Announcements for the week of April 28, 2024

by | Apr 26, 2024 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Mondays @ 10am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am;Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here  
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 04/28, 05/05, & 05/12)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 05/05 & 05/12)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 05/05)
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 05/16)
  • Online Commitment/Pledge Card – Click here
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel – Click here

DON’T FORGET

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall regularly each Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm, but it will not be open to the public THIS Saturday, April 28th (they will still provide CSAs). The People’s Market is an intersectional anti-racism farmers market and artisan vendor space that focuses on food justice work. All are welcome to attend the Saturday markets and/or order from their online CSA for pickup or delivery; food is always made available to anyone in need. You are also encouraged to consider volunteering with People’s Market; if interested, contact them directly at peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com.

The Market is hosting Health & Wellness Days on the third Saturdays of the month now through June during regular market hours. You are invited to attend as these Market days focus on various aspects of health and wellness from physical health, mental health, pregnancy, aging, spiritual health, massage, yoga, reflexology, herbal medicines, and more! Learn more here.

Support Hotels for Homeless

Throughout 2024, the Board of Outreach invites you to offer additional support to a variety of local organizations and ministries through monthly special offerings. THIS Sunday, April 28th, a special offering will be received to support Hotels for Homeless, and Katie Norris will be with us to share about their impactful work. H4H is grounded in low-barrier, Housing First principles proven to reduce homelessness and preserve community resources. In addition to providing shelter in hotel rooms, H4H is committed to helping participants visualize and attain sustainable futures for themselves by utilizing a holistic care approach. For more information about Hotel for Homeless click here.

Pizza & Play

Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for Pizza & Play on Friday, May 3rd, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy a time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship in Fellowship Hall and surrounding areas, both inside and out (weather permitting). As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided, so please let Pastor Jessica know by 5pm Thursday, May 2nd if you’re planning to attend so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

A Death in Our Church Family

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of Melba Aynes (b. March 9, 1928) on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Melba was an active, faithful member of First United Church for many years. We give thanks for her 96 years of life and send our love and sympathy to her family and loved ones. Melba’s full obituary is available here.

Happy Birthday!

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating their birthdays in the week ahead: Barb Clark (May 5) and Leo Fultz (May 5). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Sacred Places Grant Application

Church leadership was recently notified that we received a New Dollars/New Partners Capital Grant through Sacred Places Indiana following our application at the start of the month. While the award committee did not fund our full proposal, they did award First United a 2:1 matching grant (their $2 to our $1) to replace our worn-out Sanctuary roof! Many thanks to our grant writing team, early financial supporters, and all others who contributed to this effort!

Conversations are underway regarding how to move forward with the other worthwhile projects not funded by the grant: 1) replacing our cracking, crumbling, mismatched Sanctuary floor tiles and restoring the terrazzo flooring through-out the building, and 2) installing a hearing loop under the Sanctuary floor to assist those with hearing loss. More information will certainly be forthcoming.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will not meet in May. We typically meet in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom. We are women who have a lively discussion starting at 12noon, for about an hour. We read recent fiction “by women, for women or about women.” Members are equally split among women from our church and the community. Feminist women of all ages are invited to join us. Our June 9th book selection is “A Council of Dolls” by Mona Susan Power. Check out our book club’s Pinterest listing: http://pinterest.com/reginammoore/feminist-book-club/. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@indiana.edu.

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai in the pulpit; she will also offer a special message for the young and young at heart. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Additionally, Mitchell Farmer will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Eric Meincke and Hansol Kim will lead us in song. Dave Meyer and Ted Wininger will offer a warm welcome to all those who will gather in the sanctuary (sign up here to help). And, Kyle Hetrick and Jim True will welcome all who join via Zoom as they ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible. Finally, be sure to join us in Fellowship Hall after worship for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Dave Meyer and Cindy Neidhart.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

Dial-in number: (312) 626-6799; Webinar ID: 828 3681 0281

The service will be posted on Sunday evening on First United’s Vimeo channel (where you can access all of our previous worship services).

Donate online by clicking here

A Note of Gratitude and an Invitation from our Music Director

Last Sunday’s service marked the end of the Vocal and Bell Choir’s year of music. I could not be prouder of the hard work both choirs put in this semester, and I look forward to next year looking to build on the monumental progress we made. Thank you to everyone who made this wonderful year of music possible. With that, this means that both choirs will take a break from rehearsing regularly until August. Please stay tuned for a possible summer project.

Further, regarding summer music, there are still plenty of slots available to offer your talents to the congregation. Please reach out to Eric Meincke (ericdmeincke@gmail.com) if you are interested!

COMMUNITY CARE

First Sunday Food Drive

The Board of Outreach invites you to offer food donations on the first Sunday of each month on at table in the narthex. This month, on Sunday, May 5th, we encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), located in the Crestmont neighborhood of Bloomington, and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Click here to for a list of MCUM’s ongoing needs; note their special request for Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes and tomato sauce, Ramen, Baking mix, Crackers, Laundry soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Feminine hygiene products.Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs.

Keeping Up with Our Congregation

One of the gifts of being part of a community of faith is that we don’t face the ups and downs and middles of life alone. We invite you to share what is going on in your lives by contacting Lisa Stanger and/or Pastor Jessica so we can appropriately share information (with your permission) with our wider community of care that we might offer our support whatever you may be facing.

You are encouraged to offer your prayers and actions of support for:

  • The family of Melba Aynes, following her death
  • Sam Troxal
  • The family of Nora Sullivan
  • The family of Ruth Chesmore
  • Danielle Sheets Ivey
  • Parker Waltz and family
  • Michael Tindall
  • Beth and Leni, friends of Jennifer Fultz
  • Lisa Kwong
  • Vicky Keith (Rebecca Keith’s sister-in-law)
  • Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)
  • Jeanne and Norm Overly

Support the Love Fund

Our congregation receives regular requests to help individuals and families who turn to First United with emergent needs, and we are grateful to be able to assist local people in our community through First United’s Love Fund. The Love Fund has been used to help with rent, housing deposits, utilities, and occasionally miscellaneous assistance with food, prescriptions, and transportation aid. We offer this much needed assistance in cooperation with various social service agencies and Saint Vincent De Paul. Without your support, this valuable ministry cannot continue. While you are welcome to support the Love Fund anytime during the year, your support is critically needed at this time as our funds are low, meaning we will have to turn people way. Thank you for considering making a donation to this impact fund through the church office or by dropping a gift in the offering plate during worship (please mark your contribution “Love Fund.”)

Displaced Immigrant Support Program

First United’s Displaced Immigrant Support Program (DISP) continues to work with our 3rd refugee family, a brother and sister from Nicaragua (whom you’ve likely met in worship!). If you would like to volunteer your time directly with this family, which might include assisting with transportation to or from appointments, cultural introductions, and general friendship and fellowship, please let us know. To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Dave Meyer (dwm@davemeyer.org) or Hopi Stosberg (hopi@stosberg.com).

The Joy of Hosting

Our Member Relations Committee continues to offer support to weekly coffee hour hosts and encourage everyone to sign up to host—it’s easy, fun, and a great way to serve your church family with a one-time commitment. Sign up as buddies or families, invite someone you’ve been wanting to get to know, use the occasion to showcase a family recipe or try out a new one. Sign up to host by clicking here.

EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS 

Off-Topic Scripture Circle

You are invited to join members and friends of First United via Zoom (click here) each Monday morning at 10am to check in and explore the week’s lectionary scripture readings in a casual setting where you will never be asked to leave your brain or your heart at the door.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in person or online Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. We are currently in the midst of a 24-sesson study: “The History and Archeology of the Bible” with Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required. Those interested and able are welcome to gather in Roger Williams Hall; those choosing to join online via Zoom can do so here.

Children’s Learning Time

Each Sunday morning, children in kindergarten and up will begin in the Sanctuary with their families and proceed to Room 2 with their adult leads for Children’s Learning Time (CLT) following the Children’s Time. Many thanks to Molly Koontz and Emily Mathes for leading CLT this Sunday.

We continue to welcome and encourage additional adults to join our teaching rotation to enrich the program for the kids. Lesson materials and supplies are provided, and we have seasoned leaders to help you get acclimated. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Molly Koontz, Pastor Jessica, or any member of the Board of Education.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Lena Stosberg and Jessica McIntosh will ensure our little ones are safe and engaged in fun activities during worship this Sunday and will join with CLT to ensure safe conduct ratios are met. We are always looking for additional volunteer assistants to help in the nursery occasionally. Contact Molly Koontz if you are interested and with any questions.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Transformative Stewardship – Cultivating Hearts, Nurturing Community

Though our annual stewardship campaign, Transformative Stewardship – Cultivating Hearts, Nurturing Community formally came to an end on Sunday, February 25th, you are still welcome to complete and submit your paper commitment/pledge cards (drop them in the offering plate on Sunday or deliver to the church office) or to fill out the online commitment/pledge card here. Your pledges of time, talent, and treasure play a “key” role in sustaining and advancing the mission of First United Church!

2024 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We are using leftover 2023 offering envelope boxes for 2024. If you used envelopes this year, your number box will not be the same; please look for your name. Envelope boxes are available on a table outside of the Sanctuary entrance closest to the chancel. Whether you’ve used them before or this is your first time, you are welcome to pick up a box! Alternatively, if you would like to give to the church through direct deposit, please contact Lisa in the office to make sure she knows you would like to give in this convenient way and has your updated information.

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