* Church Announcements (06/25/2025

- 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: “Who Do I Imitate?  Who Imitates Me?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Wanned

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Ministry of Music (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley (organ)

 

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

 

✞ Who is someone, in my past, I have tried to imitate?

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon this Sunday (June 29).  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 Philippians 3:17-21.

 

✞ What kind of Christian would someone turn out to be if they imitated me?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (June 29).

 

✞ This week, what is one way I can more closely imitate Jesus Christ in my life?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, June 29.  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

 

“All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine”

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”

“Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”

 

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

“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee”

“Shine, Jesus, Shine”

 

All praise to thee, for thou. O King divine,

didst yield the glory that of right was thine,

that in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Let this mind be in us which was in thee,

who wast a servant that we might be free,

humbling thyself to death on Calvary:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Let every tongue confess with one accord

in heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord;

and God the Father be by all adored:

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

1. Sent forth by God's blessing, our true faith confessing,

The people of God from this dwelling take leave.

The service is ended.  O now be extended

The fruits of our worship in all who believe.

The seed of the teaching, receptive souls reaching,

Shall blossom in action for God and for all.

God's grace did invite us, and love shall unite us

To work for God's kingdom and answer the call.

 

2. With praise and thanksgiving, to God ever-living,

The tasks of our everyday life we will face.

Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,

Embracing God's children of each tribe and race.

With Your grace you feed us, with your light now lead us;

Unite us as one in this life that we share.

Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving

Give honor to Christ and that name which we bear.

 

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

 

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

 

     MercyOne Siouxland Child Advocacy Center is a comprehensive, child-friendly program dedicated to serving child victims of abuse. Our multi-disciplinary team of caring professionals supports child victims through each phase of the abuse response, including detection and investigation of abuse, as well as treatment and follow-up services for child victims.

     Since opening in 1989, the Center has served over 21,000 children. In 2020, the Omaha FBI field office recognized the Center with the Director's Community Leadership Award on behalf of their efforts to combat violence in the tri-state area.

     Please call the church office to put your name on the list for we need a firm number. If you have any questions, ask Lonnie Gustafson in church or call him on his cell phone at 712-223-1218.

    *Coming in July (Thursday, July 17), the Day Trippers will be going to the Holocaust Rails exhibit at the Sioux City Railroad Museum.

 

     Our Personal Care Cupboard has seen an increase in usage from families and the families take home their selected products in donated plastic grocery bags.  With the increase in families, that means we need more disposable grocery bags, so if you have anywhere from 1 to 1000 bags, bring them to the church when you are passing by or on Sunday morning when you come to church.

 

(1) We are 41.6% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 34.7% of our $402,145 budget for the year (for a total of $139,589).  

(3) We have expended 40.9% of our budget for the year (for a total of $164,469). We began 2025 with a positive balance in our account.

(4) Our total revenues for 2025 are 0.9% lower than our 3-year average for the end of May. This figure includes our Conference Apportionments.  

       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).  All current bills are paid as of  the end of June.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.

 

     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.

 

     VBS is Free for all children.  Registration will be limited to a maximum of 48 children (children must be 3 years old and/or fully potty trained).  Registration can be completed by filling out a Registration Form at the church or you can call the church office at 712-258-0119.

     Those wishing to volunteer or wanting more information can contact Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854.

 

June 29 - Jane Sibley (organ)

July 6 - Pat Harm & Jane Sibley (piano/organ duet)

July 13 - Andrea Buckley (soloist)

July 20 - Antonio Ferraro (violin)

July 27 - Caitlin Marsh & Ezra Marsh (strings)

August 3 - Open

August 10 - The Matney Sisters

August 17 - Open

August 24 - David Chobar (piano)

August 31 - The Siouxland Discovery Chorus

-  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.

 

Our Children’s Sunday School is on summer break - VBS is July 21-23.

 

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 (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 Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) are on summer break.  They will resume in September, when they will 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 (June): 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.

June 29 - H, I, J & K

July 6 - L-Ma

July 13 - Mc, N & O

   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 Jeff Jaynes (age 67), brother of Cindy Wood.  Died on June 19.

- Death of Linda Considine (age 74), sister-in-law of Rev. Martha Anderson.  Died on June 19.

- Death of Jan Deck (age 70), wife of Bill Deck.  Died on May 20.

- Death of Perry Dickey (age 95), father of Mark Dickey.  Died on April 27.  

- Death of Rob Hasler (age 70), brother of Carla Rubel.  Died on March 8.

 

 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.

 

     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 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!