Please wear your name tag during Sunday worship to help Pastor Olivier get to know everyone by name. Thanks.

It's been over 2 years since we've been able to go out to eat together 😢. Let's change that by getting together after church on Palm Sunday, April 10th at Crave. This will be an opportunity for us to fellowship with our church friends by nourishing our bodies and our relationship with each other 🙂. If you have any questions, you can talk to Constance Popken. And remember... don't forget to wear your "stretchy pants".

Because of darkness and cold weather, we are moving to noon for our short worship service of Evening Prayer on the Wednesdays during Lent. These services will not be streamed, but are intended to be used as a break from your normal routine as we prepare for the most holy festival in the Church Year, The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday. The services begin at noon and will take place on March 23, and 30 and April 6.

The order of worship for the service that day will be, “The Cry of the Whole Congregation.” This service is adapted from the writings of Rev. Walter Wangerin, Jr. (1944-2021). In addition to a narrator and people to read lines for Peter, a Pharisee, Judas, and Pilate, the congregation also has a role in this reading. The service begins with a procession with palms and continues with the preparation and eating of the Last Supper, Jesus’ agony in the Garden, the judgment before Pilate, the Crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus.

Please let Pastor Del know if you would be willing to participate in this service by reading the parts for narrator, Peter, pharisee, Judas, and Pilate.

It is an honor for me to serve as your bridging pastor! It is an interesting time for all of us to be the Church! 

Our prayers continue to be lifted up for the Ukrainian people as the incursion by Russia continues and thousands of Ukrainians are fleeing the country in search of safety and as Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are dying. Lord, have mercy!

Our prayers also continue to be lifted for our country: for the political divisions which seem to be widening, for the poor, for those who are homeless, for those who are sick, for those who are dying, for those who have already or are ready to give up hope.

Our prayers continue for the whole Church and in particular, First Congregational United Church of Christ that we may continue to strive to be the hands of Christ in the city, in the state, in the nation, and in the world.

In this Lenten season, let us all take a few moments each day to reflect on the blessings we have received from our good and gracious God and to pray for all those who do not know God and those who need God’s special help in their lives.

Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory)!

The tree is looking rather bare and the gathering box is overflowing onto the floor. Thank you for your wonderful response! There are a few eggs left on the Easter tree if you would like to purchase one of the items they are requesting. This is a giving tree for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the local organization which builds beds for children who need them. Several of you are already planning to attend the fundraiser my clergy group is helping to host at Buffalo Alice on Sunday, April 10 from 4:30-7:00. Live and silent auction items will be sold during the fundraiser. (For those who are not able to attend, checks can be made out to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and I will be happy to put them into the tip jar.)

The giving tree is an opportunity for people to buy and donate specific items that are needed for the children, for example, pillows and bedding. There are also items for those building the beds, for example, contractor garbage sacks and steel wool. (Please note that all items must be new and unused.)

Thank you for your generosity!

The Church's Mission Committee is designating March for helping the Siouxland Food Bank. Siouxland Food Bank is experiencing a shortage and would appreciate any help we may give. You can bring non-perishable food items to church and place them in the grocery cart inside the main door, write a check with Missions in the memo line, or give money so that the Food Bank can buy their own needed items. However you choose to give, please know you are helping feed those in need in Siouxland.

In supporting the 'gift' of moving on, we fill lives with hope and household essentials for those leaving transitional housing at Safe Place and Welcome Home.

Dishes/Bowls/Silverware

Saucepans

Cookie sheets

Cake Pans

Bath towels

Toasters

Dish cloths

Calendars

Laundry Soap

A big "thank you" goes out to our volunteers who helped with services this week.

Fill in Minister- Rev Del Olivier

Worship Leader- Anne Shaner 

Live Stream- Pam Ridgway/Jerrod Kiernan

Sound/Lighting- John Kiernan

 Screen- Jerrod Kiernan

To access the directory online visit members.instantchurchdirectory.com and you should be able to create a login using the email listed in the church directory. If you need any help accessing the directory or would like a copy emailed to you, contact the church office for assistance.

Click HERE

Giving last month amounted to $10,774, from mail-in, online giving, and Sunday offerings.

You can help us stay on track by mailing in your check or setting up an automatic payment from your bank. You can also contribute through a simple app called Tithe.ly. 

Go to http://get.tithe.ly to sign up online, or download the app on any iPhone/Apple or Android device.

Sunday 11:30am-3:30pm

Monday-Thursday 9am-1pm

Monday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm

Tuesday 2pm-5pm

Wednesday 2pm-5pm

Thursday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm