This has been a grace filled week. The open house last Sunday was wonderful. We had 92 people in worship and survived meals to some 130-150 people. I am so thankful for everyone that attended, that gave blood for the blood bank, for everyone that cooked, that helped organize, and helped make the day so wonderful. It was great to see people on the grounds, laughing, visiting, and sharing stories. God is good! Grace is powerful!

Monday's after school program was attended by 14 children.  The children gave thanks to God and our church for having them included in our ministry.  We are blessed to be able to serve the needy in our community.
 
The Mother's Day Out program is a blessing.  Peggy, Teresa, and Darnell are great with the children.  Stop in and visit.  See if there is something you can help Peggy do.  It might just be cleaning toys. 
The TAPS class is growing.  Donna shares her talents and people love the opportunity to come and participate.  This is great fellowship.  If you would like to participate, let Donna Darling know. 

Yesterday I visited several people.  Mabel May is improving.  Ken Hardman is getting better.  Mary Jane Champagneis in the hospital for evaluations.  Bruce Boatman is having a lot of back problems.  Rae Nell is doing much better.  Jane Barger is better.  Keep these in your prayers.  Let me know when I can visit with you.  I plan on taking one day per week for visitations. 

Tonight is WOW. We are studying worship and communion tonight.  Feel free to join in. 

Tomorrow is choir practices.  Our choir is remarkable and if you would like to join, let Alice know.   
I will be at the farm for Thursday and Friday.  I will use the rest of today and tomorrow to prepare for Sunday's sermon.  If you need something, give me a call on my cell phone 504-858-7838.

I want to celebrate the gifted work done by Jeff Caldwell on our church's website.  It is wonderful!  Jeff has worked many spiritual hours in designing an unbelievable site.  You can even hear the choir and the sermon.  I am so happy of this wonderful tool of ministry that Jeff has designed.  Please review the website at www.algiersumc.com

Blessings to everyone.  I pray all weathered the hard rains last night and this morning okay. 

See you Sunday.  This Sunday will be our Thanksgiving service.  I am using the Matthew 6:25-33 scriptures and preaching a sermon titled, "Please!  Do Not Worry."  Try and invite someone to come to Sunday school and worship service.  If you have not made Sunday school, I invite you to start attending. 

Should anyone wish to volunteer and help the STAIRS program Saturday, be at the church for 9:00 am.  If anyone would like to volunteer to help with youth, be at the church for 4:00 PM Sunday and for the after school program, be at the church for 2:30 Monday.  If you would like to volunteer a few hours per week, let me know and I know we can find something for you to do.  Help is always needed in an active church.

Towards the first of next month we will start our pledging campaign so we can see what ministries we will be able to continue and which ones we can add.  I thank all of you for your prayerful support.

Together in Christ,
Pastor Ray