THE CIRCUIT RIDER
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
6109 Highway 311           Houma, Louisiana 70360 
Telephone No. (985) 868-7787  /  Facsimile No. (985)868-7086
Barry Hoekstra, Pastor                                              Volume XXV  - Nov. 9, 2005
PASTOR’S MESSAGE 
"Worship Committee”
   Worship is central to our identity as a community of faith.  In fact, worship is the time when we set aside our difference to gather to worship God.  While Sunday School and other small groups help us grow in our faith, worship should be top priority.  Jesus knew it was important to gather with others.  Why else would he start his model prayer with “our father?”  The Lord’s prayer needs to be prayed with others.
   The Worship Committee will be meeting in a couple of weeks to consider a number of possibilities concerning our worship life.  We will be looking at the best times for our worship services.  Here are some possibilities:
*   Keeping things as they are.  The band playing at 8:30AM and traditional worship with the choir at 11:00AM.
*   Switching times.  The band would play at 11:00AM and traditional service with the choir would be at 8:30AM.
*   Adding a new service.  Traditional worship at 8:30AM and 11:00AM.  The band playing at a new middle service at 9:30
or 9:45AM.
*   A Saturday evening service.  Traditional worship at 8:30 AM and 11:00AM on Sundays.  A new Saturday evening service with the band.
   Please let me or Rachel Milford, Chair of the Worship Committee, know your opinion.  Remember, too, that this is a way for us to reach out to new people, or people who have not been regular in their attendance.  If all we are doing is moving existing worshipers around, we have not accomplished much.  Pray for your church and the direction of our worship life.                                          Peace!  Barry

FELLOWSHIP TIME
When:  After 8:30AM Service     
Where: Activity Building
Please join us in the Activity Building for coffee, donuts, milk, juice and great fellowship!  Remember to leave a donation to help defray the cost of Fellowship Time.

UNITED METHODIST MEN
   LADIES, It is time for you to make a date with your “significant other” to come to the Methodist Men’s  Annual Ladies’ Night Dinner.   We are going to prepare a GREAT MEAL  for you!  Fried Turkey, of course, Dressing, Candied (yum) Yams, etc.
   Entertainment will be presented by the very talented Kevin Koike.  Hideo Koike will present lovely door prizes from his plant garden.
     The cost for a great night is only $5 per person. As usual, “unattached” ladies get in free!  Ladies who celebrate an anniversary in November are also guests of UMM. If you need a nursery please  call the church office ahead of time so they  can contact the nursery worker.
   All this takes place November 15th , at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall. We really hope to see a record crowd.

PART-TIME MAINTENANCE POSITION AVAILABLE! 
   The church is seeking an energetic maintenance person to work in the evenings.  The hours are flexible, but will need to be worked after Preschool has let out in the afternoon (from 4:00pm to 7:00pm or thereabouts, Monday through Friday.)  If you or someone you know might be interested, please call the church office at 868-7787.     David West    

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS FOR LIFE!
Itty-Bitty-Three-year-Olds are with Mrs. Mary in Nursery.
Four-year-Olds are with Miss Maddie in Room 109.
Kindergarten-Sixth Grade will be with Ms. Shirley in the Activity Building                                               Kitchen for  Cookery.  See you there!

CHRISTMAS FA-LA-LA FEST!
   LET’S GET FESTIVE!  Let’s celebrate, sing praises, and say “THANK YOU” for the most precious gift the world has ever been given.   We will sing familiar Christmas songs, play fun games (some that are played by children in different countries), make a craft, and have      some refreshments.
Ages:  Kindergarten–Sixth Grade
When:   December 10th, 2005
Where:   Activity Building 
Time:  2:00PM–4:00PM
           RSVP Ms. Jeanne at 868-7787 by December 1st.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
   THANK YOU to our church family!  We have sold all our Jesus car magnets.  Look for future events to help the youth prepare for their mission trip.  
   The mission trip this summer is Project Noah (New Orleans Area Hope).  This is a week long mission event to help our neighbors.  Youth and adults will be working in teams to restore New Orleans area homes.  This project is a new ministry designed by First UMC Baton Rouge, and sponsored by several churches in the south Louisiana area.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in our own community.  Each group participating in Project Noah is required to have at least two adults for every five youth.  We will be in need of additional adults to accompany our group.  If you feel a tug at your heart to participate in this awesome mission, please plan to come along.  Please pray for the youth as they prepare financially and spiritually for this new adventure.

WHITE GIFTS PROGRAM 
   The White Gifts Angels will be available beginning  Sunday, November 20th.  Look for them in the Fellowship Hall.  If anyone would like to adopt a family or a child before then, please get in touch with Brenda Cloud at 876-2097.
   If anyone would like to help make the Angel cards, please meet Brenda on Thursday, November 17th in the AB Kitchen at 4:30 PM.

VOICES OF LIGHT YOUTH CHOIR
   Voices of Light will sing this Sunday morning, November 13th, for both worship services.  Meet at 7:55AM in the choir room to prepare.  First service is from 8:30–9:30AM.  We will reassemble in the Activity Building gym at 10:40AM, then sing at the very beginning of the second service (11:00AM) and leave.  We need each of you so that we may inspire others!  Call Ms. Beth with questions at 879-1770.

Worship Committee will meet on Sunday, November 20th, at 12 Noon in the Parlor.

Our Stewardship Sunday, November 6, 2005
             Attendance                               Gifts                     
            Worship   SS        This week       YTD        Budget
              220      61             $8,028      $364,057    $458,990
         Building Fund             $1,272      $200,693

WORSHIP   Sunday, November 13,  2005
11:00 Music:   “You Are the Light of the World” Choir
The Sermon: “Day VS. Night” Rev. Barry Hoekstra
The Scripture:  Judges 4:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The Gospel:  Matthew 25:14-30

UMW SHUT-IN MINISTRY
   UMW’s current mission project is collecting items and cash donations to fill gift bags to give to homebound and nursing home residents who are church members.  If you would like to contribute to this ministry, we are collecting tissues, handkerchiefs, men’s socks, ladies’ socks, wash cloths, lotion, soap, shampoo, and other personal hygeine products.  Please mark your cash donations “Shut-In Ministry.”  Rita Landry is coordinator of this program.

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP
   Become a part of our Prayer Group that meets on Tuesday mornings at 7:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

ALTAR FLOWERS
   If you would like to place Altar Flowers one Sunday, please call Judy Navarre at 879-1924
 
PLEASE BE IN PRAYER FOR PEACE AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY:  Jerry St. Pierre, John Parks,  Jason Babin, Andy Weaver, Kevin  Adams, Brian Ratcliff, Brandon Ratcliff, Charles Arabie, Bryan McDonald, Brian Medaris, Chad Campbell, Ryan Kurras, Chris Pollard,  Michael Wegler, Brent Hollingfield, Bryan Patton, Kristopher Pugh, James Lyle, Jarod Martin, Richard Schandorff,  Paul Tholen, Don Adams, Jeremy Brunet, Jerry Troy Cooper, Robert Cooper, Jamie Authement, Allison Foreman,  Lance Chatagnier, Ben White, Joseph Frisella, Jr., Billy Odom, B.J. Guidroz, Travis Twiggs and the 2/156(M) Infantry-Houma National Guard. Soldiers of the TN 278th.

THANK YOU FOR THESE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE :   Operating Fund in memory of Joyce Rawley by M/M Bill Vincent.
Staff Appreciation by M/M Larry Babin, M/M Sonny Navarre, M/M Hideo Koike, Shannon Kelley, M/M Keith Rhea, M/M Wayne Reid, M/M Richard Simons, and M/M John Walton.
Bishops Hurricane Appeal Fund by M/M Bill Thibodeaux.
Building Fund by M/M Franklin Bridges, M/M Ed McCarty, M/M Rex Soule, M/M William Brunet, M/M John Walton, M/M Tom Becnel, M/M Richard Simons, M/M Tillman Gillaspie, M/M Sonny Navarre, Jeanne Scott, M/M Barry Hoekstra, M/M Pat Peace, M/M Don Murphy, and M/M Wayne Reid.  A gift in memory of J.E. Rutledge on the 2nd anniversary of his passing by Paula Rutledge.
UMW Shut In Ministry in memory of Joyce Champagne and Leland Ledet, Jr. by Raymond Berger.

GIFT GIVING IDEA!
   When you are trying to think of something unique to give  someone this Christmas, don’t forget about the tasty Salsa made by the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston.  This delicious Salsa comes in a variety of strengths.  Price: $3 per 13 ounce jar.  Pick up your salsa in the Church office or order gift boxes by calling the Children’s home @ 318-255-5020.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE!
   The abatement part of the renovation of our Sanctuary has begun as of Monday, November 7th.  The Preschool has decided to move some of the children to the Activity Building temporarily for this phase of the renovation.  This may affect the location of some church meetings for a short time.   If you have any questions about your next meeting, please contact the church secretary.

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