Announcements for the week of December 8, 2024

by | Dec 6, 2024 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Advent Study – Sundays in December @ 9am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • 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 (needed 12/15 & 12/22)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 12/08 am & pm, 12/15, & 12/22)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 12/22)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 12/19)
  • Online Commitment/Pledge Card – Click here
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United YouTube Channel (sermons) – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel (full worship services) – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Pizza & Play – TONIGHT!

Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for Pizza & Play TONIGHT, Friday, December 6th, 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.


Advent Study

All are invited to consider the biblical stories regarding the birth of Jesus through a four-week Advent series based on “The Birth of Jesus” by John Shelby Spong. The group will gather in Room 1 each Sunday in December, 9am-9:45am, to discuss the assigned reading for the day, which is as follows: December 8th, Chapters 5-8; December 15th, Chapters 9-12; and December 22nd, Chapters 13-16. Contact Pastor Jessica with any questions. For those unable to join in person, click here to join via Zoom.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet this Sunday, December 8th at 12:30pm in person offsite for a holiday season pitch-in. We will read and discuss “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. For location or more information, contact facilitator Cindy Stone (stonec@Indiana.edu).

Quarryland Men’s Chorus

All are invited to join the Quarryland Men’s Chorus as they present Rest Ye Merry directed by Mitch Serslev, Artistic Director. The concert will take place in First United’s beautiful Sanctuary this Saturday, December 7th, at 7:30pm and again this Sunday, December 8th, at 3:30pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, free for 12 and under. For more information visit quarryland.org.

Candlelight & Carols – THIS SUNDAY

Join us for our special Candlelight and Carols service this Sunday, December 8th at 6:30pm. We embrace the Advent Season with a joy-filled evening of carols and candlelight, readings and reflection, community and cookies. The service will be sprinkled with special music provided by our Adult Vocal Choir, Children’s Choir, and Bell Choir. As is our tradition of generosity in the celebration of Advent, a special offering will be taken to support Hotels for Homeless, a local organization proving emergency shelter grounded in low-barrier, Housing First principles to proven to reduce homelessness and preserve community resources. Executive Director Katie Norris will join us to share more about their impactful work in our community. Please join us and invite the special people in your life. Additionally, all are invited to bring a finger-friendly dessert to share during a reception following the service.

Finals Week Study Hall—More Volunteers Welcome

This December, First United will be hosting a study hall space (in Roger Williams Hall) for students in the area. The study hall will run Thursday, December 12th–Wednesday, December 18th (except for Sunday, the 15th), 2pm-8pm. The Board of Education welcomes additional volunteers to monitor the space during these times (thank you to all who have already signed up!); sign up to here to help. Snacks and beverages will be provided for attendees; if you are interested in providing snacks for the study hall or have any questions, please contact Megan Merrick (mvmverric@iu.edu).

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Happy Birthday!

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating birthdays this week: Jamie Wildman (December 9) and Martin Mutai (December 14). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Angel Tree

The Monroe County Foster Closet is the focus of this year’s Angel Tree. The Foster Closet provides clothing for kids and teens, equipment, toys, books, and linens to foster and kinship families when they are in need. The Foster Closet also helps those who have aged out of foster care, families in shelters, and children who have experienced abuse. The Foster Closet is currently in need of winter pants (jeans, sweat pants, corduroys) for boys and girls. Other winter clothing is also welcome. Tags on the Angel Tree indicate children’s winter pants and a size between 3T and 12. There are also tags for educational toys for children from 3 to 12. Take as many tags as you like! Please DO NOT WRAP your purchases. These items will not be given as gifts but will be available for the Foster Closet to distribute as needed. Bring donated items and place them under the tree no later than the Christmas Eve service.

Divine Incarnations

We are all called to embody hope, peace, joy, and love as we live our lives. As a reminder of this invitation and affirmation that you are created in the divine image, you are encouraged to bring a baby picture of yourself and those in your family to display on the bulletin board outside of the Sanctuary throughout the Advent/Christmas season. At this time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who decisively reveals God’s character and passion, let us also celebrate the inbreaking of the divine shared forth through our lives.

What’s in a Name?

Did you know that Yeshua (in Hebrew; Jesus, in Greek) means “God saves”? Naming stories are common within the biblical text, and each of us has a story behind our name. Perhaps your name reflects a deep hope your parents had for your life, perhaps you were named after a beloved relative, perhaps your name came after arduous discussions between family members, perhaps your name is one you chose for yourself to express your innermost identity. Whatever the story of your naming and the meaning of your name, you are invited to share them with Pastor Jessica via email or a legibly written note by Sunday, December 22nd. Please indicate whether you are willing to have your story shared as she will share as many stories as possible during the December 29th Cozy Christmas worship service.

Christmas Eve Worship

Mark your calendars and plan to celebrate Christmas Eve with your First United family and friends on Tuesday, December 24th at 7pm. Join us in person or via Zoom as we encounter the familiar story of Christmas as told in the Gospel of Luke, raise our voices in singing beloved carols, and once again pass the flame from candle to candle. A special offering will be collected to benefit Hotels for Homeless, a local organization proving emergency shelter grounded in low-barrier, Housing First principles to proven to reduce homelessness and preserve community resources.

Special Offering Update

Throughout 2024, the Board of Outreach invites you to offer additional support to a variety of local organizations and ministries through monthly special offerings. On Sunday, October 20th, we received $620 for First United’s Love Fund! And, the results of this year’s Harvest Ingathering (received throughout the month of November) was 414 pounds! Thank you for your continued generosity!

Volunteer with Community Kitchen

First United has a long history of volunteering with and financially supporting Community Kitchen of Monroe County. We volunteer there on the third Thursday of the month, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Our next shift will be on December 19th. This is a good way to build community within and outside of our church. To volunteer this month or subsequent months, contact Laurie Eynon (leynon73@icloud.com or (812) 336-1219); she will sign you up or put you on the call list, whatever works for you. Thank you!

Church Office Closed – Holidays

The church office will be closed for regular hours December 24th-January 3rd. If you need assistance during that time, you may contact Pastor Jessica on December 24th and 29th. Additional emergency contact information will be forthcoming.

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. Jack Martindale will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. The Martindale Family will lead us as we light the Second Candle of Advent (the Candle of Peace). 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, and the First United Vocal Choir will offer special music. Kim Yaussy Albright and Dave Meyer will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary and could use some help; 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 Laura Kao.

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

Join Our Church Choirs!

All those who are musically inclined are invited to join First United’s Bell and Vocal Choirs. The Bell Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays in Roger Williams Hall from 6:15-7:15pm,and the Vocal Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7:30-9:00pm in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining either or both choirs, please reach out to Eric Meincke (ericdmeincke@gmail.com). Hansol Kim can also answer questions about joining the Bell Choir (mitsol919@gmail.com). No prior experience 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!

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:

The family of Anne Wright (Mary Peckham’s sister), following her death

Martin Mutai, as he recovers from a recent surgery

Jerry Barker (Jen Lane’s mother)

Jameson Poorman (Jen Lane’s nephew)

Rachel Workman

Sam Troxal

Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)

LGBTQ+ Covenant Group Game Night

Our LGBTQ+ Covenant Group will host a board game night on Friday, December 13th at 6pm in Fellowship Hall. While there will be plenty of games and some snacks, attendees are welcome to bring a snack/game to add to the mix. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome to join in the fun! Contact Ben Ale-Ebrahim with questions (benalebrahim@gmail.com).

Support Refugees

Our Displaced Immigrant Support Program (DISP) needs your help and is seeking volunteers so that we can help additional refugees. We are currently working most actively with a Syrian family that speaks Arabic. DISP is also partnering more with the Bloomington Refugee Support Network (RSN). This allows for future volunteers to more easily participate in “one-off” activities such as driving a refugee to/from an appointment without making a longer-term commitment. Can you help? Please contact Dave Meyer at dave@davemeyer.org for further information.

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.

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall regularly each Saturday. During the winter season, the market will shift to a more limited schedule for full, live market days while continuing to pack and deliver CSA every Saturday, 10am-2pm. Mark your calendars for their Winter Market dates: December 14th and 21st, 10:00am-2:00pm. 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.

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 Roger Williams Hall or via Zoom (click here) Tuesdays at 10am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. We are in the midst of a 24-sesson study: “Jesus and His Jewish Influences” presented by Jodi Magness. Learn more about the series here. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required.

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 Megan Merrick for leading CLT this Sunday.

You are invited to consider whether you might be able to join our teaching rotation to enrich the program for the kids and gain so much from the experience yourself! Lesson materials and supplies are provided, and we have seasoned leaders to help get newer volunteers acclimated. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Megan Merrick, 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. Jessica McIntosh and Lena Stosberg 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.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Congregational Meeting

Members of the congregation will vote on the budget during a congregational meeting that will be held immediately after the worship service on December 15th. All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend. Members unable to attend in person will be able to join using the regular Sunday worship Zoom link. Those Zoom attendees who wish to do so can become “panelists” so they can speak and be heard during these sessions. Click this link to download and review the current budget draft. Please direct any questions to Mitchell Farmer or Kyle Hetrick.

Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

Offering envelope boxes are available in the church office. 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.

Contact Information

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