"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, March 31, 2015

Photo directory update

The last chances to get your picture taken for the church directory will be:

  Before the Wednesday morning Bible study,
· after the Good Friday service, or
· Easter Sunday

Holy Week - Tuesday

God of such unwavering love,
how do I "celebrate"
the passion and death of Jesus?
I often want to look the other way
and not watch,
not stay with Jesus in His suffering.
Give me the strength
to see His love with honesty and compassion
and to feel deeply
Your own forgiveness and mercy for me.
Help me to understand
how to "celebrate" this week.
I want be able to bring
my weaknesses and imperfections with me
as I journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of His love.
Amen.

Online Ministries - Creighton University

Monday, March 30, 2015

This week at Stevi UMC

Holy Monday -  7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)
Holy Tuesday - 7:00 pm, Choir practice

Holy Wednesday -  
10:00 am, Lenten Study     
6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's

7:00 pm, Brass ensemble practice

MAUNDY THURSDAY - 7:00 pm, Maundy Thursday service

GOOD FRIDAY
10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris Taylor's
7:00 pm, Good Friday service
 
HOLY SATURDAY
 
EASTER SUNDAY
7:00 am, Easter sunrise service  @ Dr. Linda's
8:00 am, Easter breakfast
10:00 am, Easter Egg Hunt
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship

Holy Week - Monday

God of love,
My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on You.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to You
for forgiveness and Your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others. 
Amen.

Online ministries - Creighton University

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Palm Sunday @ Stevi UMC

Rollie focuses on the candle-lighting task
Clay led the choir this morning
Bob and his "Palm friends"
Our newest members!
Fellowship time was a lively affair!
Holy week began this morning at Stevi UMC a wonderful spirit filling every corner of our church home.

We were blessed in seeing the continued growth of both of the Sunday morning adult classes in numbers and in grace.  Before worship, both the chimes and the choir members were put through their paces, putting the final touches on the morning's musical offerings.

And the worship service!  WOW!  Paul Ludington led the children's procession during the opening hymn while the congregation joined them in waving palms.  Bob Edgar's love of children was in evidence this morning as he spoke with the young disciples about Jesus being our "Palm friend" (aka, Palm frond)!

Today was also special in the life of this congregation as four new members were formally welcomed into our fellowship.  Joining today: Dennis Looney (coming to us from the Southern Baptist Church); Earl & Gretchen Moss (coming to us from the Anglican Church); and Roberta Zielinski (from First UMC - Mount Vernon, Washington).

Holy Week - Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday - Haiti
Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed His lesson of patient suffering and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Online Ministries - Creighton University

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Remembering Oscar Romero

On this date (March 24th) in 1980, in San Salvador, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated as he raised the chalice in celebration of the Eucharist during Mass. He had just preached a sermon against the poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture found in his country, thus becoming a target of those he spoke against.

Christians are still dying for their faith - are you living yours?

Monday, March 23, 2015

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday - 7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)

Tuesday - 7:00 pm, Choir practice

Wednesday -  
10:00 am, Lenten Study     
6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's

7:00 pm, Brass ensemble practice
7:00 pm, Jesus in the Gospels study


Friday - 10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris Taylor's

Sunday
9:00 am, Church school
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship

11:30 am, Fellowship time

Psalm for March 29

The Lenten sermon series from the Psalms concludes on Palm Sunday with Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12.

UMW Day of Giving

Join us as we celebrate 150 years of mission work by preparing for the next 150. Gifts to the Legacy Fund endowment will lay the financial foundation for future generations of United Methodist Women.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Prayers

JOYS:  Thanks be to God for …
Our country.
Those who serve our country.
The health we enjoy.
Improved health for Ed S., Anne H., Ginny M., Doloras F., Gail F., and Gretchen M.’s friend in Seattle.
Lisa M.’s opportunity to go with Marcia P. and Mary C. on the medical mission to Tanzania.
All the ministries we are able to do.
Folks joining the church next Sunday.
Church picture directory pictures being taken after church today.
Successful medical benefit for Linda K.’s daughter Colleen.
Awareness that March is colon cancer awareness month.
Birthday blessings for Joshua M.
Visitors:  Fred and Lois J. (Don and Mary N.’s neighbors).
Back with us in worship today:  Gail F., Crystal, and Joelle.
God’s mercy and grace.
All the miracles of life.
Joshua M.’s new puppy “Shamrock.”
All serving in various capacities for the betterment of the church. 
Answered prayers.
Caregivers.
Safe travels.
Celebrations.
CONCERNS:  Oh, Lord, we humbly pray for … 
International concerns around the world.
Peace.
Those in fear this day.
Syrian Christians.
People in Africa.
People in the Middle East.
All our military Veterans and their families, especially those who are dealing with “the loss of body, mind and/or spirit.”
Healing mercies for Georgianna T., Ed S., Colleen M., Gail F., Bev L., Rich G., Dave, Darcy, Elena, Kathy, Becky B., Kim T., and Mary H.’s son Ed.
The caregivers.
George.
Clay F.’s sister Lynne.
Julie L.’s aunt Diane.
Joey D.’s niece Diana.
Nilda’s mother.
Jerry H. moving to “The Living Center’ in Stevensville this week.
Carol W.’s sister-in-law who is dealing with life’s challenges.
Travelling mercies and for those not with us today.
UM’s Wesley House’s mission trip to Seattle and their work with the homeless.
God’s peace during troubled times.
All needing God’s mercies.
All needing God’s healing.
All those who mourn.
Unspoken prayers.

First Sunday in Springtime

Rollie does his part in the service
Julie, Marcia, and Paul talk about youth ministry
The choir offers an anthem 
Marcia, Dr. Linda, and Mickey sign-up for the Easter breakfast
Support for the Tanzania mission trip
Blessing abounded this morning as together we began springtime together!


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Directory Photos Tomorrow

Come and have your photo taken for the church directory (yes, it is happening) tomorrow following worship!!!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Wonderful Night @ SUMC

Bella is exhausted from all the activity!
The fellowship hall was alive with the sound of laughter as we enjoyed our monthly family games night!  This is such a fun event, we're already looking forward to the next one!!! 

Prayer for Spring

 by Ralph Waldo Emerson 
 
For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet,
For song of bird, and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
 

Games Night is TONIGHT!!!!

Join us @ 7 pm for a fun evening!!!!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Wednesday morning class


During Lent, the Wednesday morning study group is working through Adam Hamilton's book, "24 Hours that Changed the World." It has been a great experience already and with four weeks left before Easter there are many lessons still to be enjoyed.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

St. Patrick's Day Prayer

St. Benin's Church - Kilbennan, Ireland
The Prayer of St. Patrick

Anonymous 

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.

Monday, March 16, 2015

150th Anniversary of United Methodist Women is coming


On March 23, 1869, eight women gathered at Tremont Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts, and organized the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, what would become United Methodist Women. The women raised money to send a doctor, Clara Swain, and a teacher, Isabella Thoburn, to India as missionaries to serve the women of that nation.

Celebrate the dedication and foresight of our foremothers in mission as we lead up to our 150th anniversary in 2019 with a special Day of Giving, March 23, 2015.

Gifts to the legacy fund can be made in several ways:
  • Online at unitedmethodistwomen.org/legacyfund
  • By telephone at 212-870-3743. 
  • Mobile giving and Text to Give (soon)
  • By check mailed to:
    United Methodist Women: Treasurer’s Office
    475 Riverside Drive
    New York, NY 10115.

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday - 7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)

Tuesday - 7:00 pm, Choir practice
 
Wednesday -  
10:00 am, Lenten Study     

6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's  
7:00 pm, Jesus in the Gospels study

Thursday - 7:00 pm, Ad Council


Friday -
10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris Taylor's

6:00 pm, Guiding Team
7:00 pm, Family Games Night

Sunday -
9:00 am, Church school for all ages
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship
11:30 am, Fellowship time

Psalm for March 22

The sermon series from the Psalms continues this week with  Psalm 27:1-6, 13-14

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Prayers

JOYS:  Thanks be to God for …
Our country.
Those who serve our country.
The health we enjoy.
Improved health for Bev L., Bill L., and Angela H.’s cousin.
The rain.
Tom and Bridget S. are having a baby.
The church’s generous support of the medical mission to Tanzania that Marcia P. and Mary C. will be undertaking soon.
The 75th anniversary of the establishment of UMCOR:  United Methodist Committee on
Relief.
All the ministries we are able to do.
Homecoming of Tom S.’ mother Tina and Bridget’s father Woody.
The Sand hill Crane migration north (as celebrated in Nebraska)..
New member class starting at 9:00 a.m. next Sunday, March 22nd.
Church picture directory pictures being taken after church today and next Sunday.
Visitors from the Wesley House at the UM:  Sabrina C. and Lee.
Visitors Crystal and Joelle.
Gail F being recognized for her dedicated service to the Clothes Closet in Stevensville (over 1200 volunteer hours).
Wonderful conference United Methodist Women’s (UMW’s) retreat last weekend on prayer at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.  One-third of the group was under 30, which was a very hope-filled sign of a secure future.
God’s mercy and grace.
All the miracles of life.
All serving in various capacities for the betterment of the church. 
Safe travels.
Celebrations.
Birthday blessings to Sonia H., Cleo G., and Doloras’ great grandson.

CONCERNS:  Oh, Lord, we humbly pray for … 
International concerns around the world.
Peace.
Those in fear this day.
All our military Veterans and their families, especially those who are dealing with “the loss of body, mind and/or spirit.”
Healing mercies for Georgianna T., Ed S., Colleen M., Carol G., Gail F., Bev L., Rich G., Gini M., Carol V.’s daughter, Anne H., Carol W.’s grandchildren, Kathy’s partner, Sabrina C., and Daniette.
The caregivers.
Carol W.’s sister-in-law who is dealing with life’s challenges.
Travelling mercies and for those not with us today.
UM’s Wesley House’s mission trip to Seattle and their work with the homeless.
God’s peace during troubled times.
All needing God’s mercies.
ll needing God’s healing.
All those who mourn.
Unspoken prayers.

Damp morning in the Valley

Chimes sharing "Aria"
Bob shares times with the children
We love having students from the Wesley House join us!
Ruth & Don share stewardship info with the congregation
The foosball table gets a workout
What a blessing we received this morning!  The damp weather didn't deter the faithful and the joyful sounds from children, youth, and adults from beginning to end was wonderful!!!

Two students from Wesley House were with us this morning and shared about their upcoming mission trip to Seattle.  There is a great group at the Wesley House and they'll be doing some wonderful ministry over their spring break.





One Great Hour of Sharing is today!!!

When disaster strikes around the globe—Haiti’s 2010 earthquake or Hurricane Sandy of 2012—so many watching the drama unfold on our living room televisions feel entirely helpless. How could any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation? As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act. So don’t be fooled by the word committee.


Since 1940, when UMCOR’s forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, we’ve continued to respond to those in desperate need—today throughout more than eighty countries around the world.

The response of UMCOR isn’t something “they” do, it’s something “we” do.

When You Give You Equip Christ’s Body to Serve in His Name.

Read more at this link.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Today's UMW gathering

UMW members hear Becky's report
Carole brings a report before the group
Sonia offers a reflection on Psalm 150
Marcia talks about Tanzania
 The monthly UMW meeting took place this afternoon with twenty present.  Thanks to Mary Costello, Claire Kelly, and Roberta Zielinski for serving as hostesses this month.

Today's program was presented by Marcia Prather and Mary Costello who shared about their upcoming medical mission trip to Tanzania.  Marcia reminded us that this month is the UMW "Call to Prayer and Self-denial" and that each of have choices to make in the service of God and that her going on this mission trip was a choice.  

Mary shared a special collect from the Book of Common Prayer that is very meaningful to her as she prepares for her African trip:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of Thy only Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The program was concluded with Trudy Freeman and Hazel Smith sharing "Help Us Accept Each Other."

Sonia Henry shared the spiritual growth time with a reflection on Psalm 150.  

Hazel presented the Social Action report on Racial Profiling.  This is not only an issue in Ferguson, MO but is happening right here in Montana.

Carole Koval reported that one prayer shawl was given out last month bringing our tally to 172.  Carole also reported that the recent appeal for 'yarn funds' netted $180 which will go to replenish the stock of those making these shawls.

Marcia asked the members to consider supporting the UMW Legacy Fund which is being set-up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the UMW (in 2019).

Judy Inslee and Carol Gragg made an appeal for someone to step forward and assume leadership of the apple dumpling effort.  This is a significant part of our fund raising for mission and a leader(s) is/are needed.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

A note from our bishop

Jesus said he came so that people could live life to the fullest. What would Jesus think if he lived today with oil pipeline breaks spilling into rivers, trains derailing with catastrophic consequences, devastating hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards, unprecedented earthquake swarms and groundwater contamination near shale oil fracking sites? How would Jesus teach if he lived today?

Remember the Tree of Life? - Growing at the center of the Garden of Eden in Genesis, and growing in the middle of the New Jerusalem in Revelation? The TREE OF LIFE - offering fruit that is good to eat, and leaves for the healing of the nations.

What does it mean to live life to the fullest as disciples of Jesus Christ? It means learning to live our lives in ways that contribute to the fullness of life for all people. Founder of Methodism, John Wesley, called this HOLINESS. He spoke of personal holiness and social holiness. It was the idea that if people grew in their knowledge and love of Jesus (personal holiness) we would experience abundance of life and we would be moved to help others experience it (social holiness). In Wesley's time, Methodists visited people in prisons and cared for orphans. They organized labor collectives, and started schools and hospitals in poor neighborhoods. Wesley believed that our faith would lead us into the world in ways that helped others enjoy life to the fullest.

For four years, as lay and clergy members gather for Annual Conference, we are cultivating God's Tree of Life, focusing on four life-affirming themes. In June 2015, we will gather under the broad, graceful branches of God's promise of abundant life with a focus on the theme: Renewal of Creation. Renewal of Creation builds on the themes of the past two years.
2013: IMAGINE NO MALARIA. Full life means health. In 2013 we said that living life to the fullest means working to end death by malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. We sent a team to distribute bed nets in Bom Jesus, Angola, and we raised more than $1.5 million to continue the work. Well done!
2014: SAND CREEK MASSACRE - HEALING RELATIONSHIPS. Living life fully means healing ancient wounds. We met with Native American neighbors in 2014 and listened, remembered, and repented of a long and violent history to clear the land of American Indians so it could be occupied by settlers. We commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre, honoring those whose lives were taken, repenting of a history of broken relationships, and beginning to form new relations of trust.

2015: RENEWAL OF CREATION. Relationships between human beings and the rest of God's creation are delicate both theologically and ecologically. Genesis describes the power and the beauty of God's creation. We live in a time when we see almost daily the harmful effects of human activity on God's creation. What does holy living look like in our time and place? How do we live fully? How do we live so that others may live fully? I'm very pleased that Dr. Rebecca Parker will be our speaker and bible study leader in both conferences. Rebecca is a clergy member of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference and co-author, with Rita Nakashima Brock, of Saving Paradise: How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire.

This Mountain Sky Outlook is the first installment of a blog on Renewal of Creation. In 2009 the Council of Bishops issued a Pastoral Letter, "God's Renewed Creation." As we prepare for Annual Conference in June, let's think together about what our faith in Jesus means for how we live in God's creation.

I invite you to pay attention to the world around you these weeks. Where do you encounter God's creation: the sun and the moon; the waters and the dry land; plants and trees with all their fruits; swarms of living creatures that swim and fly and creep upon the Earth? As you read your Bible notice Jesus in nature: on the sea, on a mountain, in the garden. Pay attention to yourself - you are a precious and beloved child of God. Pay attention to others. Pay attention to how you fit into God's whole creation: how you tend it, how you use it, how you take it for granted.

In the comments section of the blog share your reflections on this question: How does the way I live care for God's creation?

The earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it.
The world and those who live in it.
Psalm 24: 1, NRSV

Christ shine in your life,
Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky

Jr. High Retreat 2015

Junior High Retreat Registration is now OPEN!!!

Click on the link to register!   http://www.yacumc.org/jrhighretreat

JR HIGH RETREAT 2015 will explore our theme  “Where in the World is God?” in large group sessions, small group discussions and through activities. We will have time for mission outreach, raising money for scholarships and youth-led mission projects, playing wacky games and singing crazy songs as well as just spending time together! All are welcome - invite your friends!!

When:  April 24th - 26th, 2015

Where: Missoula First UMC

Cost for the event is $40 if registered by April 13th and increases to $60 after the early deadline.

 Get your kids REGISTERED!

--
Abbie Thompson
Camping and Youth Ministry Coordinator
Yellowstone Annual Conference -- The United Methodist Church
406.465.5640 cell

UMCOR's birthday is coming up

“...That this Conference create a Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief...We urge our Methodist people to participate fully, heartily and sacrificially...”


These words, excerpted from the proceedings of the First General Conference in Atlantic City, N.J., in 1940, represent the start of the journey of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)—a journey that has helped millions of people across the world. 
 


Seventy-five years later—on March 15, 2015—up to 500 people are expected to gather to celebrate the creation of UMCOR during a service at Asbury United Methodist Church—formerly Central Methodist Church, the location in Atlantic City where UMCOR first came into existence.


Congregations from Asbury, Venice Park and Hamilton United Methodist churches, as well as friends from across the country, will gather with a sense of historical appreciation and future vision.


March 15 is One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday, during which churches across the globe collect an offering that enables UMCOR to continue its 75-year legacy of responding to those in need. 


Donations to One Great Hour of Sharing fund UMCOR’s administrative costs, and allow 100 percent of all other donations to be spent on programs specified by the donor.

Welcoming UMCOR Back Home 

“...to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness...” Isaiah 42:7



At the service of celebration, the Rev. Denise Honeycutt, UMCOR deputy general secretary, will preach a sermon entitled “Now That's Worth Celebrating.” She will focus on Isaiah 42:5-9.


Brian Roberts, district superintendent for the Cape Atlantic district in the Greater New Jersey Conference, said Atlantic City will be blessed by a sense of celebration and love brought about by One Great Hour of Sharing.


“We're trying to welcome UMCOR back home to where they started,” said Roberts, “and we will offer this welcome with celebration and with great energy.”


Bishop John Schol of the Greater New Jersey Conference and Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, who currently heads UMCOR’s board of directors, will attend the service, along with United Methodist missionaries, both current and retired, from New Jersey and elsewhere.



Susan Kim is a journalist and a regular contributor to www.umcor.org.

Monday, March 9, 2015

This week at Stevi UMC

Monday -
6:00 pm, Shepherding @ Ginny's
6:30 pm, Cub Scouts
7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)

Tuesday -
7:00 pm, Choir practice

Wednesday -  
10:00 am, Lenten Study     
 
6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's  
7:00 pm, Jesus in the Gospels study


Friday -
10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris Taylor's
1:00 pm, UMW

Saturday -

8:00 am, UMM 

Sunday -
9:00 am, Church school for all ages
10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship
11:30 am, Fellowship time
6:00 pm, Book Group @ Kootenai Village clubhouse

Psalm for March 15

Psalm 73:26
The sermon series from the Psalms continues this week with Psalm 73:1-7, 13-16

Sunday, March 8, 2015

The return from Fairmont


The UMW members who went to Fairmont for the bi-annual Yellowstone Conference UMW retreat returned home this afternoon with plenty of stories to tell!