Worship Notes for November 8, 10 AM
Worship Leader: Pastor Laura Ymker
Scripture:
Sermon:
Lay Reader: Steve Gettel; Ushers: Linda Grossman, Terry Roemmich; Acolytes: Aalayah Dunn, Angel Cortez; Accompanist/Music Director: Melissa Gilbert; Nursery: May Harris; Sunday School: Janet Koostra, Karen Spencer, Liz Lee; Fellowship: KimKay McCarty Martin, Bill Tiskus; Treats: KimKay McCarty Martin, Lynne Weeks; A/V Tech: KimKay McCarty Martin; 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.
November 15 Music – click HERE to preview our music for Worship!
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
On November 15, Sunday School children in grades K-5 will begin the morning in worship. Following the children’s message, kids will go to Sunday School, where they will help Janet Koostra, Liz Lee and Karen Spencer organize the Thanksgiving Baskets for West Elementary. Church youth are also invited to come to Sunday School class to join the fun. Kids will also make “Happy Thanksgiving” cards to send along with the food.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Begins November 15 – Children and youth are invited to be part of the annual Christmas Pageant, scheduled for Sunday, December 13. The initial rehearsal for A Very Mixed-Up Christmas Pageant will be this Sunday at 11:15 A.M. in the sanctuary. Roles will be assigned and the cast will do a read-through of the script. Most parts have only a few lines of dialogue, which makes learning a role easy! If you have any questions, please contact Janet Koostra 406-727-8443 or janetkoostra@gmail.com.
Wednesday Bible Study – The Wednesday Bible Study group will be tackling the book “Reading the Bible With Bonhoeffer” by James Howell. This direction starts in November. We will be examining Bonhoeffer’s personal history—including his time in Harlem, pastoral leadership, imprisonment, and writings like “The Cost of Discipleship”—to show how deep Scriptural engagement fostered courage and costly discipleship. A DVD talk by the author will guide the discussion each week.
News from the Nursery – We are still looking for a few folks to volunteer in the nursery while we hire new staff. Please talk to Janet Koostra or any member of the Christian Education Board (Cara Dunn, Erin Borland, Caroline Houtz, Dean Jardee, Melissa Zimmer) if you can help. Thank you!
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.
Looking Ahead to Christmas – The Worship Board will gather to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas on Tuesday, November 24 at 1:00 P.M. All are welcome to lend a hand and join in the festivities. Live poinsettia plants will again be on display during the Christmas Season. Honor a loved one with a $15.00 donation.
Are you getting ready to decorate your home for Christmas and need some new gently used items? On November 28 there will be tables full of Christmas decorations and lovely gift items for sale for you to peruse in the Fellowship Hall. How about a whole Nutcracker collection, every kind of Grinch tree stuff, or country rustic goodies? All items will be offered for you to donate a value and put that in a basket. The Women In Faith Group then takes this money and donates all of it to worthy missions in Great Falls supporting women and children. We will also have a bake sale on December 13 to help with your Christmas baking needs. Please help this ministry as they reach out to needy organizations.
Christmas in a Shoe Box for the Blackfeet Nation – After gathering dozens of shoeboxes during the past year, it’s time for the fun part- filling them with gifts! Continuing the United Methodist tradition, United Spirit Community Church will be part of a state-wide Shoebox Ministry! Our boxes will be donated to the Browning United Methodist Parish (BUMP), which needs gifts for children newborn-18 years old, plus adults. Collection begins on November 15 at the “piano” end of the Fellowship Hall. Suggestions (in age appropriate items) include: personal care items: shampoo, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, hair ties & clips; Entertainment: toys, books, games; Clothing: hats, gloves, mittens, sweaters, onesies, sweatshirts; Sports equipment: basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, girls softball gloves; Art supplies: coloring books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, drawing paper, regular pens & pencils; and CANDY! Gifts are distributed based on age and gender (if applicable), so please mark your donations accordingly to help in the packing process. We hope to have a box-filling and gift-wrapping extravaganza so watch for more details, and thank you in advance for your help! *All donated items should be new*
Thanksgiving Basket Donations Due on Sunday – Friendly reminder- donations for the West Elementary Thanksgiving Food Baskets should be returned to church by Sunday, November 15. The food will be organized by the church children and youth during Sunday School class. A huge thank you to all who have donated food, preparation items and money to help 7 food-insecure families in our community have a good Thanksgiving with plenty to eat. Jesus said, “When I was hungry, you fed me.” The people asked, “When did we feed you, teacher?” Jesus told them, “Whatever you do for those in need, you do for me.”
Love That Provides- Direct Support for Families – Sometimes loves looks like groceries in a box, diapers in a trunk, or a warm meal offered without question. Neighbors In Need grants help churches provide direct support to families facing food insecurity, utility shutoffs, or emergency needs. These grants- often $1,000-$3,000- place hope directly into someone’s hands. When we give to Neighbors In Need, we help ensure that no child goes to bed hungry, no elder sits in the cold, and not neighbor feels forgotten. To participate in this offering, please indicate NIN in the memo of your choice of giving.
West Elementary support – click HERE to learn how you can help!
Slides and Soundboard – Operation of the slides and soundboard during our Sunday morning worship service falls under the duties of the Worship Board, who are currently looking for volunteers to learn this process. If you would like to learn to help with this important aspect of our ministry, please contact Dale Dallmann, chair of the Worship Board, at (406) 253-4640 or dogger.drd@gmail.com.
Town Pump has selected FISH to be part of the 25th Anniversary of “HELP THOSE IN NEED” Challenge. Town Pump will match all donations to reach $30,000.00 that FISH receives September 1-November 30. What a great way to double your gift & help FISH. Donations can be made through the church with “FISH” in the memo or sent to P.O. Box 662, Great Falls MT 59403.
Quilt Raffle – United Women in Faith is sponsoring a quilt raffle. The quilt is on display in Fellowship Hall and will be raffled during coffee fellowship on December 6. 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.
Volunteer Drivers, Please – The church has had several requests from folks who are no longer driving but would like to come to church. Are you a person who would be willing to take a few extra minutes on Sunday morning to provide a ride for another member of our church family? Maybe you will make a new friend. Maybe a current friendship could be strengthened. Maybe you will make someone’s day better. And it wouldn’t even have to be every week! If the Spirit moves you to lend a hand, please call the church office at (406) 453-4316.
Worship
Pray with the Pastor -Pray with the Pastor will continue indefinitely, meeting Monday from 5:30-6:00 PM; Wednesday, 12:30-1:00 PM; Thursday from 8:00-8:30 AM.
Fellowship
Ladies Coffee meets this Saturday, November 14th at 10:30 A.M. at Wheat Montana.
This Sunday, November 15 – Estella Petrini’s 100th Birthday, United Spirit Community Church Fellowship Hall, 2:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M.
Please Sign Up! Our annual Thanksgiving Potluck at the church will be on Sunday, November 22 at 5:00 P.M. in the fellowship hall. All are welcome to attend with family and friends. For planning purposes, sign-up sheets are located on the table in the entryway and in fellowship hall. Please indicate if you are willing to bring cooked vegetables, stuffing/dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad, cranberries and olives, or dessert. The Fellowship Board will provide turkeys, hams, gravy, rolls, butter and vegetable trays.
United Women in Faith – All women are invited to the monthly meeting on Thursday November 19 at 1:00 P.M. We will be finishing up the plans for Christmas Mission Gifts, World Thank Offering, church decorations, and goat milk products by Hotmess Homestead with Allie. Hope this time works for all women and friends to come to the Fellowship Hall.
Growth and Vitality
Raise our Rank – Click HERE to learn how you can help us promote and grow our church!
Stewardship
A Reflection from your Stewardship Board
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” 2 Corinthians 9:6
Stewardship Campaign – Our 2027 Stewardship Campaign is almost complete! The Finance Board met this week to begin the process of budget planning for next year. 82 pledges have come in for a total of $222,639.00. If you care to do so, there’s still time to turn in your pledge.
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.
A reflection on A Sure Foundation, (the UCC’s handbook for relationships between pastors and congregations). Covenant is central to the UCC’s organizational structure. Its Manual on Ministry describes covenant as “the commitment of God to God’s people, of the people to God, of the people to one another as the Body of Christ.” In the UCC ministerial code, I covenant with God, myself and family, the UCC, my ministry setting, and all ministers. Relying on God’s grace, I make seven promises to each of these parties. You should know that in her relationship with herself and family, your pastor has agreed to:
- Attend to my physical well-being by adopting a healthy life style including diet, exercise, and rest, setting aside time for Sabbath and vacation.
- Steward my time, talents, and personal financial resources responsibly.
- Accept responsibility for all debts that I incur.
- Refrain from abusive behavior including abusive behavior toward others; the abuse of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance; to seek appropriate care for physical and mental health concerns; and to avoid addictive behaviors.
- Engage in sexually healthy and responsible behavior.
- Honor my family commitments, including my family’s need for privacy and time together.
- Develop and maintain meaningful personal relationships outside of my ministry setting.
You’re Invited! On behalf of our Church Council and Coordinating Team, I would like to invite members of the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference to join us at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Bozeman – in person, online, or in spirit – in celebrating Pilgrim’s 65th Anniversary on Sunday November 15th, 2026. We will host a special worship service in our sanctuary at 10:00 A.M., followed by a joyful reception. Find the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimconnect3432 or on our website www.uccbozeman.org We welcome conference memories and well-wishes at mail@uccbozeman.org and will share written greetings at the reception that Sunday. Please put 65th Anniversary in the subject line of your email.
Peace and gratitude for our connections and our covenant with the Montana-N. Wyoming Conference. – Rev. Laura Folkwein
Coming Up
Thursday, November 12
8:00 A.M. Pray with the Pastor, Sanctuary
9-10 A.M. Pastor Laura Office Hours
6:30 P.M. Christian Ed., Zoom
Saturday, November 14
10:30 A.M. Ladies Coffee, Wheat MT
Sunday, November 15
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
10:00 A.M. Worship Service
11:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship
11:15 A.M. Pageant Rehearsal
2-4 P.M. Estella Petrini Celebration
Monday, November 16
5:30 P.M. Pray with the Pastor, Sanctuary
6:30 P.M. Church Council, Zoom
Wednesday, November 18
10:00 A.M. Bridge Group, SS Wing
10:00 A.M. Bible Study, Parlor
12:30 P.M. Pray with the Pastor, Sanctuary
1-2 P.M. Pastor Laura Office Hours
1:30 P.M. Pinochle, Fellowship Hall
6:00 P.M. Youth Group
6:00 P.M. Handbells
7:15 P.M. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, November 19
8:00 A.M. Pray with the Pastor, Sanctuary
9-10 A.M. Pastor Laura Office Hours
7:00 P.M. Gracious Space, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 22
9:15 A.M. Choir Rehearsal
10:00 A.M. Worship Service
NO COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
11:15 A.M. Pageant Rehearsal
5:00 P.M. Thanksgiving Potluck, Fellowship Hall
