PASTOR’S MESSAGE  "It’s About More Than Money” I have been filling this space over the past few weeks with articles about financial stewardship. Our church needs your financial support. It takes all of us working together to keep the church financially solvent and moving ahead for God in our community. Support for the church is about more than money. Prayers offered on behalf of the church, its leaders, the staff and pastor are vital in terms of making sure that we are following where God is leading us as a community of faith. Regular and faithful attendance for a Christian is vital too. Service is important in terms of practicing our faith in the real world. All of these things are important for our church. With that being said, let me not minimize the importance of your financial commitment to this church. We need your tithes and offerings to stay in ministry. You will be getting a mailing this week. I hope that you will spend some time looking over the material enclosed. I hope that it will challenge you to look at your relationship to God. Ask yourself if you are supporting the work of this church in the way that God is directing you to give. Are you tithing–giving 10% of your income to God’s church? Maybe this is the year you start this spiritual discipline–or start moving toward tithing. November 19 is Commitment Sunday. It will also be the Sunday when the stained glass windows are in place. It ought to be a glorious day. Bring your pledge card to church with you this day. May God bless our church as we move forward in faith. 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!

WHITE GIFTS
Any families wishing to ADOPT A FAMILY for Christmas needs to be in touch with Brenda Cloud (876-2097) BEFORE November 16. The “Angels” will be on the church Christmas tree for November 19. We want to get our program underway before Thanksgiving.

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!

GATHER ROUND THE TABLE
If you haven’t ordered your Church Cookbook yet, call Shirley (879-2589 or 790-4431) or the church office (868-7787) to place your order. There is a sign up table in the Activity Building.
This recipe book is an IDEAL GIFT for Christmas, birthdays, weddings, etc. You will not believe how many delicious recipes from present and deceased members, how full of tips and cartoons, how GREAT a Church Recipe book you can purchase for only $15.00. First the leaded glass remnants, the altar remnants, and now a wonderful cookbook! THANKS for all the hard work and perseverance by Shirley and Tim Hebert, this is another church souvenir we can treasure for years to come!

CHERUB CHOIR
Miss Shirley will be out of town this weekend, November 12, but she will be back for an additional choir practice at 4:00PM in the Fellowship Hall. The choir will sing at the 11:00AM service on November 19.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S CALENDAR
November 11–9:00AM Koinonia Circle at the Golden Corral Leaders: Darla Bergeron and Lisa Hoekstra
Remember: World Thank Offering/ Homebound Ministry
November 14–9:30AM Faith Circle in the Fellowship Hall.
Program: “Making Christmas Crafts”
Leader/Hostess: Bette Adams.

“GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR SAFE HOME”
FUMC is participating in The Haven’s “Give Thanks for Your Safe Home” Thanksgiving Drive. We will be collecting bath and hand towels ( new or used, but in good condition). Questions? Please call Lisa or Julie at 872-0757.

UNITED METHODIST MEN’S “LADIES’ NIGHT”!
Methodist Men will hold their annual “Ladies’ Night” on Tuesday, November 14. They will be serving Fried Turkey and all the trimmings prepared by their TERRIFIC COOKS!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Itty-Bitty to Four Years will be with Mrs. Mary in the Nursery.
Five years thru Sixth Grade–will be with Ms. Lynda and Ms. Michelle for Cookery in the Activity Building Kitchen.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH–MESSAGE: Light To My Path:
Through the Bible God guides us. Psalm 119:105

VOICES OF LIGHT YOUTH CHOIR
The choir will sing THIS Sunday Morning, November 12th, for the 8:30AM and 9:45AM services. Meet in the choir room at 7:55 to prepare. We will be in the choir for the 8:30AM service and stay for the entire service. We will sing at the beginning of the 9:45AM service. You may then slip out of join the congregation for the contemporary service. DANCE TRYOUTS for “Turn Back, O Man” are at 3:00PM THIS Sunday afternoon, November 12th, in the choir room. This will be fun! See you Sunday! Ms. Beth (879-1770)

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!
TRUNK OR TREAT turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL NIGHT and “A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.” Candy, games, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, cold drinks, the Cakewalk, and all the contests....WOW! That is a lot to pack into two short hours, but WE DID IT! Not only did we have church members participate, we also had members of the community as well.
We are happy to report that the attendance to this yearly event GETS BIGGER each year! Word is spreading throughout the community that FUMC hosts a night of fun, fellowship, safety, free food, soft drinks, prizes, AND entertainment by our very own show biz professionals!
We want to THANK those of you who contributed food, prizes, money and your time! This would not have been a success without YOU! We hope you enjoyed yourself and will plan to join us again next year! Let’s make it BIGGER & BETTER!!
EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to Elvis; (AKA David West) and
his faithful and talented assistant (AKA Cody Morrison) for all the HARD WORK (all the carpenter and electrical work, all the decorating) they contributed to make this event so festive! You’ve never seen celebrities work so HARD to make sure OTHERS had a FUN TIME! Elvis was such a big hit, he BLEW A FUSE! Thank you, Guys! Thank you very much!

CHRISTMAS SEASON IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING!
At this time of the year, our thoughts turn to decorating our beautiful sanctuary and other areas of our church. If you would like to help in this celebration or if your Sunday School class would like to participate, please call the church office or Rachel Milford at 872-1134. We would really appreciate your help!

“BROADWAY, HERE WE COME!”
Jeanne Scott and Sue Peace were awesome performers at Reverend Mother and sister Amnesia from the play “Nunsense” as they entertained us at Sunday’s luncheon. We’re so fortunate to have two such talented friends! Donna Sammarco, an honorary nun, accompanied them with her extraordinary musical talent. Thank you, Donna, Jeanne and Sue for bringing joy and laughter to your church family. WE LOVE YOU!

Our Stewardship for Week #45 November 5, 2006
Attendance in Worship: 229 Sunday School 47
Offering This Week : $ 7,609 YTD: $357,643
Bldg. Fund: $ 759 YTD: $139,310
Apportionments Due $58,800 YTD: $ 32,841
IN WORSHIP Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Scripture: Ruth 3:1-5; 13-17; Hebrews 9:24-28
The Gospel: Mark 12:38-44
The Sermon: “Give” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Music:
8:30AM “They Shall Soar Like Eagles” Voices of Light
11:00AM “Called by the Spirit” The Chancel Choir
CHARGE CONFERENCE!
Sunday, November 12, 6:00PM in the Fellowship Hall.

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:
Apportionments by M/M John Laird and M/M R.L. Golden.
Building Renovation by Jim Clark, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Charles Jenkins, M/M Rex Soule, M/M John Walton, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M Pat Peace, and M/M Ken Klaus, and in memory of Sarge Rutledge by Paula Rutledge.
Benevolence Fund/Food Bank by M/M George Geoffroy.
Trunk R Treat Fund by Carla Smith.
UMW Shut in Ministry by M/M Wayne Reid.
Piano Fund in honor of Mrs. Elsie Cain by M/M Jack McNamara and in honor of Hideo and Takeko Koike and Al Cowan by the Discovery SS Class.