* Church Announcements (02/11/2026)

- 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 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 - Rev. Roger Madden

     - Sermon title: “How Portable is My Faith?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Carla Rubel

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Baptism (9:00 service) - James Alexander Hellman, son of Josh & Whitney (Olson) Hellman

 

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."

8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

 

✞   What do I have in my life that is portable? (Portable is defined as "to be easily carried".)

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (February 15).  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 Matthew 17:1-9 (The Transfiguration of Jesus).

 

✞ How have I lived my faith in Christ while outside of these church walls (in my everyday life)?  How have I not?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (February 15).

 

✞ Where will I take and show my faith this week?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, February 15.  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”

“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

“There’s a Spirit in the Air”

 

Hymns for 11:15am Casual Service:  

“To God Be the Glory”

“Forever”

 

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. There's a spirit in the air,

telling Christians everywhere:

Praise the love that Christ revealed,

living, working, in our world!'

 

4. Still the Spirit gives us light,

seeing wrong and setting right:

God in Christ has come to stay.

Live tomorrow's life today!

 

6. May the Spirit fill our praise,

guide our thoughts and change our ways

God in Christ has come to stay.

Live tomorrow's life today!

 

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

 

Celebration Bells will be ringing 2 pieces at 9:00am Worship This Sunday (February 15).

 

Ash Wednesday Services will be Feb. 18 at noon, 5:30pm & 6:45pm.  Each service is about 15-20 minutes and will include Imposition of the Ashes.

 

   Come join us for a Lenten journey entitled, "An Unlikely Lent” by Rachel Billups.  We will start this six-week study on March 5th, "Ash Wednesday", at 11:00am in the church library. It will also be offered Sunday's at 10:15am in the Heritage Room as part of our Adult Sunday School Class beginning Feb. 15.

     The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are at the heart of the story of Easter. But the resurrection was not witnessed in isolation; it unfolded before a crowd. What might the stories of those women and men teach us today? How will they help us step into the story of Easter? Here, we can see what has been overlooked, not just in the grand moments but in the in-between: the silence, the side characters, and the questions.

     By seeing the Easter story through their eyes, we may discover that the resurrection is not just a past event, but an invitation into something new, unexpected, and unlikely. Walk through this season with eyes wide open, ready to see where God is moving, even in the margins. Since the cross is not the end of the story, embrace every unlikely moment along the way.

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

 

    "Love Outpoured" focuses on portions of the apostle Paul's letter to the Romans. In words that continue to speak to us today, Paul lays out foundational beliefs for a life of faith in Christian community.  May God's love pour out into us and through us to our neighbors, churches, communities, and all creation!

   "Love Outpoured" provides devotions for each day from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) to Easter Eve (April 4).  Each 2-page reading is accompanied by a photo, a scripture, a quote to ponder, a reflection, and a prayer.

   $10 per book from the church office.

 

Elizabeth Madden Fire Relief Fund Established Here at Church
     At around 5:45pm on Tuesday, February 10, Pastor Roger’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, smelled smoke in her upstairs apartment at 3921 Orleans Avenue in Morningside.  She called 911 and there was a fire in the downstairs apartment.  She evacuated with her cat and the clothes she was wearing.  While there was no flame damage to her apartment, there was extensive smoke damage and the house is red tagged.   Elizabeth and her cat are now staying with her parents (Pastor Roger and his wife, Amy) but she did not have insurance due to the cost and deductible.  She will now need to find a new apartment and deal with the aftermath of getting her life back together.  She has been in contact with the Red Cross for assistance.  If you would like to help her with a monetary donation to be used for needed items, you can do so through the church and label it as the Elizabeth Madden Fire Fund.  If you have any questions, feel free to talk to Pastor Roger.

 

The Warming Shelter is the February Monthly Mission - The Warming Shelter was established with the mission of ensuring that homeless individuals in the Siouxland Community would have a place to go to ensure their survival during the frigid Iowa winters.  Their mission has since grown into much more than just a place to stay. Find out more about them on the website at (www.thewarmingshelter.com).  In addition to your donation, we also ask that you keep them in your prayers each day this month.

 

     You can find out more information about The Personal Care Cupboard on our website at (siouxcityfirst.com).  Team Lonnie (Last names begin A-M) = $1473.82 & Team Neil (Last names begin N-Z) = $1438.36 (for a total of $2912.18).  In 2025, we spent $12,263 in buying product, so you can give to the Cupboard all year long.

 

- (3:35p - 4:55p)- "Celebrate Valentines" for K thru 5th graders.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact our Martha Anderson, our Children's Pastor.

 

 - 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. 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>

 

  Beginning Monday, January 12, our Music Academy has begun with lessons including:

     - 28 private string students from around the school district.

     - 13 private piano students from around the district.

     - Beginning piano students from Hunt Elementary School began on Jan. 26 with 11 students.

     - The 2 Handchimes groups at Hunt School, which has grown to 24 kids in the 4th grade group and 24 kids in the 5th grade group, began on Jan. 26.

   The Music Academy @ First offers free high quality music instruction to children in the Siouxland area whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it. The academy aims to ensure that these children have access to tuition-free music instruction, which can have numerous benefits for their personal and academic development.  This program provides opportunities for children who otherwise might miss out on the enriching experience of learning music.   You can find out more about the Music Academy and/or make a donation 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.

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.

February 15 - L - Ma

February 22 - Mc, N & O

March 1 - 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 Elmer Vondrak, father of Bill Vondrak.  Died Feb. 2.

- Death of James Hare, father of Kelly Carter.  Died on Feb. 3

- Death of Don Wood (age 80).  Died on Dec. 17, His wife is Cheri.  Services are pending for a later date.

- Death of Barb Kimmel (age 78). Died on Dec. 17.  Husband is Tom.

- Death of Carrie Barton (age 65), sister of Kelly Carter. Died on Dec. 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).

 

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).

 

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!