* Church Announcements (08/27/2025

- 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: “Be Humble or Be Humbled”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - David Chobar

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Ministry of Music (9:00 service) - The Siouxland Discovery Chorus

 

1 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:

8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.

9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.

10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

 

✞ When have I been humiliated?

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s message (August 31).  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 14:1, 7-11 (Jesus Teaches About Humility)

 

✞ Do I live for my glory or for the glory of God?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's message for this Sunday (August 31).

 

✞ This week, what is one way I can be humble in being who God created me to be and be proud of that?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger's message on Sunday, August 31.  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

 

“To God be the Glory”

“Take Up Thy Cross”

“Freely, Freely”

 

“To God be the Glory”

“Freely, Freely”

 

1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done,

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life our redemption to win,

And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice;

Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.

 

3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice;

Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.

 

1. God forgave my sin in Jesus' name, I've been born again in Jesus' name,

And in Jesus' name I come to you to share His love as He told me to.

He said, Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.

Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live."

 

2. All power is given in Jesus' name, in earth and heaven, in Jesus' name;

And in Jesus' name I come to you to share His power as He told me to.

He said, Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.

Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live."

 

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

 

The Siouxland Discovery Chorus will be our Ministry of Music this Sunday, August 31, at the 9:00 Traditional Worship Service.  

 

(1) We are 58.3% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 48.0% of our $402,145 budget for the year (for a total of $193,032).  

(3) We have expended 55.3% of our budget for the year (for a total of $222,643). We began 2025 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total revenues for 2025 are 0.9% (or $3,618) lower than our 3-year average for the end of July. 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 July.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.

 

     The Friendship House (located at 1101 Court St.) offers people with mental illness an opportunity to socialize in a setting that is not treatment-oriented while offering the opportunity for learning and problem-solving to occur with the assistance of staff or members. The program was created in 1981 in response to the needs of the people of Woodbury County. Since that time, the Friendship House has authorized membership to more than 1000 people. Approximately 140 different members use the Friendship House each month, with an average of 40 members visiting each day.  Volunteer opportunities are also available.  You can find out more information about Friendship House on their website (siouxlandmentalhealth.com/friendship-house).

     You can donate at church, mail it in or use your bank's online "Billpay" to make a donation for this Monthly Mission.

 

Our Children’s Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 14 from 10:10am - 11:00am.

 

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 (Begins Sunday, Sept. 14) - They meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.  

 

Youth Group begins Wednesday, Sept. 3 - (Grade 5 and up) meets on Wednesdays from 6-7pm with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

 

Celebration Bells will start rehearsing on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 6 pm in the Bell Room (upstairs of the Education wing). If you are interested in playing bells, just show up and/or let Gene Wagner, the director, know.

 

The Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) will be starting rehearsals on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 7 pm in the Choir Room. Pray about singing in the choir and if you have any questions or comments, talk with Gene Wagner.

 

     With the new school year about to start, the Music Academy @ First will starting 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 3:45pm. Each round of classes lasts 8 weeks. The first round of classes will be from September 22- November 10.  A second round of classes will be from January 26 – March 23, 2026.  There will be a new group of students with each round. 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. You can help teach 1 or  2, or both 8-lesson sessions. 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 contact the church office or fill out a yellow Worship Response Sheet in worship.  

     Please pray if God is calling you to help in this ministry to make a difference in a student's life.

 

- Visiting the Launch Pad Children’s Museum (623 Pearl St.)

  We will leave the church at 8:45am if you want a ride.  There is no charge for this experience.  

 Please sign up on the sheet outside.

     If you have any questions, ask Lonnie Gustafson in church or call him on his cell phone at 712-223-1218.

 

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 (August): Razors and shaving cream

 

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.

August 31 - L-Ma

Sept. 7 - Mc, N & O

Sept. 14 - 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 Ruth Ketelsen-McLarnan (age 106).  Died on August 16. Service is Saturday, Sept. 6 at 11:00am here at First UMC.  They will have a luncheon to follow.  Her obituary is on our church's website at <siouxcityfirst.com>.

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

- Death of Dorothy Jansen (age 97).  Died on July 31.  Service in North Liberty, IA on Aug. 31.

- Death of Pat Sachau, grandson of Carol Oostenbrug.  Died on July 28.

- Death of Glen (Wayne) Stapleton, brother of Bev McCue.  Died on July 23.

- Death of Nancy Harrington (age 92).  Died on July 16.

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

 

 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!