When a Sermon becomes a Ministry
by Kalena Hanke |
At the end of January, we embarked on a 3-week church-wide sermon series which focused on family, community and church. It has been the stepping off point for a newly focused area of ministry. While Noel has always made it a priority to have outstanding children's and youth ministries, it's time to shift the focus, making it a priority to commit to a partnership with our families, community and church, to help raise the next generation in Christian faith. We want you to know how we are following through with our commitment in the life of the church:
Preschool Story-Time
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Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 10am, caregivers are invited to bring their preschool-aged children for an hour of stories, music, activities and art. Each time we focus on an age appropriate subject, which connects a little one to how much God loves and surrounds them everyday.
Youth Mentor Program
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We have just launched a new mentor program in which active youth in our church are paired with an active adult member at Noel. They will receive their mentor just before their confirmation year and that mentor will commit to praying for their youth every day from Confirmation through at least High School.
Parent's Night Out
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Three times a year we offer an evening of discounted childcare for parents. Each time we have a different theme and for only $10 per child, we will feed your child dinner, play games, have special activities and do crafts. Our next PNO is March 16, from 6-9pm, we will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day so wear your green!!!
Bonnets and Bow Ties Easter Egg Hunt-
On March 25, Palm Sunday, we would like to encourage people of all ages to wear their Easter bonnets and bow ties. During the Sunday School hour come by Noel Cafe for a little morning tea with scones and other breakfast goodies before you head to your class or service. Then after church join us for an Easter egg hunt on the grounds.
This is just a snapshot of what we have going on in Family Ministries. If you are interested in any of these events we would love your participation and we even have volunteer opportunities. We hope you find that Noel is a church the whole family can love!
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Daylight Savings!
Sunday, March 11.
Set all your clocks and watches forward on Saturday night before bed.
Parent's Night Out,
Friday, March 16, 6-9pm.
Parents, enjoy an evening out while your children, 6 weeks through 5
th
grade, enjoy age-appropriate activities, pizza, juice, games, art projects, videos and more.
$10/child
; pre-registration required by
Wednesday, March 14,
noelumc.org/parentsnightout
.
Greens on the Red!
Sunday, March 18, 2-4pm,
Noel's Community Garden! Healthy community through delicious and nutritious greens. Tasting, celebrating, and learning.
Easter Lilies!
It's time to order your Easter lilies in honor or memory of a loved one.
$15 each.
Forms around the Church or purchase online at
noelumc.org/easterlily.
Deadline
March 19,
by noon. Lilies displayed in worship services March 25 & April 1.
Save the Date! Highland Block Party,
Saturday, April 28th, 11am-1pm, Herndon St. in front of Noel. In place of the Easter Celebration Meal, Noel is hosting a Block Party for the Highland neighborhood which will include food, music, activities and fun! Please mark your calendars, sign up to volunteer, and begin inviting friends to this fun event. More details to come!
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Noel's Security Committee will begin implementing
these security measures for our Noel campus.
Beginning March 11,
the following areas will be locked every Sunday at the times indicated below.
All Lane Chapel outside entrances locked at 9:30am
All Highland St. outside entrances locked at 10:30am
The outside library door locked at 10:30am
Youth Floor locked at 10:30am
Choir Room outside entrance locked at 10:30am
(left side door only under the awning by the Sanctuary)
Office elevator outside doors locked at 10:45am
Office stairs outside doors locked at 10:45am
Exits through these doors is still possible, however reentry is not.
The Worship Center & Sanctuary entrances including the Sanctuary elevator will remain unlocked all Sunday morning.
Please note these new measures in your Sunday routine.
Thank you.
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We Need Candy for Palm Sunday, March 25!
Please help Noel's Treehouse Children's Ministry by providing bags of individually wrapped candy (no peanut products please) for the Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt. Colorful tubs have been placed around the church for donations. Thank you!
Palm Parade & Easter Egg Hunt - Bonnets & Bowties,
March 25.
Wear your bonnets and bowties! Noel's Family Ministries invites everyone to enjoy tea and scones in Noel Café during Sunday school. In both 10:30 worship services, all children, infants-5th are invited to participate in the annual Palm Parade. Following worship, these same children and their families are invited to stay and participate in an Easter egg hunt.
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| Sunday Nights at Noel-Register Now! |
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Sundays, April 8-29, 5-7pm
. Four weeks of Food for Mind, Body and Spirit.
Start with dinner for all in Noel Café $5 suggested
donation, $20 family max). And then...
Adults
Adult Enneagram on Relationships Study
or
Just Dialogue:
Conversations about Faith and Current Issues
Youth
Youth Nights on the 3
rd
Floor
Children 2years - 5th grade
Activities in the children's building.
Infants-1 yr. olds
A nursery is available.
Sign-up by April 2.
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| A New Appointment at Noel |
To our Noel family,
As you most likely know, a change in pastoral leadership is on the horizon here at Noel. And while change can sometimes foster uncertainty, take comfort in knowing that while our leadership may be changing in a few months, the heart and soul of Noel, its' ministries, service and outreach will remain. We can be reassured by Isaiah 43:18-19 that tells us to not ponder the past, that our Creator is always doing new things, therefore how we do the work of the church, too, depends on change.
We are honored to announce God's newest "thing" for Noel is that Rev.
Richard "Dick" H. Humphries has been appointed
as our new Senior Pastor, effective July 1, 2018. He currently serves at Asbury UMC in Lafayette where he has been the Senior Pastor since 2010. Previous appointments include
St. Paul's UMC in Monroe (1999-2007) and First UMC, Lake Charles (2007-2010).
A
native of West Monroe, Rev. Humphries received his B.A. from Centenary in 1981. It was there where he met his future wife, Jan Caraway. He continued his education and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology (SMU) in 1985.
This move to Noel is a homecoming of sorts as Dick served here for his seminary internship as an associate pastor-intern from 1983-1984. He was
ordained an elder in the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1987
.
In addition to his role at Asbury UMC, Rev. Humphries serves on the Assessment of Conference Effectiveness team. He is also the chairperson of the Acadiana District Committee on Superintendency. In 2017, Rev. Humphries and his leadership team were trained in the Louisiana Conference's Reaching New People initiative under the guidance of their coach, Rev. Steve James. While deeply grateful for our Wesleyan heritage, Rev. Humphries is very open to discovering fresh expressions of the Christian faith for our changing times.
Dick and Jan have three grown daughters and five grandchildren with a sixth grandchild due at the end of March. In his spare time Rev. Humphries enjoys walking, biking, kayaking, exercising at the fitness center, reading historical works, and dabbling in a little bit at gardening. He and Jan are excited to be returning to Shreveport which they have long-considered their "home away from home."
Please continue praying for Rev. Burleigh, Rev. Gaughan, Noel, its congregation and staff. We also ask that you pray for Rev. Humphries and Jan, as well as Asbury UMC during this time of transition.
We are extremely excited about this next chapter in the story of Noel Memorial UMC.
In Christ,
Your Staff Parish Relations Committee
Rick Pierce - Chairperson
Jessica Hemingway - Lay Member of the Annual Conference
Frank Noles - Lay Leader
Rebecca Clawson
Danny Ebarb
John Meier
Don Rucker
Diane Smith
Paula Sour
Vickie Young
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Hospital:
Kathy Kamm
Condolences:
to Dale Bauman and Paula Leonard and family upon the death of Dale's mother, Evelyn Bauman, on March 1.
Concerns:
Mattie Lou Bible, Chandler Bounds, Muriel Bundrick, Hattie Burton, Christine Byler, Jane and Jason Camp, Robert Joe Camp, Anna Mae Cannon, Carol Elliott, Andrew Franklin, Mary Lou Graves, Peggy Hamiter, Vance Iles, Clyde James, Bryan Jennings, Karen Jennings, Naomi Kanallakan, Tia King, James Lacour, Charlotte Maniero, Doris O'Daniel, Mary Reagan, Paula Sour, Wayne Westall, Dawn Whittington, Don Whittington, and David Zuber, along with Noel's homebound members & those in the Military.
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Pictured:
Caleb and Katy Hathorn who joined February 4.
Their children are Abel, John, and Stella.
Not pictured:
Rickey Hall who joined February 11.
WELCOME!
So we, though many, are one body in Christ,
and individually
members one of another.
Romans 12:5
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UMCOR Special Offering,
Sunday, March 11.
Each gift provides immediate assistance for ongoing ministries of food, shelter, health and peace, ensuring that UMCOR can respond anywhere in the world. Note
UMCOR
on your check.
For all of your giving opportunities, follow the link below.
Support our Food Pantry
Purple bags are in each worship area or shop online.
For March:
canned soup/vegetables (15-16oz.), bags of apples, side dishes (Mac & cheese, Rice-A-Roni, etc.),
and
Jiffy Cornbread mix.
Please pick up items as able and bring them to the Church Office during the week.
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Noel Memorial United
Methodist Church
520 Herndon St., Shreveport, LA 71101
318-221-5207 Fax: 318-425-7643 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Closed daily during lunch 12:00-1:00 p.m.
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