We are hosting a community blood drive this Sunday! If you are interested in making an appointment, please visit www.obi.org. Walk ups also welcome.

We are excited to announce that Nathan Elliott started as our new Facility Manager this week. He jumped right in on his first day, overseeing projects underway and facilitating some new projects around our buildings. Nathan will be onsite Monday - Friday. When you see him, please offer him a warm Stillwater First UMC welcome!

Join us for Promotion Sunday -- August 16 -- as we celebrate a new year of learning and growth for all ages! During all three worship services, we will bless the backpacks. Anyone who takes part in educating or being educated, bring an item you carry each day (backpack, bag, keys, etc.)  We'll invite you to bring this forward for a blessing and send you forth with a special gift as a blessing reminder.

All students and parents (Pre-K-12) are invited to breakfast on August 16: 9:45am in the north end of the Social Hall. Parents will have an opportunity to complete registration paperwork and ask questions. At 10am, we will sendevery age group to their new Sunday School classes, from preschool through youth.

We'll wrap up the day with Jump Time at Ultimate Air from 4:00pm - 6:00pm, dinner provided.
Parents of preschool through 5th-grade children are asked to stay during the event. 
Parents of youth are invited to meet briefly with Pastor Corey at drop-off before returning to pick up their students at 6:00pm. 

All jumpers must have waivers completed before they can jump. Complete this waiver ahead of time by CLICKING HERE or bring a paper copy. (Irene and Corey will have these in Children's and Youth's spaces.) Please email Pastor Corey at cshirey@fumcstw.org or Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org with any questions you may have.  We are excited to start our new school year with your family!

Our musical ensembles return! Whether you are a lifelong singer, an aspiring bell ringer, or looking for a wonderful community for your children, there is a place for you to make music with us.

Here is everything you need to know about our upcoming ensemble schedules and kick-off events:

Revelation (Youth Choir)
Open to 5th graders through early college. We are kicking off the season with a special Revelation Retreat! Friday, August 14 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm (dinner is included.) Saturday, August 15 - 9:30am - 1:00pm. We will then meet back up at 4:00pm for an afternoon of bowling. This retreat will launch our regular rehearsal schedule.

Regular Schedule: Sundays from 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: The Music Suite

Jubilee Ringers
We have exciting news for our handbell ministry: Jubilee Ringers will now include youth bell ringers!
Start Date: Wednesday, August 19
Regular Schedule: Wednesdays from 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Room 108

Children's Choir
Our youngest singers are getting ready to start a fantastic new year of music!
Launch Date: Sunday, August 23
Regular Schedule: Sundays from 9:30am – 10:00am
Location: The Music Suite

Adult Choir
Our Adult Choir is officially back in session, and we are always accepting new members! Join us at any time during the year.
Regular Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30pm - 8:00pm

We cannot wait to make music together this year! If you have any questions, please contact Keegan Rose at krose@fumcstw.org

This special small group experience for college students will start back up on Sunday, August 16. We meet at the back of the sanctuary after late service is finished to decide where we will go to eat. All college students are invited and welcome! 

The next "Young Professionals" gathering will be at Hideaway on Tuesday, August 11th at 7pm. If you are a young adult (under 35ish) and do not consider your primary occupation to be "student," this group just might be for you.

We can't wait for the butterfly reveal at our Annex building (on the south side 8th Street, just behind the Family Life Center.) This is planned for Monday, August 10 at 5:15pm.
All are welcome to join and celebrate with us!

For more information about the butterfly statue CLICK HERE

The Mission Committee will meet in the Annex on Monday, August 10 at 5:30pm.

After more than 50 years of faithful ministry, Rev. Richard Ayers is officially retiring from active pastoral service in the Oklahoma Methodist Conference! Richard began his ministry in 1974 as a youth pastor while attending Phillips Seminary in Enid. His decades of dedication have touched countless lives along the way. Join friends and family in celebrating this incredible milestone at a come-and-go reception:

Saturday, August 15
2:00 - 4:00pm
Yale United Methodist Church
108 South C Street, Yale, OK 74085

Enjoy punch, cake, and cookies as we honor Richard's years of faithful service! No gifts, please - cards are welcome if you'd like to share your congratulations and well wishes!

Last Thursday, Mrs. Irene, Pastor Corey, and several of our youth traveled down to OKC to volunteer at The Urban Mission. It was an awesome (and hot) day filled with fun, service, laughter, and some ice cream! 

We are looking for folks who have a heart and passion to serve our youth. There are lots of ways you can support this important ministry. Note: all youth volunteers must go through a background check and meet our volunteer guidelines. If you are interested in serving but have questions, reach out to Pastor Corey.
The button below will get you to the sign-up sheet.

This past Monday, two teams (East and West) from the United Methodist Men’s group delivered a total of 6,349 pounds of cast-off food supplied by the Walmart’s, Aldi, and Sprouts to Our Daily Bread to help feed food insecure folks in Stillwater and the Payne County area. The two teams struck up a friendly competition. So far, the weekly winner has seesawed back and forth between the teams, adding to the joy in serving humankind, meeting one of their basic needs.

We are saddened to announce the passing of long-time First UMC member, Deke Johnson. We are still awaiting details for his celebration of life service. We'll keep you updated once we get further details. Please keep Deke's family and friends in your prayers during this time.

August is right around the corner, and next Sunday, August 9, we are hosting a community blood drive! If you are interested in signing up, please visit www.obi.org

We are looking for folks who have a heart and passion to serve our youth. There are lots of ways you can support this important ministry. Note: all youth volunteers must go through a background check and meet our volunteer guidelines. If you are interested in serving but have questions, reach out to Pastor Corey.
The button below will get you to the sign-up sheet.

We can't wait for the butterfly reveal at our Annex building (on the south side 8th Street, just behind the Family LIfe Center.) This is planned for Monday, Aug. 10 at 5:15 pm. All are welcome to join us.

Please note, this changes the location of our Mission Committee meeting to follow. The Mission Committee will meet in the Annex on Monday, Aug. 10 at 5:30 pm.

Summer has been filled with faith, fun, and laughter! From silly choir moments and praying with popsicles to youth games and an incredible week at camp, our kids have made wonderful memories while growing in their faith. We're thankful for a joyful summer together and excited to kick off the new school year soon!

A group of dedicated volunteers from FUMC beat the heat by gathering to help Our Daily Bread guests with lots of water, breaks, and food, on July 28th. The volunteers received kitchen gadgets and Grinch gifts!

We serve the 4th Tuesday of every month, 2:45pm-6:00pm, and would always appreciate more help - even filling a partial shift is helpful!

Please contact Rose Van Orden if interested by CLICKING HERE

We have several staff updates to share with you this week! 

We welcomed Johnna Watkins as our Administrative Assistant on July 7. She's done an amazing job these last two weeks. She's a pro at answering the doorbell and the phone. She's learning more each day about the groups that use our building. She's learned how to produce our weekly worship bulletins and how to keep attendance in our church database. We're blessed to have Johnna join our staff. Be sure to say hello the next time your in the office on a weekday. She's working from 9:00am to 5:00pm with an hour for lunch, noon - 1:00 pm.

We will welcome Rose Bonjour as our Hospitality and Event Coordinator on Aug. 1. This is a new position, focused on creating a welcoming environment for our guests and coordinating our regular events on Sunday mornings & Wednesday evenings. Rose has been a long-time member of our congregation, serving several leadership roles as one of our Lay Leaders. She is an incredible asset to our staff team!

We will miss Christy Barnes as our nursery coordinator. Christy submitted her resignation with notice a few weeks ago and has helped us through the transition. Irene Upson, Children's Ministry Director, will be coordinating nursery workers as we seek to hire a new staff person in this role. If you know of someone who would be a good fit for this role, please have the reach out to Pastor Corey Shirey or Irene Upson.

As we continue growing in our friendship with God, our kids will be spending part of our Sunday School time in the Prayer Labyrinth and gazebo area on the south side of our main parking lot (weather permitting) THIS Sunday, July 26.

Drop-off will stay the same - either in the Tower Room or during the 10:00am Children's Blessing in the worship service. Please plan to pick up your child in the Prayer Labyrinth area by 11:00am.

We're looking forward to spending some time in nature together!

Our Nominations Committee will soon begin the work of recruiting our elected leadership for 2027. If you are interested in serving on Church Council, Finance Committee, Trustees, Missions Committee, Worship Committee, Staff Parish Relations Committee, or the Nominations Committee, please take a moment to fill out the response form below.

If you are already serving in a leadership position, expect an email from Pastor Charla requesting your response about where you would like to serve next year.

We covet your prayers for this important work. We'll begin this work in earnest during the month of August and hope to have our slate ready for approval in early September.

We are launching a special event for our guests and invite you to join us for our inaugural First Welcome on August 2, immediately following the last worship service. We will provide lunch and then take you on a tour of our facilities. You’ll get to know our congregation a bit better and get to know some of the other guests that join us each week. This event is free! We request the favor of a reply so we can plan for lunch. Please use the button below and let us know you will join us!

As we continue through summer, Hope House has wrapped up another busy month of serving our foster families. With the start of school just around the corner, we are especially grateful for donations of gently used clothing in sizes newborn through teen. Our Amazon Wish List also remains an easy way to support our mission from anywhere, helping us keep essential items stocked for the months ahead, you can check it out by CLICKING HERE

Thank you for your continued generosity - your kindness makes this work possible, and we truly could not do it without you!

When disaster strikes, have you ever wanted to rush in and help? This training is for you. The Oklahoma Annual Conference has asked our church to host Disaster Early Response Training (affectionately known as “DERT”) on Saturday, August 1. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be an asset in disaster recovery instead of a liability. We are blessed to host this training and expect United Methodists from across our state. If you would like to participate, use this link to register. Cost is $25 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. CLICK HERE to sign-up!

Look how much fun our students have! This picture was taken on Confirmation Day 2026. We are looking for folks who have a heart and passion to serve our youth. There are lots of ways you can support this important ministry. Note: all youth volunteers must go through a background check and meet our volunteer guidelines. If you are interested in serving but have questions, reach out to Pastor Corey. The button below will get you to the sign up sheet.

On Friday, August 17, at 2pm in our Sanctuary, we will be hosting the celebration of life service for long-time member Jim Smith. All are welcome to come, it will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. Please keep his friends and family in your prayers.

We are launching a special event for our guests and invite you to join us for our inaugural First Welcome on August 2, immediately following the last worship service. We will provide lunch and then take you on a tour of our facilities. You’ll get to know our congregation a bit better and get to know some of the other guests that join us each week. This event is free! We request the favor of a reply so we can plan for lunch. Please use the button below and let us know you will join us!

When disaster strikes, have you ever wanted to rush in and help? This training is for you. The Oklahoma Annual Conference has asked our church to host Disaster Early Response Training (affectionately known as “DERT”) on Saturday, August 1. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be an asset in disaster recovery instead of a liability. We are blessed to host this training and expect United Methodists from across our state. If you would like to participate, use this link to register. Cost is $25 and includes lunch and a t-shirt. CLICK HERE to sign-up!

Look how much fun our students have! This picture was taken on Confirmation Day 2026. We are looking for folks who have a heart and passion to serve our youth. There are lots of ways you can support this important ministry. Note: all youth volunteers must go through a background check and meet our volunteer guidelines. If you are interested in serving but have questions, reach out to Pastor Corey. The button below will get you to the sign up sheet.

This Sunday, our pastors will begin a new 3-week sermon series - a peek into a copper box buried as a time capsule in 1964. This box was placed in the foundation of our marquee sign on Duck Street as a memorial tribute to W.H. Wilcox. Judge Wilcox was a leader in our congregation for over 50 years during the first half of the 20th century. We’ll learn about some of the items recovered from the copper box and how they illuminate our life together today. What is the connection between our past and our future? This question will guide this sermon series and our look into the copper box. 

The Children’s Weekend Food Sack Program would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU to all those students and staff from the Vacation Bible School for their donation! Thank you for selecting this program as your bible school project, this will help feed and
provide a weekend food sack for many children when school starts. You all are a blessing to the many this donation will help!

We are looking forward to a new pictorial directory this fall. We'll be taking photos for this director on two Sundays, Aug. 30 and Sept. 13. If you enjoy taking photos and would be willing to help with this endeavor on one or both of these Sundays, please reach out to Pastor Charla by CLICKING HERE!

Let's welcome the Barnes family, our newest members. Jess & Tami joined on July 5, along with their youngest daughter, Vivian. Hadlee, their older daughter, joined with our 2025 Confirmation Class. We are thrilled to welcome them to our congregation!

We finished the first six months of 2026, our "stub" or transition to a new budget year, July 2026-June 2027. We started a new budget year as of July 1.

For June 2026, our expenses were $810 higher than our income. For the first six months of 2026, our income was $116,578 higher than expenses. According to our budget, contributions were $91,143 higher than expected and expenses were $26,140 lower than expected.

With deep appreciation for your generosity, we finished the first six months in a great position for the rest of the year. Thank you!

Look how much fun our students have! This picture was taken on Confirmation Day 2026. We are looking for folks who have a heart and passion to serve our youth. There are lots of ways you can support this important ministry. Note: all youth volunteers must go through a background check and meet our volunteer guidelines. If you are interested in serving but have questions, reach out to Pastor Corey. The button below will get you to the sign up sheet.

On Oct. 18, 1964, a copper box was stored away in the foundation of our sign on the southeast side of our building. This box contained mementos of Judge W.H. Wilcox, a strong leader in this congregation, our Annual Conference and the world-wide Methodist Church.

On July 19, our pastors will begin a new sermon series, examining some of the memorabilia discovered in "The Copper Box." This look back into our history will also illuminate who we are today. We'll celebrate Judge Wilcox's amazing leadership and consider his strong hold on power and influence. He shaped our congregation. We have lots to learn about him and through him, charting a course to our future.

We welcomed Johnna Watkins to our staff team this week as our Administrative Assistant. We’ll be adding her to our website soon, but wanted to introduce you to Johnna this week. Johnna grew up in a nearby town and has lived in Stillwater for 14 years. Having attended church her entire life, our position caught her attention because working in a church environment felt like coming home to her. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, crosswords, true crime shows/documentaries and taking long walks (to forget about the crazy people in the documentaries.) She’s always up for a road trip and it really doesn’t matter where. Johnna has been a big help already as a quick study and someone with a strong desire to serve. We’re blessed to have her!

This week, we received Gabe Lane’s resignation. We wish him well in his future endeavors! Pastors Corey and Charla met with our youth and parents on Wednesday evening to gain valuable feedback in our hiring process. We will seek to fill the full-time youth director position first, and then look toward the assistant director position. If you know of good candidates for the youth director position, please direct them to Pastor Corey. Prayers appreciated for our SPRC and our staff in this season of transition.

We are looking forward to a new pictorial directory this fall. We'll be taking photos for this director on two Sundays, Aug. 30 and Sept. 13. If you enjoy taking photos and would be willing to help with this endeavor on one or both of these Sundays, please reach out to Pastor Charla by CLICKING HERE!

On Monday, July 13, we will be closed for the installation of a new electrical panel in the sanctuary building. This is the second of two major infrastructure upgrades that need to happen this summer. Please note this office closure date on your calendar and thank you for your understanding.

In honor of Independence Day, we will gather as one church family in a single worship service at 10:30am on Sunday, July 5. If you are in town, join us for this special time of worship. We will celebrate our freedom as people of faith when we come to the Communion Table.

Our pastors are preparing a special message for the day and our choir has a beautiful anthem to share. After worship, we’ll head over to the Family Life Center for some ice cold watermelon

What an incredible 4 days at Epic Quest Vacation Bible School! More than 60 church family volunteers, ranging in age from 12 to 70+, came together to serve with joyful hearts. We were blessed to welcome 95 registered children, from nursery age through 5th grade, who learned, laughed, worshiped, and grew in faith throughout our time together.

We made a difference beyond our church by raising $851.24 for the Weekend Food Sack Program, helping provide food for children in our community. Epic Quest was truly a church-wide, church-family event, and it would not have been possible without the time, energy, generosity, and love of every volunteer, donor, parent, and participant.

Thank you for making it EPIC! We are grateful for each of you and thank God for an amazing week of faith, fellowship, and fun.

On Monday, July 13, we will be closed for the installation of a new electrical panel in the sanctuary building. This is the second of two major infrastructure upgrades that need to happen this summer. Please note this office closure date on your calendar and thank you for your understanding.

We are looking for our next Facilities Manager. If you know of someone with experience in managing contractors and vendors, as well as building maintenance staff, they might be just the right fit. This position requires the ability to be flexible with changing needs and requirements while remaining focused on a progress and efficiency. It is a salaried position, full-time, with health care benefits. Interested candidates should reach out to Daniel Guthrie by CLICKING HERE with a resume and cover letter.

Our children’s playground received a new bench and new picnic tables this week. We’ve been focused on improving this playground and appreciation the hard work of our Early Childhood Center to make it happen! We’ll be welcoming kids back to school very soon and are grateful to have these new editions.

We’re already halfway through the year, so it feels like the perfect time to share a few fun facts. Over the past six months, Hope House has given out around 150 packages of diapers and wipes, 350 pairs of pajamas, and 80 packages of socks. That’s a lot of love going out the door, and we know the need for these items will stay strong in the months ahead.
If you’d like to help, our Amazon Wish List is always updated with the things we’re running low on, CLICK HERE!

We also happily accept gently used pajamas and kids’ clothing from infant through teen sizes. Donations can be dropped off at First United Methodist Church, Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:00pm. Thank you for showing up for this ministry and for the families we serve. Your support truly makes a difference.

The history of our nation and the history of the Methodists in the United States are intertwined. You could say, we grew up together. In 1784, Methodists in the newly formed nation broke with their English founders in what was known as the, "Christmas Conference" which resulted in the Methodist Episcopal Church in America. Our histories intertwined: Methodists reflected the struggles of our nation. We split over slavery in 1844, forming the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South and did not reunite until 1939.

The General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church has produced an 8 episode series called, “From Crown to Conferencing,” to mark the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. The videos explain the nuances of what feels like a sibling relationship sometimes. Our church and our nation grew up in the same historical situation, experienced the same forming influences, and are forever connected. Yet, we are distinct from one another and continue to learn about ourselves through one another.

Dr. Ashley Boggan is the General Secretary for the Commission on Archives and History. She was our teacher at Annual Conference in May when Methodists from around Oklahoma gathered in OKC for our yearly meeting. Our lay leaders said her teaching was a highlight of the three days we spent together. Dr. Boggan is featured in several of these videos.

If you’d like to watch all 8 videos, CLICK HERE to check out the series on YouTube, and CLICK HERE to view Dr. Boggan's teaching.

May the blessings of independence and freedom continue to expand their reach, widening the circle of those who enjoy the expanse of love and grace.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now in full swing for our VBS, Epic Quest, happening on the evenings of June 28 - July 1. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget!

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

In honor of Independence Day, we will gather as one church family in a single worship service at 10:30am on Sunday, July 5. If you are in town, join us for this special time of worship. We will celebrate our freedom as people of faith when we come to the Communion Table.

Our pastors are preparing a special message for the day and our choir is working on special music. After worship, we’ll head over to the Family Life Center for refreshments and time to visit and connect.

Our office will be closed a for a few days in July. This next Friday, we will be closed on July 3rd in observance of the Independence Day holiday. On Monday, July 13, we will be closed for the installation of a new electrical panel in the sanctuary building. This is the second of two major infrastructure upgrades that need to happen this summer. Please note these dates on your calendar and thank you for your understanding.

We are looking for someone who can create an atmosphere of welcome and hospitality for our guests. Anyone with experience in coordinating events, food service and/or volunteers will be well suited to this position. This position's start date is August 1, 2026.

This position is half-time and requires onsite work, specifically requiring Sunday morning and Wednesday evening availability. We look forward to welcoming a new face to our program staff team. If you are interested, please contact our senior pastor, Rev. Charla Gwartney, by CLICKING HERE

To view the job description, please click the button below.

Announcing Methodism 101/Basic Lay Servant Training
August 8, 2026 | Stroud UMC | 9:00am - 5:00pm

Agenda for the Day:
8:30 - 9:00 Registration Open
9:00 Welcome - Presentations Begin
Rev. Michaela Smith (Moderator/Methodism 101 Presenter for the Day)
        Ministry of the Baptized - Rev. Dr. Tiffany Nagel Monroe
        Leading - Rev. Sharon Cochran and Jo Coverdell
        Caring - Rev. James "Buster" Hall
Lunch with Rev. Cindy Johnson and Kristen Harlin
       Communicating - Rev. Abigail Granderson
       Spiritual Gifts - Rev. Bill Foster
       Sharing our Story - Bethany Boyd and Certified Lay Speakers
       Into the World - Rev. Jessica Higgins

If you'd like to register, use the button below.
Cost includes purchase of the training book & lunch donation.
If you need financial assistance to attend, please reach out to Pastor Charla.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now in full swing for our VBS, Epic Quest, happening on the evenings of June 28 - July 1. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget!

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

Both camps have gone smoothly so far. Our campers are having fun, making friends, and enjoying camp life. We'll be back in Stillwater this Friday!

From Irene Upson, "Camp is different this year because I am leading art instead of leading a small group. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the girls in my cabin (one of whom got to be a part of Communion for the first time tonight and got to talk about that together!)."

From Ashlie Sebert, "I am really enjoying my small group. It is an easy crew and we have a leader in training that is very helpful!"

From Rachel Weaver, "I am really loving how everyone is supporting everyone! I am seeing kids taking care of kids and adult taking care of adults. Everyone is caring for one another."

From Aubrey Weaver, "I really loved helping with arts and crafts and also loved being able to sit and watch the kids be kids."

From Pastor Corey, "Where do I even start? I needed this camp experience. I needed to be reminded of what God has called me to do. It has been so great connecting with some old friends and making some new ones among the adult volunteers. However, the greatest high point so far has been our kids from Stillwater FUMC. I have all 3 of our 5th/6th grade boys in my cabin and one of them in my small group. They are growing so much. It is a joy to watch them grow at camp."

In honor of Independence Day, we will gather as one church family in a single worship service at 10:30am on Sunday, July 5. If you are in town, join us for this special time of worship. We will celebrate our freedom as people of faith when we come to the Communion Table.

Our pastors are preparing a special message for the day and our choir is working on special music. After worship, we’ll head over to the Family Life Center for refreshments and time to visit and connect.

We wrapped up our June shopping days with 20 families served, and it was such a joy to provide summer clothing, pajamas, shoes, swimsuits, and even some festive Fourth of July outfits for the kids. Hope House is always grateful for donations of gently used clothing in sizes newborn through teen. Items can be dropped off on Mondays from 9:00–11:00am at Hope House or Monday - Thursday from 8:00am - 4:00pm at First United Methodist Church. Another simple way to support our mission is through our Amazon Wish List, which stays updated with our current needs, which can be seen by CLICKING HERE

We are deeply thankful for the generous donations that came in last month. Hope House could not do this work without the steady support of our volunteers, church family and community, and we appreciate you more than you know!

We are looking for someone who can create an atmosphere of welcome and hospitality for our guests. Anyone with experience in coordinating events, food service and/or volunteers will be well suited to this position. This position's start date is August 1, 2026.

This position is half-time and requires onsite work, specifically requiring Sunday morning and Wednesday evening availability. We look forward to welcoming a new face to our program staff team. If you are interested, please contact our senior pastor, Rev. Charla Gwartney, by CLICKING HERE

To view the job description, please click the button below.

If you would like to serve in worship in the coming three months, now is your LAST chance to raise your hand! Pastor Charla is recruiting both Communion Servers and Lay Readers for the months of July, August, and September. Our gaps are Lay Readers for 10:00 Closer Walk and 11:10 Sanctuary Service. Schedule will be out next week! If you volunteered, check your email inbox.

You can use these links to sign up:
CLICK HERE for Communion Server
CLICK HERE for Lay Reader.

Last Sunday, June 14, we had 24 successful donors, out of 26 signed in. We had 10 walk in donors. Thanks to everyone who gave the gift of life!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now open for our VBS, Epic Quest, happening June 28 - July 1. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget!

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

MacKenzie McNeil, Administrative Assistant, offered her resignation this week to take another position. We wish her well in her future endeavors! Her last day with us will be Wednesday, June 24. MacKenzie has served with us since September 2024, deftly managing many tasks at once from the chair at the front desk of our office. If you call or stop by, MacKenzie is the one who helps you. She produces our worship bulletin each week, schedules the appointments for our benevolence guests, keeps our pastors out of trouble, and brings a spark of joy to everyone she meets - we will certainly miss her smile!

This position is open immediately. Please CLICK HERE to view both positions open on our church staff. We’d love to find just the right people to add to our team! If you know potential candidates for these positions, invite them to apply. If you have questions about either position, reach out to Pastor Charla by CLICKING HERE

Roll up your sleeve and make a lifesaving difference at the Red, White & True Blood Drive at First United Methodist Church in Stillwater! Join us Sunday, June 14 from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Family Life Center and celebrate your donation with an exclusive T-shirt and two tickets to Frontier City, Hurricane Harbor, or Magic Springs while supplies last. Give blood, support your community, and kick off summer with a purpose!

CLICK HERE to sign-up or CLICK HERE to watch a short video from some of the recipients!

We are reaching the half-way point for 2026 in a strong financial position. Our income exceeds our expenses by +$82,098 for the first five months of the year. We budgeted a deficit, equalized by strong giving at the end of 2025. Thanks to your generosity, we are moving into our new fiscal year, beginning July 1, in a much stronger financial position than expected. Our surplus is primarily due to your generosity. In addition, our expenses were lower than expected in personnel costs and in program costs. Expenses for our facility and operations were a bit higher than expected, mainly due to utility cost trending above budget. The takeaway: we are doing much better than expected. Thank you for making it possible for us to dream bigger as we approach the fall!

Our church office closes for all national holidays, including Juneteenth. Next Friday, June 19, the office will be closed in honor of the Juneteenth holiday.

If you would like to serve in worship in the coming three months, now is your chance to raise your hand! Pastor Charla is recruiting both Communion Servers and Lay Readers for the months of July, August, and September. You can use these links to sign up:

CLICK HERE for Communion Server
CLICK HERE for Lay Reader.

Diane Bull is retiring as the district administrator for the North Central District, a position she has held for 11 years. Her party is a SURPRISE, so don’t tell! It will be held THS SUNDAY at Oak Park Retreat Center in Perkins, OK, from 5pm-7pm. All are invited to wish her well!

In honor of Independence Day, we will gather as one church family in a single worship service at 10:30am on Sunday, July 5. If you are in town, join us for this special time of worship. We will celebrate our freedom as people of faith when we come to the Communion Table.

Our pastors are preparing a special message for the day and our choir is working on special music. After worship, we’ll head over to the Family Life Center for refreshments and time to visit and connect.

The UWF Women’s Bible Study will begin on June 2 and all women are invited to participate. This will be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and growing together in faith. They will be studying the book, The Holy Spirit: God's Presence and Power At Work In Us by Adam Hamilton. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Velda Lorenz at (405) 269-8287.

Our Early Childhood Center has some openings still available for this upcoming school year! If you or someone you know may be interested, please visit their website:
www.stillwaterecc.com

A friendly reminder that our building is alarmed when it is not occupied. Many have a code allowing access to either the sanctuary building or the FLC or both. Your code might open the door, but if the alarm is set, it will sound. If this happens, please reach out to David Lane so he can tell the alarm company there is no need to send law enforcement. If there are no cars in the parking lot, or if you are unsure about whether the alarm is armed, please reach out to a staff member and check before you enter the building. Thanks!

Donations for Epic Quest VBS are now being collected! You can select a donation item by picking up a paper slip from the board in the Tower Room or FLC. You can also CLICK HERE for our Amazon Wishlist. Please bring your donations to the church office by June 21. Items on the Wishlist will be shipped directly to the church.
Thank you for your generosity and support of our VBS ministry!

Our 2026 team included 9 members of the FUMC family; Kay Cheaney, Ellen Domnick, Tyrrell Conway, Jim Seward, Roger Gose, Rex Largent, Cal Underwood, Rosemary Van Orden and Doug Valley. Also joining our team were Mickey Chapman from Enid, and Dana Carter from Malvern, Iowa. We left the church parking lot at 4:30am on Monday, April 13 and arrived in Santa Cruz Bolivia about 3:15am local time on Tuesday. Our host, Froilan Quisbert was there to greet us and get us to the hotel.

Late in the afternoon we went to the American Institute, the Methodist school in Santa Cruz, where we were welcomed by Bishop Medardo Vedia and the students of the school. There were the usual speeches, gifts exchanged, and performances of indigenous dancing by the students. We were served a buffet of traditional Bolivian foods which were described and explained by the students.

On Wednesday we travelled to San Pedro. On arrival we checked in to our hotel and then headed to main street where we were again the honored guests of a parade led by the Methodist High School marching band from the city of Montero, and ended up at El Exodo Methodist church for a welcoming ceremony and lunch.

On Thursday our tasks began. Several of us went to the local hospital to provide a free medical clinic in conjunction with the local hospital staff and the Methodist Health services doctors and nurses. Ellen and Kay staffed the pharmacy; Rose worked with Bolivian doctor Alvin screening patients for diabetes and providing nutritional counselling. Dana, Mickey and I worked at fitting eyeglasses to 280 patients. We fitted 188 pair of reading glasses, 39 adjustable distance-vision glasses, and 120 pair of sunglasses. The doctors saw 397 patients for medical evaluation and treated 639 patients for parasitical prevention, all in the 4 days we held the clinic.

Our construction team of Roger Gose, Rex Largent, Tyrrell Conway, Jim Seward, and Cal Underwood spent those same 4 days working on the next building in the El Exodo church complex. The work team shoveled and wheelbarrowed sand, mixed cement, lifted buckets of cement up to be poured into the column forms and carried bricks for the masons. The foundations were finished and some of the walls were started. Morning, noon and night we all joined together at the completed next-door building that we worked on last year for our meals and evening devotions. Local cooks prepared delicious traditional Bolivian food.

We were blessed to share in several worship services with our Bolivian friends. El Exodo is a beautiful church with some 70 members. This was very heartwarming to share these sacred rites with new friends and we were honored that Bishop Vedia personally travelled to San Pedro for the welcoming festivities and came back again for the closing ceremonies.

Tuesday the 21st we returned to Santa Cruz to spend a day and a half exploring the city and purchasing souvenirs and mementos, and on Thursday we travelled to Guembe Ecological Park, which is helping to preserve the native flora and fauna. There were monkeys, tortoises, parrots, macaws and many other animals and birds. We had a terrific lunch on the park grounds and then returned to our hotel in Santa Cruz to prepare for our return to Oklahoma. By 10pm we were on the way to the airport for our 1 am flight. We arrived back in Tulsa Friday afternoon right on time.

This was another great trip to share with our South American brothers and sisters and we are looking forward to doing it again next year. For those of you who may be interested in joining our next Bolivia Mission team we found the area around Santa Cruz to be much easier physically than the high country around La Paz. Over my many trips to Bolivia I have slept on many church and clinic floors, and occasionally an actual bed, but in these past two years we have been accommodated in air-conditioned hotels with good beds and individual bathrooms with showers. So, if the spartan conditions we have experienced in the past have kept you from signing up, contact me for more information.

- Doug Valley

Our congregation has been blessed to receive 31 members into our congregation so far in 2026. Three adults received their baptisms as they came to join us in membership - what a celebration! As we welcome several new members, it is a good time to revisit the membership vows of the United Methodist Church: prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Every time someone takes these vows, the rest of us renew our vows as a reminder that none of us can be faithful by ourselves. We need each other; we need our church. In the coming weeks, our pastors will be preaching about the meaning of these vows and how they deepen our life of faith, both individually and together. These really are vows worth living.

What if…? This year, our Annual Conference answered that question. What if…love? What if love were the answer? This was our theme. Six delegates from our church attended, along with three retired pastors. Our lay delegates (Monty Karns, Martha McMillian, Rachel Weaver) reflected on these days of connection with United Methodists from across the state.

Rachel was selected to serve Communion with our District Superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, at the opening worship service. “There is something really special and beautiful about humbling ourselves and taking communion with fellow believers,” Rachel said. Both Monty and Martha said the most meaningful experience this year was the teaching sessions with Dr. Ashley Boggan, the General Secretary for the General Commission on Archives and History.

Dr. Boggan brought to life stories from our founder, John Wesley. Our delegates appreciated learning more about how Wesley challenged the established church of his day. Martha said, “I learned more about John Wesley and his thoughts and beliefs than I’ve learned in my lifetime, and I loved what I learned. He was more liberal than I ever knew, and that makes me proud to be a Methodist!”

At the closing worship service on Saturday, our lay delegates brought forward a covenant ratified by our Church Council and put it on the altar table at Church of the Servant. Our commitment to love boldly was shared by their response. We are excited about asking the question, “What if?” and giving the answer, “Love.” Enjoy some of the photos from last week!

Volunteers are needed for our Thursday Community Dinner! We are looking for individuals willing to serve just one Thursday a month from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Help is needed with serving food, hospitality, setup, and cleanup as we continue providing meals and care for our community each week. If you are able to help, please sign up by CLICKING HERE

Roll up your sleeve and make a lifesaving difference at the Red, White & True Blood Drive at First United Methodist Church in Stillwater! Join us Sunday, June 14 from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Family Life Center and celebrate your donation with an exclusive T-shirt and two tickets to Frontier City, Hurricane Harbor, or Magic Springs while supplies last. Give blood, support your community, and kick off summer with a purpose!

CLICK HERE to sign-up or CLICK HERE to watch a short video from some of the recipients!

The UWF Women’s Bible Study will begin on June 2 and all women are invited to participate. This will be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and growing together in faith. They will be studying the book, The Holy Spirit: God's Presence and Power At Work In Us by Adam Hamilton. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Velda Lorenz at (405) 269-8287.

We are launching a NEW small group, tailored for young professionals! If you are under 35ish years old and do not consider college as your full-time focus, this just might be the group for you. This group is meeting for the first time THURSDAY, JUNE 11 @ 7PM IN THE SANCTUARY. If you have questions or are interested, please contact Pastor Corey by email at cshirey@fumcstw.org

Articles & submissions for our weekly E-news, service bulletins, and social media posts are reviewed at staff meeting each Tuesday afternoon. Please send all E-News and flyer requests to Garett (greding@fumcstw.org) and all Bulletin requests to MacKenzie (churchoffice@fumcstw.org) Preferred weekly deadline for all submissions is noon on Tuesday. Submissions can be received as late as Wednesday noon for the bulletin and Thursday noon for E-news. Since all submissions not received by noon on Tuesday require approval by one of the pastors, inclusion for submissions not received by this deadline cannot be guaranteed. Thanks for your assistance in helping us meet our production deadlines by submitting items for publication by noon on Tuesday.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now open for our VBS, Epic Quest, happening June 28 - July 1. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget!

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

Barring weather delays, painting and striping of the parking lot at the Payne County Administration Building is scheduled to begin Sunday, May 31. Please plan to NOT park near the Payne County Administration Building. The 7th & Duck Street parking lot will still be available for parking.

It is time to update a major piece of the electrical infrastructure in our sanctuary building, specifically an electrical panel in our boiler room. During the update, the sanctuary building will be without air conditioning. This work is scheduled for Monday, June 1. We are closing the church on this day to facilitate this important safety upgrade.
Thanks for your understanding!

The United Women in Faith will host a pot luck supper at 6:00pm on June 2 in the Social Hall. The program will be presented by three women from the Bolivia mission team. All women are invited to attend the meeting. 

Happy Retirement! Congratulations to Mason Moore on his retirement from Stillwater First UMC Early Childhood Center. He’s been the school custodian since January 2024, and we wish him the best.

In honor of Independence Day, we will gather as one church family in a single worship service (10:30am) on Sunday, July 5. If you are in town, join us for this special time of worship. We will celebrate our freedom as people of faith when we come to the Communion Table.

Our pastors are preparing a special message for the day and our choir is working on special music. After worship, we’ll head over to the Family Life Center for refreshments and time to visit and connect. More info to come as the details come together.

Pastor Charla is looking for a few folks who can help with set up in the FLC. Please reach out to her via email at cgwartney@fumcstw.org if you are available to help.

Volunteers are needed for our Thursday Community Dinner! We are looking for individuals willing to serve just one Thursday a month from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. Help is needed with serving food, hospitality, setup, and cleanup as we continue providing meals and care for our community each week. If you are able to help, please sign up by CLICKING HERE

Roll up your sleeve and make a lifesaving difference at the Red, White & True Blood Drive at First United Methodist Church in Stillwater! Join us Sunday, June 14 from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Family Life Center and celebrate your donation with an exclusive T-shirt and two tickets to Frontier City, Hurricane Harbor, or Magic Springs while supplies last. Give blood, support your community, and kick off summer with a purpose!

CLICK HERE to sign-up or CLICK HERE to watch a short video from some of the recipients!

Articles & submissions for our weekly E-news, service bulletins, and social media posts are reviewed at staff meeting each Tuesday afternoon. Please send all E-News submissions to greding@fumcstw.org and all Bulletin requests to churchoffice@fumcstw.org Preferred weekly deadline for all submissions is noon on Tuesday. Submissions can be received as late as Wednesday noon for the bulletin and Thursday noon for E-news. Since all submissions not received by noon on Tuesday require approval by one of the pastors, inclusion for submissions not received by this deadline cannot be guaranteed. Thanks for your assistance in helping us meet our production deadlines by submitting items for publication by noon on Tuesday.

The past few weeks have been super exciting at First UMC. Last Sunday, May 17, we celebrated the baptism Carson Clapp, and welcomed the Clapp Family into membership. On May 3, we welcomed the Domnick Family into membership. On April 26, we welcomed Regina Fenderson into membership.
(photos are in order of names listed above)

As summer approaches, Hope House has wrapped up another wonderfully busy month. Our families were able to shop for summer clothing, shoes, and swimsuits - items that help kids get ready for the summer season. Hope House is always grateful for donations of gently used clothing in sizes newborn through teen, and our Amazon Wish List remains an easy way to support our mission from anywhere, you can view this by CLICKING HERE
 
Thank you for your continued generosity, we truly could not do this without you!

The Children’s Weekend Food Sack Program has completed providing weekend food sacks for the 2025/2026 school year. This year we distributed 22,352 food sacks to the 12 schools in Stillwater. The help from an amazing group of volunteers who packed food sacks once a month and the group that delivered to the schools every Thursday made this all possible. The number of sacks needed to meet the needs of the food insecure children increased 1,152 over last years total. We appreciate all those that donated to this program. Karen Hinton, Nancy Allford, and Linda Blum will continue to work over the summer to secure funding for the 2026/2027 school year. Our monthly costs have averaged $20,000.   Any donations can be made to FUMC and note Weekend Food sacks.

The United Women in Faith will host a pot luck supper at 6:00pm on June 2 in the Social Hall. The program will be presented by three women from the Bolivia mission team. All women are invited to attend the meeting. 

After a busy Sunday morning celebrating our graduating seniors, we were honored to host Stillwater High School's Baccalaureate last Sunday evening!  73 graduating seniors and their families flooded the multi-purpose room to honor God with scripture, prayer, and song.  Collaborating with Life Church and Sunnybrook, students led the service.  Thank you Pastor Corey, Garett Reding, Gabe Lane, Barnes family, Hook family and FUMC youth for your contributions in making it a special evening! 

What an incredible morning we had last Sunday celebrating 18 of our graduating seniors! They opened their hearts to us through their video message, helped lead worship, and reminded us of what it looks like to share our gifts and step up boldly for God’s glory. We are so proud of each one of them and excited to see where God leads them next!
Thank you Seniors for your leadership, heart, and willingness to serve. Also, thank you FUMC for the love and support shown to these young people throughout the years!

CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR CLASS OF 2026!

Our Church Council met last evening, May 21, for our regular meeting. Our first item of business was approval of our July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 budget. Total projected expenditures ($1,752,471) exceed projected revenue ($1,742,064) by $11,047. This is a small overage (less than 1%) and will be taken from reserves, if necessary. We approved this budget as balanced.

Our 26/27 budget included raises for our staff. Our district superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, was on hand for the Charge Conference portion of our meeting. She presided over the vote to give both pastors a 3% raise, effective July 1.

We also approved the 26/27 budget for our Early Childhood Center (ECC). We approved a plan to create an online church directory later this summer, available by early fall. We received and approved three requests for Foundation grants. And, we approved a covenant naming our intent to live boldly into a more loving and welcoming Body of Christ. Our delegates to Annual Conference will hand carry this signed covenant to our state-wide meeting next week in Oklahoma City.

If you would like details on any of these items or would like a copy of any of the materials that came before us last evening, please reach out to Daniel Guthrie or Pastor Charla Gwartney.

Volunteers are needed for our Thursday Community Dinner! We are looking for individuals willing to serve just one Thursday a month from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Help is needed with serving food, hospitality, setup, and cleanup as we continue providing meals and care for our community each week. If you are able to help, please sign up by CLICKING HERE! 

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now open for our VBS, Epic Quest, happening June 28th-July 1st. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget!

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

Have you ever wanted to learn to read music, improve your singing, or pick up a new instrument? As your Director of Worship and Music, I am excited to offer free, 30-minute private music lessons exclusively for adults in our church family!

Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to build on existing skills, you can benefit from tailored, one-on-one instruction. As an experienced choral conductor and university instructor, I am thrilled to share my passion for music with our community.

Areas of Instruction Include:
Private Voice Lessons, Beginner Piano, Beginner Guitar, Music Theory Fundamentals, Beginning Conducting, Handbell Techniques, How to Read Music

Lessons are limited to adults (18 yrs or older) at this time. I have two days available for lessons: Thursdays (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) & Sundays (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM) Length of lesson: 30 minutes. Space is limited! I am currently only taking 3 to 4 students per week, and all lessons must be scheduled in advance. If you are interested in claiming one of these weekly spots, please reach out to me, Keegan Rose, at krose@fumcstw.org or by phone at (405)-246-8419 to schedule your time. I hope to see you for a lesson soon. 

Our office will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. All activities at the church will be cancelled for that day as well. 

Articles & submissions for our weekly E-news, service bulletins, and social media posts are reviewed at staff meeting each Tuesday afternoon. Preferred weekly deadline for all submissions is noon on Tuesday. Submissions can be received as late as Wednesday noon for the bulletin and Thursday noon for E-news. Since all submissions not received by noon on Tuesday require approval by one of the pastors, inclusion for submissions not received by this deadline cannot be guaranteed. Thanks for your assistance in helping us meet our production deadlines by submitting items for publication by noon on Tuesday.

This Sunday, May 17, is "Senior Sunday" and we will honor 18 high school seniors! Our seniors will assist in leading worship, deliver the message, and receive their Bibles as we recognize this important milestone. You are invited to a reception in their honor starting at 9:30am, upstairs FLC.

Our regularly scheduled Church Council meeting will also convene as a Charge Conference this Thursday, May 21 at 5:30pm in the Social Hall. The item of business before the Charge Conference is consideration of a raise in the pastoral salaries for Pastor Charla and Pastor Corey. Our district superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, will preside over this item of business before the Charge Conference.

The Church Council will address all other business under the direction of our chair, Kathy Heil. There are several items before the Council this month: approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, consideration of online church directory, Foundation grant requests and signatures on a covenant for welcome and inclusion requested by our Annual Conference.

All are welcome to attend and participate with us. Voting is limited to members of our Church Council.

At our 8:30am service, we will not have nursery care or Children's Church to let families enjoy our "Senior Sunday" recognitions together. Regular nursery care, Sunday School, and Children's Church will resume for the 10:00am and 11:10am services.

Have you ever wanted to learn to read music, improve your singing, or pick up a new instrument? As your Director of Worship and Music, I am excited to offer free, 30-minute private music lessons exclusively for adults in our church family!

Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to build on existing skills, you can benefit from tailored, one-on-one instruction. As an experienced choral conductor and university instructor, I am thrilled to share my passion for music with our community.

Areas of Instruction Include:
Private Voice Lessons, Beginner Piano, Beginner Guitar, Music Theory Fundamentals, Beginning Conducting, Handbell Techniques, How to Read Music

Lessons are limited to adults (18 yrs or older) at this time. I have two days available for lessons: Thursdays (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) & Sundays (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM) Length of lesson: 30 minutes. Space is limited! I am currently only taking 3 to 4 students per week, and all lessons must be scheduled in advance. If you are interested in claiming one of these weekly spots, please reach out to me, Keegan Rose, at krose@fumcstw.org or by phone at (405)-246-8419 to schedule your time. I hope to see you for a lesson soon.

If you are considering joining our Vacation Bible School volunteer team, NOW is the time to sign up. Use the link below to register. All volunteers must be registered by this Sunday, May 17 to ensure that all safety training and background checks are completed before the main event. This event truly depends on our volunteers—we need you, and it wouldn’t be possible without your support! We want you to join us, but ask for your understanding that we can’t plug you in at the last minute due to the time required to follow proper safety guidelines.

CLICK HERE to sign-up!

Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd-5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org. To register CLICK HERE

Articles & submissions for our weekly E-news, service bulletins, and social media posts are reviewed at staff meeting each Tuesday afternoon. Preferred weekly deadline for all submissions is noon on Tuesday. Submissions can be received as late as Wednesday noon for the bulletin and Thursday noon for E-news. Since all submissions not received by noon on Tuesday require approval by one of the pastors, inclusion for submissions not received by this deadline cannot be guaranteed. Thanks for your assistance in helping us meet our production deadlines by submitting items for publication by noon on Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered this past Sunday as we gathered together to finish our Lenten mission with Rise Against Hunger. Our church, along with the congregations of Lost Creek, Highland Park, and Eden Chapel, raised over $17,000 and packed over 32,000 meals! This was an amazing experience for all involved. The meals we packed together will further the work of ensuring no person goes hungry.

The Scholastic Book Fair ends this Sunday, May 10! We’ve restocked, so if you didn’t find what you were looking for last week, please do try again! If you can’t make it in person, you’re also welcome to use our link to shop by CLICKING HERE!

Through the end of April 2026, Stillwater First remains on solid financial footing. Total income year-to-date is $584,038, which is about $64,406 ahead of budget, thanks largely to strong overall giving. Total expenses year-to-date are $500,370, which is $45,493 under budget, as many ministry, administrative, and personnel costs are staying at or below planned levels for this point in the year.

During April, expenses were $129,498, while income was $138,593, resulting in a good financial month. Year to date, the church is ahead income to expenses in the amount of $83,667, reflecting careful spending and faithful generosity. Church leadership will continue monitoring financials while celebrating this encouraging financial position as we move forward. Your gifts are making a difference. Thank you!

- Pastor Charla

Our regularly scheduled Church Council meeting will also convene as a Charge Conference on May 21 at 5:30pm in the Social Hall. The item of business before the Charge Conference is consideration of a raise in the pastoral salaries for Pastor Charla and Pastor Corey. Our district superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, will preside over this item of business before the Charge Conference.

The Church Council will address all other business under the direction of our chair, Kathy Heil. There are several items before the Council this month: approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, consideration of online church directory, Foundation grant requests and signatures on a covenant for welcome and inclusion requested by our Annual Conference.

All are welcome to attend and participate with us. Voting is limited to members of our Church Council.

Sunday, May 17, is "Senior Sunday" when we will honor 18 of our high school seniors!  These soon-to-be graduates will help lead worship, deliver the message, and receive their Bibles as we recognize this important milestone! You are invited to a reception in their honor starting at 9:30am, upstairs FLC!

If you are considering joining our Vacation Bible School volunteer team, NOW is the time to sign up. Use the link below to register. All volunteers must be registered by May 17 to ensure that all safety training and background checks are completed before the main event. This event truly depends on our volunteers—we need you, and it wouldn’t be possible without your support! We want you to join us, but ask for your understanding that we can’t plug you in at the last minute due to the time required to follow proper safety guidelines.

CLICK HERE to sign-up!

Now on display on the second floor of the Early Childhood Center and in the north end of the social hall, our special art exhibit showcases the creativity and hard work of our young artists. The children have put so much effort into creating their beautiful artwork, and we're excited to share it with you. Come take a look and celebrate their imagination and talent!

Last week, the Lincoln Academy Luncheon was held to celebrate graduating students and their families. During the event, the Lions Club, Kiwanis, and Masons presented special awards in recognition of the students’ achievements. Members of UWF also took cap-and-gown photos of each graduate, which were framed and presented to them as a keepsake to commemorate this important milestone.

The UWF Women’s Bible Study will begin on June 2nd and all women are invited to participate. This will be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and growing together in faith. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Velda Lorenz at (405) 269-8287.

Pastor Corey is looking to launch a NEW young adult group, tailored for our young professionals! If you are under 35 years old and do not consider college as your full-time focus, this just might be the group for you. Please CLICK HERE to fill out a few brief questions and help us form this new community! 

Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd- 5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org. To register CLICK HERE

Have you ever wanted to learn to read music, improve your singing, or pick up a new instrument? As your Director of Worship and Music, I am excited to offer free, 30-minute private music lessons exclusively for adults in our church family!

Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to build on existing skills, you can benefit from tailored, one-on-one instruction. As an experienced choral conductor and university instructor, I am thrilled to share my passion for music with our community.

Areas of Instruction Include:
Private Voice Lessons, Beginner Piano, Beginner Guitar, Music Theory Fundamentals, Beginning Conducting, Handbell Techniques, How to Read Music

Lessons are limited to adults (18 yrs or older) at this time. I have two days available for lessons: Thursdays (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) & Sundays (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM.) Length of lesson: 30 minutes. Space is limited! I am currently only taking 3 to 4 students per week, and all lessons must be scheduled in advance. If you are interested in claiming one of these weekly spots, please reach out to me, Keegan Rose, at krose@fumcstw.org or by phone at (405)-246-8419 to schedule your time. I hope to see you for a lesson soon. 

Our meal packing day is scheduled for next Sunday, May 3rd. There will be two shifts: 1:30-3:00 or 3:30-5:00pm. Meal packing takes place in the Family Life Center, multipurpose room. Registration for the packing shift of your choice is required.

Please use this REGISTRATION LINK to reserve your spot. Take a moment and do it right now. And, thank you for your gifts of both financial support and hands on serving. They make it possible for us to rise against hunger.

Step into a world of stories at the Scholastic Book Fair in the Tower Room, starting this Sunday, May 3, and running through next Sunday, May 10. Discover exciting adventures, beloved characters, and hidden gems while you support the love of reading.

Mark your calendar for a special evening on May 5th from 5:00-7:00pm! Join us in the Early Childhood Center and Social Hall for the ECC Art Show & Ice Cream Social. Admire our students’ fantastic artwork that they’ve worked hard to create and celebrate their creativity with a sweet treat! Books, art, and ice cream - what could be better? We can’t wait to see you there! 

If you are considering joining our Vacation Bible School volunteer team, NOW is the time to sign up. Use the link below to register. All volunteers must be registered by May 17 to ensure that all safety training and background checks are completed before the main event. This event truly depends on our volunteers—we need you, and it wouldn’t be possible without your support! We want you to join us, but ask for your understanding that we can’t plug you in at the last minute due to the time required to follow proper safety guidelines.

CLICK HERE to sign-up!

Pastor Corey is looking to launch a NEW young adult group, tailored for our young professionals! If you are under 35 years old and do not consider college as your full-time focus, this just might be the group for you. Please CLICK HERE to fill out a few brief questions and help us form this new community! 

The United Methodist Men continue their resource recovery efforts on behalf of Our Daily Bread (ODB.) This past Monday several of the Men gathered up 3,419 pounds of cast-off food from Walmart and Sprouts and delivered it to ODB to support our friends that have food insecurity in their day to day lives. Please know that the sore muscles generated by their work were treated successfully by the warm, fuzzy feeling that the guys got with their efforts!

Please register now to volunteer for VBS! CLICK HERE to register. All volunteers for VBS this year must be registered by May 17 to ensure that all safety training and background checks are completed before the main event. This event truly depends on our volunteers - we need you, and it wouldn’t be possible without your support! We would love to have everyone who’s interested join us, but we’re unable to accept last-minute registrations due to the time required to follow proper safety guidelines. 

Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd- 5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org. To register CLICK HERE

We welcomed the Confirmation Class of 2026 as the newest members of our church, last Sunday morning! In a special ceremony, six youth publicly claimed their faith in Jesus Christ and confirmed their baptismal vows. Congratulations to: Ashlynn, Sadie, Elizabeth, Scarlett, Simon, and James!  Also, we appreciate the adult mentors who poured so much into these youth over the last several months. Thank you Cheryl Martin, Debbie Karns, Rose Bonjour, Karen Hinton, Aaron Matheson, and Rev. Mike Chaffin! 

Our camps are in pressing need of volunteer medical professionals to serve as Camp Nurses. This is a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to combine their expertise with a spirit of service. The Camp Nurse oversees, directs, and implements health care for campers and leaders for a session of camp.

We are in need of volunteers with the following licensures to volunteer:
Registered Nurses (RN)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) -- this includes Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists
Physician Assistants (PA)
Medical Doctors (MD)
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS)

Whether you can commit to filling a gap on the schedule this summer or simply be available on an on-call basis for last-minute needs, our camps can use your skills! Camps range in length from 2 to 7 days. Your meals and lodging are fully covered.

Interested volunteers can reach the camps office by emailing oklahomacamping@okumc.org with your contact information, licensure, and the time frames and campsites you are available for.

We are receiving an offering to provide relief for tornado victims in Enid. We are sending this offering directly to Enid First United Methodist Church since they know where the needs are. If you would like to donate to this offering, please mark your check or offering envelope, "Tornado Relief." If you want to donate online, please give through our website and choose the designated fund, "OK Tornado Relief."

April 26 is Confirmation Sunday. On this special day, six of our students will confirm the promises made at their baptism and step into full membership with our congregation! This is the culmination of a dedicated year of study and mentoring, so please join us as we celebrate them and the mentors who’ve poured into them.

They will be confirmed at the beginning of the 8:30am service, with introductions at the later two services. All are invited to a reception in their honor at 9:30am, upstairs FLC.

Our meal packing day is scheduled for next Sunday, May 3rd. There will be two shifts: 1:30-3:00 or 3:30-5:00pm. Meal packing takes place in the Family Life Center, multipurpose room. Registration for the packing shift of your choice is required.

Please use this REGISTRATION LINK to reserve your spot.

We are so grateful for your gifts. They make it possible for us to rise against hunger.

Last Sunday, we had a successful blood drive. Thirty-one folks signed in, including 10 walk in donors. Our number of walk in donors this time was likely a record. Out of those who signed in, we had 26 donors, including 6 double red cell donors which is 32 equivalent units. This is the most units collected in a long time.

One of the OBI staff told Ken Meyer, our coordinator, that we are one of her top 3 favorite drives to work. Why? the donors are nice and the setup provided works well. Thanks to all who donated and all who helped. Our next drive is scheduled for July 19. Mark your calendars!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now open for our VBS, EPIC Quest, happening June 28th-July 1st. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget. We also need volunteers to help make this week incredible! From welcoming families each night to leading activities, there’s a place for everyone to serve.

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest! 

Summer camp registration is now open! Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd- 5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org

To register, CLICK HERE

A month ago, we shared with you the work we did during our Spring Break Mission Dayz. In addition, we invited you to the estate sale we had after we were gifted Dot Turman's belongings by daughter and son-in-law, David and Catherine Wildermuth.

Over the two weekends we opened the doors to the public, more of you poured through the doors of the youth area than we could have imagined!  What a blessing to see so many of you as well as meeting so many people from the community.  Actually, this entire project ended up being just blessing after blessing! The blessing to Dot's family, the blessing of learning about a family who previously gave so much to this church (many of you stopped and shared stories of the Turman's), the blessing we received of your presence, the blessing to those who shopped (several folks found things that replaced items lost in last year’s fires), and the blessing of a new friendship with the Wildermuths!

And if those blessings weren't enough, this crazy thing we did earned the youth a little more than $8000. What started as an offer to help someone pack up some shelves, turned into an amazing experience and an unexpected fundraiser. We are so excited to share this with you and as always, thank you for your support!  We couldn't do all that we do, without you!

- Janelda, Gabe, and Momentum Youth

On April 19, we will be hosting a blood drive in our Family Life Center (rooms 107-109) from 8:30am-12:30pm. To sign-up please CLICK HERE, walk-ins are also welcome!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who gave generously to our Lenten & Easter Offering! Our total for offering was just over $17,000 -- meaning we will be packing 38,000 meals in a few weeks.

Our meal packing day is scheduled for Sunday, May 3rd. There will be two shifts: 1:30-3:00 or 3:30-5:00pm. Meal packing takes place in the Family Life Center, multipurpose room. Registration for the packing shift of your choice is required. Please use this REGISTRATION LINK to reserve your spot.

We are so grateful for your gifts. They make it possible for us to rise against hunger.

April 26 is Confirmation Sunday. On this special day, six of our students will confirm the promises made at their baptisms and step into full membership with our congregation! This is the culmination of a dedicated year of study and mentoring, so please join us as we celebrate them and the mentors who’ve poured into them.

They will be confirmed at the beginning of the 8:30am service, with introductions at the later two services. All are invited to a reception in their honor at 9:30am, upstairs FLC.

Finals are quickly approaching, so it’s time to send Care Packages to our College students! The Youth want to let them know they are being thought of and prayed for during the most stressful week of their year!  If you want a box sent to your college-age student in time for finals week, register them by Monday, April 20, by CLICKING HERE.  A card-only care package is also available.

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

With the season switch complete and our summer clothing ready to go, Hope House wrapped up another shopping weekend with record numbers. We were honored to serve 29 families, representing 63 children. This month brought a high demand for essentials, and we were able to give out a large number of items—including diapers, pajamas, and socks. A weekend this big means our shelves need a refresh. Our Amazon Wish List with next month's needs has been updated and is available by CLICKING HERE

 A big thank‑you goes out to the volunteers who made the season switch happen and to those who showed up to serve during our shopping days. Hope House simply could not do this without you. Your time, energy, and love make all the difference.

Last weekend was an amazing celebration of the risen Christ!

On Saturday, our kids kicked things off with the beloved Children's Eggstravaganza, full of fun and joy. Easter Sunday was nothing short of beautiful! The morning began with a powerful sunrise service alongside our friends from First Baptist, First Christian, and Center Church. We worshipped together and shared in Communion. Our three worship servcies were filled with incredible music that lifted hearts and voices. In between services, the Faith Class and Children's Ministry brought even more delight with an Easter Egg hunt in the sanctuary. Take a look at these pictures as our celebration continues. Thank you to everyone who helped make this Easter celebration so memorable.

He is risen and it showed!

On April 19, we will be hosting a blood drive in our Family Life Center (rooms 107-109) from 8:30am-12:30pm. To sign-up please CLICK HERE, walk-ins are also welcome!

Thanks to our generous donors, our church had strong month in March 2026. Our monthly income was $158,867, versus $121,630 in expenses -- giving us a $37,237 surplus for the month and a $74,572 surplus for the year to date.
 
We are in the middle of our 26/27 Fiscal Year budget construction right now. Budget requests from staff overseeing ministry areas were due on April 1. Budget requests from committees are due on April 15. A proposed budget for July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 will come to our Finance Commitee on May 19 and our Church Council on May 21. If you have feedback or input regarding budget priorities and expenditures, you are invited reach out to Daniel Guthrie, our Church Administrator, dguthrie@fumcstw.org.
 
Through your generous gifts, you've made the first quarter so encouraging. Please receive the heartfelt thanks of your church leadership. An interesting tidbit: the top 25 donors for 2025 (thru 4/9/25) gave $171,859. In the same time period this year, the top 25 donors gave $226,639. That's a $54,780 increase when comparing the first quarter of this year to the first quarter of last year. Regardless of the size of your gift, it makes a real difference in our ability to extend ourselves in ministry to our membership and our community.
 
A word about our Early Childhood Center's financial position. At the end of March, they were 2/3 through their budget year (which follows the school year.) The ECC had a monthly income of $39,068 versus expenses of $37,678, giving them a monthly surplus of $1,389. Income to expenses over this school year leaves them with a surplus of $34,072. 

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Registration is now open for our VBS, EPIC Quest, happening June 28th-July 1st. Kids will embark on an exciting journey filled with fun activities, meaningful lessons, music, and new friendships they won’t forget. We also need volunteers to help make this week incredible! From welcoming families each night to leading activities, there’s a place for everyone to serve.

Don’t miss out on this epic experience - CLICK HERE to sign-up and invite friends to join the quest!

Finals are quickly approaching, so it’s time to send Care Packages to our College students! The Youth want to let them know they are being thought of and prayed for during the most stressful week of their year!  If you want a box sent to your college-age student in time for finals week, register them by Monday, April 20, by CLICKING HERE.  A card-only care package is also available.

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

Summer camp registration is now open! Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd- 5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org 

To register, CLICK HERE

The Annual Children’s Easter Eggstravaganza was so much fun! Last Saturday, so many children (and adults!) came out to enjoy games, inflatables, crafts, treats, and egg hunts! What an awesome community-wide event. Huge thanks to Irene and the children’s ministry for hosting, and to all the other volunteers who made it happen!

We are excited to announce that Kylee Kemper joined our congregation last Sunday as an affiliate member at the 11:10am service. Be sure to give her a warm welcome next time you see her!

The dates of the 2026 Spiritual Formation are quickly approaching! This retreat is scheduled for April 17-19. Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 7.

The 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.

CLICK HERE to register.

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

On Good Friday, April 3, at 7:00pm, we'll gather in the sanctuary for worship. Good Friday is the day we observe Jesus' death on the cross. Our time of worship will be somber and reflective. Our choir will sing a special anthem over us. We'll have seven devotions at the foot of the cross. As we hear about Jesus' last breath, darkness will descend. We'll depart in silence.

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!

Egg Hunt Times:
0-4 yrs 11:00am
5-8 yrs 11:20am
9 & Up 11:40am

THIS EVENT WILL BE IN THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER!

The Church office will be closed Monday, April 6, for Easter Monday.

Easter Monday is the day following Easter Sunday, serving as a continuation of the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and a time for reflection.

Throughout this Lenten season, we have come together in generosity to support Rise Against Hunger, raising nearly $10,000 to help combat hunger around the world. We are just shy of our goal! If you have not yet given, now is the time to help us cross the finish line! Your gifts will support our meal packing event on May 3, where we will prepare over 21,000 meals for those in need. Let’s finish strong and reach this goal together!

We are in the season of budget preparation. Our new budget year will run July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Our Finance Chair, Roger McMillian, is requesting any and all feedback regarding funding priorities, amounts requested, and/or questions about budget process be directed to Daniel Guthrie, our Business Administrator.

Please email Daniel at dguthrie@fumcstw.org so that feedback will be in writing. Feedback deadline: April 15. In the last half of April, we’ll be putting the budget together. We are planning to bring it for final approval on May 21 at our Church Council meeting. All feedback and input is appreciated.

Finals are quickly approaching, so it’s time to send Care Packages to our College students! The Youth want to let them know they are being thought of and prayed for during the most stressful week of their year!  If you want a box sent to your college-age student in time for finals week, register them by Monday, April 20, by CLICKING HERE.  A card-only option is also available.

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

We are praying for Wilma Ramming and her family. Charles Ramming passed away on March 13. His memorial service will be in our sanctuary on Monday, March 30 at 2:00 pm. A short reception will follow.

On Maundy Thursday, April 2, the sanctuary will be open from noon till 2:00pm. Seven different prayer stations will be available, along with a printed guide to point the way. The stations can be visited in any order. These are the stations:
John 13: Washing the Disciples' Feet
Mark 14: Anointing at Bethany
Matthew 26: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Luke 22: Peter's Denial
Luke 23: Reflections on the Cross
Mark 14: Communion

You may spend as much time at each station as you wish. Guided prayer exercises will deepen your experience of walking the road to the cross with Jesus. Please come and share in this special time of reflection and prayer.

On Good Friday, April 3, at 7:00pm, we'll gather in the sanctuary for worship. This is the day Jesus dies on the cross. Our time of worship will be somber and reflective. Our choir will sing a special anthem over us. We'll have seven devotions at the foot of the cross. As we hear about Jesus' last breath, darkness will descend. We'll depart in silence.

Throughout Lent, we are partnering with other area United Methodist congregations to support Rise Against Hunger, a global ministry committed to ending hunger by providing nutritious meals and sustainable food solutions to communities facing food insecurity. Thanks to your generosity so far, we have raised $7,000 toward our $10,000 goal! This is a wonderful testament to the spirit of prayer, sacrifice, and generosity that defines this season.
 
There is still time to participate! Whether it’s giving up a daily coffee, a meal out, or some other small thing, please consider directing those funds to this truly life-changing mission. I am so excited for our May 3rd meal packing event, where we will be volunteering to package over 21,000 meals for communities around the world. Let’s keep the momentum going and meet this need together!
 
- Pastor Corey

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!

Egg Hunt Times:
0-4 yrs 11:00am
5-8 yrs 11:20am
9 & Up 11:40am

If it rains that morning, we will celebrate in our Family life Center; otherwise, we will be outside on our north parking lot.

Spring Break Mission Dayz 2026…when God’s plans are bigger than yours!

Our group spent our entire 4 days living out the focus verse for day 1, Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We did an afternoon shift at the Urban Mission in OKC, lifting their burden of sorting, shelving, and bagging groceries for the next week’s food distribution. We also helped the Bolivian Mission team sort and package medicine for their upcoming Medical Mission Trip. We not only lifted the burden of hours of work, we also gave them an uninterrupted space for 3 days. And last but definitely not least, we assisted a family in clearing out their mother’s belongings from her apartment at Legacy.

We didn’t just clean an apartment. With every box and every piece of furniture removed, we lifted their burden. We met the daughter and son-in-law of longtime member Dot Turman the day after their final goodbye, in the midst of their grief, the pressure of a deadline, the uncertainties that go along with living far away, and the helplessness of feeling overwhelmed. It wasn’t on our carefully planned project list, nor were we prepared for the task at hand. But after being suggested as a group that could give a little help, and after meeting them and seeing the impossible task ahead of them, we committed to clearing out the entire apartment!

And that we did! Result? They gave us everything with the suggestion to sell it all and keep the proceeds. What a generous gift! We’re thankful and are going to make the most of it. Big praise to our youth who worked so hard and so generously!
-  Janelda and Gabe

Dot had an estate sale 5 years ago when she moved from her home into Legacy. What we have is the most valuable of her fascinating and valuable furnishings, art, and collectibles. She was a prolific professional artist; she was also a collector. The Turmans (Dot & E.J.) were an integral part of this church for many, many, years.

We encourage you to come by and take a look! We’re figuring things out as we go. We want to liquidate items quickly but don't want to squander this wonderful gift! If you’re interested in looking or buying, Janelda and Gabe will be upstairs FLC most of the day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Contact us if you plan to come by or have questions! Janelda at 405-762-9551 or jlane@fumcstw.org

Summer camp registration is now open! Join us at Camp Egan for two exciting opportunities this summer. 5th and 6th Grade Camp will take place June 15–19, 2026, and Growin’ in Grace 1 (those entering 3rd- 5th grade) will be held June 15–17, 2026. The last day to register for both camps is May 31, 2026. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Irene at iupson@fumcstw.org. To register, go to: okcamps.org/campbook/

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.

Last Sunday, Martin received his Christian baptism AND joined our church! Make sure to tell him congratulations on his life changing decision to follow Christ next time you see him!

Last Sunday we also celebrated that Carl and Linda Clapp officially joined our family of faith here at Stillwater FUMC! Make sure to give them a warm welcome next time you see them!

We will celebrate Dot's incredible life and place her ashes (along with her husband, E.J.'s ashes) in our columbarium on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm. You are welcome to join Dot's family for this short service.

Hop on over for a morning of Easter fun! Join us 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 and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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.

The North Central District Lay Servant training is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at Tonkawa First UMC. There is no cost for the training, but participants are asked to purchase books assigned for their training class and read them ahead of the training date.

Rev. Leon Veazey will be teaching the basic course
Rev. Joey Simpson will be teaching the preaching/speaking course
Rev. Michael Carpenter will be teaching a course on his book, "We Believe: How the Nicene Creed Can Deepen Your Faith"

Use this link for more information.
Use this link to register.

Last Sunday, Emma received her Christian baptism AND joined our church. Give her a warm Stillwater First UMC welcome next time you see her!

Set your clocks forward an hour before you go to bed on Saturday night -- and join us for worship the next morning! It may feel like you've lost an hour of sleep so we'll be sure to have the coffee pot ready when you arrive.

PARENTS OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, please attend this brief informative meeting regarding this year’s SENIOR SUNDAY! March 8th, 7:00pm, Upstairs FLC. Senior Sunday is May 17th, when we will honor our graduating seniors during morning worship. We want to honor all FUMC's graduating seniors, regardless of their current level of participation in youth activities. If you have any questions, please contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

A big thank you begins this month's financial update. We turned around the deficit from January and ended February with a surplus. As of Feb. 28, our YTD income is $37,336 ahead of expenses. No doubt about it, February was a month to celebrate!

I learned several years ago not project financial trends based on a month, or even two. Instead, I try to look at quarterly comparisons and we haven't even finished the first quarter of 2026 yet. I also look at where we were at this time last year. This year, our first two months of income was $63,149 higher than last year in 2025. If you would like to see a full copy of our February Financial Statement, please reach out to Daniel Guthrie, our Business Administrator at dguthrie@fumcstw.org.

In recent days, Daniel and I have been preparing for our 2026/27 Fiscal Year budget which will begin on July 1 of this year. As a part of this preparation, I asked him to establish a rolling calculation of our annual revenue between Oct 2024 and Feb 2026. To give you an idea of some of the swings that we see, depending on which months are included in our calculation, this number varies from $1,642,664 to $1,722,769. The average is $1,671,736. This projection of our likely revenue for the 12 months of our budget is smoothed and helps us account for the wide swings of income from month to month.

Our staff and committees will be planning their budgets as March continues. We'll work with those requests and our projections during the month of April and present our final budget for approval to the Church Council in late May. I am grateful for the generosity of our congregation and ask that you consider a special gift to our Lenten offering this year supporting Rise Against Hunger, our spring food packing project.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Charla

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 and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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.

The North Central District Lay Servant training is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at Tonkawa First UMC. There is no cost for the training, but participants are asked to purchase books assigned for their training class and read them ahead of the training date.

Rev. Leon Veazey will be teaching the basic course
Rev. Joey Simpson will be teaching the preaching/speaking course
Rev. Michael Carpenter will be teaching a course on his book, "We Believe: How the Nicene Creed Can Deepen Your Faith"

Use this link for more information.
Use this link to register.

A BIG congratulations to James Weaver! He made his profession of faith and received the gift of baptism. We were blessed to share in this special moment last Sunday at the Closer Walk service.

We are grateful to God for our newest members, Chris and Amy Tidland. They joined in our Closer Walk service last Sunday. Make sure to extend a warm welcome next time you see them!

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!

PARENTS OF GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, please attend this brief informative meeting regarding this year’s SENIOR SUNDAY! March 8th, 7:00pm, Upstairs FLC. Senior Sunday is May 17th, when we will honor our graduating seniors during morning worship. We want to honor all FUMC's graduating seniors, regardless of their current level of participation in youth activities.  If you have any questions, please contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

Thanks to those who came out last Sunday evening for the Youth's annual Chili Supper and Cook-Off. We had to move the date due to snow back in January, but the turnout was still amazing. The food and fellowship were wonderful! Judges Sean Barnes, Keegan Rose, and Pastor Corey unanimously voted the following awards:

1st place -- Karli Barnes
2nd place -- Patrick Sebert
3rd place -- Cheyenne Hook

Each winner got a wooden spoon and cutting board, and Karli will have her name engraved on the Famous Chili Pot trophy for the 3rd time! Guests all voted for their favorite as well, and People’s Choice went to Patrick Sebert.

Our annual Community Easter Eggstravaganza is hopping closer, and we need your help to make it egg-straordinary! Please donate plastic Easter eggs in the baskets by the welcome desks and spread some egg-streme joy throughout our community.

Feeling egg-specially helpful? If your church Small Group, Sunday School class, or Bible Study wants to shell-ebrate Easter by helping stuff eggs, we’d love to have you join the fun!
Don’t leave us scrambling - contact Irene Upson at iupson@fumcstw.org to donate eggs or to get your group involved.

Momentum Youth’s 8th Annual Chili Cook-off will arrive this Sunday, February 22, 5:00-7:00pm.  $2/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 

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 meal packaging event: 21,000 meals to be shared with communities around the world facing food insecurity. Let us meet this need together!

Last Friday, February 13th, we hosted our 8th Annual Night to Shine!  It’s such an honor to host this Nationwide Special Prom every year, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.  206 volunteers from the community and around the state worked the event, with some arriving early Friday morning to set up and decorate, transforming our Family Life Center to reflect this year’s theme of Under the Sea.  So much love and special attention was given to the 162 very special guests, including members of our very own Faith Class. Starting with a walk down the red carpet, their night included fancy outfits, music, dancing, karaoke, supper, bingo, a photo booth and new friends.

Big thanks to our Momentum Youth who represent us as hosts, as well as to our church staff who helped prepare for this amazing annual event!

This past Tuesday we hosted our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner and fundraiser for Rise Against Hunger. Thank you so much to everyone who came, ate, and fellowshipped, volunteered to make and serve pancakes, and to those who generously donated towards our Lenten offering as well!

What a meaningful beginning to the season of Lent! Our two Ash Wednesday services were beautifully attended, with more than 170 people joining together for worship, prayer, and the imposition of ashes. Thank you to everyone who helped lead, serve, and participate as we entered this holy season as a church family. May this Lenten journey draw us ever closer to Christ and to one another!

We kicked off February with two meaningful shopping days, serving 14 families on Saturday and 4 more on Monday. We were especially excited to welcome four new families who shopped with us for the first time.
To continue meeting the needs of our foster families each month, Hope House is always grateful 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 help and can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

A heartfelt thank‑you goes out to our dedicated volunteers who make each shopping day possible, and to our church family and community whose generosity sustains this mission. Your support ensures that every family who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and cared for.

Our annual Community Easter Eggstravaganza is hopping closer, and we need your help to make it egg-straordinary! Please donate plastic Easter eggs in the baskets by the welcome desks and spread some egg-streme joy throughout our community.

Feeling egg-specially helpful? If your church Small Group, Sunday School class, or Bible Study wants to shell-ebrate Easter by helping stuff eggs, we’d love to have you join the fun!
Don’t leave us scrambling - contact Irene Upson at iupson@fumcstw.org to donate eggs or to get your group involved.