Last Sunday, Thomas White received his infant baptism, and his parents, Rachel and Caleb, joined the church in membership during our 8:30am service! Join us in celebrating this family and praying for Thomas's life-long journey with Christ!

Last Sunday was also filled with joy as Tammy Collins joined our family of faith at the 11:10am service - be sure to give her a warm welcome next time you see her!

We also celebrated as Billie McCoy joined our family of faith at the 11:10am service! Let us all give her a warm welcome next time you see her as well! 

During our Lenten season, you may purchase an Easter Lily in honor or in memory of a loved one. You will find the order form inside a church bulletin along with an envelope for payment. Your purchase will go towards Missions. You may also choose to give to the FUMC Foundation. Please indicate this on the memo line of your check. Order forms are due by Sunday, March 29th.

March was another wonderfully busy month of serving our foster families. We welcomed 16 families on Saturday and 8 families on Monday, including three visiting Hope House for the very first time.

Over the next few weeks, our volunteers will be hard at work transitioning all of our winter clothing to summer clothing. There’s always a bit of magic that happens behind the scenes as we prepare for our April shopping days, and we’re grateful for every helping hand that makes it possible.

To continue meeting the needs of our foster families each month, Hope House is always thankful for donations of gently used clothing in sizes newborn through teen. Our Amazon Wish List is kept up to date with our current needs and remains an easy way for supporters to give, you can visit that by CLICKING HERE.

A heartfelt thank‑you to the volunteers who show up week after week, and to our church family and community whose generosity sustains this mission. We appreciate you more than words can say.

Hop on over for a morning of Easter fun! Join us Saturday, 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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Center Church 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.