"Through the power of Christ, we are learning to live in simplicity, thankfulness, contentment and
generosity in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana."

(IF YOU CLICK ON A PICTURE, IT WILL GET BIGGER... AND EASIER TO VIEW.)

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

National Day of Prayer: May 1st

Sunday, April 27, 2014

UMCOR Health Kits

Once again the Yellowstone Conference will be collecting kits on behalf of The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at annual conference.  

A display table is in the church library (by the church office) with examples of what a health kit looks like.

For more information, please visit this link or talk with Mary Nelson.

Prayers

JOYS

Last Sunday's baptism and 8 new members to the church.

Today's addition of 2 new members to the church:  Dave and Janice Krogh.

Last night’s spaghetti dinner and auctions resulted in great fellowship and $2,700 for church camp scholarships.

This weekend’s 4-H event which involved so many area youth.
National Day of Prayer is this Thursday, May 1st.
Prayer shawl being circulated in worship today for the celebratory observance of our child-minder Autumn’s brand new baby boy:  Kohen Isaac.

Wonderful musical offerings in the worship services.

Reunion visits with family and friends.
Great Boy Scouts campout this weekend at the Costello ranch.

Patience, tolerance and encouragement.
Signs of spring.

Three of our church family members are participating in this weekend’s United Methodist Women’s General Assembly gathering in Kentucky.
Teachers and school administrators.

Grandparents and their special relationship with their grandchildren.
Sunday school children’s banner just posted in hallway to fellowship hall.

Many, many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who are about to graduate and move to the next chapter in their lives.
Hazel and Les S.’s grandson Jake’s qualification for a new home.

Sharon W.’s two small grandsons’ visit with her and that they could be in church today.
Safe travels.

Healing mercies, e.g., positive medical health reports for Bonnie G.’s niece and the healing of other sisters and brothers.

CONCERNS
Prayers for our military Veterans and their families, especially those who are dealing with “the loss of body, mind and/or spirit.”

Department of Defense’s report that it has been a good long while since the latest military combat-related fatality.
Prayers for healing mercies for Julie L.’s uncle, Ms. Hattie, Friend Marlene, Friend Elarian, Friend Lisa, sister Barb, Lynn M.’s former colleague, Dean D.’s mother Ruth, Friends Steve and Cathy, Edie B., Libby, Friend, Loved One, Judy F.’s sister Carol J., Molly M., Joanne K., Dennis, Sister Libby, Phyllis D., Olivia’s friend Leona, Jim, neighbor Kristie, Clay F.’s friend in North Carolina who father is dying and Clay F.’s friend who is dealing with a blood clot as a result of his involvement in a recent car accident, Classmate Janet, “Sister,” Zaena, Jackie S. and Betty L.

Prayers for Ronna who, after a 5-year wait, is dealing with a recent kidney transplant
Prayers for "L." family, mourning passing of daughter Cathy two years ago today.

Prayers for the “D.” family.

Prayers for nephew Phillip who is struggling with problems in life.
Prayers for great-grandson, 2 years old, who is dealing with domestic strife.

Prayer shawl circulated for 18-month-old Annabelle, who is dealing with tonsillitis.
Prayers for all those who mourn this day.

Prayers for travelling mercies and for those not with us today, e.g., Bev and Ben L.’s son Steve and all traveling due to UMW’s General Assembly gathering in Kentucky this weekend.

Last Sunday of April


We were blessed this morning with two musical offerings, the first by the Chime Choir and then by Sunrise, the string band comprised by Cleo Guenther, Bill Lyon, Carole Koval.

2014 UMW Assembly Concludes Today

Three of our own church family members attended the assembly this week.  The theme: Assembly 2014: Make It Happen!

To see/hear more about it, click on this sentence.

Camp scholarship celebration

Live auction items on the block
Silent auction items
Dean, Cale, and Paul working in the kitchen

Hazel settles her tab
What a terrific event we had last night!  A spaghetti supper and auction (both silent and live) was held to raise funds for church camp scholarships and more than $2,700 was the result.  There will be some happy campers this summer!!!

Thanks to joey & Dean, Julie & Paul, Cale, Connie and Stacey ... the youth and their parents ... and a wonderfully supportive church family... for working together to make this event a reality.

One Year Ago Today --

One year ago, it was announced to the congregation of the Stevensville United Methodist Church... that a new pastor would be assigned ... effective July 1st, 2013... Pastor Charles Alkula.

What an amazing year it has been!

Thanks be to God for the last year we enjoyed... and we anxiously look forward to what He has in store for us in the year ahead!

-------------------------

Here is an excerpt from Pastor Charles' blog...one year ago today.  
Stevensville UMC 
Parsonage
Stevensville, MT with the Bitterroot Mountains to the west of town  


Here is the letter that is being read this morning at the Stevensville UMC:          

 
 
 
 
 

April 26, 2013
Stevensville United Methodist Church
216 College St.
Stevensville, MT 59870

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am writing to share with you that Bishop Elaine Stanovsky intends to appoint the Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula as pastor of the Stevensville United Methodist Church, effective July 1, 2013. 

Appointments will be finalized at the Annual Conference session in June.  You are free to announce this to the congregation beginning this Sunday, April 28.
 
I pray God’s blessing on this congregation and on Rev. Dr. Alkula and his wife Belinda during this time of transition.
 
May the Holy Spirit enliven and guide your ministry to the people of your community.
 
Your Brother in Christ,

Rev. John Daniels,
District Superintendent,
Western Mountains District, Yellowstone Conference, The United Methodist Church

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Spaghetti Feed & auction

Dean, Cale, and Paul at work in the kitchen
briefing the 'wait staff'
some of the silent auction items
Live auction underway
Settling up!
More than $2,700 was raised tonight as the community gathered in a festive atmosphere to raise money for camp scholarships.  We were blessed with generous contributions for both the silent and live auctions!

Special thanks to joey & Dean Diers, Cale Fisher, Paul Ludington (Kitchen), Julie Ludington (auction), and the youth (wait staff) for an amazing evening!




Friday, April 25, 2014

Arbor Day 2014

11 And God said; Let the earth sprout vegetation, and plants bearing seeds, and trees bearing fruit with the seed in the fruit, and it happened on the earth.  12 The earth sprouted vegetation, and plants bearing seeds, and trees bearing fruit with the seed inside, and He saw it was good.

-Genesis 1:11-12

Church camp scholarship event tomorrow!

Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction, 6 pm
  Live Auction, 7 pm
Raising funds for church camp scholarships!
 

Monday, April 21, 2014

rhubarb looking for a good home


There is a patch of rhubarb in the backyard of the parsonage that Pastor Charles would to clear out.   If you are looking for rhubarb,  come by and take all you want.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday - pt. 4 (worship)


With music galore, children, bunnies, and more, we gathered to celebrate with Christians around the world the resurrection of our Lord!

This morning we celebrated the baptism of Hannah and the welcoming of eight new members!

Joining the church today were: 
Transfer from other denominations: Tom Bishop, Marti Olson, Marge Wood, and 
Transfer from other UMCs: Belinda Alkula, Mickey Boykin, Becky Boykin, and Donna Lewis 
Profession of faith: Tina Harris


Easter Sunday, pt. 3 (Easter egg hunt)

"hiding" the eggs

The annual Easter egg hunt took place following the breakfast.  It was fun to see the little ones scamper about, looking for their limit of two eggs per color.


Easter Sunday - pt. 2 (breakfast)


The second part of our morning at SUMC came courtesy of the United Methodist Men.  Dean Diers, Bob Edgar, Lynn Moshier, and Don Nelson were hard at work, preparing a delicious breakfast of french toast, pancakes, eggs, and drinks.

After a chilly start to the morning, it was nice to have a tasty, warm way to come together as a church family.

Easter Sunday - pt. 1 (Sunrise Service)

Morning traffic on Middle Burnt Fork Road
Easter Sunday at SUMC was a busy affair from soup to nuts!  

The day began at the Gragg ranch with a 'sunrise' service led by Mitch Edgar. The twenty+ on hand this morning were warmed by the fire pit, coffee & hot chocolate (thanks to Bill Gragg), music (thanks to Dave Lockman), and the service, (thanks Mitch).

It is a real blessing to have a community of faith that is creative and supportive of worship in a wide variety of settings and forms!!!

Easter Sunday

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of  everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our  Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Easter is coming!

Sara, Judy, and Mary get the flowers ready
 There was a flurry of activity at the church this morning!  Kathy was at work in the sanctuary, getting the banners up and the chancel looking sharp for tomorrow morning.

In the kitchen, Sara, Judy, and Mary N. were hard at work getting the beautiful array of flowers arranged for Easter morning. Thanks to Gretchen for arranging for the flowers each year. The sanctuary is simply beautiful as a result of all of today's hard work!


Holy Saturday


Scripture Lessons for Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday
 
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of thy dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

Friday, April 18, 2014

Good Friday @ SUMC

 
 
We were blessed tonight with a special Good Friday service. Tonight's service was based on the theme, "A Service of Nails," which used passages from the gospel with sung responses from "Were You There."

Angela Haugo shared a beautiful rendition of "Via Dolorosa" and the choir offered "Beneath the Cross," both of which were moving and added to the spirit of the service.