Announcements for the week of June 14, 2026

by | Jun 12, 2026 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Synoptic Gospels Bible Study – Sundays @ 9:15am; Join Zoom Meeting here, access reading schedule here
  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 06/21 & 06/28)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 06/14 & 06/21)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Milk Money Volunteers sign up – Click here
  • Charity vs. Justice video – 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
  • Sabbatical Coverage Guide – Click here

DON’T FORGET

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet on Sunday, June 14th, at 12pm, in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom to discuss “The Language of Flowers, A Novel” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. 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 Finance (Kyle Hetrick, Chair) will meet in Roger Williams Hall on Monday, June 15, at 2:30pm. 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.

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: Kenny Yebei (June 16) and Sabine Lammers (June 20). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Church Office Closed

The church office will be closed for regular hours June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday. While Lisa is away you may contact Kim Yaussy Albright with any emergent needs.

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. This Sunday’s service will feature Rev. Shelli Yoder in the pulpit; she will offer a special message for the young and young at heart. 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. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. Ryan Blok will lead us in song. Jaehee Won is our guest organist, Cindy Stone will provide special music. Daniel Salvat and Linda Smith will offer a warm welcome to those who 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 the Sanctuary for Coffee Hour hosted by Mary Peckham.

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 break until August. This hiatus offers a wonderful opportunity for members and friends of First United to share your creative gifts with our congregation during worship. There are a good number of possibilities available for the coming months.Please reach out to Ryan Block (blockryfuc@gmail.com) if you are interested!

Search for a New Organist

Our authorized Organist Hiring Team formed after Hyeyeon Ahn’s resignation has developed a job posting for the Organist position; access it here, and share it with anyone who might be interested. The Organist Hiring Team consists of Ryan Block, Joe Stiefel, Rachel Caswell, Michael Shell, and Pastor Jessica. You are welcome to contact a member of the hiring team should you have any questions.

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 Rev. Shelli 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:

  •         Daniel Salvat
  •         The family of Don Bebeau (following his death on April 22nd)
  • 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)
  •         Sam Troxal

Congratulations to Dr. Megan Merrick, who in addition to completing her Ph.D., has accepted a faculty position at Warren Wilson College, a liberal arts school in Asheville, North Carolina. We will miss her many positive contributions to our church family, particularly as a vital member of the choir, our board of education, and the CLT team. She writes: “The last month has been a whirlwind for me! I am relieved to have finally secured a post-PhD position, but I am also sad to be leaving you all.”We thank you for all you have shared with us and wish you and Ryan the very best.

Special Offerings – Abundant Generosity!

Thanks to your abundant generosity, we raised $415 for El Centro during the May 17th special offering. Thank you for your tremendous support!

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. Rather than donating milk directly, the Board of Community & Outreach invites members to give designated donations (cash or checks marked “Milk Money”); thanks to your generosity, we have already collected $807! Church volunteers will purchase and deliver the milk to ensure safe handling and consistent supply. Volunteers are also needed to help purchase and/or deliver milk; 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!

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.

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 Matthew

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. Join us as we explore the Gospel of Matthew through daily readings (access suggested reading schedule here), a weekly Sunday morning discussion group (9:15-10am in Roger Williams Hall and via Zoom, click here), and weekly sermons during worship. Let us continue on the journey of following Jesus more faithfully and fruitfully in 2026!

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 Children’s Time. Many thanks to Jessica McIntosh and Julian Lammers Lunghi for leading CLT this Sunday. CLT will take a break in July.

Nursery Care

Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Julian Lammers Lunghi 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.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion – Taking a Break

Is taking a break from our regular Tuesday morning discussion group during Pastor Jessica’s sabbatical. We’ll reconvene on August 11th, 10:15-11:30am, and re-engage 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

Sabbatical Coverage

Our Sabbatical Planning Team has made arrangements to ensure that church life runs smoothly and congregational needs are met during Pastor Jessica’s sabbatical (May 11-August 9). Shelli Yoder has been called as our Sabbatical Pastor for this period, and congregation members have taken on extra responsibilities to serve our church well. A description of Sabbatical Pastor duties and guide to who is doing what can be found here. Please reach out to a member of the Sabbatical Planning Team—Kim Yaussy Albright, Emily Mathes, Mary Peckham, Vickey Allen—with any questions.

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.

Contact Information

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