Volume 39 Issue 40   December 15, 2010

  
  
From the Book, The Christmas Prayer, by Brian Morgan

 

I pray for you joy in abundance and laughter, for laughter cures our ills and joy makes our spirits soar. ~~My servants shall sing for joy of heart. Isaiah 65:14

 

I pray for you a sigh when you need one, for a sigh clears the heart as a cough clears the throat, and with a sigh comes acceptance of what we cannot change.~~Let all those rejoice who put their trust in you. Psalms 5:11

 

I pray for you tears when you need them, for tears clear the eyes to see the stars and cleanse the soul to let healing begin.~~You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle. Psalms 56:8

 

I pray for you serenity, for fights and wars start in individual breasts and that is where they must end.~~What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

 

I pray for you wisdom, for our priceless gift is the gift of choice-and we should use it well every day, in word and deed.~~He who heeds the word wisely will find good. Proverbs 16:20

 

I pray for you patience, for most troubles pass if we wait them out, and success comes with persistence.~~Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him. Psalms 37:7

 

I pray for you courage, for there may be many pitfalls and dangers ahead and problems can only be solved when they are faced.~~Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid...for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. Deuteronomy 31:6

 

I pray for you compassion, for we cannot help others until we understand them, and we cannot understand them until we walk in their shoes.~~Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Zechariah 7:9

 

I pray for you a willingness to work, for work turns dreams to reality...whether the dreams are ours or belong to those we can help.~~Do you see a man who excels in his work?  He will stand before kings. Proverbs 22:29

 

I pray for you unwavering faith, for faith shapes our morals and our destiny and draws us closer to God.~~The just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

 

I pray for you a mind full of hope, for hope determines our attitudes, sets our goals, and creates our ideals.~~You are my hope, O Lord GOD, You are my trust. Psalms 71:5

 

I pray for you a heart so full of love that every day you must give some away to those whose paths you cross.~~Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13:13

 

And with each prayer, the man realized he was not giving a gift at all, but hoping that his friends would find the gifts they already had within them.

 

Merry Christmas from Noel

   

Goodman Plaza Shopping

 

Some of the ladies who go shopping each week pose with their "Christmas Cakes" purchased by Bob Thomas, one of Noel's volunteer bus drivers.

 

Thank you to all those who serve in this ministry.

 

Goodman Plaza Shopping

  

Church Council Banquet

 

(l to r) Karen McLallen, Jan Knighton, Cindy Willamson, and Julie Noles are all smiles at the Church Council Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday, December 7.

Church Council Dinner    

  THE MOVIES, THE MANGER, & THe message

The Current Sermon Series at Noel Church

We all have our favorite Christmas movie.  Heart-felt, humorous and always meaningful, these vintage films have become Christmas classics, reminding us of the "reason for the season."  In this new series of sermons by Rev. Flint Shea, we'll take a brief look at four all-time favorite films, each one pointing us to the message of the manger.  Join us during December and on Christmas Eve, for The Movies, The Manger, & The Message.

 

Sunday,  December 5 -  "The Christmas that Stole Grinch:  A  Heart Strangely  Warmed"

 

Sunday,  December 12 - "A Red-Nosed Reindeer:  The Redemption of Rudolph"

 

Sunday,  December 19 - "It's a Wonderful Life:  Even if it Starts in a Manger"

 

Friday,    December 24 -  "The Polar Express:  Believing in the Unbelievable"

 

 

Worship: 

Traditional                10:30 a.m., Sanctuary

Contemporary        11:00 a.m., Worship Center

Christmas Eve:          5:00  p.m. Sanctuary

 

Childcare is provided Sunday mornings and on Christmas Eve in our state-of-the-art childcare center at no charge. 

 

Highland thanksgiving meal 2010

 

Over 160 people attended the Thanksgiving dinner for the Friendship Houses last month.  The food was wonderful; thanks to all of those who brought food and for the great group of volunteers who helped serve and clean up.  A special thanks to Jackie and Howard Hines for coordinating this event. 

 

 Thanksgiving #2  Thanksgiving #1  Thanksgiving 3

  ART SHOW AT LILAH'S

 

GREEN GIFTS, now through January 8, 2011, Lilah's Deli and Bakery, 440 Olive St., Shreveport.  TheNoel Community Arts Program is proud to sponsor Green Gifts, an art show featuring artists Debbie Engle and Kathryn Usher.  Come enjoy the artwork on display and register to win a free piece of artwork. 

 

Left, Erin Fort, NCAP Coordinator, hangs artwork from The Green Gifts collection.  Right, sample artwork.

 

artshow1                   NCAP Cross

 

Worship 12-3-10

 
Pledges 12-15

Worship Times 12-15

OUR LIFE IN CHRIST

 

Condolences:  to Karen Mitchell and family upon the loss of her father, Russ Ballinger, on Monday, December 13.

 

Congratulations:  to Adam and Kristen Blancher upon the birth of their son, Evan Martin Blancher, born Monday, December 13.  Proud grandparents are Chris and Jeanie Middleton.

 

Prayer Concerns: Ray Anderson (Frankie Norton's father), Glenn & Leah Ardis (Glen Ardis' parents), Jason Beck, Derrick Bradley (Clyde James' son), Mike Collier (Julie Kueker's brother), Kevin Craton, Vicki Cromer, John Major DePingre, Sandy Dunham, Larry Fulton (Sylvia Busey's brother), Phylis Graham, Susan Harrison, Rev. Dale Hensarling, Austin Hernandez, Hugo Holland, Robert Kemp (Billy Jean Reasor's son), Laura Kirspel, Woodie Lambert, Lara Latham (Janis & Gordon Latham's daughter-in-law), Timothy Lee, Mimi McDowell, Nell McQueen, Noel's Homebound Members, Darrel Norberg, Johnny O'Neill, Art Reasor, Carol Rust (Mark Rust's sister), Those in the Military, Don Trussell, Mike Wainwright, Kimberly Washington (Alex Storey's mother), and Tommy Winn.

 

NEXT @ NOEL 

 

BLOOD DRIVE, Sunday, December 19, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Church Parking Lot.  In place of our regular blood drive held in the Gym, the Lifeshare Blood Drive Van will be in the Parking Lot for donors to visit.  The Gym will be full of Giving Factory supplies.  Please donate the Gift of Life!

 

WORSHIP AT THE GLEN, Sunday, December 19, 3:00 p.m., Glen Retirement Center.  Join us every third Sunday, as Noel Church hosts a service of worship at The Glen Retirement Center.

 

NOEL'S ANNUAL GIVING FACTORY, Sunday, December 19, 3:00 p.m., GYM. Come be a part of filling over 600 bags of food for our neighbors for Christmas. This is a great family activity and there is a job for everyone.  Contact Jackie Hines at 393-0355 for more information or to assist with this event.

 

CHURCH OFFICE & CHILDREN'S CENTER CLOSED.  The Church Office and Children's Center will be closed Friday, December 24, Saturday, December 25, and Monday, December 27, for the Christmas holidays. 

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, Friday, December 24, 5:00 p.m.  Join us for a wonderful worship experience on Christmas Eve during our Candlelight Service in Noel's Sanctuary.

 

THE SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS,Sunday, December 26, 10:30 a.m.  - This is the One!

Come join us for breakfast, fellowship and a casual, relaxed worship service in the Worship Center (Fellowship Hall). There will be one service at 10:30 a.m., with no Sunday School on this morning. We will continue the celebration of Christmas as we enjoy the music and the message of the season.

 

DAVE RAMSEY'S FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY, Classes begin Sunday, January 9, 2011, 5:00 p.m., Worship Center.  The class fee is $100.00 per couple or per single individual.   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.  Log onto www.daveramsey.com/fpu to learn about Financial Peace University or to register.  The registration deadline is December 26.  

 

RECEIVE NOEL TEXTS-If you would like to receive texts on your cell phone from Noel about upcoming events, meetings, etc., you can sign up in two ways.  One is to pick up one of the forms around the Church or in the Church Office, fill it out, and return it to the Church Office.  Or go to www.noelumc.org/textand fill out the online form.

 

NOEL NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY NEEDS-For their homeless clients, small pop-top cans of fruit.  For their start-up kits (fire victims), canned goods, (non-USDA), non-perishable food items, pasta, spaghetti, flour, sugar, etc. 

 

 

Contact Us!                                                      

             

Phone:      (318) 221-5207
Fax:           (318) 425-7643
Hours:       M-Th. 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
                  Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
 
Email:        mail@noelumc.org
 
Web:         www.noelumc.org

Address:   520 Herndon St. Shreveport, LA 71101