Sunday was a great day of worship that included the baptism of James David Barr at the 8:45AM service.  We were blessed by hearing the Voices of Light for the first time this fall.  Below are a few notes from Sunday’s message on prayer.    The more consistent we are in our prayer life, the more our will conforms to God’s will.  As we pray, our relationship with God awakens in us a new spiritual awareness, and we begin to learn what God’s will is.  As we reflect on God’s promises recorded in the Bible, we will come to appreciate and depend on God’s faithfulness.

If a rope is thrown out to a rowboat a few feet away from the pier, the people in the boat don’t pull the pier out to the boat.  They pull the boat to the pier.  Prayer isn’t pulling God out to where we are; prayer is pulling us to where God is and where he wants us to be.    We need to pray confessionally and conversationally.  We  are to pray consistently, confidently, and compliantly so that God’s will, will be done.  This past week has been an exciting study of commitment to prayer.  The water flowing through prayer is refreshing and thirst-quenching.    THIS week we are reading about PRESENCE.  We will learn how important it is for both the individual and the family to “show up” and be a part of the Christian community.  I look forward to hearing from you about your reading, and worshiping with you and your family this Sunday.                     Blessings -  Bro. Don

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
*November 1, 9:00AM Acadiana District UMW Annual Meeting in Lafayette. For information call Joyce Thibodeaux at 868-0100.
*November 4, 9:30AM UMW General Meeting in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.  Leader is Jeanne Scott.  Program:  Music in Mission.   Guests are welcome!

OUR CHURCH FAMILY
DEATH
   We extend heartfelt Christian sympathy to the family of Mr. Elgin C. Rogers.  Mr. Rogers passed away Thursday, October 16, and is the brother of Edgar Rogers, Shirley Arceneaux, Rita Landry, Delores Kraemer, and Doris Songe.  May God bless and comfort this family!
BAPTISM
   James David Barr, beloved infant son of James Myles and Nickie Fowler Barr, was baptized Sunday, at the 8:45AM Service.  James David is doted on by his proud big brother, Tyler, and big sister, Sarah!

LET’S TALK ABOUT A 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).     

IF YOU NEVER MET A PLANT YOU DIDN’T LIKE-
 We have a source of FREE PLANTS to tell you about!  Our dear plant expert, Hideo Koike, still has PLENTY of plants left that he’d like to give away!   Through the years, you have no doubt received a beautiful plant that was lovingly cultivated by Hideo for the Plant Ministry or Methodist Men’s Ladies’ Night.  His plants are always beautiful and healthy!  If you are interested in having some free plants , please call Hideo at 876-4491.

Looking For a Good Time?
We know where you can find one!
  Be in the FUMC Parking Lot on Friday, October 31,  from    6:00–8:00PM .   Your family 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.
4.  Games and Spacewalk for the children.
   We plan to serve FREE Hamburgers, Hot Dogs(cooked by our “Halloween grill expert”, Delvin Foret) and Drinks (for as long as they last!)
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
   I’M BACK!  J.D. has arrived!  Thanks to everyone for your support during the difficult pregnancy.  This past Sunday morning we had 9 youth in Sunday School.  That is great and we can do better.  If you haven’t been to UMY in a while this is a great time to start back!  We have some really exciting things planned!
   This past Sunday night the youth cleaned the youth room for our expectant guests that will be staying with us.  Yes the dust FLEW!
Friday, October 24th We will meet at Baskin-Robbins by the mall at 5:45PM and then we will head over to watch our very own Noah Martin play for Terrebonne High’s football team.  Game starts a 7:00PM, tickets are $7, and also bring money  for ice cream.
Sunday, October 26th DCYM meeting at Pharr Chapel at 2:00PM.  Sunday night the youth will clean the game room after an intense game of Volleyball.  Youth start bringing in your Christian music.
Thursday, October 30th Cake Baking Bash!  We will start at 4:00PM.  These cakes will be donated for the Trunk or Treat Cake Walk.
Friday, October 31st Trunk or Treat.  The youth will help with the nights activities.  Don’t forget to dress up in a fun costume!
Sunday, November 2nd Youth Council elections!  We will vote for the 2008-2009 Youth Council.  Prayerfully consider what position you would like to hold.  After elections at 6:00PM we will attend Charge Conference.
Dinner Calendar Our dinner calendar is completely empty!  If you have a passion for cooking or feel lead to donate money toward feeding our youth, call me at 870-5976 or 876-6694.  We appreciate your support!                       -Niki Barr

OCTOBER MEETING
SPR Committee, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:00PM in FH Parlor.

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.  They meet 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.  They meet in Room 403 in the Activity Building.
Class of Mixed Ages, led by Jimmy HardIin,  meet in Room 206.
Youth Sunday School Class–meet in Activity Building.

Helping the brokenhearted
    A retired pastor counseled younger peers to remember that in every pew sits someone dealing with a broken heart.  Hasn’t that been us at some point?  What have we learned from our brokenness?  What helps?  What doesn’t?
   People who are hurting don’t need platitudes and quick answers.  In fact, it’s often best not to say anything at all.  The most important thing is to just be there.  Sit.  Listen.  Hold a hand.  Respond with brief expressions of understanding.  When appropriate, offer assurance that God knows of the situation and cares.
   After Jesus healed the paralytic, the man stood up and returned home glorifying God (Luke 5:17-26).  Likewise, Christ says to the brokenhearted today, “Stand up and go into your future, glorifying God with good works for his kingdom.”

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
      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.

+Christian Symbols+
   This sacred monogram originally appeared as “IHC,” the first three letters of “IHCOYC,” the Greek word for Jesus.  Over time the Greek “C” was replaced by the Latin “S” to become “IHS.”  There are many interpretations given to the letters “IHS,” including the Latin “Jesus Hominum Salvator” (Jesus, Savior of Men) and the English “I (Christ) Have Suffered.” .... NewsletterNewsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
UM Women Flood Buckets by M/M Bud Geoffroy.
UMY in memory of Bobby Aycock by M/M Bud Geoffroy.
Handbell Choir in memory of Russel Elliott and Mary Chambers (Betty Farmer’s sister-in-law) by M/M Bud Geoffroy.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath and in honor of Beth Duet, Jimmy  Hardin, and Shirley Hebert by M/M Ken Klaus.
Building Fund by M/M Jerry Cobb, M/M Charles Jenkins, and M/M Richard Simons.  In memory of Bobby Aycock by Juana Woodard, M/M Jerry Lemley, and the Discovery SS Class.  In memory of Elgin Rogers (Edgar Roger’s brother
by Juana Woodard.  In memory of Russell Elliott by M/M Jack Gafford and M/M Jerry Lemley.  In memory of Opal Davidson and Mary Chambers by M/M Jerry Lemley.
Apportionments by M/M Bill Jenkins.  In memory of Opal Davidson by Ben Meyers, M/M Ray Miller, and Marjorie Anderson.  In memory of Russel Elliott by M/M Jim Justice, M/M John Laird, M/M George Shely, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, Mary Arceneaux, M/M Wayne Reid, M/M Bill Vincent, and M/M John Kelley.  In memory of Bobby Aycock by M/M Mike Tingle, M/M Jim Justice, and M/M George Shely.  In memory of Takeko Koike by M/M Jim Justice and M/M Bill Thibodeaux.  In memory of Elgin Rogers by M/M Jim Justice.  In memory of Roy Baker by Mary Arceneaux.

Our Stewardship for 2008
  WK42  Oct. 19, 2008  Attendance 230 Sunday School  66
 
  Offering                      $   5,375             YTD   $  303,732
  Building Fund            $      294             YTD    $   75,064
  Apportionments Due $ 53,423    Paid YTD    $   16,462
 
IN WORSHIP   Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Music: “The Gift of Love” The Chancel Choir
The Sermon:  Pastor Don Ross
Readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46

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.