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R. Don Ross , Pastor
Volume XXV - Nov. 4, 2008
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Dear Church Family,
It is hard to believe that we have covered 75% of our Treasures of the Transformed Life study book. Last Sunday I spoke about Gifts and giving as one of the most important treasures of a transformed life. We give out of gratitude for God’s generosity to us. We give because God owns everything. Giving demonstrates that God is first in our lives, providing him the opportunity to prove that he’s real. The standard for giving is the tithe, 10 percent, and anything beyond that amount is a gift. We are to give cheerfully, sacrificially, and expectantly. When we allow ourselves to trust God by demonstrating with our tithes and giving that He is our top priority, there is a freedom beyond words. |
I do want to make sure you understand what I said on Sunday. While most of the illustrations that I used noted that when we give financially, God will repay us beyond the contributions we make, I do not mean that it is always financially. God will take care of us if we are faithful in using the resources He has placed in our care.
This Sunday I will be preaching on “Service” as I reflect on Chapters 29-35 of our book. I will be speaking on the nature of service; where we should serve; and how we should serve. There are still a few copies of our book available if you have not yet obtained a copy.
NOVEMBER 16TH IS COMMITMENT/CONSECRATION SUNDAY
We are taking reservations this week and Sunday for our congregational meal on Sunday, November 16th immediately after the 11:00 service. This meal will cost you nothing and you are not expected to bring anything. Different groups within the church are sharing the responsibility of preparing our luncheon. Our greatest desire is that EVERYONE will plan to be in worship that Sunday and stay for the meal. Fellowship is essential for a healthy congregation. We will have some special music and fun following our meal. The high point of the meal will be the announcement of how our commitment of pledges for 2009 total up.
Our willingness as a congregation to pledge our commitment to give and serve is a measure of our faith. I am excited about our congregations’ future. I know you want to be counted in that number of faithful ones for whom the Lord will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant."
Bro. Don |
METHODIST MEN KNOW HOW TO TREAT A LADY!
Ladies, would you like to be treated like royalty. . . if only for a night? Are you pining for a group of gallant southern gentlemen who would not only cook for you a mouth-watering Thanksgiving meal that includes Fried Turkey and ALL the trimmings, but would clean up behind themselves (honest!) while you chatted, relaxed and enjoyed yourself? You say there’s no such group? It could never happen?
It can! It will! All Methodist Men can bring their ladies to the UMM’s Annual Ladies’ Night on November 18, 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall! Great food! Great fellowship. Great night! No dishes to wash! $5 per person!
YOUTH MINISTRYNEWS
Thursday, October 30-The Youth came out and baked approximately 15 cakes for the Trunk or Treat cake walk! We had a great time making cakes and getting creative. We would like to thank Mrs. Shirley Hebert and Mrs. Ellyn LaJaunie for all their support and help making the cakes.
This Sunday night we elected our new Youth Council.
President: Anthony LaJaunie
Vice President: Katherine Burgess
Secretary: Kimberley West Photographer: Rachel Klaus
Baby blankets and Activity Coordinator: Kelley Williams
Congratulations, everyone! The Youth also attended Charge Conference and had a very uplifting experience.
Friday, November 14-Come join us at 6:00PM at 4167 Bayouside Drive in Bourg. We will be heading out to the LaJaunie home for Smore’s, Hot Dogs, Capture the Flag, Ultimate Freebee, praise and worship and a night under the stars. Youth, bring your sleeping bags, a 2 liter drink, and a bag of chips or some sort of munchies. We will wake up to some pancakes and bacon. This will be a once in a lifetime experience! If you need directions, please call Glenn or Ellyn LaJaunie at 594-7559. Youth will need to be picked up by 9:00AM Saturday, November 15. Don’t forget BUG SPRAY!
Sunday, November 16-Commitment Sunday Celebration at Noon! Youth are in charge of making Tea and Lemonade.
Sunday, November 23- Possible work day.
Sunday, November 30- Hanging of the Greens
I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of gifts for our youth supper. We still have openings so if you have a passion for cooking or feel led to donate money toward feeding our youth, call me at 870-5976 or 876-6694.
Thank you for your support. -Nickie
TRUNK OR TREAT WAS A BIG SUCCESS!
THANKS to all the volunteers who helped make Trunk or Treat such a fun and safe night for the children and adults who attended! Without the willing hands of Silent Angels, we could never make this event happen! It takes a lot of work but everyone, especially the kids, had a GREAT TIME!
THE CIRCUIT RIDER WON’T RIDE NEXT WEEK!
The Church secretary will be out of the office the week of November 10-14. There will be no newsletter that week. However, if you have something to bring to the attention of the congregation, call the church office and it can be announced in church on Sunday.
NOVEMBER MEETINGS
Finance Committee-Nov.11, 6:00PM in Room 403.
Church Council-Nov. 11, 7:00PM in Fellowship Hall.
SPR Meeting-Nov.25, 6:00PM in Fellowship Parlor.
UMW’S SHUT-IN MINISTRY
United Methodist Women need your help to gather items for their annual Christmas bags for our members who are homebound by illness or infirmity. Items needed are: shampoo, conditioner, tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant, hair brushes, combs, bath soap, Kleenex, cotton balls, Q-tips, and bath powder. You may drop your donations in the box in the church office. Any of these items and/or monetary donations will be gratefully accepted. Questions?
Call Rita at 876-7740.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
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 Fellowship Hall Parlor.
Discovery Class–This is a class for people who are interested in becoming Christian Disciples. They meet in the Activity 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, led by Jimmy Hardin, meet in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meet in Activity Building.
WE’LL HELP YOU RECYCLE!
Aluminum Cans, Old Eye Glasses, and Campbell Soup Labels. Call the church office for details!
WE’VE GOT SALSA!
The Salsa is made by the La. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and all sales go to benefit the children.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
INJURY--Jeanne Scott’s daughter, Jodiee Trahan, was critically injured last weekend in an automobile accident. As of Tuesday morning, her surgeries are complete and her condition has stabilized! Please be in prayer for Jodiee and her family as she faces a lengthy recovery!
BIRTH-- Pat and Jerry Lemley’s precious great- grandson, Gabriel Patrick Boni, was born Sunday, November 2. Proud parents are Billy and Natasha Boni, and his beaming older sister is Cameron.
DEATH--Dana, Missy, Blaine and Dillon Lofton are grieving the loss of Missy’s beloved mother, Virgie Gautreaux, who passed away on Tuesday, October 28, after a long battle with cancer. May God bless and comfort this family!
WHOOPS!--We are sorry that Sandra Gail Shanklin’s name was inadvertently left off the November Birthday list. Happy Birthday to Gail on November 30!
Austrian composer Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was deeply pious, and much of his music stirs people to pray. In a letter written to his father after he finished a soul touching hymn, Schubert said that at times devotion involuntarily overpowered him. It was then, he wrote, that “the piety I give voice to is genuine and deeply felt.”
What Schubert felt was God’s prevenient grace. This theological term refers to God’s touching a person and revealing his love even before the person calls upon him. God’s grace (unmerited love) sometimes is bestowed on a person in a sudden and indescribable way even though the person isn’t praying. It is God’s loving touch. It is God’s love, which may come to us at any time or in any place.
HONOR OUR VETERANS
Veterans Day, which is November 11 each year, is a holiday to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for our nation’s common good.
Christians follow the Prince of Peace, so war is a dilemma that often challenges people of faith. Some Christians are pacifists, while others believe in a “just war.” Many believe that the goals of freedom, justice, equality and democracy are worth the cost required.
Whatever individual Christians decide about any given conflict, most Christians believe that men and women who strive to make this world free of tyrants are to be respected. As Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Thank you to all the men and women who served or are now serving our country. -NewsletterNewsletter
Our Stewardship for 2008
WK44 Nov. 2, 2008 Attendance 245 Sunday School 70
Offering $ 12,112 YTD $ 320,594
Building Fund $ 275 YTD $ 76,144
Apportionments Due $ 56,029 Paid YTD $ 18,057
WORSHIP next Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Music: “Lord, Make Me An Instrument” The Choir
The Sermon: “Service” by Pastor Don Ross
Readings: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Sunday School Fund by Landon & Logan Graves and Paula Rutledge.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath. In Memory of Stephen Eschete and in Honor of Stacy Eschete by M/M Nolan Eschete.
Apportionments by M/M Bill Vincent and M/M Nolan Eschete. In Memory of Takeko Koike by M/M Bill Yates.
Trustee Fund in Memory of Russell Elliott by M/M Nolan Eschete, M/M Jack McNamara and M/M Milton Cancienne. In Memory of Opal Davidson by M/M Milton Cancienne.
Building Renovation by M/M Paul Sammarco, Jim Clark, Roland Lill, M/M George Shely, M/M Richard Simons, and in Memory of Bobby Aycock by Tamara McKinley and Mary Arceneaux.
UMY by M/M Gene Milford. In Memory of Tom Givens and Bobby Aycock by Jacqueline Givens. In Honor of Raymond Berger and Rev. Don Ross by Paula Rutledge.
Secretary’s New Computer by M/M Larry Matherne and Juana Woodard.
TEACHING GIVING
According to a survey conducted by a company called Christian Research, Christians who were taught the importance of giving gave 26% more to their local church then people who hadn’t received such teaching. They also gave nine times more to charity than the average householder did.
Bill Gates, one of the world’s wealthiest men, learned to give from his parents. They taught him by their example of being generous to church and community needs. Now that Bill and his wife, Melinda, have traveled the world learning of the hurts, sickness and poverty of fellow humans, they work steadfastly to provide aid and hope. By their examples, other people are learning the importance of giving.
But you don’t have to be a billionaire to give generously and cheerfully. What are some ways you can give – and, in doing so, teach others about giving? -NewsletterNewsletter
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