* Church Announcements (11/19/2025

 Weekly Worship Opportunities at First UMC

- 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: “Do I Celebrate ThanksGIVING or ThanksGETTING?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Marla Luitjens

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

(9:00 service) - Jane Sibley (organ) & Pat Harm (piano)

 

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9 As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever." (Psalm 112:9)

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

 

✞ What blessings (rewards) has God given me?

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon (November 23).  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 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (The Apostle Paul writes that Generosity is Encouraged).

 

✞ What is one more way I can be as generous to God as God has been to me?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon for this Sunday (November 23).

✞ This Thursday, will I be celebrating Thanks-getting (Thank you God for all I get) or Thanks-giving (Thank you God for all I am able to give)?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger’s sermon on Sunday, November 23.  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

 

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

“Give Thanks”

“We Gather Together”

 

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

“Give Thanks”

 

1. Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

all is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;

come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

 

2. All the world is God's own field, fruit as praise to God we yield;

wheat and tares together sown are to joy or sorrow grown;

first the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;

Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

 

4. Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home;

gather thou thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,

there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide;

come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.

 

1. Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One;

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One;

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.       

 

2. And now let the weak say, "I am strong;"

Let the poor say "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us.  

And now let the weak say, "I am strong;"

Let the poor say "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us.  

 

Give Thanks!

 

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

 

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

 

     The first Sunday of Advent is Nov. 30 and, in getting ready for the Christmas season, we will once again be decorating the church in "stages."  We invite anyone who wants to help to come and share in putting up the Christmas tree and stringing the garland and lights around the sanctuary.  Parents, children, and anyone who wants to be a part of this are welcome.    

 

The NUTS have arrived - You can pick-up your order this Sunday, Nov. 23 in the Music Academy office - There are additional packages of nuts for sale, so stop by before or after church.

 

Our 2025 Independent Advent Devotional - "Humble and Holy" - $10 per book from the church office.  Begins Sunday, Nov. 30.  “Humble and Holy” provides daily devotions for the first Sunday of Advent (Nov. 30, 2025) through Epiphany (Jan. 5, 2026).  Each 2-page daily reading is accompanied by an image, a reflection, and a prayer.  The devotional also provides household blessings and prayers to enrich your preparations and celebrations during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

 

Order a Poinsettia to Enhance the Worship Services - This year, we are once again going to decorate the front of the church with poinsettias beginning on Sunday, Dec. 14.  Order by Sunday, Nov. 30. The plants are red in color, are florist grade, and put in 6½" pots.  The cost is $20 each.  

 

     Older Adult Ministries invites you to this 4-week Advent Study in the church library. This year's study is entitled "Experiencing Christmas" by Matt Rawle and it invites you to encounter God in the sights, sounds, tastes, and feelings we associate with Christmas. If you have any questions, talk to Neil Peck.

 

     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".

 

The Thankfulness Wall - The month of November reminds us all of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  However, we need to give thanks for God's blessings more than just one day a year.  This year, we have put together a "Thankfulness Wall" in the church's sanctuary.  Placed at the wall, there are blank post-it notes and we invite people to complete the phrase "Dear God, I am thankful for ..."  and put what you are thankful for on a post-it note and put the note on the "Thankfulness Wall."  In addition, we have included in this bulletin a section for you to list your own personal thanks to God for you to keep and take home.

 

- TODAY Wed., November 19 (3:45p - 4:55p)- "Celebrate Thanksgiving" for K thru 5th graders.

 

 - 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 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.

 

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>

 

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 (November): Liquid Dish Soap

NOTE: There is a big need for diapers in size 1, size 3 & size 6.

 

Note of Thanks from the Personal Care Cupboard Volunteers - This Thanksgiving season, we of the Personal Care Cupboard thank you for your gifts.  This week alone, we served 53 families.  That is all thanks to you.  You are following John Wesley’s second charge: “Do Good.”

     If you would like to volunteer to help in the Personal Care Cupboard by either helping people who come in or organizing, please call or email the church office.

 

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 23 - A-Be

November 30 - Bi-C

December 7 - 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 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.  

 

 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).

 

     To have any financial gifts/pledges to the church count for your 2025 income tax return, your donation must be in the Church Office or postmarked by December 31, 2025.

 

 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.