Here's your Noel Now Newsletter for July 1!

Volume 39 Issue 25 July 1, 2010

"A Scout Is Obedient"

o-be-di-ent (ō-bē'dē-ənt): adj. - complying with or yielding to authority

"A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent." The Scout Law

"Then (the boy Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:51)

"...he (Christ Jesus) humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8)

We put the sailboat in the water about 9:00 in the morning that day. The sun was hot. The wind was brisk. The water not too choppy. Just right for sailing. So we set out on the lake for a day I had hoped would be fun. And it was, for a while. Sailing merit badge was one that I had looked forward to earning, because with it I would have all the water merit badges- swimming, canoeing, rowing, lifesaving, etc. So I stepped into the boat, for the first time, with maybe too much confidence. The instructor had gone over the basics of sailing with us, and now it was time to get out on the water and learn the ropes.

"This couldn't be too hard," I said, as I pointed the bow into the wind and raised the sail. We began to clip along, and I was feeling pretty self-assured. Having all the other water-related merit badges, I had hoped the instructor would let me go out on my own. But that's not how it works. First, we had to learn to follow directions, pay attention, and do what the teacher said.

The first mistake I made was to think I could go it alone. The second mistake was not listening to the teacher. All of a sudden, the wind picked up and the boat became harder to control. He took over briefly, grabbed the rope, and told me to sit down low in the boat. Well, of course, as a teenager, I decided on my own that I'd rather sit up higher. After all, I knew what I was doing.

When I woke up with a goose egg on the back of my head, a severe headache, and a confused look, I was lying on the bow of the boat. The boom had swung across the boat and smacked me pretty hard in the back of the head. I had been sitting up too high, literally and metaphorically.

The teacher had tried to tell me, but I had refused to do what I was told. I had not complied with or yielded to authority. In short, I had not obeyed.

I'm still not the most obedient follower of Christ, but the lesson I learned that day on the water is this: most of the pain we experience in life comes from our unwillingness to be obedient. In fact, even the word "obedient" strikes an unpleasant chord in us.

Maybe the key to smoother sailing is being obedient to the Teacher.

I'll see you at "obedience training" this Sunday,

Flint

Youth Choir Tour

Singing at Santa Maria el Mirador, an Easter Seals facility for disabled adults-in a room that dates back to the 1600's!

The Youth Choir at the Santa Fe School of Cooking where they learned how to make salsa!

volunteer spirit

(left) Harriett Boddie and her daughter, Kristin Sibley, along with Beth Braden and her daughter, Ainsley Braden, (above), weeded among the beautiful church grounds recently.

If you would like to volunteer at Noel, we have many opportunities to do so.

Pick up our volunteer booklet, "The Power of Everyone," around the church for a complete listing of all volunteer positions.

dcym representatives

DCYM Reps 1

Our District Council on Youth Ministries Representatives for Noel are (left to right) Callie Jones, Aaron Dowis, and Kristin Sibley. Congratulations to these youth for stepping up to be leaders. God bless you and your work for God's kingdom.

Worship at the Glen

The Glen Service

Jackie Watson (second row in white) sings along with the crowd during Worship at The Glen. Noel UMC leads worship at The Glen Retirement System the third Sunday of each month. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

noel neighborhood ministries

Buffingtons

The Buffington family (above) is one of many families who spend their Saturday morning volunteering at the Noel Neighborhood Ministries Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is collecting small pop-top cans of fruit and snack-sized boxes of raisins or dried fruits for their homeless clients. Gently used children's books are also needed.

The Food Pantry has new Saturday hours beginning July 10. The new hours are Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

For information on volunteering, contact the Director, Susan Foster, at 424-0434.

OUR LIFE IN CHRIST

Community Unity Prayer: Melting Pot Harmony

Upcoming Surgery: Sarah Shirley

Hospital: Roba Bridges (Leah Miller's mom), Susan Harrison, Elouise Jouett, Gloria Sartor, Dorothy Tooley

Condolences: to Lane Stanberry and family upon the death of her cousin, Kevin Brown.

This Week's Prayer Concerns: Brian Boyter, Brian Cain, Colleen Collins (granddaughter of Lucille Collins), Sarah Desoto, Jo Glezen (Paula Desoto's mom),Grace Hartman, Terri Kulbeth, Lara Latham (Gordon & Janis Latham's daughter-in-law), Kenny Morrow, Phil Sellers, Todd Stanberry, Peggy Williams, Tommy Winn & family

noel news

Blood Drive-Thank you to all the donors who so unselfishly gave of themselves. The Blood Drive on Sunday, June 20, provided 38 units of much needed blood. -The Noel Men's Club

CORRECTION-Last week's Noel Now listed Melvin and Mollie Weldon as the recipients of a donation to the Memorial Fund by Hattie Burton. In fact, the donation was made by Melvin and Mollie Weldon in honor of Hattie Burton. Please excuse this oversight.

NEXT @ NOEL

CHURCH OFFICE & CHILDREN'S CENTER CLOSED. The Church Office and Children's Center will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of 4^th of July.

UMW EXECUTIVE MEETING, Tuesday, July 6, 10:00 a.m., Rasmussen classroom. All members of UMW are encouraged to attend this meeting to help plan UMW at Noel.

NOEL COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM-CLASSES, Choose from the variety of classes being offered here at Noel in the month of July. Contact Erin Fort at 573-5913 for more information.

Creative Computing,July 7-28, Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Elementary Art, July 9 & 10 or July 16 & 17, Friday & Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Digital Photography, July 10-31, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

MEN'S MINISTRY PRAYER MEETING, Thursday, July 8, 5:30 p.m., Lane Chapel. Join in a half-hour meeting of prayer and quiet time in Lane Chapel.

UMW CIRCLE #3 MEETING, Saturday, July 10, 10:45 a.m. Interested in joining United Methodist Women? A circle meeting is a great way to find out what UMW is all about. This month's meeting will be at the home of circle leader, Clarice Moore, at 121 Chelsea, Shreveport. Contact Clarice at 865-2900 for more information.

ALTAR DESIGN TEAM MEETING, Tuesday, July 13, 4:15 p. m., Parlor. If you like to sew, woodwork, run errands, organize volunteers, or spend time with others serving God, then come join the Altar Design team. Even if you did not attend the workshop, we want your input in this vital ministry.

FRIENDLY CIRCLE, OLDER ADULT FELLOWSHIP, Thursday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. This month's program begins with fellowship in the Parlor followed by Rev. Joey Ketchum and Larry Lafitte and their Circle of Life Band. Lunch will follow in Fellowship Hall for a cost of $3.00. The menu is Chicken Salad, Green Salad, Fruit, Crackers, Dessert, Tea, & Coffee. Reservations are requested by Monday, July 12. Call the church office for reservations, 221-5207.

CALLING ALL GALACTIC CADETS-VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! If you know a child between 3 years old and the 5^th grade, have them join us on an out-of-this-world space adventure. The starship, Galactic Praise, will blast off on a special mission, July 19-23, 2010. Your mission will include spacewalking through the Good News Galaxy, art projects at Cosmic Crafts, singing moon tunes, and exploring science at the Orbital Observatory. Look for further Mission Control announcements and register on-line at www.noelumc.org.

DAVE RAMSEY'S FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY, Free Preview Class, Sunday, August 8, 5:00 p.m., Actual Classes begin Sunday, August 22, 5:00 p.m. Class Fee is $93.00. During these Life-Changing Classes, you will learn how to get control of your money, stop struggling to make ends meet, tell your money what to do, and change your family's future. To learn more about Financial Peace University, go to www.daveramsey.com. Call the church office to register at (318) 221-5207.

CHURCH COUNCIL, Tuesday, July 27, 7:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall. All members of the congregation are encouraged and welcome to come.

SOUPER SATURDAY, Saturday, July 31, 9:00 a.m., Kitchen. Join in this ministry that warms the heart and soul by providing soup to those who are homebound. Volunteers are needed to provide soup and to help deliver and package meals. Contact the church office, 221-5207, to sign up.

Sunday, July 4, 2010
9:15 a.m.-Sunday School*
9:15 a.m.-Library Open
10:15 a.m.-Sunday Brunch
10:30 a.m.-Traditional Service*
10:30 a.m.-Wesleyan Service*
11:00 a.m.-Contemporary Service*
Monday, July 5, 2010
Children's Center and Church Office Closed
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
6:15 a.m.-Pickleball
8:30 a.m.-Staff Chapel
9:00 a.m.-Program Staff
9:30 a.m.-Adult Learning Center Class
10:00 a.m.-UMW Executive Meeting
12:00 p.m.-AA Meeting
12:00 p.m.-Staff Luncheon
6:00 p.m.-Summer Youth Nights!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
7:00 a.m.-Men's Bible Study
9:30 a.m.-Adult Learning Center Class
12:00 p.m.-AA Meeting
5:30 p.m.-Wheel Throwing Pottery Class
6:00 p.m.-Creative Computing Class
6:00 p.m.-Worship Band Rehearsal
6:15 p.m.-Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, July 8, 2010
9:30 a.m.-Adult Learning Center Class
12:00 p.m.-AA Meeting
5:30 p.m.-Men's Ministry Prayer Meeting
Friday, July 9, 2010
9:00 a.m.-Older Adult Shopping
9:00 a.m.-Elementary Art Class
12:00 p.m.-AA Meeting
Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:30 a.m.-Troop 15 Scout Hut Clean Up Day
9:00 a.m.-Elementary Art Class
10:00 a.m.-Noel Food Pantry
10:00 a.m.-Hand Building Pottery Class
10:00 a.m.-Digital Photography Class
10:45 a.m.-UMW Circle #3 Meeting
*Child Care provided
**Child Care provided by reservation

ATTENDANCE

Sunday, June 27, 2010