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Volume 39 Issue 1 January 13, 2010 |
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~~~ EMERGENCY DISASTER RESPONSE! ~~~
In response to the devastating situation in Haiti the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is asking for us to collect items for Health Kits. We need you to bring any of these items to the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 17. If you can stay after church, we will be assembling the kits. We need:
Hand Towels (15" x 25" up to 17" X 27"); Washcloths; Combs (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized); Nail File or Fingernail Clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers); Bath-size Bar of Soap (3 oz. and up); Toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes); Large Tube of Toothpaste (4.5 oz. or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer); and Adhesive Plastic Strip Sterile Bandages.
We will also be taking up an offering for Haiti in both services on Sunday, January 17. | |
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 "Spiritual Leadership"
No, on this very special day, the leaders of Noel Church spent time in what John Wesley would have called Christian Conferencing, or conferring with one another. Before jumping into the business at hand, the day-to-day work of the church, or any other matter at all, we sat in God's presence, opened ourselves to the Scriptures and the movement of God's Spirit, and considered what it means to be leaders. Not just leaders, but spiritual leaders. There is a difference, you know.
Henri Nouwen, one of the great Christian spiritual writers of the last half century, points us in the right direction when it comes to being spiritual leaders in the church today:
It is not enough for the priests and ministers of the future to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their times. All of that is very valuable and important, but it is not the heart of Christian leadership. The central question is - Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to taste fully God's infinite goodness? - Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus
Thank God for the spiritual leaders of Noel Church! May each of us lift each of them in prayer, trusting not in their/our abilities, nor pointing to our/their failures, but instead trusting in the Holy Spirit to work in and through (and in spite of!) these spiritual leaders who are, along with every one of you, working to carry forth the mission and ministry of the church.
And may all of us, whether in positions of leadership or not, take hold of Henri Nouwen's words and ask God to enable us to so order our lives that we too might have "an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to taste fully God's infinite goodness." What could be more wonderful!
I'll see you at the "dwelling" place this Sunday, |
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"A Mountaintop Experience!"
Well, our Youth snow ski trip was truly a "mountaintop experience!" By God's grace, a wonderful group of adult volunteers, and a lot of prayer, we had a flawless trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado and back. There's nothing like looking out across the Colorado Rockies from the TOP of the Colorado Rockies to remind us just how small we really are and how awfully HUGE this God is that we serve. I feel honored to have been able to experience beauty beyond compare, not only in the mountainous landscape, but also in seeing the God who created those mountains in the faces of those whom I serve. I'm speechless so I'll quote Elizabeth Williamson who said "Don't just see the beauty, but instead, look through the window of the beauty to see the God who created it." Amen! May we be windows of God's grace in all its fullness!
In awe, Jonathan
"It was really cool to see everyone help each other on the slopes, we were like one big happy family!" - Cate Scott
"At first I had a lot of trouble skiing but after a while I got the hang of it. It ended up being one of my favorite trips ever! I saw God one day when we were going up the ski lift and we were almost to the top and I turned around and could see all the beautiful mountains surrounding us." - Susan Green
"My first day of skiing was a bit discouraging because I had not gotten the gist of skiing just yet. After just a few lessons from Jonathan though I was shredding the slopes!" -Erick Coleman
"I had such a great time with my wonderful friends and experiencing God's amazing beauty." -Mary Elizabeth Scott
"It was intense! I saw God on the top of the mountain where we took the group picture [and also] when I was alone on some of those lift rides up the mountain." -Forrest Shea
"I really didn't want to go but as it turns out, it was way worth it!" "I saw God in the random ski instructor who was kind enough to help me for two hours with my skiing, for free!" -Anna Shankle
"I saw God in the ski lift people" - Alissa Brown
"It made me feel good that I kept trying, thanks to Jonathan!" - Britt Westby (Not pictured are Jim Boyter and Pesky Hill - Date: 12.21.09) |
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2009 Figures for
Noel's Food Pantry
Amount of Bags Given Out - 10,265
Number of Families Served - 9,063
Number of Clients Served - 16,586
Number of Homeless Clients Served - 558
Number of Start-Up Kits (for fire or flood victims) - 66 |
OUR LIFE IN CHRIST
Our deepest sympathy is expressed to Chris Belk upon the loss of her mother, Ruth Duncan, on January 8.
Remember in your prayers our known ill: Carolyn Ballard, Irene Cooke, Mollie Griffith, Billie Haacker, Monty Harrison, Alma Hatcher, Bill Hightower, Ernest Johnson, Marjory Lawrence, Carol Massey, Art Reasor, Glenn Richardson, Libby Roby, Joan Sistrunk, and Herman Williamson.
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MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
Contributions have been given to special funds in memory or honor of loved ones as follows:
Scholarship Fund in memory of Jean Sartor and in honor of Ralph and Ann Richardson, Lane and Gloria Sartor, E. Alton Sartor, and Shelby and Adelaide Smith by Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Williams, Jr; and in memory of Maggie Sour and in honor of our Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren by Midge and Hal Arthur.
Youth Fund in memory of Eleanor Brown Greve by Mrs. Carolyn Warren; and in memory of Alice Brown by Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Brown.
Memorial Fund in memory of Maggie Sour by Debbie and Kenny Covington, Jane and Ryan Bicknell, Robert Landfair, Marshall Shaw, Candy and Travis Bass, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Dillman, Mr. and Mrs. George E. McGovern, III, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Corbett, Leu and Billy Wilder, Katherine Askew, Mary Lane Burford, and Michael, Nancy, and Zoey Lex; in memory of Jack Kelly by Janet Wamnes; in memory of Robert Holt by Lisa and Knox Andress; in memory of Bert and Eleanor Greve by Gary and Jeanette Trickett and Mr. and Mrs. Steve McKenzie; in honor of Mike and Lane Stanberry by Juarene Gisclard; and in honor of Sue Kamm and Mimi McDowell by Benny and Laura Vaughan.
Trickett Garden Fund in honor of Martha Beadles, Bobbie Brasher, Clair and Jean Bryan, Skip and Donna Buford, James and Jean Goins, Warren and Carol Grafton, Howard and Jackie Hines, Sue Kamm, Gene and Lynda Land, Barbara Monk, Linda Montgomery, Ann Nelson, Dale and Lee Phillips, Mickey and Gay Shirley, Mike and Lane Stanberry, Wayne and Margetta Stoddard, Alton and Patsy Wallace, Juan and Bonnie Watkins, and David and Joy Williamson, and in memory of Beverly and Don Barkley, Larry Beadles, Bob Monk, and Jim Montgomery by Ann and Hugo Holland.
Mexico Mission Trip Fund in honor of Doug Peterson by Kathy, Jim, Spencer, and Mallory Adams.
in memory of Maggie Sour by Shelby Smith; and in honor of Jane Peterson by Kathy, Jim, Spencer, and Mallory Adams.
Neighborhood Ministries Fund
in memory of Bert and Eleanor Greve, Alice Brown, and Jan Jackson by John and Sugar Clary; and in honor of Companions In Christ by Sue Kamm.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sacred Pathways, Thursday, January 21, 6:00 p.m., Lane Chapel. An evening of contemplative practices including a labyrinth walk, centering prayer and Lectio Divina, a form of praying the scriptures. Gather in Lane Chapel for a brief time of worship, then choose one of the three practices to experience in a quiet, meditative setting. Come and explore these time-tested ways of drawing closer to God. A nursery will be available by request only, 221-5207.
Volunteer Recognition Banquet, January 24, Everyone is invited to join us as we take the time to pay tribute to those who have given so much of themselves in 2009.
January Wednesday Night Dinner, January 27, 5:00 p.m., Café Noël. Our menu will be Spaghetti, Salad, Tea, and Dessert for a suggested donation of $3.00 per person or family maximum of $12.00 for those who are able to give.
One Worship Service and Centenary Homecoming Sunday, January 31, 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary. Noel Church has the honor to host Centenary's annual Homecoming Sunday this year. The Centenary Choir will be singing and the Centenary President, Rev. Dr. David Rowe, will be our guest preacher. There will be only one worship service that day at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.
The Captivated and Illuminated Women's Conference, Saturday, January 23, 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Strand Theatre (619 Louisiana Avenue). Journey of Sisters Ministry will host speakers and worship leaders, Babbie Mason, Jan Silvious, Kerri Pomarolli and Jaime Jamgochian. Ticket prices are $24.00, $40.50, $45.50 and may be purchased online from The Strand (www.thestrandtheatre.com) or download a ticket form at www.journeyofsistersministry.com. First United Methodist Church will provide childcare for children of women attending the event; to register your child please call 318-424-1567 or go online to sclark@fumcshreveport.org.
Mexico Mission Trip, February 13-20. A team will go again to Juarez, Mexico, to minister by building cinder block houses for families, working in the medical clinic, and conducting a baseball camp for children. All skill levels are welcome and needed. For more information about this trip, contact Rachel Scott, scottrl@bellsouth.net, or Skip Buford, bufords2@comcast.net.
Soup Cooks Needed for Souper Saturdays. Cook one recipe at home or come to the church and cook enough for 50. Cook ahead and freeze it or make it the day before. We just need enough soup for 50 people on the last Saturday of each month. We don't have to have enough of one type to feed everyone so several people could make just one recipe each. If you can help any month, please let the office know or call Leah Miller, 869-4135. P. S. We can also use delivery people. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour on Saturday morning beginning around 9:30 a.m.
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