Straight to the Point
March 29, 2022
~CONGRATULATIONS~

Congrats and kudos to our very own Verlee Owens!!! 
Verlee was recognized at the Women Aware 'Women of Excellence' Award Dinner last Thursday, March 24. The pandemic precluded an award dinner in 2020 or 2021.  

Verlee is the 2020 recipient of the Marilyn Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award.  This award recognizes that Verlee Owens has 'demonstrated a long-standing commitment to advocating for women, their families and her community.' It also acknowledges her significant impact on our society and her ability to inspire others. Through her advocacy efforts, Verlee has empowered the disenfranchised. Congratulations, Verlee, on this well-deserved recognition!
PSA from the Treasurer
Submitted by Jeff Stellish
Lately, I’ve had a few folks make out checks to “the Food Bank” and place them in the collection plate. When I receive checks made out to “the Food Bank”, I cannot deposit them into the church account. If you want the Church to collect for the Food Bank (or any other charity) and send those funds on, all checks must be made out to First Congregational with any specific purpose stated in the memo line (in this case “Food Bank”).
Calling all foodies!

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".
Plastic Easter Eggs

There are a ton of plastic Easter eggs upstairs that we are looking to donate. If you know of an organization that might need them for an Easter egg hunt or for your own, let Jan Nowlen know (712-490-5328)
Midweek Lenten Services

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 23rd, 30th and April 6th.

Looking Ahead at Special Worship Opportunities

  • April 10—Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion
  • April 14—Maundy Thursday
  • April 15—Good Friday at Mayflower Congregational Church
  • April 17—Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday

Readers Needed on April 10

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.

Easter Tree Update
The tree is looking rather bare and the gathering box is overflowing onto the floor. Thank you for your wonderful response! 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!
MISSION OF THE MONTH - Siouxland Food Bank

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.

Thank you for your continued support of FCUCC’s Missions.
HY-VEE RECEIPTS FINAL COLLECTION SUNDAY IS APRIL 24
Submitted by Ginger France
Thank you for continuing to turn in all those Hy-Vee receipts. Our most recent collection totaled $4692. HyVee designates one percent of the total to be given to help education. What an easy way to benefit education with something that would otherwise just be thrown away. April 24 will be the final receipt collection for this school year.  
Moving-On Box Ministry
Submitted by Ginger France
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.

MOB Needs:
Small plastic glasses
Dishes/Bowls/Silverware
Saucepans
Cookie sheets
Cake Pans
Bath towels
Toasters
Dish cloths
Calendars
Laundry Soap
Dish soap
Bob Rassmussen
Elizabeth Din
The family of Thomas Plaza
The Family of Doug Siefker
Summer Cord and Family
Linda Smith
Sharleen Sorum (Michelle Schwerin's mother)
Thank You, Volunteers!

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

Fill in Minister- Rev Del Olivier
Worship Leader- Ginger France
Live Stream- Pam Ridgway/Jerrod Kiernan
Sound/Lighting- Kevin Knepper
 Screen- Jerrod Kiernan
Cantor-Steve Lundberg
Directory
Managed by the Office
We are using Instant Church Directory. Printed versions of our directory are available in the narthex or by request. Please inform the office of any directory updates that you would like to include for yourself or your family. You can also pick up one of the directory update forms on the table outside the church office or find it on our website.

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.
Join Us

We invite you to engage and strengthen your faith with these practices:

THE PRACTICE OF WORSHIP: Live Streamed on Facebook and Youtube, and recorded
We Live Stream our Sunday morning worship service via the church’s page on Facebook and Youtube at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Every service is recorded and available to play at any time on those platforms. If you have trouble, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the church for help. 
 
THE PRACTICE OF LEARNING: Zoom learning sessions each week 9:30 a.m. each Sunday.
Engage your mind in learning through theological reflection, asking hard questions about God and life, and test your embedded theology to see if that where you want to be.
A Closing note about ZOOM:
If you don’t have the ability or the equipment to use Zoom or Facebook to participate in these practices, please call the office. We will be happy to help you find a solution to fully participate in the life of the church.

Link to our Youtube where you can watch our services live and recordings of past services:
Click HERE
FCUCC Finances for February 2022
Updates from Church Treasurer
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. 
        Tithe.ly is our online, app and web-based giving system. It's convenient because it:
  • Accepts debit, credit or bank account info
  • Can be set up for a one-time payment, or automatic regular payments
  • Can be changed at any time (there are no contracts or commitments)
Go to http://get.tithe.ly to sign up online, or download the app on any iPhone/Apple or Android device.
Remember to Support FCUCC Financially During this Time!
Church Office Hours

Sunday 11:30am-3:30pm
Monday-Thursday 9am-1pm


Pastor Del's Office Hours

Monday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Tuesday 2pm-5pm
Wednesday 2pm-5pm
Thursday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm

Church Staff:

Rev. Del Olivier

Michael Danner, Church Office/Organist

Todd Siefker, Intergenerational Coordinator

Jim McCrory, Custodian

Jessica Orr, Nursery Coordinator
Church Contact Information

(712) 239-3385

Pastor Contact Information

(712)-574-8292





pastor@firstcongregational.net

office@firstcongregational.net

tsiefker@gmail.com

building@firstcongregational.net

jessica.orr@hotmail.com
4600 Hamilton Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 239-3385