE
United Methodist Women are gearing up for their Annual Bake Sale on Palm Sunday, April 5th. They will set up their delicious Cakes, Cookies, Candy and Goodies under the Arcade, and if YOU are lucky, you will be able to buy anything you want before it all goes! It sells FAST! Be sure to come by before or after your worship service and pick up your treat! All proceeds go to UM Missions!
Our Stewardship for 2009
WK 11 March 15, 2009
Attendance 212 Sunday School 76
Offering $ 7,988
Building /Renovation Offering $ 310
MORNING WORSHIP Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Music: “Amazing Love! How Can it Be” Choir
The Sermon: “Look Up” Pastor Don Ross
Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Renovation Fund by M/M Charles Blake.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.
Funbalaya by M/M Wayne Goebel, Vicki Aycock, M/M Steve Juckett, and M/M Tim Gillaspie.
Contingency Fund by Juana Woodard.
UMY Donation in honor of Niki Barr by a secret angel.
OGHS in honor of Jenny Charpentier by a secret angel.
FUNBALAYA/EASTER EGG HUNT
FUMC will host a BIG Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 11, from 11-2:00PM. Bring empty Easter Baskets to fill with Easter Eggs and GOODIES GALORE! Then enjoy the rest of FUNBALAYA with your parents and friends!
FREE TOYS, PRIZES, HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS AND DRINKS! COME!
METHODIST MEN’S ANNUAL BAR-B-QUE!
The United Methodist Men’s Annual Fundraiser features a mouth-watering Plate Lunch Dinner that will be served in the Activities Building on Sunday, April 19, from 10:30AM to 1:00PM. You may experience this “best ever Bar-B-Que” in the Activity Building or pick up your order and enjoy it at home. Tickets are $7.00, and available from Methodist Men.
This GREAT lunch includes BAR-B-Que Chicken, Sausage, Baked Beans, Dirty Rice, Cole Slaw, and French Bread. UMY will be selling dessert!
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.)
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING!
Look for this offering THIS Sunday, March 22nd. With the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, the United Methodist church rebuilds lives and communities around the world by helping the United Methodist Committee on Relief keep its promise that 100% of your designated gift goes to specific causes.
WHY THE CROSS?
In Jesus’ day, the Roman army ruling Israel carried out capital punishment by using a wooden cross. Criminals, troublemakers and others who threatened society were crucified in public places for everyone to see.
False charges were levied against Jesus. Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest, accused him of blasphemy against God and of being a threat to Roman rule. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had Jesus nailed to a cross on a Friday.
Perhaps ironically to non-Christians, that day came to be called Good Friday. God reached down into our Lord’s grave and restored him to life. The cross that had been a symbol of horror became a symbol of joy.
That’s why we sing with gusto:
In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time,
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.
+CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS+
The lily that blooms around Easter is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection because it rises from a seemingly lifeless bulb decaying in the ground. It is also used as a symbol of Christ himself. The lily, a symbol of purity, is often used to represent the Virgin Mary.
LENT AND REPENTANCE
Lent is a season of repentance. But for many of us, “repentance” is an offensive word. It sounds so remorseful.
In reality, it isn’t remorseful at all. The root word for “repentance” is the Greek word metanoia, from which our word “metamorphosis”comes. The great image of this is the butterfly emerging from its cocoon; the caterpillar being transformed into new life.
No one is remorseful about that! Nor should we be with repentance, which involves leaving the past and emerging into new life.
-NewsletterNewsletter
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