Worship Notes For March 30, 2025 – 10:00 A.M.
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Minister: Rev. Lynne Spencer-Smith
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Lay Reader: Susan Thomas; Ushers: Dale & Nancy Dallmann; Accompanist: Victor Tsai; Cantabellé Ringers Director: Dennis Dell; Choir Director: Jason Webster; Sunday School: Janet Koostra, Sue Turton; Nursery: May Harris, Gracie Kuszmaul; Coffee Fellowship: Dennis & Sue Turton; Treats: Cara Dunn; UCC Tellers: Liz Lee, 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
This week, children will begin in worship where they will share a time with Pastor Lynne. Sunday School teacher will be Janet Koostra and helper Sue Turton. Lesson will be “Woman at the Well”. Sunday School is for children age 5 through grade 8. Nursery care is provided for children through age 5.
All Easter basket items are due this Sunday, March 30.
From the United Methodist Mountain Sky Conference: Compelling Preaching Initiative Retreats
Are you ready to deepen your calling to preach and discover the unique voice God has given you? The Compelling Preaching Initiative Retreat is a transformative experience designed for clergy, laity, and lay speakers who feel called to share the good news- whether from the pulpit, in small groups, over coffee, or through everyday conversations. This retreat will guide participants in unpacking their personal narratives, crafting engaging sermon structures, and exploring non-traditional ways of sharing faith within and beyond the church. For more information and to register, please go to:
https://www.mtnskyumc.org/newsdetail/compelling-preaching-initiative-retreats-19012446
Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference (UCC) Book Study Opportunity:
UCC Webinar: Transformative Faith in Toxic Times
Too often, our theology of God’s power has been shaped by images of dominion and control, mirroring human systems of exploitation and extraction. But Scripture reveals a different kind of power—one that flows through relationships, nurtures life, and brings healing to both people and planet. Creation Justice Ministries (UCC) has released a new resource in time for Earth Sunday that explores life-giving theologies in conversation with those leading at the grassroots of a faith-rooted movement. In this webinar, we will hear from the lead author of the resource along with two of the faith leaders profiled in it. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time of 1:00 P.M. ET on Wednesday, April 9th, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now to join us!
https://ucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/4617418797704/WN_U90yav3SQJa-Sel-CqfArA#/registration
Christian Service
Fishing for Volunteers – First Congregational United Church of Christ’s next turn to work at the FISH Food Pantry is April 7-11 from 9:00-11:00 A.M. If you’d like to volunteer and distribute food to families in need, please call Carol Davidson at 836-1862. Thank you so much if you can help!
Loaves and Fishes Thank You – The recent Loaves & Fishes dinner was a huge success. Thank you to those who donated silent auction or raffle items or food, volunteered at the event and to all who joined in for an evening of good food and surprises. The entire proceeds of the evening are donated to FISH which provides emergency food to those in need in our community. Thank you again for caring.
Thank you so much for the “Souper Bowl” offering of $725.11 to FISH. Your gift will help feed the hungry in our area.
Blessings – Fish Board of Directors and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Human Concerns Committee
Quilt Raffle – Christ United Methodist’s Women in Faith is sponsoring a quilt raffle. The queen sized quilt is on display in Fellowship Hall and will be raffled during coffee fellowship on Mother’s Day, May 11. Tickets are 1/$1.00 or 6/$5.00. All proceeds will benefit local charities. Please see Jeanne Nobbs or Carolyn Dowdy for tickets. Need not be present to win.
During our One Great Hour of Sharing March Campaign, Be the Light by Dreaming God’s Dream – March 30
Jesus assures us that we are what God intends: open-hearted, generous, and compassionate. By fully living into our identity as children of God, we spread God’s colors throughout the world, bearing light, hope, and love to a desperate and dying world. Have you ever watched sun catchers? Sun catchers are ornaments made of glass, crystal, or some translucent material. Usually hung in a window or outdoors, they spin to reflect and filter light, casting color in the area surrounding them. Sun catchers bear and spread color—just as our good deeds bear light and send color into the world.
Be a light in your home, church, and community. Tutor students after school; make a casserole for a bereaved family; gather signatures for petitions that highlight important issues; pick up trash around your neighborhood; make blankets for the unsheltered. Let the need beckon you to action. Be a light in the world by contributing to One Great Hour of Sharing. Your gift supports those doing ministry throughout the United States and across the globe; bringing hope, expertise, compassion, and love to places we may never visit and people we may never meet. Your giving to OGHS provides funding and hands-on assistance and promotes collaboration with local and international partners. Please indicate on checks or through PayPal, “OGHS”.
UMCOR – United Methodist Committee on Relief -March 30
UMCOR Sunday is one of The United Methodist Church’s Special Sundays. Special Sundays are designated Sundays each year that deepen the connection between the local church and ministries on a global scale. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to give to support the church’s collective work with an offering. Gifts given on UMCOR Sunday strengthen the church’s global humanitarian response by underwriting UMCOR’s administrative costs. This allows UMCOR to use 100% of additional funds for specific programs like global disaster response and migration. Checks can be written to Christ UMC with “UMCOR” on the memo line.
Announcements and Upcoming Meetings
Christ United Methodist Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ Member Information Regarding Future Federation/Merger – Special Charge Conference and Congregational Meetings Sunday April 6 Following Worship
See Unification Update post.
Coming Up
Thursday, March 27
1:00 P.M. Safety Comm. Meeting, Parlor
Wednesday, April 2
10:00 A.M. Bridge Players, SS Wing
10:00 A.M. Book Study, Parlor
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall
6:00 P.M. Youth Group at Scottish Rite
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Friday, April 4
4:00 P.M. Fellowship Board, FH
Saturday, April 5
9:00 A.M. UCC Confirmation
Sunday, April 6
11:00 A.M. UCC Congregational Meeting
11:30 A.M. Christ UMC Charge Conf.
