Announcements for the week of August 30, 2026

by | Aug 28, 2026 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Synoptic Gospels Bible Study – Sundays @ 9:15am; access reading schedule here; for Zoom link contact Pastor Jessica
  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10:15am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 08/30, 09/06, & 09/13)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 09/06 & 09/13)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Milk Money Volunteers sign up – Click here
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United YouTube Channel (sermons & more) – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel (full worship services) – Click here
  • 2026 Online Pledge Card – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Vigil for ICE Detainees

The Indiana Organizing Project (www.indianaorganizing.org) is hosting a vigil for the ICE detainees in the Miami Correctional facility at 8:50pm TONIGHT, Friday, August 28th at the Courthouse Square (southeast corner) in downtown Bloomington as they attempt to organize 50 such vigils across Indiana that weekend. Please consider joining together with neighbors and friends throughout our community for this peaceful vigil. If you are unable to attend in person, you are invited to pause for a moment of reflection at that time.

Fifth Sunday Potluck Returns

This Sunday, August 30th will see the return of our Fifth Sunday potlucks—a chance to share food and fellowship after worship as a full congregation, reflect further on our sabbatical and summer experiences, and celebrate a new school year in this education-centered community. Bring a dish to share (labeled for allergens if possible) or just join us; there are always plenty of tasty dishes. If you’d like a one-off volunteer opportunity, join us at 9:30am to set up, or just jump into cleanup afterwards. Contact Mary Peckham for information (mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047).

Support People’s Market

The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to offer your support to People’s Cooperative Market through a special offering this Sunday, August 30th. People’s Cooperative Market, which has been housed in our building on Saturdays since October 30th, 2022, began with a commitment to anti-racism and providing a safe place where all persons have access to locally grown fresh food; they often provide free food or food at a buyer’s suggested price.The Board invites you to give generously to this mission, one piece of relieving food insecurity in our community in support of our congregation’s recently discerned and affirmed justice emphasis.Jada Bee will share about the impactful work of the People’s Market during worship. Thanks to your abundant generosity, we raised $425.80 for Middle Way RISE! during the July 19th special offering. Thank you for your tremendous support!

Exodus Refugee Donation Barrel

The Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America (BDSA, who meet weekly in Room 1) have set up a barrel in the Fellowship Hall entranceway to support our refugee neighbors. It will be there throughout August. Feel free to donate accepted items listed on the barrel.

Start of a New Music Season!

The Bell and Vocal Choirs are excited to begin their 2026-2027 season this fall! Vocal Choir rehearsals have already begun, and Bell Choir rehearsals will start on September 3rd. The Bell Choir will rehearse weekly on Thursdays in Room 4 from 6:15-7:15pm, and the Vocal Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining either the Bell Choir, Vocal Choir, or both of the choirs, please reach out to our Music Director, Ryan Block, at blockryfuc@gmail.com. No prior experience or ability to read music is required to join either group! If you love music and want a way to express that love through fellowship, the First United Church Music Ministry is the place for you!

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Happy Birthday

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating their birthdays in the week ahead: Kyle Hetrick (August 30), Jean Peters (September 1), and Madeline Betz (September 5). And, a belated happy birthday to Emily Mathes (August 26)! We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Pizza & Play – Date Change

Pizza & Play generally takes place on the first Friday of each month. For the month of September due to the Labor Day holiday, we will gather on the second Friday, September 11th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for this time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship. As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Maria Biggs at mbiggs1954@yahoo.com know by Wednesday, September 9th.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet on Sunday, September 13th, at 12pm, in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom to discuss “What You Are Looking for is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama. A book of the year award winner, this a charming Japanese novel about how the perfect book can change a reader’s life. Sayuri Komachi, a Tokyo librarian, can sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provides just the book recommendation to help them find it. A retail clerk looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recent retiree searches for newfound purpose. In her unique book recommendations, each find what they need to achieve their dreams. This novel is about the magic of libraries and the discovery of connection. An inspirational tale which shows how, by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunity and reaching out, we too can fulfill our dreams. Feminist women of all ages are invited to join us. Check out our book club’s Pinterest listing here. For Zoom information or more information about the book club contact facilitator Cindy Stone, stonec@iu.edu.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The Board of Community & Outreach (Julia Bebeau, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, August 31st, at 6:30pm. All meetings of Boards and Council are open to the wider congregation. Please be in touch with appropriate chairs if you are interested in attending.

Poetry Reading

First United member Lisa Kwong will be reading poetry and creative nonfiction at 12:30pm on Saturday, September 5th, at the Fourth Street Festival as part of the Writers Guild at Bloomington’s Spoken Word Stage. The complete lineup and more info can be found here. All are welcome to come out and support Lisa as she shares her work with our wider community.

Racial Justice Book Read: “Getting to Reparations”

The Bloomington Multifaith Alliance Faith for Racial Equity (BMA-F4RE) is organizing a community read of “Getting to Reparations: How Building a Different America Requires a Reckoning with our Past” by Dorothy A. Brown, professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center and nationally recognized scholar in the areas of race, class, and tax policy. You are invited to purchase the book and gather for discussion with others exploring this important material in Roger Williams Hall on the third Sunday of each month (Sept-Nov), 12-1pm. Our reading/discussion schedule is as follows: September 20th (Introduction & Part 1: Our Hidden History), October 18th (Part 2: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once), and November 15th (Part 3: Righting Wrongs). Contact Pastor Jessica with any questions and if you’d like assistance purchasing a book.

Freedom School for Youth

The Education Committee of the Monroe County Branch of the NAACP is proud to announce the formation of a Freedom School for local children of ALL races, grades 6-8. The program will begin with a meeting for parents/guardians on Sunday, September 13th, 3-4:30pm, at the downtown library.

This fall, there will be two gatherings of students for fellowship, fun, food, and LEARNING, where the group will be prepared for one of two field trips to experience Black excellence in the arts (free of charge for each student and one accompanying adult). October event: attend a matinee of Tomorrow’s Sentry, a Resilience Productions play about the history of Civil Rights leaders in Monroe County. November event: attend the Potpourri of the Arts at Indiana University to see the Choral Ensemble, the Dance Company, and the Soul Revue of the renowned African American Arts Institute.

Starting in January, the group will begin holding regular classes downtown, likely on Sunday afternoons (when parking will be free). The curriculum will be a celebration of Black History, Black Culture, and Black Excellence focusing on core moral values and character development. Students will be empowered to have hope and pride and to learn to work together for a brighter tomorrow. Call Julie Roberts (812-606-5915) for further information, to donate, or to get involved!

Make-a-Will Month: Create Your Will for Free!

August is nationally recognized as Make-a-Will Month, and you’re invited to put your love into action by creating or updating your will at no cost! In 2024, the Pension Boards-UCC and UCC National Ministries launched Together for Tomorrow, a shared legacy campaign that provides our UCC community with access to FreeWill. Through FreeWill, you can create or update your will in minutes and, if you choose, leave a planned gift to the causes and ministries that matter most to you. Click here to learn more and make your will today.

National Make-a-Will Month is an annual reminder about the importance of writing a will. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the values, people, and ministries that have shaped our lives, and to share lasting expressions of love and generosity with those who matter most. Watch (click here) and discover the importance of estate planning and its lasting impact with UCC’s General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, and David A. Klassen, President and CEO of the Pension Boards-UCC.

Camper in the Parking Lot

You may have noticed a camper in the parking lot next to the white bus, which has been there for some time. Both are being stored at the request of Hotels for Homeless, an organization our congregation has supported through special offerings in recent years. The camper will soon be given to an H4H family, while the bus is awaiting brake repairs and will likely remain with us a while longer. Thank you for your openness to sharing our space with our community partners!

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai in the pulpit as we continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke. As it is a fifth Sunday, we will once again engage with Marty Haugen’s “Holden Evening Prayer” (with a couple of adjustments to make it appropriate for morning worship). Jada Bee will offer a Mission Moment sharing about the impact of the People’s Market. Kim Yaussy Albright will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Lisa Kwong will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Ryan Block and Sion Park will lead us in song, and Reimagining Opera for Kids will offer special music during Children’s Time. Du Huynh and Daniel Salvat will offer a warm welcome to those who gather in the sanctuary; sign up here to help. And Kyle Hetrick and Martin Mutai will welcome all who join via Zoom as they ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible. A beautiful flower arrangement will be provided by Jen Lane for her stepmom Lucy Haprer’s birthday, a lifetime member of the ABC church, deceased. Finally, be sure to join us for the return of our Fifth Sunday potlucks—a chance to share food and fellowship after worship.

Join the Zoom Webinar by clicking here

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

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

Donate online by clicking here

COMMUNITY CARE

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:

        Craig Dalrymple

        Daniel Salvat

Sam Troxal

Sara Cole

        Barb Clark

        Phyllis Perkins

        Frank Ivey (father of Sara Ivey Lucas)

        Jean Peters

        Elizabeth Hanson

        Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)

First Sunday Donation Drive

The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to offer needed donations on the first Sunday of each month on a table in the Narthex. Next Sunday, September 6th, 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 Pathways, and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Updated items needed for Pathways include cleaning/hygiene products: hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent (sheets or liquid), kids 3-in-1 shampoo & bodywash women’s deodorant, conditioner, bleach, adult/baby lotion, sponges, bodywash, mouthwash, and cleaning spray, razors, plastic wrap, aluminum foil. Their food wish list includes: broth (chicken or beef); alfredo sauce; mayo, mustard, ketchup; instant coffee & tea; grape/strawberry jelly, syrup, sugar, & apple sauce; easy on-the-go snacks, pudding, chips, snack bars, etc.; easy mac; sloppy joe; taco kit; instant rice, pancake mix, breakfast oatmeal, cereal; oil, dressings or sauces, any condiment seasoning; bread & flour tortillas; tomato paste; honey. Gluten-free and non-dairy options are much appreciated. Thanks to your generosity, a total of 120 pounds in donations was delivered following our August 2nd drive!

Hoosier Jazz Festival

First United will serve as a performance site for the main event of the first annual Hoosier Jazz Festival running August 31st-September 5th. The weeklong affair, Miles & Trane @ 100, will focus on the extraordinary musical output of jazz titans Miles Davis and John Coltrane as collaborators, sidemen, and solo artists. From a salon performance at the Waldron Arts Center to a film screening and Q&A at IU Cinema to the main event at First United Church (plus so much more), the festival promises to have something for almost everyone devoted to, interested in, or even slightly curious about jazz. 

Hoosier Jazz Inc. proudly welcomes to the stages some of the finest talent from Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Louisville, including living legend Jamey Aebersold, local favorite Postmodern Jazz Quartet, IU jazz faculty, students, and alums, and headliner Rahsaan Barber. The festival will also feature insightful sessions with ethnomusicologist and radio personality Nia I’man Smith, WFIU jazz director David Brent Johnson, and film scholar James Naremore to complement all the exhilarating music. Peruse the entire festival schedule at hoosierjazzinc.org.

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market (PCM) in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays, 10am-2pm, offering fresh, locally grown produce through CSAs to be picked up or delivered. The full market is once again up and running; join them any Saturday. The PCM also operates the high tunnel greenhouse to the south of the church playground, which includes a community garden and produces food that is given out at no cost to members of our wider community seeking local, nutritious fresh food. Reach out via email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more or to volunteer with the market.

Milk Money for Pathways

First United has launched Milk Money, a six‑month commitment (March-August) to support families at Pathways through their Nourish Together program. Our church has pledged to provide all of the milk Pathways families need during this time. Thanks to your generosity, we have collected $1071 to purchase the milk! Church volunteers are needed to purchase and deliver the milk to ensure safe handling and consistent supply; sign up here. If you have any questions or problems signing up, please contact Kristin Martindale (kmdale@iu.edu).

Task of the Month for Earth Care

All within our congregation are encouraged to participate in Earth Care Indiana’s task of the month, a tangible and manageable way you can get involved in caring for creation. Rebecca Keith will make periodic announcements and encourage participation at coffee hour. Check out this Task of the Month website to learn about the tasks that are scheduled. Even small things can make a difference!

The Joy of Hosting

Our Member Relations Committee continues to offer support to weekly coffee hour hosts and encourages 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

Read the Synoptics in a Year: Gospel of Luke

As we seek to live out our mission more fully, you are invited to explore the words and deeds of Jesus through studying the synoptic gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke) over the course of the year. We are already two-thirds of the way through our journey! Join us as we continue our exploration of the Gospel of Luke through daily readings (access suggested reading schedule here), a weekly Sunday morning discussion group (9:15-10am in Roger Williams Hall, contact Pastor Jessica for Zoom link), and weekly sermons during worship.

Children’s Learning Time

Each Sunday morning, children in kindergarten and up begin in the Sanctuary with their families and proceed to Room 2 with their adult leads for Children’s Learning Time (CLT) following Children’s Time. Many thanks to Jessica McIntosh and Brishna Arman for leading CLT this Sunday. Contact Jessica McIntosh if you are interested in volunteering.

Nursery Care

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

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in Roger Williams Hall or via Zoom (click here) Tuesdays at 10:15am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. We are currently engaging with a 24-session study “Thinking about Religion and Violence” presented by Dr. Jason C. Bivins (who earned his PhD in Religious Studies from IU!). In a world where violence in the name of religion can impact so many people’s lives, it’s critical to understand the intersection between religion and violence. Join us as we embark on a global, multidisciplinary investigation of religious violence as we examine the roots of this phenomenon and are guided toward more informed ways of thinking about it. Learn more here. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Office Closure

The church office will be closed for regular hours Monday, September 7th through Friday, September 11th for the Labor Day holiday and while Lisa Stanger is away on vacation. Please contact Kim Yaussy Albright should you need immediate assistance on September 7th or Rev. Petersen-Mutai September 8th-11th.

New Organist

We are thrilled to welcome our new Organist, Sion Park, to the music team of First United Church! Sion has served as a substitute organist for us in the past, and we are excited to have this opportunity to make music with her on an ongoing basis. Welcome, Sion!

2026 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We will use leftover offering envelope boxes for 2026. For 2026, your number box will not be the same; please contact Lisa Stanger if you would like envelopes! 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.

Announcements Deadline

If you have information to include in our weekly announcements email, please send your item to Lisa Stanger by noon on the Monday before.

Staff Information/After Hours Contact

Church Officers

Board Chairs

Pastoral Relations Committee

Noel Koontz, Kristin Martindale, Mary Peckham, & Ted Wininger

Email, RSS Follow