* Church Announcements (04/02/2025

- 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.

- 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 - Neil Peck

     - Sermon title: “The Curse? of the Cross”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Tom Padgett

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

(9:00 service) - We will recognize the Beginning Piano Lesson Volunteers

 

NOTE: In Worship During Lent, we will be following the final day of Jesus' life as shared in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 15).  Beginning with Jesus before Pilate (March 16), then the crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus to be released (March 23), the soldiers mocking Jesus (March 30), Jesus to Golgotha (April 6) and then Jesus as "The King of the Jews" (April 13).  You can “catch up” with any you missed by going to out website and clicking on “Online Worship Services.”

 

21  A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

22  They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).

23  Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

24  And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

 

✞ What "cross" (difficult situation) am I bearing (dealing with)?

     - A Preview Question for Neil Peck’s sermon this Sunday (April 6).  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 Mark 15:21-24.

 

✞ Who is someone I know who needs help in "bearing their cross"?

     - Another Preview Question for Neil Peck's sermon for this Sunday (April 6).

 

✞ This week, how will I help someone to "bear their cross"?

     - Focus Question from Neil Peck's sermon on Sunday, April 6.  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 Old Rugged Cross”

“What Wondrous Love is This”

“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

 

“The Old Rugged Cross”

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

 

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame;

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

 

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me;

for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

 

Refrain: So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

 

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see,

for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.

 

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear;

then he'll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share.

 

Refrain: So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

 

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,

the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;

a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,

from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

 

2. Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see

the very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess:

the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

 

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face;

content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss,

my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

 

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

 

Holy Communion will be offered this Sunday, April 6, at the both the 9am Traditional Worship and the 11:15am Casual Service.

 

First Sunday for Food @ First is Sunday, April 6 - We are collecting non-perishable food items for Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry, which serves Sioux City.  Our help is certainly needed and appreciated.

 

   The Music Academy will be honoring all who volunteered their service this school year to the Hunt Students and the Music Academy @ First in teaching Beginning Piano Lessons.

 

   The program will be on Safe Place given by Stephanie Pickinpaugh.  SafePlace serves 22 counties in helping survivors of domestic violence and their children become empowered in their quest for dignity and self-respect. The purpose of SafePlace is to provide a central agency where survivors can receive assistance, support, and a sense of stability. Find out more about their ministry on their website at (safeplacesiouxland.org).

   A free-will offering will be taken for UWF initiatives.  Refreshments will be provided by Unity Circle.  Circle members make a reservation through their circle chairperson. Non-circle women make a reservation by calling the Church Office at 712-258–0119.  A sign-up sheet is by the bulletin board across from the church office.  UWF general meetings are open to all women of the church.  Please join us in fellowship.

 

Did You Know, in 2024, UMCOR helped with: 32 floods, 26 hurricanes/ tropical storms, 11 fires, 16 tornadoes, 25 migration events, 1 landslide, 7 public emergencies, 33 earthquakes and 16 other kinds of disasters?  And 100% of what was given for each of these disasters went to help the people directly because the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) offering covers the administrative expenses.  You can find out more about them at their website (www.umcor.org).

     You can still make a donation during church, mail it in, drop it off, or use the "BillPay" option on your internet banking.  

 

   Come join us for a Lenten journey entitled, "The Final Days. A Lenten Journey through the Gospels" by Pastor Matt Rawle.   This six-week study is offered twice each week: Wednesdays at 11:00am in the church library and then, the same lesson, offered Sundays at 10:10am in the Heritage Room as part of our Adult Sunday School Class.

   If you have any questions, please contact Neil Peck at 258-0110, or call the church office. 

             

     It is that time of the year again to decorate our sanctuary for Easter Sunday (April 20) with lilies.  The plants are 6" pots and have 4-6 blooms.  The cost is $20 per plant.  If you would like to provide an Easter Lily(ies) in memory or honor of a loved one, please phone the church office (258-0119) from 8:30am-noon, Monday-Friday, stop by the church office, email us at (scfirst@msn.com), or fill out an order form on Sunday at church.  Order forms are available by the church office.

 

Thursday, April 17 @ 7pm - Maundy Thursday “Holy Communion” service

Friday, April 18 @ 7pm - Good Friday “Tenebrae” Service

Easter Sunday (April 20) - 2 Worship Services at 9am & 11:15am – Kid’s Easter Egg Hunt with Fun and Games Between Services

 

     We are going to have an Easter egg hunt, picture backdrop, games, crafts and fun on Easter Sunday for all children and their friends 5th Grade and younger.  It will take place between our 2 worship Services (10:10am - 11:10am).  Contact our Children’s Pastor, Martha, if you are interested in helping out.

 

     Please drop off individually wrapped candy to the Church Office by Sunday, April 13. (Mini-size). You can also make a cash donation towards the purchase of Easter candy by placing your donation in a white pew envelope on Sunday mornings.

      Kids favorite candies are: Sour Patch Kids (or bunnies), Starburst, Skittles, Twix, M & M’s, and Hershey’s solid chocolate eggs or kisses.  We will have an egg hunt Easter Sunday morning (April 20) between services and on Wednesday afternoon (April 23) for our Hunt “Celebrate Easter” party.

 

     The Music Academy @ First's mission is to provide free quality musical training to financially disadvantaged children, by using the power of music and musical instruction to improve the lives of these at-risk youth. Our long-term aim is to strengthen our community by reaching out to one child at a time.

We are coming to the end of the 3rd year for the Music Academy @ First. It has been a year of growth. In our Beginning Piano Lesson program with Hunt Elementary students, we had 14 students between the 2 sessions of lessons. Over the last 3 years, we have given beginning piano lessons to 77 Hunt students.

     Also, in our partnership with Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School, the 4th and 5th grade handchime groups Gene teaches at Hunt has really expanded. In the fall there were 12 students in the 4th grade group and 18 in the 5th grade group. They performed at the December Holidazzle Concert. The spring groups grew to the maximum size. We had 23 in the 4th grade group and 22 in the 5th grade group. They performed in March at the Band and Handchime concert at Hunt. Overall, we had 75 students participate.

Our Private Lesson program also continues to grow. This year we have had 41 students take private lessons, including 24 string lessons, 14 piano lessons, and, for the first time, 3 brass instrument lessons.

     To put things in perspective, this year we had 130 students from 7 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 2 high schools. Since the start of the Music Academy, there have been 338 students participate in the programs of the Music Academy @ First.

     The focus for the April monthly mission is expanding the gift of music.  At the Music Academy @ First, we believe in the power of music to transform lives. As we look ahead to next year, our mission is to expand our private lesson program by including band instruments and recruiting teachers to make this possible. We are also considering adding another day for private lessons, allowing more students to participate. You can mail in, drop off, or use your bank's "BillPay" to make a donation for this important and vital ministry we do at First UMC.

     Check out the Music Academy on our website: www.musicacademyatfirst.org or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/musicacademyatfirst.

     Remember that providing free music lessons to children in need is not only about teaching them to play instruments but also about offering them a positive and enriching experience that can have a lasting impact on their lives.  Providing free music lessons to children who can't afford them is a wonderful and socially responsible initiative that can bring joy and opportunities to many young individuals

     You can make a donation during church, mail it in, drop it off, or use the "BillPay" option on your internet banking.  In addition, we also ask that you keep them in your prayers each day this month.

 

     Thank you for your support of this important ministry for Sioux City.  You can find out more about them at their website (www.siouxlandsoupkitchen.com).

 

              - Wed., April 23 (3:35pm - 4:55pm)- for Pre-K thru 3rd graders & 4th-5th Graders.

 

If you loaned the church any garments (dress, hat, cape, etc.) that were used for the Children’s Christmas Madrigal, you can pick them up at the church office.

 

    Pastor Martha (Our Children’s Pastor) has discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, so she is using vintage VBS material which is designed for rotations. We will begin together for the first station and then divide into two groups: Bible Adventure and Imagination Station (crafts/science).

 

New Sunday School Class for 3rd Grade: Come receive a Bible and learn how to use it! Call Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854 for more information.

 

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.

 

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. 

 

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.   

 

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 (April): Household Cleaners

 

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.

April 6 - T-Z

April 13 - A-Be

April 20 - 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 Rob Hasler (age 70), brother of Carla Rubel.  Died on March 8.

- Death of Ila Dickey (Age 92). The mother of Mark Dickey.  Ila died on Feb. 13.

- Death of Dr. Ted Roman (age 90).  Ted died on Jan. 26.

- Death of Eunice “June” Zediker (Age 102), mother of Avery Zediker.  June died on Jan. 9.

 

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 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.