EMAIL CHANGE! Please use greatfallsucc@gmail.com for emails to the church office. Our bresnan.net email is no longer supported.
Worship Notes for December 7, 10 AM Worship
(please remember to turn in your completed pledge card and Opportunities to Serve form)
Worship Leader: Rev. Sara MacGilvra Branom
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13
Lay Reader: Dana Kirkmeyer; Ushers: Dale & Nancy Dallmann; Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert; Acolyte: Jullian Valley; Candle of Peace: Steve & Karen McElroy; Sunday School: Janet Koostra, Dean Jardee; Nursery: May Harris, Lily Yelvington; Coffee Fellowship: Dave & Debbe Rothweiler; UCC Tellers: Carol Shipley, 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.
To better focus our hearts, minds and spirit during Advent there will not be a time for announcements during Sunday worship. If you have a church announcement during the Advent season, please contact Holly so Eric can make a slide to play before worship, or to include in the worship bulletin or weekly newsletter. Rev. Sara
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
December 7 is Communion Sunday. Children age 5-grade 6 will begin in Sunday School, then they will join their families for the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the conclusion of worship. Students will set up a nativity scene and decorate their classroom for Christmas. Nursery staff Lily and May will be on hand to provide care for children through age 5.
Pageant Rehearsal Schedule – This week, Pageant rehearsal has been rescheduled to Saturday, December 6 at 10:00 A.M. We will finish assigning costumes as well as rehearse.
Sunday, December 7, kids will have a music rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall after worship. Dress Rehearsal will be Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Sunday, December 14, please arrive by 9:30 A.M. to prepare for the pageant performance.
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.
Whittier School Christmas Store – We are seeking items to sell at a little Christmas store for $1.00. The kids at Whittier Elementary love to buy their parents a gift for Christmas. Items can be things you no longer want or need. It does not have to be new or Christmas related as the kids will buy almost anything. Please bring donations to church or call me and I can pick them up (deadline is December 14). Thank you, Sue Turton (406) 899-5652.
Christmas Shoebox Ministry for BUMP Update – December 7 is the last day for donations to our Browning United Methodist Parish (BUMP) Christmas Shoebox Ministry. Still want to help? Join Janet Koostra and Sue Turton on Wednesday December 10 at 12:45 P.M. to sort, pack and wrap gifts. Contact Janet Koostra at (406) 727-8443 or janetkoostra@gmail.com for more information.
West Elementary Angel Tree – The Angel Tree is up and tags are on! The Christian Service board is so grateful for the generosity of this congregation in making Christmas a little brighter for 5 families at West Elementary. Please return the gifts wrapped with the tags securely attached by December 15.
Christmas Poinsettias – Honor a loved one or just contribute to the beauty of our sanctuary this Christmas by donating $15 for a live poinsettia. Names of those who are honored will be included in our Christmas Eve bulletin. Please send checks made out to UCC (with flower fund in the memo) and names of those to be honored to the church office no later than Sunday, December 21. You may also place checks and names in an envelope in the offering trays each Sunday. Poinsettias will be displayed the entire Advent season.
Meal Train for Lacey & Family -After having a complicated pregnancy and an early c-section delivery of baby Giddean in Salt Lake City, Lacey Hallett is home, resting and recovering. To make life a little easier for Lacey and Kylan, a meal train has been established at the following link: https://mealtrain.com/9wgn0o
United Women in Faith – The United Women in Faith are having a Christmas rummage sale of gently used items in the fellowship hall on November 30 and December 14. Prices are suggested on a few items but most are a free will offering donation put in a container. There will also be a bake sale on December 14. All money raised goes to local missions in Great Falls. So far this month United Women in Faith have given $1,400.00 to three different organizations that support women and children.
Reverse Offering Stories of Generosity
Amount of money in envelope: $5.00
What I did with the money: I added $95.00 and donated it to The Salvation Army.
Why I chose this act of kindness: To help friends. We have friends very involved with The Salvation Army Auxillary.
What did you gain or learn from this experience? It was nice to share with friends that are helping others in something that we are not involved in on a direct basis.
Christmas Fund (Formerly Veterans of the Cross) – For more than a century, The Christmas Fund has been a beacon of love and care, providing direct financial assistance to the healers in our lives: retired and active UCC ministers, faithful church workers, and their families. In 2024 alone, The Christmas Fund offered more than $1.7 million in support, touching the lives of 766 individuals across the United Church of Christ. We will collect this special mission offering during the month of December. Donations can be made online through PayPal or by check with Christmas Fund in the memo.
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.
Thank you for Fishing – First Congregational United Church of Christ finished our turn at the Fish Food Pantry last week. Thank you to these wonderful volunteers who worked the 3 days before the Thanksgiving holiday: Elaine Balzer, Lila Byers, Carol Davidson, Mende Kloppel, Steve & Karen McElroy, Sandy Nicolai, Sharon Oakland and Dennis & Sue Turton. Both congregations have the best volunteers! Thank you! Our next turn to work is either in January or February. We don’t have the new schedule yet. I will keep you posted! Hope to see you then, Carol Davidson
Fellowship
Grief Share Opportunities – Linda Redding with Christ United Methodist is presenting a holiday seminar for those experiencing grief. Surviving the Holidays: Monday, December 8, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. The holidays are challenging when you’re grieving a loss. This seminar provides encouragement, support, and valuable tools to navigate the season. For more information, please contact Linda at (406) 868-1282.
Stewardship
Friendly reminder from the Stewardship Board: As 2025 comes to an end please consider completing your 2025 pledge as the financial statement indicates pledged giving is lagging as we go into the final two months of the year. Thank you for your help to make this year’s budget.
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.
2026 Budget Hearing – Following worship this Sunday, the Business Affairs Board is holding a budget hearing. The preliminary proposed 2026 budget will be presented, including projected income. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the finances of the church and to present ideas on allocating our resources. Business Affairs will meet the following night to make changes based on information gathered at the hearing. Then, a revised proposed budget will go to the congregations for a vote at the January annual meeting. Fellowship will be served in the sanctuary this week so you can still snack and drink! Thank you to everyone who has pledged to support the church, its staff, and its ministries for the coming year! We have received 96 pledges totaling $228,292.00. If you plan to financially contribute, please return your pledge cards as soon as possible. Adjustments to pledges already turned in can be made by calling or emailing the church office at (406) 453-4316 or greatfallsucc@gmail.com.
Family Promise Appreciation – On Thursday, December 11, Family Promise will host their volunteer and Donor Appreciation Party in the Day Center (1025 Central Ave.). Come from 4:00-6:00 P.M. for great conversations and light refreshments while your support is celebrated. Volunteers and donors are the heartbeat of Family Promise and families couldn’t be served without your help.
Pastoral Transition Update – For the latest update, click on the link or see the update in the web page posts.
The Rev. Sara MacGilvra Branom has agreed to provide pastoral care until a settled pastor is in place. She will also provide worship leadership twice a month. The other Sundays will be covered by the Rev. Paul Holland, Dr. Kelly Quick, Dean Jardee, Dale Dallmann and speakers from outside the church.
A schedule to cover Sundays through the end of the year has been developed. Hopefully, that schedule will not be needed in its fullest but it’s better to be prepared, just in case.
Be sure to stay updated on the process by frequently checking the information on our web page.
Coming Up
Friday, December 5
4:00 P.M. Fellowship Board, Fellowship Hall
Saturday, December 6
10:00 A.M. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
1:00 P.M. Christmas Tea at First United Methodist Church
Sunday, December 7
8:45 A.M. Christian Ed. Board, Parlor
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
11:00 A.M. Budget Hearing, Sanctuary
11:15 A.M. Pageant Songs, Fellowship Hall
Monday, December 8
11:00 A.M. Grief Seminar, Fellowship Hall
2:30 P.M. Church Growth & Vitality, Fellowship hall
6:30 P.M. Business Affairs, Zoom
Tuesday, December 9
10:00 A.M. Mitten Makers, Fellowship Hall
12:00 P.M. Joint Facilities, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, December 10
10:00 A.M. Bible Study, Parlor
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall
6:00 P.M. Youth Group Caroling
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 11
Family Promise Appreciation, 4:00-6:00 P.M.
