Leesville United Methodist Church

January 4, 2009

By Wendy Zwart

Well, the New Year is upon us. Did you make your resolutions? If you are like most…they have something to do with your health, wealth, and time. However, by the time March rolls around, most of us can barely remember what it was we resolved! Why not simplify things a bit…with this one simple resolution…to seek to be spirit-filled in all aspects of your life! Let’s go deeper with God…to be a 100% Christian. To give 100% of the money God leads you to give, to serve with your all in whatever He calls you to do, to connect with Him through the Word and prayer every day! With our focus on Him and not ourselves, we can join with others to really make a difference in 2009!

There are many groups within our church that make a huge difference with what they do! This week, we would like to thank in advance the 2009 members of the Finance Committee. They are Steve McCormick, Alan Whitman, David Giesen, Ty Bouknight, Ed Bouknight, Steve Zwart, Larry Thomas, Koger Lake, Jack Heape, Nick Rikard, Kathy McNeill, and Jeph Watson. We pray God’s wisdom and guidance in the decisions made this year!

Our groups will be getting back to their regular schedules. Several of the United Methodist Women’s circles met this week. The Vera Goldman and Mamie Leaphart Circles meet the first Monday of each month at 7:30pm. The Lois Harper/Annie Glaze Circle meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10am at the church. If you’d like more information about our women’s groups, please contact the church office.

The United Methodist Men fed UMVIM, United Methodist Volunteers in Missions, this week. Thanks to everyone who worked to provide this meal! The UMM will hold its regular meeting on Sunday, January 11^th at 7:45am. Please join them for breakfast and fellowship in the Fellowship Hall!

Kidpower and CJK will resume their schedule on January 11^th. Kids from 2 years old through 5^th grade are invited for stories, crafts, music, and refreshments from 5-6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall.

KFC, Kids for Christ, just returned from an awesome trip to West Virginia. After arriving Saturday evening, they settled in for three days of activities. Sunday morning began with a snow tubing session at Winter Place. Despite a little rain, everyone enjoyed the slopes. The rest of their time on Sunday included swimming in the huge indoor pool, bowling, and marathon card games. Everyone slept in on Monday. After a leisurely afternoon, they ended their activities with a night tubing session. Tuesday meant a return to reality with a safe trip home. They would like to thank Juanita Hawfield and Steve Trucello for their help as chaperones. Their upcoming activities for this year include a white water rafting, a trip to Epworth Children’s Home, continued mountain adventures, plus so much more! KFC meets each Sunday at 5pm… anyone in grades 6-8 are invited to join them!

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will hold its “Blood Drive” on Sunday, January 11^th in the Fellowship Hall from noon until 4pm. Thanks to Doug and Della Copper for coordinating this great ministry!

The Praise Band will be bringing the music for our 9am service on Sunday, January 18^th in the Fellowship Hall. This is a casual, praise and worship service. Hope you’ll join us and bring a friend!

In looking ahead, mark your calendars for Saturday, February 21^st at 5pm…we’ll have Christian comedian and magician, Glenn Strange to entertain us in the fellowship hall. To learn more about Mr. Strange, visit his site at www.atimetolaugh.com. Tickets will go on sale soon…$2 each. Watch for more details. This will be a great evening of fun! Everyone is welcome!

In The Twin City News recently, did you see Noah Ott’s picture? We celebrated with Noah Ott and his family as Noah turned two on November 22^nd! Noah is the son of Josh and Melissa Ott and the grandson of Donnie and Robin Padgett and Tammy Ott. Noah is a big brother to Nathan who is six months old. Happy birthday, Noah!

Recently, there was a cancer benefit for the Corley Family and several LUMCers were involved. Jackie Hite’s BBQ House donated dinner for two. Lamar Smith won dry cleaning for 2 two piece suits. Billy Shaw won two $15 gift certificates to Wiz’s eatery. Thanks to everyone who helped make this benefit a success!

The B-L High School’s FFCCLA, (Food and Nutrition Class) recently held their holiday drop-in. Our own, John Matthews, was a part of this group. This event was a highlight of the season at BLHS!

Tripp Bouknight with U.S. Food Service and Chad Sanders of Prudential were pictured with other Chamber of Commerce members at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Tidwell Jewelers. Thanks to everyone who supports our wonderful community in business!

AmeriCredit honored Rawls Auto Auction as it was the “Southeast Region Winner”. Rawls Auto Auction is a consistently high-performing auction for AmeriCredit! Pictured receiving the award was LUMCer, Jimmy Rawls and his team. We are very proud of you!

The Rotary Club of B-L recently inducted two new members. Their motto is “Service above Self.” Retired Judge Julius Baggett was one of those members! Congratulations, Judge!

Ashley Bouknight’s Class was pictured recently as they kicked off the giving season. They read The Boxcar Children about orphaned children who find a home in an old boxcar. The class prepared a house warming party complete with refreshments and house-warming gifts they each brought! Mrs. Bouknight is a third grade teacher at BLES and is currently their “Teacher of the Year”! We are so proud her for the “extra things” she does to make learning fun!

The PM Homemakers will host “A Super Bowl…A Super Taste” to kick cancer. Local chefs will prepare their favorite dishes to share with this year’s participants at The Taste of the Twins. LUMCers were pictured with this group from last year… Jeph Watson, Jackie Hite, and Steve Zwart! We look forward to this great fund raising event for the American Cancer Society on January 31^st at T&S Farms!

BLES recently announced the members of their “Bully Busters” group. Two representatives from each third and fourth grade classes work with the guidance counselor to prevent bullying in their school. LUMCer, Cooper Gettys is a member of this important team. Way to go!

Six Batesburg-Leesville High School students were recently recognized by the United States Achievement Academy in the category of Spanish. Richard Matthews and James Petersen were pictured as part of this esteemed group! We are very proud of you, guys!

Well, that’s the news for another week. We’d love to have you join us this Sunday morning. We have two services…the 9am is casual and the 11am is traditional. A nursery is provided for both. For more information, contact the church office at 532-3817 or visit us on the web at www.leesvilleumc.com. This week, remember these words from Zig Ziglar… “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving them”. Let God achieve His goals through you in 2009, and you’ll be surprised at what He allows you to become!