* Church Announcements (10/09/2024)

- 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: “Can My Faith Take __________?” 

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Wanned

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

 

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly."

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs."

27 "Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."

28 Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 

✞ What have I been praying about recently?

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s message this Sunday (October 13).  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 scriptures will be Matthew 15:21-28.

✞ When have I felt that God was being silent to my prayers?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s message for this Sunday (October 13).

 

✞ This week, how will I be more persistent in my prayer life?

     - A Focus Question from Pastor Roger’s message on Sunday, October 13.  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

 

“My Hope is Built”

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

“Leave It There”

 

“My Hope is Built”

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

 

1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

 

3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray!

Power, all power, surely is thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

 

4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway.

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!

1. If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,

and you have to get along with meager fare,

Just remember in His Word how He feeds the little bird,

take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Leave it there, leave it there,

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out;

take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

 

3. When your enemies assail, and your heart begins to fail,

don't forget that God in heaven answers prayer;

he will make a way for you, and will lead you safely through,

take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Leave it there, leave it there,

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out;

take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

             

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

 

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

 

Older Adult Ministries Wednesday Study each week at 11:00am in the church library. The study is  entitled, “RESTORED, Finding Redemption in our MESS”.  Using scripture, stories, and personal affirmation, pastor and author Tom Berlin takes us on a journey from our own brokenness to redemption and restoration through Jesus.  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.

                          

Day Tripping with Lonnie, Thurs., Oct. 17 @ 10am to the Sioux City Art Center - Meet in the church parking lot to carpool at 9:30am or meet us there.  Give the church a call to sign up (258-0119).

 

Did you know that 25% of the donations that are collected with the Sioux City CROP Hunger Walk remains right here in our own community - for the food pantry at Community Action Agency?  What a wonderful feature of this Church World Service fund-raiser.  Last year citywide donations totaled over $30,000, resulting in over $7500 given to CAAS, to help feed hungry children in our neighborhoods.    CROP Walk 2024 is at Grace UMC in Morningside with registration tables open from 1-2 pm.  Please sign up to walk on Oct. 20 or make a donation!  Thank you!

 

"Homecoming Sunday" is Sunday, Oct. 20 - We are asking that everyone who calls themself a member of First UMC, or relate to our church, attend either the 9:00 Traditional Worship or the 11:15 Casual Service.  You are encouraged to wear high school or college apparel/jackets/sweaters, etc., and get in the homecoming spirit (Kids, you can wear your school t-shirts as well.) We know there will be some out of town but if you are not, come for "Homecoming Sunday."

 

* Chili Cook-Off           * Cinnamon Rolls        *Tailgate "Trunk or Treating"            * Games for kids     

If you would like to enter the Chili Cook-Off, make cinnamon rolls, help make and serve a roaster of chili with the fixings, and/or decorate your trunk & hand out treats in the parking lot to the kids, sign up at church, email the church or give us a call.

* 3 roasters of homemade chili (with mild and no beans as well as with beans and a hint of spice)

     Our theme this year is "Come to the Castle: Royalty, Creatures, Monsters and More” so wear a costume if you wish. 

     If you would like to enter the Chili Cook-Off, just bring your chili and we will have a table to put it on.

Decorate your trunk & hand out treats in the parking lot to the kids.

     NOTE: Trunk or Treating will be in the church parking in the spaces next to the church and across from those spaces.  We ask for you to please park, if you are not doing the Trunk or Treating, in the outside spaces, or in the school parking lot, across Nebraska St. from the church, (the courtyard doors will be open).

     CINNAMON ROLLS: If you can make cinnamon rolls, please let the church office know.

     CANDY DONATIONS: If you would like to donate individually pre-wrapped candy for this year’s Halloween Extravaganza, just bring it to the church anytime.

 

    Did you know that there were around 250 or 300 homeless people in Siouxland on any given day last year? There are entire families living on the streets. Women, children. It's not a good situation. Another little-known fact is that slightly over 25% of Siouxland's homeless are veterans, ranging from those who served in Vietnam to the Iraq/Afghanistan war.  Realizing this, off to Cone Park will go the volunteers again on the first Friday in November (Nov.1). They will take pledges, pack up their tents (and cardboard boxes in a few cases) and away they will go. We are raising money during October to be able to give it to The Siouxland Sleepout on Nov. 4.  Their website is <siouxlandsleepout.com>.

    If you are not attending worship, you can mail in, drop off,  or use your bank's "Billpay" to make a donation. 

 

     Pastor Martha and others are very excited for our next Epic Adventure! For our next adventure we will travel to the Bayou for “Crocodile Dock”.

     Because we discovered that rotations work best for our younger Sunday School students, we will be 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).

     We are planning a mini Madrigal for our Sunday School Christmas program (without the feast) so we will be learning some of the medieval Christmas carols in preparation.  If anyone has any appropriate costumes/hats or would like to create or adapt some, please let me know!

 

              - Wed., October 16 (3:45p - 4:45p)- “Celebrate S’more” for 4th & 5th graders.

              - Wed., October 23 (3:35p - 4:45p)- Celebrate Halloween” for Pre-K thru 3rd 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.

 

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.

 

Music Academy @ First September Update: Things are getting busy as the Music Academy programs are beginning. This past week, the beginning piano lessons with Hunt students started. We have 8 teachers and 8 students this session.  This next week, the handchime groups start up at Hunt – 4th grade on Wednesdays from 3:00-3:30 and 5th grade on Thursdays from 3:00-3:30. There are 26 students signed up so far, 10 - 4th graders and 16 - 5th graders. Gene goes over to Hunt Elementary to teach those groups.  The private lessons are also beginning this week. We currently have 25 students who have applied to take private lessons. That’s a great start, but we expect more applications as the school year progresses.

Thank you for your support of the Music Academy by your donations, your encouragement, and your prayers. The lives of students and their parents are being enriched through the Music Academy @ First.

 

Peggy Mace and Dori Young have been tending our courtyard flower garden here at church, as well as the

corner sign area. Thank You to them for cultivating the beauty!

 And also, a Thank You to Barry Enockson who keeps our church lawn looking good!

 

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 (October): 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.

October 13 - P, Q, R & S

October 20 - T-Z

October 27 - A-Be

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 Elaine Richardson (Age 75), sister of Bev McCue.  Died on Oct. 1.

- Death of Marjorie Solberg (Age 88), mother of JuLee Buchman. Died on Oct. 1.

- Death of Pauline Schadt (Age 95), mother of Linda McKinney.  Died on Sept. 28.

- Death of Jimmy Batcheller (Age 81).  Died on Sept. 23.  Funeral service in the Spring of 2025.

- Death of Joe Grossnickle (Age 79), husband of Janet Grossnickle.  Joe died on Sept. 20.

- Death of Laura Schmidt (Age 62), died on Sept. 5.  Laura is the sister of Linda Groves.  Laura lived in Cherokee, IA.

- Death of Carol Williams (Age 90), died on August 28.  Carol is the sister of Ruth Kingery.  Carol lived in Mankato, MN

- Death of Nancy Suttie (Age 67), daughter of Helen Suttie.  Nancy died on August 23.

- Death of Carol Hollander (Age 89).  Carol died on August 15.

 

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.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support of our ministries! 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).

 

Pfishing Emails: If you ever receive an email from Pastor Roger, or anyone on the staff, asking "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 delete the email 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 directly 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 that will change your world.