Straight to the Point
July 26, 2022
Nursery Closed Sunday

There will be no nursey attendant this Sunday 7/31.
From the Bridge Pastor

The weekend was full of excitement in Siouxland: RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great BicycleRide Across Iowa) began. 18,000 bike riders are registered to travel from Sgt. Bluff to Lansing on their 468-mile trek. Not everyone is cut out for such an event which takes place at the end of July…in the heat of July…and goes on for seven days. Definitely, I do not have what it takes for such an event! I have friends who have ridden in previous RAGBRAI events, and I tip my hat off to all those who complete the journey.
It is not only bicycle riding which attracts a certain segment of humanity. Each one of us has unique gifts and talents. Our bodies are composed of distinct parts which, when working together, help us to function in the best way that we can. The Church is made up of individual people with their own unique gifts and talents. If everyone sang in the choir, who would listen to the beautiful music they made? If everyone preached, who would listen to the words of the sermons?
The Church is a living body comprised of people with a common faith. United Church of Christ Statement of Faith—adopted in 1959 reads: (please ignore the lack of gender-neutral pronouns)
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify: He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death. He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.
I am drawn to a particular section, which I will paraphrase: God calls us into God’s church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be God’s servants in the service of humanity, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at Christ's table, to join Christ in his passion and victory.
We are not promised that discipleship will be easy; there is cost and joy. We are called to “proclaim the gospel to all the world” and we do, in so many ways! I am so honored to be your Bridge Pastor and collaborating with you as you live out your call as Christians and prepare the way for your new pastor.

Open and Affirming Task Force update: soon you will see new signs on our property letting people know that all are welcome. Also, please check out the message on the electronic sign on Hamilton.

Personal Note: I continue to be blessed by being the Bridge Pastor at First Congregational Church. I am excited about the forward movement of several things, but there is still a lot of work to do, especially regarding our reputation with the LGBTQ community in Siouxland. I am hopeful that there are things we can do to replace the existing tension and distrust with understanding and acceptance.

Pastor Del
MISSION OF THE MONTH - Sanford Center Summer Program

The Sanford Center Summer Program will be our Mission for June, July, and August. We will once again be supplying cereal, snacks, juice boxes and water bottles. You can bring your donations to church and put them in the grocery cart near the front door or deliver them directly to the Geneva Street location.
   They will be operating both locations this year with 24 at Geneva Street and 12 at the Morningside location. The program started June 6 so we need to get things to them as soon as possible.
    If you would prefer to make a cash donation, make your check payable to the Sanford Center and put Summer Program in the memo line. You can mail the check directly to the Sanford Center at 1700 Geneva Street, Sioux City, IA. 51103.
Moving-On Box Ministry

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.

Current MOB Needs:
bubble wrap (any old packaging to help wrap plates, glasses, etc)
bath towels
cake pans
can openers
3-quart saucepans
pot holders
small plastic glasses
toasters
 Kelley McCarthy 
Bob Nickolson
Darrin Johnson
Ben Hart
Ron Holmberg
Carole Baker
Jay Rosenberg
Ken Cleveland
Thank You, Volunteers!

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

Fill in Minister-Todd Siefker
Worship Leader- Michele Schwerin
Live Stream- Pam Ridgway/Jerrod Kiernan
Sound/Lighting- John Kiernan
 Screen- Jerrod Kiernan

Special Thanks to Our Soloist Katie Logan!
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 June 2022
Updates from Church Treasurer
Giving last month amounted to $10,471, 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

During posted hours, Pastor Del 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 he is available for an in-person visit.

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



Also, Pastor Del will be available for emergencies in addition to office hours. Please call his cell phone at (712) 490-6510.



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