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  - March 29, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"God Still Changes Hearts”
   Genesis 6.5 suggests that the inclination of human hearts before the flood “was only evil continually.”  I would like to have a brighter view of human nature, but then I saw a news article this past week.  Someone had placed an order at a reopened fast food place in New Orleans.  Having driven through New Orleans after dark on a few occasions recently, it is not always easy to find a fast food place that is open in many sections of the city.  This person ordered a fish sandwich and wanted mayonnaise instead of tarter sauce.  When she unwrapped her sandwich, she was more than a little disappointed to discover that it had tarter sauce.
This person drove through the drive-thru again then gave the person on the speaker a piece of her mind.  Then when the person came out of the establishment to calm the woman down, she assaulted him with a razor blade which required a trip to the hospital and 10 stitches.
   The sociologist in me wants to understand what is going on here.  I want to suggest that this event was a result of the stress from Katrina.  I want to suggest that this woman was mentally ill.  I want to suggest that the person in the fast food place was verbally abusive.  I want to suggest that this was an isolated incident.  The problem is that a story like this is all too common and rarely makes it to the newspaper.  Our society is becoming increasingly violent.
   Perhaps the author of Genesis is right.  The intention of the human heart is toward evil.  That is why the church is so needed today.  We believe that God can still change hearts.  Are you ready to have your heart touched?
                                                                       Peace!  Barry

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

FELLOWSHIP MEALS EVERY SUNDAY NITE!
   COME AND ENJOY  a good meal in our Activities Building.  The meal is served from 5:30-6:15 PM at a cost of $3.00 per plate and not more than $10.00 per family.  This week’s menu is Red Beans & Rice, Sausage, Corn Bread, Cole Slaw and Cake.                                 
   WE THANK the United Methodist Learning Center for 
DONATING the evening meal each week.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S APRIL AGENDA
April 1   9:00 AM Koinonia Circle at the Golden Corral
April 4    9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall 
               Call to Prayer and Self Denial Service
                 Leader: Betty Jo Farmer Hostess: Judy Matherne
April 9    UMW Bake Sale
April 11  9:30 AM Fellowship Hall Parlor
               Faith Circle “Field Trip” 
               Leader: Joyce Thibodeaux
April 29  9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall
               Acadiana District UMW Day Apart
               Speaker: Rev. Peggy Foreman

FAMIILY MINISTRIES LUNCH ON SUNDAY, APRIL 2
   Prepare a covered dish or two OR pick up some Fried Chicken and join us in the Activity Building for our monthly Family Luncheon after the 11:00 AM service.   Enjoy the great sounds of “good old Gospel Music” to be brought to you by David McMath’s “Circuit Riders.”  You don’t want to miss this entertainment!  See you there!

LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES!    Services are as follows:  March 29th and April 5th at 12:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  On April 13th, Holy Thursday Service will be at 6:30 PM.  On April 14th, Good Friday service will be at   12:15 PM. 

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY UPDATE
SUNDAY SCHOOL–MORNING SCHEDULE
Itty-Bitty thru Four year Olds are with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery for STORY TIME AND PLAY TIME. 
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will be with Mrs. Martha and Mrs. Jeanne  for ART & MUSIC in the Activities Building
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SCHEDULE
3:30-4:15 PM CHRISTIAN EDUCATION  and PUPPET THEATER  in the Activities Building.
4:15-4:45 PM Kindergarten –2nd  Grade have ACTIVITY TIME.
4:15-4:45 PM Third–Sixth Grade have VOLLEYBALL  under the direction of Mr. Anthony Martin. (The children who do not wish to go to Music or Drama may continue to play Volleyball.)
4:45-5:30 PM  MUSIC with Mrs. Shirley in the Activities Building Classroom.  We will practice for singing on Palm Sunday, 11:00 AM Service.  ALSO, we will be making an Easter Craft.  COME AND JOIN THE FUN!

UM WOMEN’S ANNUAL BAKE SALE!
   United Methodist Women will hold their Annual Bake Sale Fundraiser on Palm Sunday, April 9th. Their tables are usually set up under the Arcade during and after the worship services.  The members of United Methodist Women can “OUT BAKE” just about anyone you know!  Make a DASH to their tables EARLY on Sunday morning, because the luscious goodies they make DO NOT LAST VERY LONG before they are all bought! 
    Try a fresh baked pie, cake, cookies, brownies, or candy from UM Women!  You never know which DELECTABLE dessert you will find that is just right for you and your family! 

UM MEN’S  ANNUAL BAR-B-Q GEARING UP!
   United Methodist Men (those outrageously good cooks!) are hosting their Annual Fundraiser with a luscious Plate Lunch Dinner in the Activities Building on Sunday, April 23, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  You may dine in the Activity Building  or carry  your order home.
  GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!      They are available from Methodist Men or from the Church office.  Tickets are $6 for a GREAT lunch that includes Bar-B-Q Chicken, Bar-B-Q Sausage, Baked Beans, Dirty Rice, Cole Slaw, and French Bread.  If you have ever had one of these plate lunches, you already know the food will be HOT, PLENTIFUL, and DELICIOUS!  Cold drinks will be extra and offered by the United Methodist  Youth.    

Our Stewardship for Week  #13   March 26, 2006
Attendance Worship: 214     Sunday School: 55
Offering This Week:      $  6,632       YTD:   $101,658
Bldg. Fund This Week: $  2,330       YTD:   $  69,816
Apportionments Due :  $15,925   Pd YTD: $ 13,275

WORSHIP   Sunday, April 2, 2006
The Sermon: “Finest Hour”   Rev. Barry Hoekstra
Music  8:30AM “Wondrous Love” The Early Choir
Music:11:00AM “In the Beginning Was the Word”
The Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10
The Gospel: John 12:20-33
The Altar Flowers are given in memory of Blaire Nunnally by Dad, Mom, and Jason.

EARLY CHOIR SINGS THIS SUNDAY!
  This Sunday is not only an “Early Choir Sunday”, it is also the first day of DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.  Be sure to SPRING FORWARD on Saturday
         .- Ken Klaus, Choir Director

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

SPECIAL INTEREST ITEMS AVAILABLE IN OFFICE!
   *MacDonell Children’s Greeting Cards made by the children of our local home are available for $5 per pack of ten cards and envelopes. 
  *Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD“On Eagles Wings” is available. Proceeds benefit the Piano Fund.
  *Scrumptious Salsa will still be available in the church office.  Sales benefit LA. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana.
 * T-Shirts are now available for sale 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  in the Church office or from Phyliss Martin during the week.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Building Fund by M/M David McMath, M/M Gene Milford, M/M George Geoffroy, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M William Brunet, M/M Clint Mprgan, Juana Woodard, and in memory of John Woodard by M/M Byron Bennett.
Piano Fund in memory of John Woodard by M/M Nolan Eschete.
Apportionments in memory of John Woodard by M/M Jerry Lemley, Shannon Kelley, M/M John Kelley, and M/M Hideo Koike.  In memory of Juanita Beckley (Edie Robideaux’s sister) by M/M Jerry Lemley.  In memory of Sue Slaton by M/M Hideo Koike.
One Great Hour of Sharing by M/M Bobby Aycock, M/M Terry Hartsock, M/M Mike Tingle, M/M George Geoffroy, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Melvin Childers, Elise McGuyre, and M/M Richard Simons.
Gifts in memory of John Woodard by Margaret Shafer, M/M George Shely, M/M Wayne Reid, Mary Arceneaux, M/M Richard Simons, and Al Cowan.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
    Kim Walker is leading an Adult Bible Study on Sunday afternoons, 4:30 PM in the Library of the Education Building. 

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