April 30, 2008

APRIL 30, 2008

DIAPER SUNDAY COMES A WEEK EARLY

This Sunday, May 4^th is our annual "Diaper Sunday." OurUCC Church joins with CUMC in this Mother's Day project, sponsored by the Great Falls Interfaith Association, to support Opportunities Inc., Receiving Home, and Mercy Home. A crib is in the Narthex in which to put diapers or any other baby item you would like to contribute (such as baby wipes). An $8.00 donation would also be appreciated and would go towards the purchase of diapers. Let's not forget the innocent ones who don't always have a choice but certainly deserve a chance. Note: Diaper Sunday is coming a week before Mother's Day as we are holding our worship at UGF's McLaughlin Center on Sunday May 11^th.

Rev. Jim Petersen's Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, May 7 at 12:00 P.M. for Ch.12 in your study guide Jesus Judges? (23:1-25:46) BIBLE STUDY WILL NOT MEET ON SUNDAY MAY 11^th as worship is being held at UGF's McLauhglin Center at 10:30 A.M.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS & ROOM PICK UP

This Sunday children begin in Sunday School for the first rotation of Woman With the Alabaster Jar.

Volunteers are needed to help with Vacation Bible School (sign up in the foyer), summer Sunday Specials, and Nursery. Here are many chances for us to rejuvenate ourselves through our young people. They need you and you need them. If interested, please call Erica LaTray at 452-2153 or Bonnie Warren at 453-4316.

The Graduation Breakfast is this Sunday May 4^th, 9:30-10:15 A.M. in Fellowship Hall. We are so very proud of each of our graduates!

Sunday Special Pick Up:

Pre School Room 5 (Sheree and Keeley West)

Grades K-1 Room 3 (Janet Koostra)*

Grades 2-3 Room 2 (Stacy Hopkins)

Grades 4-5 Room 4 (Christeen Collins)

Middle School Room 7 (Heather Lucero)

* this Sunday only

CONFERENCE ANNUAL MEETING

This year's Conference Annual Meeting is being held at the University of Great Falls May 8-11^th and is being shared with the Disciples of Christ. CAM/RA (Conference Annual Meeting/Regional Assembly) will commence with a light supper in our Fellowship Hall on Thursday May 8^th at 5:30 P.M. followed by 7:00 P.M. worship in our sanctuary with our chancel and handbell choirs. CAM/RA will conclude with 10:30 A.M. Sunday May 11^th worship at UGF. Visitors are welcome to attend the various workshops offered (see back of calendar)

WE NEED a small army of volunteers to assist with our hospitality. To assist with any of the various tasks, please call the following people or as always, the church office: Thursday supper, Jaybe Floyd 761-0503

Registration, Donalee LaBar 452-1141

Housing, Stacy Hopkins 453-9161

Set Up, Nick Cetto 761-0407

Refreshments, Syneva Heupel 453-7200

SPRING YOUTH RETREAT

In conjunction with the Conference Annual Meeting, ALL YOUTH are invited to attend the Spring Youth Retreat May 8-11^th. Registrations need to be in ASAP (Bertsche fund will pay). Please contact the church office if you wish to attend this joyful event at UGF.

SUMMER UCC/CUMC SOFTBALL

Softball season is upon us! The Salvation Army church league is co-ed and non-competitive, open to anyone age 16+ and will be coached by CUMC's Bobby Lauver. Please call the church office to get your name on the roster. The first practice is Tuesday, May 6^th at 7:00 P.M., at the Salvation Army field. Games are scheduled to start May 12^th and are played Monday-Friday at 5:30 and 7:00 P.M.

THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE IS IN ACTION

Don't be left out! Boards are filling up but some spaces remain. To be a team player on Christian Ed, Christian Service, Church Growth or Fellowship please call Janet Koostra at 727-8443. We need you.

Brochures are available detailing the 2009 Holy Land trip, hosted by Rev. Jim Petersen. If you are interested, please give Rev. Petersen a call.

OUR CONFIRMANDS

On Sunday April 27^th we welcomed the following Confirmands into our church membership:

Calvin Kosmerl, son of David and the late Sue Kosmerl, is a freshman at CMR.

Darby Lacey, daughter of Kevin Lacey and Tammy Lacey, is an 8^th grader at North Middle School.

Austin Luckett, son of Mike Luckett & Jaybe Floyd, is an 8^th grader at East Middle School.

Sarah O'Connor, daughter of Liz Addison O'Connor and Dan O'Connor, is an 8^th grader at Holy Spirit.

Halley Thompson, daughter of Monte & Lisa Thompson, is an 8^th grader at East Middle School.

HIGH CHAIRS NEEDED IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

If you have or have knowledge of a quality high chair that is not in use, please contact the church office. High chairs are needed especially for Fellowship Hall and coffee hour.

RECYCLING OPPORTUNITY

For an Urban Art project in the fall, Timothy Seery is collecting empty water bottles with lids. A collection box has been started in the office if you have any you would like to drop off or you may call Tim at 453-5615.

OUR NEW MEMBERS

We welcome our new members who were received into our church on Sunday April 16^th:

Kevin & Laura Barber

Carol Davidson

Damon & Amber Heck

David Kosmerl

Richard McDowell

Lisa Machuga

Leonard & Darlene Morrison