The congregation is invited to a Prayer Service for Ukraine at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church this Thursday, March 10 at 5:00 PM. Pastor Del, Father Luke, and other area clergy will be leading the service. Refreshments will follow the service.

Pastor Del

The Book Club will be meeting on this Thursday, 3/10 at 9:30 in the Church Library to discuss our latest book selection, The Lager Queen of Minnesota. Please plan to join us in person or via Zoom

We thought spring would never come, but we're planning to usher it in with a breakfast in the fellowship hall on Sunday March 20th, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45a.m. We will be serving scrambled eggs, pancakes, and bacon.

Kids under 12 free

$2 donation going for supplies. If you plan to bring more than your family, let Dick Owens (712-258-5050) or Ruth Holder (712-898-5495) know.

It is an honor for me to serve as your interim 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)!

As announced before, I plan to be in the office on certain days during certain times; however, now that I am getting into a pattern, I can see that I have need to be in the office on Tuesday as well; therefore,

My new hours will be:

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

Tuesdays: 2:00-5:00

Wednesdays: 2:00-4:00

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.

Join us for a 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 7:00 pm and will take place on March 9, 16, 23, and 30 and April 6.

Looking Ahead at Special Worship Opportunities

April 10—Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion

April 14—Maundy Thursday

April 15—Good Friday

April 16—Vigil of Easter

April 17—Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Sunday

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.

For the next several weeks you will be greeted by an Easter tree in the main foyer. 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!

Please start wearing your name tag again to help Pastor Oliver get to know everyone by name. Thanks.

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.

Interim Minister- Rev. Del Olivier

Worship Leader- Nan Cord

Live Stream- Pam Ridgway

Sound/Lighting- Kevin Knepper

 Screen- Jim France/Jerrod Kiernan

Cantor- Noah Towns

Interim Minister- Rev. Del Olivier

Worship Leader- Suzanne Johnson

Live Stream- Pam Ridgway

Sound/Lighting- Kevin Knepper

 Screen- Jerrod Kiernan

Cantor- Steve Lundburg

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.

11:30am.-3:30pm. Sunday

9am.-1pm. Monday-Thursday

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

Tuesday 2pm.-5pm.

Wednesday 2pm.-4pm.

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