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 1, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"40 Days”
   “Habitual” is a word that we do not use very much.  It basically means that the more someone does something, the more likely it is to become a habit.  It takes time for something to become habitual.
 When we join the United Methodist Church, we pledge to support the church with our time, talent, gifts and service.  The reality of most churches is that about one quarter of the members habitually come to worship.  The rest of the members drop in from time to time.  There are bad habits and good habits.  I believe that worship attendance is a good habit.  It is where we gather with others.  It is where we sing praises to God.  It is where we learn to live a life of faith.  It is where we grow in our faith.
   Lent is now here.  Lent is a forty-day period-plus Sundays-to consider the humanity of Jesus.  It is a journey which begins in the wilderness and ends in a tomb.  This is pretty sobering stuff.  It is the stuff of life.  In a post Katrina/Rita world it might be just what we need to find our way to the Light.
   I want to issue a challenge.  Come back to church for the next forty days.  We have three different services.  Our 8:30 AM service is a relaxed traditional service.  Eleven o’clock is a traditional service with the Chancel Choir.  At 6:30 PM the band plays at the Nite Lite Service.  I believe that worship can change your life.  Are you ready to start a good habit?                                                             Peace!  Barry

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

MONTHLY FAMILY DINNER HELD LAST SUNDAY
   GREAT FOOD,   WONDERFUL FRIENDSHIP, and  “A Blast from the Past” music added up to a FUN TIME for all at the monthly Family Dinner held last Sunday after the 11:00 AM service. 
   Special thanks to Katie, Chrissy and Andrea Hebert, and Rachel Klaus for helping me prior to the luncheon.
   I am already working on entertainment for our NEXT monthly dinner which will be held on Sunday, April 2nd.  
                                                -Shirley Hebert, Coordinator

EARLY CHOIR NEEDS SINGERS!
   With the return of our traditional style 8:30 AM service, comes the resurrection of THE EARLY CHOIR!  Each first and third Sunday “The Early Choir” will present anthems which are rehearsable in the thirty minutes prior to the service. 
   On third Sunday, March 19th, meet us in the Choir Room at 8:00 AM to prepare for the leading of the 8:30 congregation in music.  We need YOUR voice!  We’d LOVE to have YOU sing with US!       
                                                 - Ken Klaus, Choir Director

IMPORTANT CHURCH MEETING!
   The Church Council will meet on Tuesday, March 14th, at 6:00 PM in the Activity Building,  Room 403.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty-Four Year olds will meet with Mrs. Mary and Miss Maddie for a lesson and playtime.
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade theme: Peter: The Easter Story.  Meet in the Activities Building after 8:30 AM service for fellowship, then journey to Room 206 for Art with Mrs. Martha.
Sunday Afternoon Children’s Program begins at 3:30 PM with Art with Mrs. Martha in Room 403 in the Activities Building. 
4:30-5:30 PM–We will begin our Children’s Drama Program in Room 403.  They will participate in Drama games, movement, pantomime.  We 
also will work on a play called Props for Easter.
   We are looking for a catchy name for our children’s program in the afternoon.  Got any ideas?
Moments with God reap benefits that last a lifetime!

 LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE!
    Lenten Services will follow this schedule: March 8th, March 15th, March 22nd, March 29th, and April 5th at 12:15 PM.  On April 13th, Holy Thursday service will be at 6:30 PM.  On April 14th, Good Friday service will be at 12:15 PM.  Services will be held  in the Fellowship Hall.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
March 10-12  Lenten Women’s Retreat at Sager Brown 
March 14 9:30 AM   Fellowship Hall Parlor 
Faith Circle Leaders: Barbara English and Robin Laird
Hostess: Barbara English            

UMW SEEKING DONATIONS FOR UMCOR
 UMW is asking  church members to donate supplies to be delivered to the UMCOR Depot in Baldwin to be sent to people all over the world.  The UMCOR Depot is a mission of the United Methodist Church.  Supplies needed: one-quart or two-quart bottles of bleach, 25-oz or 50-oz bottles of liquid laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, 32-oz bottles of all purpose cleaner.  Note: Items must be the sizes as indicated.  They must be new.  Please bring donations to the church and leave them in the box in the office before March 9.  Thanks to all who chose to participate in this mission project.              -Joyce Thibodeaux, UMW President

GET INVOLVED IN OUR NEW DRAMA MINISTRY!
   Are you an actor?  Or a want-a-be?  Come join the Adult Drama Group as we perform “A View From the Pew.”  A hilarious comedy based on the views, not only from the pews but behind the pulpit, women’s groups and home.  Auditions are every Sunday from 3:30-4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  Sue Peace and Jeanne Scott will direct you through this “new view.”

Our Stewardship for Week  #10   March 5, 2006
Attendance Worship: 206    Sunday School: 62
Offering This Week:     $10,366    YTD: $82,560
Bldg. Fund This Week:  $2,159    YTD: $55,481
Apportionments Due : $12,250   Paid YTD: $12,250
2006 Total Budget             _________

WORSHIP   Sunday, March 12, 2006
The Sermon: “Follow Me”   Rev. Barry Hoekstra
Music  8:30AM  “A Legend” Marissa McMath, Soprano
Music:11:00AM “By the Mark” The Chancel Choir
The Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7; 15-16; Romans 4:13-25;
The Gospel:  Mark 8:31-38

LOUISIANA SPIRIT HURRICANE RECOVERY
 Professional counselors are available to assist you with short-term counseling, stress management workshops for small and large groups, ongoing support groups in your area, and resource information.  For more information on programs in your parish call 866-295-6495 or 985-868-2620.The journey of recovery begins with a single step!

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 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 is 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.

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
   Become a part of our Prayer Group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Building Fund by M/M Tom Cantrelle, M/M William Brunet, M/M Rex Soule, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Gene Milford, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Don d’Aquin, Paula Rutledge and M/M Melvin Childers.
Piano Fund in honor of Donna Sammarco by UMM.
Apportionments by M/M R.L. Golden and in honor of Hideo and Takeko Koike by M/M Gene Milford.
Food Bank in memory of Hazel Berger, one year with the Lord, by Raymond Berger.
Pastor Benevolence Fund by M/M Jim Nunnally, and M/M Bobby Aycock.

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