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.

We are excited to announce that Noah Bennett joined our congregation as an affiliate member last Sunday at the 10:00am service! Welcome, Noah!

We begin a powerful and set apart journey toward Easter next week on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. Join us for the imposition of ashes and a check in with your soul for one of our two special worship services -- 12:10 & 7:00 pm.

Our Lenten sermon series begins on Sunday, Feb. 22. The sermons and several Sunday School classes will be following Adam Hamilton’s recently released book, “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” If you are not a part of a Sunday School class, Lent is a great time to join one!

Our Lenten offering will once again support “Rise Against Hunger.” We are raising money, along with other area United Methodist churches, to fund our food packing project later this spring. Think about what you would spend for lunch out once a week during Lent and give that money to our special offering. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to eliminate hunger around the world.

May these 40 days of Lent lead us to an appreciation of Jesus’ gift to us and God’s final word of victory in the resurrection.

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

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

In observance of President's Day, the church office will be closed Monday, February 16. Will resume normal office hours on Tuesday. We hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!

The United Women in Faith Book Club will meet Friday, February 20 at 1pm at Persimmon Hill Bakery. The book for the month is My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir. New members are always welcome!

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 has been rescheduled for February 22, 5:00-7:00pm.  $2 a person at the door gets you a full chili dinner, as well as an opportunity to taste the entries! Enter YOUR favorite chili by CLICKING HERE or contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org 

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

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

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

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

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

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

May the peace of Christ be yours today,
Pastor Charla

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

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

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

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charla

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please contact Velda Lorenz if you have any questions @ 405.269.8287

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

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

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

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

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

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

Two thousand years after Jesus’s crucifixion, the cross remains one of the most recognized symbol in the world. It crowns church steeples, hangs around necks, and fills our hymns and prayers. Christians speak of Jesus “dying for our sins,” but what does that really mean? Why did Jesus have to die, and how does his death bring life? Ask a dozen Christians and you may hear a dozen different answers.

The holy season of Lent begins in just a few weeks. Our focus will be a question that many people ask, "Why did Jesus have to die?"

Following the outline provided by Pastor Adam Hamilton, we will explore the richness of the New Testament’s answers to this question. Notice that answers is plural. No single image or theory can capture the mystery of the cross. We'll learn how Christians through the years have found meaning in the death and resurrection of Jesus, giving a picture of God’s message to us, told by and through the cross.

Many of our Sunday School classes will be following a curriculum that parallels the Lenten sermon series. This is a great chance to join a class and travel this learning journey with a group of folks seeking a deeper faith together.

The United Women in Faith will meet in the Social Hall at 11:45am on Wednesday, February 4. A program on Fraud Prevention will be presented by Kara Robinson, a specialist on fraud prevention. All women are invited to attend.

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

Please contact Velda Lorenz if you have any questions @ 405.269.8287

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

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

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

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

Every Wednesday evening, we serve a meal in the Social Hall of the Sanctuary Building (downstairs.) Some of our youth enjoy the table fellowship before youth group. Members of the choir enjoy the same before rehearsal. Members of Disciple Bible Study like to eat together before class. Typically, there at 15-25 people who eat together on Wednesdays.

With the announcement of our Food Services Director, Sapeida Myers', resignation, the mid-week meal is changing. We'll be bringing in food from area restaurants like: McAlister's Deli, Chick fil a, Hideaway, etc. We're also looking at options for BBQ and Mexican offerings. The meal will be simple: a main, a side, dessert -- beverages (tea and water). Served on paper plates, the meal needs to be easy to set out and clean up before the evening activities.

We'll be trying out different food options for the rest of the school year and then take a break from serving this meal over the summer. In the fall, we'd like to expand our Wednesday night meal to include more people. We'll keep you posted as we find out what works and what doesn't work in this new arrangement.

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

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

This is an excerpt of a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Laura Merrill

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has launched a historic engagement initiative in advance of the Council’s 2026 Leadership Gathering, “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be.” The Gathering will convene October 20-24, 2026, at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, bringing together nearly 300 participants including bishops, clergy, lay leaders, and young adults from across the world.

The engagement initiative is designed to expand participation in the event, giving every United Methodist a direct voice in shaping this conversation about the denomination’s future. At the heart of this initiative are three participation pathways:
A denomination-wide survey,
A worldwide webinar series, and
A newly coordinated website.
Together, these pathways are intentionally designed to gather and share the hopes, wisdom, and vision of United Methodists across the worldwide connection.

The Gathering’s design team has publicly committed to crafting the event around the thoughts and hopes that United Methodists share. As suggested by the designers, I am encouraging pastors across the connection to request their congregations participate collectively in the survey. (CLICK HERE to access the survey. Click on your preferred language to enter the survey.) This shared moment of discernment is intended to spark a movement of “gathered hope” across our church.

Friends, there is a whole lot right now that’s filling up our hearts, our prayer time, and our many forms of service. Yet in the midst of challenge, I find hope in our connection and the expressions of Christ's gospel love across our church, in very diverse contexts. Engagement with this survey and conversation is a way to set our people’s sights on who we are called to be, together, going forward. I hope you will find your participation to be fruitful.

Grace and peace,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faithfully,
Pastor Charla

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for your generous gifts to support the work and ministry of our congregation in 2025. We ended the year with income slightly above our expectations and expenses  below our expectations. This left us with a surplus of $74,159.

As we head into 2026, this surplus will fund our expected shortfall for the first six months. November and December account for 25% of our income so we are used to expenses outpacing income in the first part of the year. Your generous gifts at the end of last year ensured a strong start to 2026.
 
At this time last year, we had to use our reserves to cover our shortfall for 2024. Due to careful management in years past, we were still able to move ahead from a deficit position. Seeing the necessity to change, we started 2025 with a much smaller budget. We followed through and lowered our expenditures by $121,814 last year. Most of this savings came from decreased apportionment requests from our Annual Conference and decreased personnel costs. We are headed in to 2026 with a flat budget and will be watching the income trends as we prepare for our new fiscal year which will begin July 1, 2026.
 
Our year end numbers showed us that we could turn a deficit into a surplus. Our income didn’t increase, but our overall expenditures sharply decreased — even in the midst of rising costs. We are so grateful to the many who give with generous hearts, making possible the work God is doing among us and through us. If you have any questions about our financial position or would like to see a full set of our financial reports, please contact Daniel Guthrie, our Business Administrator. You are also welcome to attend our Finance Committee meeting on Jan. 20, 5:30 pm, in the Social Hall.
 
Thanks to Daniel and his office for their hard work in finalizing this information. Year-end giving statements for 2025 were sent via U.S. mail this week. Let’s make 2026 great!

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

Our Shower Ministry provides weekly showers to individuals in our community that do not have access to regular showers. Along with providing towels and wash cloths, we give toiletry items of soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant as well as a t-shirt, underwear and socks. These items are made possible from your generous donations. We need your support in this winter season to restock our supplies. CLICK HERE to respond and let us know how you can help.

In observance of MLK Jr. Day, our office and building will be closed Monday, January 19.

College students & young adults...right after worship, stick around for Lunch Break! We’ll meet up every Sunday at 12:00 pm at the back of the sanctuary and either head out or bring in lunch. It’s laid-back, no pressure, and a great way to connect with other young adults while sharing a meal. Come hungry, leave encouraged!

Need a great way to start your week? THE WAY meets every Monday night at 7:00 pm in the Parlor. We’ll dive into real conversations about life and faith, ask big questions, dig into scripture, and figure out together what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world. Plus, there will always be snacks and laughter!

Sapeida Myers, our Food Services Director, has accepted a new position with food services for one of the sorority houses on the OSU campus. Her last day on staff with us will be Sunday, Jan. 25. This is a wonderful opportunity for Sapeida and her family. We wish her the very best and we will miss her desire to feed everyone she meets! May the OSU students benefit from her heart to serve, the love she pours into her food, and her beautifully earned wisdom.

Inviting all 3rd graders (and any new 4th & 5th graders) to take part in our Children's Bible Sunday, January 25th, and Bible study sessions. We will encourage your child's faith journey with a Bible gifted from our church. Our Bible study sessions will cover how to use and explore their new Bibles. All sessions will take place during the Sunday School hour this spring.  We can't wait to celebrate this milestone in the United Methodist church with you! Please contact Irene Upson by CLICKING HERE.

Momentum Youth’s 8th Annual Chili Cook-off is January 25, 5:00-7:00pm!  $2 a person at the door gets you a full chili dinner, as well as an opportunity to taste the entries! Enter YOUR favorite chili by CLICKING HERE or contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

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

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

Please contact Velda Lorenz if you have any questions @ 405.269.8287

We are excited to announce that James, Lori and Carson Stine joined our family of faith at Stillwater First UMC this past Sunday! Make sure to give them a warm First UMC welcome when you see them!

As we finish our stewardship campaign, let’s celebrate! We had a slight increase in the number of pledges over last year and almost double the number of new pledges. Our total, $1,286,506 outpaces last year’s total by $119,300. Thank you, Stillwater First.

Our challenge in this year’s campaign was to “Live a Life of Love.” Love is an act of generosity. We can’t earn love. Instead, it is given from hearts that know how much they are loved. Our prayer is that our hearts grew bigger and stronger through our commitment to the life and future of our church. Thank you so much for this amazing result. We enter 2026 in a strong position for a wonderful New Year.

College students & young adults...right after worship, stick around for Lunch Break! We’ll meet up every Sunday at 12:00 pm at the back of the sanctuary and either head out or bring in lunch. It’s laid-back, no pressure, and a great way to connect with other young adults while sharing a meal. Come hungry, leave encouraged!

Need a great way to start your week? THE WAY meets every Monday night at 7:00 pm in the Parlor. We’ll dive into real conversations about life and faith, ask big questions, dig into scripture, and figure out together what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world. Plus, there will always be snacks and laughter!

Momentum Youth’s 8th Annual Chili Cook-off is January 25, 5:00-7:00pm!  $2 a person at the door gets you a full chili dinner, as well as an opportunity to taste the entries! Enter YOUR favorite chili by CLICKING HERE or contact Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org

Thank you to everyone who donated books to Hope House in December. These books will be incredibly useful for our foster families this month, offering comfort, connection, and moments of joy. In January and February, we have a special Literacy Corner where children can explore new stories, read with caregivers, and discover the magic of books. Your donations helped make this space possible!

Your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference in this mission!

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

Inviting all 3rd graders (and any new 4th & 5th graders) to take part in our Children's Bible Sunday, January 25th, and Bible study sessions. We will encourage your child's faith journey with a Bible gifted from our church. Our Bible study sessions will cover how to use and explore their new Bibles. All sessions will take place during the Sunday School hour this spring.  We can't wait to celebrate this milestone in the United Methodist church with you! Please contact Irene Upson by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you, Stillwater First United Methodist Church, for the incredible generosity you shared through our Christmas Eve Offering! Because of your faithfulness, this year’s offering raised $32,961.44, making it the largest Christmas Eve offering in our church’s history! Your gifts directly support our Benevolence Fund, allowing our church to continue offering hope, help, and compassion to neighbors facing unexpected hardship. This outpouring of generosity is a powerful witness to Christ’s love at work among us. We are deeply grateful for the way you live out your faith, especially during the holy season when we celebrate God’s greatest gift to the world.

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

Please contact Velda Lorenz if you have any questions @ 405.269.8287

Ryan, Kate, Simon and Scarlett joined our church on Dec. 28, at the special service to end the year. We welcome them into our congregation and look forward to confirmation for Simon and Scarlett in a few months.

Have you ever wondered, along with the Apostle Paul, "Why do I do what I don't want to do?" We might also phrase this question in some different ways: Why can't I choose what I say I want? Why do I speak hurtful words to those I love and then find it hard to apologize? Why does my love for God grow cold?

Christians have been asking questions like these for 2,000 years. In the 3rd and 4th centuries, they began to look for the root causes of our faithfulness failures. They narrowed the list to seven -- all growing from the root cause, pride. These seven were known as deadly vices (the stuff that gets a hold of us and won't let go). They are: vainglory, envy, sloth, greed, wrath, gluttony, and lust.

In this series, we will examine these vices -- where they come from, how we can recognize them with greater accuracy, and the grace offered through the counteracting virtues of our faith.

Starting this Sunday, Jan. 4, Pastor Charla will teach a Sunday morning class, from 10:00-11:00 am. This class will focus on mapping the right path for our spiritual journey. Some begin the spiritual journey with a life-changing experience with God. Others have no idea when their journey with God began, but they know they want to go further. Walking the path -- making forward progress -- is the desire we all share. If you'd like to know more, join Pastor Charla on the journey.

Many of you have a Sunday School class already; some do not. If you don't already have a group, consider joining with the group Pastor Charla will build in our six weeks together. If you have questions or would like more information, CLICK HERE, to email Pastor Charla.

As our music ministry returns for 2026, we are accepting musicians of all ages and skill levels. There are openings in all ensembles:

All ensembles present worship opportunities to their members at least once per month and typically follow the academic calendar. The praise band and sanctuary choir continue year-round.

Revelation Youth Choir is now accepting students 4th thru 12th grade. They rehearse on Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm in the Music Suite. Point of contact is Keegan Rose. CLICK HERE to email Keegan with questions.

Children's Choir accepts students Pre K-5th grade. They will rehearse Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:00am in the Music Suite. Rehearsals begin on Jan. 11. Point of contact is Irene Upson. CLICK HERE to email Irene with questions.

Thanks to all who worked so hard on Sunday to make Breakfast Church a success. We had 205 in attendance for our worship service on Sunday, Dec. 28. Sapeida Myers made a great breakfast for us, including two extra pans of French toast casserole she made when supplies got low. Andrew Ranson brought the house down with O Holy Night. We collected over 50 books to donate to Hope House. You shined on Sunday, First Church! It was a wonderful conclusion to 2025.

Inviting all 3rd graders (and any new 4th & 5th graders) to take part in our Children's Bible Sunday, January 25th, and Bible study sessions. We will encourage your child's faith journey with a Bible gifted from our church. Our Bible study sessions will cover how to use and explore their new Bibles. All sessions will take place during the Sunday School hour this spring.  We can't wait to celebrate this milestone in the United Methodist church with you! Please contact Irene Upson by CLICKING HERE.

Over 300 people gathered in our sanctuary on Friday, Dec. 5 for the annual Early Childhood Center Christmas Program. It was a good test run for Christmas Eve! (Our 5:00 pm service was full with 423 in attendance.) All the children did a great job telling the Christmas story to parents, grandparents, big brothers and sisters.

Our Early Childhood Center (ECC) is on break for the holidays, but will return next week. They operate 5 days a week with over 60 children enrolled. We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful evening and were blessed by the celebration.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to share that Hope House will begin offering a second shopping day each month - a change made with our foster families’ needs and busy schedules in mind.

Over the past quarter, thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to place more than 80 packages of diapers into the hands of families who truly needed them. Each one represents comfort, relief, and a reminder that none of us are doing this work alone. As we prepare for our next shopping days, following are a few items we are in need of:
        
Diapers – Sizes 5, 6 & 7
        Girls & Boys Pull Ups – Sizes 4T/5T & 5T/6T
  Unscented Baby Wipes

Items may be dropped off in our donation box located inside the front doors of First United Methodist Church, 400 W 7th Ave, Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm. You can also drop donations on Mondays directly to Hope House from 9:00am-11:00am at 802 S Duck St. The Hope House 2026 Amazon Wish List can be seen by CLICKING HERE. Thank you for your continued support of Hope House and the families we serve - Happy New Year!

We've had a great response to our Stewardship Campaign this year, "Living a Life of Love." Next week, we'll give the final report. We are still receiving commitments, so if you haven't turned yours in, please send it to the church office. You can also email it to Daniel Guthrie. CLICK HERE to email Daniel.

On Sunday, December 28, we’ll join together for one worship service at 10:00am in the Family Life Center. Breakfast provided. Menu: French Toast Casserole, sausage, fruit, coffee and juice. If you have extra Christmas goodies to share, please bring them.

No Sunday School for children and youth. Faith Class will not meet. Closer Talk (adult class) will meet at 11:00 am. All other Sunday School classes are NOT meeting.

Our mission project is a Book Drive (children’s books) for Hope House. Our livestream will be available by 8:30am that morning running a replay of the December 29, 2024, worship service. 

The church office will be closed on New Year’s Day.
The office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Dec. 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 2. 

The Apostle Paul asks a question that has puzzled humans for 2,000 years: Why do I do what I don't want to do? (Romans 7:14-20) We might ask it like this -- why is my willpower so weak? Why do I struggle to forgive? Why is compassion offputting to me?

The earliest Christians had similar questions, so they went to the desert -- thinking that they could escape temptation there. What they found was temptation is a human experience. Even in the desert, it finds us.

A proper diagnosis is essential for healing. From the desert, these forebears of our faith paid deep and careful attention to the condition of their hearts. They began to write about the "root sins," the sins from which all other sins grow. Eventually, they clarified the list to what we later called, the Seven Deadly Sins.

In January, we'll examine each of these "root sins" during the sermon. Each week, the goal is finding freedom from that which seems to hold us in bondage: Why can't we choose what we say we want? Why do we speak hurtful words to those we love and then find it hard to apologize? Why does our love for God grow cold?

Healing depends on a proper diagonsis. Let's see what we can learn from those who've been asking these questions for a long time as we consider the Glittering Vices in our lives.

Starting Jan. 4, Pastor Charla will teach a Sunday morning class, from 10:00-11:00 am. This class will focus on mapping the right path for our spiritual journey. Some begin the spiritual journey with a life-changing experience with God. Others have no idea when they began, but they know they want to go further. Walking the path -- making forward progress -- is the desire we all share. If you'd like to know more, join Pastor Charla on the journey.

Many of you have a Sunday School class already; some do not. If you don't already have a group, consider joining with the group Pastor Charla will build in our six weeks together. If you have questions or would like more information, CLICK HERE, to email Pastor Charla

Friendly reminder, year end donations must be in the church office by 3:00 pm, Dec. 31, or postmarked by Dec. 31. Grateful for your generosity!

We are excited to announce that this past Sunday we had Mark & JP Pankratz join our family of faith! Make sure to give them a warm First UMC welcome next time you see them!

Last Sunday we also celebrated Jeremy, Jennifer and Matthew Tavares becoming members of our church, as Matthew received his baptism. Please welcome the Tavares family and congratulate them on Matthew's baptims the next time you see them!

Join us for our Live Nativity on December 20th from 5:30-7:00pm!
Celebrate the season with an evening of joy, reflection, and community. Enjoy a heartfelt nativity experience filled with the spirit of Christmas. All are welcome - bring family, friends, and neighbors as we gather to share the love and hope of the holiday season!
We will be located in the labyrinth area on the south side of the FLC parking lot.

It is the longest night of the year, and for many, the season of Christmas can feel shadowed by grief, exhaustion, and the absence of those we love most. If loss has marked your life this year, we invite you to come and heal with us on December 21 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Our Blue Christmas service is a gentle, quiet time of worship created for those who need space to breathe, reflect, and be held by the hope of Christ.
 
This years’ service will include a simple Ritual of Remembrance, where worshipers can write the name of a loved one on a blue ornament and hang it on our white Remembrance Tree. This act of love and memory helps us acknowledge our grief while trusting that God holds every name and every story.
 
No matter where you find yourself this season, the message of Christmas still speaks hope into the darkness. Join us for this meaningful service as we seek comfort, healing, and light, together.

Every year, Christmas Eve worship meets our longing for hope, peace, joy and love. This year, on December 24, we’ll offer three services. At 3:00pm, we’ll worship in the Family Life Center with a beautiful blend of contemporary music and rooted traditions. At 5:00pm and 7:00pm, we’ll worship in the Sanctuary with traditional music and lovely liturgy. We’ll receive Communion at all three services and then light our candles as the lights dim and we sing, “Silent Night!” If you are in town, we hope you’ll join us at one of these services. 

The Missions Committee annually chooses a ministry or organization to receive the Christmas Eve Offering, and this year they are excited to announce our congregation's Benevolence Ministry as the recipient.

This ministry provides emergency financial assistance to our neighbors who find themselves in crisis throughout the Stillwater community. In 2025 alone, this fund supported 64 households, representing more than 168 individuals, with nearly $24,000 in vital aid for utilities, rent, and other essential needs.

This ministry remains one of the most direct ways our church is able to respond to real and immediate needs throughout our community. As we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the night when hope took on flesh, we ask you to generously support this ministry so that our congregation may continue shining Christ’s light through tangible support for those who need it most, when they need it most.

Thank you for helping us share His love in meaningful and life-giving ways!

On Sunday, December 28, we’ll join together for one worship service at 10:00am in the Family Life Center. Breakfast provided. Menu: French Toast Casserole, sausage, fruit, coffee and juice. If you have extra Christmas goodies to share, please bring them. Our mission project is a Book Drive (children’s books) for Hope House. If you have new or gently used children’s books to share, bring them with you on December 28. Our livestream will run at 8:30am that morning, with a replay of the December 29, 2024, worship service.

Our church hosted an OBI blood drive on Sunday, December 14. Total units collected: 26. Donors were mostly church members, but there were a few from the community. Most donors had an appointment, but there were 7 walk ins. Hospitals as far away as Amarillo and Little Rock benefited from the blood donated this past Sunday. Our largest percentage of donors were A+, closely followed by O+. Thank you to everyone who donated on Sunday!
We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff all year long. Thanks for your generous support of this offering during this special time of year!

Earlier this month our UWF held its Annual Christmas Tea.  Keegan Rose blessed them with a music program, followed by recognition of "Angels" who they've have lost in 2025. Irene Upson led them in the installation of 2026 officers, and they feasted on Christmas goodies provided by the UWF women. Many guests were in attendance. They will meet again in January - wishing all a wonderful Christmas season!

We closed out the year with a joyful shopping day, serving 21 foster care families and 51 children. Thanks to your generosity, families received essentials including:

A large number of diapers and wipes
Winter coats and clothing
Shoes and socks
Toys, books, and festive pajamas

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, donors, and church family for making this possible. Your support ensures children in foster care are cared for, comforted, and celebrated this holiday season.

Addison Slavin joined our family of faith this past Sunday at the 11:10am service. Give her a warm First UMC welcome when you see her!

You’re invited to our Children’s Christmas Program, A Charlie Brown Christmas! Come enjoy an evening of music, joy, and the timeless message of Christmas on December 14th at 5:30pm in the FLC.

THIS Sunday, December 14, we host our blood drive, from 8:30am-12:30pm.
If you want to sign up for an appointment, please CLICK HERE.

This Sunday will be the final opportunity to contritube to a special offering our Staff Christmas bonus. If you’d like to contribute to this special thank you gift, please bring your donation to worship, look for an SPRC member, and drop it in one of the donation boxes they are holding. If you’d like to donate online, please CLICK HERE to access our directed donation page.

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff all year long. Thanks for your generous support of this offering during this special time of year!

On the last Sunday of 2025, we’ll join together for one worship service at 10:00am in the Family Life Center, including breakfast, yum! We invite you to bring a Christmas goodie to share. The main menu will be: French toast casserole, sausage, and fresh fruit. Beverages are coffee, apple and orange juice.

The worship service will include a time of eating together and sharing table fellowship, as well as Christmas music and celebration. We’ll be seated around tables in the multipurpose room as you arrive. Breakfast will be served as a part of the worship service. Hope you can join us for a fun Sunday morning celebration as 2025 comes to a close.

Join us Wednesday, December 17th at 7:00pm in the sanctuary for an evening of Christmas cheer as we gather to sing our favorite carols and share delicious treats together! If you can, bring a plate of cookies - homemade or store-bought - anything you’d love to contribute to our cookie table!

We’ll enjoy a relaxed, joy-filled time of singing, fellowship, and celebration as we step deeper into the season. All ages are welcome. Come enjoy the sweetness of Christmas!

It is the longest night of the year, and for many, the season of Christmas can feel shadowed by grief, exhaustion, and the absence of those we love most. If loss has marked your life this year, we invite you to come and heal with us on December 21 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary. Our Blue Christmas service is a gentle, quiet time of worship created for those who need space to breathe, reflect, and be held by the hope of Christ.
 
This years’ service will include a simple Ritual of Remembrance, where worshipers can write the name of a loved one on a blue ornament and hang it on our white Remembrance Tree. This act of love and memory helps us acknowledge our grief while trusting that God holds every name and every story.
 
No matter where you find yourself this season, the message of Christmas still speaks hope into the dark. Join us for this meaningful service as we seek comfort, healing, and light, together.

On the first Sunday evening of Advent, Momentum Youth kicked off the season by leading us in our annual Hanging of the Greens service. Thank you to the youth for their time spent preparing,  hen decorating and sharing the origin and meaning of each decoration placed during the service. Thank you also to Keegan, Dana, and our combined Adult and Youth Choirs for filling the evening with such beautiful music! And thank YOU, our church family, for joining us and making it an act of worship. How beautiful our Sanctuary is when it’s all dressed up for the most special time of year!  

The same week, the youth participated in Stillwater’s annual Parade of Lights! At youth group on Wednesday night, they and some dedicated parents worked hard transforming the church truck and trailer into “Santa’s Workshop.” They showed up again on Thursday night in freezing weather to participate in the parade, then tear it all down the same night. So much fun was had and they represented our church well! Still to come on their Advent calendar is a night of caroling and three progressive dinners. We appreciate the youth’s energy and Christmas spirit!

The Missions Committee annually chooses a ministry or organization to receive the Christmas Eve Offering, and this year they are excited to announce our congregation's Benevolence Ministry as the recipient.

This ministry provides emergency financial assistance to our neighbors who find themselves in crisis throughout the Stillwater community. In 2025 alone, this fund supported 64 households, representing more than 168 individuals, with nearly $24,000 in vital aid for utilities, rent, and other essential needs.

This ministry remains one of the most direct ways our church is able to respond to real and immediate needs throughout our community. As we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the night when hope took on flesh, we ask you to generously support this ministry so that our congregation may continue shining Christ’s light through tangible support for those who need it most, when they need it most.

Thank you for helping us share His love in meaningful and life-giving ways!

Join us for our Live Nativity on December 20th from 5:30-7:00pm!
Celebrate the season with an evening of joy, reflection, and community. Enjoy a heartfelt nativity experience filled with the spirit of Christmas. All are welcome - bring family, friends, and neighbors as we gather to share the love and hope of the holiday season!
We will be located in the labyrinth area on the south side of the FLC parking lot.

Are you looking forward to Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion? Every year, this experience meets our longing for hope, peace, joy and love. It is such a beautiful culmination of the Advent season. This year, we’ll offer three services. At 3:00pm, we’ll worship in the Family Life Center with a beautiful blend of contemporary music and rooted traditions. At 5:00pm and 7:00pm, we’ll worship in the Sanctuary with traditional music and lovely liturgy. We’ll receive Communion at all three services and then light our candles as the lights dim and we sing, “Silent Night!” If you are in town, we hope you’ll join us at one of these services.

We’ll have this year's Advent schedule ready for you at church on Sunday at the Welcome Stations, both in the Sanctuary building and FLC. Be sure to pick one up to put on your fridge! If you need us to mail one to you, please call the church office - 405.372.5854

Join us TONIGHT, December 5 @ 6pm, for a festive evening in the sanctuary. The students from our Early Childhood Center will perform their Christmas Program. Come enjoy the sweet songs and smiles of our little ones as we celebrate the season together! After the program, the celebration continues in the FLC with a silent auction. All proceeds from the silent auction help support our scholarship fund, provide educational supplies, and update equipment for our Early Childhood Center. We can’t wait to celebrate this joyful evening with you!

Here is an update on our recent stewardship campaign, challenging us to Live a Life of Love. As of Dec. 4, we’ve received 167 commitments for a total of $1,176,948. For comparison, last year's campaign received 188 commitments for a total of $1,208,000. We still have about 50 commitments outstanding, totaling around $200,000. If we surpass $1,325,000 in commitments, that would be our largest total in recent memory.

If you’ve not turned in your card yet, I hope you will by simply returning it to the church office or dropping it in the offering plate during worship. It would help us in our planning for 2026 to receive your commitment before the end of the year.

Let's celebrate! We received 20 first time commitments, totaling $95,060. A special shout out to those who are making a commitment for the first time to our congregation. Thanks for placing your trust in us. We also had 59 increased commitments. The increased amount totaled $105,363. What a grace we've received from those who share so generously with our church.

In October, our Church Council approved a change to our budget year. We are planning to switch to a July-June fiscal year in 2026. We did this to shift the months in which we create our budget. Since we normally receive 25% of our annual income in November and December, a January budget start was almost impossible to execute. With a July 1 start to our fiscal year, we can take the spring months to adequately plan. Our planning is based on the commitments you made and our actual income.

As we prepare for this shift, know that our giving statements will continue to reflect the calendar year (Jan-Dec) and our stewardship campaign will continue to be held in November. Since 2026 will be our transition year, we have approved a 6-month budget (Jan-June) which depends on carry over from 2025. That is important to know as I offer you an update on how we are closing out 2025.

As of Nov. 30, our year to date (YTD) income is: $1,445,332. Our YTD expenses are: $1,439,754. This creates a surplus of $5,557. We are hopeful for a surplus of at least $40,000 carried into 2026, balancing our 6-month stub budget. We believe this is possible because December is always our highest month for contributions. Your year-end contributions will be important in giving us a strong start to 2026. As always, we are grateful for your gifts.

Living in Love,
Pastor Charla

Our Staff has done a great job supporting our Church this year. Christmas is one of the times we show our appreciation. How do we do this? Each year the SPRC requests donations for Staff Christmas Bonuses. This special offering will be received through Dec. 14 and then shared with our staff later that week. If you’d like to contribute to this special thank you gift, please bring your donation to worship, look for an SPRC member, and drop it in one of the donation boxes they are holding. If you’d like to donate online, please CLICK HERE to access our directed donation page.

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff all year long. Thanks for your generous support of this offering during this special time of year!

It is time to order Poinsettias, or simply make an end of year contribution to support our church’s Foundation or Circle of Care. If you are looking for a way to honor or remember a loved one this Christmas, look for the order form in your bulletin this week. The deadline for placing your order is December 10, so don’t wait! If you’d rather place your order over the phone, please call the church office at (405) 372-5854.

Join us this Sunday, December 7 at 7:00pm at First Baptist Church (701 S Duncan St, Stillwater, OK 74074) for a powerful community presentation of The Mystery and Majesty by Joseph Martin, with orchestration by Brant Adams.

This inspiring work will be conducted by Keegan Rose and Brant Adams, and prepared under the direction of Natasa Karaca, Keegan Rose, and Brant Adams.

The evening features a remarkable collaboration between the choirs of First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, the Stillwater Chamber Singers, and singers from area congregations.

Come celebrate the season with this extraordinary musical offering - everyone is welcome!

You’re invited to our Children’s Christmas Program, A Charlie Brown Christmas! Come enjoy an evening of music, joy, and the timeless message of Christmas on December 14th at 5:30pm in the FLC.

Our OBI rep Brandi Atkinson sent me a video of an 8-year-old Stillwater child telling his story about having cancer and receiving blood transfusions which can be seen HERE.

I've been a blood donor, off and on, since 1974. That year I had learned that the husband of a coworker of mine was ill and that blood donations were needed. I was a 22 year old kid, fresh out of college, that wanted to help in some small way.

Generally, OBI doesn't ever 'cry wolf' when it comes to soliciting blood donations. Sometimes, an appeal will arise related to a severe weather event, when many drives have had to be cancelled. The need for blood products continues without regard to weather.

The next First UMC drive is Sunday December 14, from 8:30am-12:30pm.
If you are interested in signing up, please CLICK HERE.

Yours in Christ,
Ken Meyer

Our church is bringing the Christmas story to life on Saturday, December 20th from 5:30-7pm, and we need your help to make it happen! We’re looking for volunteers to portray villagers, shepherds, wise men — as well as anyone willing to share friendly animals for the scene. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and share the joy of Christ’s birth with our community. Contact Irene Upson today by CLICKING HERE and help us make this year’s Live Nativity truly special! 

Hope House is one shopping day away from wrapping up another year! The items you donate continue to help support our amazing foster families monthly. We are in need of a few items for the December 13th shopping day.

Volunteers are at the Hope House Mondays from 9am-11am for donation drop off. Items can also be dropped off during the week at southwest entrance of the sanctuary building.

Together WE are making a difference for children in foster care!

The Children’s Weekend Food Sack Program packed food sacks on December 2nd. We had some members of the Cowgirl Softball team, pictured above, along with our many regular monthly volunteers. We have such a great group of people who come and pack these food sacks with love and care for the food insecure children in the Stillwater Schools receiving these sacks.

We started the school year with requests by the schools for 617 food sacks per week. By mid November, the requests had increased to 721 per week. We always want to be ready for increases; with the disruption in SNAP and other food resources for families, we did meet the need. We will start the second semester in January increasing our food sacks packed from 2800 to 3000 per month. If current trends continue, we don’t expect the numbers to decline.

We appreciate everyone who contributes to this program by volunteering, delivering food sacks and giving financially. We will need $20,000 per month to meet the needs as we move into January 2026. All your generous donations have been a huge help and we are blessed.

This month, Sysco Corporate presented a donation for $2,000 in support of the Children’s Food Sack program. Pictured below: Ronny Jeck, our Sysco marketing associate nominated our program. Presenting the check is Jacob Naylor, the District Sales Manager. Sysco has been a great help for us to get our monthly food orders and have a food sack that contains products that are healthy and kid friendly.

- Karen Hinton, Nancy Allford and Linda Blum

You are cordially invited to join Mark Whitfield as he celebrates the 75th wedding anniversary of his parents, Whit & Jo Whitfield. A come and go reception will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Legacy Village Main Building from 2 PM to 5 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Join us for our annual Hanging of the Greens service on November 30th @ 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. We gather to prepare the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas seasons and our hearts for this season of expectation. Led by our Youth, it’s an evening of beautiful music, scripture, and readings that explain the significance of each decoration as it is placed. At the end of the service, everyone will have a chance to place an ornament on the Sanctuary’s Chrismon Tree!

Our Staff has done a great job supporting our Church this year. Christmas is one of the times we show our appreciation. How do we do this? Each year the SPRC requests donations for Staff Christmas Bonuses. This special offering will be received through Dec. 14 and then shared with our staff later that week. If you’d like to contribute to this special thank you gift, please bring your donation to worship, look for an SPRC member, and drop it in one of the donation boxes they are holding. If you’d like to donate online, please CLICK HERE to access our directed donation page.

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff all year long. Thanks for your generous support of this offering during this special time of year!

It is time to order Poinsettias, or simply make an end of year contribution to support our church’s Foundation or Circle of Care. If you are looking for a way to honor or remember a loved one this Christmas, look for the order form in your bulletin this week. The deadline for placing your order is December 10, so don’t wait! If you’d rather place your order over the phone, please call the church office at (405) 372-5854.

Please join the United Women in Faith for our Christmas Tea: December, 3 at 1:30pm in the Social Hall. Bring a Holiday goodie to share; Keegan Rose will lead the music program, followed by installation of 2026 officers.

Join us for a festive evening, December 5 at 6:00pm in the sanctuary. The students from our Early Childhood Center will perform their Christmas Program. Come enjoy the sweet songs and smiles of our little ones as we celebrate the season together! After the program, the celebration continues in the FLC with a silent auction. All proceeds from the silent auction help support our scholarship fund, provide educational supplies, and update equipment for our Early Childhood Center. We can’t wait to celebrate this joyful evening with you! On Sunday, November 30, you can also place opening bids on the silent auction items in the children’s area hallway while you are here for worship that morning.

Have you (or a camper you know) been missing some of those special treats from Camp Egan? Here is your chance to enjoy those treats and help contribute funds to Egan to support this special place. CLICK HERE to use the online order form or call the church office to place your order. The deadline for orders is December 8. Expected delivery is December 16-18. Please note: items will be delivered frozen, ready to bake. Payment not required until delivery. Questions? Reach out to Rex Largent via email xlargent@yahoo.com or cell ‭405-385-2342‬.

Are you looking forward to Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion? Every year, this experience meets our longing for hope, peace, joy and love. It is such a beautiful culmination of the Advent season. This year, we’ll offer three services. At 3:00pm, we’ll worship in the Family Life Center with a beautiful blend of contemporary music and rooted traditions. At 5:00 and 7:00pm, we’ll worship in the Sanctuary with traditional music and lovely liturgy. We’ll receive Communion at all three services and then light our candles as the lights dim and we sing, “Silent Night!” If you are in town, we hope you’ll join us at one of these services.

You are cordially invited to join Mark Whitfield as he celebrates the 75th wedding anniversary of his parents, Whit & Jo Whitfield. A come and go reception will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Legacy Village Main Building from 2 PM to 5 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Join us for our annual Hanging of the Greens service on November 30th @ 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. We gather to prepare the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas seasons and our hearts for this season of expectation. Led by our Youth, it’s an evening of beautiful music, scripture, and readings that explain the significance of each decoration as it is placed. At the end of the service, everyone will have a chance to place an ornament on the Sanctuary’s Chrismon Tree!

Momentum Youth will be sending Christmas cards to college students again this year! If you have a student you’d like to include, send their name and mailing address to Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org or (405) 762-9551. Deadline: November 23rd. Cards will be mailed on November 28th wishing them a Merry Christmas and letting them know we are thinking of them during finals!

Please accept our sincerest THANK YOU for the love and support you showed us at our recent Thanks-for-Giving Dinner and Dessert Auction. We hope you enjoyed the meal and auction, and please know that your support means the world to us. We could not do all the fun and meaningful things we do, without it. Thank you for auctioneer Lincoln Lewis who returned for the second year to run the auction, and thanks to our parents who worked so hard to make the day so perfect.

In His Love and ours,
Momentum Youth, Janelda and Gabe

Our church is bringing the Christmas story to life on Saturday, December 20th from 5:30-7pm, and we need your help to make it happen! We’re looking for volunteers to portray villagers, shepherds, wise men — as well as anyone willing to share friendly animals for the scene. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and share the joy of Christ’s birth with our community. Contact Irene Upson today by CLICKING HERE and help us make this year’s Live Nativity truly special!

Once a year, our Early Childhood Center raises money to help support our scholarship fund.   As well as providing scholarships, this year’s money will go towards purchasing equipment for the center and providing funds for each classroom to purchase educational items.
How can you help this year? Bid on the silent auction items located in the Early Childhood hallway. The auction will end December 5th at 7pm in the FLC. There are bunches of fun items to choose from! Or if you would just like to make a donation to the ECC directly, that can be done by CLICKING HERE and selecting "ECC Donation."

Stillwater FUMC has been invited by Bishop Medardo Vedia to bring a mission team to San Pedro, Bolivia in April 2026 to continue our work on the outreach projects of the El Exodo Methodist Church.

We are now accepting applications for our 2026 mission. Everyone is welcome no matter your skill set. There are always activities that anyone of any age or profession can do.
The elevation of San Pedro is roughly 1500 feet, and the climate is moderate. Temperatures typically range from 60 to 80 degrees. Accommodations are in a local motel with twin beds, in-room bathrooms with showers, excellent air conditioning, and are only 3 blocks from the work site.

We would like to know if you are interested by Thanksgiving so that we can plan a realistic budget. No commitment is necessary at this time. For more information and details, please contact team leader Doug Valley at 405-747-8580 or doug.dvllc@gmail.com, or the church office.

Jeff & Samantha Lancaster joined our chuch by profession of faith last Sunday. Please give them a warm First UMC welcome when you see them!

Gwen Aylor joined our church by transfer of membership on Wednesday at the Legacy Village Communion service. She attends each week with our Legacy friends and plays the piano for their opening hymn sing. We are grateful for Gwen's service to the Legacy community and glad to welcome her as a member of our congregation.

We are grieved to announce the passing of Hayden Welch, Dea Rash's son-in-law, who passed on Monday, November 10. His celebration of life service will be Tuesday, November 18, @ 10:30am at McFarlin UMC in Norman, OK. Please join us in praying for God's peace to pour out upon Hayden's family and friends.

This Sunday, Nov. 16, our youth and their families will prepare and serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Two seatings are offered: 11:15am and 12:15pm. Each seating includes its own Dessert Auction! The meal is free, but donations are accepted and combined with the proceeds of the auction to help fund our youth ministries. This is the only fundraiser the youth have each year, and it is also their way of saying to the congregation, “THANKS, FOR GIVING!”  

Reservations are not required but are helpful for planning!  You can return your RSVP for the meal, sign up to donate meal ingredients or a Homemade Dessert for auction by going to their Thanks-for-Giving page:  https://www.fumcstw.org/thanks-for-giving

Our church is bringing the Christmas story to life on Saturday, December 20th from 5:30-7pm, and we need your help to make it happen! We’re looking for volunteers to portray villagers, shepherds, wise men — as well as anyone willing to share friendly animals for the scene. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and share the joy of Christ’s birth with our community. Contact Irene Upson today by CLICKING HERE and help us make this year’s Live Nativity truly special!

We uncovered a hidden treasure recently; a time capsule we believe was placed around 1964 – intended for opening at the 100th anniversary of our sanctuary building. We missed it by a year, but when David Lane, our facilities manager, opened the copper box, so many treasures were waiting.

All items were in very good condition. They include newspaper articles, worship bulletins, hymnals, and other personal items from Judge Wilcox. Pastor Charla is seeking anyone willing to inventory the items and then prepare a display for our congregation during the season of Advent.

If you are interested in this project, please contact Pastor Charla by CLICKING HERE. We’ll keep you posted on our progress!

Stillwater FUMC has been invited by Bishop Medardo Vedia to bring a mission team to San Pedro, Bolivia in April 2026 to continue our work on the outreach projects of the El Exodo Methodist Church.

We are now accepting applications for our 2026 mission. Everyone is welcome no matter your skill set. There are always activities that anyone of any age or profession can do.
The elevation of San Pedro is roughly 1500 feet, and the climate is moderate. Temperatures typically range from 60 to 80 degrees. Accommodations are in a local motel with twin beds, in-room bathrooms with showers, excellent air conditioning, and are only 3 blocks from the work site.

We would like to know if you are interested by Thanksgiving so that we can plan a realistic budget. No commitment is necessary at this time. For more information and details, please contact team leader Doug Valley at 405-747-8580 or doug.dvllc@gmail.com, or the church office.

Supplies for this year’s Operation Christmas Child are located in the Tower Room, FLC hallway and Parlor.  Please pick up a box or boxes, fill with items suggested in the pamphlet and drop off at Eagle Heights church. Dropoff begins on Monday, November 17 and continues through Monday, November 24. Dates and times are on the front of the pamphlet. Also consider making a donation of $10 for each box to cover shipping, see the pamphlet for details. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Momentum Youth will be sending Christmas cards to college students again this year! If you have a student you’d like to include, send their name and mailing address to Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org or (405) 762-9551. Deadline: November 23rd. Cards will be mailed on November 28th wishing them a Merry Christmas and letting them know we are thinking of them during finals!

Dates: February 21–28, 2026
Location: Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, TX
Cost: $200 per person
(50% deposit due by December 15; balance due by February 1)

Join us for a meaningful week of service and spiritual growth at the Lydia Patterson Institute! Participants will help with light maintenance projects such as painting, brush clearing, and vegetation trimming around the campus. In addition to hands-on mission work, you’ll experience the powerful ministry of LPI through time spent with students and a special “Walk in Their Shoes” cross-border excursion. Cost includes transportation by church bus, hotel lodging to/from El Paso, meals, and room & board while at LPI.

Interested? Contact Kathy Tippin at jktippin@gmail.com for more details or to sign up.

The United Women in Faith Book Club will meet on Friday, November 21 at 1pm at Nikki's Greek Restaurant.  The book, West With Giraffes, will be reviewed. A reading list for 2026 will also be discussed.

We welcome Tim & Amy Hardin to our family of faith! They joined by transfer of membership last week. Please give them a warm First UMC welcome when you see them.

On Sunday, November 9, our church will host an areawide charge conference at 2:00 pm. Seventeen other churches will join us. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, will preside as we celebrate mission and ministry in 2025. All are welcome to join us in the Family Life Center. Members of our Church Council are voting members of the charge conference.

On Sunday, November 16, a traditional Thanksgiving meal is prepared and served by the youth at 11:15am and again at 12:15pm. Each seating includes its own Dessert Auction! The meal is free, but donations are accepted and combined with the proceeds of the auction to help fund our youth ministries. This is the only fundraiser the youth have each year, and it is also their way of saying to the congregation, “THANKS, FOR GIVING!”  

Reservations are not required but are helpful for planning!  So please RSVP for the meal, sign up to donate meal ingredients or a Homemade Dessert for auction by going to their Thanks-for-Giving page:  https://www.fumcstw.org/thanks-for-giving

Thank you to everyone who supported our Trunk-or-Treat event! Your creativity, generosity, and community spirit made it such a fun and safe night for all our trick-or-treaters. We couldn’t have done it without you - from decorated trunks to donated candy, every bit of effort made this event a spooky success! The beautiful weather was an added bonus!
Mark your calendars for next year, Halloween will fall on a Saturday night!

Stillwater FUMC has been invited by Bishop Medardo Vedia to bring a mission team to San Pedro, Bolivia in April 2026 to continue our work on the outreach projects of the El Exodo Methodist Church.

We are now accepting applications for our 2026 mission. Everyone is welcome no matter your skill set. There are always activities that anyone of any age or profession can do.
The elevation of San Pedro is roughly 1500 feet, and the climate is moderate. Temperatures typically range from 60 to 80 degrees. Accommodations are in a local motel with twin beds, in-room bathrooms with showers, excellent air conditioning, and are only 3 blocks from the work site.

We would like to know if you are interested by Thanksgiving so that we can plan a realistic budget. No commitment is necessary at this time. For more information and details, please contact team leader Doug Valley at 405-747-8580 or doug.dvllc@gmail.com, or the church office.

Supplies for this year’s Operation Christmas Child are located in the Tower Room, FLC hallway and Parlor.  Please pick up a box or boxes, fill with items suggested in the pamphlet and drop off at Eagle Heights church. Dropoff begins on Monday, November 17 and continues through Monday, November 24. Dates and times are on the front of the pamphlet. Also consider making a donation of $10 for each box to cover shipping, see the pamphlet for details. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Momentum Youth will be sending Christmas cards to college students again this year! If you have a student you’d like to include, send their name and mailing address to Janelda Lane at jlane@fumcstw.org or (405) 762-9551. Deadline: November 23rd. Cards will be mailed on November 28th wishing them a Merry Christmas and letting them know we are thinking of them during finals!

Dates: February 21–28, 2026
Location: Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, TX
Cost: $200 per person
(50% deposit due by December 15; balance due by February 1)

Join us for a meaningful week of service and spiritual growth at the Lydia Patterson Institute! Participants will help with light maintenance projects such as painting, brush clearing, and vegetation trimming around the campus. In addition to hands-on mission work, you’ll experience the powerful ministry of LPI through time spent with students and a special “Walk in Their Shoes” cross-border excursion. Cost includes transportation by church bus, hotel lodging to/from El Paso, meals, and room & board while at LPI.

Interested? Contact Kathy Tippin at jktippin@gmail.com for more details or to sign up.

We give thanks for the OIMC Mission Team (Rex Largent, Cal Underwood, Brad Hise, Mark Whitfield, Corey Shirey, Doug Wilsey, and Doug Valley) who faithfully completed the renovation of the children’s center bathroom at the Northeast Region Grounds. Through their hard work and servant hearts, the facility is now a more welcoming and comfortable space for the children who gather there. This meaningful project was made possible by the generous support of Stillwater First UMC and the Jexal Foundation.

Thank you for all the candy donations! Baskets will stay out until the event.

Our Trunk or Treat will take place on Halloween night Friday, October 31st from 5-7pm in the northwest parking lot. This event gives our community a chance for a low key, safe space to gather goodies to celebrate Halloween. If you'd like to help, park your car about 30 minutes before the event in this lot. You can go wild decorating your trunk or keep it simple. Irene Upson will have extra candy ready. See you there!

This past Sunday Chris and Kim McBride received their baptism and joined our family of faith. We are grateful to partner with them on their journey with Christ! Make sure to give them a warm First UMC welcome when you see them.

We are excited to share that Kent and Carol Olson joined our family of faith by transfer of membership last Sunday. Be sure to offer them a warm First UMC welcome next time you see them as well.

Longtime Stillwater FUMC member, Darrel Overholt, passed away on Oct. 27. His celebration of life will be Friday, November 7, at 2pm in the Sanctuary. Please keep his friends and family in your prayers.

Every fall, we challenge those who call our church home to make a financial commitment of support in the coming year. This year, may the challenge reach beyond returning a commitment card and call us to live a life of love.

In their book, On Love: 20 Lessons for the World We Seek, Paul and Janet Chilcote say, “We believe that love is not just an emotion but a skill that can be developed, a practice that can be refined, and a way of life that can be cultivated.” For three weeks in November, get ready to cultivate habits of generosity and love.

A letter with a 2026 commitment card will be mailed at the first of next week. Our stewardship campaign will launch on Nov. 9, with Commitment Sunday on Nov. 23.

This Sunday, we’ll call the names of members who have passed away in the past 12 months. After each name is read, a candle is lit and a bell will toll. Then, we’ll come to the Communion Table together – the rehearsal dinner for the great feast we’ll all share together one day in heaven. All Saints' Day is a time honored tradition that reminds us we have a huge cheering section on the other side, cheering for us to run the good race and finish strong.

At 4:00 pm on Sunday, Nov. 2, we’ll observe the tradition of calling the role for those who have joined the Church Triumphant at Legacy Village. Thanks to Lou Watkins for carrying the vision for this special service since the opening of this assisted care facility five years ago. Those who call Legacy home are a tight-knit community. They feel the loss of one among them who passes away, often in ways that are hard to describe. Due to Lou’s faithfulness in compiling the information, working with Pastor Charla to design the service, we will be able to honor those who’ve passed at Legacy in the last two years.

Next Sunday, November 9, our church will host an area charge conference at 2:00 pm. Seventeen other churches will join us. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Valerie Steele, will preside as we celebrate mission and ministry in 2025. All are welcome to join us in the Family Life Center. Members of our Church Council are voting members of the charge conference.

Sunday, November 16th is Momentum Youth’s Annual Thanks-for-Giving Meal and Dessert Auction. Mark your calendars to attend either the 11:15am or 12:15pm seating.

Last week, our Momentum Youth spent two days in Tulsa volunteering at three faith-based organizations that are well known in Tulsa for having a significant impact in the communities they serve.  Not only did the youth work alongside and support amazing volunteers, they also saw first-hand the faces of those blessed by these non-profits: Iron Gate, Tulsa Dream Center, and Restore Hope Ministries. The youth would like to thank parent Christy Barnes for joining them and being such a big help, and the Missions Committee for the scholarships that gave them the chance to spend part of their Fall Break in service. We appreciate our youth who are living out Christ’s call to love and serve others!

Sunday, November 16th is Momentum Youth’s Annual Thanks-for-Giving Meal and Dessert Auction! Mark your calendars to attend either the 11:15am or 12:15pm seating! 

On the afternoon of Nov. 2, we’ll observe the tradition of calling the role for those who have joined the Church Triumphant at Legacy Village. Thanks to Lou Watkins for carrying the vision for this special service since the opening of this assisted care facility five years ago. Those who call Legacy home are a tight-knit community. They feel the loss of one among them who passes away, often in ways that are hard to describe. Due to Lou’s faithfulness in compiling the information, working with Pastor Charla to design the service, we will be able to honor those who’ve passed at Legacy in the last two years.

That same morning, we’ll observe this tradition in our morning services for members of our congregation who have passed away in the last 12 months. In both locations, we hope this experience will be a way to celebrate the Communion of Saints who have paved the way for the rest of us.

Our church council met last (Oct. 23) evening to consider several items of business. Our first item of business was approval of our budget for the first six-months of 2026. In August, we voted to change our budget year to July 1 through June 30. To get us to the new budget year start, we approved a budget for January 1 through June 30, 2026.

Other items of business included reports from Trustees, Missions, Staff Parish Relations, and a review of our current financial position from our Finance Committee. We received the items coming before our charge conference in November and offered preliminary approval for the following: 2026 Nominations Slate, clergy salary packages, approval of four certified lay servants. In addition, we reviewed changes to our membership for the previous 12 months. We also received and approved two grant requests for Foundation funds.

If you’d like to see the items presented for preliminary approval to the charge conference, please CLICK HERE. If you’d like a copy of all materials considered, we have several available in the church office. We can also send an electronic copy. Please send an email to Pastor Charla or call the church office.

Thank you for all the candy donations! Baskets will stay out until the event.

Our Trunk or Treat will take place on Halloween night Friday, October 31st from 5-7pm in the northwest parking lot. This event gives our community a chance for a low key, safe space to gather goodies to celebrate Halloween. If you'd like to help, park your car about 30 minutes before the event in this lot. You can go wild decorating your trunk or keep it simple. Irene Upson will have extra candy ready. See you there!