Live Oak United Methodist

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1 In this issue November 2011 Live Oak United Methodist Pastor s Desk PASTOR S DESK It s November, and the holidays are upon us. I define the holidays as the time between Thanksgiving Eve and the day after New Years. This is a great time of year for many reasons. It s a time to give thanks, spend special moments with family and friends, and enjoy some of the age old traditions, customs and opportunities that make this time of year so special. Though it can be hectic and though it does restructure our "routines" it is a wonderful and meaningful time of year. The one word that is the foundation of this time of year is faith. Faith is something that makes this time of year really come alive. Faith that says being thankful is important and that believing in Christ gives me the hope, life and grace that I need for life to be abundant and eternal. So in the month of November we will be exploring faith, how it works and the change faith brings to those who apply it to their lives. The book of James speaks of the transformation faith brings when applied, lived out and shared. So the question is, has your faith in Christ changed you? Has your faith created within you a thankful heart, a joyful spirit and a gracious soul? For these are often the qualities we long to see in ourselves and in others throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. So I pray that this wonderful time of year will be a blessing to you and yours as we seek to grow in faith. Hope to see you Sunday! Mark NUGGETS FROM THE BIBLE NEW MINISTRIES EVENTS SPECIAL MUSIC PROGRAMS IN HONOR IN MEMORY

2 Nuggets from the Bible Psalm 98:1-3 Oh sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has openly shown in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Heavenly Father, We thank You and praise You for the marvelous things You have done. You are our Creator, Savior, Provider, Redeemer, and Friend. We stand in awe of the fact that a glorious, powerful, and Holy God accepts us just the way we are. In Your plan for the world for all time and eternity You have great things in store for those who love You and anxiously await Your return. Your coming is that blessed time when hope, peace, righteousness, and justice will reign by Your Mighty Hand. We thank You for the Bible, and Your indwelling Holy Spirit who convicts us, serves as our interpreter of Your Word, and is our guide as we live our lives. We ask that You give to us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and that the eyes of our understanding be enlightened so that we may know what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance and Your mighty power toward us who believe. We thank You for family and friends, and the opportunity to share the good news of the gospel. We pray for our church, our pastor, and staff as they function and serve to show Your unending mercy, love and grace. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen ARA Sunday Night Service Again, I thank everyone that has been a part of our new Sunday Night Service! It has been great to get to know many of you in a deeper capacity through our time together on Sunday Nights. In the month of November we will be having several guest speakers bringing the word each night. The theme of the month will be Those Who Have Been Called and each of our speakers will be someone who has felt God s call into ministry and is pursuing that call. I am excited for the messages that will be given and the fresh perspective that each of these men will have for us! Please come out and join us from 6:00pm to 7:00pm each Sunday night for a time of worship, teaching, and fellowship. Live Oak United Methodist Angels Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan s Purse The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The blue barrels are for collections of items listed as follows: November - Other: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, socks, t-shirts, sunglasses, flashlights with extra batteries, ball caps, etc. Need November items by the 14th. Your donations are very much appreciated.

3 New Ministries in 2012 THE UNION God s desire for your marriage is that it would be healthy, happy and fun! At LOUMC, we believe connecting with other couples in your church can enrich your marriage and family by providing support, accountability and fellowship. In January, a connection group for younger married couples (under 40ish) will begin meeting for food and fellowship designed to strengthen and encourage you in your marriage and family. We will be meeting one Friday night every other month in someone s home, with childcare provided at the church. Please consider becoming involved and helping make this ministry fun and exciting. Watch for details in your bulletin coming soon! THE BRANCH Our College and Career group has grown up! The group formally known as College & Career will now be defined as a Young Adult ministry in their 20s called The Branch taken from John 15:5 when Jesus said I am the Vine and you are the branches and apart from Me you can do nothing. This is the same group you know as the Flamingo Flockers, just with a new name. THE DORM This group will led by David and Stormee Drake and will be for students who just graduated high school and in their first few years of college. Watch next month s newsletter for more information. Upcoming AWANA Days November 6, Popcorn Night Enjoy a bag of fresh popped popcorn during counsel time. November 13, Box Day for Operation Christmas Child Bring your boxes to send out and show the love of Jesus. November 20, No AWANA Thanksgiving Break November 27, Give Thanks AWANA Come with a list prepared of things you are thankful for. AWANA Dates Continued December 4, AWANA 5:30-6:00 Please join us with the whole family for the children s musical and the Happy Birthday Jesus celebration afterward. December 11, AWANA 5:30-6:30 Please join us for the Christmas Cantata. December 18 th & 25 th, No AWANA Christmas Holiday Participating in the night s theme is not mandatory but it is a lot of fun and an opportunity win a prize.. Thank you so much for the abundance of quilts! They are beautiful! It s about that time of year when our clients will be looking for a way to keep warm! We are blessed by your thoughtfulness. In His Name, Kathy Lewis, (Joplin) Visit us on Facebook Loumc.org

4 Ladies Conference 2011 For us as Christian Women it is important to know our purpose and to live a purposeful life. Come clarify and refresh your life s purpose, as we welcome Joanna Williams to the 4 th annual Ladies Conference. Joanna will be sharing on our theme this year: Theme: One Life, One Purpose: Living Single-Mindedly in a Multi-faceted World Conference Dates: Friday, November 11th from 6:00-8:30 pm Saturday, November 12th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Conference Schedule: Friday, November 11th from 6 8:30 p.m. 6:00 Doors Open 6:45 7:00 p.m.: Worship 7:00 7:10 p.m.: Introduction 7:10 7:30 p.m.: Text for the Weekend Introduction 7:30 8:00 p.m.: Guest Speaker 8:00 8:30 p.m.: Closing Saturday, November 12th from 8:00 12:00 p.m. 8:00 8:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast 8:45 9:00 a.m.: Worship 9:00 9:10 a.m.: Introduction 9:10 9:30 a.m.: Testimony by Meghan Wassan 9:30 10 a.m.: Guest Speaker 10:15 11:15 a.m.: Focus Groups on the Beatitudes Focus groups will be led by Debra Thoms, Kelli Nolan, Eva Underwood, Meghan Wassan, Stormee Drake, Jami LeBoeuf, Dottie Kimble, Joanne Harthoorn, Toni Terral, Jeanie Achord, Rita Chiasson, Meagan Cotton, and Jennifer Meadors. 11:30 12:00 p.m.: Guest Speaker & Closing About our Guest Speaker: Joanna Williams has lived and ministered in Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, USA, and Canada. She has worked with many ministries particularly in the areas of youth and discipleship. Beyond this, she lives an evangelism focused lifestyle. She recently published a devotional as a fund raiser for ministry programs. Ticket Price: $20 (Scholarships available) Childcare Available

5 Around Our Church Upcoming Events Father/ Daughter Dance - November 11 th at 7:00 9:00 p.m. Ladies Conference - November 11 th and 12 th Trash Bash - November 19 th at 8:00 a.m. Children s Musical/Happy Birthday Jesus December 4 th at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Cantata - December 11 th at 6:30 p.m. LOUMC Father-Daughter Dance Friday, November 11, :00-9:00 PM Live Oak Methodist Family Life Center Dads, do not miss this opportunity to show your daughter what a real date is supposed to be like and to demonstrate how she should be treated on a date. Dress up and put on your dancing shoes. We will have popcorn and soft drinks on hand, but if mom wants to send a favorite dessert, that would be great. Bring your camera to capture the memories. See you there!!!!! Mother and Daughter Tea Tickets sales for the 4 th LOUMC Mother-Daughter and Friends Tea will begin Sunday, Nov. 13 th, in our Sanctuary foyer before and after the 10:00 a.m. service. Tickets are $8 adults (11 years and up) and $5 children (5-10 years of age). The Tea will be January 21, 2012, from 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and will include various teas and food. To pre-order tickets call Peggy Molcany at Youth Thanksgiving Dinner Youth and parents are invited on November 13th at 1:30 p.m. for our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be to our God forever and ever. Revelation 7:12 ÂT }ÉâÜÇxç Éy t à{éâátçw Å Äxá Åâáà uxz Ç ã à{ t á ÇzÄx áàxñaê

6 Special Music 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. 4 th 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. 11 th at 6:30pm LPCC Choir Concerts The Livingston Parish Children s Choirs annual Christmas Concert will be presented on Friday, Dec. 2 nd 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. Therefore I will give thanks to you, oh Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

7 CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christmas Eve Services 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) Love Joy Peace

8 In Memory 8/28/11 Gerald Jolie, Sr.: M/M Mike Morris 10/2/11 Morgan Smith (Sharon Fairchild s Mom): Joyce Earl Phillips, Andrea Gentile, Randy Monk, Peggy Langlois L.C. Harris: M/M Craig Harris O.B. & Julia Hayes: M/M Craig Harris 10/9/11 J. W. Webb: Pat & Mike McCumsey Percy Chiasson: Melanie and Perry Rushing Obie Philpot, Jr. (Son) and Eddie Erwin (Grandson); Mary and Obie Philpot, Sr Charles Nanney: Kathy White, Martha Ott Clara Golden Kent: Alan and Rhonda Golden Brown Wallace Odom: Mrs. W. Wallace Odom In Honor 10/2/11 In Honor of David Drake s Birthday: Taylor and Baleigh Alleman 10/9/11 In Honor of Shaunya Bourgois s Birthday: Marie Simoneaux