* Church Announcements (11/20/2024)

- 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: “Who is the Umpire of My Life?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Tom Padgett

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

 

15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

✞ What am I thankful for?

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Thanksgiving Sunday (Nov. 24).  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 scriptures will be Colossians 3:15-17.

✞ How do I respond in conflicts (Do I let Christ be the umpire or do I need to have my way)?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon for this Thanksgiving Sunday (November 24).

 

✞ How will I let Christ rule (be the umpire) in my life this week?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger’s sermon on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24.  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

 

“Come, Ye Thankful People Come”

“Give Thanks”

“We Gather Together”

 

“Come, Ye Thankful People Come”

“Give Thanks”

 

1. Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;

come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

 

2. All the world is God's own field, fruit as praise to God we yield;

wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown;

first the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;

Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

 

4. Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home;

gather thou thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,

there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide;

come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.

 

1. Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One;

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One;

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.      

 

2. And now let the weak say, "I am strong;"

Let the poor say "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us. 

And now let the weak say, "I am strong;"

Let the poor say "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us. 

 

Give Thanks!  

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

 

Order a Poinsettia to Enhance the Worship Services - This year, we are once again going to decorate the front of the church with poinsettias beginning on Sunday, Dec. 15.  Order by Sunday, December 1. The plants are red in color, are florist grade, and put in 6½" pots.  The cost is $20 each.  

 

Want to Help Decorate the Church for Christmas?  Sunday, November 24 at Noon (Immediately following the Casual Service) in the Sanctuary

     The first Sunday of Advent is Dec. 1 and, in getting ready for the Christmas season, we will once again be decorating the church in "stages."  We invite anyone who wants to help to come and share in putting up the Christmas tree and stringing the garland and lights around the sanctuary.  Parents, children, and anyone who wants to be a part of this are welcome.

 

     Each year, we buy grocery gift cards for student's families, identified by the staff of Hunt School, to help out during the holiday season (since over 90% of Hunt School students qualify for free or reduced priced lunches).  We will purchase however many $50 gift cards to a local grocery as we receive in donations (If we get a total of $1000, we buy 20. If we get $2000, we buy 40, etc.)  To make a donation, you can mail it in, drop it off at church,  or use your bank's "Bill Pay".

 

Our 2024 Independent Advent Devotional - "Good News, Great Joy" - $10 per book from the church office.  Begins Sunday, Dec. 1.  “Good News, Great Joy” provides daily devotions for the first Sunday of Advent (Dec. 1, 2024) through Epiphany (Jan. 6, 2025).  Each 2-page daily reading is accompanied by an image, a reflection, and a prayer.  The devotional also provides household blessings and prayers to enrich your preparations and celebrations during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

 

     Older Adult Ministries invites you to a study entitled "Reckless Love" at 11:00am, in the church library. In "Reckless Love," Rev. Tom Berlin challenges readers to consider, extensively and at a personal level, how radical the biblical command to love God and to love our neighbor really is.

     Deeply rooted in Hebrew Scripture and cited by Jesus in the New Testament as "the Great Commandment," the directive to love God and neighbor may sound simple on its surface.  But any amount of time spent reflecting on it reveals its complexity.  How do we love God and neighbor?  Who is the neighbor we are to love? Can love be commanded at all?

     "Reckless Love" touches on these questions and many more.  Join us  at 11:00am in the church library. If you have any questions please contact Neil Peck, at 258-0119.  We hope to see you!

 

     Pastor Martha and others are very excited for our next Epic Adventure! For our next adventure we will travel to the “Serengeti.”

     Because we discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, we will be 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).

     We are planning a mini Madrigal for our Sunday School Christmas program (without the feast) so we will be learning some of the medieval Christmas carols in preparation.  If anyone has any appropriate costumes/hats or would like to create or adapt some, please let me know!

 

              - Wed., December 11 (3:35p - 4:45p)- “Celebrate Christmas” for Pre-K thru 3rd graders.

              - Wed., December 18 (3:45p - 4:45p)- “Celebrate S’more” for 4th & 5th 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.

  NOTE: No Youth Group on Wed., Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Eve).

 

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.  NOTE: No Celebration Bells on Wed., Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Eve).

 

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.    NOTE: No Jubilate Choir on Wed., Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Eve).

 

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 (November): Liquid Dish Soap

 

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.

November 24 - L-Ma

December 1 - MC, N & O

December 8 - P, Q, R & S

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 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.

- Death of Pauline Schadt (Age 95), mother of Linda McKinney.  Died on Sept. 28.

- Death of Jimmy Batcheller (Age 81).  Died on Sept. 23.  Funeral service in the Spring of 2025.

- Death of Joe Grossnickle (Age 79), husband of Janet Grossnickle.  Joe died on Sept. 20.

- Death of Laura Schmidt (Age 62), died on Sept. 5.  Laura is the sister of Linda Groves.  Laura lived in Cherokee, IA.

 

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).

 

Pfishing Emails: If you ever receive an email from Pastor Roger, or anyone on the staff, asking "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 delete the email 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 directly 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!