* Church Announcements (03/18/2025

 

- 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

- 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: “What’s in a Name?

Worship Assistant (9:00 service) - LaDonna Deavers

(Online) Piano - Pat Harm

Organist (9:00 service) - David Chobar

 

6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested.

7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.

8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate,

10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

13 "Crucify him!" they shouted.

14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.  But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

 

✞ In God's eyes, what do I really deserve by the way I act and live?

     - A Preview Question for Pastor Roger’s sermon this Sunday (March 23).  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 15:6-15.

✞ How has God blessed me more than I deserve?

     - Another Preview Question for Pastor Roger's sermon for this Sunday (March 23).

 

✞ How will I say "Thank You" to God for blessing me more than I deserve?

     - Focus Question from Pastor Roger's sermon on Sunday, March 23.  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

 

“He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”

“His Name is Wonderful”

“Forth in Thy Name, O Lord”

 

“He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”

“His Name is Wonderful”

 

1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;

his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

 

2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,

by waters still, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis his hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;

his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

 

3. Lord, I would place my hand in thine, nor ever murmur nor repine;

content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me, by his own hand he leadeth me;

his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.

 

1. Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go, my daily labor to pursue;

thee, only thee, resolved to know in all I think or speak or do.

 

2. The task thy wisdom hath assigned, O let me cheerfully fulfill;

in all my works thy presence find, and prove thy good and perfect will.

 

4. For thee delightfully employ what e'er thy bounteous grace hath given;

and run my course with even joy, and closely walk with thee to heaven.

 

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

 

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

 

In Worship During Lent, we will be following the final day of Jesus' life as shared in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 15).  Beginning with Jesus before Pilate (March 16), then the crowd choosing Barabbas over Jesus to be released (March 23), the soldiers mocking Jesus (March 30), Jesus to Golgotha (April 6) and then Jesus as "The King of the Jews" (April 13).

 

Celebration Bells will be “ringing” on Sunday, March 23 at the 9am Traditional Worship Service.

 

Leadership Board will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, March 25 in the Music Academy Office.

Hunt Elementary School Band & Handchimes Concert is Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm.  The 4th graders and the 5th graders each have their own handchimes groups as a part of our Music Academy @ First.  They are directed by Gene Wagner (our Music Academy Director) and both groups will be playing 2 songs.  Admission is free and is held in the school gym.

 

Celebration Bells will be “ringing” on Sunday, March 23 at the 9am Traditional Worship Service.

 

   Come join us for a Lenten journey entitled, "The Final Days. A Lenten Journey through the Gospels" by Pastor Matt Rawle.   This six-week study is offered twice each week: Wednesdays at 11:00am in the church library and then, the same lesson, offered Sundays at 10:10am in the Heritage Room as part of our Adult Sunday School Class.

   If you have any questions, please contact Neil Peck at 258-0110, or call the church office. 

 

United Women in Faith (UWF) Special Mission Recognition recipients for 2024 are Barry Enockson, Peggy Mace, Virginia Taylor & Dori Young. We  honored them last Sunday (March 16) at our 9:00 Traditional Worship service!

     This award is given each year to an individual (or individuals) in our church who have shown their love for God and the church through their actions.  Recipients are chosen through a selection process set up by the UW in Faith and a donation is made in each of their names to missions.

 

     It is that time of the year again to decorate our sanctuary for Easter Sunday (April 20) with lilies.  The plants are 6" pots and have 4-6 blooms.  The cost is $20 per plant.  If you would like to provide an Easter Lily(ies) in memory or honor of a loved one, please phone the church office (258-0119) from 8:30am-noon, Monday-Friday, stop by the church office, email us at (scfirst@msn.com), or fill out an order form on Sunday at church.  Order forms are available by the church office.

 

Thursday, April 17 @ 7pm - Maundy Thursday “Holy Communion” service

Friday, April 18 @ 7pm - Good Friday “Tenebrae” Service

Easter Sunday (April 20) - 2 Worship Services at 9am & 11:15am – Kid’s Easter Egg Hunt with Fun and Games Between Services

 

     We are going to have an Easter egg hunt, picture backdrop, games, crafts and fun on Easter Sunday for all children and their friends 5th Grade and younger.  It will take place between our 2 worship Services (10:10am - 11:10am).  Contact our Children’s Pastor, Martha, if you are interested in helping out.

 

     Please drop off individually wrapped candy to the Church Office by Sunday, April 13. (Mini-size). You can also make a cash donation towards the purchase of Easter candy by placing your donation in a white pew envelope on Sunday mornings. There will be an Egg Hunt for the children on Easter Sunday, April 20, during Sunday School.

 

     The cost of the entire system and installation is $6,980.  It would be installed by Thompson Solutions Group.  If you have any questions, feel free to talk with Neil Peck or Pastor Roger. 

 

     Founded in 1987, the Siouxland Soup Kitchen provides a free meal to anyone in need, in a dignified and respectful manner. The Soup Kitchen serves over 2,500 meals per month, relying only on the assistance and generosity of our local community. Any donation will be greatly appreciated and used to provide nourishment to someone in need.  You can find out more about them at their website (www.siouxlandsoupkitchen.com).

     You can make a donation during church, mail it in, drop it off, or use the "BillPay" option on your internet banking.  In addition, we also ask that you keep them in your prayers each day this month.

 

              - Wed., April 23 (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.

 

    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 together for the first station and then divide into two groups: Bible Adventure and Imagination Station (crafts/science).

 

New Sunday School Class for 3rd Grade: Come receive a Bible and learn how to use it! Call Pastor Martha at 712-898-6854 for more information.

 

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.

 

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.

March 23 - Mc, N & O

March 30 - P, Q, R & S

April 6 - T-Z

   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 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.