Friends, it appears we are in for a significant winter storm this weekend. Every activity scheduled this Sunday has been canceled or postponed. I am hopeful we can gather for a very simple, in-person worship service at 11:00 am in the sanctuary. This service will include some hymns (familiar enough that we can sing without accompaniment), an offering, the scripture reading and the sermon. I’ve pre-recorded the sermon for our livestream, available at 8:30 am, as it usually is. If you were planning to bring your offering on Sunday morning, here is a link to our online giving portal.

We will decide about whether we can meet in person for the 11:00 am Sunday morning worship service by 8:00pm on Saturday night. Once the decision has been made, we’ll communicate in the following ways: our website homepage, our Facebook page, our Instagram page, and an email blast to our list. We’ll also leave an update on the church phone message, so you can call the office to find out whether we will meet in person on Sunday morning for worship.

I want us to gather for worship on Sunday morning, if it is at all safe to do so. We do have a plan for clearing the sidewalks and parking lots. The temps will be brutally cold, so we’ll have to evaluate whether it is safe to have people exposed to the cold to do this clearing. I trust that each person and each household will make the best and safest decision for you.

The decision to only have one worship service on Sunday morning is intended to alleviate the weight of choosing for our staff and leaders. The level of risk to health and safety identified by the National Weather Service predictions is significant. It is important that we gather if it is safe to do so. It is also important that we honor the requests of public officials to remain at home, if possible. Please stay tuned to our communication channels for the decision we’ll make by 8:00pm Saturday evening regarding the 11:00 am worship service this Sunday.

Faithfully,
Pastor Charla

We celebrate that on Sunday, January 11, Joy joined our family of faith and became an official member of the church! Make sure to give her a warm First UMC welcome next time you see her.

We also celebrate that last Sunday, January 18, Max became an affiliate member of our church. Max is an OSU student and wanted to belong with us during his years in Stillwater while still maintaining membership in his home church. Please welcome Max the next time you see him!

Inviting all 3rd graders (and any new 4th & 5th graders) to take part in our Children's Bible Sunday, February 8, and Bible study sessions. We will encourage your child's faith journey with a Bible gifted from our church. Our Bible study sessions will cover how to use and explore their new Bibles. All sessions will take place during the Sunday School hour this spring.  We can't wait to celebrate this milestone in the United Methodist church with you! Please contact Irene Upson by CLICKING HERE.

Momentum Youth’s 8th Annual Chili Cook-off is February 22, 5:00-7:00pm.  $2 a person at the door gets you a full chili dinner, as well as an opportunity to taste the entries! Enter YOUR favorite chili by CLICKING HERE or contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

Put on your dancing shoes and join us for a fun-filled evening of fellowship on January 30! Trish Ranson will guide us through a variety of folk and country dances. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome - non-dancers are welcome to come and enjoy watching too! A pizza dinner will be served beginning at 5:30pm, followed by dancing from 6:00–7:00pm.

Our Closer Walk worship service needs your help to set up and tear down chairs. The set up time will be Sunday mornings, 9:00-9:30 am. If you could help once a month setting up chairs in the multi-purpose room, then return the chairs to their storage location after the worship service is over, please let Pastor Charla know. CLICK HERE to let her know you’d like to help. The goal is to have teams serving on a once-a-month rotation. Thanks for stepping forward to help.

Leadership training for those stepping into leadership roles will be offered on Jan. 31 at Lost Creek UMC. Sponsored by the North Central District, anyone is welcome to attend. There are training sessions for serving on the Finance Committee, the Trustees, Staff Parish Relations Committee. A time to meet and visit with our District Superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, will also be offered. There is no charge for this training and lunch is provided.
CLICK HERE to register. Registration deadline is Monday, January 25.

Do you know the blessing of a warm shower, a clean towel, and clean clothes?  We might take this blessing for granted. Now, imagine how it feels when someone that does not have access to a shower tell you that you are a blessing to him. He thanks you and tells you multiple times how much he appreciates having a shower this week. The blessing is ours because we are able to offer this ministry at FUMC. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Our Shower Ministry provides weekly showers to individuals in our community that do not have access to regular showers. We need your support in this winter season to restock our supplies, particularly for the clothing items we give each shower guest. CLICK HERE to respond and let us know how you can help.