* Church Announcements (09/02/2026)

- 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 (On summer break. Will resume September 13.)

- 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: “Has Sin Ruined Your Relationships?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Tamme Saul

(Online service) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Communion Pianist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

Ministry of Music (9:00 service) - Roger Madden (soloist)

 

15 "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'

17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

 

   - A Preview Question for Neil Peck’s sermon this Sunday (Sept. 6).  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 18:15-20 (Dealing with Sin in the Church).

     - Another Preview Question for Neil Peck's sermon for this Sunday (Sept. 6).

 

     - A Focus Question from Neil Peck's sermon on Sunday, Sept. 6.  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

 

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

“Where Charity and Love Prevail”

“This is a Day of New Beginnings” (Communion Hymn)

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

 

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

 

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”

“Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

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

 

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

 

Holy Communion will be offered this Sunday, Sept. 6, at the both the 9am Traditional Worship and the 11:15am Casual Service.

 

First Sunday for Food @ First is Sunday, Sept. 6 - We are collecting non-perishable food items for Grace United Methodist Church Food Pantry, which serves Sioux City.  Our help is certainly needed and appreciated.

 

     Stacy Ferris, an RN and certified Diabetic Educator, will be available on the first Sunday of each month to take blood pressures, help with medications, and answer any questions you may have.  Stacy will be located in the church office area.

 

Celebration Bells will start rehearsing TODAY (Wednesday, Sept. 2) at 6 pm in the Bell Room (upstairs of the Education wing). If you are interested in playing bells, just show up and/or let Gene Wagner, the director, know.

 

The Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) will be starting rehearsals TODAY (Wednesday, Sept. 2) at 7 pm in the Choir Room. Pray about singing in the choir and if you have any questions or comments, talk with Gene Wagner.

Youth Group begins TODAY, Wednesday, Sept. 2 - (Grade 5 and up) meets on Wednesdays from 6-7pm with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

 

Our Children’s Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 13 from 10:10am - 11:00am.

 

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.

 

      - Wed., September 23 (3:35p - 4:55p) - “Celebrate Fall” for Pre-K thru 5th graders.

     If you are interested in volunteering, contact Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854.

 

Adult Sunday School (Begins Sunday, Sept. 13) - They meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.  

 

     The study is  entitled, "The Holy Spirit: God’s Presence and Power at Work In Us”

     In “The Holy Spirit,” Adam Hamilton explores what Scripture teaches about God's Spirit—from the Hebrew Bible through Jesus' promises in the Gospels, the powerful Pentecost experience in Acts, and the rich teachings found in the New Testament letters.

     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.  Hope to see you on the 23rd.

 

     THANK YOU to all who have contributed and pledged to contribute to this needed and worthwhile project!

Note: Any additional funds received over our goal will go toward making sure the interior stained-glass windows will open and close properly (we have many that do not) for in addition to the new outside storm windows protecting the interior stained-glass windows, we need to have operational interior windows.

 

(1) We are 58.3% of the way through our budget year.

(2) We have received 49.2% of our $419,235 budget for the year (for a total of $206,775).  

(3) Our total revenues for 2026 are 0.3% higher than our 3-year average for the end of July. This figure includes our Conference Apportionments being paid. 

(4) We have expended 60.3% of our budget for the year (for a total of $253,079). We began 2026 with a positive balance in our account.

     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.  We appreciate your continued giving to God’s work through First UMC.

 

For half a century, our community has taken steps to end hunger locally and globally.  The first Sioux City CROP Hunger Walk was held in 1976, so the 2026 CROP Walk marks our 50th anniversary, and we're inviting everyone to be part of this milestone moment.  Let's make it our biggest walk yet!  Our goal for First United Methodist is to recruit at least 50 walkers. Please join us on Sunday Oct 18th, starting at 1 PM at Grace UMC!  

     You can make a donation to this annual event in worship, mail it in, drop it off,  or use your bank's "Billpay".   A sign-up sheet to walk is outside the church office  For more information, contact Jo Lear 712-251-6015 and Rolene Beauvais 712-223-9965.

 

     With the new school year starting, the Music Academy @ First will be starting the Beginning Piano Lesson program for 4th and 5th grade students at Hunt Elementary. The lessons will be on Mondays right after school gets out, beginning at 3:45. Each round of classes lasts 8 weeks. The first round of classes will be from September 21- November 9.  A second round of classes will be from January 25 - March 22, 2027. There will be a new group of students with each round. Our goal is 12 students with a minimum of 6 teachers. There is a volunteer piano teacher instructing 2 students at one time. If we have more than 6 teachers, then some will have just 1 student. We have enough pianos for every student to play on a piano.

     We are looking for volunteers who have musical experience to teach the beginning piano lessons. These lessons cover very basic piano skills. Volunteer teachers need to pass a background check. You can help teach 1or 2, or both 8-lesson sessions. If you want to take a look at the piano book we are using, please see Gene Wagner. If you are interested, talk to Gene Wagner, contact the church office, or fill out a yellow Worship Response Sheet.  Please pray if God is calling you to help in this ministry to make a difference in a student’s life.

 

Recruiting Handbell Players - Have you ever played handbells or would like to try and play handbells, or know someone who does? Gene Wagner, the director of the Celebration Bells, invites you to join us in playing. A basic knowledge of musical notation is helpful, but not required. We’ll help you with the rest. We are in need of a low bass bell player, especially. We rehearse on Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:00 p.m. from September through May and play once a month at the 9:00 a.m. service at First UMC, as well as playing at the annual 12th Night handbell festival. Rehearsals begin on Wednesday, September 2.

     If you are interested in playing, please talk to Gene Wagner.

 

     As we look forward to the fall, the Jubilate Choir is inviting new singers to join us!  We really could use some more men in the choir. Director Gene Wagner welcomes anyone who enjoys singing – whether you’ve sung in a choir before or just love lifting your voice during hymns on Sunday morning. You don’t need to be a trained vocalist – just come with a willing spirit and a love for music. Traveling often? No problem! Join us whenever you’re in town. Come be part of the fellowship, fun, and joy of choir singing.

Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 2nd, from 7:00–8:00 p.m.

     For more information, contact Gene Wagner.

 

     It is time again for Special Mission Recognition.  This is an opportunity to honor someone who goes above and beyond the call to serve the Church and community, living a Christian lifestyle, being a true disciple of Christ.  We also welcome nominations of our youth from the church.  Please put their name (only one name per nomination form) and why you think they should be recognized on the nomination form and put it in the ballot box, located on the shelf across from the church office.  

~Thank you, United Women in Faith

 

     The deadline for pre-ordering nuts is Sunday, October 4th.  There will be a “pre-order” form in this Sunday’s bulletin to indicate how many pounds of nuts you want us to order and reserve for you.  If the minimum is not ordered, then NO order will be placed and you will be notified.   These “pre-order” forms must be returned to the church office.  

     If you have any questions or want to call in your order, please call the church office at 712-258-0119 or Trish Billups at 712-490-8217.  Thank you for supporting the United Methodist Women and Felicity Circle!       

 

     As all of our church activities begin again this fall, you are invited to visit our three active ladies circles and decide if you would like to join the fellowship of one of these groups.  Felicity Circle meets at 10 AM on the second Tuesday of the month, Unity Circle meets at 12:30 PM on the second Wednesday of the month, and Harmony Circle meets at 9:30 AM on the second Thursday of the month.  All meetings are at the church, not in homes.  We hope to see you there!  

 

Women’s Bible Study Opportunity
Ladies, are you looking for an opportunity to study God’s Word in more depth? Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) offers the opportunity to study with women from around our community through discussion, lecture and written Bible commentary. The women’s class begins on Wednesday, September 9th, at Central Baptist Church. Class begins at 10:15 am and end at noon. This year is a 30-week study of the book of Romans. There is also a program for children; infants through 9th grade. There is no charge to attend. For more information, see Ellen Dickey, Geri Morfitt or www.bsfinternational.org.

 

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.

You may also make monetary donations through the church anytime during the year.

 

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.

September 6 - Bi-C

September 13 - D, E, F & G

September 20 - H, I, J & K

 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.

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 Gary Scott (age 87), brother of Jo Lear.  Gary died on August 7.

- Death of Sandy Polak (age 71),  mother of Kris Polak.  Sandy died on July 28.

- Death of Carol Oostenbrug (age 91).  Carol died on May 22.

 

 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!