It's happening!

Ready for Easter!

Phyllis lends a hand

Ready for action

 

Thanks to Belinda Alkula, joey Diers, Sara Malo, Josh Malo, Luke Malo, Connie Rakiecki, Phyllis Reidman, and Gretchen Speiss for the amazing task they accomplished today in preparing our church for the Festival Worship of Easter!

Prayer for Holy Saturday

Almighty God,
Your name is glorified
even in the anguish of your Son's death.
Grant us the courage
to receive your anointed servant
who embodies a wisdom and love
that is foolishness to the world.
empower us in witness
so that all the world may recognize
in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Easter Schedule @ Stevensville UMC

 7:00 am

Front steps of the church (College Street entrance)
NOTE CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 The United Methodist Men invite you to share in the annual Easter breakfast from 8:00 - 9:30 am.

 

9:30 am - front lawn

 

10:15 am - Praise Singing

10:30 am  - Festival Worship Service 

Good Friday Worship Service

Reminders of the week just past

The cross reminds us of the cost

Sharing the message through song

Dean reads the scripture lessons

The community gathered tonight for the Good Friday worship service.
 
The choir shared the meaning of the night with "Out of the Depths We Cry, Lord" as the anthem. Pastor Charles shared an 8th century Anglo-Saxon poem, "The Dream of the Rood" and offered "The Tree of Life" as a reflection on the lessons to follow. Dean Diers, Rev. Lois Hansen, and Sherry Paddie led the congregation through The Stations of the Cross with scripture lessons, reflections, and prayer.

The service will be available on our YouTube channel latter tonight.

Thanks to: Dean Diers, Rev. Lois Hansen, & Sherry Paddie (Stations of the Cross readers), Chay Lynn Paddie (overhead), Tom Bishop (video), Sara Malo (Altar Guild), Julie Ludington (piano), and Brenda Bolton (choir).

Making ready

Thanks to Sara Malo and Josh for preparing the sanctuary ahead of this evening's Good Friday worship service.

Studying the Word

Each Friday morning a delightful study of the Bible is held at the home of Doris Taylor. Good coffee, great discussion, and faith that keeps growing.

Join us next Friday at 10:00 am!

The Seven Last Words

Which one do you connect with?

1. Forgive them for they know not what they do.
2. Today you will be with me in paradise.
3. Behold your son.
4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
5. I thirst.
6. It is finished.
7. Into your hands I commit my spirit.

(Image: Laura James)

Good Friday prayer

We veil our faces before Your glory,
O Holy and Immortal one,
and bow before the cross of Your wounded Christ.
with angels and archangels,
we praise You, our Mercy,
and we bless You, our Compassion,
for in our brokenness
You have not abandoned us.
Hear us as we pray through Jesus, our high priest:
heal all division,
reconcile the estranged,
console the suffering,
and raise up to new life
all that is bound by death. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Good Friday @ Stevensville UMC

Join us for worship at 7:00 pm as we remember the day that changed the world.

We will share this day by making the journey with the Fourteen Stations of the Cross through scripture, reflections, and prayer.

Don't forget

Maundy (Holy) Thursday worship

A simple table

Brenda Bolton & Dave Lockman

Rev. Lois Hansen

Twenty-thee disciples came tonight to remember, as Jesus had said, in the meal shared in remembrance of Him. 

View the service at this link.

Brenda Bolton and Dave Lockman shared "Lord, Have Mercy" as our anthem. Pastor Charles offered "The reason we are here tonight" based on John 13:12-17, 31b-35.

Thanks to: Connie Rakiecki (greeter), Rev. Lois Hansen (communion), Sherry Paddie (reader & communion), Sara Malo (communion & video), Hazel Smith (organ), and Brenda Bolton & Dave Lockman (duet).

Remembering Charles Wesley

Today marks the 230th anniversary of the death of Charles Wesley. A recent poll in the UK reported that "And Can It Be" was the most popular hymn from this prolific composer of the songs of Methodism.

Holy Thursday prayer

Eternal God, in the sharing of a meal
Your son established a new covenant for all people,
and in the washing of feet
He showed us the dignity of service.
Grant that by the power of Your Holy Spirit
these signs of our life in faith
may speak again to our hearts,
feed our spirits, and refresh our bodies. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Holy Thursday @ Stevensville UMC

Join us for worship at 7:00 pm and we share in the remembrance of the Last Supper.

Another wonderful study in the books!

The Wednesday morning study wrapped up the Invitation to Genesis study this morning. It was a fascinating look into this important scripture source.

We'll begin a new study, an overview of the Book of Exodus beginning next week. Join us each Wednesday at 10:00 am as we explore the significance of the liberation of the Israelites.

The United Methodist Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Historic Merger

March 28, 2018

Nashville, Tennessee – Congregations across the connection are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary commemorating the event on April 23, 1968, when leaders of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church declared the creation of a new denomination, The United Methodist Church.

With the words “Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church,” the new denomination was birthed at the constituting General Conference being held that year in Dallas. The words, said in unison over joined hands, by Bishop Reuben H. Mueller of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church, signified the formation of one of the largest denominations in the world, representing 53 countries.

“We are celebrating 50 years since a historic coming together among likeminded Christians of different regions, languages, cultures and customs because of their common grounding in Wesleyan spirituality and practice,” said the Rev. Fred Day, general secretary of the General Commission of Archives and History. “The historical event also marks the formation of a church free from the institutionalized segregation of the former Central Jurisdiction. Now white and African-American United Methodists lived into a Church sharing annual conferences, same bishops and same appointment systems as never before.

“To observe the anniversary, the General Commission of Archives and History and the General Commission on Religion and Race, born with the merger to insure the inclusivity intended with the 1968 union, are collaborating on producing shared 50th anniversary resources,” Day said.

Commemorative events are set to occur at the conference, district and local church levels beginning April 22, the Sunday before the April 23 anniversary, through May 20, Heritage Sunday. This year, the Heritage Sunday theme is “Jubilee: The 50th Anniversary of The United Methodist Church,” giving congregations an opportunity to reflect on the importance of history while also vision casting about the future.

Numerous resources have been developed and made available specifically for the 50th anniversary of the uniting conference, including liturgical materials, the original uniting conference video, and a reference guide to the church’s history. UMC.org, the official website of The United Methodist Church, is featuring anniversary content at UMC.org/umc50. A hashtag -- #UMC50 – is being used for all anniversary-themed content across social media channels and the denomination’s official Facebook page is featuring Throwback Thursday (#TBT) content from the momentous event.

“We hope United Methodists across the connection will use the teaching and worship resources provided in this jubilee year,” Day said.

###

About the General Commission on Archives and History
The General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) gathers, preserves, and disseminates materials on the history of The United Methodist Church and its antecedents. It maintains archives and a library in which the historical records are kept.

CONTACT:
Crystal Caviness
United Methodist Communications
ccaviness@umcom.org
615-742-5138

Jay Rollins
General Commission on Archives and History
jrollins@gcah.org
973-408-3189

Wednesday in Holy Week

Troubled God,
in every generation
  You call Your people to contend
against the brutality of sin and betrayal.
Keep us steadfast even in our fear and uncertainty,
that we may follow where Jesus has led the way. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Tuesday in Holy Week

Holy and immortal God,
from earliest times
You have named us
and called us into discipleship.
Teach us to follow the One
whose light scatters the darkness of our world,
that we may walk as children of the light. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Monday at The Living Center

We have a lively Bible study discussion each Monday morning (9:30 - 10:30 am) in the 3rd floor solarium at The Living Center. All are welcome to attend, you don't even have to have read the lesson to participate!

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday:

9:30 am, Bible study @ The Living Center

7:00 pm, Living Clean

 

Tuesday: 

7:00 pm, Choir

 

Wednesday:

8:00 am, WIC

10:00 am, Invitation to Genesis

 

Thursday: Maundy Thursday

7:00 pm, Worship service

 

Friday: Good Friday

10:00 am, Drop-in Bible Study @ Doris T.

7:00 pm, Worship service

 

Sunday: EASTER 

7:00 am, Sunrise service @ 2779 Loco Way

8:00 - 9:30 am, Easter breakfast

9:30 am, Easter Egg hunt

10:15 am, Praise music

10:30 am, Worship

11:30 am, Fellowship

Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God,
Your name is glorified
even in the anguish of Your Son's death.
Grant us the courage
to receive Your anointed servant
who embodies a wisdom and love
that is foolishness to the world.
empower us in witness
so that all the world may recognize
in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Palm/Passion Sunday at Stevi UMC

Holy Week begins at SUMC

Making unleavened bread

"Sing Hosanna"

Look at all the children!

the annual planting of wheat 

Holy Week has begun at Stevi UMC with much joy and a deep awareness of the importance of this time in the lives of people who follow in the steps of the Lord.

We were blessed this morning as the choir led us in the beginning of Holy Week with "Sing Hosanna!" this morning Pastor Charles concluded the Lenten sermon series, The Final Week, The sermon, "The Crucifixion of Jesus" was taken from Mark 15:1-14.
 
Thanks this morning to: Amanda Hermes (Nursery), Katie Rose (Acolyte), Paul Ludington (Praise music), Mary Costello & Mary Nelson (Greeters/ushers), Julie Ludington (Pianist), Hazel Smith (Organist), Dean Diers (Liturgist), Sherry Paddie (children's message), Tom Bishop (Video), Dean Diers & Ellen Jones (offering counters), and Dave & Julie McGarvey and Bonita Ziegler (Fellowship).

Palm/Passion Sunday prayer

God of all hopefulness, God of my life
on this holy day of Palms and Passions
and through this
the holiest of weeks,
when our Lenten journey
finds its completion
through pain
sorrow
despair
illness
losses of all kinds,
through fear
anger
hatred
vitriol
and finger pointing.

Through a (self) examination of
all the ways we work against You -
against Your hopes and dreams
for creation
against Your love poured out
in flesh and blood -
we hang our heads and bow our hearts
seeking Your forgiveness
yearning for Your guidance
desiring Your compassion.

Fill us we pray, with the ability to
turn to You, kneeling before Your grace
open our spirit that we may take You in
let You in
receive You in
taking You in..

Into our hearts and minds and souls
Let You in
that we might turn to You,
return to You,
be transformed in You,
through you, by You,
for You.

Transformed
once more,
this day, this week,
into a new self,
me, You.

May we become a new people,
a gentle people,
a people of
love and compassion,
born anew from our
deepest sorrow
through the breadth of Your
forgiveness
and love.

And then, may we do likewise.
Forgive.
And, love.
Amen.

— written by Terri and posted on RevGalBlogPals A Place for Prayer blog.  http://revgalprayerpals.blogspot.com/  

Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God,
Your name is glorified
even in the anguish of your Son's death.
Grant us the courage
to receive your anointed servant
who embodies a wisdom and love
that is foolishness to the world.
empower us in witness
so that all the world may recognize
in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. Amen.

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Teaching children about Holy Week: Telling the whole story

 
The story of Holy Week is not exactly family-friendly, but that doesn’t mean we can skip the part about Jesus’ journey to the cross when sharing our faith with our children.

“I think it’s important for parents to share the whole story of Holy Week,” says Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director at Faith United Methodist Church in North Canton, Ohio. “Often children are in worship on Palm Sunday and then not again until Easter Sunday and they miss out on these important stories of our faith.” 

Mark Burrows, Director of Children’s Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas agrees. “One of my mantras around here is, Children need more, and want more, than rainbows and butterflies… Without the Holy Week experiences,” he continues, “the story is incomplete.”

Adults should be mindful of how they tell children the difficult and sad story of Jesus’ death, but children are capable of processing it when shared appropriately.

“Children are open to the cycle of life and the reality that everything has birth and dies,” Melanie Gordon, Director of Ministry with Children with Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church explains. “We only need to make it simple for them. Talk to them in terms they will understand.

Read more at this link.

YAC UMW Legacy Cookbook

Dear Friend of UMW,

Our organization is preparing a wonderful custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from our members and friends. The cookbook will be professionally published, and titled Yellowstone UMW Legacy Cookbook - a taste of history and a bite of the future.

Please submit 1-2 of your favorite recipes so you can be represented in our group’s cookbook. Your name will be printed with each of your recipes. We are also looking for great recipes from your unit, past Conference or District officers, and pastors. Follow the instructions below. We thank you for contributing recipes as this will help to ensure that our cookbook will be a huge success. 

Return your recipes by May 10 to Cherie Mondragon chemassay@aol.com or mail to: 105 Cooney Dam Road, Roberts, MT 59070.

Thank you! We anticipate a great demand for our cookbooks, and we want to be certain to order plenty. You can reserve one or more for yourself and your unit at this time to be assured of receiving them. We expect them to be ready this fall and to sell for $10.  Proceeds will go to the Legacy Fund.

Your Angola agriculture contributions

Dear Friends in mission,

In the spring of 2016 Rev. Andre Cassule from Angola visited Yellowstone Conference, sharing about the work of the East Angola Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He visited your church and shared about his work and his dreams for the church. You gave money to  advance his work. I want to share how that money has been used.

A few months after Rev. Cassule returned to Angola, he was reassigned by the bishop to teach at the School of Theology at Quessua Methodist Mission. That change created delays in distributing your contributions.  However, your contributions are now at work and making a BIG difference.  

Since your money was earmarked for agriculture your money has gone to work at the farm at Quessua Methodist Mission where Kutela Katembo is in charge of developing the farm and its programs.  He is a United Methodist Missionary and graduate of Africa University. He is changing the lives of subsistence farmers by teaching women from local villages better farming practices and introducing new crops to them, as well as giving them seeds and trees to take home.  He is teaching the boys at the boarding school how to farm and raise animals.  Villagers may come and work on the farm and take home food for their families. 

Specifically, your contributions have made possible the purchase of a planter, a fertilizer cultivator (which will help move or turn the soil while dropping fertilizer when the plant is about knee level) and a mound maker (also called a potato hiller). It makes mounds or raised beds for planting sweet potatoes or cassava. 

Kutela sends out a newsletter a couple times a year. Here is a link to his latest one which came out in January 2018.  If your church or someone at your church is not getting it directly, you can email him and ask him to add you to his list. 

Thank you for supporting the work in Angola.  Your prayers and support are making a difference in the lives of men, women and children half way around the world.  YOU are spreading the love of Jesus. 

Sally McConnell

Yellowstone Conference Mission Coordinator