Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany A Celebration of the Lord s Supper

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1 Rayne MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH for 141 years shining the light of God s love and grace 3900 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana Sunday Worship at 8:45 and 11 am February 2, 2017 We Welcome All! We warmly welcome all to worship on Sundays at 8:45 or 11 am and Sunday School at 9:45 am, to participate freely in the life of this community of faith and love, and to become a member of this congregation. Rayne welcomes and embraces all people regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation with open hearts, open minds, and open doors! Welcome to Rayne! Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service Mack William Nettles baptized on January 29, 2017 Sarah Cullum Beth Nettles Winn Nettles Gus Nettles Mack Nettles joining on January 29, 2017 Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany A Celebration of the Lord s Supper Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven Message by Callie Crawford, When the Time Comes Holy Communion in the Historic Sanctuary at 8:45 with musicians Marcus St. Julien, Pianist Nathan Ward and Ebonee Davis, Soloists and Holy Communion at 11 am in the Historic Sanctuary with The Chancel Choir, C. Leonard Raybon, Director and Marcus St. Julien, Organist 2017 Operating Budget $1,080,442 Needed Weekly 20,778 Weekly Average to Date 15,646 Received 1/29/17 13, Pledges-to-date for ,877 Contribute Online at or scan this QR Code to set up an account. Use your smart phone to open your own account with the church for making contributions and viewing your giving record. United Methodist Men Church-Wide Pancake Breakfast Sunday, February 5 9:45 or Noon Fellowship Hall Adults $5 Children under 6 free Proceeds support the mission of the United Methodist Men. All are welcome!

2 Opportunities for Service Text Giving is Here! Now you can support the many ministries of our community of faith by using your smart phone to text message your contribution. 1. In the TO window type: In the Text Message window type: giverayne $25 (or any other amount) 3. Follow the on-screen instructions for a one-time set up! Take a Leap of Faith and Make a 2017 Pledge! New Comfort Food Team Organizing for Service Team Tabasco! This team will cook meals to be served on 5th Tuesdays at The Open Table. Captain Robert Connolly will lead this Comfort Food Team. Can you help? Contact Help NOLA Wesley, Our Campus Ministry Would you like to invest in the church's future? College campuses are the front lines where that future is being determined. The NOLA Wesley United Methodist Campus Ministry provides a safe, welcoming environment where Tulane and Loyola students are empowered to dream and challenged to grow in their discipleship. We invite you to partner with us by providing a one-time donation at or becoming a monthly patron at Can You Provide a Meal for NOLA Wesley Students? Please let us know if you are able to provide a meal on Sunday, April 9, to feed students in conjunction with the weekly worship. Please call the church office at or Shaun at shaun.darnall@raynenola.org Canned Goods Needed Most needed for distribution are items with easy open lids requiring no can opener. Suggestions are high protein foods such as peanut butter, tuna packets, ravioli, chili, spaghettios, soups, chicken and dumplings, fruits and vegetables. Needed at the Donation Station Hotel-sized amenities: soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, as well as razors, reading glasses, and bandaids. Crescent City Café This young adult ministry, compelled by the love of Christ, serves a gourmet breakfast restaurant-style with dignity and grace to those in need twice monthly. The next café will be Saturday, February 4, 8 am in the Fellowship Hall. To donate or volunteer, go to Comfort Food Sunday, February 12, the Pepper Team will be preparing a meal to be served on Tuesday, February 14, at The Open Table. To join the Salt, Pepper, Spice, or Tabasco Team, susie.vanderkuy@raynenola.org The Open Table Servers are welcome at the Open Table! If you would like to serve Comfort Food, join us at 2700 Louisiana Avenue on Tuesday, February 14, at 3 pm. We Welcome Sunday Morning Volunteers Greeters, Ushers, Kitchen Crew If you are able and willing to help with any of these tasks on Sunday morning, nancy.hopkins@raynenola.org Candles-on-the-Half-Shell On Sundays, February 5 & 12, in the Fellowship Hall after both services, you may purchase oyster shell candles created by Robin Pannagl. These local, very unique candles make great gifts on Valentine s Day or for your Mardi Gras guests to take home with them. Robin will have them boxed for both occasions. Remember, 50% of all profits come back to Rayne! Kendra Scott Gives Back This Saturday, February 4, Noon-2 pm 5757 Magazine Street 20% of all sales go to Luke s House gracielouisenutt.com Facebook/GracieLouiseNutt Instagram/GracieLouiseNutt 10% of Those Nuts proceeds return to Rayne Look for Those Nuts! in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday!

3 Opportunities for Spiritual Growth School for Contemplative Living Classes, Workshops and Retreats Watch the newsletter for details. Each Wednesday Evening Underway Now 6 pm Rayne Parlor The Wisdom Jesus led by William Thiele Friday-Saturday, March "Dreams as Sacred Encounter" with Rodger Kamenetz Saturday, April 22 9 am-1 pm, "Cultivating Self-Compassion" with Lara Naughton Saturday, May 20 9 am-1 pm, "Contemplative Practice" with Fr. Ephrem Arcement A Lenten Study led by Rev. Susan Gaumer The Wednesdays of Lent Beginning March 8 6 pm Rayne Parlor Text: Virgin Time, by Patricia Hampl Explore the difference between contemplative prayer and praying without ceasing. Spring Mission Trip March NOLA Wesley is inviting members of area churches to join hands with them in rebuilding flooded homes in Leesville, LA Cost: $250 covers food, lodging, transportation, insurance and building materials To learn more, maguyton@gmail.com Young Adults Join Rayne 20/30 for the following events: February 6-20 Mondays, 6:30-8 pm, Youth Room #219 The Practice of the Presence of God Based loosely on the classic book of collected teachings by Brother Lawrence, a 17th Century Carmelite monk. This 3-week study will offer activities that help us develop an awareness of God's presence. In the midst of a loud political environment and non-stop Mardi Gras season, this study is right on time. Led by Robyn Dorch and Michelle Pyne. Snacks and a quiet space provided! Sunday, February 19, 7 pm The Women s Group continues with The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown. Let go of who we think we are supposed to be and embrace who we are. Location TBA. The Men s Group meets at NOLA Brewing Tap Room as they study and discuss How God Makes Men. A Lenten Daily Devotional By members of the Community of Faith at Rayne You are invited to submit a meditation on a scripture lesson of your choice to be published in a book of 40 Lenten devotions composed by members of our community of faith. Similar to the Upper Room format, each meditation should be: words long, accompanied by verses of scripture, followed by a 1-sentence prayer and ed to Carolyn Smith at carolynvsmith@gmail.com

4 Each Week At Rayne Sundays 5-7 pm Youth Fellowship 5-6:30 pm Women s Covenant Group Mondays 10 am Staff Meeting 6 pm Ministry Meetings 6:30 pm Rayne 20/30 for Young Adults 6:30 pm AA Meeting Tuesdays Noon Brown Bag Covenant Group 1 pm Intercessory Prayer Group 3 pm Open Table 5:30-8 pm Luke s House Free Clinic 6:30 pm Covenant Group Wednesdays 6 pm Children s Choir seasonal 6 pm Wednesday Classes 7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm Overeaters Anonymous Thursdays 9:30 am Mom s Bible Study 9:30 am Sacred Yoga Parker UMC 6:30-9 pm Luke s House Free Clinic 7 pm Al-Anon/AA Meetings Saturday 9 am STAIR Tutoring Meetings Coming Up Monday, February 6, 6 pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee Monday, February 13, 6 pm Children s Team Outreach Work Area Let Us Pray Jude Pritchard-Rooney, Ruth Hammond, Debby Hyman, Barbara Clark, Stephanie Sonnier, Mary Ann Frazier, Shirley Watts, Sarah Biles, Madeleine Page, Hazel Pitre, Brady Whitten, Andrew McLetchie, Rosalie Young, Lee Zollinger, Brenda Frey, Carolyn Smith, Jeremy Rasler, Barbara Everett, Edward Picard, Winnie Veals, Mike Center, The Kitchen Family, Laura Coatney, Kelsey Way, Dan Sikes, Phyllis Funches, Jillian Hurst, Mirtha Blanco, Jerrell and Emma Dupre, The Kaynor Family, Carol Stutzenbecker, Denise Trahant, Amber Spicer, Eleanor Slate, Bryan Slate and the residents and staff of Grace House. End-of-Year Statements The 2016 Contribution Statements have been ed, but if you would prefer a hard copy, contact the church office at Jazz Sunday Parking Auction The silent auction for parking on Jazz Sunday will take place on Sunday, February 12, from 10 am - 12:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. Mardi Gras Sales Passes for building, driveway, and parking access will be sold on Sundays, February 5 and 12, Fellowship Hall. Announcements Thank You to Bart Shank for installing the shower curtain rod at the parsonage; to Mary Brown for baking and sharing the delicious cheese straws and sugar cookies at the Church Council meeting; to the 60+ volunteers for packaging and packing 10,000 meals for the STOP HUNGER NOW organization; to Robert Connolly and his Team Tabasco for a great start serving more than 50 at the Open Table; to all those who have donated new or gently used books for our Children s Book Drive to be donated to a school that is rebuilding since the August floods. The 2016 Open Table This past year, the Open Table ministry, a collaboration with Mt. Zion and Munholland UMC s as well as St. Andrew s Episcopal Church, has not only served thousands of hot meals to those in need, but has also distributed 2152 shelter vouchers to men and women who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. Together, Rayne and Mt. Zion UMC s provide these vouchers. Our communion rail offering supports this ministry! ;;Thank you for your support! Worship Leaders Altar Guild Nancy and Bob Hopkins, Jan Jeter Head Ushers Bob Moffett, Gary Kennan, Doug Comeaux Head Greeters Mable Thomas, Carol Thiele, Barbara Clark, Elisabeth Rietvelt, Susie VanderKuy Sound System Justin Razz Hunter Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112:1-10 I Corinthians 2:1-16 Matthew 5:13-20 OUth Find a connection with friends faith, food, fun, and fellowship! AMAZING DAY! Last Saturday, we tried to count the volunteers at the meal packing with STOP HUNGER NOW. We lost count with more than 60 volunteers moving so fast, boxing and preparing 10,000 meals! What an amazing effort! Thank you for taking part in this great service project. Mardi Gras Potties will be FANTASTIC! Thank you for signing up to work with us. We have a super crew and this will be one of our strongest years yet! Come on parades, let s roll! UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, February 5, 12-2 pm All youth 6th - 12th grades are welcome to join us for lunch at New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Company. We will walk over from Rayne at noon. Parents may pick up youth at 2 pm from the Pitt Street door. There will be no youth meeting in the evening. For youth information, shaun.darnall@raynenola.org

5 Dear Friends, February 1, 2017 After many treasured years of service at Rayne, my longest tenure at any of my pastoral appointments, and after many months of prayer and discernment, I have reached the decision to retire this summer. My last Sunday as Senior Pastor at Rayne will be June 25. These last 14 years have been the most amazing and beautiful years of my life, and the bonds of love and friendship we have forged are bonds which I pray will never be broken. Even if I were to thank you a thousand times over, it would not be enough to express the depth of gratitude I feel for all that you and our extraordinary community of faith have meant to me and always will! I do not want to stop working, for there is much that I still hope to contribute, so I will be seeking some form of part-time ministry. But, clearly, the time has come for me to give up my hour work week! I simply do not have the same kind of energy and swiftness that I had 10 years ago! Our Bishop, Cynthia Harvey, has told us that she has made the appointment of a new senior pastor at Rayne her highest priority. Already, she has personally met with our Staff-Parish Committee, and she will continue ongoing conversations with them about the future. Please keep her, her cabinet, our Staff-Parish Committee, and Rayne in your daily prayers. We have 5 months left to serve together, and I intend to make the most of every single day! I hope to "run through the tape," doing all I can do to leave our shared ministry in a position of strength, to provide for a smooth transition, and to let you know how very, very much I have loved each of you and all of you, through thick and thin, my beloved friends in Christ! How I love our most amazing church--the best church on the planet! Be strong, be brave. Let everything you do be done in love! Callie