First, thank you to everyone who responded to my request for sermon feedback. If you haven’t given me your feedback, please use this link to fill out a short survey. As of Thursday, I’d received 120 responses! The top vote getter, by far, when I asked you about what  is most helpful to you in a sermon: challenge toward practical action. The next two were very close – explanation of the scripture passage and relevant topics.

When I asked you about topics that speak to you, the list topper was: challenges of forgiveness. That has been the case every time I’ve run a survey like this. So, you can expect a series on this coming soon! You also lifted up the topics: having hard conversations and dealing with difficult people. Sounds like how we navigate our relationships and our place in the world are deeply felt needs.

I’m really looking forward to sharing sermons that both challenge and affirm us as we seek to live more faithfully like Jesus. May the investment you’ve made by sharing your thoughts pay dividends in helping us grow our faith and hope.

Second, please receive my greetings for a Happy Mother’s Day! The sermon I’m preparing for Sunday isn’t about Mother’s Day, but I certainly do wish all the mothers a happy day. Each year, I’m reminded by those who have mixed emotions about this day of celebration how hard it can be for some. They tell me they don’t want to take away from others’ celebrations, but it is hard for them to be reminded of an experience of pain and/or loss. Whatever this day holds for you, I pray God’s blessing will accompany you.

Standing with you in the need of grace,
Pastor Charla

The Stillwater Chamber Singers are celebrating their 40th Anniversary and want to thank FUMC Stillwater for being an amazing host for the last two decades! To thank the church, we are holding our 40th Anniversary Concert here in the sanctuary on May 11 at 2:30pm and would love to have you attend. All past directors will be here as well as many alumni of the group. There will be a wide variety of music including a brand-new piece written for the choir’s anniversary celebration.

          FUMC has been home for the group to rehearse in return for the chance to host one or more concerts each year. Retired FUMC Director of Music and Worship, Ed Davis, has been the liaison for the group since they began rehearsing here and, along with all members of the Chamber Singers, is very appreciative of the support the church has always provided for the arts in worship and the community.  We hope to see you here in our beautiful church home at the concert and for years to come!

The Children’s Weekend Food Sack program is finishing up the 2024/25 school year.  We have been blessed to have a wonderful group of volunteers this year - they have helped us at our monthly food sacking events, delivered food sacks weekly to the Stillwater schools, and also offered much needed financial support.

Karen Hinton, Nancy Allford, and Linda Blum have worked to make sure that every child that needed a supplemental weekend food sack was able to get one, and this school year we will have delivered 21,200 food sacks!

During the summer we will continue to work on securing funding so that this much needed program can continue. We are always in need of donations as we prepare for the 2025/26 school year starting in August. Donations can be made to FUMC with "Weekend Food Sacks" written in the note/memo area. 

We come to the Lord’s Table on the first Sunday of every month. Would you be willing to serve Communion to our congregation this spring? Pastor Charla is looking for servers on July 6, Aug 3 and Sept 7.

If you would like to be a Communion Server, fill out the sign-up form by CLICKING HERE. You can also send her an email at: cgwartney@fumcstw.org, sign-up on our church app (DOWNLOAD HERE), or call the church office. Once the schedule has been set for the next three months, she’ll send it out to everyone. Thanks for being willing to serve!

The United Women in Faith Book Club will meet at 1pm, Friday, May 16 at Empire Pizza. The book for review and discussion is "The Women" by Kristin Hannah. The book for June will be "Before We Were Yours."

Get ready to dive into a world of books! We’re excited about our Scholastic Book Fair, happening right here at Stillwater First UMC (in the Tower Room area). Join us Sunday, May 11th, from 8:00am to 12:00pm for a chance to explore a wide variety of books for every reader—young and old! Whether you’re looking for your next great adventure, a fun picture book, or something to spark curiosity, there’s something for everyone. Come support our school and help grow our love for reading - we can’t wait to see you there!

Get excited! It's time to get ready for Vacation Bible School - July 6th-9th!
The theme this year is: Peace, Love, and Plants: Growing in God's Grace
All the nature, all the fun!
To register kids and/or to volunteer, CLICK HERE

Special thanks to Mike Ridgway and family for the recent donation of organ music and a hymnal collection inherited from his mother!  Alycen Ridgway Yoder was a piano teacher, accompanist and organist for Alva FUMC for over sixty years. Her music collection is a welcome addition to our library.

Thank you also to Eileen Nelson for her recent donation to the organ and piano music library here!  Eileen's sister, Karen, was a talented musician and it pleases the family to be able to bequeath her music to our FUMC music library.

Our Early Childhood Center has officially opened enrollment for both their summer program and the 2025-26 school year! If you are interested in enrolling your child, or even sponsoring a child for a family in need of assistance, please visit their new website:
www.stillwaterecc.com