* Church Announcements (04/29/2026)

- 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 - Neil Peck

     - Sermon title: “Who is Your Way, Your Truth, Your Life?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Lilly

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

 

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

 

✞ When I have personal doubts or feel lost, who do I go to?

     - A Preview Question for Neil Peck’s sermon this Sunday (May 3).  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 John 14:1-14 (Jesus Comforts His Disciples).

 

✞  When I'm looking for the truth in this life, who do I turn to?

     - Another Preview Question for Neil Peck's sermon for this Sunday (May 3).

 

✞ How can I share with others that Jesus is the one that can show them the way, the truth and about life?

     - A Focus Question from Neil Peck's sermon on Sunday, May 3.  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

 

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

“When We All Get to Heaven”

“Victory in Jesus”

 

Hymns for 11:15am Casual Worship (Our Smaller Service):  

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

“When We All Get to Heaven”

 

1. God of grace and God of glory, on the people pour thy power;

crown thine ancient church's story, bring her bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour,

for the facing of this hour.

 

4. Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;

let the search for thy salvation be our glory ever more.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore,

serving thee whom we adore.

 

1. I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,

how he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;

I heard about his groaning, of his precious blood's atoning,

then I repented of my sins and won the victory.

O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!

He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood,

he loved me 'ere I knew him and all my love is due him,

he plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

 

2. I heard about his healing, of his cleansing power revealing,

how he made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see,

and then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit",

and somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.

O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!

He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood,

he loved me 'ere I knew him and all my love is due him,

he plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

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

 

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

 

Holy Communion will be offered at both services this Sunday, May 3.

 

First Sunday for Food @ First is this  Sunday, May 3 for the Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry.  In addition to food items, you may give a monetary donation which they will use to buy needed food from the Food Bank.  

 

Mark your calendar and come see the Music Academy @ First in action.

Each recital will be less than 1 hour.

 

     Following the Strings Recital, we will have a reception for the students and the audience.  If you would be willing to bring treats for this recital, please call or email the church office and let them know. You are also invited to come to the recital to support the students playing.  If you have questions, please contact Gene Wagner at 712-898-6789.

 

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: "Facing the 2nd half of Life" (April 29), "If You Feel Far From God" (May 6) & "Can You Separate Faith from Politics?" (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.

 

     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.

     We are coming to the end of the 4th 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 21 students between the 2 sessions of lessons. Over the last 4 years, we have given beginning piano lessons to 98 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 22 students in the 4th grade group and 19 in the 5th grade group. They performed at the December Holidazzle Concert. The spring groups grew to the maximum size. We had 24 in the 4th grade group and 24 in the 5th grade group. They will perform April 21st at the Band and Handchime concert at Hunt. Overall, we had 89 students participate.

     Our Private Lesson program also continues to grow. This year we have had 49 students take weekly private lessons, including 30 string students, 14 piano students, 1 organ student, 1 trumpet student, 1 flute student, and 2 guitar students. We also started a chamber orchestra to give students a chance to play in an ensemble, learning to collaborate together in a group setting.  Back in August, we had our very first summer strings camp with 12 students participating, along with 6 teachers.

     To put things in perspective, this year we had 171 students from 8 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 3 homeschool families. Since the start of the Music Academy, there have been 508 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 more instruments and recruiting teachers to make this possible. 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.  The Music Academy is self-funded by donations and grants (It is not part of the church budget).

     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.  

 

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.

 

     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.  If you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Gustafson.  

 

(1) We are 25.0% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 20.4% of our $419,235 budget for the year (for a total of $85,748).  

(3) We have expended 25.8% of our budget for the year (for a total of $108,506). We began 2026 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total revenues for 2026 are .6% higher than our 3-year average for the end of March. All current bills, including 3 months of Conference Apportionments, are paid as of  the end of March.    

       Thanks to you, our financial status continues to fund ministry.  Please remember that we do not receive our offerings in equal 1/12 increments (especially in the summer).  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.

 

 - 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 Waiting Area - Just a note to let you know that we have a 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 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.  

 

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 @ 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.

- Item of the Month (April): Household Cleaners

- Item of the Month (May): Deodorants.

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 3 - T-Z

May 10 - A-Be

May 17 - 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 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.

- Death of Glen Houts, Sr. (Age 91), father of Glen Houts, Jr.  Died on Feb. 11.

- Death of Elmer Vondrak (age 77), father of Bill Vondrak.  Died Feb. 2.

- Death of James Hare (age 88), father of Kelly Carter.  Died on Feb. 3. In addition, Kelly's sister, Carrie Barton (age 65), 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).

 

     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!