Worship Notes for January 18, 10 AM Worship
Worship Leader: Rev. Sara MacGilvra Branom
Scripture: Psalm 40: 1-11, John 1: 29-42
Lay Reader: Dana Kirkmeyer; Ushers: Linda Grossman, Bill Tiskus; Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert; Acolytes: Lily Borland, Erika Greene; Sunday School: Betsy Rogstad, Susan Sanford; Nursery: May Harris, Lily Yelvington; Soup Lunch: Camp fundraiser sponsored by the Christian Education Board; UCC Tellers: Paul Haffeman, Liz Lee; 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
Children will begin in worship on January 18 before going to Sunday School. Teachers will be Betsy Rogstad and Susan Sanford. Kids will learn about the Soup-er Bowl of Caring, a nation-wide offering that raises money to battle food insecurity all over the country. Kids will respond by making posters advertising our own Soup-er Bowl of Caring offering that will be collected on Sunday February 8. More details coming soon!
Soup + Donations =Camp Scholarships – Do you have fond memories of church camp? Do you love good soup? Then do we have a great deal for you! The Christian Education Board is sponsoring a SOUP LUNCH on Sunday, January 18 following worship to raise money for camp scholarships! What kind of soup you might ask? Taco soup, chicken noodle soup, potato soup, chili, tomato soup and more! Plus, bread, crackers and desserts will round out this delicious meal. And all of this can be yours for a FREE WILL DONATION! All money raised will be used to help families pay the cost of church camp, which now has a price tag of $325-$500/per kid. WOW. Campers from our church are encouraged to attend Flathead Lake United Methodist Camp or Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. So please bring your appetite and your free will donation to help us get kids to camp!
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.
Christmas Eve Offering – Thank you to everyone for your holiday generosity! The Christmas Eve offering totaled $843.00! That amount is equally split between The UCC Christmas Fund (formerly Veterans of the Cross) and Housed Great Falls. With specific donations that came in, The Christmas Fund will receive $721.50 and Housed Great Falls will get $571.50. Thank you again. You are making a difference and showing kindness and compassion to those who need it most.
Volunteer Opportunities
Annual Family Promise SOC HOP Fundraiser Volunteers: Fundraiser is on April 25, 2026. Volunteers are needed for assistance with the following tasks:
- Outreach to churches to promote the event and sell tickets
- Distributing event posters throughout the community
- Organizing games and costume contest at the event
- Set up and clean up on April 25, 2026
Interested volunteers can call Cari Yturri at (406) 788-3704.
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.
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.
Dear Partners in Ministry – At Rocky Mountain College, we celebrate our long history with the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Christ. We also celebrate the opportunity to be your partners in ministry with students at Rocky Mountain College.
Students explore and practice faith, attend Bible study and worship, gather for civil dialogue, put faith into action, and plan projects allowing them to grow as spiritual leaders and make a difference in the community.
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Wheatley Lecture event, planned for March 26, 2026. The lecture will feature Darrell Ehrlick, editor-in-chief of the Daily Montanan. The Wheatley event will include our Clergy and Church Leader breakfast- an opportunity to learn more about the mission and vision of Rocky Mountain College and to ask any questions you may have. More details to come but plan now to attend!
Rev. Kimberly Woeste, Chaplain/Director of Spiritual Life and Church Relations, Rocky Mountain College, 1511 Poly Dr., Billings, MT 59102
Coming Up
Saturday, January 17
11:00 A.M. Ecclesiastical Council for Laura Ymker, Red Lodge Community Church UCC
1:30 P.M. Service of Installation for Rev. Teressa Clark, also at the Red Lodge church
2:00 P.M. Gary Wyman Memorial Service with reception to follow, 2900 9th Avenue S.
Sunday, January 18
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
3:00 P.M. Stewardship Board, Zoom
Monday, January 19
7:00 P.M. Church Council, Zoom
Tuesday, January 20
1:00 P.M. Prayer Circle, Parlor
Wednesday, January 21
10:00 A.M. Bridge Group, SS Wing
10:00 A.M. Bible Study, Parlor
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall
6:00 P.M. Youth Group, 2900 9th Ave. S
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, January 22
10:00 A.M. Grief Group, Fellowship Hall
