Announcements for the week of May 12, 2024

by | May 10, 2024 | 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  
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 05/19 & 05/26)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 05/19 & 05/26)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 06/09, note this is a second Sunday)
  • Community Kitchen sign up – Click here (needed 05/16)
  • Online Commitment/Pledge Card – Click here
  • Donate to First United Online – Click here
  • First United Vimeo Channel – Click here

DON’T FORGET

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 is on May 16th. 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!

Invitation to Ecclesiastical Council

The Southeast Association of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ and First Congregational United Church of Christ invite you to the virtual Ecclesiastical Council for Lianna Campos to take place on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at 1:00pm. If you are interested in attending as a delegate (we get two) or a visitor, please contact Pastor Jessica, and she will send you Lianna’s paper to read prior to the meeting. Join the Zoom meeting here or dial in by phone: (312) 626-6799 (Meeting ID 926 449 4206; Password 7171).

NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK

Invitation from the Arman Family via DISP

Ahad and Brishna Arman, dear friends of First United Church since they arrived from Afghanistan in late December of 2021, have a special request. Because of their limited English reading skills, they are asking for church volunteers to read children’s books to their three young (adorable) children. Heela, the oldest, in particular needs the reading support because she is going into 3rd grade. If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Dave Meyer at dwm@davemeyer.org.

Mission Moment – Habitat for Humanity

Due to a delay in our April special offering, the Board of Outreach offers us two opportunities during the month of May to hear about impactful work being done in service to our broader community. On Sunday, May 19th, Wendy Goodlett, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, will be with us to share about their work in our community, which we support through our annual budget. For more information about Habitat for Humanity click here.

Vacation

Pastor Jessica will be away on vacation May 22nd-June 4th and will be back in the office on Wednesday, June 5th. Byron Bangert will offer worship leadership on Sundays, May 26th and June 2nd while she is away, and the celebration of Communion will be moved to Sunday, June 9th. If you have any needs during regular office hours, please reach out to Lisa Stanger in the church office. For after-hours or weekend needs, please contact President Mitchell Farmer.

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. Laurie Eynon will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. 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. Dave Meyer, Phyllis Eads, and Kim Yaussy Albright will offer a warm welcome to all those who will gather in the sanctuary. 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 Sunday evening on First United’s Vimeo channel (where you can access all of our previous worship services).

Donate online by clicking here

Celebrating Education

All are encouraged to join in celebrating the life-long journey of faith formation as we gather for worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 19th. We will recognize and show our appreciation for our awesome nursery care providers and CLT leaders and recommit to our engagement in life-long learning and educating.

Invitation to Offer Summer Music

The Vocal and Bell Choirs are currently taking a break from rehearsing regularly until August. Stay tuned for a possible summer project!

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 Eric Meincke (ericdmeincke@gmail.com) if you are interested!

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:

  • Sam Troxal
  • Danielle Sheets Ivey
  • Parker Waltz
  • Michael Tindall
  • Beth and Leni, friends of Jennifer Fultz
  • Lisa Kwong
  • Vicky Keith (Rebecca Keith’s sister-in-law)
  • Christopher Meincke (Eric’s brother)
  • Jeanne and Norm Overly

People’s Market

First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in our Fellowship Hall regularly each Saturday, 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.

The Market is hosting Health & Wellness Days on the third Saturdays of the month now through June during regular market hours. You are invited to attend as these Market days focus on various aspects of health and wellness from physical health, mental health, pregnancy, aging, spiritual health, massage, yoga, reflexology, herbal medicines, and more! Learn more here.

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 

Youth Connections

Youth in grades 6 and up are invited to gather with Pastor Jessica and one another in Room 6 following worship one Sunday each month to consider your questions, big and small, and explore faith matters as they are relevant to your life. Our next meeting day is Sunday, May 19th, 12pm-1pm. We are using “Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity” by David L. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy as our guide and jumping off point for discussion. If you or your youth are interested in getting involved, please contact Pastor Jessica.

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 person or online 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 a 24-sesson study: “The History and Archeology of the Bible” with Dr. Jean-Pierre Isbouts. Previous participation and perfect attendance are not required. Those interested and able are welcome to gather in Roger Williams Hall; those choosing to join online via Zoom can do so here.

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 Ted Wininger and Noel Koontz for leading CLT this Sunday.

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 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. Lena Stosberg and Molly Koontz will ensure our little ones are safe and engaged in fun activities during worship this Sunday and will join with CLT to ensure safe conduct ratios are met. We are always looking for additional volunteer assistants to help in the nursery occasionally. Contact Molly Koontz if you are interested and with any questions.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Transformative Stewardship – Cultivating Hearts, Nurturing Community

Though our annual stewardship campaign, Transformative Stewardship – Cultivating Hearts, Nurturing Community formally came to an end in late February, you are still welcome to complete and submit your paper commitment/pledge cards (drop them in the offering plate on Sunday or deliver to the church office) or to fill out the online commitment/pledge card here. Your pledges of time, talent, and treasure play a “key” role in sustaining and advancing the mission of First United Church!

2024 Offering Envelopes and Direct Deposit

We are using leftover 2023 offering envelope boxes for 2024. If you used envelopes this year, your number box will not be the same; please look for your name. Envelope boxes are available on a table outside of the Sanctuary entrance closest to the chancel. 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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