PASTOR’S MESSAGE  "Be Thankful” By the time you read this you are either anticipating, or have already celebrated Thanksgiving. I hope that giving thanks for God’s blessing is a part of the day. There is much for which to give thanks. As Thanksgiving passes we begin the yearly march toward Christmas. “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving, is one of the largest shopping days in the year. Many people fill stores and malls looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for their loved ones. We want the holidays to be perfect and will make ourselves miserable if things are not just right. Let me offer a simple suggestion to save your sanity during this time of the year. Resolve to celebrate Advent this year and let go of the image of a Norman Rockwell or Martha Stewart, perfect holiday. Time invested with family and friends will be long remembered after the short term memories of the perfect gift, or perfectly set table, fade. Last week we met Sam’s boyfriend’s family. We drove a little north of Lafayette to gather around the table for a wonderful lunch served on paper plates. I commented to the hosts about what a good meal it was. “This is our Thanksgiving” they said. Because of work, their son and daughter will be in Austin for Thanksgiving. The love of family and friends. That is what this time of the year ought to be about. I wish you happiness as you take the time to enjoy your celebrations. Peace! Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME, COFFEE, DONUTS, MILK, JUICE!
Join us in the Fellowship Hall after the 8:30AM Worship Service. Refreshments available for as long as they last!

ANGELS WAITING, ANGELS HOPING!
The “Angels” are on the Christmas tree in the front foyer. Choose an angel or two for your family this Christmas. Our White Gift Service will be held on Sunday, December 17th, at 6:00PM in the Sanctuary.

VOICES NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS CANTATA!
The Chancel Choir is hard at work preparing their Christmas Cantata, The Winter Rose, by Joseph Martin. Join us at 7:00PM on Wednesdays as we prepare for the Holy, Holiday Season!

AS WE SPEAK . . . . . . . . .
Our energetic “Cook Book Elf” has been very busy printing and assembling “Gather Around the Table”, the new Church Recipe Book. They books will be ready for distribution soon! If you haven’t ordered your Church Cookbook yet, call Shirley (879-2589 or 790-4431) or the church office (868-7787) NOW! The DEADLINE for ordering your copy is November 30th.
This is an IDEAL GIFT for Christmas, birthdays, weddings, etc. It is filled with many delicious recipes from present and deceased members, and full of tips and cartoons! A GREAT Church Recipe book you can purchase for only $15.00. Don’t miss this opportunity!

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Sara Elizabeth Peace, beloved infant daughter of Andrew and Kacey Lyn Peace, was baptized by Rev. Hoekstra last Sunday morning. The proud grandparents are Pat and Sue Peace!

PLEASE BRING YOUR COMMITMENT CARD!
PLEASE bring your 2007 Commitment Card to church this Sunday, or drop it in the mail (marked to the attention of the Financial Secretary). Thank you for your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years will be with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery.
Five years thru Sixth Grade will be with Ms. Carla Smith in the Activity Building for Games.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH (11:00AM)–MESSAGE: All good things come from God. Mrs. Carla Smith will take the children to the Activity Building after the Children’s Story Sermon.

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 28, 6:00PM, in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.

“A SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS II”
The Nicholls Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Kenneth S. Klaus and the Nicholls Blue Bayou Big Band, directed by Christina Mendoza, will present “A Swingin’ Christmas II” on Friday, December 1st, at 7:00PM in the Nicholls Student Union Ballroom. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under for a full evening of fine dining, music, dancing, entertainment, and fun. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call 985-448-4600 before noon on Wednesday, November 29th.

NSU CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Nicholls Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Klaus will present a Candlelight Christmas Concert on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:30 PM in the Talbot Theater. The fifty-voice choir will tell the Traditional Christmas story with narration by Dr. Rick Duet amidst changing colored lighting to enhance the Holiday mood. ADMISSION IS FREE!

CHRISTMAS OFFERING FOR OUR CHURCH STAFF!
Each Christmas we try to express our appreciation to our hardworking church staff with a Christmas bonus. This money is raised solely by gifts from the congregation. Our Minister and ALL Church staff will SHARE this gift. An envelope marked “Staff Appreciation” will be included in your bulletin or available on the table in the foyers. Thank you for your consideration. -SPR Committee

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Dec. 5th-10:00AM Fellowship Hall, UMW Christmas Meeting. Program: Bette Adams “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. Please bring party food to share.
Dec. 9th–9:00AM at Darla Bergeron’s Home, Koinonia Circle
Christmas Meeting. Please bring a wrapped ornament to exchange. Darla will provide refreshments.

HANDBELL CHOIR CONCERT
The Handbell Choirs of Mulberry Baptist Church and the First United Methodist Church will perform a Christmas Concert on December 3rd, at 6:00PM at Mulberry Baptist Church. Free Admission!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Barry, Pam, Jeanne, Jackie, David, Mona, Mae, Mary, Kenny, Donna, and Cody.


Our Stewardship for Week #47 November 19, 2006
Attendance in Worship: 256 Sunday School 52
Offering This Week : $ 8,735 YTD: $374,758
Bldg. Fund: $ 1,994 YTD: $142,402
Apportionments Due $61,250 YTD: $ 32,841
IN WORSHIP Sunday, November 26, 2006
The Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8
The Gospel: John 18:33-37
The Sermon: “R U A King?” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Music:
8:30AM “Let All Mortal Flesh” Kenneth S. Klaus, Baritone
11:00AM “Every Knee Shall Bow” The Chancel Choir
CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE
Tom Hicks and Julie Pellegrin were married on Friday, November 17th. Congratulations!

PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR PEACE AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY: Aaron Ledet, Jerry St. Pierre, John Parks, 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, Richard Schandorff, Paul Tholen, Jeremy Brunet, Jamie Authement, Lance Chatagnier, Joseph Frisella, Jr., Blake Dryden, and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard, the TN 278th. (If you know of someone on this prayer list who is now safely home, please call 868-7787 and let us know! We’d like to share that news with the Church family!)

NOW AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE!
*Scrumptious Salsa is still available for only $3 per 13 ounce jar! All sales benefit Ruston’s LA. Methodist Children’s Home.
*T-Shirts are still available in sizes Small-XXX. These T-shirts are a fund-raising project for the youth. $14 each.
*World’s Finest Chocolate Bars are being sold as a fundraiser for the youth. $1 a bar in the church office.
*Donna Sammarco’s solo piano CD “On Eagles Wings” is available. Proceeds benefit the Grand Piano Fund.
*MacDonell’s Children’s Greeting Cards are available in the back foyer. Sales benefit MacDonell’s Children.

UM WOMEN’S HOMEBOUND MINISTRY
Please consider donating items such as: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, brush, combs, bath soap, Kleenex, cotton balls, Q-tips, and bath powder to the Christmas campaign. Any of these items and/or monetary donations will be gratefully accepted. You may drop your donations in the box in the church office. Questions? Call Rita Landry @ 876-7740.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Grand Piano Fund in memory of Jack Murphy by his family.
Apportionments in honor of Pastor Barry and Lisa Hoekstra by M/M Paul Craft.
UMW Shut In Ministry by M/M Jim Nunnally
Building Fund by M/M John Laird, Paula Rutledge, M/M David West, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M George Shely, Mary Arceneaux, Juana Woodard (stained glass), M/M Larry Matherne, M/M Dana Lofton, M/M Don Murphy, M/M Melvin Childers, and M/M David Farrar.