First United Sunday Update April 11, 2021

Today's Sunday Morning Update Our morning began at 8:30 with the return of our weekly Adult Zoom Sunday School Class. This morning unfortunately brought some technical problems which didn't allow us to livestream our worship service. However, we were able to record the sermon by phone and post it on our website for those who'd still like to share it. (*see link below) During our Worship Service at 9:45, we discovered how our doubts play a role in deepening our faith. In the Gospel of John 20:19-31 (click to read verses), the disciple named Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive after being crucified and buried. How could Jesus be among the living? We explored how Jesus helps us with our doubts and leads us into a new reality. At 11am, our Sunday School Classes for all ages met in several rooms throughout our lower level. Sunday School meets on the 2nd & 4th Sundays each month. CORE & JAM Youth Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays and will return next Sunday at 11am.

Weekly Devotions (from this week's "Taking Faith Home") Read: John 20:19-31 Thomas wants what the other disciples experienced: seeing the risen Lord. Seeing is a major theme in the Gospel of John. Jesus says to two disciples, “Come and see” (John 1:39). The woman at the well tells the townspeople to “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done” (John 4:29); the man born blind sees Jesus and says, “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38). Mary Magdalene sees the resurrected Jesus in the garden and tells the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18). Our reading for this week ends with sensitivity to those who will not see the resurrected Lord Jesus yet will come to believe. The Gospel of John wrote down enough signs from Jesus that people “may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God” and “have life in his name” (v. 31). Today’s disciples, like the ones in the Gospel of John, believe because they see through the eyes of faith. We have the Holy Spirit that we may have a living relationship with Jesus through today’s disciples, those who continue to tell the stories of the Scriptures that we may come “to see,” to believe and have life in the name of Jesus. Who or what has helped you see with the eyes of faith? Prayer Risen Lord, we thank you for blessing us with a community of faith and the Scriptures that we may see that you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Amen.

Our “Taking Faith Home” publication is a great resource for exploring your faith all through the week. It provides daily readings, prayers, devotions, and service opportunities following the weekly lectionary readings. Click here for this week's complete new edition.

Contemporary Readers Return Our Contemporary Readers Group is reading White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America by Anthea Butler. Everyone's invited to read it and then join them for a discussion this evening (4/11) at 5:30pm in the Koinonia Lounge (with masks and safe seating). The group's really excited to be meeting in person again!

"Becoming Mom Strong" Bible Study For those who signed up and purchased their books, our first gathering will be tonight (4/11) at 8pm via Zoom. Don’t worry - there's no homework for this week. We will discuss how we'll proceed. If you didn't sign up yet but would still like to join, there's still time. Email Pastor Meggan (meggan@firstunitedpc.org), and she'll make sure you know what books to purchase. The Zoom link information will be sent in a separate email.

Wednesday Night Zoom Check In Please join us every Wednesday from 7-7:45pm to fellowship with one another via Zoom. This is a great time to get to know fellow church members and friends better. Feel free to pop in for a bit or stay for the whole time. Here's how you can join our gathering: *For a video link next Wednesday, click here. * For a phone connection next Wednesday, dial 1 (312) 626-6799...  Meeting ID: 740 456 986... Passcode: 120171...

Pastors in the Family Life Center Everyone's invited to join us Thursday (4/15) from 10-11am in the Family Life Center for some safe, face-to-face interaction. It can be invaluable as we continue to navigate life with Covid-19. Also, Spring is in the air, so we hope to move back outside very soon with these weekly gatherings. Join us!

Our Connecting Ministry is looking for some helpers to bake bread in our church kitchen on Saturday, April 24 for a special fundraiser. For more details, please contact Amy Cassidy at 370-3817 after 3pm.

Mark Your Calendar! We're looking for volunteers to help with a church Spring Clean-Up Day coming Saturday, May 1, beginning at 8:30am. Watch for more details!

No Fooling - April Agape Was a Hit! Last Wednesday's Agape Drive-Thru Dinner was another great event! Many church members and Agape friends drove by to pick up a tasty, free dinner to go. In fact, there was such a long line of hungry participants that we ran out of food! As always, we offer a BIG thanks to all our amazing Agape volunteers for sharing the love on behalf of our church family (and they didn't even get to eat)! The next Agape Drive-Thru Dinner is set for May 5.

Thanks for Your Continuing Support > On-line giving: www.firstunitedpc.org > Smart phone giving: ChurchPlus app > Mail your checks to: First United Presbyterian Church 605 N Webster Ave De Pere, WI 54115

Sunday (4/11) - Quentin McCurley & Linden O'Brien Monday (4/12) - Clara Weiss Tuesday (4/13) - Amy Cassidy Friday (4/16) - Michele Griffith Saturday (4/17) - Ian Mackey Next Sunday (4/18) - Ken Nyberg Why not call, email, or send them a card?

> Contemporary Readers Group ("K" Lounge) - this evening (4/11) 5:30pm > Becoming Mom Strong (Zoom) - Tonight (4/11) 8pm > Deacons Meeting (Koinonia Lounge) - Monday (4/12) 6pm > Finance Ministry Meeting (Zoom) - Monday (4/12) 6pm > Weekly Zoom Check In (Zoom) - Wednesday (4/14) 7pm > Pastors in the Family Life Center - Thursday (4/15) 10am > Adult Sunday School (Zoom) - next Sunday (4/18) 8:30am > Sunday Worship Service - next Sunday (4/18) 9:45am (in person at church, live stream on our Facebook page, or view a recording after the service on our website) > CORE/JAM Youth Groups (Middle High Room) - next Sunday (4/18) 11am > Session Meeting (Zoom) - Monday (4/19) 6:30pm *To schedule a meeting at the church, contact the church office. To schedule an online Zoom meeting, contact Pastor Meggan.

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