You know what a mirror is - that thing you look into and say, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the cutest one of all?”  The FIRST mirror was a clear pool of water or maybe a lake or a river!  Someone looked in the water and saw a FACE – a face they had never seen before!  That must have been a scary surprise!  But 3,500 years BEFORE Jesus was born, people learned how to make mirrors from polished metal.  The Romans had mirrors of polished silver and gold.  But it was not until 1300 that the first glass mirrors – or looking glasses – were made.

Do you look in the mirror a lot?  What do you see?  A frown or a smile?  Did you know the WORLD is like a mirror?  If you frown at the world, it will frown right back.  And then you’ll feel angry and sad.  Smile at the world and SEE the good side of it – and the world will smile back at you!    Our faces often reflect what is happening inside us.  This week we have been reading about prayer.  Sunday I will be preaching on how to draw from the well of God’s goodness and grace.  Does your face reflect God’s grace in your life, or the frustrations of life that surrounds us?                                                      Blessings  Bro. Don

Our Church Family
Deaths
   We extend our Christian sympathy to Virginia Elliott and her family on the death of her beloved husband,  Russel Norman Elliot.  Russell, who was a long-time member of our church family, passed away Friday, October 10.  His funeral service was held in our Sanctuary on Tuesday, October 14. May God bless and comfort the Elliot family and friends!
   We also extend our Christian sympathy to the family of Chris Patterson whose funeral service was held in our church on Thursday, October 9.  Chris was the beloved daughter of Mary Ann and the late Chuck Patterson.  May God bless and comfort the Patterson family.
    We are saddened to inform you of the sudden death of Bobby Aycock, beloved husband of Vickie, beloved father of Andree, Rene, Simone, and Dominique. Please keep this heartbroken family in your prayers! Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.  Please call the church for further details.
Marriage
   Joseph James Teuton (son of Frank Jeffrey Teuton and Carolyn Marie Dupre) and Tiffany Lynn Hotard, (daughter of Dale Anthony and Donna Lynn Catching Hotard) were united in marriage by Rev. Ross on October 10th. 

TAILGATE PARTY
    The “Let’s Talk About It” Sunday School Class will have a “Tailgate Party” on Saturday, October 25th, at 1:00PM.  We will meet at Delvin and Judy Foret’s home (209 Louis Drive).  Bring a dessert or a side dish and your drinks.  Call Donna (876-2489) or Judy (872-4240).    

FREE PLANTS!  FREE PLANTS!  FREE PLANTS!
Do you remember our dear plant expert (a.k.a. Hideo Koike)?  I’m sure you do!  Through many years,  members of  our church family have received gifts of beautiful plants that were lovingly cultivated by Hideo for the Plant Ministry or Methodist Men’s Ladies’ Night.  Now that Hideo is retired he has plants that he would like to give away!If you are interested, please call Hideo at 876-4491.  Thanks, Hideo!

Where: FUMC Parking Lot      When: Friday, October 31
Time: 6:00–8:00PM
   Have you chosen a parking spot for your car?  Have you bought candy and goodies  to fill your trunk for the little ones?  Maybe you’d just like to come and enjoy the kids, food, contests, decorations and fellowship! You will have a great time watching the kids have a great time! 
    There is still a few parking spots left!  The sign-up chart for a spot can be found in the narthex of the church or you may call Jeanne Scott at 868-7787.
You and the kids will enjoy the following activities:
1.  Trunk Or Treat (passing out candy to little treaters.)
2.  Car Decorating Contest (you might win!)
3.  Costume Contest with categories for Children, Teens,
Adults and Couples or Group.  (Dress up but NO SCARY COSTUMES, PLEASE!)
4.  Games and Spacewalk for the children.(They LOVE this!)
   We plan to serve FREE Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Drinks for as long as they last!  (What a TREAT!)
HELP!!  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 
 This special  night for the kids is a TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK AND ORGANIZATION!         We need willing hands  to help set up everything and work the various areas for the night.  PLEASE call Jeanne at 868-7787 and VOLUNTEER!   Monetary donations to this event will HELP A LOT!  We also need cakes for the SPOOK WALK (aka Cake Walk). If you can help in any way please call soon!  Thank you!

YOUTH MINISTRY
October 19
Sunday School Lesson: The Good Samaritan–Luke 10
UMY Dinners– Anyone wishing to provide dinner for the youth on Sunday night  should call Niki at 876-5976.
Movie Day Cancelled–The youth planned to see the afternoon showing of “Fireproof” on October 19th.  However, due to low attendance, AMC is only showing the movie once late at night.  We will rent the movie once it comes out.
MIA–Missing in Action. Do you know of a member of our church in grades 7-12 who hasn’t been attending lately?  If so, encourage them to get back in the habit.  Our teens today are burning the candles at both ends.  They have responsibilities with sports, school, civic clubs, family, etc.  Church is often what gets dropped first. 
   The youth program offers Sunday School at 9:45AM, UMY from 5-7:00PM, mission trips, fun stuff, and a whole lot more.  For those musically inclined, our youth choir practices from 4-5:00PM each Sunday. We have 11 Sundays left in 2008.  Parents, we dare you to covenant to making sure your teen is at church at least ½ of those Sundays.  Who knows . . . it might just change their lives! Check us our online and sign the guestbook!
 Youth Website: www.fumcyouth.net

OCTOBER MEETINGS
Worship Committee, Oct. 19, 12Noon in F. Hall Parlor
Lay Leadership, Oct.20, 6:30PM in Pastor’s Office
Methodist Men, Oct. 21, 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall

OCTOBER IS CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH!

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 HardIin,  meets in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meets in Activity Building.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
   Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.  The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.  In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.     To continue the tradition, the Haven, Inc. is hosting its Annual Candle Light Vigil on Wednesday, October 22, 6:30PM in the Terrebonne Parish Courthouse Square.
Speakers will be present.  Refreshments and entertainment  will be provided.

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.

How Do You Explain the Unexplainable?
   When we encounter God, or when God encounters us, explaining the experience can be a challenge.  We may do so haltingly, with fear that others will misunderstand us or think we’re mentally unstable.
   St. Paul tried to explain this type of encounter.  Yet readers of his mystical experience found in 2 Corinthians 12 may be puzzled.  Paul says he was so deep in prayer that he didn’t know whether he was in or out of his body.  He refers to “the exceptional character of the revelations”  (2 Corinthians 12:7, NRSV). 
   This passage deals with going deep in the Spirit when praying.  Mystics, people who patiently make real and vital contact with God, understand the strange spiritual experiences that are possible when deep in prayer.  They understand that the unexplainable can’t be explained.  They can only reveal that they’re related intimately to God.
   The good news is that you don’t need to be an apostle or pastor to experience this close relationship with God.  All of us have 24/7 access to our Savior, who longs to hear from us.                                                           -NewsletterNewsletter

 Our Stewardship for 2008
  WK41 Oct. 12, 2008  Attendance 250 Sunday School 77
  Offering                      $    6,907             YTD   $ 299,272
  Building Fund            $      255             YTD    $   74,770
  Apportionments Due $ 52,120      Paid YTD  $   16,462

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Trunk or Treat by Paula Rutledge.
Apportionments by M/M Bill Vincent.  In memory of Takeko Koike by M/M Keith Rhea and M/M Tillman Gillaspie.  In memory of Opal Davidson by M/M Luther Kelly and M/M Wayne Reid.
Music Fund in memory of Stephen Eschete by the Agape Bible Study Class.
Renovation Fund by M/M George Shely, Carla Smith, M/M Charles Jenkins.  In memory of Russel Elliott by M/M Mike Tingle.
FUMC in memory of Russel Elliott by M/M Mike Charpentier.

Seven-Pointed Star

   The seven-pointed star symbolizes the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit described in Isaiah 11:2-3.  The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord (NRSV).
   The seven-pointed star also represents the seven days of creation.                                                   -NewsletterNewsletter