PASTOR’S MESSAGE  "A Thankful Way of Life” I hope you had a great Thanksgiving this past week. We have much for which to be thankful as Christians, as citizens of this country, and as individuals. God has blessed us. I used to do a worship service at a prison. There was a call and response which often started the service. It didn’t need to be written out–the inmates knew it by heart. It went like this: Leader: God is good-All the time. People: All the time-God is good! We are in the midst of our stewardship campaign. So far 81 families and/or individuals have pledged almost $224,026 toward our ministries fiscal needs for 2007. This is a really good start! However, we are not there yet. Historically there are many in this church who are a bit slow in responding to the stewardship campaign. It is not at all unusual for pledge cards to come in well into the first quarter of the year. It is difficult to plan a realistic budget not knowing how much money is going to come in to support the budget. That is why your pledge is so important! Please consider making a pledge if you have not already done so. Your pledge is between you and God. In fact, the only staff person at the church who sees your pledge is the Financial Secretary. Please fill out your pledge card or talk to the Financial Secretary soon! 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!
There are still “Angels” who need to be adopted on the Christmas tree in the front foyer. Choose an angel or two for your family. Our White Gift Service will be held on Sunday, December 17, at 6:00PM in the Sanctuary.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA ON DECEMBER 17!
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 rehearse.

DEADLINE IS NEAR . . . . .
If you haven’t ordered our new Church Cookbook, “Gather Around the Table”, DO SO NOW! The books will be ready for distribution soon! If you haven’t ordered call Shirley (879-2589 or 790-4431) or the church office (868-7787)! The DEADLINE for ordering your copy is November 30. This is a GREAT Church Recipe book for only $15.00.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Let’s Talk About it Class (9:45) and Let’s Talk About It, II (11:00) will have their Christmas Party on Saturday, December 9, 6:30 PM, at the home of David and Lisa West. Current and former members are invited. Please bring party food and a White Elephant gift! Questions? Call Donna (876-2489).

FELLOWSHIP SS CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY!
The Fellowship Sunday School Class will hold its Christmas Party in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, December 1, at 6:30PM.

FAMILY LUNCHEON CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG!
This Sunday, December 3, our monthly Family Luncheon will be SPECIAL in a lot of ways! There is no better way to welcome the Christmas season than with good food, music, fellowship, family and CHILDREN!
FIRST– please remember to bring a favorite covered dish to share with all. We’re looking forward to enjoying a lovely buffet style luncheon! Think Christmas goodies!
SECOND– settle back to enjoy Christmas music performed by David West, Tony Guidry, the Circuit Riders, and Maddie Lowe who will sing “White Christmas!” Even our little Cherub Choir will be chirping away that day with specials by Lily Torbert and Davey Lusco. Sing along by all means!
THIRD–SHHHHHHHH. . . .Parents, PLEASE BRING YOUR CHILDREN and KEEP YOUR LIPS ZIPPED! There is a SURPRISE (of the Christmas kind) planned for the children! All we will say is that kids may want to make a Christmas List, check it twice, and think if they’ve been naughty or nice! They won’t want them to miss this Christmas SURPRISE! Shhhhh!

WE NEED TO KNOW!
PLEASE return your 2007 Commitment Card to church this Sunday, or drop it in the mail (marked to the attention of the Financial Secretary).

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY–SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years will be with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie for the lesson “Good News, Mary!”
Five years thru Sixth Grade will be with Ms. Jeanne for Art. They will create their own Nativity scene.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH– No Children’s Church this Sunday!

“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 1, at 7:00PM in the Nicholls Student Union Ballroom. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Call 985-448-4600.

YOUTH NEWS
Dec. 3–We eat at 5:00PM and leave at 5:30PM for Mulberry Baptist Church for the Handbell Concert.
Dec. 10–White Elephant Christmas Party
Dec. 17–White Gift Program
Questions? Call Lisa West at 917-0905

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

HANDBELL CHOIR CONCERT ADMISSION IS FREE!
The Handbell Choirs of Mulberry Baptist Church and the First United Methodist Church will perform a Christmas Concert on December 3, at 6:15PM at Mulberry Baptist Church.

Our Stewardship for Week #48 November 26, 2006
Attendance in Worship: 224 Sunday School 47
Offering This Week : $ 9,906 YTD: $384,421
Bldg. Fund: $ 8,080 YTD: $150,482
Apportionments Due $62,475 YTD: $ 34,066
IN WORSHIP Sunday, December 3, 2006
The Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
The Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
The Sermon: “Advent-Ore!” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Music:
8:30AM “Once in Royal David’s City” The Early Choir
11:00AM “In Bethlehem” The Chancel Choir

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:
Pastor’s Benevolence Fund by M/M George Shely and Pam Lemoine.
Grand Piano Fund in honor of Frank & Pat Porter by a friend.
Music Ministry by M/M David McMath.
UMY Fund by Dawn Vincent.
UM Student Day by M/M Jim Lowe.
UMCOR Sager Brown by Al Cowan.
Building Fund by M/M Byron Bennett, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M George Shely, M/M Walter Berry, M/M Ronald Blanchard, M/M Larry Babin, M/M Jimmy Hardin, M/M Charles Jenkins, and in memory of Lillian Farley and Henry Thibodeaux, Jr. by Anita Weeks.