* Church Announcements (10/23/2024)

 

Preaching - Neil Peck

     - Sermon: “What Will It Be?” 

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Lilly

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

 

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging.

47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."  So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."

50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.  The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

 

✞ How well do I see physically?

     - A Preview Question for Neil Peck’s message this Sunday (October 27).  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 scriptures will be Mark 10:46-52.

✞ How well do I see spiritually?

     - Another Preview Question for Neil Peck’s message for this Sunday (October 27).

 

✞ How is Jesus calling me?  Will I respond or put him off?

     - Focus Questions from Neil Peck’s message on Sunday, October 27.  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

 

“Wonderful Words of Life”

“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior”

“Open My Eyes, That I May See”

 

“Open Our Eyes, Lord”

“Open My Eyes, That I May See”

 

1. Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;

let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;

words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.       

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

 

2. Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life;

sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;

all so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

 

3. Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;

offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;

Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

 

1. Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

 

3. Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere;

open my heart and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

             

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✞ All announcements are also available in the Sunday church bulletins.

 

* Chili Cook-Off           * Cinnamon Rolls        *Tailgate "Trunk or Treating"            * Games for kids     

If you would like to enter the Chili Cook-Off, make cinnamon rolls, help make and serve a roaster of chili with the fixings, and/or decorate your trunk & hand out treats in the parking lot to the kids, sign up at church, email the church or give us a call.

* 2 roasters of homemade chili (with mild and no beans as well as with beans and a hint of spice)

     Our theme this year is "Come to the Castle: Royalty, Creatures, Monsters and More” so wear a costume if you wish. 

     If you would like to enter the Chili Cook-Off, just bring your chili and we will have a table to put it on.

Decorate your trunk & hand out treats in the parking lot to the kids.

     NOTE: Trunk or Treating will be in the church parking in the spaces next to the church and across from those spaces.  We ask for you to please park, if you are not doing the Trunk or Treating, in the outside spaces, or in the school parking lot, across Nebraska St. from the church, (the courtyard doors will be open).

     CINNAMON ROLLS or CORNBREAD: If you can make cinnamon rolls or cornbread, please let the church office know.

     CANDY DONATIONS: If you would like to donate individually pre-wrapped candy for this year’s Halloween Extravaganza, just bring it to the church anytime.

     HELP MAKE SOME CHILI: Pastor Roger will be making 2 roasters of chili on Tuesday morning at 9:00 in the church kitchen.  If you would like to help, feel free to come and assist.

 

Annual Church Charge Conference is Sunday, October 27 at 6pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City.  We will be joined by other churches in our "circuit."

 

Perfect sunny, warm & windy weather last Sunday for the CROP Hunger Walk which drew a total of 188 participants.  First UMC surpassed our goal of 30 and ended up with 36 walkers, making us #1 congregation with the most walkers!  Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!  We are excited about the five new first-timers who walked:  Pam Banks, Denise Parsons, Patty Jenkins, Terri & Dave Treft.  Plus thank you to the many faithful repeat walkers:  Jo & Bruce Lear, Windeshausen family, Ethan Lear, Bev & Colin McCue & friend Seth Harper, Ellen & Mark Dickey, Lonnie Gustafson, Janet Young, Marce & Gene Wagner, Janice Howard, Diane Jensen, Mary Stoneburg, Kathy & Peter Coffin, Dawn & George Kibby, Judy & Richard Lilly, Cindy Wood, Dr. Ensz family and Rolene Beauvais. After the citywide committee opens donation envelopes & counts money on Oct 27, next week we'll give an update on donation totals. Community Action Agency did report that they received 357 pounds of donated food for their pantry!  Thank you! 

 

- The program will be Jody Most from the Adam’s Nature Preserve.  Refreshments will be provided.

All members and guests are invited. If you are interested in more information or attending, please contact the church office (258-0119).

-  First United Methodist Church has three circles, which are small groups of Christian women who meet once a month (September-May). We also have Supportive Members, women who do not belong to a circle, but support UWF with their many talents and gifts.

 

Older Adult Ministries Wednesday Study each week at 11:00am in the church library. The study is  entitled, “RESTORED, Finding Redemption in our MESS”.  Using scripture, stories, and personal affirmation, pastor and author Tom Berlin takes us on a journey from our own brokenness to redemption and restoration through Jesus.  If you have any questions please contact Neil Peck (our Director of Older Adult Ministries) at 712-258-0119 or stop by and see him.

 

Older Adult Ministries invites "everyone" to come to a Holiday Fellowship Dinner on November 20 at 12:00 p.m. to be held in our Fellowship Hall.  You must have a reservation no later than November 14 so that we can get an accurate count for the cater. A sign-up sheet is available near the bulletin board or in the church office.  Cost of the meal will be $15.00 per person, payable at the door.  If you have any questions please contact, Neil Peck (Director of Older Adult Ministries) either at the church office or call  712-258-0110.  The menu is as follows: Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Rolls and Butter, Pumpkin Pie for dessert, and Coffee, Water and Lemonade for drinks.

Come for a time of fellowship and good food! What a great way to start the Holiday's with your church friends!

 

     Did you know that there were around 250 or 300 homeless people in Siouxland on any given day last year? There are entire families living on the streets. Women, children. It's not a good situation. Another little-known fact is that slightly over 25% of Siouxland's homeless are veterans, ranging from those who served in Vietnam to the Iraq/Afghanistan war.  Realizing this, off to Cone Park will go the volunteers again on the first Friday in November (Nov.1). They will take pledges, pack up their tents (and cardboard boxes in a few cases) and away they will go. We are raising money during October to be able to give it to The Siouxland Sleepout on Nov. 1.  Their website is <siouxlandsleepout.com>.

    If you are not attending worship, you can mail in, drop off,  or use your bank's "Billpay" to make a donation. 

 

(1) We are 75.0% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 63.4% of our $388,209 budget for the year (for a total of $245,826). 

(3) We have expended 73.8% of our budget for the year (for a total of $286,539). We began 2024 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total income for 2024 is right where we expect it to be for this time of year (Our 3-year average for revenues received by the end of September is 63.4%).  This figure includes all Conference Apportionments paid up to date.  

     As we look at our financial status, please remember that we do not receive our offerings in equal 1/12 increments.  All current bills are paid as of  the end of September.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.  Thank you for your financial support of our ministries.

 

     Pastor Martha and others are very excited for our next Epic Adventure! For our next adventure we will travel to the Bayou for “Crocodile Dock”.

     Because we discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, we will be using vintage VBS material which is designed for rotations. We will begin in the chapel for the first station and then divide into two groups: Bible Adventure and Imagination Station (crafts/science).

     We are planning a mini Madrigal for our Sunday School Christmas program (without the feast) so we will be learning some of the medieval Christmas carols in preparation.  If anyone has any appropriate costumes/hats or would like to create or adapt some, please let me know!

 

              - Wed., October 23 (3:35p - 4:45p)- Celebrate Halloween” for Pre-K thru 3rd graders.

 

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.

 

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 (October): Toilet Paper

 

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.

October 27 - A-Be

November 3 - Bi-C

November 10 - 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 Laura Gerkin (Age 87).  Died on Oct. 20.  Sons are Scott & Craig.  Laura Funeral Service will be on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11am here at First UMC.

- Death of Deena Pyle (Age 79), sister of Janna Dirks.  Died on Oct. 16.

- Death of Elaine Richardson (Age 75), sister of Bev McCue.  Died on Oct. 1.

- Death of Marjorie Solberg (Age 88), mother of JuLee Buchman. Died on Oct. 1.

- Death of Pauline Schadt (Age 95), mother of Linda McKinney.  Died on Sept. 28.

- Death of Jimmy Batcheller (Age 81).  Died on Sept. 23.  Funeral service in the Spring of 2025.

- Death of Joe Grossnickle (Age 79), husband of Janet Grossnickle.  Joe died on Sept. 20.

- Death of Laura Schmidt (Age 62), died on Sept. 5.  Laura is the sister of Linda Groves.  Laura lived in Cherokee, IA.

- Death of Carol Williams (Age 90), died on August 28.  Carol is the sister of Ruth Kingery.  Carol lived in Mankato, MN

- Death of Nancy Suttie (Age 67), daughter of Helen Suttie.  Nancy died on August 23.

- Death of Carol Hollander (Age 89).  Carol died on August 15.

 

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.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support of our ministries! 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).

 

Pfishing Emails: If you ever receive an email from Pastor Roger, or anyone on the staff, asking "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 delete the email 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 directly 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 that will change your world.