* Church Announcements (12/24/2024)

     - Each service will have scriptures, carols and candle lighting, and Gene Wagner will ring the tower bells following each service.  Also, the 5pm service will have special visit for the kids from a special elf. 

The 5:00 service will have a staffed nursery.

@ Both Services: - Gene Wagner ringing Advent & Christmas hymns from our Bell Tower both before and following our services.

 

Online Christmas Eve Service - Available on our website (siouxcityfirst.com) and our Facebook page (First United Methodist Church - Sioux City) beginning at 3pm on Christmas Eve.  We also ask that you have a candle with you to light as we end the service with “Silent Night” and then, right after we sing, you take the lit candle outside your front or back door and take Christ out into the world.

             

     - Bell Tower "Christmas Concert" by Gene Wagner - Encore performance

     - Christmas Duets - An encore performance of Jane Sibley (organist) and Pat Harm (pianist) sharing in Christmas duets.

 

Our Celebration Bells, along with the Sioux City Symphony and two other handbell choirs, will be in concert on KTIV, channel 4, at 7pm on Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day).

 

 

- 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 now available in the new 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: A Faith Story: “How the Christmas Star Got its Light”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - David Chobar

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

 

12 Balaam answered Balak, "Did I not tell the messengers you sent me,

13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says'?

14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come."

15 Then he spoke his message:  "The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

 

✞ When have I glimpsed God acting in the lives of others?                        

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s message this Sunday (Dec. 29).  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 Numbers 24:12-17.

✞ When have others glimpsed God working in me?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (December 29).

 

✞ How can you allow the light of Christ to shine in you this week?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's message on Sunday, December 29.  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

 

“Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

“He is Born”

“There’s a Song in the Air”

 

“Go, Tell It on the Mountain”

“Mary, Did You Know?”

 

Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

 

1. While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night

Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

 

2. The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! Above the Earth

Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior's birth

Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

 

3. Down in a lowly manger our humble Christ was born

And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn

Go, tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

 

1. There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!

There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry!

And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

             

2. There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,

for the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.

Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

 

3. In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;

and that song from afar has swept over the world.

Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing

in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

 

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

 

   - The Church offices will be open from 8:30am to Noon from Monday, Dec. 30 thru Friday, Jan 3. 

 

Year End Helpful Hint - To have any financial gifts/pledges to the church count for your 2024 income tax return, your donation is to be in to the Church Office or postmarked by December 31, 2024.

 

     The Food Bank of Siouxland is the main food supplier for nonprofit agencies in Siouxland (11 counties), including food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, daycares, and senior centers. They were established to provide a year-round source of food to these organizations.

For every $1 donated to the Food Bank provides 5 meals.  To make a donation, you can mail it in, drop it off at church,  or use your bank's "Pay Bills".

 

            This fall was the start of the 3rd year of music instruction at the Music Academy @ First. Here is an update of the outreach of the academy this fall. For our first session of beginning piano lessons with Hunt Elementary students, we had 8 students and 8 volunteer teachers. Thanks to our volunteer teachers: Judy Lilly, Nancy Rosston, Eleanor May-Patterson, Emily Jasman, Janet Gross, Mary Groen, Jane Sibley, and Tom Padgett. It was great to see the excitement of both the students and their parents at our recital for the beginning piano students on November 4th.

I am really excited about the handchime groups at Hunt Elementary School. They are doing really well, considering we meet once a week for 30 minutes about 8 times before they perform. We have 30 students participating in the handchime groups this fall (12- 4th graders and 18 – 5th graders) and they performed for the Holidazzle Concerts at Hunt School on Tuesday, December 10 at 1:00 pm and 2:15 pm..

This fall, the number of private lessons we are giving has exceeded what we had last year. We have 32 private lessons so far – 10 piano and 22 string lessons, with several students who just applied and we plan to get them started in January. We have students from Hunt, Bryant, Irving, and Riverside Elementary, as well as, Blessed Sacrament, North Middle, East Middle, West Middle, North High and East High taking private lessons. Our private lesson teachers include Jane Sibley, Jody Nieuwendorp, and Mallorie Egbers teaching piano as well as Eleanor May-Patterson, Grace Goeller, and Jenna Santos teaching strings. A huge thank you goes out to our teachers.

This year we have had a total of 153 students participate.

Mission Statement: The Music Academy @ First’s mission is to provide free quality musical training to financially disadvantaged children, by using the power of music and musical instruction to improve the lives of these at-risk youth.

 

As the end of the year approaches, please consider a year-end donation to give the gift of music to students, as we continue to expand our outreach this coming year. To be credited for 2024, all donations must be postmarked by December 31.

 

The 12th Night Handbell Festival is Sunday, January 5 at Eppley Auditorium on the Morningside University campus starting at 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for this concert. There will be 6 handbell choirs participating this year, including our Celebration Bells. There will be a combination of songs played by the combined choirs as well as solo songs played by several of the groups. Come and enjoy an afternoon celebrating the gift of music.

 

Older Adult Ministries invites you to join us, beginning on January 8, 2025, in the church library at 11:00 am, for a study entitled: "The Message of Jesus: Words that Changed the World" by Adam Hamilton. More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, how many actually know what Jesus taught? In fact, much of what people think Jesus taught, he never said.

     In this six-week study, Pastor Hamilton explores six of the most important themes in Jesus's teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. The book will explore Jesus's preaching on the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the "I am" sayings in John, and more. Jesus' message is not only life-changing, but world-changing. Join us in studying "The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World."

     If you have any questions, please contact Neil Peck, at 253-7347 or call the church office.  We hope to see you on January 8th.

 

The Music Academy is recruiting volunteers to teach beginning piano lessons: On Monday, January 13th, we will be starting the 2nd session of the Beginning Piano Lesson program for 4th and 5th grade students at Hunt Elementary. The lessons will be on Mondays right after school gets out, beginning at 3:45. This session will be from January 13 – March 3. Our goal is 12 students with a minimum of 6 teachers. There is a volunteer piano teacher instructing 2 students at one time. If we have more than 6 teachers, then some will have just 1 student. We have enough pianos for every student to play on a piano.

We are looking for volunteers who have musical experience to teach the beginning piano lessons. These lessons cover very basic piano skills. Volunteer teachers need to pass a background check.  If you want to take a look at the piano book we are using, please see Gene Wagner. If you are interested talk to Gene Wagner or contacting the church office or filling out a yellow Worship Response Sheet.  Please pray if God is calling you to help in this ministry to make a difference in a student’s life.

 

    Pastor Martha (Our Children’s Pastor) has discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, so she is using vintage VBS material which is designed for rotations. We will begin in the chapel for the first station and then divide into two groups: Bible Adventure and Imagination Station (crafts/science).

 

Upcoming “Celebrate@First” Gathering for Hunt School (and other) kids:

              - Wed., January 15 (3:35p - 4:45p)- “Celebrate the New Year” for Pre-K thru 3rd graders.

 

Adult Sunday School - They meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.

 

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

 

Celebration Bells rehearse on Wednesdays at 6 pm 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 7 pm 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.   

 

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.

- Item of the Month (December): Shampoo & Conditioner

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.

December 29 - Bi-C

January 5 - D, E, F & G

January 12 - H, I, J & K

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 Don Garrison (Age 80), brother-in-law of Lonnie Gustafson.  Died on Dec. 4.

- Death of Eleanor Nelson (Age 86), sister of Marv Sorensen.  Died on Nov. 8.

- Death of Robert Kroon (Age 84), father of Jody Nieuwendorp (a teacher in our Music Academy).  Died on Nov. 9.

- Death of Laura Gerkin (Age 87).  Died on Oct. 20.  Sons are Scott & Craig.

- Death of Deena Pyle (Age 79), sister of Janna Dirks.  Died on Oct. 16.

- Death of Elaine Richardson (Age 75), sister of Bev McCue.  Died on Oct. 1.

- Death of Marjorie Solberg (Age 88), mother of JuLee Buchman. Died on Oct. 1.

 

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).

 

With the addition of our online worship and opportunities through the internet, as well as the media in

our worship services, 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.

 

Do you buy jigsaw puzzles, work them once and then store them in the closet never to be worked

again? Are you interested in new puzzles to do but don’t want to spend the money on them? Your church

is now providing a free Puzzle Exchange service for anyone who wants. You take a jigsaw puzzle and

leave a puzzle (if you have one to leave. If you do not have one to leave, then just take a puzzle). Stop by

the church library and see if there is a puzzle that interests you and/or drop off those puzzles you’ve been

storing in the closet for others to enjoy.

 

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.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support of our ministries! 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).

 

Did you Get a Text or Email from “Pastor Roger”?  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 living the life of a Christian!             

 

Charley Kriglstein - Glennis Kriglstein

Carol Cote - Sarah Cote

The Weakley family - Vern & Helen Weakley and Wayne & Clara Davisson

Bob McIntosh - Nancy McIntosh

Mary Stoneburg - Husband Paul and siblings passed away

Steve & Trish Billups - Frank, Mary & Kathy Hochstetler

Marv & Myrna Sorensen - Larry, Dee & Eleanor

Virginia Taylor - Loved ones

Kaye Rasmus & Jasman family - Dr. Bob Rasmus

Dorothy Masters - Wayne and Alan

Roger & Linda Groves - Ralph & Hazel Groves

Barry & Julie Enockson - Mary Enockson and John Johnson

Doug & J.R. Davis - Our parents: Don Davis and Bill & Ellen Fraley

Janet Grossnickle - Joseph Grossnickle        

Cindy Lewin - Harold & Alice Lewin

Helen Suttie - Nancy & Don Suttie

Destany Kirby & family - Bob Gwin

Scott & Shelly Gerkin - Tom & Laura Gerkin

Joan Peterson - Delaine Peterson

Jerry & Vickie Lemons - Our mothers

Miles & Roxane Patton III - Our parents: Bob & Ruby Jedlicka and Gayle & Miles Patton, Jr.

Marla Luitjens - Bob Morfitt

Dr. Dave & Kellie Ensz - Our mothers: Debbie Ensz and Elaine Watson

Gene & Marce Wagner - Russ & Doris Wagner and Don Dirks

Geri Morfitt and family - Bob Morfitt

Doris Parsons - My Husband Jack and my sons: Jim & Donny

Dr. Don & Mary K. Schenk - Our parents

Gail Linke - B. Claire Watson

Dorothy Swanson - Frank & Gracie Eacret, Nels Eric & Montus Swanson and Chuck Swanson

 

Kaye Rasmus - Jasman Family          

Roger & Linda Groves - Willard & Leona Moret

Corinne Holman - The church family

Mitch & Tonya Merrill - Konstantina & Nickolas

Jeff & JuLee Buchman - Our grandchildren

Gene & Marce Wagner - Janna Dirks

Don & Denise Parsons - Our family

 

Don & Darlene Bach

Dave & Terri Treft, for his many blessings

Don & Ruth Kingery

Richard & Judy Lilly

John & Joy Anderson