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  -  May 10, 2006
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Hurry Up and Wait”
   Things here are a bit different in our post-Katrina world.  Our renovation has taken a bit longer than expected.  The main reason for delay has been due to the unavailability of supplies and materials.  Manufacturers are very busy supplying the gulf coast region.  Anything that has to do with building seems to take more time to manufacture and ship.
   With the above being said, we are making remarkable progress on our renovation.  The flooring looks great and most walls have been floated and painted.  Lighting is here and waiting for the electricians to finish up.  Sound and technology equipment is here and waiting for installation after the electricians are done.  Pews are being built and will be assembled on site as soon as other workers  are finished.  The old stained glass will be removed and tempered glass will be installed in the midst of other work.
   I have learned this about renovations: It is a creative dance of talented people to make things work out without bumping into each other or stepping on the other’s toes.
   We have had many sightseers checking weekly on the progress of the project.  If you haven’t seen the progress yet and would like to see what is going on, come by during the week.  Let me know if you would like a personal tour and I’ll be happy to point out highlights of the project.
   Our goal for being back in the sanctuary for worship is the first Sunday in July.  Thank you for your support and patience during our renovation.                   -Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME 
WHEN: After 8:30 Service       WHERE: Activities Building
Join us for Coffee, Donuts, and fellowship.

FELLOWSHIP MEALS ON SUNDAY NIGHT!
 Drop by the Activities Building between 5:30-6:15PM and enjoy this Sunday’s menu of Red Beans and Rice, Sausage, Coleslaw, Corn Bread, and  Dessert.

UNITED METHODIST MEN
   United Methodist Men will hold their next regular meeting and special program on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30PM in the Activity Building.  The guest speaker will be Terrebonne Airport Manager, Earl Hicks, who will present a very interesting and informative  program on the airport’s colorful history and  future plans.  Men, let’s have a good turn out for this program , food, and fellowship.
   There will be  a fine meal consisting of Beef Brisket, Beans and Corn, Salad, Drink, Corn Bread, and Dessert.  All wives of couples celebrating a May wedding anniversary are our guests.
   Last week,  I inadvertently left out the name of one of our special helpers, Pat Lemley.  A bad back and all, she was there to help with our Bar-B-Q.  Please forgive me if I left off any other helpers.  We appreciate you all so much!  Thanks to all again!                            -Bill Vincent, UMM President

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
   Please note that the Church Office hours for the summer will be 8:00AM-5:00PM, Monday through Thursday.

LES BELLES CLOCHETTES--   The Hand Bell Choir will NOT practice again until August.  However, members will be notified if a special practice is needed during the summer.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
**MORNING ACTIVITIES
Itty-Bitty to Four year olds are with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery.
Kindergarten - Fifth Grade will be with Mrs. Carla Smith in the Activity Building for games.
  **AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
3:30-4:30PM  Itty-Bitty to Four year olds are with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery. 
Kindergarten-Fifth Grade will be with Mrs. Carla Smith for Games in the Activity Building. 
4:30-5:15PM Drama with Ms. Jeanne in Room 403.

     VOICES OF LIGHT HOSTS NITE LITE SERVICE!   Come worship with Voices of Light this Sunday evening, May 14th, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall.  The choir will offer scripture, prayer, the message, and several choral numbers.  Donna Sammarco will offer the prelude as well as accompanying the group.  Unbroken Circle will also be a part of this service.  Invite your friends and family and come to seek God, know His love, and worship Him!

THE EARLY CHOIR NEEDS A FEW GOOD VOICES!
   The Early Choir sings for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at the 8:30AM service.   If you like to sing, come and be part of this ministry.  We practice at 8:00AM on Sunday morning before the service. 

2006 ECUMENICAL SONGFEST
   On May 18, 2006, the New Rising Sun Baptist Church will be hosting the new 2006 Annual Ecumenical Songfest.  Choirs from five churches in Terrebonne Parish will each feature their choirs, providing about 110 voices worth of singing that night.  The participating churches this year are the New Rising Sun Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, St. Frances de Sales Cathedral, Mulberry Baptist Church -featuring their 8-voice praise and worship group “Testament”, and another special guest ensemble–the “True Believers”, who are based at St. Luke’s Baptist Church in Dularge.  It will be a spectacular night of ecumenical music and praise! 

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN 
May 16–10:00AM Executive Committee Meeting in Parlor.
June 3– 9:00AM Koinonia Circle at Golden Corral (Dutch
               treat)  Leader: Judy Matherne.
June 6– 6:30PM General Meeting in the Fellowship Hall.
               Leader: Judy Matherne
June 13– 9:30AM Faith Circle in the Fellowship Hall Parlor

BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING
   There will be a Building Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 16th, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.  

CIRCUIT RIDER NEWS
   There will be NO Circuit Rider the week of May 16 through 19th.  The Church secretary will be off that week.  

     Sunday, May 14th, is Mother’s Day!

Our Stewardship for Week  #19   May  7, 2006
Attendance in Worship   183   Sunday School 31
Offering This Week:      $14,301     YTD:  $158,331
Bldg. Fund This Week: $12,937    YTD:   $ 86,823
Apportionments Due : $23,275  Pd YTD:$ 17,150

WORSHIP    Sunday, May 14, 2006
Music 8:30AM Special Music with Michael Klaus
Music11:00AM “God’s Family of Love” Chancel Choir
The Scripture: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:7-21
The Gospel: John 15:1-8
The Sermon: “Fruit Bearing” Rev. Barry Hoekstra

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
   Matthew and Jaime South welcomed their first-born daughter, Katelin Avery South, on Saturday May 6th.  Katelin is a six-pound, six-ounce beauty and a joy to her parents and proud grandparents Edward and Martha South!  

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

THANK YOU FOR THESE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Building Fund by M/M Wayne Reid, M/M John Walton, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Rex Soule, Carla Smith, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Jimmy Hardin, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M David West, M/M Ken Klaus and M/M Don Murphy.  In memory of John Woodard by M/M Pat Peace.  In memory of “Sarge” Rutledge for his 97th birthday by Paula Rutledge.
Apportionments by Elise McGuyre.
Native American Offering by M/M Wayne Reid.
Piano Fund by M/M David McMath and in memory of Carmelitta Patterson by M/M Pat Peace.
UMY Project Noah by Al Cowan, M/M Ken Klaus, M/M Bobby Aycock, and in honor of the wedding of Sue & Earl Pertuit by M/M Russell Elliott.
Youth Service Fund by Dawn Vincent, M/M Todd Punch, M/M Larry Babin, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Paul Sammarco, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M Sonny Hebert, M/M Ben Meyers, M/M Richard Simons, and Shannon Kelley.
Operating Fund in honor of Paula Rutledge and in memory of John Woodard by M/M Tom Givens.

SAVE LIDS TO SAVE LIVES
   Let’s put a lid on breast cancer!  Ameriguard Security and Beta Sigma Phi of Houma are teaming up to collect pink Yoplait yogurt lids.  For each pink foil lid we collect, Yoplait will donate 10 cents to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, up to $1.5 million with a minimum donation of $500,000.  Join our efforts by donating your clean pink foil lids in the box provided in the church office.  This campaign will run through June 30th.  Please keep this in mind when enjoying your yogurt!

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