Church Council will meet after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday April 24th.

On Sunday, Aril 24 from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM, we (Dick O, Ruth H, Darrin J, and Mike T plus a few other recruits) will be serving you breakfast—pancake, scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy, juice and coffee in the Fellowship Hall.  $2 for adults, kids are free. We need to spend some time together again. We’re getting the hang of this so expect things to be warmer and tastier this time.  Hope to see you!

Springtime is here and Senior's are graduating! Please send any applications for the First Congregational Graduating Senior Scholarship to the office and/or treasurer as soon as possible. Application is simply your name and relationship to the church, including an essay about what it means to you to be a part of First Congregational in Sioux City

The Church Book Club will meet this Thursday, 4-21 at 9:30am in the Fellowship Hall. You can also join in over ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84122876208

The season of Lent has ended. A few of us joined for a time of quiet reflection on Wednesdays during Lent. We began Holy Week with Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion and the powerful dramatic reading, “Cry of the Whole Congregation” by Walter Wangerin, Jr. We followed Jesus’ journey from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the final hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We gathered for our Maundy Thursday which included Holy Communion and a dramatic reading entitled “Judas” which I wrote. Michael Danner portrayed Judas and I portrayed Satan. Several of us joined the congregations of First Congregational Church of Whiting and Mayflower Congregational Church at Mayflower for a Good Friday service. Nan Cord, Ginger France, John Kiernan, and I participated in the leadership of that service.

On the Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday, we welcomed a brass quintet comprised of my friends: Seth Snakenberg, Dave Pepin, Allison Anderson-Kahl, Dave Snakenberg, and Jules Banks. Michael Danner provided beautiful Easter music including accompanying the brass on several of the hymns.

The early Church leaders felt that Easter was such an important event, that it would be celebrated not only one Sunday, but for 50 days! It ends with the third major festival of the Church year, The Day of Pentecost. In the meantime, we will hear wonderful biblical accounts of what Jesus did between the Resurrection and his Ascension into heaven.

Blessed Eastertide.

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

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.

A reminder of my hours:

Mondays: 9:00-noon and 1:00-4:00

Tuesdays: 2:00-5:00

Wednesdays: 2:00-5:00

Thursdays: 9:00-noon and 1:00-4:00

During my posted hours, I might be called to visit someone in the hospital or who is homebound. It will be a good idea to call ahead to ensure that I am available for an in-person visit. Also, I will be available for emergencies in addition to office hours. Please call my cell phone at (712) 490-6510.

The Church's Mission Committee is designating April for helping Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the local organization which builds beds for children who need them. Thank you for your completely wonderful response, to the Easter tree donation drive and the Fundraiser a Buffalo Alice on Sunday!

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.

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.

"Judas" Dramatic Reading- Michael Danner, Pastor Del

Worship Leader- Nan Cord

Additional Readers- Jan Nowlen, Pam Ridgway, Anne Shaner

Sound/Lighting- John Kiernan

Worship Leader- Phoebe Schwerin

Live Stream- Pam Ridgway/Jerrod Kiernan

Sound/Lighting- John Kiernan

 Screen- Jerrod Kiernan

Special Thanks to the Brass Quintet!

Seth Snakenberg, Dave Pepin– Trumpet

Alison Anderson-Kahl– French Horn

Dave Snakenberg, Jules Banks– Trombone

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 $10,400, 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