* Church Announcements (10/16/2026)

- In-person Worship, Sundays @ 9am (Traditional) and 11:15am (Casual)

          - Holy Communion is served, at both services, the first Sunday of each month.

          - (There is a Staffed Nursery at both services for kids 5 years and younger)

          - Additional parking is available in the Hunt Elementary School parking lot.

- Sunday school for all ages @ 10:10am.

- Online Worship, Sundays @ 10am on our Facebook Page (First United Methodist Church - Sioux City)

- Worship Any-day @ Anytime online (and Sunday’s by 9am) on our Website (siouxcityfirst.com). 

                                       

Preaching - Rev. Roger Madden

     - Sermon Title: “What ‘Mountain’ Am I Facing?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Wanned

(Online service) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

                   

18  Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.

19  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

20  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

21  Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

22  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

✞ What "mountain(s)" am I now facing in my life?

   - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Homecoming Sunday (October 18).  In-person worship is at 9am (Traditional Worship) and 11:15am (Casual Service).  The service is also on Facebook on Sundays at 10am (Facebook page: First United Methodist Church - Sioux City), and also anytime on our website (siouxcityfirst.com).  The scripture will be Matthew 21:18-22 (Jesus Explains the Power of Prayer”.

 

✞ Are my prayers focused on God's will or my will?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon for this Sunday (October 18).

                                                 

✞ What "mountain" is God helping me move in my life, even if it is only one shovel at a time?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, October 18.  Watch the Online service (anytime throughout the week), listen to and/or download the Sermon Podcast, read the latest detailed newsletter, see whose birthday or anniversary is coming up, and much more on our church website at www.siouxcityfirst.com

 

“Sweet Hour of Prayer”

“Take Time to Be Holy”

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Hymns for 11:15am Casual Worship (Our Smaller Service):  

“Sweet Hour of Prayer”

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Hymns for Online Service:

“Sweet Hour of Prayer”

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

         

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✞ All announcements are also available on our website under “Church Announcements” and in the Sunday church bulletins.  

"Homecoming Sunday" is This Sunday, Oct. 18 - We are asking that everyone who calls themself a member of First UMC, or relate to our church, attend either the 9:00 Traditional Worship or the 11:15 Casual Service.  You are encouraged to wear high school or college apparel/jackets/sweaters, etc., and get in the homecoming spirit (Kids, you can wear your school t-shirts as well.) We know there will be some out of town but if you are not, come for "Homecoming Sunday."

Our Annual Church Charge Conference is This Sunday, October 18 at 6pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Morningside.  We will be joined by other churches in our circuit (i.e. Grace, Whitfield, Hinton, Sgt. Bluff, Moville, etc.)

CROP Hunger Walk is one of the most impactful things you can do in an afternoon. Funds raised support Church World Service in its mission to provide food, water and shelter to communities in need around the world - while a meaningful portion stays right here in Sioux City to support the food programs at the Community Action Agency of Siouxland.  Please pray for the safety of all of our volunteers and participants on Sunday, October 18.  And hopefully we'll be blessed with good weather, too! 

     You can make a donation to this annual event in worship, mail it in, drop it off,  or use your bank's "Billpay".   A sign-up sheet to walk is outside the church office  For more information, contact Jo Lear 712-251-6015 and Rolene Beauvais 712-223-9965.

* Chili (Choice of mild or somewhat-spicy)     

* Cinnamon Rolls & Cornbread   

*”Candy Corridors” (2 hallways set up for trick or treating) 

* Games for all ages

     We are inviting people to make cinnamon rolls &/or cornbread, help make chili with the fixings in the morning, and/or decorate a church Education wing doorway for handing out candy to kids ... sign up at church, email the church or give us a call.

* 3 roasters of homemade chili (with mild and no beans as well as with beans and a hint of spice)

* PLUS games for the kids (and kid-at-heart). If anyone wants to help with games, let Pastor Martha know at 712-898-6854.

     CHILI MAKING: Pastor Roger will begin making the 3 roasters of chili (1 mild and 2 somewhat-spicy) at 9am on the morning of Oct. 20.  He will provide all the ingredients and you can come and help put it all together - no need to call ahead to help.

     CINNAMON ROLLS &/or CORNBREAD: If you can make cinnamon rolls and or cornbread, please let the church office know.

     CANDY DONATIONS: If you would like to donate individually pre-wrapped candy for this year’s Halloween Extravaganza, just bring it to the church anytime.

     - Wed., October 21 (3:35p - 4:55p) - “Celebrate Halloween” for Kindergarten thru 5th graders.

     - If you are interested in volunteering, contact Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854.

     Older Adult Ministries invites you to come to a Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner on Wednesday, November 18 at 12:00 p.m. to be held in our Fellowship Hall. You must have a reservation, no later than November 11, so that we can get an accurate count for the caterer. A sign-up sheet is available near the bulletin board across from the church office or you can call the church. Cost of the meal will be $15.00 per person, payable at the door. If you have any questions please contact Neil Peck, Director of Older Adult Ministries, either at church or at 712-258-0110.

     MENU: Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry salad, rolls and butter, pumpkin pie for dessert, and coffee, water and lemonade for drinks. 

Older Adult Ministries study on Wednesdays at 11:00am in the church library. The study is  entitled, "The Holy Spirit: God’s Presence and Power at Work In Us”

     In “The Holy Spirit,” Adam Hamilton explores what Scripture teaches about God's Spirit—from the Hebrew Bible through Jesus' promises in the Gospels, the powerful Pentecost experience in Acts, and the rich teachings found in the New Testament letters.

     If you have any questions please contact Neil Peck (our Director of Older Adult Ministries) at 712-258-0119 or stop by and see him.

     Did you know that there were around 250 or 300 homeless people in Siouxland on any given day last year? There are entire families living on the streets. Women, children. It's not a good situation. Another little-known fact is that slightly over 25% of Siouxland's homeless are veterans, ranging from those who served in Vietnam to the Iraq/Afghanistan war.  Realizing this, off to Cone Park will go the volunteers again on the first Friday in November (Nov.6). They will take pledges, pack up their tents (and cardboard boxes in a few cases) and away they will go. We are raising money during October to be able to give it to The Siouxland Sleepout on Nov. 6.  Their website is <siouxlandsleepout.com>.

    If you are not attending worship, you can mail in, drop off,  or use your bank's "Billpay" to make a donation. 

     The Music Academy @ First is off to a great start this year! At Hunt A+ Arts Elementary, 14 students are taking Beginning Piano, while 24 fourth graders and 24 fifth graders are participating in handchime groups.

     Our private lesson program currently serves 57 student lessons: 25 strings, 23 piano, 5 guitar, 1 organ, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone, and 1 percussion.

     We are grateful to our dedicated teachers, volunteers, families, and supporters who make these musical opportunities possible! If you would like to support the work of the Music Academy @ First, please consider making a donation to make a difference in the lives of students.

     - Gene Wagner, Director of the Music Academy @ First

Music Academy @ First - Keep up to date at their website at (musicacademyatfirst.org).

     THANK YOU to all who have contributed and pledged to contribute to this needed and worthwhile project!

Note: Any additional funds received over our goal will go toward making sure the interior stained-glass windows will open and close properly (we have many that do not) for in addition to the new outside storm windows protecting the interior stained-glass windows, we need to have operational interior windows.

 - Everyone (age 3 - 8th graders) will meet in the Chapel and then divide up into classes

     Pastor Martha, our Children’s Pastor, has another year of exciting programs for the kids (age 3 thru 8th grade).  Lonnie Gustafson will be teaching the Middle School once again. Each Sunday will include fun and memorable Bible Lessons. If you would like to volunteer to help in this upcoming unit, contact Pastor Martha at the church.

Sunday School Kid(s) Parents/Guardians - We have a waiting area in the Library for parents and guardians to wait while your kids are at Sunday School on Sunday mornings.  The Library is located on the main floor across the hall from the drinking fountain.  It is stocked with bottled water and there will be some goodies.

                                                                                                   

We would like some more volunteers to teach or assist in our children's programs. Please let Pastor Martha (our Children's Pastor) know if you can help. You will need to complete a background check if you have not already done so. Even if you can only volunteer a single Sunday, we can use your help! Call/text Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854.

         

Adult Sunday School - Our adults gather in the Heritage Room from 10:15-11:00ish each Sunday for a DVD Study into our faith.

Youth Group (Grade 5 and up) meets on Wednesdays from 6-7pm with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

Celebration Bells rehearse on Wednesdays at 6pm in the Bell Room (upstairs of the Education wing). They play once a month at the 9am Sunday worship service. If you are interested in playing bells, just show up and/or let Gene know. 

The Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) rehearse Wednesdays at 7pm in the Choir Room. They sing weekly at the 9am Sunday worship service except when the handbell choir plays.  Pray about singing in the choir and if you have any questions or comments, talk with Gene Wagner.  

     As all of our church activities begin again this fall, you are invited to visit our three active ladies circles and decide if you would like to join the fellowship of one of these groups.  Felicity Circle meets at 10 AM on the second Tuesday of the month, Unity Circle meets at 12:30 PM on the second Wednesday of the month, and Harmony Circle meets at 9:30 AM on the second Thursday of the month.  All meetings are at the church, not in homes.  We hope to see you there! 

   

The Personal Care Cupboard continues to operate on Wednesdays from 5pm-6pm and Thursdays from

2pm-3pm. If you are interested in volunteering once or regularly, contact the church office.

You may also make monetary donations through the church anytime during the year.

Fellowship Time Schedule - Here is the schedule, based on the last name, for families serving. Copies of

the Fellowship Time Schedule through the end of the year are available to pick up by the bulletin board

outside the Church Office.

October 18 - T - Z

October 25 - A-Be

November 1 - Bi–C

 Fellowship Time is each Sunday morning following the 9:00 a.m. worship service. This is a time for

folks to leisurely visit with friends and visitors. This is also a very important time to create a warm and

friendly atmosphere where folks will want to return and become more involved in the life of the church.

 Each Sunday, we need the following from the scheduled host families:

1. Make one 50 cup coffee pot of coffee (coffee is furnished) and put out coffee cups.

2. Have available a total of two gallons of juice or punch (not red).

3. Each family that does not bring juice are to bring about 2 dozen cookies and/or goodies so we have

enough to serve a total of about 100 people.

4. Have at least 3 or 4 persons to be present to serve and greet folks as they come.

 

 We ask your family group to furnish the items. The Fellowship Time is free of charge to all, so we will

not be putting out a money donation basket.

 The Hunt Elementary School parking lot is located across the street from the front of the church on Nebraska Street.

- Death of Clifford Van Berkum (age 94), brother of David Van Berkum.  Clifford died on Oct. 4

- Death of Charley Kriglstein (age 94).  Charley died on Sept. 24.  A private family service will be later.

- Death of Delores Rucker, sister of George VonHaden.  Delores died on Sept. 11. 

- Death of Deborah (Irwin) Bauer, the daughter of Bob Irwin.  Deborah died on Sept. 1.

- Death of Gary Scott (age 87), brother of Jo Lear.  Gary died on August 7.

 Simply put one sentence in your will that says, “After all my bills are paid, I want 10-percent of my estate (a tithe) to go to First United Methodist Church of Sioux City, Iowa.” Your gift will be added to the principle of our Endowment Fund. The principle is never touched but the investment earnings are used each year for ministry through First UMC. This simple gesture will help support your church for future generations to learn about Jesus.

First United Methodist Church is offering the opportunity for individuals to have a loved one's name placed on our Memorial Wall. The Memorial Wall is located in our church's courtyard on the Chapel wall.  It is intended to provide opportunities for First UMC members and friends to remember their loved ones near their church home.  The purchase price is $200 per inscribed plaque. You can reserve a space (or spaces) by filling out a "Plaque Inscription Agreement" form (You can get the form in the Church Office).

We are seeking volunteers for our church “Media Team.” Pastor Roger oversees the Media Team and we will train you in whatever area you feel gifted in serving your church as a part of the Media Team during the service. We are not seeking one person to do all of this but a few people to do any of these.

Your church provides a free Puzzle Exchange service for anyone who wants. Stop by the church library and see if there is a puzzle that interests you.

 You can "Like" us, receive our daily "Prayer Prompts from Pastor Roger", find out about upcoming events, and see what has happened, on our church Facebook page. Pastor Roger will also be reminding us of the previous week's sermon message as well as give us a question or two, later in the week, for the upcoming Sunday's message.

     We have had members mail in donations, use their internet banking and set us up as a “Bill Pay” option to send their donations, and even had members drop off their donations in the Mail Drop - which is located right by the Maroon Canopy Entrance in the Main parking lot. As you can see in looking above at all that continues to happen at your church, First United Methodist continues to “Make a Difference” in the lives of others. If you have a prayer request or information to share, you can call the church (258-0119) or email us (scfirst@msn.com).

     If you ever receive an email, text, or phone call “from Pastor Roger,” or anyone on the staff, asking “I need your assistance today” or "What's the best time for you to be free today?" or “I need you to buy a gift card for me.” - DO NOT CLICK ANY LINK AND DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER LISTED.  You can delete the email/ text or report it as spam. This does not come from Pastor Roger.

     If you ever have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at the church directly (712-258-0119) to confirm if you think something is suspicious.  

Weather Cancellation Notifications - In case of severe weather, we will publicize on our web site (siouxcityfirst.com) and on our answering machine whether we are or are not having church, Sunday School, or small groups as soon as we know.

 - John Wesley’s (The founder of Methodism) 3 Simple Rules in being a Christian!