|
|
Gathering the GoodOctober brings a noticeable change around us. The air turns cooler, the leaves begin to change, and the days slowly grow shorter. It is a season of harvest—a time to gather what has been planted and cared for throughout the year. It can also be a reminder to pause and notice what God has been growing in our own lives. Not every season produces what we expected. Some prayers are still being answered, some work is still unfinished, and some days feel more difficult than others. But even in those seasons, there are still signs of God’s goodness around us—in the people who walk beside us, the opportunities we have to serve, and the small blessings we can easily overlook when life gets busy. This October, may we take time to notice those blessings, give thanks for what God has provided, and continue planting seeds of kindness, faith, and love wherever we are. “The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.” – Psalm 67:6 As the seasons change around us, may we remember that God remains faithful through every season—and may we share that faithfulness with one another and with our community. |
|
Hello Church Family,As the leaves turn and October winds grow crisp, our culture fills with pumpkins and ultimately ends with the costumes and trick-or-treaters of Halloween. This holiday is often seen as one which is purely secular, but its roots are deeply tied to the Christian calendar. Understanding its history helps us see that this season is about much more than candy and costumes; it’s about remembering those who have gone before us and the hope we share in Christ. The word Halloween comes from All Hallows’ Eve—the evening before All Saints’ Day. Just as Christmas Eve prepares us for Christmas, so Halloween was once seen as a vigil of prayer and reflection leading into the feast of All Saints. In the early church, Christians honored martyrs who gave their lives for the faith. Over time, this commemoration grew into All Saints’ Day (November 1), when the church celebrates not only famous saints, but also the countless saints whose names are known only to God. The next day, November 2, is All Souls’ Day. This day is set aside to remember all the departed—our loved ones who have died, whether recently or long ago. Christians have long believed it is right and good to pray for the faithful departed, entrusting them to the mercy of God, and giving thanks for their lives. So all Saint’s Day is a feast day, and All Souls’ Day is a day of prayer and remembrance. The connection between these days and Halloween comes from the way medieval Christians marked the turning of the seasons. Autumn reminded people of the brevity of life. Festivals included prayers for the dead, vigils in cemeteries, and even plays and customs that used humor and mockery to deflate the power of death. In time, these customs mixed with folk traditions, creating the Halloween practices we know today. So as you see children at your door on Halloween dressed as superheroes, ghosts, or princesses, take a moment to remember the saints and souls who have shaped your life. Light a candle, say a prayer, and give thanks that in Christ, death never has the last word. Pastor Mark |
|
Cause of the MonthOur Cause of the Month for October is the Sturgis Alliance of Churches. The Sturgis Alliance of Churches brings local churches together to help our neighbors throughout Sturgis and Meade County when they find themselves going through a difficult time. Sometimes that help is as simple as groceries or gas, and other times it may mean assistance with utilities, prescriptions, rent, temporary lodging, or another unexpected need. In 2025, the Alliance provided approximately $25,000 in assistance to people in our community. Right now, those funds have been depleted, which makes our support this month especially important. One way we will be supporting the Alliance is through the Chili & Soup Cook-Off on Monday, October 26 at the Sturgis Community Center from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Area churches and organizations come together for this community fundraiser, providing homemade chili and soup for everyone to sample. Guests can enjoy a meal and vote for their favorites through a goodwill offering. Our church will be providing a chili entry and will once again be making and serving grilled cheese sandwiches, so we'll be looking for volunteers to help us be part of the event. Come enjoy chili, desserts, drinks & coffee while supporting an amazing cause. The money raised goes right back into helping our neighbors when a need comes up. Whether you volunteer, come enjoy the Cook-Off, give toward the cause, or simply keep the Sturgis Alliance of Churches and those they serve in your prayers, there are several ways to be part of this month's cause. “Suppose a brother or 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?” |
|
Sturgis Community Preschool Drive-Thru Chili FundraiserSupport Sturgis Community Preschool and take a night off from cooking! The Preschool's annual Drive-Thru Chili Fundraiser will be held Thursday, October 8 from 4:00–7:00 PM here at Sturgis First United Methodist Church. Stop by, pick up dinner, and help support our preschool and the children and families it serves. |
|
Help Us Update Our Church RecordsThank you to everyone who has already completed a Household Information Sheet! We have started receiving forms and are working our way through updating our church records and directory information. If you haven't filled one out yet, we still need one from your household—even if you are sure we already have all of your information correct. As we've worked through our records, we've found outdated phone numbers and addresses, missing household members, and other information that needs to be updated. Having everyone complete a new form gives us one reliable place to start from. We are asking for one form per household. Once completed, you can return it to the church office, Crystal, or Pastor Mark. Thank you for taking a few minutes to help us make sure we can stay connected with you and keep our church records accurate! |
|
October Church Community LunchJoin us after worship on Sunday, October 18 for our monthly Church Community Lunch! There’s nothing better than gathering around the table together, and everyone is invited. Bring a favorite dish to share if you’re able, and come enjoy good food, conversation, and fellowship with your church family. No dish? No problem! There is always plenty to share, and we’d much rather have you there than have you stay home because you didn’t bring something. Invite a friend or family member and join us for a relaxed afternoon together. There’s always room at the table! |
|
Black Hills Area Methodist Men’s BreakfastMen from across the Black Hills are invited to gather for the Black Hills Area Methodist Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Piedmont. Come enjoy breakfast, music, fellowship, and time spent connecting with other Methodist men from around the area. All men are welcome, so mark your calendar and join us! |
|
Treehouse Is Off to a Great Start!Our Wednesday afternoons are busy again! Each week, around 20 kids, give or take, join us after school for snacks, games, crafts, Bible lessons, and lots of fun. This fall, we are working our way through the Fruit of the Spirit, learning what love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control can look like in our everyday lives. Each week includes a Bible story, memory verse, activities, and time to learn and grow together. And of course, snack time has been a huge hit with the kids! We are so thankful for everyone who has helped make Treehouse possible—whether you have volunteered your time, donated supplies or snacks, helped behind the scenes, or kept the children and program in your prayers. Treehouse truly could not happen without our volunteers. While Crystal leads the program each week, it takes several people working together to safely get the kids from school to the church and make the afternoon run smoothly. Want to Help?We would love to have you! Whether you can walk with the kids from school, help with snacks or activities, or simply be an extra set of hands, there’s a place for you. You don’t have to commit to every Wednesday—even helping when you’re able makes a difference. Talk to Crystal or sign up on the form in the Fellowship Hall if you’d like to help! It takes many hands to make Wednesday afternoons happen, and we are so grateful for each one! |
|
Congregation Directory AppOur new church directory is up and running! If you haven’t accessed it yet, download the Instant Church Directory app and log in using the email address we have on file for you at the church. You will receive a verification code by email—enter that code in the app, and you’re in! If your email address does not work, we may need to update the information we have on file. Please contact the church office, and we’ll be happy to help get you connected. We are still taking photos for the directory! If you haven’t had your photo taken yet, someone from the Leadership Team, Pastor Mark, Lisa, or Crystal will be happy to take it for you. We hope everyone will participate as we continue building a helpful way for our church family to connect names and faces and get to know one another better! |
|
Help Us Care for Our Church FamilyIf you or someone you know has been hospitalized, moved, become homebound, or transitioned to a care center, please let us know. You can contact the church office at 605-720-5578 so we can include them in our caring ministries. Thank you for helping us look after one another with love and compassion. |
|
Want to Promote an Event or Ministry?Do you have something you’d like to share with the church family? Whether it’s an upcoming event, ministry opportunity, fundraisers, or special announcement. We’d love to help spread the word in our monthly newsletter! To ensure your information is included, please submit all newsletter items by the 25th of each month. This allows us time to prepare and publish the upcoming issue. You can send your details to the church office at sturgisumc@hotmail.com. Please include dates, times, locations, and contact information. Thank you for helping keep everyone connected! |
|
Contact the church office for access at other times. |
|
Happy Birthday!10/1 Bailey Maine |
|
Happy Anniversary!10/3 Shawn & Carla Harrison |
