Making Disciples of Jesus Christ who Show God’s Love, Grace, and Peace in the World”
First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs
The Witness
Volume 16, Issue 14
July 16, 2015
Beloved,
In my travels throughout parts of Canada
I made a delightful discovery of the
Inukshuk (pronounced in-ook-shook).
The meaning of the word ‘Inukshuk’ is
translated as “stone man who points the
way”. The root of “Inukshuk” is “Inuktitut”
which means ‘to act in the capacity of
the human being’. I think one of my
favorite translations of Inukshuk is “in the
image of man”.
The large massive rocks are scattered
throughout the Canadian wilderness and
other parts of the world. The rocks are
placed on top of each other forming in the image of a person with
outstretched arms pointing the way helping wandering travelers
find their way home. Rock cairns
share a similar purpose though are
generally much smaller. You may
seen rock cairns hiking throughout
the United States and possibly
stacking on another rock (or at least
reading the sign next to one saying
something to the effect ‘do not stack
on
any
more
rocks-damages
soil-misleads hikers). Nonetheless,
both the Inukshuk and rock cairns
serve as a kind of marker guiding the
way.
In This Issue
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We are Here to Serve
Summer Worship Schedule
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9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service 
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
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11:00 a.m. Casual Worship Service
Message from Rev. King
Special Gifts and Thank You
Record of Faithfulness
Summer Worship Schedule
Sunday Salsa Sale
Barbara Hill Summer Concert
New Worship Series - Aug. 2
3 Service Worship Returns
Fellowship Pot Lunch
Agape Salad Supper
Back 2 School Party
What’s Happening at FUMC
FUMC--DS on Sunday August 2nd
Very Important
NEWS
What struck me about the Inukshuk is its massive structure. This
rock formation is not a foot high but sometimes even higher than 10
feet. So these rocks are actually boulders. Each Inukshuk takes a
community to build. It takes more than one person to build an
Inukshuk—it cannot be done. Each boulder is placed on top of the
other through securing of balance. To make a successful Inukshuk
depends on working together in community. The community invests
their time, talent, resources to come together today in hopes of a
better tomorrow.
The stones themselves represent a kind of timeless communication.
That’s why they are revered by some tribes (and even travelers) as
holding a sacred connection to the divine and to the past, present,
future.
Some tribes pass on the traditions to the younger generation by
singing traveling songs. For wandering tribes throughout Canada
and beyond, there were no set maps or a GPS system or even an
‘app for that.’ Instead there are songs. The songs help a series of
directions for long trips and to help the tribe to find their way home.
I am reminded of the Psalms when I study these gifts of rocks as
well as a strategy for traveling. The Psalms have been passed from
one generation to the next as a way to remain connected to one
another and to connect to the holy. The Psalms helped preserve the
people of Israel in the past as well as today. The Psalms were
uttered by Jesus Christ himself and it was the Psalms that Jesus
uttered while dying on the cross. The Psalms point us to the
steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The Psalms express our
prayers in all forms: prayers or praise as well as lament.
We live in a fast paced changing world. Sometimes I find myself
overwhelmed about it all. We can ‘insta’ everything and not savor
anything. It’s so easy today to get lost and wonder if my wandering
will ever end or point me home where I can find rest and assurance.
I encourage you, fellow traveler, to encourage another from the
community or even a friend who does not have a church connection
to possibly find connection here at this church. Invite them to any of
our worship services and remember that starting in August our
service times will be 8:30 or 11:00 in Sanctuary and 10:45 in the
Causal Worship Center. When we worship together, sing together,
pray together, we find God is our indeed our rock and redeemer.
“The Lord lives! Bless God my rock! Let the God of my salvation be
lifted high!” Psalm 18:46
With God’s Blessed Assurance,
Rev. Jackie King
Pot Luck Fellowship Meal
Sunday August 2nd
12 Noon in the Fellowship Hall
Join us for a Fellowship Pot Luck Meal after worship services in the
Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited to attend!
Bring your favorite meats, vegetables, salads, desserts and bread to
share, and enjoy some great fellowship! Be sure to bring enough for
your family plus a little extra. See you there!
Special Gifts
In Memory of Bo Garrison by Mr. and Mrs. Leon Borden
In Memory of Barbara Hill by Chris and Susan Gele’
In Honor of The FUMC-DS United Methodist Men by The Pilot
Club of Denham Springs
Thank You
Special Thanks and Appreciation to Bubba Grant and Dan Regan for
wiring and installing the LED lights in the Casual Worship Area. This
new upgrade has enhanced the Sunday morning worship experience
for the Casual worshippers.
AGAPE WOMEN’S CIRCLES I AND II
TO HOST ANNUAL SALAD SUPPER
YOUTH GROUP
Grades 6-12
Sunday Evenings
4-6 p.m. in the Cave
For information on Youth activities and events, contact Natalie
Johnson, Youth Minister at 665-8995 or [email protected]
Sunday Salsa and Jelly Sale!
Sunday, July 19th
The Youth Group will be selling Salsa and Jelly produced by
the Methodist Children’s Home in the Coffee Commons area
today between worship services. Stop by and pick up your
favorite flavor. Several varieties to choose from. Salsa: $7/jar
Jelly: $8/jar
All women of the church are invited to attend
a The Agape I and II Women’s Circle groups
for their Annual Salad Supper on Tuesday,
August 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship
Hall. Join us to learn information about our
missions projects along with fun, fellowship
and food. For more information, please contact Sue Fairchild at
665-9971 or Peggy Hoover at 665-0499.
Flower Calendar
Remember or honor a loved one, or celebrate an occasion by
providing Altar Flowers. Flowers purchased are yours to take after
the worship service if you choose. Flowers left will be rearranged
and then taken to shut-ins, nursing home residents, home from
hospital, new baby, etc. Contact the church office or sign up using
the flower chart outside Diane Carson’s office door.. There are still
2015 dates available. Next available dates: August 9 and October 25
Cost: 60.00
A Record of Our Faithfulness
July 12, 2015
Operating Account Received
Operating Account Received
Budget Amount Needed to date
Difference between budget and receipts
2014 YTD
2015 YTD
2015 YTD
YTD
$276,151.43
$274,147.92
$308,624.68
$(34,476.76)
8:00 a.m. - FUMC-DS Fellowship Hall
Open to all men of the Baton Rouge District.
Saturday, Saturday July 25th
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S
DISTRICT-WIDE MEETING AND BREAKFAST
First United Methodist Church
316 Centerville N.W,
Denham Springs, LA 70726-3339
(225) 665-8995
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #45
Denham Springs, LA