QUICK LINKS
- Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Sundays @ 9am; Join Zoom Meeting here
- Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Meeting here
- Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10am;Join Zoom Meeting here
- Future of Sanctuary Technology questionnaire – https://firstuc.online/sanctuary-tech
DON’T FORGET
Rev. Petersen-Mutai Away
Pastor Jessica will be away on vacation August 2nd-15th and return to the office on Monday, August 16th. During her time away, Derek Roe will be available for emergency pastoral care; you may contact him through the church office (812-332-4439) or via email (faithformation@firstuc.org). For any administrative needs, please contact Lisa Stanger in the office (info@firstuc.org).
NEW THIS WEEK
Reader’s Choice Book Group: Meets Monday, August 9, 1:30 pm. at the home of Nancy Martin to discuss ” Same kind of Different as Me” a memoir by Ron Hall and Denver Hall. Call Nancy for more information.
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, a message from Derek Roe, M.Div., for the young and young at heart, moving music from Sam Troxal (including a special musical offering); Keith Gerber will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead. Siri Loescher, Mary Peckham, and Laurie Eynon will offer a warm welcome and bulletin for those who gather in the sanctuary, and Dave Meyer will greet those joining us via Zoom. The beautiful flower arrangement is provided by Bill and Phyllis Perkins. And our amazing AV Team (Kyle Hetrick, Jim True, and Mitchell Farmer) will ensure that all of the tech pieces run as smoothly as possible! We will also celebrate communion; those who are joining us via Zoom are invited to prepare a “nibble” and a “sip” at home, and self-contained individual communion elements will be provided for those worshiping in person.
Thank you for continuing to mask and distance during worship as we find our way through this transitional period and keep the most vulnerable among us safe! The full Reopening Policy can be accessed here. Any questions or concerns regarding the policy should be addressed to the Church Council.
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here
Dial-in number: (253) 215-8782; Meeting ID: 946 3570 8633; Passcode: 879535
The service will be posted late Sunday afternoon on First United’s Vimeo channel (where you can access all of our previous worship services).
Donate online at: firstuc.online/donate; offering plates available at each entrance into the Sanctuary
COMMUNITY CARE
Food Items for MCUM
Our church food pantry is open for nonperishable food items to be delivered to MCUM. The pantry shelves are located just outside of Fellowship Hall for church members who wish to donate in person again. While the Board of Outreach will remind you every month to bring food items to church by first Sunday of each month, you are welcome to bring your donations at any time. Don Shelton (our MCUM board member) will deliver the donated goods to MCUM on the Monday following first Sunday of each month. Last month’s donations were 68lb.
Spencer Pride Wall Rehab Fundraiser
Through August 13th,Spencer Pride is raising rehab funds for the commUnity center rear wall – with a big boost from a Gannett Foundation-sponsored grant and fundraising contest. They are seeking your help to make our goal!
A Community Thrives is a fundraising contest with grants and matching funds. When Spencer Pride raises their first $3,000, they will receive $2,500 from Gannett Foundation. In addition, they may qualify for grants up to $100,000. They are also competing for a bonus grant of $4,000 for the most unique donors (with different emails) between August 2nd and August 9th. You are invited to help them win that grant.
DONATE:
- https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Spencer-Pride, click on DONATE, and make a generous gift to rehab the commUnity center’s back wall. This is a “must do” project to expand their program space on the second floor. The wall is badly damaged, so this is a BIG repair job.
- VERY IMPORTANT! Mark your calendar to donate $5 or more between August 2nd at noon and August 9th to help win the contest for most unique donors with a bonus grant of $4,000. Members of your household can boost their total if each donates at least $5 with a different email address.
Ministers of Care
The Ministers of Care group is seeking people who would like to visit one or two older church members about once a month in their homes (or to connect over the phone as concerns regarding COVID-19 persist). These visits could last about 20-30 minutes and would be scheduled at your convenience. If you would like to learn more about this meaningful ministry, please contact Sarah Burton (812-361-6201 or burtonsp@indiana.edu).
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Calling All Committee, Club or Group Chairs
Are you the chair of a First United committee, club, or group? The Board of Education will be hosting its final Summer Series event on Sunday, August 29th immediately after church and we’d like you to share what your group is about! Please email Molly Koontz at Molly.Koontz@yahoo.com and she will provide more information about how you can participate.
Off-Topic Scripture Circle
Want to read and discuss the week’s scripture readings with friends before church in a casual setting where you will never be asked to leave your brain or your heart at the door? We have the place for you! Those who are interested and able to gather in person are invited to gather in Room 6, and those who would like to join us online via Zoom can do so here. See you Sunday morning, 9am-10am!
Tuesday Café and Discussion
Join us in person or online at 10am-11:30am each Tuesday for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. The group is currently viewing and discussing a series entitled The Apocryphal Jesus, a 24-session video lecture series offered by David Brakke, Ph.D., M.Div. Through this series, participants will gain a new perspective on early Christian life and history through non-canonical Christian literature. Previous participation not required. For those interested and able to gather in person, we’ll be in Fellowship Hall; those wanting to join online via Zoom can do so here.
Families with Kids Are Invited to Children’s Time!
Families with kids are welcome to attend in-person worship in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings! During worship services our youngest ministers will be invited to come to the front of the sanctuary and sit on the steps like usual for a special message just for them in the Children’s Time! Masks and distancing are required. We are not currently offering Nursery care or the Children’s Learning Time class in Room 2 on Sunday mornings, so kids will stay in the sanctuary during the service. Please contact Derek Roe at faithformation@firstuc.org with questions.
Youth Group
Anyone in grades 6-12 (or their parents!) who are interested in being part of any of the church’s summer activities like Summer Series, in-person Youth Group meetings, and potentially Bloomington PRIDE, can contact Derek Roe at faithformation@firstuc.org for more information.
CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ushers and Readers and Flowers—O My!
With the return of in-person worship in the Sanctuary has come the return of volunteer opportunities to make such experiences meaningful and smooth-flowing. You are invited to sign up to serve as an usher or scripture reader/congregational lead and/or to provide flowers either online or in person. Sign-up sheets are available in the Narthex for ushering and scripture reading, and the signup binder for flowers is available outside of Fellowship Hall. Rather sign up online? Click here for ushering, here for Scripture Reader/Congregational Lead, and here to donate flowers. Contact Siri Loescher (sannloescher@gmail.com) or Rev. Petersen-Mutai with any questions. Thank you!
Volunteers Needed for Bloomington Pride
First United will be participating with a booth at Bloomington Pride on Saturday, August 28th. Volunteers are asked to sign up for an hour segment or whatever time you wish via an online sign-up (link forthcoming) or on the sheet located in the church narthex. Volunteers are needed from 1:30pm to 8pm, with cleanup taking place anytime between 8pm and 10pm. For questions or further information, contact co-chairs Keith Gerber or Kim Yaussy-Albright, or any member of the Board of Outreach.
Indoor Gatherings
A reminder that our building is open once again for in-person gatherings. While masks are encouraged for all, they are required in the building for all age 2 and above if you are unvaccinated or if children (under age 18) are present, and social distancing of at least 6 feet should be maintained at all times between individuals, households, or “pods.” If you would like to hold a meeting in the church building, please contact Lisa to reserve a room.
The Updated Reopening Policy can be accessed here. Any questions or concerns regarding the Reopening Policy should be addressed to the Church Council.
Announcements Deadline
If you would like an announcement included in next week’s church email, please have your item to Lisa Stanger by noon on the Wednesday before.
Contact Information
- Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai, Senior Minister – revpetersenmutai@firstuc.org; 812-727-4414 (Friday & Saturday off; emergency calls only)
- Derek Roe, Assistant Minister for Children & Youth Faith Formation – faithformation@firstuc.org
- Lisa Stanger, Office Manager – info@firstuc.org
Sam Grace, Music Director – samuel.c.grace@gmail.com
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