Announcements for the week of July 06, 2025

by | Jul 3, 2025 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Off-Topic Scripture Circle – Mondays @ 10am (NO meetings in July); 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 07/06, 07/13, & 07/20)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 07/20)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen 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
  • 2024-2025 Annual Report – Click here
  • Accessible to All 101 Presentation – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Office Closures & Guest Preacher

The church office will be closed TODAY, July 4th and 7th while Lisa Stanger and Pastor Jessica are away for the Independence Day holiday and vacation.You may contact Kim Yaussy Albright in case of an emergency. Many thanks to Byron Bangert for preaching and leading worship on Sunday, July 6th while Pastor Jessica is away and to Rebecca Keith for offering the Children’s Time that morning. Note that Communion will not be celebrated this Sunday; we will gather at God’s welcome table next Sunday, June 13th.

First Sunday Food Drive

The Board of Outreach invites you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need this Sunday, July 6th placing them on the table in the narthex. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Pathways (formally Monroe County United Ministries, MCUM), and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Click here to for a list of Pathways’ ongoing needs.Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs.

CLT – No Meetings in July & Lesson Planning

There will be no Children’s Learning Time (CLT) during the month of July.Young children will be welcome in the nursery, while all children are invited to remain in worship for the duration of the service. The Play+Pray Space is available for use by children (and any interested adults) throughout the service. CLT will resume August 3rd. 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 Faith Formation.

All those interested in the ways we engage with the youngest among us (especially parents/guardians and CLT leaders) are invited to gather together in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, July 13th to identify the stories we’ll explore as we continue the long season after Pentecost (August-September) and choose crafts connected to the selected stories. Resources will be provided.

Pizza & Play – Date Change

Pizza & Play will be shifted to the second Friday of the month for July and August. 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 on Friday, July 11th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Pastor Jessica know by Thursday, July 10th.

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Church Leadership – Thank You for Serving

July 1st marked the start of a new year of First United leadership. We are grateful for all of those who have completed terms of tremendous service and offer a bit of extra thanks to Ted Wininger (served as Building & Grounds Chair), Siri Loescher (served as Worship Chair), and Mitchell Farmer (served as President). And, we give thanks for all of those who are continuing to serve in official church leadership and those who are beginning new roles of service this year, notably, Kim Yaussy Albright (President), Michael Shell (Vice President), and Vickey Allen (Chair of Worship, Art, and Music). Due to the recent congregational vote to revise our governance structure, roles are still being clarified regarding some leadership positions. Once a full roster has been solidified, it will be shared with the congregation. Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our congregation in these important ways.

Welcome, Ryan Block!

Our Music Hiring Committee is pleased to announce that we have hired First United’s next Music Director, Ryan Block! Ryan is an experienced choral conductor, music educator, tenor, and collaborative pianist who recently moved to Bloomington to begin his doctoral work in Choral Conducting at IU’s Jacobs School of Music. He has held multiple music director positions over the last decade and has experience leading church choirs of all sizes, ages, and musical backgrounds. Ryan is passionate about creating music that brings people together and reflects the heart of the community. We are excited to work with Ryan and benefit from his tremendous musical gifts as he officially begins his service with us on Monday, July 14th.

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:

  •  Jean Peters, following a recent hospitalization
  • Dawn Staggs, in anticipation of surgery
  • Don & Julia Bebeau, following Julia’s recent fall
  • Elizabeth Hanson, as she recovers after a recent hospitalization
  • Jen Lane, recently diagnosed with breast cancer & facing treatment
  • Jean-Paul & Kathy Etienne
  • Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  • Sara Cole
  • Rachel Workman
  • Sam Troxal

Happy Birthday!

Please remember in your prayers and give thanks for those who will be celebrating their birthdays in the week ahead: David Dilcher (July 10), Harold Fiscus (July 10), and Lisa Kwong (July 11). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Volunteer with Community Kitchen

First United has a long history of volunteering with and financially supporting Community Kitchen of Monroe County. We are now volunteering there on the third Thursday of the month, 3:30pm-6:30pm. Our next shift will be on July 17th. 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!

Support Spencer Pride

The Board of Outreach invites you to offer your support to Spencer Pride through a special offering to be received during worship on Sunday, July 20th. While you are likely aware that Spencer Pride coordinates the annual Spencer Pride Festival (held on the first Saturday in October), they also operate the Spencer Pride commUnity center (including their popular retail shop), offer a variety of health and wellness services and general programming, host the Iris Youth Group, advocate for the rural LGBTQ+ community, and perform community outreach, resulting in donations of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours to local organizations and youth each year. During the worship service, Eric Sader, a member of the Spencer Pride board, will share how Spencer Pride is making a difference in the lives of local community members. Thank you for considering supporting this impactful work in our wider community. And, thank you for supporting our June special offering; because of your generosity, we raised $824 for the Love Fund!

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Byron C. Bangert in the pulpit; he will also offer worship leadership throughout the service. Rebecca Keith will offer a special message for the young and young at heart and lend her voice to leading congregational singing. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Additionally, 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. Guest Organist Gabriel Fanelli will lead us in song, and Craig Dalrymple and Lisa Kwong will each offer special music. Kim Yaussy Albright and Daniel Salvat will offer a warm welcome to all those who will gather in the sanctuary and could use some additional help (sign up here). 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 Jessica McIntosh. Note: Communion will be celebrated next Sunday, July 13th.

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

Invitation to Offer Summer Music

The Vocal and Bell Choirs are on a break from rehearsing regularly until August. This hiatus offers a wonderful opportunity for members and friends of First United to share your creative gifts with our congregation. There are a good number of possibilities still available for the coming months.Please reach out to Michael Shell (shellmi@iu.edu) with the subject SUMMER MUSIC if you are interested!

Sunday Morning Tech Team Volunteers Needed

Do you like doing things behind the scenes and/or pushing buttons? If so, please join our Sunday morning volunteer tech team. Every week, it takes two people to run the sound, camera, and computer equipment; in many cases, having three people would be very helpful. This all-volunteer team ensures not only that people in the Sanctuary can hear what is being spoken or sung in the service, but it also ensures that members, friends, and guests have a way to experience the service virtually via Zoom if they cannot attend in person. Recently, the team has been consistently short-handed; therefore, we need people willing to be trained on our audio-visual system and help run the equipment during Sunday worship on a regular basis. If you would like more information on joining the tech team, please reach out to Kyle Hetrick or Pastor Jessica.

COMMUNITY CARE

Meal Train for the Lanes

All are invited to offer support to Jen, James, Justice, and Donnelly Lane as they move forward with Jen’s breast cancer surgery and treatment. Click here to sign up to contribute to their meal train.

Community Immigrant Support

Pastor Jessica has been actively partnering with community members and organizations to broaden our congregation’s support of our immigrant neighbors. If you are interested in getting involved with this important work, please contact her to learn about efforts currently underway and how to contribute. One tangible way you are invited to consider offering support is through contributing money for a nascent legal fund. There is a local man who was snatched by ICE that our community is working hard to bring home, but the legal fees are steep! You are invited to consider donating to the cause: https://givebutter.com/bloom4justice. Feel free to share this link with others who may be interested in helping. Thank you!

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market (PCM) in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays, 9:30am-1:30pm, offering fresh, locally grown produce through CSAs to be picked up or delivered.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. In the coming weeks, you’ll notice garden boxes, vegetables, and wildflowers sprouting up outside of the greenhouse following Council’s approval of this further development to support local food sovereignty during their May meeting.

First United members and friends are always welcome and encouraged to attend the Saturday market! Market members are more than happy to answer questions and guide folks through the growing space. Additionally, you may reach out via email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more or to volunteer with the market.

Task of the Month for Earth Care

In early February, Rebecca Keith and Pastor Jessica participated in the Stewards of Creation workshop along with laity and clergy from over 20 different faith communities.  We learned some easy ways faith communities in our town can get involved in caring for creation. All within our congregation are encouraged to participate in the task of the month. Rebecca Keith will be making periodic announcements and encouraging participation at coffee hour. Check out this Task of the Month website (offered by Earth Care Indiana) 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 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 

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club meets after worship on the second Sunday of the month 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 pick for July 13th is “Clock Dance” by Anne Tyler, a joyful novel by a Pulitzer Prize winning author. 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.

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. The group will not meet in July.

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 currently in the midst of 24-session study on “Beginnings of Judaism” during which Dr. Isaiah M. Gafni guides us in an exploration of the roots of Judaism, reaching back to the Hebrew Bible. How did Judaism develop from its biblical roots to the highly developed system we know today? What has changed, and what has remained constant? Join us in asking the questions and considering present day connections. Learn more here. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required.

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 Jessica 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.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Grant Received!

First United was recently notified that we are a recipient of a Thriving Congregations grant from the Rochester-Genessee Region/ABC. Our congregation will receive: a $28,000 grant with only limited restrictions on its use; 12 sessions of free coaching from experienced church consultants, Ministry Architects (to help us develop a plan for the use of the funds); online learning resources for better equipping us to face today’s challenges; an in-person expense-paid retreat for deep learning and equipped discernment; participation in an online Community of Practice for ongoing support, inspiration, and resources; and guidance and support by the ABCRGR Thriving Congregations Program Team. Our grant team consists of Kim Yaussy Albright, Mitchell Farmer, Rebecca Keith, and Pastor Jessica. Updates will be shared and the congregation will be invited to participate throughout the process. Click here for more 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.

2025 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We are using leftover offering envelope boxes for 2025. This year, 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.

Contact Information

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