Shiloh UMC News for October 8

ON-LINE and IN-PERSON WORSHIP

On-Line Worship – Join us LIVE on-line on Sundays at 10:30 am or watch anytime.  We broadcast on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.  Just search for Shiloh United Methodist Church and make sure you see our logo (displayed with this article).      

Community (In-Person) Worship – Want to join us for in-person worship in a setting of 15 or less people?? If you want to regularly attend, we have the following options: Sunday at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, or noon or Wednesday at 4:00 pm. You can just show up!  If you need more flexibility, you can attend Wednesday at 6:00 pm or Sunday at 6:00 pm.  These services are more kid-friendly!  Sign up at: https://reopen.church/r/4kmmvoBM.  

Youth Group Meetings – If you know a Middle or High Schooler…  Middle School Youth Group is meeting at Shiloh UMC at 4:00 pm Sundays.  High School Youth Group is meeting at Mazevo on Grand Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  

BIBLE STUDIES

SUMC Adult Bible Study – The new study began this Sunday, September 27. It is called “Companions in Christ”. This an Upper Room Books publication. The study focuses on your experience of God and your discovery of spiritual practices of prayer, scripture, ministry, worship, study, and Christian conversation in 18 lessons.  We meet on-line at 9:15 am on Sunday mornings for approximately an hour. If you want to join us, please call the church office.

All Billings UMC Adult Bible Study – Join with members from all 5 Billings UMCs on Wednesdays, October 7- November 11, from 6:30-7:30 pm to study Max Lucado’s “You Are Never Alone” in 6 weeks. We will meet over Zoom to watch a video and have group discussion. You can order the Study Guide from most on-line retailers (Cokesbury, Amazon, etc.). The book can be purchased as well, but is not required for the class. To join in this study: Email Beth Ayers (FUMC) at ayers517@msn.com or call Beth at 860-4473 or FUMC Office at 245-3001.

Women’s Bible Study – Five Women Named in the Bible – A small group of women will be studying 5 women who are named in the Bible and discussing their relevance in our lives today.  If you would like to join, please text Crystal Amundson at (406)794-3055.  The group will meet on Zoom from 8:30-9:30 pm, Nov. 3, and Nov. 17.  Each evening is a new topic so join anytime.

MISSION WORK

Let’s Make Some Noise!! – We will be collecting Noisy Offering again (both change and paper money are accepted) to support the Children/Youth programs in our church.  And, the banks are short on change so let’s get it back into circulation!! Bring it to Community Worship with you or drop your baggy full of change in the box by the front door of the church ANYTIME!

Great Clean Up Day for the Community Garden!! – Thanks to all who volunteered and for all the gardeners for getting their garden boxes cleaned out. It looks great!! The Community Garden served SO many people this year!!  Many, many, many trips were made to deliver produce to the Food Bank and Rescue Mission and they are VERY grateful!! 

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Cleaning Buckets NEEDED!! – With all the fires, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, it is more important than ever for us to lend a hand!!  Montana UMCs are joining together to collect supplies and money for cleaning buckets to be sent to the UMCOR-West in Salt Lake City.  Collection will happen now through October 18. You can donate a whole bucket of supplies (here is a list of the specific items they need), one or more of the individual items, or you can donate $75.00 per bucket, or any amount, to the church and we will send the money to UMCOR-West to purchase what they need (please note “UMCOR buckets” on your check).    

On-Line Financial Peace University Class Coming – Rachael Wertz will be leading an on-line Financial Peace University Class beginning Thursday, October 22, 6:30-8:00 pm.  It is a 9-week course and will cost for each family/participant $129. Taking this course can make a HUGE difference in your financial life!  Learn how to budget, save, pay off debt, and spend, etc.  Check it out!  You can sign up at https://fpu.com/1127057.  

Free Store News – The Free Store is still assisting shoppers. Evangelical UMC is receiving requests for specific items.  One of the Free Store volunteers is filling the request and then setting up a time for the caller to receive the items. The Free Store is accepting donations through Shiloh UMC and others. Just drop off your donations in the box in front of the church and we will get them to the Free Store.  Thank you for your generosity!  We will start marking soup mixes in Community Worship in October/November to add to the packages prepared at the Free Store.  

Thanks for the School Supplies – We receive a great Thank You Note from the United Way for our generous donations to their Operation Supply project. Last week items were sorted, packed and delivered to the homeless liaison for School District #2.  They were distributed to 20 schools (all grades). Providing supplies for those who need them throughout the year is greatly appreciated and your contributions make this possible.  Again,  many thanks!

Food Bank Barrel Needs a Refresh! – Our Food Bank barrel has been around for a LONG time and needs a face lift! If you/your family have some creative ideas and are willing to give it a try, please call the office to make arrangements.

PRAYER MINISTRY

Prayer Team –  If you have a prayer you would like to share, please fill out a prayer card,  use our website liz@ShilohBillings.Church, text your prayer to 794-3055, or call the church at 656-0050.  Prayers will be shared with the Prayer Team and Pastor Tyler.   

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” COL 3:12-14.

GIVING

Church Giving – Our 2020 budget is $211,000. We had received $128,268 by September 30 (61% of our budget). Although expenses are down from previous years, we expect a shortage for the year given the current level of giving. We have cash reserves to cover the estimated shortage. If you are currently giving to the church, thank you for your support!  If not, we ask that you consider giving what you can. There are several ways to give to our church.  You can drop a check in the mail to Shiloh UMC, 1810 Shiloh Road, Billings MT 59106.  You can text an amount to 406-382-3185. Or you can give through our website: www.shilohbillings.church/give.  Thank you for your generosity!

COMING EVENTS

Shiloh UMC’s Trunk or Treat – October 31 – 4:00-6:00 pm – We know you’re wondering… We may or may not be able to hold Trunk or Treat this year.  If we can hold it, and you are interested in participating with your trunk, please call the church and we will save you a space and keep you informed about the status for this year. Trick or Treaters… Stay tuned here for more information!!  

Election Day Prayer Vigil – We will hold a prayer vigil on Election Day (Tuesday, November 6) from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.  Then from 12:00-1:00 pm, Tyler will offer communion for anyone who wants to stop by.  Please join us for prayer on this important day in our nation’s democratic process.  

Want to try out in person community worship?  Looking for a physically distant, in person way to worship?

Join us Sundays at 6pm: 
 Sign up at https://reopen.church/r/4kmmvoBM

People of Shiloh,
 
2020 has brought massive change to the way in which we do so many things.  Over this past 6 months leadership has worked to develop ways for you to connect with your faith in this changing season.  Before I share details, I want you to know you are in my prayers and we hope Shiloh can be a place of spiritual refuge and God’s well of life in this season of challenge.
 
We need each of you to take the step of being connected to our communication.  We work each week to provide updates via email, mail and our app.  If you do not receive our weekly updates in some way.  Please sign up at www.ShilohBillings.Church/church-update or by calling 656 0050.
 
Your Shiloh leadership has partnered with me to prayerfully work on safe ways to worship that will be meaningful in this season.  I encourage you to get connected to online worship or in-person community worship.  The best way to get connected is to contact us at 656-0050 or email me(pastortyler@shilohbillings.church).  We believe every one of us needs positive ways to connect to God and to one another in this season.  
 
We have been in mission offering God’s love to our community and our world.  We have collected food, sent money to food resource ministries, collected school supplies, written letters to support educators and staff in our schools, and we are not done loving our world yet.  This fall we will be collecting money, supplies, and completed cleaning buckets for the United Methodist Committee on Relief to respond to the natural disasters happening right here at home.  More details can be found at www.ShilohBillings.Church/UMCOR or in the weekly update.
 
Thank you for all the ways you share the love of Christ, seek the love of Christ and are the love of Christ in the world.  I look forward to supporting you as you grow in God’s grace this season.
 
Enthusiastic Peace,

Pastor Tyler
 

Our Covid-19 protocol and building use guidelines can be found here: www.shilohbillings.church/covid-19/

Updates on worship be posted to www.shilohbillings.church/worship