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Many have requested a copy of the poem I read in last Sunday's worship service, so I have included it here in the hopes that it will be a blessing to you. TRUST IN THE SLOW WORK OF GOD By Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Above all trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We are impatient of being on the way to the unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability- and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you. Your ideas mature gradually- let them grow, let them shape themselves without undue haste. Don't try to force them on as though you could be today what time (that is to say what time and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. Trust in the slow work of God. I'll see you at the "patient" place this Sunday,  |
www.myoneword.org
By Rev. Warren Clifton - Minister to Young Adults
Every New Year we hope this will finally be the year that things will change. We make promises about the new person we're going to become, pledging to get a grip on our finances, get in shape, become a better parent, spouse, even a nicer human being! But there's one problem: our resolutions seldom work. The busy pace of life gets the better of us, and suddenly, the year is over with little or no personal growth having occurred in our lives.
"My One Word" is an experiment designed to move you beyond the past and look ahead. The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD. This process provides clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. One word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future. So, we invite you to join us and pick one word in 2010. Visit www.myoneword.org for details.
Need help? Examine a few scriptures that speak of virtues that have the potential to become your one word:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Colossians 3:12-17, 1 Peter 4:7-11, and Galatians 5:22-23
Read the scripture passages found above. What are some words found in these passages that resonate with you? Why do you seem to be drawn to these words? Write down the words that, to this point, have stuck with you. Keep these words in highly visible places (bathroom mirror, Bible, car dashboard, refrigerator, workspace, etc.) so you will be able to wrestle with them throughout the upcoming days.
Your one word provides a lens not only to see your life and what God wants to do through you, but it also allows you to view and respond to your circumstances differently. Rather than just responding to life, you are proactively looking for ways to put your word into action. Keeping your eyes focused on God is the key to being formed into His image, because what you see determines the direction you go.
In what ways are you going to use your word as a lens through which you will view life, God, and your circumstances?
When you have picked your one word, please email your name and your one word to Warren Clifton at wclifton@noelumc.org. If you are comfortable sharing how you decided on your one word, please include that information in your email.
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Surprise Them With Love
By Jonathan Andrews- Director of Contemporary Worship and Youth Ministry
Don and Brandy are a couple that you probably don't know. They are not even members of our church, and in fact they don't attend any services at Noel. However, by going to Noel church YOU get to be a part of their story. Let me bring you up to speed. Don, the uncle of one of our Young Adults, is an RV salesman who has fallen down on his luck lately and you can imagine why; no one wants to buy an RV in this economy! Well, Don, his wife Brandy, and his two kids moved to Shreveport to be close to family and live with his sister until they could get back on their feet. After landing a job they were able to move out into a place of their own but still did not have enough money to get the basic necessities of life. Don and Brandy had just about lost all hope and were reaching desperation when one of our Young Adult classes got wind of their situation. Within the week Don and Brandy received a couple of gift cards and some supplies to get them back on their feet. He describes his reaction this way: "We were truly touched by your acts of kindness [and] shocked that a group of strangers would care enough to do something like this for people they don't even know." Through tears of joy they expressed their gratitude and describe this one act of kindness as "an immediate change of attitude from feeling defeated and stuck to feeling hopeful and optimistic."
This is another example of Noel Church making a difference for Christ, starting right here.
How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
1 John 3:17-18
Surprise them by your love!
Jonathan
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Shepherds Are Not Just for Christmas Anymore!
On Sunday, January 17, the 2-year-old class, taught by Betsy Ebarb, learned about shepherds and how they care for their sheep. They visited the Sanctuary and heard the story of Jesus The Good Shepherd as they sat beneath the beautiful stained-glass window depicting Jesus holding a lamb. After that, they "herded" their "sheep" throughout the building and even visited their parents' Sunday School class.
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 Noel Neighborhood Ministries' News
Because of the overwhelming generosity of the late Charlie Biggs, a long-time Noel member, the Charles F. Biggs Donor Advised Fund has been established. The amount of $100,000.00 will be distributed to the food pantry of Noel Neighborhood Ministries, payable in $4,000.00 yearly increments. Also, those wishing to do so may add to that fund.
Noel's Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in Northwest Louisiana, operates solely because of so many people's monetary gifts and countless volunteer hours. Thank you! |
 
OUR LIFE IN CHRIST
Noel's Newest Members: LaBritney Crawford (by Certificate of Transfer from another denomination); Nikkie Crawford (by Certificate of Transfer from another denomination); Jo Anne Culpepper (by Certificate of Transfer from another United Methodist Church); Ed and Pat Kneipp (by Certificate of Transfer from another United Methodist Church); George McCalman (by Certificate of Transfer from another denomination); Clyde McGary, Jr. (by Profession of Faith); Patrick and Meredith McGovern, son is J.P., (Patrick by Certificate of Transfer from another denomination and Meredith by Certificate of Transfer from another United Methodist Church); and Mark Rust (by Certificate of Transfer from another denomination).
Our deepest sympathy is expressed to Miles and Linda Hitchcock upon the death of his aunt, Martha Denton; and Betty and Don Whittington upon the loss of her brother, Hoy Strickland, on January 25.
Remember in your prayers our known ill: Sugar Clary, Julie Ezernack, Mollie Griffith, Billie Haacker, Monty Harrison, Bill Hightower, Bootsie Huddleston, Carol Massey, Jesse and Norma Morgan, Art Reasor, Glenn Richardson, Harry Risor, Libby Roby, Bob Rushing, Claud Spence, Jackie Thurmon, Renee Webb, and Herman Williamson.
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 ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
Noel's Book Club, Monday, February 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:p.m., Rasmussen Classroom. We will be discussing Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury. Bring a dish to share for our potluck lunch.
Mexico Trip Team Meeting, Thursday, February 4, 6:30 p.m., Rasmussen. If you are planning on going on this trip, please plan to be at this important meeting.
Mexico Brick Sales are now going on for
$2.00 each but any amount is appreciated. Just stop by the Mexico table between the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary on Sunday, or drop your donations off at the church office. These contributions help to buy the materials for the houses we will build.
UMW General Meeting, Saturday, February 6, 10:00 a.m., Parlor. UMW Circle #2 will be hosting and the program will be the Installation of the 2010 officers and Prayer and Self-Denial.
Mexico Mission Trip,February 13-20-There are still openings and the cost of the trip is $200.00. Contact Rachel Scott at 797-8721 or Skip Buford at 865-2576 as soon as possible. We especially need clinic workers!!!!
Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday, February 17, 12:10 p.m., Lane Chapel. Plan to join us as we begin the Lenten season.
Noel Neighborhood Ministries Spring Flower Sale-Be on the lookout for order forms. The deadline to order will be February 19.
Blood Drive, Sunday, February 28, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Gym. Give the gift of life!
Part-time Position Open-Noel Community Arts Program is looking for a Coordinator to work approximately 10 hours a week to coordinate all aspects of the new art/music outreach program of the church. If interested, please send a letter of interest and resume to: Noel Community Arts Program, 520 Herndon, Shreveport, LA 71101. For more information, please contact Rachel Scott at scottrl@bellsouth.net. |
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