Blessing of the Animals is Friday!

Come and be a part of our Blessing of the Animals on First Friday in Stevensville this Friday, 5 - 7 pm.

Camp on the Boulder opportunities

 

Camp on the Boulder Summer positions for summer of 2015

You can spend your summer in one of the most beautiful places in God’s creation.  Work with an amazing team providing hospitality to various groups.  Then, on your days off, enjoy all the fishing, hiking, and natural wonders the Gallatin National Forest has to offer.

• Camp Manager. Job Description.  (Email resume to apply)
• Kitchen Manager. Job Description. (Email resume to apply)
• Maintenance Manager. Job Description. (Email resume to apply).
• General Staff.  Job Description. Apply Online.

Email: camp@campontheboulder.org or 
Mail: Camp on the Boulder, P.O. Box 81544, Billings, MT 59052

All applicants are subject to a background check. Camp on the Boulder is Alcohol, drug and Tobacco free.

Scripture lesson for May 3

This week's scripture lesson continues our readings from the epistle with 1 John 4:7-21.

This week @ Stevi UMC

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

Tuesday -  
7:00 pm, Choir
 

Wednesday -  
8:00 am - 3:00 pm, WIC  
10:00 am, Wired Word 
6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's
7:00 pm, Jesus in the Gospels study, #29

Friday - 

10:00 am, Drop-in Bible study @ Doris Taylor's
5:00 - 7:00 pm, Blessing of the Animals

Sunday - 
9:00 am, Church school

10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship
11:30 am, Fellowship time
11:45 am, Chimes

Rainy Sunday morning

Carol shares a friendly sheep story

Food Pantry cart in the fellowship hall

The damp weather we had in the Valley this morning was a blessing! Every drop is received with thankful hearts!!!

The choir offered "The Lord Is My Shepherd" which will be available on our YouTube channel later tonight.

VBS supper success

Becky & Mickey welcome dinners

The spaghetti supper in support of our VBS ministry was held last night and was such fun!

Thanks to Becky & Mickey Boykin, Kathy Clark, Phyllis Daniels, Trudy Freeman, and Lisa Menery for making this event such a wonderful contribution to our children's ministry.  Thanks also to everyone who contributed food and to those who attended.

Prayers for Nepal

Our hearts are with the people of Nepal today and all those responding to the earthquake. 

To offer your support for those affected, please consider donations to International Disaster Response Advance: #982450.

Spaghetti Super is TONIGHT!

Who: Everyone who wants to have supper on Saturday!
(small donation requested)

What: Spaghetti Supper 

When: TONIGHT, 5 - 7 pm (supper)

Where: Fellowship Hall @ Stevi UMC (3rd & College Streets)

Why: To raise support for this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS) which will be offered once again by the staff from Twinlow Camp (Pacific-Northwest Conference)

Blessing of the animals next Friday

Join us on First Friday in Stevensville next week (May 1st) for a Blessing of the Animals! 

We'll have a tent set up at the corner of 3rd & College Streets and will offer a blessing for all creatures, large and small!  Toy animals are welcomed as are photos of animal companion who are no longer with us.

Certificates of blessing will be offered to all pets.

Join us for the National Day of Prayer

Join the community on Thursday, May 7th for the National Day of Prayer at the Historic St. Mary's Mission (the mission chapel is now handicap accessible) in Stevensville.

Activities:

10:00 am - 5:00 pm -- private prayer time @ Historic St.Mary's Mission Chapel. 

Noon - 12:30 pm -- Corporate ecumenical time @ Historic St.Mary's Mission Chapel

6:00 pm -- Spaghetti dinner and program @ Stevensville Senior Center.  Guest speaker is retired University of Montana football coach, Mick Delaney.

Arbor Day Poem

Old Johnny Appleseed

Author Unknown 

Grandpa stopped, and from the grass at our feet,
Picked up an apple, large, juicy, and sweet;
Then took out his jackknife, and, cutting a slice,
Said, as we ate it, "Isn't it nice
To have such apples to eat and enjoy?
Well, there weren't very many when I was a boy,
For the country was new - e'en food was scant;
We had hardly enough to keep us from want,
And this good man, as he rode around,
Oft eating and sleeping upon the ground,
Always carried and planted appleseeds -
Not for himself, but for others' needs.
The appleseeds grew, and we, today,
Eat of the fruit planted by the way.
While Johnny - bless him -is under the sod -
His body is - ah! he is with God;
For, child, though it seemed a trifling deed,
For a man just to plant an appleseed,
The apple tree's shade, the flowers, the fruit,
Have proved a blessing to man and to brute.
Look at the orchards throughout the land,
All of them planted by old Johnny's hand.
He will forever remembered be;
I would wish to have all so think of me." 

Arbor Day.org

Converts or Disciples?

Our mission isn’t to win converts, it’s to make disciples. So what is the difference?

1.) Converts are believers who live like the world. Disciples are believers who live like Jesus.
2.) Converts are focused on their values, interests, worries, fears, priorities, and lifestyles. Disciples are focused on Jesus.
3.) Converts go to church. Disciples are the church.
4.) Converts are involved in the mission of Jesus. Disciples are committed to it.
5.) Converts cheer from the sidelines. Disciples are in the game.
6.) Converts hear the word of God. Disciples live it.
7.) Converts follow the rules. Disciples follow Jesus.
8.) Converts are all about believing. Disciples are all about being.
9.) Converts are comfortable. Disciples make sacrifices.
10.) Converts talk. Disciples make more disciples.
 

Read more at Relevant Magazine.

Spaghetti Supper on Saturday!

Who: Everyone who wants to have supper on Saturday!
(small donation requested)

What: Spaghetti Supper 

When: Saturday, April 25, 5 - 7 pm (supper)

Where: Fellowship Hall @ Stevi UMC (3rd & College Streets)

Why: To raise support for this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS) which will be offered once again by the staff from Twinlow Camp (Pacific-Northwest Conference)

The Pantry Partners & SUMC

The shopping cart for donations to the Pantry Partners (previously found in the hallway by the stairs going to the second floor) was moved to the fellowship hall at the beginning of March.

This was done primarily due to safety concerns (the need to keep the hallway open following worship and for emergencies).

 ++++++++++++++++++

Donations to the Food Pantry are always welcomed at the Food Pantry which is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11am to 2:30 p.m. Donations are taken during business hours. 

(406) 777-0351849 Middle Burnt Fork Rd.
Stevensville, MT  59870 

POC: Cleo Guenther

Earth Day & The United Methodist Church

The world marks Earth Day each April 22. This video link features stunning images of Nature along with the beautiful words of a prayer written by Bishop Ken Carter when he was a pastor in North Carolina in 2005.  

All United Methodists are called to be good stewards of the planet. One of our Social Principles about the Natural World explains: “All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings.” 

You are encouraged to use this video for personal reflection and also download and share it with others. 

This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN.  This video was first posted in April, 2015.

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday -   
6:00 pm, Trustees

6:30 pm, Cub Scouts
7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)

Tuesday -  
7:00 pm, Choir
 

Wednesday -  
8:00 am - 3:00 pm, WIC  
10:00 am, Wired Word 
6:30 pm, Middle School youth @ Ludington's
7:00 pm, Jesus in the Gospels study #28

Friday - 

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

Saturday -
5:00 pm, Spaghetti Supper (in support of the VBS program)

Sunday - 
9:00 am, Church school

10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship
11:30 am, Fellowship time
11:45 am, Chimes

Scripture lesson for April 26

This week's scripture lesson comes from 1 John 3:16-24.

The Lord's Prayer in Salish

In recognition of Native American Ministries Sunday, here is the Lord's Prayer in Salish, the original language of the Bitterroot Valley:

 

 Our Chief Jesus Christ's Prayer
Our father, in the sky, you are there.
Your name will be loved.
You are owner of all hearts.
Your will/thoughts be done
here on earth as in the sky.
Give us today all our needs.
Cast away for us our debts,
As we cast away for those
who have debts with us.
Help us to not take bad.
We live again from bad.

May it be like this.

-  http://sulustu.blogspot.com/2009/09/lords-prayer.html

Native American Ministries Sunday

One tribe in North America has told this story for centuries: when people “pale as birch” crossed the great water in large canoes, they brought with them “The Black Book.”  However, the bringers of the physical Book could not have known what it would mean and look like to be Native and a follower of Jesus.

Today Native Americans—with many unique languages, many unique cultures—honor their heritage, and live as Jesus-followers, led by a rotation of primarily Native American pastors.

Supporting the Ministry of Christ Among Native People

Most Americans today recognize that the history following the arrival of the large canoes bore little resemblance to the one all Christians identify as Creator. That’s why the people of The United Methodist Church, Native and non-Native, are creating a new history. Through Native American Ministries Sunday, we’re able to equip and empower Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to do what only they can do: authentically worship and serve Jesus.

As a member of The United Methodist Church, your gift, on this day, equips Native congregations—like New York’s Onandaga Nation UMC and Nebraska’s Native American Sacred Winds congregation—to worship and serve as only they can.
This work, and hundreds of other ministries, are possible because you give.

Our Giving Allows Native Americans to Encounter, Worship and Serve Jesus

When you support Native American Ministries Day, you equip seminary students who will honor and celebrate Native American culture in their ministries. And you empower congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to their communities with the love of Christ.

Dr. Richard Twiss, a member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, asked:

“Will we be allowed to develop new ways of doing church that honor God’s purposes for the creative expression of our cultures? Will new ministry partnerships and coalitions form? Will you help be a part of this wonderful process of reconciliation, restoration and release?”

Say yes.

Read a story about the impact you are making with your gifts.
Give Now!

To give by mail:

Send checks to: GCFA
P.O. Box 340029
Nashville, TN 37203
Please put name of Sunday in note section.

List of Native American United Methodist Churches

Committee on Native American Ministries Directory (CONAM)

Spring district UMW meeting, pt. 2

Becky Boykin speaking at the gathering

Skit about Jurisdictional UMW Gathering in 2016

Talking about Legacy Fund & 150th Anniversary of the UMW

Pastor Calvin Hill Updating Group on BUMP Activities

Offering Communion (L-R): Becky Boykin, Pastor Sami Pack, Gloria Zimmer

Spring district UMW meeting, pt. 1

Becky, Belinda, and Carol on the road to Choteau

Choteau UMC

Great refreshments!

Friday night officer's meeting

A 5-Star Unit!

The spring district UMW gathering was on Saturday at Choteau UMC, and our church was represented by Belinda Alkula, Becky Boykin, and Carol Gragg (all three of whom are also district officers).

Blessing of the Animals

Who: All God's Creatures

What: First Annual Blessing of the Animals

All animals of any size are welcomed - 

Children are encouraged to bring toy animals, too!

When: First Friday in Stevensville, May 1st, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Stevensville UMC, corner of 3rd and College Streets

Why: To give God thanks for all creatures, great and small!

Games Night on Friday!!!

Family game night tomorrow @ 7 pm!!!! Bring your F.R.A.N. (Friend, Relations, and Neighbors)!!!!

Scripture Lessson for April 19th

The scripture lesson for the Third Sunday of Easter is 1st John 3:1-7. 

This week @ SUMC

Monday -   
6:00 pm, Shepherding @ Ginny's

6:30 pm, Cub Scouts
7:00 pm, Living Clean (upstairs)

Tuesday -  
7:00 pm, Choir
 

Wednesday -  
8:00 am - 3:00 pm, WIC  
10:00 am, Wired Word 
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

Saturday -  
Western Mountains District UMW event, @ Choteau UMC

Sunday - 
9:00 am, Church school

10:15 am, Praise singing
10:30 am, Worship
11:30 am, Fellowship time
11:45 am, Chimes

A delightful Sunday

Matt and Becky offer a warm welcome

Bob and friends making bread

Krystal and Pastor Charles

 Our second Sunday of Easter was wonderful from "soup to nuts!"

During the church school time, Bob Edgar showed the children how to make unleavened bread.  It was shared during fellowship time to everyone's delight!

During the worship service the choir offered a moving rendering of "Morning Has Broken" which speaks so well to the power of the resurrection.  We also welcomed Krystal Nelson into the membership of this congregation.  Krystal lives on College Street and has already joined the choir where she sings alto.

United Methodist Men in April

Earl serves up breakfast

Katie speaks to the group

Sixteen men and guests were on hand this morning for our monthly breakfast and program.
 
Katie Benson, provided today's program, a heart-felt report of a program she has been involved with this year that deals with the issue of children/youth suicide prevention. 

Thanks to Don Henry and Earl Moss for providing the delicious breakfast!

Next breakfast meeting will be on May

Church clean-up success!

Cy cleans up at 3rd & College

Kitchen crew is on the job!

Chuck and Connie add another load to the pile

Cleaning up in front of the parsonage

Connie cleans up!

Led by the Trustees, the annual spring church clean-up took place this morning, with lots of work being accomplished both inside (the kitchen) and outside.

Thanks to the following for coming out and helping today:
Belinda Alkula, Pastor Charles, Cy Anderson, Tom Bishop, Kathy Clark, Phyllis Daniels, Trudy Freeman, Bill Gragg, Don Henry, (Nurse) Linda Kauffman, Claire Kelly, Carole Koval, Ben Longbottom, Dennis Loney, Don Nelson, Paul Ludington, Lisa Menery (and Bella), Sue Pearson, Chuck Petty, Connie Rekiecki, and Carol Word.

Today's UMW meeting & program

Beautiful welcome to the group

Dr. Haugo speaks to the unit members

 Today's UMW gathering had lots of parts and each one punctuated with laughter!  Vice-president Becky Boykin oversaw the gathering and moved the group smartly through the agenda.

Today's program was offered by Dr. Angela Haugo, D.O., a member of Stevi UMC, who spoke to the group about the work done by Osteopathic physicians.

Carol Gragg, Claire Kelly, and Carol Varien served as hostesses and served a delicious cheese cake (much to Pastor Charles' pleasure!).

In the business portion of the afternoon:

+Phyllis Daniels brought the devotion (from Guidepost magazine) which used Matthew 28:20 as its starting point.

+Hazel Smith shared the Social Action report, an article from Response magazine, about financial literacy for immigrant women.

+Sonia Henry shared the Spiritual Growth time with several readings from "Lists to Live By For Simple Living."

+Carole Koval reported that a prayer shawl was shared with Bonnie S. and that Fran Jackson had brought in a baby blanket that Fran had made to be added to our supplies.  173 shawls have been distributed to date.

+Betty Lowell reported that Amy F., Carol Go., Janet L., Marcia P., and Bonita Z. all had April birthdays.

$100 was contributed from the special mission fund in support of  Lisa Menery and the mission trip to Tanzania next month (along with Marcia Prather and Mary Lyon, and others).

+The unit decided that this year the apple dumplings will not be sold at the park as in past years.  This year we'll be selling them one day only, on the Saturday of the Creamery Picnic (August 8) and only at the church. Making of the dumplings will take place on July 27th at the school.

Upcoming Dates:
Tomorrow - church-wide cleaning day, 9 am
April 18, Western Mountains District UMW meeting at Choteau UMC
May 7, National Day of Prayer, Noon at St. Mary's Mission
May 9, Community fund raiser for Michele R. Contact Diane @ 777-7201 to offer support
May 31, UMW Sunday @ Stevi UMC
June 20, Church-wide rummage sale (in cooperation with the UMM)
July 10, Baby shower for Amber
August 8, Apple Dumpling sale @ the church

The next meeting will be on May 8th.