By Kevin Chiri

Everyone is looking for a little power, and some people want nothing but power.

So I’ve got a little tip for you….they are giving it away for free this Sunday and Monday at First United Methodist Church (UMC) in LaPlace.

The “power” I’m talking about this time, however, is the “power of the cross,” which will be revealed by Dr. Doug Ezell, who will be the guest speaker at a two-day revival at First Methodist.

LaPlace Pastor Mark Bray sent me a note asking me to spread the word about their special revival services on Sunday and Monday, August 17 and 18.

The Sunday services will be at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. service on Monday.

Dr. Ezell, who was the former district superintendent in the Lake Charles District, is a retired UMC preacher who served in Louisiana for 25 years, so obviously he should know a little bit about the power of the cross.

The theme for his messages will be “Cross Power: C.P.R. for a Dying World.” I can think of nothing better for any of us to think about in this day and age, when society has promoted such a lack of values and morals through the Hollywood-led media.

It can be downright discouraging for folks like myself, or especially for those of us who are parents or grandparents, as we look at our children and wonder how we will teach them the things they need to know to navigate successfully through what appears to be an increasingly difficult life ahead.

Personally, it is only through the power of the cross that I believe I make it each day, and more importantly, do it with some happiness despite the trials and challenges that we all have.

Dr. Ezell should deliver those kinds of encouraging and uplifting words to anyone who wants to attend the services at First Methodist, where they will have a pot-luck dinner beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday for any of the guests attending that night.

The church is located at 301 Bamboo Road, just off Highway 51 near the St. John Library. For more information, call 652-6560.

 I heard about some interesting messages in a few church bulletins recently, but I can’t remember if I saw them at Pastor Bray’s church or not.

Check these ones out: “Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.”

“At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.”

“Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.”

“Potluck supper on Sunday at 5 p.m.—prayer and medication to follow.”

“The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.”

I was glad to get a call from Kim Fontenot at San Francisco Plantation last week. She told me about plans that are being made for the return of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to hold another concert on the grounds at the plantation.

I went to last year’s show on a Sunday afternoon, and believe me, it was an event not to be missed. This will be the third concert, which is now an annual fundraiser for the plantation.

Entergy just got the fundraising going for San Francisco by generously donating $5,000 for the event.

This year’s concert will be held on Sunday, November 2, and hopefully the weather will be as perfect as last year. Just the idea of having the Philharmonic Orchestra perform outside, with a nice breeze around, makes me get past all this Louisiana summer heat we are now experiencing.

The event will not only help the plantation, which like other plantations in the region continues to struggle financially since Hurricane Katrina. But it will also help the Louisiana orchestra with its own cause.

More sponsors are needed for this wonderful event so I hope you can help out. If you are interested in becoming a large or a small sponsor of the event, give Kim a call at 985-535-2341.

One last church bulletin, especially for my friend Mark Bray: “The church pastor unveiled his new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: ‘I upped my pledge-up yours.’”

Kevin Chiri is Publisher of L’Observateur and can be reached at (985) 652-9545 or at kchiri@bellsouth.net