* Church Announcements (10/29/2025

- 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: “How Are You Getting to Know God Better?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Marce Wagner

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

Accompanists (11:15 Service) - Caitlin Marsh & Ezra Marsh

 

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people,

16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

 

✞ How did I get to know a best friend (How much time have I spent with him/her)

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s message (November 2 - All Saints Sunday).  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 Ephesians 1:15-19a (The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for Believers).

 

✞ How have I gotten to know God (How much time have I spent with God)?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's message for this Sunday (November 2 - All Saints Sunday).

 

✞ This week, what is one way I can spend more time in getting to know God better?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger's message on Sunday, November 2.  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

 

“The Church’s One Foundation”

“Rejoice in God’s Saints”

“For All the Saints”

 

“Rejoice in God’s Saints”

“For All the Saints”

 

1. Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days! A world without saints forgets how to praise.

Their faith in acquiring the habit of prayer, their depth of adoring, Lord, help us to share.

 

3. Rejoice in those saints, unpraised and unknown, who bear someone’s cross, or shoulder their own:

they shame our complaining, our comforts, our cares: what patience in caring, what courage is theirs!

 

4. Rejoice in God's saints, today and all days! A world without saints forgets how to praise.

In loving, in living, they prove it is true: the way of self-giving, Lord, leads us to you.

 

1. I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice, and it told thy love to me;

but I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious, bleeding side.

 

2. Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord, by the power of grace divine;

let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and my will be lost in thine.

Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where thou hast died.

Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to thy precious, bleeding side.

 

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

 

Remember to set your clock BACK one hour this Sunday morning (Nov. 2) as Daylight Savings Time ends.

 

Holy Communion will be offered this Sunday, Nov. 2, at both services.

 

First Sunday for Food at First is this Sunday, Nov. 2 - Bring non-perishable food for the Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry, and Grace collects for our Personal Care Cupboard.

 

Cost of the meal will be $15.00 per person, payable at the door.  MENU: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, rolls and butter, pumpkin pie for dessert, and coffee, water and lemonade for drinks.  To make reservations, you can call the church office or fill out the Reservation Sheet outside the church office.  If you have any questions please contact Neil Peck.  

 

The study is  entitled, “The God We Can Know: Exploring the ‘I Am’ Sayings of Jesus.”  

     The Gospel of John records several declarations of Jesus known as the "I Am" sayings.  In this 7-week DVD study, Rev. Rob Fuquay (the senior pastor of St. Luke's UMC in Indianapolis) explores what Jesus meant when Jesus said "I Am ... the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Good Shepherd; the True Vine; the Way, the Truth and the Life; the Resurrection and the Life."

     Each session stands on it’s own.  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.

 

     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 and will also perform at the 12th Night Handbell Festival on January 4th. 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.

 

(1) We are 75.0% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 65.3% of our $402,145 budget for the year (for a total of $262,794).  

(3) We have expended 75.9% of our budget for the year (for a total of $305,425). We began 2025 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total income for 2025 is a little better than it was expected to be for this time of year.  This figure includes all Conference Apportionments paid up to date.  

     As we look at our financial status, please remember that we do not receive our offerings in equal 1/12 increments.  All current bills are paid as of  the end of September.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.  Thank you for your financial support of our ministries.

 

Around the block, and around the world ... we walked in solidarity with others to end hunger and poverty.

October 19 was a nice day to walk the 3 mile route for Sioux City CROP Hunger Walk.  We have one goal: building a world where there is enough for all. There was a total of 169 walkers, considerably less than 2024. FUMC had 23 walkers this year, 36 walkers last year.  However, WE ARE #1 this year in walkers as well in collected donations. Last year we collected $5,076, but this year we collected $5,323, which may still go up.  We collected $2,183 in walkers envelopes, $1,930 in the monthly mission of Change to Make a Change, and $1,210 online deposit directly to CROP. Thank you for giving generously because everyone deserves access to food, clean water, and a safe home.  Updated reporting yet to come, Jo Lear

 

     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.7). 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. 7.  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.  

 

November Monthly Ministry is Hunt Elementary Gift Cards for Kids -  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".

 

 - 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 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.  

 

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>

 

     We’ve started our programs with Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School on Monday, September 22! On Mondays after school, we walk 12 students over to the Music Academy for 8 weeks of beginning piano lessons, where they’re learning the basics of playing and preparing songs to perform at a recital during the final week.

     On the same day, we also kicked off our two handchime groups at Hunt — one for 4th grade and one for 5th grade. Under the direction of Gene Wagner, each group meets for 30 minutes each week. This year, we have 22 fourth graders and 19 fifth graders learning to play handchimes! They are practicing to play at the Holidazzle Concert at Hunt on December 16th.

     On Monday, September 29, the Music Academy @ First restarted our free private music lessons program this year for students whose families qualify for the USDA free/reduced meal program and would not otherwise be able to afford lessons. This year we are teaching private lessons on Mondays and also on Thursday evenings. We are currently teaching 33 private lessons — including 15 violin, 4 viola, 5 cello, and 10 piano lessons.

     New this year, we’ve also started chamber groups for our string students, which meet on Thursday nights, so students can experience the joy of playing together in addition to their private lessons.

     The Music Academy also provides instruments, music, and supplies such as rosin for bows and replacement strings. Right now, 10 students are using instruments loaned by the Music Academy.

     All of these programs are completely free to the students and the school, thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the mission of The Music Academy @ First — giving every child the opportunity to make music. For more information or questions about the Music Academy @ First, or if you are interested in volunteering, talk to Gene Wagner or go to our website at www.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 a big need for diapers in size 1, size 3 & size 6.

 

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 2- Mc, N & O

November 9 - P, Q, R & S

November 16 - T - Z

   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 Delbert Spiegel (age 84).  Del died on Oct. 17.

- Death of Randall Larrison, brother-in-law of Bernice Metz.  Died on Oct. 3.

- Death of Connie Reiderman, mother of Carol Cote.  Died on Sept. 11.

- Death of Sarah May, sister of Eleanor May-Patterson.   Died on Sept. 8.

- Death of Carrol Snodgrass, sister of Phil Severson.  Died on Sept. 7.  

- Death of Ruth Ketelsen-McLarnan (age 106).  Died on August 16.

- Death of Kathy Ginger, sister to Barb Kimmel.  Died on August 16.

 

 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 provides 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!