Straight to the Point
April 13, 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE:
We have reopened the church for in person services!

We will observe all COVID precautions we were practicing prior to the last shut down. Masks required, social distancing, etc. Watch this space for any updates. The worship service will still be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

If you have any questions call Pam Ridgway (712-202-8304) or contact the church office.
Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will be held on Sunday, April 18th at 11:30 am via in person and zoom.
Final Call for Receipts
Submitted by Ginger France

The school year is drawing to a close. Therefore, Hyvee receipts need to be turned in by Thursday, April 15 at the latest. This is the final collection for this school year. Thank you for turning in your Hyvee receipts. Ginger France
Search Committee

The Search Committee is still in need of at least 1 more member. If you are interested in serving on the current search committee please reach out to Michael or anyone on the search committee.
Rummage Sale
Updates from Jan Nowlen

The rummage sale committee is looking for an outlet that will take older computer set-ups as well as the big older TV sets and not charge anything for taking them. If you know of any place that does this, please let Jan Nowlen know. You can call her at 712-490-5328.

We are hoping that we will be able to have our rummage again this fall and are accepting any donations you may have.
Church Surveys 

Please fill out and submit the FCCUCC Member Survey that was sent on Monday, March 22 as soon as possible.  If you cannot locate your copy please let Michael know and he will send you another copy. There will also be copies of the survey available to fill out at Sunday Worship.
Community Central
Hosted by Lois Darrow

 The checkin will be held on 
Wednesday evening at 7 pm. 

We will send a ZOOM invitation.
Church Attendance
Submitted by Gary Shaner

The sanctuary has been open for several weeks. Participation in the Sunday worship service has been about 30 every Sunday. The Search Committee is in the process of finding a new minister, and presumably they will invite the prospects to conduct a service sometime in the future. It would be a shame for them to turn and run because of meager support.

We have a nice facility, a beautiful worship space, and Todd does a nice Job as the fill-in minister. Please show your support by resuming your attendance.
Nursery

Jessica Orr will be providing nursery care for infants/young children during Sunday worship.
Admiration Series Book Study:

The Sunday morning admiration series will be reviewing the book:
The Last Week
by
Marcus J Borg and John Dominic Crossan

Started Sunday, Feb 21 2021 but it is never too late to join!
(Copies are available on Amazon)

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 are now up and running to Live Stream our Sunday morning worship service via the church’s page on Facebook and Youtube at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Each service is recorded and then available to play at a time that is convenient for you. If you need help in figuring out how to access the worship service via Live Streaming or to view the recorded services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our church administrator. We will be happy to show you how to use this resource.
 
THE PRACTICE OF LEARNING: Zoom learning sessions each week 9:30 a.m. each Sunday.
This time of social distancing and staying well and warm indoors, is a great time to engage your mind in learning, to do some theological reflection, to ask some hard questions about God and life, and to test our embedded theology to see if that is where you are now, or where you want to be.

With Todd Siefker taking over the responsibilities of sermons on Sunday morning services and the 9:30 a.m. book study, we have temporarily suspended our Wednesday night Admiration Series meetings. Please see our note above for our NEW community check-in time on Wednesday evenings!
****
A Closing note about ZOOM:
If you don’t have the ability or the equipment to use Zoom or Facebook to participate in the practices we have named, please call the office. We will be happy to work with you in order to find a solution that will enable you to fully participate in the life of the church during this time of pandemic We don’t want people to feel excluded or isolated from our church community because of the challenges or barriers of technology.

Link to our Youtube where you can watch our services live and recordings of past services:
Click HERE

Remember to Support FCUCC Financially During this Time!
Updates from Church Treasurer

During this COVID-19 event, having no in-person services has impacted our normal income. Thank you to those who have mailed in checks!

FCUCC Finances for March 2021

Giving in March amounted to $12,412, all from mail-in and online giving.

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. Tithe.ly is 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.
Directory
Managed by the Office

We are going back to using Instant Church Directory and 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.
Sanford Center
Submitted by Jan Nowlen

The after school program at the Sanford Center could use donations of the following items:
Chicken Nuggets
Hot dogs and buns
Individual packaged servings of chips,
Treats (no peanuts),
Fruit cups
Juice boxes
Large cans of Nacho Cheese
6 pack boxes of macaroni
  (These two items can be purchased at Sam’s Club)
Large cans of chicken noodle soup

You can drop your donations off at church or at the Sanford Center. If you would prefer to send a monetary donation, please send it directly to the Sanford Center and mark it after school meals. Thank you!

Anne Cleghorn
Sharleen Sorum (Michelle Schwerin's mother)
Dick Morgan and family
Laura Traum
Audrey Ercolini's Family
Madison Darrow
Jan Nowlen
All Teachers and Students
Thank You, Volunteers!

A big "thank you" goes out to our volunteers who have helped with Sunday Services this week. These were:

Fill-in Minister - Todd Siefker
Worship Leader - Eileen Helvig
Live Stream - Jim France
Sound/Lighting - leon Koster
Screen - Jerrod Kiernan
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 CSADV, Crossroads, Welcome Home, and Women Aware.

MOB Needs:
Towels/washcloths
Saucepans
Calendars
Toasters
Dishtowels/Dishcloths
Dish soap
Dishes/bowls
Glasses (plastic, if possible)
The Warming Shelter
The Warming Shelter is one of the local agencies that we try to support. If you would like to donate to them, their currents needs list is below:

Cash to pay utilities and security staffing
Granola bars of any kind,
Tube Socks,
Brown Jersey Gloves (inexpensive ones 10/$10)
Men’s and Women’s underwear( Medium and large sizes).
The Soup Kitchen
Updates from Jan Nowlen

The Soup Kitchen has been hit hard with the expanded need of families and individuals needing food assistance during COVID-19. They have been serving well over 3,000 meals per month and are running critically low on some items and are completely out of others.

Current Needs:
Stick Butter
Bread
Hamburger Buns
Lunch Meat for Sandwiches
Egg Noodles
Sandwich Bags
Dishwasher Soap Pods
Face Masks

Erik's Closet:
Hats
Gloves
Jeans
Underwear
Tennis Shoes
Shampoo
Conditioner
Lotion
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Kleenex
(Travel Sized Toiletried Preferred)

You can drop donations and gift cards off at the Soup Kitchen or Mail them to:

717 W. 7th Street
Sioux City, Iowa 51103

If you want to make a online donation to the Soup kitchen please use the following:
Venmo : @siouxland-soupkitchen
PayPal : siouxlandsoupkitchen@gmail.com
All donations can be issued a receipt for tax purposes.
Church Office Hours
9a.m.-1p.m. Monday-Friday


Church Staff:

Michael Danner, Church Office

Todd Siefker, Intergenerational Coordinator

Jim McCrory, Custodian

Michael Danner, Organist

Jessica Orr, Nursery Coordinator
Church Contact Information
(712) 239-3385
office@firstcongregational.net
www.firstcongregational.net


office@firstcongregational.net

tsiefker@gmail.com

building@firstcongregational.net

office@firstcongregational.net

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