First United Methodist Church 1411 Glenwood Drive

West Monroe, LA 71291

Non-Profit Permit No. 98 US Postage Paid

West Monroe, LA F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H 1411 Glenwood Drive · West Monroe, Louisiana 71291

Phone: (318) 387-0511 · Fax: (318) 387-0249 · Daycare: (318) 361-9059 Website: www.fumcwm.org · Email: church@fumcwm.org

T H E M E S S E N G E R N E W S L E T T E R

“Our mission is to love, proclaim, know and serve the Risen Christ.”

Volume 17, Issue 01 FEBUARY EDITION January 25, 2017

Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

Featuring

Landry Allen, Brooke BeDoit and Friends

I N R E C I T A L

Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a 50-minute recital of songs about love and hope, performed by Landry, Brooke, and friends. (A light reception will be held following the recital)

Of the 4,000+ students who auditioned and of the 250 students chosen for the American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir, two from FUMCWM were selected: Landry Allen and Brooke BeDoit.

The National Honor Choir will be held at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Minneapolis, MN the week of March 8-11, 2017.

Consider joining us! The recital will be over by 6:00 p.m., giving you time to have dinner with your loved one(s) and/or attend the Monroe Symphony Orchestra concert at 7:00 p.m.

Any monetary expressions of congratulations will be joyfully welcomed and received.

Lenten Series for 2017: “Why the Cross?”

In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime.

Help Meet our August Payoff Goal — $70,000 The renovations have long since been completed. The Gideon 80 financial commitments to pay for those renovations officially ended in August 2016. The Finance Committee would like to retire this debt by August 31, 2017, as there are other large maintenance issues that will need to be funded. For example replacing the roof and repairs to our sign that was damaged by the tornadic winds. We need your help! On the Library window in the Narthex, the cross and flame symbol is displayed. The flame will be filled in each week as we strive to reach our goal of $70,000. God has been so good to First United Methodist Church. And you, the church, have been faithful in giving. Let us continue to serve Him together.

John Bowring wrote “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” The complete hymn you will find in our hymn book on page 295. He lived from 1792 to 1872. He was an English politician, writer, traveler and student of all languages. He was said to have learned well over 10 languages, some even say 200! He also became the fourth governor of Hong Kong. He was an accomplished man. Yet, he was inspired to write “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” Upon visiting Macao, a Portuguese colony across the bay from Hong Kong, he saw a great bronze cross towering over the ruins of a cathedral that had been destroyed by a typhoon. While looking upon this wreckage he was inspired to write this hymn that celebrates the cross of Christ. The symbol of Jesus is the cross. Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” [Lu. 9:23] The symbol of the church is the cross. “The cross is the power of God,” Paul said. [1 Co. 1:18] How does the cross inspire us to live? This year our Lenten devotions will focus on “Why the Cross?” Bring your own sack lunch. We will start with prayer at 12 noon. Enjoy our meal and fellowship. Then we will hear these outstanding speakers. We will finish by 12:45 so you can get back to work. Join us and bring a friend.

Lenten Luncheons are each Monday during Lent beginning March 6

March 6

Rev. Bob Deich Grace UMC Ruston

March 13

Rev. Juliet Spencer Trinity UMC Ruston

March 20

Rev. Ben McGehee Lea Joyner UMC Monroe

March 27

Rev. Lynn Malone First UMC Monroe

April 3

Rev. Gary Willis Monroe District Superintendent

Pastor’s Pen

Epiphany and Shrove Tuesday [another name for Mardi Gras] are days to give thanks. Remember what we have said in church: Epiphany, including “Fat Tuesday,” is a season in the Christian year when we realize

that Jesus has appeared for us. Our response is to give thanks. This brings me to the story of the ten lepers that were healed by Jesus. Jesus instructed them to go and show themselves to the priests. Along their way to the priests they realized that they were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus. Upon the man’s grateful words, Jesus asked, “Were there not nine more? Where are they?” [Lu. 17:11-19] It appears that Jesus thought saying “thank you” is important and should be done. I have a thankful list. This list has people and

circumstances that I realize have made my life better. This list includes God and Jesus, my parents, Beverly my wife, our children, my health, this church, our nation, West Monroe and many more. “Being thankful is healthy. That's what the research continues to show. An article in The Wall Street Journal’s Health and Wellness section addresses recent research that indicates that people who are thankful are happier and healthier.” Being thankful changes your emotions, moods, personal health and how we relate to our environment, relationships and circumstances. [“A Thankful Attitude is Good for Your Health,” by Dale Fletcher 11/23/2010]. Maybe as I start this new year, as I celebrate Epiphany and Mardi Gras, my first response needs to be thankful. This will change my life. What about yours? Have a Blessed Epiphany, Jon

1 Roslynn Pogue 4 Armande Kennedy Lynn Jones 5 Frances Howell 6 John McGraw 7 Ouida Oxford Sharon Roth Cole Johns Mallory Moore 10 Mildred Harrelson Peggy Folse Heather Trettin

11 Pat Spencer 12 Cecil Willis Paul Laird 13 Robbie Ward Allison Pogue Canal Jimmy Gill 14 Dana Kennedy 15 Michael Wiggins 17 Ruth Russell 18 Paul Steen Abby Graves 19 Dawn Lovell

20 Mary Jean Goodwin 22 Alana Bradley Tish Lofton 23 Luna Hattaway Ruth Jeffords Angela Walters Kyndall McCarthy 24 Betty Putnam Hattie Watson Robert Lovell Katelyn Wiggins 25 James Holloway Donnie Johns

25 Rene Robinson Kinley Collins 27 Betty Oxford Debbie Willis 28 Karen Harrison Rick Ray Tommy McCarthy Josh Fuller

If your birthday is not listed, we do apologize. Please contact the

church office to make sure we have accurate information.

Your church family would like to wish you happy birthday!

Music Notes From Dan

Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays at 6:00 pm

Handbell Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays at 7:00 pm

Refuge of Hope (DeSiard Street Shelter)

Our Church will be serving lunch at the DeSiard Street Shelter on Monday, January 30 at 11:00 am. Volunteers are needed to serve that day and to cook the meal on Sunday, January 29. A sign-up sheet is located on the display table in the main church hallway. For more information, please contact the church office.

Welcome New Members

Paige K. Barnett

Conner L. Donald

Kyndall M. McCarthy

Lindsey N. Moore

Jarrett N. Thomisee

Children’s Ministry News

Children's ministry is off to a new start! Our focus this month is our Sunday morning activities, which includes Sunday School and Children's Church. I want to invite everyone to bring your children on Sunday mornings with the knowledge your children will be loved, instructed in God's Word, and encouraged. It is my goal that every child would see the joy in following Christ! We will be expanding our children's ministry as the year presses forward, so please stay tuned for further updates! If you would like more information, call or text me at 318-376-9007.

-- Caitlin Milam

January was truly a blessed month for the Frontline Student Ministries. Our

weekly youth gatherings kicked back into gear and we began a weekly gathering

for our college students. Our big event in January was the Ashram Retreat at our church. That weekend provided a wonderful opportunity for our youth to get to

know other youth from the surrounding areas. It also gave our college students a

chance to serve and help lead the youth and children’s programs for that retreat.

One of the delights of this month was having Hal Hamilton, a youth pastor from Tulsa, Oklahoma with 30 years of experience, bring a select group of his youth to come help lead the youth portion of

the Ashram. Our youth had a unique opportunity to be loved on, grow in Christ, and learn how to lead from watching

Hal’s youth team. I look forward to seeing how this group of youth and college students continue to grow in the

upcoming months.

If you are looking to get involved, our youth program is for students 6th—12th grade. Whether you are a youth, in college, or an adult looking for somewhere to plug-in, we would be honored to have you join any of our Frontline Student Ministries. Give me a call or text at 318-773-7727 or come join us at any of the meetings in February listed below. —Trae Milam

Frontline Student Events in February (All meetings at the church unless specified otherwise)

Sunday Morning Sunday School for all ages –10:00am-11:00am

Youth Sunday Night Worship Practice – 4:00pm-5:00pm

Youth Sunday Night Meal and Meetings – 5:00pm-7:00pm

Youth Wednesday Night Meeting– 6:00pm-7:30pm

College Night Gathering at – 5:30pm-7:00pm

First United Methodist Church West Monroe

Administrative Council Kick Off Meeting

January 29, 2017

3:00 P.M.—5:00 P.M.

West Monroe Convention Center

The Faith We Hold True: A Study in 1 John

On Wednesday, January 25, Pastor Jon began this year’s study on 1 John. This small but influential book of the Bible is remarkable in its scope and weight in defining the Christian life. Most Wednesdays throughout the year, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. and spend an hour looking at the Bible through the eyes of 1 John. Join us for coffee and faith!