* Church Announcements (07/23/2025

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

      - 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.

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

- Online Worship Any-day @ Anytime on our Website (siouxcityfirst.com).  

 

Preaching - Rev. Roger Madden

     - Sermon title: “Do I Seek the God I Want or the God Who Is?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Marla Luitjens

(Online) Piano - Jane Sibley

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Ministry of Music (9:00 service) - Caitlin Marsh & Ezra Marsh (strings)

 

5 Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;

6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.'

7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'

8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

✞ How persistent am I in my prayers to God?

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon this Sunday (July 27).  In-person worship is at 9am (Traditional Worship - our main service) and 11:15am (Casual Worship - our smaller service).  The service is also on Facebook on Sundays at 10am (Facebook page: First United Methodist Church - Sioux City), as well as anytime on our website (siouxcityfirst.com).  The scripture is Luke 11:5-10 (Jesus Teaches About Persistent Prayer).

 

✞ The last thing I prayed about – was I devoted to my desire or to God's desire?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (July 27).

 

✞ This week, how will I "turn" more from seeking my will from God to seeking God's will for me?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, July 27.  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”

“Seek Ye First”

“Be Thou My Vision”

 

“Be Thou My Vision”

“Seek Ye First”

 

1. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

 

2. Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;

Thou and thou only, first in my heart, Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

 

3. Great God of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

 

1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And His righteousness,

And all these things shall be added unto you.

Allelu, Alleluia!

 

2. Ask, and it shall be given unto you;

Seek, and you shall find.

Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.

Allelu, Alleluia!

 

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

Began Monday, July 21 thru TODAY, Wednesday, July 23 from 6-8 pm  

A free light meal is offered from 5:30-5:55pm

     VBS is Free for all children.  We have about 50 kids and 50 volunteers participating.  Please keep them all in your prayers!

 

     Dave and Terri Treft would once again like to invite the people of our church too experience a vegetable/flower garden tour at their home on the westside of Sioux City.  Groups are limited to a  maximum 8 people since this makes for a better visit and learning environment.  The Treft’s will freely share with those touring the produce that is ready to be harvested at that time.  This year, they have planted the following: Many varieties of tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplant, cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, beans, peas, and others as well as flowers (sunflowers, milkweed, roses, lots of zinnias and marigolds, and more).    

     To sign up for a tour (Please sign up a friend if one is coming with you) are placed across from the church office for the following dates:  July 23, August 6 & Aug. 20.  All tours will be from 7pm-8pm. Their place is located at 2333 Kellogg Street.  In case of rain, a “rain date” would be the following Wednesday at the same time.

 

     Anyone who has ever been a school teacher knows that to get a classroom ready for school to start in August, they spend a lot of their own money.  In our partnership with Hunt Elementary School (across the street from our church), we annually raise funds to give gift cards to the Hunt School teachers to help them get what they need in their classroom.  Last year, we raised $2758 and were able to give the 50 teachers and support staff Target gift cards of $50 each. You can give in worship, mail it in, drop it off,  or use your bank's "Billpay" to make a donation for this ministry we do as First UMC.

 

     The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already helping with the efforts from the devastating floods that have not only hit Texas, but also West Virginia and Maryland last month.  UMCOR is also helping with the severe weather and tornado disasters in Missouri, Wisconsin and Kentucky in May.  And UMCOR continues to assist those in need from the January wildfires in California.  

     Wherever disaster strikes, UMCOR is helping those in need.  And you can also help through UMCOR.  100% of what is given for each of these disasters goes to help the people directly because the March UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) offering covers the administrative expenses.  

     You can make a donation to UMCOR during church (Make any checks brought here payable to the church and put UMCOR on the memo line), mail it in, drop it off, or use the "BillPay" option on your internet banking.  You can also make a donation directly on the UMCOR website and learn more about what they are doing at (www.umcor.org - click on “U.S. Disaster Response”).

 

     The Music Academy @ First is excited to offer a free Summer Strings Camp for the first time as part of our continued effort to expand our outreach. The camp will take place August 11th–13th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with lunch included each day. This new initiative provides students with the opportunity to reconnect with their instrument after the summer break and may spark interest in continuing their musical journey through private lessons offered by the Music Academy @ First.

     To launch this new program, we have invested in music stands for rehearsals, stand racks for easy storage and transport, and are compensating teachers and advanced students serving as section leaders. We are also purchasing music for chamber groups and providing meals for all participants. Your support can make a difference—please consider making a donation to the Music Academy @ First to help us sustain and grow this valuable opportunity for young musicians.

     If you are making a donation by check or using your bill pay through your bank, please make it out to the Music academy @ First and put “Strings Camp” in the memo line. If you have questions or want more information, please contact Gene Wagner.

 

  “How sweet it is” - Come and get an “inside” look at the Palmer Candy Shop. There is no charge for this experience.  We will leave the church at 9:45am if you want a ride.  

     Please sign up on the sheet outside the Church Office or call the church office to put your name on the list for we need a firm number. If you have any questions, ask Lonnie Gustafson in church or call him on his cell phone at 712-223-1218.

 

(1) We are 50.0% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 43.1% of our $402,145 budget for the year (for a total of $173,348).  

(3) We have expended 47.4% of our budget for the year (for a total of $190,503). We began 2025 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total revenues for 2025 are inline with our 3-year average for the end of June. This figure includes our Conference Apportionments.  

       Thanks to you, our financial status continues to fund ministry.  Please remember that we do not receive our offerings in equal 1/12 increments (especially in the summer).  All current bills are paid as of  the end of June.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.

 

     Each year, United Women in Faith purchase new books for the library, under categories that are part of the reading program.

New this year include:

1.  Our Strangely Warmed Hearts by Karen P. Oliveta. This is under the topic “Leadership Development.”  The book discusses homosexuality in church and society and about coming out as an experience of God’s grace.

2.  Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott. This a Pulitzer Prize winner and discusses poverty , survival, and hope in an American city. It takes you thru the life of a family caught in the broken welfare system and racism.

3.  The Loneliness Epidemic by Susan Mettes is under the topic “Nurturing for Community.”  It focuses on roots and remedies for loneliness that is rampant in our culture.

4.  We Go On by John Onwechekma is under the topic of “Spiritual Growth.”  It is written by a pastor about ways to find purpose in all of life’s sorrows and joys.

5.  Echoes of Grace by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is under the “Social Action” category.  This is a story of fiction mixed with the author’s experience with gender based crimes and the most fowl crimes against women- femicide.

     We have a wonderful library and we hope you will check in the library and check out some great reading material.

~Peggy Mace

 

July 27 - Caitlin Marsh & Ezra Marsh (strings)

August 3 - Open

August 10 - The Matney Sisters

August 17 - Open

August 24 - David Chobar (piano)

August 31 - The Siouxland Discovery Chorus

-  Gene Wagner is organizing special music for the 9:00 a.m. worship services this summer. If you are

interested or know someone who would like to share their musical talents in a “Ministry of Music,” please contact to Gene Wagner.

 

Our Children’s Sunday School is on summer break - VBS is July 21-23.

 

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

 

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

 

Celebration Bells are on summer break.  In September, when they resume, they will 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.  They are on summer break beginning May 1.

 

The Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) are on summer break.  They will resume in September, when they will 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 (July): Toothbrushes and toothpaste

 

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.

July 27 - T-Z

August 3 - A-Be

August 10 - 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 Nancy Harrington (age 92).  Died on July 16.  Nancy’s Celebration of Life will be here at First UMC this Saturday (July 26) at 11am.  Visitation is at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel on Friday (June 25) from 4pm-6pm.

- Death of Cloy Albert (age 93), the father of Carol Cote.  Died on July 10.

- Death of Jeff Jaynes (age 67), brother of Cindy Wood.  Died on June 19.

- Death of Linda Considine (age 74), sister-in-law of Rev. Martha Anderson.  Died on June 19.

- Death of Jan Deck (age 70), wife of Bill Deck.  Died on May 20.

- Death of Perry Dickey (age 95), father of Mark Dickey.  Died on April 27.  

 

 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.

 

     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 supposed 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!