Worship Notes for March 8, 10 AM Worship – Third Sunday of Lent
Worship Leader: Pastor Laura Ymker
Scripture: Mark 12:13-17 NIV
Lay Reader: Rosemary Neilsen; Ushers: Lois Baker and Sunday School children; Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert; NO SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS; Nursery: May Harris, Lily Yelvington; Coffee Fellowship: Bev Harris, Terry Roemmich, Heather Weibel; Treats: Connie Brauer, Rosemary Neilsen; Chef salad luncheon provided by Fellowship Board; UCC Tellers: Steve Gettel, Nancy Zadick; 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
This Sunday, March 8, children will attend worship with their families. This is Pastor Laura’s first official worship service with us and Dean Jardee will lead special music. Janet Koostra will provide a children’s message. Sunday School will resume on March 15 with “The Promised Land”, the second lesson in the new unit “Water Wonders” which focuses on Bible stories in which water play a major role in the story.
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
Easter Basket Ministry Hopping Our Way – Look for the Easter Egg display in the narthex (church entryway) this Sunday! Colorful Easter eggs will sport tags listing items that will be included in gift bags for some of our church members- elders, shut-ins, and other special folks from both of our congregations. Want to participate? Choose one (or more!) eggs, purchase the items, and return them to the church by March 22. Volunteers will also be needed to deliver these fun Easter surprises! Please let Janet Koostra know if you would like to be an “Easter Bunny” and help make deliveries. Let’s brighten this holy time with this special outreach ministry to some of our most beloved members!
26th Annual Loaves & Fishes Dinner, Friday, March 20, 2026 from 4:30 P.M.-6:30 P.M. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1326 1st Avenue N. – An evening of good food, silent auction and raffles! Free will offering. All proceeds support FISH. If you wish to donate crafts, gift certificates or anything that can be used for door prizes, raffles, and auction items, please have items to Our Savior’s Lutheran no later than Wednesday, March 18. The church is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 A.M.
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.
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
Church Growth and Vitality Ideas – Just a note from your CGV Board. We have been busy discussing ways to expand what we do. We have asked music and worship leaders if we could experiment with a greater diversity of music (You may have already noticed this happening!). CGV plans to implement a program that posts more content about our church(es) on social media. We plan to share news about our new minister, Laura Ymker, and our 50th Anniversary Celebration of our Christ UMC/UCC partnership with local media sources. We are discussing including information on our reader board about outside groups and activities that take place in our facility. And we want to bring back “Welcome Packets” for visitors to our church(es). Have ideas? Please share! The possibilities are endless!
“In the Moment”- a Mindfulness Retreat Saturday, March 21 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
Retreat Registration has Begun!
Don’t forget to sign up for the annual one-day retreat sponsored by the Church Growth & Vitality Board. This year’s theme, “In the Moment” will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 8:30 A.M.- 3:00 P.M. at our own church facility. Cost is $25.00 per person. If writing a check, please write it to FCUCC with “Retreat” in the memo. Paying cash? Make sure the money is in an envelope clearly marked with your name and “Retreat”. Payment can also be made online; once again, designate “Retreat”. Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 18. Scholarships are available. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The day’s activities- chair yoga, aboriginal dot painting, labyrinth exploration, sandwich making, bracelet weaving, and more- are planned to help participants focus on the holy spirit through the practice of simple and fun activities. We hope to see you there!
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.
Special Meeting of First Congregational United Church of Christ- Great Falls, MT – Members of First Congregational United Church of Christ are invited to a Special Meeting following worship on Sunday, March 1 to vote to move forward with Federation with Christ United Methodist Church. During the meeting members will also vote on the proposed bylaws that were sent out via email on January 27. The meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 in the sanctuary following worship. To join the meeting via Zoom, contact the church office for links to the meeting. May and Lily will provide childcare for this Special Meeting.
Coming Up
Thursday, March 5
10:00 A.M. Grief Group, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, March 8– Daylight Savings Begins
Monday, March 9
12:00 P.M. Facilities Committee, Fellowship Hall
1:00 P.M. Church Growth & Vitality, Fellowship Hall
7:00 P.M. Stewardship Board, Zoom
Tuesday, March 10
10:00 A.M. Mitten Makers, Fellowship Hall
6:30 P.M. Finance Board, Zoom
Wednesday, March 11
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, March 12
10:00 A.M. Grief Group, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 14
10:30 A.M. Ladies Coffee, Wheat Montana
Sunday, March 15
8:45 A.M. Christian Ed. Board, Parlor
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
10:00 A.M. Worship Service
11:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship
