03.13.26

What's New?

Worship on Sunday, March 08

Lenten Series: Why Did Jesus have to Die?
Sermon: Passover, Covenant, and Redemption
Scriptures: 
Exodus 12:21-28
Mark 10:44-45
Luke 22:14-20
Speakers:
Rev. Corey Shirey - 8:30am & 11:10am
Rev. Charla Gwartney - 10:00am

Baptism - Martin Asare

Last Sunday, Martin received his Christian baptism AND joined our church! Make sure to tell him congratulations on his life changing decision to follow Christ next time you see him!

New Members - Carl & Linda Clapp

Last Sunday we also celebrated that Carl and Linda Clapp officially joined our family of faith here at Stillwater FUMC! Make sure to give them a warm welcome next time you see them!

Dot Turman's Inurnment

We will celebrate Dot's incredible life and place her ashes (along with her husband, E.J.'s ashes) in our columbarium on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm. You are welcome to join Dot's family for this short service.

Easter Eggstravaganza

Hop on over for a morning of Easter fun! Join us April 4th from 10:00am-12:00pm for our exciting Eggstravaganza featuring the Easter Bunny, thrilling egg hunts, tasty snow cones, and lots of games for everyone to enjoy. Bring your friends, bring your baskets, and get ready for a morning full of smiles and fun!

If it rains that morning, we will celebrate in our Family life Center, otherwise we will be outside in our north parking lot.

Save-the-Date for VBS!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at our 2026 Vacation Bible School: Epic Quest!
Children will set out on a fun-filled journey of faith, friendship, and discovery as we explore God’s word through exciting activities, music, games, and crafts.

Mark your calendars for June 28-July 1 and plan to volunteer! More details and registration information coming soon. Stay tuned!

Communion Server & Lay Reader Recruitment

Pastor Charla is recruiting worship assistants for the second quarter of 2026 (April, May & June.) Specifically, she is seeking Lay Readers who assist by leading from the front -- and Communion Servers, offering the elements of bread and juice to the congregation. If you would like to step forward as a Lay Reader, please fill out this form. If you would like to step forward as a Communion Server, please fill out this form. Thank you for your willingness to serve! If you have questions, please reach out to Pastor Charla, cgwartney@fumcstw.org.

Spiritual Formation Retreat, April 17-19

In ancient Israel, the heart was not just a physical organ but the center of human emotion, thought, will, and moral character. It was considered the seat of wisdom and understanding. A person’s heart was integral to the inner life, encompassing feelings, desires, intellect, and decision-making processes. Because the heart controlled who, what, and how one loved, it was crucial in determining one's relationship with God and others.

For these days of retreat in April, we’ll return to the heart as the place where change becomes possible. Our retreat will be held at Camp Egan, a beautiful location along the Baron Fork Creek, east of Tahlequah, OK on Hwy 62. We’ll be staying in the lodge which has hotel style room accommodations and a large gathering area in the entry way. The camp staff will serve us four meals during our stay: breakfast on Saturday through breakfast on Sunday. You are welcome to eat your Friday evening meal on the way to camp. You may also reserve a sack supper to eat upon arrival at no additional charge. Retreatants must be 18 years or older.

Reserve your spot with this registration form.

Cost:
$125 double occupancy
$250 single occupancy


Our retreat time will include a nice mix of time together and time in solitude. We’ll have three teaching sessions with our retreat leader, Dr. Escamilla and three worship services led by Pastor Charla and Dr. Escamilla together.

This retreat is designed as an intentional time away to pay attention to God’s voice in your life. “Come away to a quiet place and rest . . .” Mark 6:31

Lent Offering 2026 – Rise Against Hunger

Throughout the season of Lent, we are once again partnering with other United Methodist Congregations to support "Rise Against Hunger." This global ministry works to end hunger by providing nutritious meals and sustainable food solutions to communities facing food insecurity around the world.

Lent invites us into prayer, fasting, and generosity. As you consider what sacrifice you might make during this season (like that daily coffee, a weekly meal out, that streaming subscription you keep forgetting about, or some other small sacrifice) we encourage you to use those funds to support this life-changing mission.

Our community goal is to raise $10,000 by Easter Sunday. These gifts will fund our May 3rd meal packaging event: 21,000 meals to be shared with communities around the world facing food insecurity. Let us meet this need together!

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday, March 29 -- our children will lead us with a palm processional at each service. We'll receive Holy Communion together. As we enter Holy Week, we'll remember that the Last Supper led to Gethsemane, a long night of prayer and betrayal, and the cross.

Maundy Thursday, April 2 -- come as you can between Noon and 2:00 pm. Prayer stations will be set up around the Sanctuary. You'll receive a pamphlet/guide when you arrive and can engage the prayer stations at your own pace. Holy Communion will be served when you are ready to receive.

Good Friday, April 3 -- come for worship in the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm. Our choir will provide special music for this special observance and we'll focus on devotions from the cross. As the service concludes, we'll strip the altar as the lights dim and we'll end in silence.

Holy Saturday, April 4 -- it is time for Easter Eggstravaganza, 10am to Noon, on our north parking lot. There will be Easter Egg hunts, the Easter bunny, and plenty of fun for all.

Easter Sunrise @ Block 34, April 5 -- we are partnering with First Baptist Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for a sunrise service at Block 34, 7:00 am on Easter morning. You are invited to join this community-wide worship service.

Easter Worship, April 5 -- we'll celebrate the resurrection with three worship services following our usual Sunday morning schedule: 8:30, 10:00 and 11:10 am.

Easter Monday, April 6 -- your staff takes a much needed rest. The office is closed as we make room for the beautiful exhale of Sabbath after such a powerful week.

Lay Servant Training Info

The North Central District Lay Servant training is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at Tonkawa First UMC. There is no cost for the training, but participants are asked to purchase books assigned for their training class and read them ahead of the training date.

Rev. Leon Veazey will be teaching the basic course
Rev. Joey Simpson will be teaching the preaching/speaking course
Rev. Michael Carpenter will be teaching a course on his book, "We Believe: How the Nicene Creed Can Deepen Your Faith"

Use this link for more information.
Use this link to register.

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