30 Hour Famine

Reminder: The SUMC Youth will begin collecting donations for World Vision's 30 Hour Famine THIS SUNDAY, March 4!  

Calling ALL YOUTH grades 6 - 12: Join us upstairs in the Youth Room at 9:15 where will discuss the fundraiser and hand out materials.

If you are not in grades 6 - 12...HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Give. Every $40 we raise can help feed and care for a child for one month. Make checks out to World Vision and place them in designated boxes or give them to a participating youth or to Sherry Paddie, or visit our fundraising page at https://youth.worldvision.org/participant/SteviUMC (this is the best way to donate because you know your funds are going straight to the source!)

2. Volunteer. Join us for the entire lock-in, or sign up for a shift. or prepare a dish for Saturday evening when we BREAK the FAST. 

3. Pray. Ask God to bring us together and to help those in need every day.

Let’s be open to Christ changing our minds, Bishop Ough tells fellow bishops

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 26, 2018

DALLAS - Council of Bishops President Bishop Bruce Ough has urged his fellow bishops to be open to Christ changing their minds as they counter disagreements and to be prepared to lead The United Methodist Church into uncharted territories.

Bishop Ough issued the challenged Sunday, February 25, at the opening of the special meeting of the Council of Bishops as the top leaders in the denominations began to receive an updated report from the Commission on a Way Forward.

In a sermon entitled “On Changing Our Minds,” which also doubled as his presidential address, Bishop Ough called on his colleagues to unbind United Methodists and guide them home.

“Let’s help our people empty themselves of the need to control one another. Let’s help our people empty themselves of their fear of the future and their fear of a changed church. Let’s help our people empty themselves of their obsession for security. Let’s not hinder or harm one another. Let’s take our people off the map. Let’s be open to Christ changing our minds,” he said.

THE FULL TEXT OF BISHOP OUGH’S ADDRESS CAN BE READ HERE.

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:

6:00 pm, Cub Scouts



Friday:

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

 

Saturday:

10:00 am, Missoula Circuit meeting @ Grace UMC



Sunday:

9:00 am, Invitation to Genesis

9:15 am, Whirl Children's Ministry

9:15 am, Collaborate Youth Ministry

10:15 am, Praise music

10:30 am, Worship

11:30 am, Fellowship

11:45 am, Chimes 

Scripture lessons for March 4

Paolo Veronese

Our Lenten sermon series continues this week with Mark11:27-33 and Mark 12:1-12.

Sunday blessings

After last week's wintry weather, it was nice to have a less challenging conditions on our way to the church this morning!
 
This morning the choir offered, "Walking 'cross the Sea." Pastor Charles' continued the Lenten sermon series, The Final Week, with a look at Jesus' clearing the temple The sermon, "Trouble in the temple" was taken from Mark 11:12-19. 

Thanks this morning to: Ava (Acolyte), Paul Ludington (Praise music), Cammie Edgar (Power point), Mary Costello & Sharon Brown (Greeters/ushers), Julie Ludington (Piano), Brenda Bolton (Choir), Sherry Paddie (Children's time), Tom Bishop (Video), Don Nelson & Bonita Ziegler (offering counters), and Sara Malo, Lynn Moshier, and Mary Nelson (Fellowship).

Bishops to receive, discuss updated report from Commission on a Way Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With attention on the missional and theological foundations of The United Methodist Church, the Council of Bishops (COB) is preparing to receive an updated report from the Commission on a Way Forward on possible models addressing the impasse on homosexuality in the global denomination.

The 32-member Commission met last month to rework sketches of possible models of the future of the denomination and will present that updated report to the bishops at a special meeting set for next week in Dallas.

The Council of Bishops normally meets twice yearly but an additional meeting was added this year to give more time for the bishops to digest and discuss the progress report from the Commission on a Way Forward.

Bishops named the Commission on a Way Forward to assist them in their charge from the 2016 General Conference to lead the church forward amid the present impasse related to inclusion and resulting questions about the unity of the church. 

The updated report that will be given to the bishops next week will help the bishops prepare to fulfill that mandate. The Commission members meet one more time in March to prepare the final report that will be acted upon by the bishops at their April/May meeting.

At the November 2017 meeting, the bishops received an interim report, highlighting sketches of three possible models. The bishops did not take any vote on any of the sketches but offered feedback and asked the Commission to give an updated report that should highlight the missional and theological foundations of the models.

In preparing for the updated report, the moderators of the Commission, Bishop Ken Carter, Bishop David Yemba and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, asked their fellow bishops to weigh the models along with the mission, vision and scope of the Commission.

“We appeal to you, and we call upon your gifts in the urgent work of revising, improving and clarifying how we can lead the church in this task,” the moderators said.

The Council of Bishops is committed to prayerfully seeking God’s future for The United Methodist Church and continues to invite the entire church to be engaged in praying for a way forward, said COB President Bishop Bruce R. Ough.

The Council of Bishops will meet at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas from Feb. 25-28. Apart from the opening worship on Feb. 25 and the morning devotions, the meeting will be in executive session.

###

For more information on the Commission on a Way Forward, visit umc.org/wayforward 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/umcforward 

Twitter: @UMCForward 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/umcforward

CONTACT:

Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga

Director of Communications – Council of Bishops 

mmulenga@umc-cob.org 

(202) 748-5172

A wonderful Wednesday!

 

Twenty-four came out on a frigid evening for Worship On Wednesday! Belinda offered a wonderful look at Amazing Grace and the members of Sunrise (Cleo was absent tonight) shared the music.

WOW at The Living Center

Worship on Wednesday (WOW) tomorrow at The Living Center, 6 pm, in the 2nd floor chapel.

Music by Sunshine - a reflection - and communion.

Scripture lessons for February 25

El Greco

The scripture lessons for the Second Sunday in Lent are 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Mark11:12-19.

Disaster Response for Blackfeet United Methodist Parish

Multiple winter storms with large amounts of snow, high winds and subzero temperatures have impacted the state of Montana. According to Weather.com, "Some parts of the Montana Rockies have seen more than 40 feet of snow this season so far, while some towns are seeing record snow."

Because of this record snowfall, the Yellowstone Conference has initiated a disaster response plan for the communities around Blackfeet United Methodist Parish (BUMP) in northwestern Montana. Approximately 15,000 people are affected in the Blackfeet reservation. Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto has requested an emergency grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Yellowstone Conference also has a Disaster Relief Fund and you can give online: www.yacumc.org/donate.

In addition to your donations and prayers, these are the current needs that BUMP is requesting:

• Firewood and supplies, plus chainsaws
• Water and food, including meats, potatoes, coffee, canned goods, baby food
• Personal hygiene products, such as diapers, wipes, feminine care
• Trucks, trailers, sleds and snowmobiles
• Fuel (diesel and gas)

Volunteers are also needed to assist BUMP as the church has become an emergency shelter. Pastor Dawn Maurer Skerritt, as Yellowstone Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, will organize volunteer teams for BUMP. If you would like to volunteer or provide supplies from the list above, please contact Dawn by email: pastordawn.cfumc@gmail.com or by phone: 406-260-5562. Thank you for your prayers and support!

This week @ Stevi UMC

Monday:

9:30 am, Bible study @ The Living Center

6:00 pm, Trustees

7:00 pm, Living Clean

Tuesday: Newsletter deadline

7:00 pm, Choir

Wednesday:

8:00 am, WIC

10:00 am, Invitation to Genesis

6:00 pm, WOW @ The Living Center

Thursday:

6:00 pm, Cub Scouts

Friday:

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

Sunday:

9:00 am, Invitation to Genesis

9:15 am, Whirl Children's Ministry

9:15 am, Collaborate Youth Ministry

10:15 am, Praise music

10:30 am, Worship

11:30 am, Fellowship

11:45 am, Chimes 

Giving opportunity

First Sunday in Lent

A white, icy, and cold day was in store for the Bitterroot Valley and many area roads were difficult if not impossible to traverse. The hardy folk who made their way to the Stevi UMC this morning were both blessed and a blessing!
 
Dave Lockman stepped in for the choir and offered a special solo for the anthem. Pastor Charles' began the Lenten sermon series, The Final Week, with a look at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The sermon, "What kind of king is Jesus?" was taken from Mark 11:1-11. 

Thanks this morning to: Hazen & Katie Rose (Acolytes), Dave Lockman (Praise music/anthem), Belinda Alkula (Power point), joey & Dean Diers (Greeters/ushers/offering counters), Julie Ludington (Piano), Sara Malo (Video), and Mary Costello, Fran Jackson, and Roberta Zelinski  (Fellowship). 

Collect for the First Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as You know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find You mighty to save; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer

Say their names

Praying for the clergy and laity of the Mountain Sky Area as we prepare ourselves for Sunday worship.

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:18

Tomorrow in your prayer time,

Say their names

Bring their spirits into the sanctuary

Say their names

Wash away the blood that was spilled

Say their names

For each one that was shot down, dozens have been traumatized beyond what any child or teacher should have to bear

Say their names

Look around the sanctuary at the precious people around you

Say their names

As you bow your head to seek God’s healing for our violent broken world

Say their names

Ask what God would have you do, so that as you raise your head, it is in assent that your prayer will lead you to action

Say their names

God never abandons us; may we never abandon each other

Say their names

May the lost, the least, and the lonely be seen by you, be welcomed by you, find a home with you, discover God’s love through you

Say their names

 

May we make a promise to our children whose days are filled with fear and sleep filled with nightmares, “Never again! We will work for a world free of violence.”

Say their names

Alyssa Alhadeff

Scott Beigel

Martin Duque Anguiano

Nicholas Dworet

Aaron Feis

Jamie Guttenberg

Chris Hixon

Luke Hoyer

Cara Loughran

Gina Montalto

Joaquin Oliver

Alaina Petty

Meadow Pollack

Helena Ramsa

Alex Schachter

Carmen Schentrup

Peter Wang

Say their names.

2018 Valentines Dinner

Bob Edgar readies the roses

Forty-one were on hand tonight for the Fifth Annual Valentines Dinner hosted by the United Methodist Men. The fellowship hall was awash in red, pink, and white, and the smiles on every face made getting to the church on this inclement night well worth the effort!

Decorations were arranged this morning by Dean Diers, Bob Edgar, Don & Mary Nelson, and Bonita Ziegler. Thanks also to Caffé Firenze for catering tonight's dinner.  

A Winter's Saturday Morning

Eight turned out on a wintry morning for the monthly gathering of the UMW's Saturday Morning Circle.

The Saturday Circle is engaged in the UMW's Four Areas of Focus: Criminalization of Communities of Color, Economic Inequality, Climate Justice, and Maternal and Child Health.

*Criminalization of Communities of Color: No discussion this month.
*Climate Justice: We'll be promoting the recycling efforts at SUMC leading up to Earth Day (April 22). joey will collect the plastic this month and Lisa M. will take items in March.
*Economic Inequality: Carole Koval has been taking donations from the church to the Pantry Partners. March's collection will invite church members to "think green for spring" (foods with a decidedly green theme!
*Maternal and Child Health: Dusty and Pastor Charles took the school donations to Lone Rock & Stevi Elementary schools. We secured a large assortment of face tissue boxes to take to both schools this month. We'll have a display in the library area to ask for donations to collect more boxes.

Our next meeting will be on the third Saturday next month, March 17 @ 9:30 am.   

Faith formation during the Season of Lent

Opportunities to grow in faith during Lent

Sunday, 10:00 am - Invitation to Genesis

Monday, 9:30 am - Drop-in Bible Study at The Living Center (3rd floor)

Wednesday, 10:00 am - Invitation to Genesis

Friday, 10:00 am - Drop-in Bible Study at Doris Taylor's home. 

UMW Reading Program - browse through the display table in our library for some of the selections from this dynamic program.

Sunday's scripture lessons - Each Monday morning, the scripture lessons which will be used in the following week's worship are posted.

Sanctuary In Lent - these devotional booklets were presented to each church member's family.

Worship on Wednesday - Join us on the third Wednesday of each month (6 pm) at The Living Center (2nd floor chapel) for music from Sunrise, a devotional, and communion.  

Worship on Wednesday also meets on the first Wednesday of each month (6 pm) at the church for a soup supper, devotional, and communion.
 

Lent at Stevi UMC

The prayer room, off the sanctuary, has a station set up with ashes and anointing oil for your use during the Lenten season.

Join the Mountain Movers!

“Because you have little faith,” he said. “I assure you that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Go from here to there,’ and it will go. There will be nothing that you can’t do.”
– Matthew 17:20

Greetings Friends! The Mountain Sky Area is doing a new thing this spring… gathering regionally for united learning, faith formation and connection. We are excited to bring laity and clergy from fifteen locations across Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming together to participate in this opportunity to explore HOW we, as an area, will actually develop the Beloved Community we’ve been envisioning. Together, we seek to become MOUNTAIN MOVERS: Cultivating Beloved Community.

We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker Christian Peele, who is Executive Minister of Institutional Advancement at The Riverside Church in New York City. She works with an incredible team that’s thinking creatively about the meaning (and purpose) of Christian stewardship. We will also experience a powerful worship time lead by our own Bishop Karen Oliveto.

Congregations are encouraged to bring lots of folks as there will be intentional opportunities for smaller group time focused on identifying the mountain God is calling your community to move. Today more than ever we need a bold faith that sends us into our communities as living examples of the good news. Plan to join this important one day event.

Read more at this link. 

Our location: 
Grace UMC
1756 10th St West
Missoula, MT 59801

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Ash Wednesday supper and service

The community began the Lenten journey tonight, fortified with a hearty soup supper and the reminders of God's love at work within us during our Ash Wednesday service.

Thanks to Dean Diers, Julie Ludington, and Phyllis Redman for preparing tonight's soup supper.