We are excited to announce that Elliot White joined our family of faith by transfer of her membership this past Sunday! Next time you see Elliot, be sure to give her a warm First UMC welcome!

You’ve likely seen the note from Pastor Cindy Robertson Riedel that she is receiving a new appointment this summer. We were pleased, this week, to announce that Pastor Corey Shirey will follow her as our associate pastor, as of July 1. Our Staff Parish Relations Committee will be planning a special celebration for Pastor Cindy, honoring her six years of service among us at Stillwater First UMC. We don’t have all the details yet, but you can expect it to be on the afternoon or evening of June 15, her last day on staff with us.

I also wanted to offer an update on our Holy Week plans for 2025. Next Sunday, April 13, is Palm Sunday. Our children will lead us in the celebration and palm processional. We’ll be concluding our Lenten sermon series, “Believe Like Jesus.” This is our entry to Holy Week.

On Maundy Thursday, April 17, we’ll worship in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm. Communion will be a central part of this service as we remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples in the upper room. On Good Friday, April 18, we’ll gather for lunch in the Social Hall. Lunch will be served, starting at 12:00 pm. Our Good Friday observance will begin at 12:15 pm. We are sharing this observance with the other United Methodist congregations that have been on the Lenten journey with us. Our Easter Egg-stravaganza will be held on Saturday, April 19, starting at 10:00 am in our west parking lot, next to the Early Childhood Center.

On Easter morning, we’ll begin with a sunrise service, 6:45 am, at the Oak Park Retreat Center (805 E. Kirk in Perkins, OK – next to Eden Chapel UMC). This is a cooperative service with our neighboring United Methodist congregations. The rest of our worship schedule will feel familiar on Easter morning – 8:30 in the Sanctuary, 10:00 in the Family Life Center, 11:10 in the Sanctuary.

This is always such a special time of the year for both self-examination and celebration. I hope you’ll join us for these special opportunities to mark the highlight of our faith when life claims victory over death and hope rises from the depths of despair.

Lenten blessings, Pastor Charla

Bishop Medardo Vedia, Bishop of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en Bolivia, will visit Stillwater on this Sunday, April 6, 2025, and will speak at all 3 services,

The Bishop, along with church official Froilan Quisbert, will also be available during a reception at 4pm in the church Social Hall where they will share experiences with Oklahoma Methodists and the history of the Oklahoma-Bolivia connection. You will have an opportunity to personally meet Bishop Medardo and learn about the opportunities and needs of our Bolivian brothers and sisters in Christ. If you plan to attend the reception, please CLICK HERE to make an RSVP!

Let's learn more about our deep connection and explore opportunities for future mission projects with our Bolivian brothers and sisters. This relationship has been important to both the US churches and the Bolivian church for 40 years. The COVID pandemic interrupted opportunities to travel, but we can now resume sending much needed mission teams to assist in their ministries.

Stillwater First UMC will be sending a construction team to Bolivia, May 13-23, to help complete a new chapel in the town of San Pedro, district of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Your prayers and support are important to our team that will represent Stillwater First.

April 17 - Maundy Thursday Worship
 7:00PM - Join us for our Maundy Thursday Worship (with communion) in the Sanctuary

April 18 – Good Friday Observance
12:10PM - Join us for our Good Friday observance and lunch in the Social Halll

April 19 – Easter Egg-stravaganza
10:00AM - Annual Easter egg hunt, games, and more in our northwest parking lot (next to the ECC)

April 20 - Easter Worship
6:45AM - Easter Sunrise Worship, Oak Park Retreat Center (805 E. Kirk, Perkins, OK)
8:30AM - Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
10:00AM - Modern Worship, Family Life Center
11:10AM - Traditional worship, Sanctuary

Would you like a care package sent to your college student in time for finals week?  The Youth want to let them know they are being thought of and prayed for during the most stressful week of their year!  Register your college student by Saturday, April 19th, by clicking HERE.  An option to receive only a card, is also available.  

If you have questions, please contact our Director of Youth Ministries, Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

Come one, come all for this community-wide celebration on April 19th, from 10am-12pm! This year we will have inflatable games, face painting, kona ice and popcorn, and of course tons of fun! If anyone would like to be the Easter Bunny or assist with face painting, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org

Saturday, April 12, 4-7pm
Sunday, April 13, 4:30-7:30pm

Thanks to Troop 818 for providing this service to many who will be looking for a place to park their cars during these four days of concerts. Please be aware of their usage of the lots if you are planning to be at church during these times.

The General Board of Higher Education & Ministry is excited to announce our GBHEM Scholarship Program is accepting applications through April 7, which is an extended deadline. Their goal is to help United Methodist students pursue their educational dreams by avoiding excessive educational loan debt and minimizing financial stress. If you’re an active member of The United Methodist Church and you’re seeking financial assistance to help pay for your education - any kind of education, you are encouraged to apply!
CLICK HERE for more information to apply.

You may purchase an Easter Lily in honor or in memory of a loved one. The cost per lily is $20.00.  All forms need to be turned in no later than Sunday, April 13th.

REGISTER NOW! $20 Early bird discount is through April 15.
 
CHILDREN
June 16-18:  Growin' In Grace, EGNG1  (for kids entering 3-5th grade in Fall ’25)
@Camp Egan, Tahlequah, OK  

June 16-20: 5th and 6th Grade Camp, EGNX1 (for kids entering 5th & 6th grade in Fall ’25)
@Camp Egan, Tahlequah, OK  
 
YOUTH
June 16-20:  Crosspoint Youth Camp, XPH1  (for youth currently in 6 – 12th grade)
@ Cross Point on Lake Texoma, Kingston, OK  

For more information, contact Director of Children’s Ministries Irene Upson at iupson@fumcstw.org, or Director of Youth Ministries Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

Total raised so far: $$5,103.00

Throughout the season of Lent, we are raising funds for Rise Against Hunger, along with our sister UMC congregations: Eden Chapel, Highland Park, Lost Creek, Perkins First. During the season of Lent, it is traditional for Christians to make a sacrifice...maybe that favorite cup of coffee, Sonic drink, entertainment outing, one meal a week, etc. The money saved can be donated to the Rise Against Hunger Lenten project. Our community goal is to raise $10,000 by Easter Sunday. These funds will then be used for a meal packaging event in May. We aim to package over 24,000 meals that will be sent around the world where food is scarce.