Worship Notes for April 19, 10 AM Worship Third Sunday of Easter
Worship Leader: Pastor Laura Ymker
Scripture: Mark 16:1- NIV
Sermon: “What Does All This Mean?”
Lay Reader: Dale Dallmann; Ushers: Dale & Nancy Dallmann; Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert; Nursery: Lily Yelvington; Sunday School: Janet Koostra; Coffee Fellowship: provided by The Christian Education Board; UCC Tellers: Paul Haffeman, Carol Shipley; Christ UMC Tellers: Rosemary Neilsen, Jeanne Nobbs
The service will be live-streamed on both church Facebook pages and a recording of the livestream will be available on YouTube later in the day and on the UCC website.
NOTE – Each week’s complete Worship Bulletin is also available on this web page – both on the front page and in the Posts.
Favorite Hymns? Do you have a favorite hymn that you’d like to have sung in worship? Starting this Sunday there will be a clip board in the back of the sanctuary for you to jot it down. Pastor Laura will try to incorporate these hymns into upcoming worship services.
Christian Education News
Children will begin in Sunday School on Sunday, April 19. After sharing a message with Janet Koostra, kids age 6 – grade 6 will leave for Sunday School where Janet will also be the teacher. The lesson will be “Cast Your Nets “— the astonishing story of a surprising and successful fishing trip.
Youth Group Schedule – Youth Group will meet at Christ UMC/First Congregational UCC on April 15 and 29. On Wednesday, Aprill 22, the group will meet at the Scottish Rite (1304 13th Ave. S) to help set up for the Scottish Rite Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser which will be held on Thursday, April 23
Bible Study Paused – The Wednesday morning Bible Study, led by Rev. Paul Holland, is paused through Labor Day. With summer approaching, appointments scheduled, vacation plans being planned; the group felt it best to take a break. We will let you know when Bible Study resumes and what the topic will be.
Read With the Pastor – This month I will be reading How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Mariann Edgar Budde to inspire my own faith and spiritual growth. I invite you to grab a copy of the book for yourself and, provided at least one of you would like to, we’ll get together sometime in May to discuss the author’s ideas and how we can incorporate what we learned into our own life. In the meantime, feel free to begin mini-discussions about this topic (or anything else) when you see me around. Happy reading!
Time to Register for Summer Camp – What? It’s only February! (Although we might not believe that based on our weather, lol!). But, yes indeed, it’s time to think about summer camp! Since the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference is not sponsoring camps, we are encouraging our campers to attend Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp (flatheadcamp.org) or Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp (flbc.net). Registration is open now and not just for kids. Both sites offer camps for youth, families, adults, and intergenerational groups. Funds from several sources are available to help defray the cost of camp registration—but only if you let us know that you are going. Funds will be divided among participants. Please contact Janet Koostra, 406-727-8443 or janetkoostra@gmail.com for more information. Sign up today! Summer will be here before we know it!
Christian Service
The greatest gift you can give someone is your TIME. Because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back.
Diaper Collection – Sponsored by the Christian Service Board, diapers, wipes, formula, receiving blankets, etc. will be collected now through Mother’s Day. A crib is set up in the narthex for the donation of these items until May 10. This offering will be shared with Toby’s House Crisis Nursery and YPEC (Young Parents Education Center).
Bake Sale Sweetens the Day on Sunday – Fill your pockets with “dough” this Sunday to spend on goodies made with a different kind of dough at the UP + Student Organization fundraiser, to be held after worship. This group whose faculty sponsor is Dr. Kelly Quick is interested in cultivating an ongoing relationship with our congregation. Let’s offer them a warm welcome! AND- let’s buy all their treats!
United Women in Faith Silent Auction – Items are on display for the Silent Auction in Fellowship Hall through this coming Sunday, April 19. This is a fund raiser for United Women in Faith local area Mission Giving. Come look at all the lovely donated items and bid often.
Fellowship
United Women in Faith – All women are invited to a fun-filled luncheon opportunity on April 16 at noon. The Fellowship Hall will be a-buzz with fun decorations, a speaker telling us all about bees and raising honey in Cascade County. We will have a free will donation salad luncheon with door prizes and raffles. Bring a friend and enjoy the day. Please make reservations with Linda Larson by April 10 so we have enough food, (406) 868-8409 or lindalarson7152@gmail.com. A Silent Auction to be held in the Fellowship Hall from April 12-19. This is a fund raiser for United Women in Faith local area Mission Giving. Come look at all the lovely donated items and bid often.
Jeopardy Time – Come play Jeopardy during coffee fellowship on April 19! This Sunday, Dean Jardee will host a church-themed game personalized to feature questions about our own congregation! Prizes and treats will be provided by the Christian Education Board which is also sponsoring this super fun, super silly (and maybe just a little competitive) event. Everyone is invited to join this all-church, inter- generational, adult-and-kids game show party!
Wanna Race? The local Cub Scout Pack has invited race car enthusiasts of all ages to join in the fun of their annual Pinewood Derby! The Scouts have set up a track which will be “running” until the first of May. They invite you to purchase a car kit (available at Hobby Lobby), carve, assemble, and decorate your dream racer and give the track a try!
Announcements and Upcoming Meetings
Reminder – Newsletter items should be received by 12:00 P.M. on Tuesdays of the week you wish to have your information printed.
Church Naming Process Update – Members and Friends are invited to submit church name suggestions to help us name our new church. Two documents are available to aid in the process. Both can be accessed by clicking on this LINK for more information and to view the documents.
Ordination of Laura Ymker – You are cordially invited to attend the service of ordination of Pastor Laura Ymker on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at the Red Lodge Community Church. This very special service is a sacred ritual that confers upon Laura the status of authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ, granting Laura the official title of “Reverend”. A reception will follow the ordination. All are welcome to join in this amazing celebration!
Rally Sunday 2026 –The Great Outdoors – The Church Growth & Vitality Board is pleased to announce the theme for Rally Sunday 2026! Get ready for a fun time with “The Great Outdoors”! Camping, hiking, rock collecting, bird watching, skiing, swimming, boating. These are just a few of the many fantastic ideas groups can use to share a super all-congregation, intergenerational event for our “welcome back” Sunday in September. Once your board has chosen a concept, please share it with one of the members of the CG&V Board: Connie Brauer, Bruce Cole, Eric Dunn, Janet Koostra, Linda Larson, Karen McElroy, Linda Redding, and Betsy Rogstad. God’s good creation and how we enjoy it will provide a super fun backdrop for a super fun day!
Coming Up
Thursday, April 16
12:00 P.M. United Women in Faith Spring Fling luncheon, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 19
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
11:00 A.M. Jeopardy! During Coffee Fellowship
Monday, April 20
9:00 A.M. Cottage Meeting, Nancy Zadick
6:30 P.M. Church Council, Zoom
Wednesday, April 22
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall
6:00 P.M. Youth Group will meet at Scottish Rite, 1304 13th Street S.
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, April 23
5:00-8:00 P.M. Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser at Scottish Rite
Saturday, April 25
11:00 A.M. Ordination Service for Pastor Laura Ymker, Red Lodge
5:00 P.M. Family Promise SOC HOP, Elks Lodge, 500 1st Avenue S.
