October 18, 2020    8:30am

Our journey through ancient spirituality continues as we find ourselves on the road searching for God amidst the chaos and confusion. By being rooted in creation, we find God always present with us. Paul says in the letter to the Colossians, “You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to be the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted.”

_____________________________________

Thank you for your financial and prayerful support, which allows this community to continue to offer hope in the world. You can give by check in the narthex offering box, our online giving platform,

bozemanumc.org/give or text-to-give at 406-530-8999.

_____________________________________

The Gathering Music Lynn Kirtley
Organist/Pianist

The Welcome & Introduction Rev. Eric Strader

THE PATH OF AWE

The Peace

The Reading 

The Singing

Be Still and Know                                  Kath Crumrine

THE PATH OF RELEASE

The Prayer 

THE PATH OF CREATIVITY   

The Scripture               James 3:1-12

The Meditation       “Families That Appreciate”

THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

The Communion

The Song Nearer My God to Thee

Words: Sarah Adams Music: Lowell Mason

Reprinted under One License !-70436 Source: United Methodist Hymnal 528

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

The Blessing

Pastor Appreciation Sunday Video

October 11, 2020    8:30am

Our journey through ancient spirituality continues as we find ourselves on the road searching for God amidst the chaos and confusion. By being rooted in creation, we find God always present with us. Paul says in the letter to the Colossians, “You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to be the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted.”

_____________________________________

Thank you for your financial and prayerful support, which allows this community to continue to offer hope in the world. You can give by check in the narthex offering box, our online giving platform,

bozemanumc.org/give or text-to-give at 406-530-8999.

_____________________________________

The Gathering Music Lynn Kirtley
Organist/Pianist

The Welcome & Introduction Rev. Eric Strader

THE PATH OF AWE

The Peace

The Reading 

The Singing

Be Still and Know                                  Kath Crumrine

THE PATH OF RELEASE

The Prayer 

THE PATH OF CREATIVITY   

The Scripture  1 Corinthians 1: Selected Verses

The Meditation       “Religion and Politics”

THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

The Communion

The Song Nearer My God to Thee

Words: Sarah Adams Music: Lowell Mason

Reprinted under One License !-70436 Source: United Methodist Hymnal 528

1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

The Blessing

WORSHIP OUTLINE

October 4, 2020    8:30am

Our journey through ancient spirituality continues as we find ourselves on the road searching for God amidst the chaos and confusion. By being rooted in creation, we find God always present with us. Paul says in the letter to the Colossians, “You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to be the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted.”

_____________________________________

Thank you for your financial and prayerful support, which allows this community to continue to offer hope in the world. You can give by check in the narthex offering box, our online giving platform,

bozemanumc.org/give or text-to-give at 406-530-8999.

_____________________________________

The Gathering Music Lynn Kirtley
Organist/Pianist

The Welcome & Introduction Rev. Eric Strader

THE PATH OF AWE

The Peace

The Reading 

The Singing

Be Still and Know                                  Kath Crumrine

THE PATH OF RELEASE

The Prayer 

THE PATH OF CREATIVITY   

The Scripture   Matthew 22:34-39

The Meditation

THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION

The Communion

The Song Nearer My God to Thee

Words: Sarah Adams Music: Lowell Mason

Reprinted under One License !-70436 Source: United Methodist Hymnal 528

1. 1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

The Blessing

WORSHIP OUTLINE: September 27, 2020 - 8:30am

Join us for a Pentecost Sunday Worship. 

VIA is latin for the road or way. In this ancient spirituality, one finds themselves on the road searching for God amidst the chaos and confusion. By being rooted in creation, we find God always present with us. Paul says in the letter to the Colossians, “You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to be the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted.”

_____________________________________

Thank you for your financial and prayerful support, which allows this community to continue to offer hope in the world. You can give by check in the narthex offering box, our online giving platform, bozemanumc.org/give or text-to-give at 406-530-8999.

_____________________________________

Please reach out to our pastors if you seek emotional or spiritual support.

The emergency line is 406-388-1856.

_____________________________________

Gathering Music Lynn Kirtley
Organist/Pianist

Welcome & Introduction Rev. Amy Strader

Lead Pastor for Cong. & Community

Engagement 

VIA POSITIVA

The Peace

The Reading Lord of the Rings   J.R.R.Tolkien

The Singing

Rooted

  Kath Crumrine

VIA NEGATIVA

Prayer 

VIA CREATIVA

Scripture          Acts 2:1-13

Meditation

VIA TRANSFORMATIVE

Communion

Veni Santé Spiritus

Songs and Prayers from Taize

Copyright: 1991 Ateliers et Presses de Taize F-751250

Music by: Jacques Berthier

One License - A-704363

Pastor Alison Skillman

This month there are three opportunities to worship LIVE with Methodists in the Gallatin Valley! Same message, same feel, different experiences based on your comfortability and risk- level.
1) 8:30 am in person at BUMC bring a mask and email Rev. Eric eric@bozemanumc.org.
2) 9:30 am via Facebook LIVE or Youtube later
3) 10:00am in person at Living Waters. Bring your Lawn Chair

www.bozemanumc.org/live

Worship Live Online Sundays at 9:30
Today’s worship bulletin can be found here: www.bozemanumc.org/live
Today’s Offering: we appreciate your continued giving and support of our ministries. You’re faithful giving supports not only our church family and its ministries but it also helps us serve the most vulnerable in our community. www.bozemanumc.org/giving
Please share this post with your friends and family on your own social media so your friends and family can experience worship with you.

Licenses by Bozeman UMC
Music Copyright: CCLI#2530819
Streaming License: #20136010
Music Reprint: A-704363

Live worship also available at our youtube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw

https://youtu.be/-HiGSyfkfs0

Sunday July 7, 2020
Worship at BUMC: Welcome! We are currently having limited seating “in person” worship Sundays at 9:30am. Because of our strict (Re)entry plan, please communicate with Rev. Eric@bozemanumc.org if you would like to join us on Sundays.

Online Worship continues: Please make sure that you like or comment on this video so we know you are here today! We would appreciate it if you would share this post on your own social media so that you can share the experience with your friends and family.

We had a technical glitch that prevented an audio recording of today's sermon. Howerver the video of the service will be uploaded to Youtube later today.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw

Worship live online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw/

Bulletin: www.bozemanumc.org/live

Worship live online https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw/

26 Confirmation Students

3 Baptisms

1 Adult Member Joining.

All video files can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw

Our live video and Worship Bulletin is available at www.bozemanumc.org/live

Our service is online only today due to a technical glitch. You can watch on Facebook.com/bozemanumc or on Youtube https://youtu.be/XK6iz9PKumg

Technical issues: Worship this week on Youtube Only

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNaHE42-Qfk

Audio from this Sunday's worship. 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZpLLiWIgWU

Bulletin available at www.bozemanumc.org/live

Our Sunday April 19th https://youtu.be/bFlEpnkjpto

Worship Bulletin with music: www.bozemanumc.org/live

Easter Sunday Bulletin: https://www.bozemanumc.org/hp_wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/April-12-2020-Easter-Bulletin.pdf

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzpDwA3K2a4&t=15s

Our Sunday services are online only throughout quarantine.

www.bozemanumc.org/live

Palm Sunday Service had several glitches but you can watch all of our Palm Sunday Videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNntk2TSkQnodnI4eh7pGw

Because we are all "Sheltering in Place" we had a livestream video from the Parsonage this morning but no sound recordings.

Enjoy this video of todays service on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yTrI_aBsbbw

Worship Bulletin is available at www.bozemanumc.org/live

Download the Online Bulletin: 

www.bozemanumc.org/live

Psalter

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”

Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.

The Lord is my strength and my defense
    he has become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;

the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes. 

The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Bozeman UMC LIVE, SUNDAY MARCH 15 2020
“Stones of Grace”

Today’s Scripture: John 8:1-11 (CEB)

 Rock of Ages
Source: United Methodist Hymnal 361 verse below
Words: Augustus Toplady
Music: Thomas Hastings
Streaming under CCLI 2530819

A Lenten Doxology
Source - GBOD, UMC
Words: G.W. Dub Shepherd
Music: Arr. Louis Bourgeois
Streaming under CCLI 2530819

Grace Alone
Source: UMC, 2162 v. 1,2 (no fancy ending refrain)
Words & music: Scott Wesley Brown & Jeff Nelson
Streaming under CCLI 2530819

Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land, 7068840
Authors Mark Leslie Hayes
The Lorenz Corporation ©Copyright
2016 The Lorenz Corporation (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Streaming under CCLI 2530819 

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704363

Sermon: “Stones of Punishment”

Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake. How terrible it is for the world because of the things that cause people to trip and fall into sin! Such things have to happen, but how terrible it is for the person who causes those things to happen! If your hand or your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life crippled or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands or two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life with one eye than to be cast into a burning hell with two eyes.

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704363

Sermon: “Stones of Punishment”

Today’s Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake. How terrible it is for the world because of the things that cause people to trip and fall into sin! Such things have to happen, but how terrible it is for the person who causes those things to happen! If your hand or your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life crippled or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands or two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life with one eye than to be cast into a burning hell with two eyes.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”

Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”

For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”

Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”

For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”

10 Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

11 The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.

Community Conversation Panel:

• Rev. Eric
• Amanda Komoto-Hendrix
• Jordan Komoto
• Charlie Billy
• Allie Zanieri-Hale

Scripture Reading

Intro: James was the brother of Jesus, so it is reasonable to assume he experienced the challenges of a family where God was the favorite child. No discrepant to Mary and Jospeh, but life will always be unfair when your brother can turn water into wine at a party. And so it is even more powerful that James invites us NOT to have partiality or favorites in ministry and life.

James 2: 1-4 My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted?

John 4:1-42 (CEB)

Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was making more disciples and baptizing more than John (although Jesus’ disciples were baptizing, not Jesus himself). Therefore, he left Judea and went back to Galilee.

Jesus had to go through Samaria. He came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, which was near the land Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his journey, so he sat down at the well. It was about noon.

A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me some water to drink.” His disciples had gone into the city to buy him some food.

The Samaritan woman asked, “Why do you, a Jewish man, ask for something to drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other.)

Jesus responded, “If you recognized God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you living water.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, you don’t have a bucket and the well is deep. Where would you get this living water? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave this well to us, and he drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will never be thirsty and will never need to come here to draw water!”

Jesus said to her, “Go, get your husband, and come back here.”

The woman replied, “I don’t have a husband.”

“You are right to say, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus answered. “You’ve had five husbands, and the man you are with now isn’t your husband. You’ve spoken the truth.”

The woman said, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you and your people say that it is necessary to worship in Jerusalem.”

Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you and your people will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You and your people worship what you don’t know; we worship what we know because salvation is from the Jews. But the time is coming—and is here!—when true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth. The Father looks for those who worship him this way. God is spirit, and it is necessary to worship God in spirit and truth.”

The woman said, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one who is called the Christ. When he comes, he will teach everything to us.”

Jesus said to her, “I Am—the one who speaks with you.”

Just then, Jesus’ disciples arrived and were shocked that he was talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman put down her water jar and went into the city. She said to the people, “Come and see a man who has told me everything I’ve done! Could this man be the Christ?” They left the city and were on their way to see Jesus.

In the meantime the disciples spoke to Jesus, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

Jesus said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”

The disciples asked each other, “Has someone brought him food?”

Jesus said to them, “I am fed by doing the will of the one who sent me and by completing his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘Four more months and then it’s time for harvest’? Look, I tell you: open your eyes and notice that the fields are already ripe for the harvest. Those who harvest are receiving their pay and gathering fruit for eternal life so that those who sow and those who harvest can celebrate together. This is a true saying, that one sows and another harvests. I have sent you to harvest what you didn’t work hard for; others worked hard, and you will share in their hard work.”

Many Samaritans in that city believed in Jesus because of the woman’s word when she testified, “He told me everything I’ve ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. Many more believed because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this one is truly the savior of the world.”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:23-24

Intro: This teaching from Jesus challenging our revenge-oriented world to seek reconciliation. And in Matthew's gospel, it means immediately, we never know what tomorrow brings, Christ’s return or our arrival into eternity.

"Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift at the altar and go. First make things right with your brother or sister and then come back and offer your gift."

A word of God for a people of God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Mark 7:24-30

Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had entered a house, but he couldn’t hide. In fact, a woman whose young daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him right away. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was Greek, Syrophoenician by birth. She begged Jesus to throw the demon out of her daughter. He responded, “The children have to be fed first. It isn’t right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

But she answered, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

“Good answer!” he said. “Go on home. The demon has already left your daughter.” When she returned to her house, she found the child lying on the bed and the demon gone.

Eric Hastings shared his understanding and hopes for the BUMC Legacy.

Galatians 6:2,18

Intro: Living a Christian life is not a solo act, we come here to be together, worship is how we affirm we need others on the journey of life. Hope is built as a communal act, not an individual belief. We affirm hope for one another. Every Paul letter ends with his blessing of hope, that there is enough grace for the journey of life.

6:2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

6:18 Brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Galatians 4:1-5

Intro: Paul is reinforcing his point from last week’s scripture, that all are welcomed into the body of Christ, whether they are minors or slaves.

The church in Galatia should be compared to a new church start, focused on a mission to a specific people, in this case the Gentiles. Bringing gentiles into a Jewish church has now caused conflict, and Paul is writing to point out how truly untied they are.

I’m saying that as long as the heirs are minors, they are no different from slaves, though they really are the owners of everything. 2 However, they are placed under trustees and guardians until the date set by the parents. 3 In the same way, when we were minors, we were also enslaved by this world’s system. 4 But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. 5 This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. 6 Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.

Scripture: Galatians 3: 26-29 (Read by Carolyn Simser.)

"You are all God’s children through faith in Christ Jesus. All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Now if you belong to Christ, then indeed you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise."

--

Children's Time: "Prayer Shawls" (Pastor Eric Strader)

--

Sermon:

“Canoeing the Mountain" (Pastor Eric Strader)

Mission moment included details on how to support those suffering after repeated earthquakes in Puerto Rico. An update on the UMC team from the Mountain Sky Area that went to Puerto Rico last week. And some upcoming mission opportunities this spring.

While Pastor Amy is out of town, Brenda Anderson-Baker leads the prayers. 

Pastor Amy is out of town, so Fred (wearing his Fred Rogers cardigan) delivers the children/youth message on legacy and history.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-9 (CEB)

The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem:

There’s nothing new under the sun.

This Sunday's Sermon was a video walking tour with Pastor Eric of Bozeman. The Video File is available on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAvJxeuS77o

PRELUDE—In the Bleak Midwinter

INVOCATION—Poem, In the Bleak Midwinter

HYMN—In the Bleak Midwinter 

UMH 221 (v. 1, 2, & 5)                

WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER

WREATH OF LIGHT

HYMN, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

UMH 211 (Adapted words on the screens)

SCRIPTURE (Words on the screens)

    Psalm 77: 1-5 (CEB)

    Psalm 34: 18 (CEB)

    John 1:1-5 (CEB)

HYMN, Want To Walk as a Child of the Light

UMH 206 (v. 1)

VOICES      

Our readers this evening are not necessarily reading stories that reflect their own experiences.

SILENCE 

LIGHTS OF HOPE, Canticle of Light and Dark   

UMH 205 (Response 2)   

SILENCE

CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING

SPECIAL MUSIC —Rescue

POSTLUDE

Luke 2:8-15 (CEB)

Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”

Luke 1:39-55 (CEB)

Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”

Mary praises God

Mary said,

“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
    In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
    Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
        because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
    He shows mercy to everyone,
        from one generation to the next,
        who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
    He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
    He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
        and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
        remembering his mercy,
    just as he promised to our ancestors,
        to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”

Matthew 1:18-25 (CEB)

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 

Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:

Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,

And they will call him, Emmanuel.

(Emmanuel means “God with us.”)

When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.

Brass, Christmas Carols

*Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High 

Welcome

Morning Sounds w/ M.A. Bellingham and Sara Boom on Bells O Day of Peace 

Brass Christmas Cortege 

Children’s Choir Christmas Bells Are Ringing

*Hymn Sing We Now of Christmas

Celebration There Was the Word

*Hymn The First Noel

Men’s Group God Rest You Merry, Gentleman

*Hymn Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

Gospel Train A Gospel Song of Peace

*Hymn Infant Lowly, Infant Holy

Duet on Strings Oh, Come Little Children with Caden Jimmerson & Carter Lukes

*Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem

Puppet Show, Marvin Lansverk, Kath Crumrine, Eric Strader

*Hymn What Child is This? 

Morning Sounds Christmas Joy         Solo: Frank Johnson

Offering 100% of what you give tonight supports HRDC’s warming shelter, a place of refuge from the cold, alongside the Fork & Spoon Cafe, an eatery for all.

Elevate & Friends on Elementary School Instruments All I Want for Christmas Is You

Story Llamas at Christmas

*Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/King of Heaven

Women’s Trio A La Nanita Nana

Presentation of the Pudding       Audrey McLain, Senior

*Hymn We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;

 a branch will sprout from his roots.

The Lord’s spirit will rest upon him,

    a spirit of wisdom and understanding,

    a spirit of planning and strength,

    a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.

He will delight in fearing the Lord.

He won’t judge by appearances,

    nor decide by hearsay.

He will judge the needy with righteousness,

    and decide with equity for those who suffer in the land.

He will strike the violent with the rod of his mouth;

    by the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.

Righteousness will be the belt around his hips,

    and faithfulness the belt around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb,

    and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;

    the calf and the young lion will feed together,

    and a little child will lead them.

The cow and the bear will graze.

    Their young will lie down together,

    and a lion will eat straw like an ox.

A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole;

    toddlers will reach right over the serpent’s den.

They won’t harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain.

    The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,

    just as the water covers the sea.

Message sent via email:

Dear sisters and brothers of Bozeman United Methodist Church,

Grace and peace to you all as we begin the season of Advent.

It is my pleasure to share with you that, in response to the request of your Staff Parish Relations Committee,  Bishop Karen Oliveto has chosen to appoint the Rev. Amy Strader as full time pastor of Bozeman UMC as of January 1, 2020. Rev. Eric Strader will continue as part time pastor at Bozeman UMC and part time as Congregational Resource Minister for the Montana West District.  I am grateful for the gifts and graces that Rev. Amy brings to your congregation, and for the gifts and graces that Rev. Eric brings to your congregation and to the District CRM position.  I am excited about the possibilities for your ministry together, and trust that this will reflect good stewardship of financial resources and of gifts and skills.

Also, a Church Conference will be held, according to the Discipline, on Sunday, December 15, at 11:45 a.m. to approve the pastoral compensation for 2020.

May the Holy Spirit guide your ministry to the people of your community.

Blessings,

Jan Witman

District Superintendent, Montana West

—————-

To that, the BUMC Personnel Team would add:

A reminder that when Rev. Amy and Rev. Eric were appointed 18 months ago to BUMC it was less than full time.   This shift allows for more clergy presence in the church to focus on the pastoral care of the community. In order to continue to be fiscally responsible, we will not be rehiring the Nurture Care position, held by Kim Broden, but instead dividing responsibilities between Rev. Amy and our new Office Coordinator, Allie Zanieri-Hale. Allie will coordinate office needs, alongside supporting database management, and recruiting volunteers - YOU - for ministry needs and opportunities.

Rev. Amy will continue to oversee discipleship ministries including; campus, youth, children, and mission, as well as retaining her role on the Board of Bozeman Health System and community needs. In addition, Rev. Amy will be taking over responsibilities of pastoral care and head up the Stephen Ministry Leadership team.

Rev. Eric will continue to oversee administration and worship while supporting the district in church vitality and clergy coaching as the Congregational Resource Minister.

Please join us to celebrate Kim’s ministry on Dec. 8th in between worship services!

Pastor Amy Strader

Psalm 50: 7-14 (CEV)

My people, I am God!
    Israel, I am your God.
    Listen to my charges
    against you.
Although you offer sacrifices
    and always bring gifts,
    I won’t accept your offerings
    of bulls and goats.

Every animal in the forest
    belongs to me,
    and so do the cattle
    on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds
    in the mountains,
    and every wild creature
    is in my care.

If I were hungry,
    I wouldn’t tell you,
    because I own the world
    and everything in it.
I don’t eat the meat of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats.
I am God Most High!
    The only sacrifice I want
    is for you to be thankful
    and to keep your word.

Peter Brown, BUMC Trustee Chair

Speaker, Sarah Lukes, BUMC Finance Chair

Today’s Scripture:
Psalm 62:2 (MSG)
God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as God says. Everything I need comes from God, so why not? God's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.

Psalm 118:22 (MSG)
Thank you for responding to me; you’ve truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone!

Psalm 139 (MSG)

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
    night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.

Psalm 91 (MSG)

You who sit down in the High God’s presence,

    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,

Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.

    I trust in you and I’m safe!”

That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,

    shields you from deadly hazards.

His huge outstretched arms protect you—

    under them you’re perfectly safe;

    his arms fend off all harm.

Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,

    not flying arrows in the day,

Not disease that prowls through the darkness,

    not disaster that erupts at high noon.

Guest Speaker Jason Jimmerson

November 10, 2019

Sermon: Eric Strader

Scripture Reader: Kelly Murdock-Billy

-------

Psalm 30 and 34 are psalms of thanksgiving by persons who have moved through trouble and distress. God has delivered us from our troubles and transformed our grief into joy again.

Psalm 30:5 (MSG)

"All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank God to God’s face!"

Psalm 34:18 (MSG)

"If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;

if you’re kicked in the gut, God'll help you catch your breath."

A word of God for a people of God

Thanks be to God.

Mission Worship Leaders:

Guest Speaker: Vickie Wilkinson

Ministry Announcements: Lauri Taylor

Offertory Prayer: Jim Robison-Cox

Passing the Peace: Greg Alff

Invocation: JB Bishop

Scripture Reader: Jennifer Heiss

Ushers: John Wilkinson, JB Bishop, Carol Smotherman, Zach Nell 

Today’s Scripture Matthew 25:34-36, 40 (NIV)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

James 2:14-19 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Campus Ministry Worship Planners & Leaders:

Set dDesign: Alison Skillman, Sarah Kisthart, Allie Hale, Zak Wangler

Invitation: Mason DeVries

Invocation: Abby Sites

Children's Moment: Mason DeVries

Scripture & Speakers: Corinne Moss, Sarah Kisthart, Bill Aple

Music:Allie Zanieri-Hale (Planning), Abby Sites, Mason Devries, Bill Aple, Betty Merta & Elevate Worship

Greeters: Zak Wangler

SERMON:
TNT Community

Revelations 3:20

Featured Speaker: Corrine Moss

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Mission Trip Community

Ephesians 2:10

Featured Speaker: Sarah Kisthart

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Church Ministry Community

Romans 12:3-6

Featured Speaker: Bill Aple

Romans 12:3-6

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

Led by MSU Student Mason Devries "Inclusion, Exclusion"

Prayer by MSU Student, Corinne Moss

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Guest Speaker: Alison Skillman, Children's Ministry

Song: "You are Loved" by Stars Go Dim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thSOeSduSDQ

Luke 9:18-22, CEB

Once when Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples joined him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

They answered, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.”

He asked them, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “The Christ sent from God.”

Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Human One must suffer many things and be rejected—by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts—and be killed and be raised on the third day.”

Today’s Scripture

Luke 14:25-27 CEB

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Turning to them, he said, “Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even one’s own life—cannot be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Due to continuing technical errors with our soundboard we are unable to record our podcast. We hope to be able to have this issue fixed by Monday September 9th.

Thank you for your patience. BUMC, 406-586-5413

Due to technical difficulties, the sermon for Sunday August 25th will not be posted. Below is the scripture for this week.

Psalm 8:1-4

Lord, our Lord, how majestic

is your name throughout the earth!

You made your glory higher than heaven!

From the mouths of nursing babies

you have laid a strong foundation

because of your foes,

in order to stop vengeful enemies.

When I look up at your skies,

at what your fingers made—

the moon and the stars

that you set firmly in place—

what are human beings

that you think about them;

what are human beings

that you pay attention to them?

Zechariah 6:15, 10:8-12

People from far away will come and build the Lord’s

temple so you might know that the Lord of heavenly forces

has sent me to you. It will happen if you truly obey the voice

of the Lord your God.

I will whistle for them and gather them, because I have

ransomed them. They will be as numerous as they were

previously. Though I sowed them among the peoples, they

will remember me in the distant places where they are living

with their children until they return.

I will bring them back from the land of Egypt; I will collect

them from Assyria. I will bring them to the land of Gilead

and Lebanon until there is no more room for them.

They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the sea

with waves.

All the depths of the river will dry up.

The pride of Assyria will be brought down; the scepter of

Egypt will turn away.

I will strengthen them in the Lord, and they will walk in his

name, says the Lord.

We apologize; the sound during the scripture reading cut in/out so we couldn't salvage the sound clip to attach with the sermon this week. Please see the text below.

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 67

Let God grant us grace and bless us;
    let God make his face shine on us, 
    so that your way becomes known on earth,
    so that your salvation becomes known among all the nations.

Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!
    Let the people celebrate
     and shout with joy
     because you judge the nations fairly
     and guide all nations on the earth. 
    Let the people thank you, God!
    Let all the people thank you!

The earth has yielded its harvest.
    God blesses us—our God blesses us!
Let God continue to bless us;
    let the far ends of the earth honor him.

Haggai 1:2-11

This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says:
These people say, “The time hasn’t come, the time to rebuild the Lord’s house.”

Then the Lord’s word came through Haggai the prophet: Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses while this house lies in ruins?

So now, this is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: Take your ways to heart. You have sown much, but it has brought little. You eat, but there’s not enough to satisfy. You drink, but not enough to get drunk. There is clothing, but not enough to keep warm. Anyone earning wages puts those wages into a bag with holes.

This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: Take your ways to heart. Go up to the highlands and bring back wood. Rebuild the temple so that I may enjoy it and that I may be honored, says the Lord. You expect a surplus, but look how it shrinks. You bring it home, and I blow it away, says the Lord of heavenly forces, because my house lies in ruins. But all of you hurry to your own houses.

Therefore, the skies above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce because of you. I have called for drought on the earth, on the mountains, on the grain, on the wine, on the olive oil, on that which comes forth from the fertile ground, on humanity, on beasts, and upon everything that handles produce.

Scripture: Psalm 100 & Micah 6:3-8