Worship Notes for March 29, 10 AM Worship – Palm Sunday
Worship Leader: Pastor Laura Ymker
Scripture: Mark 11:1-11 NRSV
Sermon: “The Blind Will See, or Will They?”
Lay Reader: Marilyn Sheffels; Ushers: Carolyn Dowdy, Jeanne Nobbs Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert Acolytes: Aalayah Dunn, Jaycee Storle; Sunday School: Erin Borland, Linda Grossman; Nursery: May Harris, Lily Yelvington; Coffee Fellowship: Dennis & Sue Turton, Bill Tiskus; Treats: Liz Lee, Lynne Weeks; UCC Tellers: Dick Kloppel, 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.
Christian Education News
March 29 is Palm Sunday. Children will gather in the narthex (entryway) to take part in the Palm Processional at the beginning of worship. After the children’s message, children will go to Sunday School where they will learn about the Last Supper and the Passover meal (with real food!). Teachers will be Erin Borland and Linda Grossman. There is NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Easter. Nursery care will be provided on Palm Sunday and Easter.
Youth Group Schedule – There is NO YOUTH GROUP on Wednesday, April 1 during Easter break. Youth Group will meet at Christ UMC/First Congregational UCC on April 8, 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
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
Annual Family Promise SOC HOP – Shake, Rattle, and Roll! Family Promise of Great Falls is planning the spring SOC-HOP and preparing for another great evening of food, dancing, silent auction, and family fun! This annual fundraiser will be held on April 25th, 2026 at The Elk’s Lodge, in the heart of downtown Great Falls. Ticket prices are $25 for individuals, and table sponsorships are available beginning at $500 per table. Appetizers provided by Clark and Lewie’s. All proceeds benefit homeless families. Serving our Community. Honoring our Promise.
Supporting the Children of West Elementary – Thank you for the many ways you continue to care for the students of West Elementary. Your generosity makes such a difference, and we are grateful for every gift you offer. This month, we are collecting new underwear and socks for elementary-aged children.
Underwear
Girls
• Wonder Nation Cotton Briefs, 10‑pack
Sizes 6 or 8 — $8.98
Boys
• Wrangler Cotton Briefs, 5‑pack
Sizes S–XL (M or L recommended) — $10.98
Socks
Girls
• To Be in Style ankle socks, 12‑pack
Sizes 4–6, 6–8, or 9–11
Boys
• Wrangler Cool Comfort crew socks, 6‑pack
Sizes S, M, or L — $9.98
We also continue to support the West Elementary Food Pantry year‑round. Items such as Chef Boyardee meals, tuna, stew, jelly, and manual can openers are especially helpful. Please place all donations in the box marked West Elementary outside the sanctuary doors. Thank you for your steady kindness and the way you lift up these wonderful children.
Your UCC and Christ UMC Christian Service Board
Jesus’ Sandwich Shop – Will be open every Sunday to make sandwiches to be handed out through First United Methodist Church sack lunch ministry. Join the other sandwich makers in Fellowship Hall after worship to make PB&J, PB and Honey and meat and cheese sandwiches. All supplies will be provided and donations are welcome. Just make an extra gift to CUMC or FCUCC and indicate “sandwiches” or drop some cash in the Jesus’ Sandwich Shop jar on the sandwich table.
Growth and Vitality
In the Moment Retreat – Twenty-one folks gathered on Saturday, March 21 for the “In the Moment” Retreat, sponsored by the Church Growth & Vitality board. The group sang, prayed, practiced chair yoga, painted symbolic pictures, made sandwiches to give away, experienced a finger labyrinth, beaded bracelets based on Psalm 23, shared meals and fellowship. The diverse activities kept the group busy, thinking, learning, and staying “in the moment” focusing on the many ways to experience spirituality. Many thanks to Dr. Kelly Quick who taught us about chair yoga, to Erin Dunn for tech support, and to members of the Church Growth & Vitality board (and Bill Tiskus!) who washed dishes and provided food and leadership.
Fellowship
Bake Sale – United Women in Faith are hosting a bake sale during fellowship following worship on March 29. Get all your holiday treats purchased in one place!
Jeopardy Fun for Everyone – Mark your calendars for all-church Jeopardy! On April 19, during coffee fellowship, the Christian Education Board is sponsoring our 2nd all-church, intergenerational Jeopardy extravaganza! And to add even more fun and some extra flavor to the day, a bake sale will be part of the morning’s festivities! Plan now to join the fun!
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.
Holly will be out of the office March 27-31.
Church Naming Surveys Due – Don’t forget to turn in your Church Naming Survey by this Sunday, March 29. Thank you to all who have returned their completed surveys. The Church naming Committee is compiling the data as it comes in and will share the results of this first step of the process early in April.
Maundy Thursday –
Palm Sunday is a day of celebration, and so is Easter. Still, the gospels tell us the story of a suffering Savior, one who had no place to lay his head (was homeless) and ended his life nailed to a cross. This Savior enters into our suffering with us as he shows us the path to resurrection. On Thursday, April 2, at 6:30 P.M., we will be remembering Jesus’ suffering in a simple Tenebrae service. Expect a time with quiet mediation, a few hymns, and several short readings from Scripture.
50th Anniversary Celebration – You are all invited! Christ United Methodist Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of sharing a facility and sharing ministry! The big day is April 12th and will begin with a re-enactment of members of the UCC caravaning to 2900 9th Ave S, where they will be greeted and welcomed by members of UMC. The worship service will highlight special music and recollections of folks who participated in the event in 1976. The morning will end with a fried chicken lunch. And after 50 years of partnership, we can also celebrate the beginning of our new era of federation!
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!
Coming Up
Thursday, March 26
10:00 A.M. Grief Group, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, March 29
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal 10:00 A.M. Worship Service 11:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship
United Women in Faith Bake Sale
Wednesday, April 1
10:00 A.M. Bridge Players, SS Wing 10:00 A.M. Bible Study, Parlor
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall 4:00 P.M. Worship Board, Parlor
NO YOUTH GROUP
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, April 2
6:30 P.M. Maundy Thursday Service
Sunday, April 5
10:00 A.M. Easter Worship Service
