PASTOR’S MESSAGE  “Loving God or Money?” “I hate it when the preacher talks about money.” This is a statement that I have heard from time to time in my ministry. What is interesting to me is that I have never heard anyone say the same thing about the preacher talking about sin, or salvation, or grace, or means of grace, or acts of service and mercy. Jesus talks about money about one third of the time in the New Testament. He knows that it is important to talk about money because money is something that can keep someone from being in relationship with God. Jesus knows that loving money can keep someone from loving God. Lisa and I did not always tithe–give ten percent of our income to the church–we thought that we gave enough in other ways. Time, talent, and service were the ways that we gave to our church. At some point we were challenged to look at the spiritual discipline of tithing. We have never looked back. God has blessed us with all our needs. We understand what it is to be joyful givers. Between our church pledge, building campaign commitment and other offerings we now give well in excess of ten per cent. God has always supplied our needs–and then some. I am totally committed to Christ and the Church. This is why I support this local congregation with my tithe. I trust the leadership of this congregation to disperse the funds wherever the money is needed. I believe God honors this commitment. Think about your commitment to Christ and the Church. If you don’t tithe, perhaps this is the year to move toward tithing. Look at what percentage of your income you give to God’s work. Loving money can keep people from loving God. How about you? Are you honoring God with your money? Peace! Barry

DONUTS ARE BACK!
INSTEAD OF BREAKFAST, we are now offering our popular time of Fellowship, Hot Coffee, Donuts, Milk and Juice! Join us in the Fellowship Hall after the 8:30AM Worship Service. Refreshments will be available for as long as they last! Come! Enjoy!

UNITED METHODIST MEN
Methodist Men will hold their annual “Ladies Night” on
Tuesday, November 14, (NOT ON November 21). Ladies, we are sooooo LUCKY! We will be served Fried Turkey and all the trimmings by the TERRIFIC COOKS in Methodist Men. Don’t miss this night!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN’S CALENDAR
November 4–9:00AM Acadiana District Annual Meeting and LELT at Sager Brown Center, Baldwin.
November 7–6:30PM General Meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Leader: Lisa Hoekstra
Program: “Children of the Bible”
Hostess: Shirley Hebert
Note: Please bring your World Thank Offering and item for the UMW Homebound Ministry.
November 11–9:00AM Koinonia Circle at the Golden Corral Leaders: Darla Bergeron and Lisa Hoekstra
Please bring your World Thank Offering and items for the Homebound Ministry
November 14–9:30AM Faith Circle in the Fellowship Hall.
Program: “Making Christmas Crafts”
Leader and Hostess: Bette Adams.

FIFTH SUNDAY IS REFORMATION SUNDAY!
Sunday, October 29, is Fifth Sunday. The United Methodist Men will be providing the anthem at the 8:30AM Service. They will sing “A Mighty Fortress is our God”. Gentlemen, please meet Kenny at 8:00AM in the Choir Room for a warm-up prior to the service.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Itty-Bitty to Four Years will be with Mrs. Mary and Ms. Maddie in the Nursery for a Story lesson and playtime.
Five years thru Sixth Grade–will be in Room 209 for a Video with Ms. Jeanne.
We are beginning our next Power XPress Unit on November 1 entitled In the Manger. This unit is based on Luke 2:1-20. The children will have a different center to experience each week until Christmas.
Children’s Church–11:00AM Service.
Title: Angels On a Ladder
Message: God keeps promises.
Bible Verse: Genesis 28:12 This is a Bible story about Jacob and his wonderful dream.

TRUNK OR TREAT! FELLOWSHIP AND FUN! When: Tuesday, October 31t Time: 6-8:00 PM
Where: Church Grounds
Trunk or Treat, Games for Children, Cake or Pie Walk, Costume/Car Decorating Contest
It’s NOT TOO LATE to sign up. There are still spots available. This is NOT ONLY for Church members. We also reach out to the community. YOUR participation is NEEDED!
IMPORTANT INFO: 1. Your spot will be marked with numbers and name. Parking begins at 5:30PM. 2. We need donations of pies or cakes for the cake walk. You can drop them off during that day. 3. Monetary donations are welcomed since we are offering free food and drink. Please help and THANK YOU!
Contact Jeanne Scott (868-7787) for information.

NOVEMBER COVERED-DISH LUNCHEON
The November covered-dish luncheon will be after 11:00AM service on November 5. If you submitted a recipe for the church cookbook to Shirley or to Myles, please prepare your entry and bring it to the luncheon. We would like to sample the award-winning recipes that will be in the book.
ALSO, this is your opportunity to enjoy the incredible talent of Jeanne Scott and Sue Peace. They will be performing numbers from the successful play, “Nunsense”. Accompanying them will be Donna Sammarco, who brings joy to us every Sunday with her extraordinary gift of music. What a memorable way to begin the month of November! Plan to attend this “fun time” for all. Bring a friend. You’ll be glad you came.

NEWS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY
We have received the news that our friends, Melvin and Dolores Childers, are moving to Houston, Texas. May God bless you in your new home! You will be missed!

STAFF PARISH RELATIONS MEETING
The Staff Parish Relations Committee will meet Thursday, October 26, at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS!
Remember to set your alarm clocks BACK one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night

Our Stewardship for Week #43 October 22, 2006
Attendance in Worship: 227 Sunday School 37
Offering This Week : $ 5,959 YTD: $336,349
Bldg. Fund: $ 620 YTD: $136,046
Apportionments Due $56,350 YTD: $ 23,525
IN WORSHIP Sunday, October 29, 2006
The Scripture: Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Hebrews 7:23-28
The Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
The Sermon: “Happy Endings ” Rev. Hoekstra
The Music:
8:30AM “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” UM Men
11:00AM “Open My Eyes” The Chancel Choir
ALTAR FLOWERS
If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in memory of honor of someone, please contact Judy at 879-1924.

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., Travis Twiggs, 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! How do you like your salsa? “Just a Tad Warm”, “Pretty Darn Hot”, “Holy Cow, It’s Screaming Hot” or “Sizzling Tail Feathers”? We have it! All sales benefit Ruston’s LA. Methodist Children’s Home.
*T-Shirts are still available in the Church office. These T-shirts are a fund-raising project for the youth and cost $14 each. We have all sizes from Small to XXX.
*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 still available in the back foyer of the Church. Sales benefit MacDonell’s Children.

THANK YOU FOR GIFTS OF LOVE TO THE:
Apportionments by Mary Walden, M/M David Martin, and Juana Woodard.
Building Renovation Fund by Mary Walden (kneelers), M/M Ronald Blanchard, and M/M Paul Sammarco.
Piano Fund by M/M Wayne Reid, and in memory of John Arbuckle (Jimmy Arbuckle’s dad) by M/M George Geoffroy.

UM WOMEN’S HOMEBOUND MINISTRY
United Methodist Women are asking that you 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.