Live Oak United Methodist

Transcription

1 Live Oak United Methodist December 2011 From the Pastor s Desk In this Issue From the Pastor s Desk Nuggets from the Bible Announcements Treasurer s Note Events Music Ministry In Memory/In Honor I want to begin by saying that my prayer is that you and yours have a very Joyful Christmas Season. For many this is a wonderful time of year. The celebration of the promise or redemption is something that believers around the world reflect upon and celebrate this time of year. It s a time to remind the world that the Savior of the World, the Messiah, and the Redeemer of all humanity has been born. How we share and celebrate this truth determines whether this season is "just another Christmas" or whether it is a truly Wonderful Christmas. What makes this season wonderful is how we celebrate the birth of Jesus. For many their celebration is a time of worship, a time of giving to those who cannot give back, and a time of inviting others to receive the gift of God. When we do that the Christmas season becomes joyful, meaningful and wonderful. During the Christmas season we will be preaching and teaching on "Reflections of Christmas" as we look at those who reflected on the birth of Jesus, and the change it made in their lives and to the entire world. We hope you will join us for the many opportunities that God gives us to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. We hope that God will bless you and yours abundantly through-out the Christmas season. Merry Christmas Mark C.

2 Tis the Season Nuggets from the Bible Revelation 19:11-16 Upcoming AWANA Days December 4, 2011 AWANA is from 5:30 to 6:00 Please join us with the whole family for the children s musical and the Happy Birthday Jesus celebration afterward. December 11, 2011 AWANA from 5:30 to 6:30 Please join us for the Christmas Cantata. December , 2011 is No AWANA Christmas Holiday Thank You! In honor of the quilters The Piecemakers for the beautiful quilt they made for a special friend of mine. Her special friend has passed away and they took his clothes and made her a beautiful quilt in memory of him. A special thanks to Mrs. Janice Rodriquez for piecing the top together. When we look at the quilt we see Mr. Billy standing right there before us. It will be cherished for many years to come. Thanks, Rebecca Tripp And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. To rightly divide the Word is to understand the two advents (comings) of Christ. When we study the Old Testament prophecies we realize that there are defiantly two lines contrasting prophesy in reference to the Messiah. These prophesies seem to contradict each other and the Old Testament prophets themselves were uncertain about their meaning. They even thought there must be two Messiahs that would fulfill these two contrasting lines of Scripture. One body of prediction speaks of Him as coming in weakness and humiliation, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief as a root out of the ground, having no form nor comeliness, nor beauty, that He should be desired. His image was to be marred. His hands and feet pierced, He was to be forsaken of man and of God, and was to make His grave with the wicked. The other line of prophecy foretells of splendid and restless Sovereign, purging the earth with awful judgments, re-gathering dispersed Israel, restoring the throne of David in more than Solomon s splendor, and introducing a reign of profound peace and perfect righteousness. The fulfillment of the first line of prophecy began with the birth of the virgin s Son according to Isaiah, in Bethlehem according to Micah, and proceeded with perfect literalness until all prophesies were fulfilled. But the Jews would not receive their King in the form in which He was presented and He was crucified. This did not baffle the purpose of God, for His Word included a second advent in glory. This second coming and earthly glory will be just as precisely fulfilled as His perfect one in suffering. The Jews were slow to heart to believe what the prophets had spoken concerning the sufferings and humiliation of their Messiah; today many are slow to heart to believe what they have spoken concerning His earthly glory. The second advent is a promise to the church (That invisible body of believers in Christ) as well as to the Jew. It will be personal and bodily. By virtue of His divine attributes, Christ is really present with His church now, but He will be visibly and personally present upon the earth of His second coming. This earthly kingdom that Christ will set up will be like nothing this world has ever seen. He will sit on the throne of His father David and will rule the world with an iron hand. Every aspect of human life will be affected - spiritual, moral, physical, political, social and religious. For the first time there will be a successful and beneficial union of religious governments. There will be no religious freedom, for all people will worship the King, and all nations will go to Jerusalem to worship Him. Jerusalem will be the center of the Millennium Kingdom (John tells us in Revelation 20 that it will last for 1,000 years). It will be a glorious city, protected by the power of the King and greatly enlarged physically. The royal land grant given to Abraham so long ago will be divided among the tribes of Israel, and for the first time in history they will occupy all of this land. Jews and Gentiles who survive the great tribulation will be the subjects of the Kingdom. The resurrected righteous saints from all ages will reign with the King. The greatness of the Kingdom will indeed be glorious to behold. As we celebrate the first Advent of Christ, let us also celebrate the promise of His second advent. It too will happen just as the Scripture says it will. ARA

3 Sunday Night Service Thank you to all of you who supported our Sunday Night Service this Fall. We have worshiped together as a family of believers and have grown in our understanding of God s Word. During the month of November, we had people who have been called into ministry deliver the message each week. This was a great opportunity for these people to grow, while also encouraging us to grow in our walk with Jesus Christ at the same time. During the month of December, we will not be having SNS. Each week of the month, there will be various special ministries going on at the church to celebrate Christmas. We encourage you to attend these special services, including the Christmas Cantata and the Children s musical. On Christmas Eve, David Orges and Trent Barnett will be leading a service at 8:00pm in the Sanctuary. We encourage you to attend this service, or one of the other services on Christmas Eve (4:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 11:00pm). This is a great time for families to come together to remember the real reason for Christmas and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing each of you during the holiday season. Sunday Night Service will start again in the month of January. We hope to see you there. An Anniversary Celebration!!! The first Sunday in December marks the 10th anniversary of the 11:30 service! Ten years ago our vision of a contemporary praise and worship service became a reality as a small group of singers and musicians put together a praise band, and launched the 11:30 service. The mountains it had to climb and the valleys it had to walk through were incredible, but 10 years later it has become one of the great blessings of Live Oak Methodist Church, having an average attendance of about 300 in worship and peak attendance of 450. It has allowed a number of musicians and singers to use and develop and their talents for some to take their experience and talent to other ministries. The praise band "Purpose" has evolved into an amazing part of the music ministry of Live Oak having constructed several worship experiences and performances during the Christmas season, Valentine Banquet and 5th Sunday. They also led the worship service when Governor Bobby Jindal spoke at Live Oak and his comments were "Wow, they are great"! So a very special thanks to Terrie and Brittany Crosby and Ryan Rushing as the original founders (who are still presently serving) and the many others who made this vision into a reality. The number of lives that have been touched and brought to Christ through this ministry is a number that only God truly knows. What I can declare is that it has been a blessing to many and we thank God for bringing the vision and the personnel needed to make this service an opportunity to worship God in a unique and wonderful way. To God be the Glory. Mark C. For Unto You Is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, Which is Christ The Lord Luke 2:11

4 Tr easurer s Note Thank you to all who have been good and faithful stewards with God s blessings. We are extremely thankful for your continuous financial support of Live Oak Methodist and its ministries. Some of our members may not know what the particular areas on the new giving envelope actually mean. Hopefully the summaries below will clarify things. General these monies go toward paying salaries, utilities, insurance and other operation / ministry expenses of Live Oak UMC. Building these monies go toward paying the mortgage on the new sanctuary. Currently, our monthly note is approximately $25,000 and the balance owed on this loan is $3,235,685. Music these monies are used exclusively for the expenses of the Music Department. Praise Band these monies are used exclusively for the expenses of our praise band Purpose. Other these monies are used exclusively for the special ministry (youth, missions, etc.) that you designate. Currently, Live Oak supports almost 70 special ministries. God Bless, Jim Otken Mother-Daughter & Friends Tea The 4th annual LOUMC Mother-Daughter & Friends Tea will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012, in our Family Life Center from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 adults (11 yrs. and older) and $5 children (5-10 yrs. of age). Tickets will be on sale in our church sanctuary before and after the 10 a.m. service. All three previous Teas -- over 170 in attendance each year -- sold out so plan to get your tickets early. The fellowship will include various teas and food. Casual dress is appropriate, but feel free to wear your favorite tea hat or tea attire. For more information, contact Peggy Molcany ( ). NURSERY We have several well-staffed nursery areas for your child. You will find the infant and 2 year old nurseries and the 3-4 year old Children s Church in the Education Building. If your child is between 5 and 10 they may attend Kid s Church on the Front Porch (old sanctuary) during the 10:00 service and 11:30 service. We also have a nursery available on Sunday, Thursday nights for Bible Study Service. Scholarship: Application for LOUMC Mary Gladys Kennard Webb Memorial Scholarship will be in office with applicant guidelines. Call for more information (225) Bible College and Seminary Scholarships are also available. Please contact church office for more details (225)

5 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 4:30 p.m. (Purpose Praise Band) (Childcare available 4 years and under) 6:00 p.m. (Traditional) (Childcare available for 4 years and under) 8:00 p.m. (Contemporary) by Rev. David Orges 11:00 p.m. (Rev. Dickie Davis) Christmas Day Service One Service 10:00 a.m. (Childcare available for 4 years and under)

6 Special Musical Programs And the Word became flesh. Mark your calendars for these special musical Christmas presentations celebrating our Savior s birth! Twinkle LOUMC Children s Choir Sunday, Dec. 4th at 6:00pm Happy Birthday Jesus Party following for all children of the church Light Looked Down Our Chancel Choir will present this Christmas worship musical with a 20-piece orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 11th at 6:30pm LPCC Choir Concerts The Livingston Parish Children s Choirs annual Christmas Concert will be presented on Friday, Dec. 2nd at 7:00pm here at our church. Many of our own LOUMC children and youth are trained through this outstanding choral program! You ll also hear special music throughout the month as our Chancel Choir and Youth ensemble carolers sing during Sunday School and in the lobby before services, as well as special features: Patty Nance s Sweet Adeline s quartet, Felicity, Rita Chaisson s brass quintet, The Southern Bells & The Youth Bells, Christmas soloists and our own Chancel Choir present special Christmas music for the 8:00 and 10:00 services.

7 Upcoming Events Men! Football! Steaks! Join us on January 2 for a steak lunch and stay to watch the game. Cost $ See either Ray Terral or Brother Dickie for more details. Men s Retreat January 13 th and 14 th At Camp Istrouma All men of the church are invited. Cost is $30.00 (Includes lodging and meals) See Ray Terral or Brother Dickie for more information. Camp Istrouma Family Camp At Camp Istrouma our New Year's Family Camp is designed to give you quality time with your family in a relaxed, fun environment! This is a laid back time with programs in the morning for the kids and adult sessions with our guest speaker. There will be lots of singing and skits, special family activities in the evenings and much more. The camp is full of crazy camp fun such as climbing wall, ropes course, canoeing, crafts, 9 Square, and an incredible fireworks show! We are excited to ring in the New Year with your family. More information can be found at Father-Daughter Dance Big thanks to all of the dads and daughters that came and danced the night away at the 2011 Father-Daughter Dance. It looked as though everyone had a wonderful time, and we are already looking forward to Until then dads, be sure to take your daughters on frequent dates. Not only will your relationship with each other be blessed by this, but you will continue to reinforce the truth that she is a precious gift from God and should be treated as such. In His Service, Jim Otken

8 In Memory 10/30/2011 Raymond Coxe: Mary Ann Allen 10/6/2011 Mrs. Smith Sharon Fairchild s Mother : Will and Brenda Arceneaux Mr. Percy Chiasson: Will & Brenda Arceneaux Donova & Bernice Wright: Dianne Street Wallace Odom: Virginia Meinke Zane Underwood: Dianne Street 11/20/2011 Garrett Arnold: Scott and Julie Smith Ray Arbour: The Otken Family In Honor 10/30/2011 In Honor of Shelby Easterly: Charlie and Aundre Garrison In Honor of Adrianne s Birthday: Love Grandma Reie Pu 11/6/11 In Honor of Tressie Tate on her Birthday: Lillian & Richard Thompson In Honor of Aunt Bobbie Underwood: Bobbie Nanney 11/13/2011 In Honor of Fulton Underwood: Vetra Wilson