PASTOR’S NOTES:  Believing the Bible    The pastor observed a little girl standing outside the Sunday school classroom between Sunday school and worship, waiting for her parents to come and pick her up for "big church." The pastor noticed that she clutched a big storybook under her arm with the title "Jonah and the Whale."

Feeling mischievous, he knelt beside the girl and asked, "What's that you have in your hand?"       "This is my storybook about Jonah and the whale," she answered.        "Tell me something," he continued, "do you believe that story about Jonah and the whale?"       The girl said, "Why, of course I believe it!"       The pastor inquired further, "You really believe a man can be swallowed up by a big whale, stay inside him all that time, and come out okay?"       She declared, "Yes! This story is in the Bible, and we talked about it in Sunday school today."       Then the pastor asked, "Can you prove to me this story is true?"       She thought for a moment and then said, "Well, when I get to heaven, I'll ask Jonah."       Finally the pastor asked, "What if Jonah's not in heaven?"       The girl put her hands on her hips and sternly declared,"Then YOU can ask him!"       What our children learn in Sunday School is very important.  Bring your family to Sunday School and stay for “Big Church” or vice versa.  Palm Sunday is always an exciting worship experience.  I will be sharing a message entitled, “Hosanna!”                                         Pastor Don

FUNBALAYA SATURDAY, APRIL 11!
   On Saturday, April 11, from 11-2:00PM, we will celebrate Easter with the children with an Easter Egg Hunt, Games, Prizes and FREE FOOD!  Everything happens on the grounds of FUMC!
 The children will hunt for plastic Easter Eggs (filled with wrapped candies-chocolate melts); there will be toys and trinkets for prizes; baked goods (Cupcakes), and Hamburgers, Hot Dogs with Buns, and Drinks!   ALL FREE!  How can we make this happen?  DONATIONS!
   There is LOTS you can do to help!  Brenda needs HELP stuffing eggs this Sunday, April 5th at 4:00PM in Room 209.  We still need DONATIONS of money or any of the items mentioned above.  If you have any questions about how you can help, call Brenda Cloud @ 876-2097. 
   This year Funbalaya  is open to the community so it should be BIGGER than ever.  Bring your kids, spread the word –the more the merrier!  Let’s show the community what a welcoming church we are!

ASSOCIATE MUSIC MINISTER NEEDED!
   The SPR Committee is looking for an Associate Music Minister to direct the Voices of Light Youth Choir and Les Belles Clochettes English Handbell Choir. Musical knowledge is required, but a degree in music is not.  Applicants must have an interest in being a part of the ministry team at FUMC.  The salary is $10-$14 an hour, depending on experience of the applicant, and the position would require around 10 hours per week.  If you are interested in applying, please pick up a job application and a complete job description in the church office.  Applications will be accepted through the end of April.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS!
   This past Sunday night the youth had fun playing Hankerthief and Frisbee Bowling. The Champion of Frisbee Bowling went to Kelley Williams, with 24 points.  The youth found out that it was harder than it looks.
Sunday School: This Sunday morning we will be reading about Joseph the Dreamer, Genesis 35-37.  Any youth grades 7th-12th are invited to join us Sunday mornings at 9:45AM in the upstairs room in the Activities Building.
UMY:  We will be going Back to the Dump on Doubts and Questions.  This week’s special game will be Trash bag Soccer!  Join us from 5-7:00PM Sunday nights in the Activities Building.
Game Night: April 17th at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall!  Come join the church in Game Night.  Please call ahead (868-7788) and let the office know you are coming!
Attention Youth, Baseball fans, and Church Family:  The Christian Night at Zephyrs is on Saturday, April 25th.  Tne 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 by April 12th if you would like to attend.
Pickles?    We still have some jars of spicy pickles  left if you are interested in purchasing some.  Call the office at 868-7788.                            Have a Blessed Week!     -Niki                                                  

METHODIST MEN’S 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 enjoy  this delicious  Bar-B-Que” in the Activity Building or pick up your order and bring it at home. 
Tickets are $7.00, and available from Methodist Men OR from the secretary in the church office.  This GREAT lunch includes BAR-B-Que Chicken, Sausage, Baked Beans, Dirty Rice, and French Bread. Please Note! There will be  No Coleslaw on the menu this year!  UMY will be selling dessert!

FIRST “GAME NIGHT” SET FOR APRIL 17TH!                                                                      

DING-A-LINGS NEEDED!
   OOPS, never call a bell ringer a ding-a-ling!  We  DO need more ringers for Les Belles Clochettes.  Rehearsals are at 5:00PM on Sunday evenings in the Activity Building Classroom.  If we don’t “ring your chime” we’ll give you one of ours!                       -Ken Klaus

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   April 7th, UMW General Meeting, 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.  The program is “Random Scraps of Kindness”by Martha Cook.  Leader is Judy Matherne.
   On April 25, UMW will participate in Acadiana District UMW Day Apart at Bayou Blue UMC.

Our Stewardship for 2009
     WK 13  March 29, 2009 
      Attendance  278       Sunday School   83
     Offering   $  8,658
     Building /Renovation  Offering  $      630   

                                  EASTER LILIES
  We have the opportunity to present  Easter  Lilies in a new way this year.  If you would like to buy and bring an Easter Lily or two  in memory or honor of a loved one, please plan to purchase the plant yourself.  You may then mark the pot (underneath) with your name so that you can pick it up after Easter Sunday services.
   We are working within a short time frame!  Please drop off the Easter Lilies to church during Holy Week(next week), before Easter Sunday.  You may place them on the tile floor of the Sanctuary in front of the altar if you bring them after the Good Friday Noon service.  (Perhaps when you come for Funbalaya!) If you plan to drop the Lily off before Good Friday, you may do so and please place them in the hall of the back foyer.  The Lilies will be arranged for Easter Sunday.
   Please call the church office (868-7787) with the information (who the Lily is in memory or honor of) so that we can type up the insert for the Easter Sunday Bulletin.  We will also put it in the Newsletter if we hear from you by Noon on Monday, April 6th!

SPECIAL CALL FOR UNITED METHODIST MEN!
   United Methodist Men will have a special meeting
on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall.

THE BOB LAY 1000 CLUB
   Help us raise the funds to build Faith Crossing United Methodist Church in Livingston Parish.  Checks should be made payable to Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club.  This call ends April 30, 2009.

CHERUB CHOIR NEWS
   Cherub Choir will practice Sunday, April 5th,  at 4:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.  We’ll practice the words to the song “It’s Easter”.                               -Mrs. Shirley

TERREBONNE CHURCHES UNITED
Dear Rev. Ross and Members of FUMC,
   Thank you for your donation of $270 in support of the Food Bank during the month of February.  Through your generosity, and that of others, we were able to supply food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and counsel to 105 families consisting of 228 individuals last month.
   We are making a call for additional adult volunteers who can donate three hours a month of their time helping the less fortunate of our Houma/Terrebonne
community.         With you, in service to others, D. Lafont

WHY PALM SUNDAY?
   Palm branches are mentioned in only one of the four Gospels (see John 12:12-15).  So why do we call the first day of Holy Week Palm Sunday?
   Tradition plays an important part in church history.  During Jesus’ time, Rome was the world’s leading power.  Whenever the Romans were victorious in battle, citizens traditionally threw palm branches in the returning heroes’ path.
   This was the accepted custom of reception.  So when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, it was appropriate that he receive a hero’s welcome.  One week later, he would be victorious over death.                    –NewsletterNewsletter
         
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Holy Thursday, April 9th , 6:30PM in Sanctuary.
Good Friday, April 10th, 12Noon in Sanctuary.
Easter Sunday Services are as follows;
               Sunrise Service    6:30AM
               First Service          8:45AM
              Second Service    11:00AM