* Church Announcements (01/21/2026)

- 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 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: “What Specialty is God Calling Me to Use Where I Am?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Marla Luitjens

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,

22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

 

✞ What is a "Specialty" others say I am good at doing?

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (Jan. 25).  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 4:18-22 (Jesus Calls the First Disciples).

 

✞ How am I using my "Specialty" for God's purposes?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (January 25).

 

✞ What is one thing I need to do this week to more fully use the "Specialty" God has blessed me with?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, January 25.  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, Make of All Disciples”

“Pass It On”

“Here I Am, Lord”

 

“Pass It On”

“Here I Am, Lord”

 

1. It only takes a spark to get a fire going,

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;

That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it;

You spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

 

3. I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found;

You can depend on him, it matters not where you're bound,

I'll shout it from the mountain top; I want my world to know

The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

 

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear My light to them? Who shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go, Lord. If You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

 

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne My people's pain.

I have wept for love of them, they turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak My word to them. Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go, Lord. If You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

 

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

 

Older Adult Ministries Topic Studies Continue on Wednesdays in the church Library at 11:00 a.m. with topics taken from Rev. Adam Hamilton podcast, "Making Sense of Faith".  Remaining  topics for this study are: (Jan. 21 - "What Did Jesus ACTUALLY Teach"), (Jan 28 - "When Cancer Strikes Twice"), (Feb. 4 - "Three Things Every Person Needs") and (Feb. 11 - “Why Holding Grudges is Destroying Us") Each session stands on it's own, so you can pick and choose or come to all the remaining ones. If you have questions, contact the church office or Neil Peck.

 

(1) We are 100.0% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We received 98.3% of our budget for the year (for a total of $392,063).  

(3) We expended 104.2% of our $402,145 budget for the year (for a total of $419,403).

(4) We started 2025 with enough of a balance to cover the overage.  The overage was due to unforseen Church Building and Property Expenses, increased Property Insurance Costs, and other unforseen property care increases (natural gas, organ repairs, etc.)

     All expenses (including all Conference Apportionments) were paid and we also have money in the bank to start the year.

     We appreciate your continued giving to God’s work through First UMC.  Thank you for your financial support of our ministries.

 

Leadership Board will meet on Tuesday, January 27 at 7pm in the Music Academy Office.  Leadership Board Members include Barry Enockson, Janet Young, Roxane Patton, Bernice Metz, Sherry Padgett, Richard Lilly, Mark Dickey, Terri Treft, & Tonya Merrill.  

 

     Every January, we put all our loose coins (along with paper money and checks)  towards our annual Quarter Challenge and once again, we are going to do an "Inter-Congregational Challenge."  Everyone whose last name begins with A-M (We call this "Team Lonnie") will be against everyone whose last name begins with N-Z (whom we call "Team Neil").  We have separate offering places each Sunday for each team.

     Which group will raise the most funds?  You can make your donation in church, drop it off at the church office, send a check or use "Billpay" through your bank.  If you use a check or "Bill Pay," please include in the memo line "Quarter Challenge."  More importantly, all the money raised will go toward supplying non-food items for our Personal Care Cupboard.   The Personal Care Cupboard assists families with personal care items you cannot get on food stamps.  In 2025, we assisted over 1000 families and the needs are even more.  You can find our more information about The Personal Care Cupboard on our website at (siouxcityfirst.com).

Totals raised as of January 19 is A-M = $554.60 & N-Z = $571.06 (for a total of $1,125.66).

 

- Wed., February 11 (3:35p - 4:55p)- "Celebrate Valentines" for K thru 5th graders.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact our Martha Anderson, our Children's Pastor.

 

 - Everyone (age 3 - 8th graders) will meet in the First Floor Gathering/ Craft Room 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 New Waiting Area for You - Just a note to let you know that we have a new 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 first 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.  

 

     Celebration Bells is looking for a new handbell player to fill an open spot in our choir! Practices are on Wednesday nights from 6-7 p.m. We play once a month in worship. If you have a basic understanding of music notation and would enjoy making music in a fun and supportive group, we’d love to have you join us! No prior handbell experience is needed — we’ll help you learn the techniques.

     If you’re interested, please talk to Gene Wagner, director of Celebration Bells.

 

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.  

 

The Music Academy - Keep up to date with our Music Academy @ First on their website at <musicacademyatfirst.org>

 

  Beginning Monday, January 12, our Music Academy has begun with lessons including:

     - 28 private string students from around the school district.

     - 13 private piano students from around the district.

     - Beginning piano students from Hunt Elementary School will begin on Jan. 26.

     - The 2 Handchimes groups at Hunt School has grown to 22 kids in the 4th grade group and 19 kids in the 5th grade group and will begin on Jan. 26.

   The Music Academy @ First offers free high quality music instruction to children in the Siouxland area whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it. The academy aims to ensure that these children have access to tuition-free music instruction, which can have numerous benefits for their personal and academic development.  This program provides opportunities for children who otherwise might miss out on the enriching experience of learning music.   You can find out more about the Music Academy and/or make a donation on their website at (musicacademyatfirst.org)  

 

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.

NOTE: There is need for 3T & 4-5T pull-ups.

 

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.

January 25 - Bi-C

February 1 - D, E, F & G

February 8 - 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 Wood (age 80).  Died on Dec. 17, His wife is Cheri.  Services are pending for a later date.

- Death of Barb Kimmel (age 78). Died on Dec. 17.  Husband is Tom.

- Death of Carrie Barton (age 65), sister of Kelly Carter. Died on Dec. 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 is now providing 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).

 

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!