First United Methodist Church

Information may not be reliable

Celebrating God's love since 1872
"Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" is not just an advertising slogan, but a statement of how First United Methodist Church of Missoula wants to be seen in our community. First Church is a community of open hearts seeking to be a force for God's grace in the "heart" of Missoula's downtown. We are an open minded congregation, respectful of each other yet unafraid of the issues of our time. And we are a church of open doors, welcoming a wide diversity of people to be a part of our congregation. For those who can't manage our stairs you will find the elevator just inside the street level entrance to the right of the stairs.You will always find a place at First United Methodist Church! Please visit us at 300 E. Main Street.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. during the school year

CHANCEL CHOIR will practice at 9:00a.m. and
SUNDAY SCHOOL including a new preschool class for 3 - 5 year olds. Parent's should bring their children to the church service at 10:30 and they will leave from the sanctuary with their teachers following the Children's Sermon.
Marcus Borg, renowned theologian, will be conducting workshops at FUMC April 1-3, 2011. More details will be available in the fall.
For a complete list of what is happening this month in our church click on
the Tower Tidings Newsletter

Summer Worship is at 9:30a.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day
(Daylight savings time ends the first Sunday in November and begins the second Sunday in March)
Nursery care will be available to those 5 and under during the service.
Communion is held each Sunday and all are invited to God's Table to share in the meal. There is a coffee/fellowship time in the Narthex following the service.
Sunday School will take place during worship following the Children's Sermon. During the school year Chancel Choir practice and Adult classes are held before worship at 9:00. Nursery care is available for children 5 and under.

First Church loves music and hopes you will come not only to listen but to participate in it! We sing hymns as well as praise songs, often have special music and enjoy all three of our choirs.

Anyone who enjoys music and a chance to enrich the worship service with praise is encourage to be part of our choir. We welcome anyone who can carry a tune and keep the beat! The choir rehearses each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. during the school year. It is led by Greg Boris.

JuBELLation Handbell Choir
Our bell choir is known through out Missoula for their great performances. They provide music once a month during the worship service and also present a Christmas concert. They practice each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. during the school year.

Joyful Noise Children's Choir
All children from the 1st through the 8th grade are welcome to participate in making a Joyful Noise. They participate in worship once a month and rehearse each Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. during the school year.
Adult Spiritual Growth Groups Do you feel like you are on a spiritual journey? We hope you will allow us to walk with you on this journey and together we will find the answers to our questions. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from September to June from 9:05 to 10:15. Our adult groups tackle specific topics of interest to the spiritual life of today's Christian. See the Tower Tidings Newsletter for course descriptions.
Walk to Emmaus Fourth Day groups for men and women also meet at the church. The 2011 Walk to Emmaus will be held in May. For more information on the Walk to Emmaus contact Pat Mahoney. Please check out our website at: www.WesternMTWalk.com. We welcome members from other Walk communities and hope they will join us! More Emmaus Community Information from Upper Room.

Spirit Trek Sunday School meets during the worship service, right after Children's Time and is for Preschool - 6th grade. Our Rock Solid program is a Bible study that enables children to experience God through Jesus Christ. Activities will include stories, crafts, music and scripture. Call the church office (549-6118) for more information.
Nursery care is available for those not ready for preschool.

First United Methodist Youth Fellowship (FUMY) 7th through 12th grade students meet most Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. from September until May. They do service projects, make discoveries about themselves and others, and have fun!
Wesley Foundation - University of Montana Campus Ministry
The University of Montana Wesley House is located across the street from the campus and Miller Hall at 1327 Arthur Avenue. College students and visitors are welcomed to stop by. They have their own website at:: http://wesley.yacumc.org/ . Please send the names of U of M students from your local church to the Wesley Foundation so they can invite them to join their activities.

United Methodist Women
UMW is open to any woman who would enjoy the companionship of other women and is someone who is dedicated to supporting missions near and far. UMW raises money for mission projects locally, in Montana, nationally and globally. UMW meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 for a potluck luncheon, a program and a business meeting. First Church also has morning and evening Fellowship Groups which meet once a month.

The Second Sunday Women Fellowship meets the second Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Moore Prayer Room (next to the Sanctuary). This is the newest UMW Fellowship and they are looking for members. Nursery Care is available for children 5 and under.
L.A.N.S. Fellowship meets the second Monday at 11:30 a.m. in the church parlor
They are women Living Actively in the New Society. They are interested in social action in the community as well as fellowship.
Ruth Fellowship meets the second Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor
They invite you to come and share their fellowship, a monthly program, and outreach to church members who need a little TLC.
Vespers Fellowship meets the third Wednesday at 1:00 in homes
They have been meeting together for a long time which has lead to many long friendships. They invite you to lunch in homes with a program and meeting.
GEMS Fellowship meets the third Thursday at 7:00 p.m.in the church library
This group of working women is particularly interested in the UMW Reading program and are supportive of one another.
UMW also has special interest groups for crafts, scrap booking, knitting and book study. Contact President Jackie Krahn at 543-3979 for more information.

Men's Fellowship Group The Mighty Methodist Men meet 1st & 3rd Saturdays, at 8:30AM in the Library.

New Members are received throughout the year. To learn more, please contact Pastor Barry Padget by stopping by
or calling the church office at 549-6118.
Stephen Ministry Church
We participate in Stephen Ministries, where trained Stephen Ministers walk with those whose lives are in turmoil for one reason or another. Members of the congregation are encouraged to consider doing the 50-hours of training and helping others in this way. As a Stephen Minister you often find satisfaction in your own life as you nurture your care receiver. Stephen Ministers also help with prayer requests each Sunday and serve communion. A new class is forming. 50 hours of training will be given on these TOPICS Call Kay at 543-6722 or Peg at 542-1543 for more information.
Missoula First United Methodist Church Foundation: The Foundation offers two scholarships each Spring. The Foundation Scholarship is for an active member of our church and The Katie Payne Scholarship is for a woman pursuing a nursing or medical arts career or a career in law, government or politics . Click on the blue lettering for application forms. Application Deadline is May 1st

We care about others. We participate in giving relief to victims of natural disasters through UMCOR. Our church gave generously to those affected by Katrina and the tsunami and will continue to support UMCOR when it heads to new disasters.
We also give to local agencies such as Poverello and The Salvation Army, to state agencies such as the Blackfeet Parish and the Intermountain Home in Helena, to national missions through apportionments, and globally we are also supporting a pastor in Angola with a monthly check. We are also a Jubilee Church.

I was hungry and you fed me...
Come feed God's people 4 or 5 times a year at the Poverello Center.
We work at the Pov whenever there is a 5th Saturday.

We support the mission of Intermountain in Helena. Over one hundred years ago in 1908 their founders strove to comfort, nurture and “enter into the heart-life of the children.” A century later, the services have changed, but Intermountain’s mission, “healing through healthy relationships,” is not so very different.
We are a church partner with Missoula's Habitat for Humanity We invite you to join us for a work day!
Contact the office at 549-6118 for more information. .
Special Days. Special Ways. We reach out to the world with Special Offerings
Human Relations Day -February

Our church is handicap accessible through the door on the southeast corner of the building. There is an elevator there that will bring you up to the sanctuary or down to fellowship hall. We have large-print bulletins with hymns, large print hymnals, and hearing assistance devices for those that are hard of hearing. Staff
Barry Padget, Pastor

Jackie Krahn, Financial Secretary
John Schaff, Custodian Nursery Attendants: Faye Gibson (Sunday School) and Audra Clark and Amanda Faust (Worship)

First United Methodist Church of Missoula / Kay Duffield, Webmaster (hart2u2@yahoo.com)