THANKSGIVING -           a time to acknowledge the source of our blessings      I like what Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:18 “. . .  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  We have so much to be thankful.  I’m not talking about shelter, food, family, clothing, freedom, friends, weather, or even health.  Each of these could warrant some serious prayers of thanksgiving.  As a nation, we are blessed beyond comparison.  While some of us are lacking in some of these areas, most of us are overly blessed in others.  To know that we were intentionally created with specific gifts for our time in our place, offer both assurance and a foundation for standing strong.  I am thankful to know God’s son, Jesus, who has come to bless us in the midst of this life.  My only desire is that others would come to know him in the same affirming manner.  With Paul, I give thanks for each of you who have come to know him and desire to share that experience with others.  The best way to show my gratitude to God is to introduce others to Him and his son, Jesus.  I am a blessed man of God.

Good News:  87 families have made pledges totaling $295,169 for the General Fund; $600 toward apportionments, and $47,700 for the Building Fund.  This includes 31 new pledges; 21 increased pledges; 6 decreased pledges, 23 pledges maintaining the same level; and 6 new members.      Questionable News: We still have not heard from 22 families who have current pledges.  I am disappointed that a number of regular worshipers have failed to understand the importance of making a financial pledge.  Our church needs us to keep our vow to support this congregation with our tithes and offerings.  Our ability to operate this ministry on a solid basis and plan for the future is directly related to our faithfulness in making a pledge.  This year’s budget of $443,543 lacks the resources to faithfully carry out our mission.      Great News: Your church could easily have a budget of more than $550,000 for program resources and to staff a growing congregation.  Each pledge is an affirmation of God’s bountiful grace.  Trust that God will continue to provide for your needs.  Be sure to transfer those gifts that He placed in your care for the proclamation of the Gospel.       In His Service   -  Bro. Don Ross

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CONCERTS
   The Nicholls Concert Choir will present CHRISTMAS PEACE, A Candlelight Christmas Concert, on Tuesday, December 2, at 7:30PM in the Talbot Theater.  Admission is free. 

LET’S TALK ABOUT A CHRISTMAS PARTY!
 The “Let’s Talk About It” Sunday School Class will have their Christmas Party on Saturday,  December 13, at  6:00 PM, at the home of Anthony and Phyliss Martin.   Their address  is 111 Brinwood Circle.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

IT’S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!
  At this time of the year, our thoughts turn to decorating our beautiful sanctuary and other areas of the church.  If you would like to help in this celebration, please be at the church at 2:00PM this Sunday, November 30.  Then join us at 6:00PM in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens service.

WHITE GIFTS PROGRAM IS IN FULL SWING!

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS - Nickie Barr, Director
   On Sunday afternoon the youth went to 503 Funderburk and disassembled shelves for a church member.  The youth are donating the shelves to the church to help with storage.  Thanks for all your hard work!
Sunday, November 30.  Youth can come out and help with the Hanging of the Greens starting at 2:00PM.  We will eat at 5:00PM with the church and attend the service at 6:00PM.
Youth Fundraiser for Missions:  The youth will be raising money to support a special mission.  We will be selling wall calendars and pocket calendars for $6, magnetic note pads for $4, and regular note pads for $2.  Each item has uplifting scriptures and beautiful scenic pictures.  They are great for gifts or to get you organized for the New Year.  We will have a table set up for you to see what they look like.  Put your orders in starting this Sunday, November 30.
Sunday, December 7 Youth will meet at the regular time and then we will head over to 503 Funderburk to help a church member decorate for Christmas.  We will be back at church for 7:00PM.  If you would like to help, please let me know.
Christmas Party for the Youth   The youth are looking for “places” to have a progressive dinner.  We already have a place set for the desserts.  If you would like to get to know our youth, have plenty of space, and can make part of the meal, please let me know.  Youth need to bring a White Elephant gift.  (a really good gift or a very silly/poor gift)
December 21 Youth will attend White Gifts Service.
December 28 No UMY
December 31 and January 1 New Year Lock-In.  Plan to be at church all night for games, worship, PlayStation, and tons of food!  More details at a later date.
Volunteers Needed! I am looking for volunteers to help out with the youth group.  If you feel a calling or a desire to work with teenagers, please talk to me. I have plenty of opportunities for you to touch a young life.  I am pleased to say that the youth are mission oriented and would like to do a local mission once a month.  If you know a church member that has work to be done, please let us know so we can respond to their needs. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
Nursery Class–For Infants -4 year olds in Nursery.
Children’s Class for K-3rd Grade– Meet upstairs in Room 209.
Children’s Class for 4th-6th Grade- Meet upstairs in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meet upstairs in the Youth Room of the Activity Building.
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.

WE’LL HELP YOU  RECYCLE! 
Aluminum Cans, Old Eye Glasses, and Campbell Soup Labels.  Call the church office for details!

SALSA MAKES A GREAT STOCKING STUFFER!
   We’ve got Salsa to please everyone’s taste!  Just a Tad Warm (for the faint of heart), Pretty Darn Hot (not for the faint of heart), Sizzling Tail Feathers (like beans and corn in your salsa?), and Holy Cow It’s Screaming Hot (hot as heck!). 
   The Salsa is made by the La. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and all sales go to benefit the children.

THERE’S STILL TIME TO ORDER A NAME BADGE!

An Offertory Prayer for Thanksgiving
   Merciful and generous Lord, you open your loving hands and bless us abundantly every day of our lives.  Even when we go through dark times–suffering, sorrow, pain, desperation–you assure us that your loving, everlasting arms will not let us go.  How generous are all your benefits, how supportive, how comforting to experience.     Today we join with “the great cloud of witnesses” who once praised you on Earth and now glorify you in heaven, offering our deepest gratitude for all the gifts you so generously give.

A NOTE OF THANKS TO THE CHURCH FAMILY!  
   United Methodist Women would like to thank everybody for donating to the Flood Bucket Fund.  In addition to the items that were donated for the buckets, $1,355 was raised in cash.  Through your generosity, we were able to put together 38 flood buckets which went to the Dulac Community Center!  THANK YOU!          

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Music Fund by M/M David McMath and in honor of Paul and Friends by United Methodist Men.      
Apportionments in memory of Bill Vincent’s mother, Bobby Aycock, Opal Davidson, Elise McGuyre, and Stephen Eschete by Anita Weeks.
Building Fund by Gail Mitchell, M/M George Shely, M/M Larry Babin, and Linda Haynes.  

ROUTINELY GRATEFUL
   When a national day of thanksgiving was established on the fourth Thursday in November, it was not because that was a particularly thankful day.  It was intentionally chosen precisely because of its arbitrariness to remind us to say “thanks” on a daily basis for the bounties God has heaped upon our lives.
   For Christian, every Sunday is a Thanksgiving feast day.  Every Sunday at worship, we give thanks for the greatest event ever to hit planet Earth, the greatest “opening” in human history–the open tomb, testifying to Jesus’ resurrection.  Every Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday.  Every Sunday dinner is Thanksgiving dinner. 
                                                      -NewsletterNewsletter

   We extend a warm Christian welcome to the newest members of our church family.
   Malcolm Neal, husband of Audra Murphy Neal, joined our church family on Sunday, November 23.