Finding your niche. . .    Last night the Lay Leadership committee spent time working on our leadership for next year.  We looked at people’s gifts and availability.  We asked God to direct our decisions and make us sensitive to His will.  In chapter 7 of Treasures of the Transformed Life, Mathison has some very good words for us about our place in the church:    “God doesn’t just call us into a relationship with him; he also wants us to be in relationship with other Christians.  We can accomplish so much more together than we can on our own.  So often, though, we look for the place where we fit.  We pick out a church based on how close it is to our home, whether we know people there, or whether we like the style of music.

There may be fifty things we’d prefer in a church.  Maybe we like our sermons with a bit of humor or a ton of Scriptures.  Maybe we like rock, not Bach.  The list could go on and on.  But choosing a church isn’t like choosing a restaurant, determined by how well you like what’s being offered.  Sometimes God will put us into a family of believers precisely because we don’t fit.    You may be the only gray-haired person in a church of all younger people.  Perhaps they need your wisdom.  You may be the only single person in a body of married couples.  Maybe they need to know how to minister to people who aren’t like them.  It could be that you’re a new mom in a body where most of the mothers are raising teenagers.  Those mothers might be honored to be asked to share their advice and to be needed.    Joining a particular church body is answering a call.  God has a specific place where he wants to place you, and it may not always be comfortable.    As with any other commitment, though, we’re supposed to follow through.  That means staying there as long as God keeps us there.  It doesn’t mean we stay as long as we like the music or until the pastor says something that stomps on our toes.  It doesn’t mean we leave at the first sign of a perceived slight or the first Sunday the sermon stretches on a little too long.    Sometimes the best lessons we can learn are from those who are most unlike us.”    Think on these things.  Read your book (we still have some at church).  God has a blessing for you, and for you to share.            Bro. Don

Death
   We extend our Christian sympathy to the family of  Mrs. Opal Davidson, a long-time member of our church family, who passed away Thursday, October 2.  Her funeral service was held Tuesday, October 7. May God bless and comfort the Davidson family!

NEW MEMBERS
   We welcome our newest members, John M. Bruce and Kristen Martin Bruce.  John and Kristen joined our church family on October 5, by transfer from another denomination. Their children are Elise Gabrielle (preparatory member),  McKenna Jolie, and Isabella Grace.

BAPTISMS
 ++ McKenna Jolie and Isabella Grace, twin daughters of John and Kristen Martin Bruce, were baptized on Sunday, October 5.
 ++  Kaleb James Pitre, infant son of Wesley James and Kristie Lynn Pitre, was baptized on Sunday, October 5. 

WHAT’S HAPPENING?
October 12
Sunday School Topic: Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.
UMY Topic:   Dating & Love (a prelude to the “Fireproof” movie.)
October 19–“Fireproof”
The youth will be going to see the movie “Fireproof”.  We will be going to the earliest viewing (probably the 10:45AM show).  The cost for the movie is ZERO!  It will be free for the youth and a guest.  Youth can purchase popcorn and cokes on their own.  We will meet in the Activity Building Gym for Sunday School at the regular time and leave from there.  “Fireproof” is made by the same church that put out “Facing the Giants”.  For more information visit www.fireproofthemovie.com .
UMY Dinners
Anyone wishing to provide dinner for the youth should call Niki at 870-5976.  We have  open dates from October 19 on.

TRUNK OR TREAT!
Where: FUMC Parking Lot                When: October 31
Time: 6:00–8:00PM
   You can choose a parking spot for your car, fill your trunk with candy and goodies for the little ones, or just come and enjoy meandering around.  You will enjoy the kids, food, decorations and fellowship!  The sign-up chart for a parking spot can be found in the narthex of the church or you may call Jeanne Scott at 868-7787.
The following activities will take place.
1.  Trunk or Treat (passing out candy to little treaters.)
2.  Car Decorating Contest
3.  Costume Contest with categories for Children, Teens, Adults and Couples or Group.
4.  Games and Spacewalk for the children.
   We plan to serve FREE Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Drinks!   We’ll be supplying them for as long as they last.
   Come have a HOWLING GOOD TIME!  Dress up but NO SCARY COSTUMES, PLEASE!
   Monetary donations to this event will HELP A LOT!  We also need cakes for the SPOOK WALK (aka Cake Walk).  HELP!!  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to help set up everything and work the various areas for the night.  PLEASE call Jeanne at 868-7787 and volunteer!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
   October 11th, 9:00AM Louisiana Conference United Methodist Women Annual Meeting at the Wesley Center.
   October 14th, 10:00AM UMW Executive Committee Meeting in the Activity Building Classroom. 

OCTOBER MEETINGS
Finance Committee, Oct. 14, 6:00PM in AB/403
Church Council, Oct. 14, 7:00PM in the Fellowship Hall
Worship Committee, Oct. 19, 12 Noon in F. Hall Parlor
Lay Leadership, Oct.20, 6:30PM in Pastor’s Office
Methodist Men, Oct. 21, 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall 

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
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.  It 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.  It meets in Room 403 in the Activity Building.
Class of Mixed Ages, led by Jimmy Hardin,  meets in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meets in Activity Building.

THE FINEST HYMN
   Reginald Heber (1783-1826), a vicar and hymn-writer in England, was the first person to compile a hymnal based on the church calendar.  He composed the beloved hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy” specifically for Trinity Sunday, with lyrics based on Revelation 4:8-11.
   Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
   Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
   Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
   The joyful song celebrates the eternal, omnipotent Triune God.  Throughout the verses, Heber used units of three to symbolize the Trinity (God is “perfect in power, in love and purity”; God is worshiped by saints, cherubim and seraphim; and he’s praised “in earth and sky and sea”).
   Heber, who witnessed much idol worship while serving as Bishop of Calcutta, often reaffirmed God’s holiness and his hymns.
   British poet laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson so admired the uplifting language in “Holy, Holy, Holy” that he proclaimed it the finest hymn ever written.

THE SOUL LOVER
   Prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote the moving song “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” in 1739.  According to one story, Wesley penned the lyrics after surviving a raging storm at sea.  A frightened bird apparently flew into Wesley’s window during the uproar, seeking safety in the folds of Wesley’s coat.
  The first stanza is as follows:
   Jesus, lover of my soul,
   let me to thy bosom fly,
   while the nearer waters roll,
   while the tempest still is high,
   Hide me, O my Savior,
   hide, till the storm of life is past;
   safe into the haven guide;
   O receive my soul at last.
   This brings to mind the frightened disciples in Matthew 8:23-27.  Pummeled with wind and waves, they feared drowning and called to Jesus to save them.
   We, too, can take refuge in our Savior during life’s storms, knowing we have a safe haven and a sure destination.                                            -NewsletterNewsletter

Our Stewardship for 2008
  WK40 Oct. 5, 2008  Attendance 280 Sunday School 69
  Offering                     $  11,766             YTD    $ 292,789
  Building Fund           $    1,696             YTD    $   74,515
  Apportionments Due $ 50,817      Paid YTD  $   16,462

IN WORSHIP   Sunday, October 12, 2008
 The Music: “Speak to Me, Lord” The Chancel Choir
 The Sermon: “Priming the Pump” Pastor Don Ross
 Readings: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14

ALTAR FLOWERS
    On Sunday, October 12, the altar flowers will be given in memory of Dr. Tom Givens from Jacqueline Givens.
   If you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory of honor of a loved one, please call Judy Navarre at 879-1924.

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Apportionments by M/M Tom Cantrelle, and in memory of Stephen Eschete (Pat and Nolan Eschete’s son) and in memory of  Wilson Thibodeaux (Bill Thibodeaux’s dad) by Hideo Koike.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.
Renovation Fund by Landon Graves, M/M Will Williams, M/M Delvin Foret, M/M Tom Becnel, Roland Lill, M/M John Walton, Paula Rutledge, M/M Gene Milford, Jeanne Scott, and in memory of Jason Thomas by the South La. Medical Association.
Sunday School Fund by Landon Graves.
Caring Ministries in memory of Takeko Koike by M/M David Milstead.
World Communion Sunday by M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Wayne Reid, and M/M Ray Moore.

WE’LL HELP YOU  RECYCLE! 
ALUMINUM CANS, OLD EYE GLASSES, AND CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS 
Call the church office for details!

WE’VE GOT SALSA!!
   The Salsa is made by the La. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and all sales go to benefit the children.