Announcements for the week of March 16, 2025

by | Mar 14, 2025 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • 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 03/23)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 03/23 & 03/30)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 03/20)
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United YouTube Channel (Lenten devotionals, sermons, & more) – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel (full worship services) – Click here

DON’T FORGET

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays.The market is now open every Saturday, 9am-1pm, to pick up fresh, locally-grown produce. They also continue to pack and deliver CSA every Saturday while offering a more limited schedule for fuller market days. Beginning on March 15th, they will host a Rummage Sale on the second Saturday of each month (yes, they realize that this month’s sale falls on the third Saturday). Email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more about getting a booth or to volunteer with the market.

Additionally, the People’s Market will be presenting their Spring Sprout Food Systems Series March 27th-30th here at First United. All are invited to participate in these 4 days of events including natural dying, food demos, recipe and seed swaps, film screenings, presentations from food service organizations and food producers, Q&A panel, and roundtable community food accessibility discussions, and, of course, with local artisans and food vendors. Learn more here.

Worship Relocated – THIS SUNDAY

Our beautiful sanctuary is currently receiving some much-needed care and attention as new tiling is installed and the spacing of our pews is adjusted to become more accessible to all. However, these upgrades (funded by a tremendous anonymous donor) will require us to worship elsewhere this Sunday, March 16th. The Board of Worship invites you to gather in Fellowship Hall for worship for this one Sunday. We will then return to worship in a more welcoming Sanctuary next Sunday, March 23rd.

Adult Education Survey

The Board of Education has developed a quick and painless survey to get your input regarding when, where, and what you’re interested in with regard to adult faith formation opportunities. Please take a few minutes to share your ideas and interests with us; click here.

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Out of the Office

Pastor Jessica will be out of the office Wednesday, March 19th and Thursday, March 20th. Should you need assistance at that time, you may contact Lisa Stanger (during office hours) or Mitchell Farmer.

Administrative Policy on ICE Enforcement

During their February 25th meeting, Church Council adopted the following Administrative Policy on ICE Enforcement:

First United Church is an inclusive and welcoming community. We respect law enforcement and recognize the importance of complying with lawful orders. At the same time, we are committed to upholding the dignity and rights of our community, volunteers, members, and program participants. Therefore, we will require immigration officials seeking access to church records, individuals or groups inside our premises, and/or non-public spaces (including ministerial offices) to present a judicial warrant or other legally valid authorization. Administrative warrants issued by the Department of Homeland Security or similar entity are insufficient for such access. (Click here for help distinguishing between judicial and administrative warrants and your rights regarding interactions with ICE.)

  • Impacted spaces: Senior Minister Office, Christian Education Office, Worship Leader Office, Church storage areas to include (but not limited to): Safe, finance closet, mailboxes, administrative filing cabinets
  • Designated Points of Contact: Senior Minister, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Clerk

First Sunday Food Drive – Update

Thanks to your generosity, Keith Gerber delivered 65 pounds of food and supplies to Pathways (formerly MCUM) following the March food drive. Donations are delivered each month. Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs!

Congregant Monday Musings, and Announcements Deadlines

Members and friends of First United are invited to prepare a “Monday Musing” to be shared with the wider congregation via email on the third Monday of each month. Please contact Pastor Jessica and/or Lisa Stanger if you would like to share your thoughts and ideas through this avenue, and they will help you get it scheduled.

And, 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.

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. Craig Dalrymple will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. 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 Guest Pianist Hyeyeon Ahn will lead us in song. Kim Yaussy Albright, Dave Meyer, and Daniel Salvat will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the Fellowship Hall and could use some 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 for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Laura Kao 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

Daily Lenten Devotionals

We have a wonderful new offering for you to observe and engage throughout this Lenten season of reflection. Daily devotionals are offered through our YouTube channel and shared on our Facebook page each day at 7am (Ash Wednesday, March 5th, through Easter Sunday, April 20th). Each 2-3 minute devotional features a member of our First United family sharing words of inspiration inviting us to “Let Go” of various behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes that hinder us from living more fully in the ways of Jesus. Over the course of the six weeks of Lent, you are invited to let go of insecurity, of bitterness, of perfectionism, and more as we journey to the new life we celebrate on Easter.

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. There will be no rehearsal for either choir on March 20th. 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:

Sara Cole

Helen Thompson (grandmother of Heather Farmer)

Julia and Don Bebeau

Jen Lane

Rachel Workman

Sam Troxal

Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)

Meal Trains for Members

Two First United member households are recovering from hospitalizations and would welcome meal support. Please sign up to bring food to Don and Julia Bebeau at https://mealtrain.com/13m43w and to Sara Cole at https://mealtrain.com/e6yeze.

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 March 20th. 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!

It’s March, It’s Lent, It’s Fifth-Sunday Potluck!

Join us on Sunday, March 30th after worship for one of our fabulous pitch-in meals. Bring a dish to share (labeled for allergens if possible) or just join us; there is always plenty. 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 for information mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047.

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 

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 nearing the end 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 Children’s Time. Many thanks to Jessica McIntosh 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. 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

Our Wider Reach: Stewardship 2025

Though our stewardship campaign, Our Wider Reach: Living Our Faith to Make a Better World, officially came to an end on Commitment Sunday, March 2nd, with the offering and blessing of our commitments/pledges for the year ahead, you are still welcome to submit your pledge card. You may do so by filling out a hard-copy pledge card (mailed out and available at the church) and returning it to the church office or by filling out an online pledge form here. No matter what form it takes, your commitment to support our church and community through the contribution of time, talents, and financial resources is much appreciated. Thank you!

A Message from Eric Meincke

This will be my final semester as Director of Music at First United Church. I will begin a new Director of Music position at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson, SC this May. My final Sunday will be May 4th. I am so grateful for the home that First United has been for me these last three years, and I look forward to following the journey of this ministry as it continues to flourish and grow in the years to come. Thank you all for being such a welcoming and open church, and I wish First United all the best in the future.

Announcements Deadline

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

Photography and Media Consent Policy

A reminder that our new Photography and Media Consent Policy is in effect as of January 1st, 2025. The policy addresses the use of photography, video, and other audio/visual recordings taken during church events and sharing these materials in our communications and promotional efforts. It includes special provisions for minors and guidance for how to opt out of appearing in recordings or media. You may read the full policy here.

Did You Know…We Have an Online Directory?

An online church directory is available for all members of First United! You may access the directory by clicking on “Member Directory” from the “Member Area” drop-down menu located at the top of any page of the church website. Contact Lisa in the office for your sign-in credentials (you are encouraged to change your password after logging in for the first time).

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.

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