Newsletter for June 1998
First United Methodist Church
612 Main Street/P. O. Box 698
LaPlace, La.  70069-0698
(504) 652-6560
Message from the Pastor
        A few years back, Rev. John Downs, who was pastor of First United 
Methodist Church in Lake Providence, La. wrote in their church newsletter his 
Commandments for Worship.  I share them with you.
1  Examine your motivation.  On the way to worship ask yourself, Why do I come to worship? Habit?  Social Custom?  Family Tradition?   Or a sincere desire to be with the living Christ and his body?
2  Prepare yourself.  Pray and think about God on the way to church and while waiting for the service to begin.
3  Arrive on time.  Arrive early enough to be seated and prepared before the service begins.
4  Participate fully.  Join all the congregational responses printed in the order of worship.  They are given for enthusiastic participation.
5  Sing to the Lord.  Join in the singing, even if you do not know the hymn or think you canot sing.  Hymn-singing is worship, not a performance.
6  Listen carefully.  Listen to the scriptures as though God is speaking  to you.  In fact, this is what happens.
7  Pray together.  Join in the prayers as printed in the bulletin.  Let  them help you put your own prayers into words.
8  Give of yourself.  Let your interest, enthusiasm, attention and concern for others be evident in your eyes, facial expression and by reaching out in welcome.
9  Continue in Worship.  Continue the worship experience when the Sunday service is over in both private and family times of worship.
10  Put worship into action.  There are many ways in which you can be involved in the life of our church.  Be an active part of the total life of our church. 
 Use these 10 commandments as a guide in preparing for worship and worship will surely become more meaningful.  I hope to see you in worship this and every Sunday.                                                   Ken
-Ken

  New Members
    We welcome to our church Bruce and Michele Leagans.  They have two
  children, Jack and Molly.  They came to our church on May 8th.  They come to
  us from the Episcopal church.  Welcome Bruce, Michele, Jack and Molly.

    We welcome to our church Jan Cogswell.  She joined on May 8th by
  Profession of Faith.  At that time she presented her two children, Michael Hill, Jr.
  and J. C. Cogswell for Christian Baptism.  Welcome Jan, Michael and J. C.

 Joy Circle  News
        Plans are being finalized for a tour of our local newspaper L'Observateur.
  Watch for details.
        We are pleased to report a donation from our Love Offering has been made
  toward the purchase of an electric keyboard for the church.
        Our meetings are stimulating, interesting and enjoyable.  A warm welcome
  awaits you on Monday, June 8th at 10:00 a.m. in the Commons Area.  See you
  then.
  

  United Methodist Men
        This past month we had a great time hosting the Annual Crawfish Boil.  
  Special thanks to Harry Glidden and Jim Rongey for boiling the crawfish, with
  Don Olson and Bill Lynn doing the other cooking, and to everyone else who 
  worked with us on preparations.  We voted and funded a new answering machine
  for the church and provided $1,479 for an AC unit at the parsonage.  Thanks 
  again to Don Olson and Jack Brown for preparations for the Breakfast Meeting.  
  Don has acquired the title of Chef for the great breakfasts that we are enjoying.
  We invite all men to join us for another special Breakfast Meeting to be held on
  June 14th at 8:00 a.m. in the Annex.  We guarantee good food and great
  fellowship.




United Methodist Women  
        Night Circle Meeting on Monday, June 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Bobbie Botsay's.
Call Bobbie at 652-2705 for directions.


Mission In Motion
        Over two and one half tons of relief supplies were delivered from the
New Orleans District of the United Methodist Church to the United Methodist  Committee on Relief Depot at Baldwin.  This was a great success.  Thanks to all 
of you who participated in this most important mission activity.
 

Bob Lay Memorial 1000 Club
        The 1000 Club is raising money to help start the Immanuel United Methodist Church in the Acadiana District.  Contributing to the 1000 Club is a  good way to participate in church planning and evangelism throughout Louisiana.  If you wish to contribute to this effort, write a check to our church and mark 
your check "1000 Club".


Our deepest sympathy to Tom Brumfield and family, 
at the loss of Tom's Mother, 
Mecy Brumfield


Anyone interested in placing flowers in the sanctuary 
In Honor or In Memory of a loved one, 
contact Sharon Rose at 652-2067 or 652-6316.


Please have all information for the August Newsletter on my desk 
     by Wednesday, July 22nd.                 Thanks, Susan