* Church Announcements (01/15/2025

- 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: “Turn from EVIL to LIVE”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - LaDonna Deavers

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

 

9  At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

10  As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

11  And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

12  At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,

13  and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

 

✞ What temptation have I recently faced?             

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (Jan. 19).  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 Mark 1:9-13.

✞ With temptation, do I turn to God (LIVE) or away from God (EVIL)?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (January 19).

 

✞ This week, how will I respond to testing (temptations) in my life? 

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, January 19.  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

 

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”

“We’ll Understand It Better By and By”

 

“Praise A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

“Shout to the Lord”

 

1. Lord! Who throughout these forty days, for us didst fast and pray,

Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins, and close by Thee to stay.

 

2. As Thou with Satan didst contend, and didst the victory win,

Oh, give us strength in Thee to fight, in Thee to conquer sin.

 

3. As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst, so teach us gracious Lord,

to die to self, and chiefly live by thy most holy word.

 

1. We are tossed and driven on the restless sea of time;

somber skies and howling tempests oft succeed a bright sunshine;

in that land of perfect day, when the mists are rolled away,

we will understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home,

we'll tell the story how we've overcome, for we'll understand it better by and by.

 

3. Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand

all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed promised land;

but he guides us with his eye, and we'll follow till we die,

for we'll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home,

we'll tell the story how we've overcome, for we'll understand it better by and by.

 

4. Temptations, hidden snares often take us unawares,

and our hearts are made to bleed for a thoughtless word or deed;

and we wonder why the test when we try to do our best,

but we'll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home,

we'll tell the story how we've overcome, for we'll understand it better by and by.

 

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

 

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

 

Celebration Bells Handbell Choir will be sharing two pieces at our 9:00 Traditional Worship Service this Sunday (January 19).

 

     Older Adult Ministries invites you to join us in the church library on Wednesdays at 11:00 am, for a study entitled: "The Message of Jesus: Words that Changed the World" by Adam Hamilton. More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, how many actually know what Jesus taught? In fact, much of what people think Jesus taught, he never said.

     In this six-week study, Pastor Hamilton explores six of the most important themes in Jesus's teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. The book will explore Jesus's preaching on the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the "I am" sayings in John, and more. Jesus' message is not only life-changing, but world-changing. Join us in studying "The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World."

     If you have any questions, please contact Neil Peck, at 712-253-7347 or call the church office.

 

UMCOR is helping with the California Wildfires - The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is already helping with the efforts.  100% of what you give goes to directly helping those in need.  Give through their website (umcor.org) or through our church.

 

     Every January, we put all our loose coins (along with paper money and checks)  towards our annual Quarter Challenge and once again, we are going to do an "Inter-Congregational Challenge."  Everyone whose last name begins with A-M (We call this "Team Lonnie") will be against everyone whose last name begins with N-Z (whom we call "Team Neil").  We have separate offering places each Sunday for each team.

     Which group will raise the most funds!  You can make your donation in church, drop it off at the church office, send a check or use "Billpay" through your bank.  If you use a check or "Bill Pay," please include in the memo line "Quarter Challenge."  Each year we try and beat the previous January's total (We raised $2,957 in 2024).   More importantly, all the money raised will go toward supplying non-food items for our Personal Care Cupboard.   The Personal Care Cupboard assists families with personal care items you cannot get on food stamps.  In 2024, we assisted over 1200 families and the needs are even more.  You can find our more information about The Personal Care Cupboard on our website at (siouxcityfirst.com).

 

  Beginning Monday, January 13, our Music Academy has begun with lessons including:

     - Beginning piano students from Hunt Elementary School

     - 22 private string students from around the school district.

     - 10 private piano students from around the district.

     - The 2 Handchimes groups at Hunt School has grown to 22 kids in the 4th grade group and 22 kids in the 5th grade group.

   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) 

 

    Pastor Martha (Our Children’s Pastor) has discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, so she is 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).

     Beginning January 12, we will learn about sharing that light of Christ through a program called “Stellar.” The kids will meet Bible Buddies: Cosmo, Ringo, Luna, Sol and Hailey. Next Sunday the kids will hear how the Wisemen followed the star and met Jesus. Our Bible point will be “when life feels dark, shine Jesus’ life. Our Bible verse will be “Jesus said…,’I am the light of the world.’” John 8:12. We’ve got some awesome gadgets and gizmos to illuminate the point.

 

              - Wed., January 15 (3:35pm - 4:55pm)- “Jesus Loves You SNOW Much” for Pre-K thru 3rd graders & 4th-5th 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 with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

 

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 (January): Body wash & body soap.

 

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.

January 19 - L-Ma

January 26 - Mc, N & O

February 2 - 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 Eunice “June” Zediker (Age 102), mother of Avery Zediker.  Died on Jan. 9.

- Death of Don Garrison (Age 80), brother-in-law of Lonnie Gustafson.  Died on Dec. 4.

- Death of Eleanor Nelson (Age 86), sister of Marv Sorensen.  Died on Nov. 8.

- Death of Robert Kroon (Age 84), father of Jody Nieuwendorp (a teacher in our Music Academy).  Died on Nov. 9.

 

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!