On Sunday, I’ll be addressing the glittering vice, lust. While we might think that lust is about illicit sex, that would miss the point entirely. Lust is about treating other human beings as if they are objects given for our gratification. The list of the ways we objectify others is endless. Obviously destructive for others, it is also destructive to us. On Sunday, the sermon will attempt to reveal how this vice takes a hold of us in our relationships -- and spiritual practices that can restore our relationships.

The topic is sensitive, especially considering how many people have experienced harm when this vice has gotten a hold of someone else. This is a sermon where you might need a heads up so I wanted to reach out with this note. There will not be any language or descriptions that would be inappropriate for children. The conversation will be about what we long for in relationships with others and how we can honestly meet those needs for each other. If, after the sermon, you’d like to discuss this more, you are welcome to reach out to me with an email or a phone call.

I’m really looking forward to this Sunday’s sermon. I’ve had to consider the ways that I objectify other people or people groups, convincing myself that their worth is tied to what they can do for me. It has been an honest look into my own soul. I hope you will join us on Sunday, either in person or online, as we listen to the powerful caution Jesus gives us, a warning to cut this harm out of our lives.

May the peace of Christ be yours today,
Pastor Charla

Dear Stillwater First friends, I wanted to bring you this update after the first month of the year. We ended January with a deficit of almost $30,000, revenue to expense. If that sounds concerning to you, you are reading correctly. Let me offer some context. We expected a deficit of around $7,000. A large portion of our income is received in November and December. It was that way in 2025, bringing us to a $74,000 surplus at the end of last year. We had set aside at least $40,000 of this surplus to fund our income shortfall in the first six months of the year. To see such a sharp shortfall in January, however, is concerning.

We did miss meeting for worship on the last Sunday of January due to snow. If you intended to give your tithe in January and were not able to do so because we didn’t meet on January 25, I hope you will make that gift now that we are in February. To offer a bigger picture, our monthly revenue does swing by as much as $25,000 month to month. It could be that January was just an off month and February will show a rebound. I am hopeful that the conversations we had in our stewardship season last fall, Living a Life of Love, will keep our focus on the horizon of what God is preparing for us this year.

I want to thank Daniel Guthrie and our business office for working so hard to close out 2025 on time, delivering giving statements delivered to everyone for filing their taxes. I also want to thank our finance committee for vigorous and healthy discussions at our January Finance Committee meeting. If you have more questions about our financial position, expenditures or income, I’d be glad to visit more about that. You are welcome to reach out to me via email or Daniel Guthrie, our Business Administrator, via email.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charla

We are hosting a blood drive on February 8 in our Family Life Center from 8:30am-12:30pm. Please consider donating as many blood drives had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions across the state! To sign up, please CLICK HERE (walk-ins are welcome, too)

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate our children receiving their Bibles during worship! Join with us in prayer that these Bibles help to guide them in their journey with Christ and beyond.

On Tuesday, February 17, from 5pm-7pm, join us in the Social Hall for a delicious evening of food and fellowship at our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner! Before we begin the season of Lent, let’s gather as a church family for a time-honored tradition - fluffy pancakes, warm syrup, and great company. Bring your appetite and invite a friend! Donations are welcome and all proceeds will go toward our Lenten offering. Come hungry, leave happy, and start Lent with a full heart (and stomach.) See you there!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty-day season that prepares us for Easter. It's a day that invites us to slow down, do some self-examination, and remember who we belong to: God. In this service, we will receive the imposition of ashes and hear the words "from dust you came and to dust you shall return”, reminding us of both our mortality and our deep need for God’s grace.

We invite you to join us for our Ash Wednesday service on February 18th at 12:10pm or 7:00pm. The 7:00 pm service will be livestreamed. Please come at the time that works best for you. Children are welcome at both services. At the 7:00 pm service, the children will help us prepare the ashes. Whether this is familiar or completely new, Ash Wednesday is a grounded and meaningful way to step into the season of Lent together.

There will be a new women's Bible study starting Tuesday, February 10, at 9:30am. It will last for 7 weeks. The title of the book for the study is Imagine Life God's Way by John Ortberg. It will focus on studying Jesus' parables. It is not necessary to purchase the book to participate in the study.

Please contact Velda Lorenz if you have any questions @ 405.269.8287

The Church Technology Assistant supports weekly worship services by working alongside the Technology Director to ensure smooth, high-quality technical production for both in-person and online worship experiences. This role is hands-on and service-focused, involving preparation during the week and active participation on Sunday mornings. When the Technology Director is unavailable, the Church Technology Assistant will also help lead and coordinate Sunday tech volunteers.

Prior experience with ProPresenter and Planning Center is strongly preferred. Familiarity with PowerPoint, Digital Soundboards, PTZ cameras, OBS, Blackmagic ATEM systems, Vista lighting software, and both hymns and modern worship songs are all a plus but not required. This is a paid, part-time position, on-site training will be offered.

Please visit our website for more information:
https://fumcstw.org/jobs

We started the month off strong with a busy Saturday shopping day, and we’re thrilled to share that beginning in 2026, Hope House will offer a second shopping day each month to better accommodate our foster families. Several families were able to take advantage of this month’s event, and we’re grateful for every opportunity to serve them. CLICK HERE to visit our Amazon Wish List, which is up to date and will continue to be an easy way for supporters to help us gather much‑needed donations.

Our Birthday Bag program has already been utilized several times this month, and we’re excited to be preparing for an adoption celebration basket coming in February. Thank you to our church family, our community, and all our Hope House friends who continue to support this amazing mission. Your generosity makes every bit of this possible!