* Church Announcements (05/07/2025

- 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.

- Sunday school for all ages @ 10:10am

- 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 Helps Me Keep Jesus’ Commands?”

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - Judy Wanned

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

 

15 (Jesus said,) "If you love me, keep my commands.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever

17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

 

✞ What did someone who loved me teach me about God?

    -  A Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon this Sunday (May 11).  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 John 14:15-21.

 

✞ If someone walked "in my footsteps", how would they see God in action in the world today?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (May 11).

 

✞ This week, how will God use me to help someone keep Jesus' commands?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, May 11.  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

 

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“O Lord, May Church and Home Combine”

“When Love is Found”

 

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“His Love is Strong”

 

1. Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;

fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

 

2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!

Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest.

Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.

 

3. Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

1. ‎When love is found and hope comes home, sing and be glad that two are one.

When love explodes and fills the sky, praise God and share our Maker's joy.

 

2. When love has flowered in trust and care, build both each day that love may dare

to reach beyond home's warmth and light, to serve and strive for truth and right.

 

3. When love is tried as loved-ones change, hold still to hope though all seems strange,

till ease returns, and love grows wise Through listening ears and opened eyes.

 

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

 

*Recital for the string students: Monday, May 12, 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary

*Recital for the piano and band students: Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Mark your calendars and come see the Music Academy @ First in action.

 

     Following the above recitals, we will have a reception for the students and the audience.  If you would be willing to bring treats for either or both of the recitals, please call or email the church office and let them know. You are also invited to come to the recital to support the students playing.  If you have questions, please contact Gene Wagner at 712-898-6789.

 

“What Does It Mean to Be United Methodist?” Study - Join us for this five-session video study designed to help people become better acquainted with the structure, mission, and beliefs of The United Methodist Church. This study began on Wednesday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the church library. If you have any questions, please contact Neil Peck at 253-7347 or 258-0110.

 

     May 18, 2025 has been designated as Graduation Sunday here at First United Methodist Church.  If you have a graduate and would like them to be recognized at this time, please contact the church office at 712-258-0119, fill out the yellow worship response sheet found in this bulletin, or email us at scfirst@msn.com, no later than May 8.  

     We would like to recognize as many of our graduates as possible including those from High School, College, Vocational or Technical Schools, and also anyone who might have graduated mid-term or in the fall.

 

Day Tripping w/Lonnie - Thursday, May 22, 1:00pm - Visiting the Ronald McDonald House (2500 Nebraska Street - Park in the back and use the back door.)  The Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home that provides comfort, support and resources to families who travel far from home for the medical care their child needs.  Please sign up on the sheet outside the Church Office. If you have any questions, ask Lonnie Gustafson in church or call him on his cell phone at 712-223-1218.

 

     This Summer, our annual summer Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be from Monday, July 21 through Wed., July 23.  We do not charge anything for children to attend yet there are costs involved so we seek donations.  This years' theme is "True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World". VBS impacts 30-50 kids from our church and the neighborhood each year along with volunteer youth and adults.  You can make a donation during church, mail it in, drop it off, or use the "BillPay" option on your internet banking site/app.

 

Memorial Day Weekend (Sunday, May 25) - At the 9:00 Traditional Service, we will be honoring those persons who have been members of our church (or relate to our church in some way) and have died since last Memorial Sunday.

 

     First United Methodist Church will be hosting the Wesley Bell Ringers on Monday, June 9th. They will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary and will stay with host families from the church (if you are interested in being a host family, contact Gene Wagner). The Wesley Bell Ringers are one of the premier youth handbell choirs in the United States.  They are sponsored by Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. The group was formed in 1963. The choir performs throughout northern Utah during the Christmas season and each summer, travels across North America sharing their beautiful music.  Since its foundation in 1963, over 500 youth have participated in the choir. If you are interested in being a host family, contact Gene Wagner. More information to come.

 

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.

 

      - Wed., May 7 (3:35pm - 4:55pm)- for Pre-K thru 3rd graders & 4th-5th Graders.

 

If you loaned the church any garments (dress, hat, cape, etc.) that were used for the Children’s Christmas Madrigal, you can pick them up at the church office.   

 

 

Adult Sunday School - They meet in the Heritage Room (next to Fellowship Hall) from 10:10-11:00am.  Their last day for this program year is Sunday, May 11.

 

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) 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.

 

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.

May 11 - L-Ma

May 18 - Mc, N, O

May 25 - 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 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.

- Death of Ila Dickey (Age 92). The mother of Mark Dickey.  Ila died on Feb. 13.

- Death of Dr. Ted Roman (age 90).  Ted died on Jan. 26.

- Death of Eunice “June” Zediker (Age 102), mother of Avery Zediker.  June died on Jan. 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!