* Church Announcements (05/06/2026)

- 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 available in the 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: “All in the (Spiritual) Family”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Kim Wood

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

 

19 Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.

20 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."

21 He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

 

✞ Who are "non-related" people who are like family to me?

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (May 10).  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 Luke 8:19-21 (Jesus Describes His “Family”).

 

✞ What role is God asking me to be as a part of the Christian Family?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (May 10).

 

✞This week, how will I respond to God's askings of me in being part of the Christian Family?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, May 10.  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

 

“For the Beauty of the Earth”

“Happy the Home When God is There”

“Where Charity and Love Prevail”

 

“For the Beauty of the Earth”

“Love Lifted Me”

 

1. For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies;

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

4. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild;

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

6. For thyself, best Gift Divine, to the world so freely given,

for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth, and joy in heaven:

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

 

1. Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found;

Brought here together by Christ's love, by love are we thus bound.

 

3. Forgive we now each other's faults as we our faults confess;

And let us love each other well in Christian holiness.

 

6. Love Can exclude no race or creed if honored be God’s name;

our common life embraces all whose Maker is the same.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

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

 

We will be honoring our mothers this Sunday for whether you are a biological mother, an adoptive mother, or as someone who loved others as only a mother can, you are indeed special.

 

Due to recent moves and retirements, we have openings on our women’s Usher Team (Team #5).  This team was formed a number of years ago by some women in our church. If you would like to volunteer for this team, place let the church office know.

 

Older Adult Ministries Continues Their Podcast Study on Wednesdays at 11:00 am - Using Pastor Adam Hamilton's Video Podcast Series, the remaining topics include: "Living Through Disagreement" (May 6) & "Facing the 2nd Half of Life" (May 13).  Each study stands on it's own. The study each week is in the church library. If you have any questions, you may contact Neil Peck at 712-258-0119.

 

Christian Education Volunteer Recognition Will Be on Sunday, May 17.  This is an opportunity to thank all those who help others learn about the love of God through Jesus.

 

     May 17, 2026 has been designated as Graduation Sunday here at First United Methodist Church.  If you have a graduate and would like them to be recognized at this time, please contact the church office at 712-258-0119, fill out the yellow worship response sheet found in this bulletin, or email us at scfirst@msn.com, no later than May 9.  

     We would like to recognize as many of our graduates as possible including those from High School, College, Vocational or Technical Schools, and also anyone who might have graduated mid-term or in the fall.

 

Day Tripping with Lonnie - Thursday, May 21 at 9:30 AM - The Sioux City Career Academy (located at 627 4th Street) offers over 30 pathways for students to explore.  Each pathway is a career-focused sequence of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to post-secondary education and careers.  The Sioux City Career Academy is open to all high school students in the tri-state area, including East High, North High, West High and surrounding schools such as Heelan and Dakota Valley.  Join us for this unique and interesting tour.  There is an elevator to the second floor or 34 steps to climb.

     You can sign up on the sheet across from the church office or call the church.  If you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Gustafson.  

 

Memorial Sunday Service at 9:00am Worship on May 24 - During our 9:00am Traditional Service, we will be honoring those persons who have been members of our church (or relate to our church in some way) and have died since last Memorial Sunday.  We will have a special time of remembrance in honoring each person with the reading of their name, the lighting of their remembrance candle, and the tolling of the bell.  We are also inviting and honoring those non-members, and their families, in which Pastor Roger or Neil Peck officiated their funeral.

 

     First United Methodist Church will be once again hosting the Wesley Bell Ringers on Sunday, June 7th. They will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary and will stay with host families from the church (if you are interested in being a host family, contact Gene Wagner). The Wesley Bell Ringers are one of the premier youth handbell choirs in the United States.  They are sponsored by Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. The group was formed in 1963. The choir performs throughout northern Utah during the Christmas season and each summer, travels across North America sharing their beautiful music.  Since its foundation in 1963, over 500 youth have participated in the choir. If you are interested in being a host family, contact Gene Wagner. More information to come.

 

     Gene Wagner is organizing special music for the 9:00 a.m. worship services this summer. If you are

interested or know someone who would like to share their musical talents in a “Ministry of Music,” please contact to Gene Wagner.

 

May "Monthly Mission" is SafePlace -  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).

     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.

 

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.  

 

Our Children’s Sunday School is on summer break - VBS is July 13-15.

Adult Sunday School (On summer break until September) - They meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.  

 

Youth Group is on summer break - (Grade 5 and up) meets on Wednesdays from 6-7pm with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

 

Celebration Bells are on summer break.  In September, when they resume, they will 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.  They are on summer break beginning May 1.

 

The Music Academy @ First - Keep up to date with our Music Academy @ First 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.

You may also make monetary donations through the church anytime during the year.

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.

May 10 - A-Be

May 17 - Bi-C

May 24 - D, E, F & G

 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 Darlene Churchman (age 93), wife of a former pastor here, Rev. Duane Churchman (from 1989-95).  Darlene died on April 20. Duane died in December of 2014.

- Death of Ernie Cain (age 75), husband of Deb and father of Jeff Cain.  Died on April 4.

 

 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 provides 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).

 

     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 being a Christian!