* Church Announcements (07/01/2026)

 

- 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 in September.)

- 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: “A Free Way of Life”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Kim Wood

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - Jane Sibley

Ministry of Music (9:00 service) - Patriotic Duet: Pat Harm & Jane Sibley

 

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

 

✞ Who do I know that is "helper"?  A ‘non-helper"?

   - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (July 5).  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 Galatians 5:1, 13-14 (Paul Writes About Freedom in Christ).

 

✞ Would others say that I am more of a "helper" or a non-helper"?       

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (July 5).

 

✞ This week, I will be given the freedom to be a "helper" or a "non-helper."  Which will I choose?  Which would Jesus say to choose?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, July 5.  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

 

“America the Beautiful”

“America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)”

“Freely, Freely”

“This is My Song”

 

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

“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

“America”

 

"America the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”

"This is My Song"

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

 

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

 

 

First Sunday for Food @ First is this  Sunday, July 5 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.  

 

   The 61 rectangle storm windows on the original church building appear to have been installed sometime between 1984-1986 (Aluminum frame storm windows can last 20–30 years). The windows, frames and outside support structure are at least 40 years old and in disrepair.  Over the years, areas have been repaired as needed but now, due to their age and their exposure to the environment, many are pulling away from the church building and you cannot get parts to repair them.  

   In addition to replacing 61 storm windows, the project will include adding window coverings to 3 gothic windows, plus 6 additional smaller tower windows that have direct exposure to the elements.  This will protect and lessen the deterioration of the original stained glass windows that are not already covered.  

   Note: The windows we are replacing are the clear storm windows that are on the outside of the church and not the stained glass windows which you see on the inside of the church.   The storm windows are on all 3 stories of the original church building (Built in 1916) and not the Education wing.

   The total cost of the project is projected to be approximately $74,000.

How can you give?  

     Option #1: Pledge/Give a single donation to the project.

     Option #2: You can spread out your pledge over a 2-year period for 2026 & 2027.

     Option #3: You can give a gift of stock as a donation.  If you give a gift of stock, the church will sell

        the shares immediately and put the entire amount received to the Church Storm Windows Fund.  This

        type of donation provides an added tax benefit to the donor.  By donating appreciated stock to a

        charitable organization, the donor is able to get a tax deduction for the fair market value at the time of

        the donation without having to pay capital gains tax on the increase in the value of the stock.     

Please prayerfully consider what Jesus would have you do in preserving this wonderful building for future generations as past generations have preserved it for ours!

     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.

 

     Dave and Terri Treft would once again like to invite the people of our church too experience a vegetable/flower garden tour at their home on the westside of Sioux City.  The Treft’s will freely share with those touring the produce that is ready to be harvested at that time.  This year, they have planted the following: Many varieties of tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplant, cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers, onions, beans, peas, and others as well as flowers (sunflowers, milkweed, roses, lots of zinnias and marigolds, and more).    

Groups are limited to a  maximum 8 people since this makes for a better visit and learning environment.       Sign-up sheets (Please sign up a friend if one is coming with you) are placed across from the church office for the following dates: July 15, July 29, August 12 & Aug. 26.  All tours will be from 7pm-8pm. Treft’s garden is located at 2333 Kellogg Street.  In case of rain, a “rain date” would be the following Wednesday at the same time.

 

Day Tripping with Lonnie - Thursday, July 23 at 2:00pm - Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (900 Larson Park Road). A valued cultural hub for 23+ years, serving 39,000+ guests per year, the Center is more than a museum.  Even if you have toured it before, come and see what’s new and offered.  There is no charge.  You can meet at the church to carpool at 1:30pm.  You can sign up on the sheet across from the church office or call the church.  If you have any questions, please contact Lonnie Gustafson.  

 

July 5 - Jane Sibley & Pat Harm - Patriotic Duet

July 12 - Gene Wagner - Handbells

July 19 - Alejandro Anguiano - Cello

August 2 - Brad Miedema - Organ

August 9 - Kathy Davis - Violin

August 16 - Henry Jones - Cello

August 23 - Jackson Munter - Organ

August 30 - Andrea Buckley - Vocal Solo

 

     Anyone who has ever been a school teacher knows that to get a classroom ready for school to start in August, they spend a lot of their own money.  In our partnership with Hunt Elementary School (across the street from our church), we annually raise funds to try and give $50 Target gift cards to each Hunt School teacher to help them get what they need in their classroom.  You can give in worship, mail it in, drop it off,  or use your bank's "Billpay" to make a donation for this ministry we do as First UMC.       

 

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

(2) We have received 31.4% of our $419,235 budget for the year (for a total of $131,698).  

(3) We have expended 41.1% of our budget for the year (for a total of $172,286).

(4) Our total revenues for 2026 are 4.2% lower than our 3-year average for the end of April. This figure includes our Conference Apportionments.   Note: 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 as of  the end of May.  We appreciate your continued giving to God's work through First UMC.

 

Our Children’s Sunday School is on summer break.

 

Adult Sunday School (On summer break until September) - When they resume, they will meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.  

 

Youth Group is on Summer Break (Grade 5 and up) - meets on Wednesdays from 6-7pm with Pastor Martha & Marce Wagner.

 

The Jubilate Choir (High School - Adult) is on Summer break until September.  When they resume, they will rehearse on 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.  

 

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 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.

 

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.

July 5 - A-Be

July 12 - Bi-C

July 19 - 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 Carol Oostenbrug (age 91).  Carol died on May 22.

- 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). Died on April 4.  Keep wife Deb and family in your prayers.

 

 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!