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  -  May 5, 2009

PASTOR’S NOTES
   Five young Cub Scouts were recognized last Sunday for their completion of the God and Me Award (grades 1-3).  These young boys and their parents invested over a month in study and service to learn more about Jesus.  This is one of four awards that can be earned by children/youth in grades 1-12.  This first level helps children learn how to be best friends with Jesus and to tell their story of “God and Me” together:  God created me; Jesus is God’s Gift to Me; I Can Talk with God; and Because God Cares for Me, I Can Care for Others.  The other awards are:  God and Family (grades 4-5); God and Church (grades 6-8); and God and Life (grades 9-12).  While a person does not have to be in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts to earn this recognition, this is the only non-scouting issued award that may be worn on their uniforms.  Congratulations to Michael Goebel, Ian Tula, Robert Smith, Channing Rodriguez, and Blasé Duffer for this accomplishment.

   Luke 2:40 notes that Jesus “grew and became strong, he was full of wisdom, and God’s blessings were upon him.”  Luke also notes in 4:16 “When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom.”  These two comments are strong reminders of the role of parents in teaching children the faith and forming them in the healthy habits of regular worship. 
 
   Each Sunday we have classes to help us and our children learn the stories and practices of our faith.  We are responsible to nurture our children in the Christian faith.  We currently provide five adult classes plus five classes for children beginning at age two. 
 
   I look forward to seeing you this Mother’s Day Sunday when I will be preaching on “Learning to Love.”
                                                            Pastor Don Ross

CHURCH ACTIVITIES IN MAY
May 12, 6:00PM Finance Committee AB/403
May 12, 7:00PM Church Council FH
May 13, 6:30PM UMCLC Graduation in the Sanctuary
May 14, 6:30PM Cub Scouts Graduation FH
May 16, 8-12Noon  UMY Rummage Sale in AB
May 17, 6:00PM Training Communion Servers in FHP
May 17, 7:30PM Chasing Canaan Concert in Sanctuary
May 19, 6:30PM  United Methodist Men in FH
May 22, 6:30PM  Family Game Night in Fellowship Hall
May 24, Noon Covered Dish Luncheon in AB

TIRED OF PLAYING SOLITARE?
   Is Solitare the loneliest game in town for you?  Would you like to learn some new games, maybe meet some new people, sharpen up your competitive edge? Unless you’re crazy about Solitare, why don’t you join members of our Church Family on Friday, May 8th, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall for a lively night of fun and games!  Bring your favorite game and some snacks to share! Call  868-7787(before Friday)  if you need a nursery!

WHO AND WHAT IS CHASING CANAAN?
  You can join us in the Sanctuary on Sunday, May 17th, at 7:30PM and find out for yourself! Mark Sorensen and this amazing group of young musicians are based in Shreveport.  FUMC-Houma is part of their No Ordinary People Tour.  Sarah Duet, plays, sings, and writes for this band. Experience an exciting, inspirational evening!

WE ARE 100 YEARS OLD!
Help Us Celebrate
Our Church’s 100th Anniversary!
   On Sunday, May 24, we will celebrate our Church’s 100th Anniversary with a Covered Dish Luncheon after morning Worship Services.  It will be held in the Activity Center and in addition to lots of good food, we will have musical presentations by our Children’s Choir, the Chancel Choir, and special music by Madelyn Lowe and Zack Dufrene.  Pastor Don will present a short devotional and our own Church Historian, Timmy Hebert, will give our Church’s developmental history.    Put this celebration on your schedule and bring your favorite food to share with the Church family!

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS  by Niki Barr, Director
This past Sunday Morning was Senior Recognition and YSF Sunday.  We would like to congratulate our seniors; Charles Gyer, Kimberly West, Dillon Carlos & Robert Perez.  Good luck in all your endeavors!
Sunday School:  This Sunday morning we will be reading about the death of Jacob in Genesis 49-50.  This concludes the book of Genesis.  Any youth grades 7-12 can join us at 9:45AM on Sunday in the Youth Room/AB.
NO UMY ON MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 10th.
Youth Rummage Sale is May 16th.  We will be accepting donations starting May 13th. If you would like a booth to sell items let me know as space is running out!  Youth need to be at the church on Friday, May 15th, to help price and 7:30AM-1:00PM on May 16th to help sell!
Sunday, May 17th Chasing Canaan Let’s pack the house as Sarah Duet will be performing in this FREE concert. Enjoy a night of inspiring music and worship!
Summer Mission Trip: We will be going to Weekend of the Cross in Gonzales, July 30th-August 3rd.  This is an opportunity to help someone repair their home and a chance to experience dynamic devotionals, evening worship, and planned evening activities with other churches in our area.  Any youth completing the 6th-12th grade this year are able to attend.  Call me at 870-5976 if you are interested not later than May 15th!
Attention! 6th Graders starting 7th Grade in June CAN COME to UMY.  We meet on Sunday nights in the Activities Building from 5-7:00PM.  We enjoy great food, fun games, and time to share our struggles with others and learn how God can help us overcome any obstacles.  Hope to see YOU in JUNE!  Have a blessed week!
THANKS TO ALL  for contributing to the YSF Fund!                                                       

LOUISIANA METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME
MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING, Sunday, May 10
     For more than 100 years, LA. Methodist Children’s home has cared for orphaned, abused, abandoned, neglected and hurting children. Thousands of children who desperately need a Christian home, good medical care, nourishing food, proper clothing, and education have found refuge here.  It is our desire and prayer that each child will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Your generous gift will enable us to continue to minister to Louisiana’s children. 
(You will find an offering envelope in your Sunday bulletin.)

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, JOE ROBINSON, MAY 9TH

Our Stewardship for 2009
    WK 18  May 3, 2009 
     Attendance  214    Sunday School   80
    Offering  $  7,999                                                                   
    Building /Renovation  Offering  $     155

MORNING WORSHIP   Sunday, May 10, 2009
 The Music:  “Empty of Me” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon:   “Learning to Love”   Pastor Don Ross
Readings:   Acts 8:26-40;  Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21;  John 15:1-8

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Upper Rooms by Betty Thomas
Renovation Fund by M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M George Shely, Carla Smith.  In Memory of Dennis Neal by M/M Hubert Belanger.  In Honor of M/M David Elmore by M/M Bill Jenkins.
Operating Fund in Memory of Dennis Neal by the Neal family.  In Honor of the Church Staff by M/M Bill Vincent.  In Memory of Debbie Stevens (Heather Cenac’s mom) by M/M Ted Ortiz.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.
YSF Special Offering by M/M Don Hebert, M/M Rex Soule, Ben Meyers, M/M Jack Dryden, M/M Tim Gillaspie, M/M Mike Tingle, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Ryan Cenac, Paige Stanton, Pat Weaver, M/M Glen LaJaunie, Carol Benoit, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Steve Juckett, M/M Ray Moore.

COMING SOON TO A SANCTUARY
NEAR YOU!
Sunday, June 7th, 11:00AM
“Old-Time Religion Sunday”
Presented by our Chancel Choir
                             
WE RECYCLE!
ALUMINUM CANS
(Under the outside stairs of the Activity Building
and in the Fellowship hall near the Coke machine.)
EYEGLASSES & SOUP LABELS
(Bring to the Church Office)

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.)

IN SYMPATHY
  We extend our Christian sympathy and prayers for comfort to:
   Joyce Thibodeaux and her family.  Joyce’s aunt, Virginia Howard, who resided in Pineville, passed away on April 30th.
   Robin Laird and her family.  Robin’s beloved father, Jack Barbee, passed away Sunday, May 3rd after a lengthy illness. His funeral arrangement will be held in Borger, Texas on Wednesday, May 6.

MISSING SOMETHING?
   Could it be a book by the name of Snakehead written by Anthony Horowitz?  Not to worry!  It is in the Church office waiting for someone to claim it!  Come by the Church office and pick it up.

               SPECIAL DATES
+Christian Family Week, May 4-10
+National Day of Prayer, May 7
+Mother’s Day, May 10
+Armed Forces Day, May 16
+Victoria Day (Canada), May 18
+Ascension of the Lord, May 21
+Memorial Day, May 25
+Pentecost, May 31

A MOTHER’S PRAYER 
   Make me a wise mother, O Lord.  Keep me calm and give me patience to bear the small, irritating things in the daily routine of life.  Give me tolerance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children.
   Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruises.  Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with them, but never at them.  Let me refrain from preaching with words; let me show by example instead.
    Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me.  Make me humble.  Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles may separate us.  And let Thy light so shine upon me that they, too, will perceive Thy glory.  Amen.                                             -NewsletterNewsletter   

  

 
May you have a happy, blessed week!

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