- 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 06/01)
- Usher sign up – Click here (needed 05/25 & 06/01)
- Flowers sign up – Click here
- Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 05/25 & 06/01)
- Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 06/01)
- 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
DON’T FORGET
All are encouraged to join in celebrating the life-long journey of faith formation as we gather for worship this Sunday, May 18th. We will recognize graduating seniors and scholarship recipients and show our appreciation for our awesome nursery care providers and CLT leaders as we recommit to our engagement in life-long learning and educating.
Bloomington Refugee Support Network (RSN)
Throughout 2025, the Board of Outreach invites you to offer support to a variety of local organizations and ministries through monthly special offerings. This Sunday, May 18th, a special offering will be received to support the Bloomington Refugee Support Network, and Dave Meyer will speak about the meaningful impact of their work.
Congregational Listening Session: Proposed Bylaw Amendments
The Church Council invites all members of the congregation to attend a listening session this Sunday, May 18th, immediately following worship to learn about and provide feedback on proposed amendments to the church bylaws. These proposals are the result of two months of Council review and address the following areas: 1) Revisions to quorum requirements, 2) Updates to the structure and composition of boards and committees, and 3) Replacement of Robert’s Rules of Order with a consensus-based decision-making framework.
Following the session, the Council will meet again to consider the feedback received and finalize the proposed amendments for circulation in advance of the Summer Annual Meeting. All members are encouraged to attend and participate in this important stage of the bylaw revision process.
Youth Connections
Youth in grades 6 and up are invited to gather with Pastor Jessica and one another in Room 1 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 this Sunday, May 18th, 12-1pm.
Congregant Monday Musings
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.
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: Alex Stosberg (May 19), Brenda Fiscus (May 21), and Aidan Koontz (May 22). We are blessed to have you in our lives!
2025 Annual Reports
In preparation for First United’s Annual Congregational Meeting, set for Sunday, June 8th after morning worship, 2025 Annual Reports are due into Lisa Stangerin the church office by May 26th. Thank you!
Special Offerings – Abundant Generosity!
Thanks to your abundant generosity, we raised $405 for One Great Hour of Sharing through the April 13th special offering. In addition, $325 was raised for Pathways during the May 4th ecumenical concert offered by First United, First Christian, First Presbyterian, and St. Thomas Lutheran Churches. Thank you for your tremendous support!
First Sunday Food Drive
The Board of Outreach invites you to offer food donations on the first Sunday of each month. We encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need placing them on the marked table in the narthex on Sunday, June 1st. As always, all of the collected food and cleaning/hygiene items will go to Pathways (formerly MCUM), and pet food will go to Area 10 Agency on Aging. Click here to for a list of ongoing needs; they are currently most in need of cereal, helper meals, and Mac & Cheese. Donations are delivered each month. Thank you for your donations to meet ongoing community needs!
Pizza & Play
Members and friends of First United of all ages and family configurations (and your friends and family) are encouraged to gather for Pizza & Play on Friday, June 6th, 5:30pm-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy a time of informal, unprogrammed fun and fellowship in Fellowship Hall. As the name implies, pizza, drinks, and dessert will be provided. If you’re planning to attend, please let Pastor Jessica know by Thursday, June 5th so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.
Away from the Office
Pastor Jessica will be away for the Memorial Day holiday and vacation May 25th-29th and will be back in worship on Sunday, June 1st. Vickey Allen will offer worship leadership on Sunday, May 25th. Additionally, Lisa will be out of the office on May 23rd, and the church office will be closed on Monday, May 26th for the Memorial Day holiday. 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. 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. Hansol Kim will lead us in song, and Joe Stiefel will offer special music. Molly and Noel Koontz and Kim Yaussy Albright will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary; click 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. And, Fiora Pizzo will provide a beautiful floral arrangement in honor of her mother Patty’s birthday on May 8th. Finally, be sure to join us for a time of fellowship and refreshment hosted by Dave Meyer after worship; refreshments will be served in the Sanctuary due to this Sunday’s listening session.
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 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
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:
- Mary Peckham
- Jean-Paul & Kathy Etienne
- Rebecca Keith & Jim True
- Keith Gerber
- Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)
- Lisa Kwong
- Sara Cole
- Jen Lane
- Rachel Workman
- Sam Troxal
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.
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.
CLT Care Packages—Request for Supplies
Throughout the year, children in CLT (Children’s Learning Time) put together care packages for people experiencing homelessness in our community. They take the care packages with them to keep in their car and deliver, with the help of their families, to people they encounter. You are invited to donate items needed for this project by bring them to Room 2 on Sunday mornings or the church office during office hours. Items needed include: wet wipes, disinfection wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, bandages, lotion, and sunscreen. Thank you!
People’s Market
First United houses the People’s Cooperative Market in Fellowship Hall on Saturdays.The market is open every Saturday, 10am-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. They will host a Rummage Sale on the second Saturday of each month. Email (peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com) to learn more about getting a booth or to volunteer with the market.
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 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.
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 Noel Koontz 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 10-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Lena Stosberg and Emily Mathes 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
Accessible to All
If you were not able to make one of the recent information sessions regarding our congregation’s efforts to become Accessible to All (A2A), you are invited to watch a recording of one of those sessions here (~45 minutes). Discover what it means to be truly accessible, beyond ramps and signage, and how we can invite and include people with all types of disabilities. Many thanks to our A2A Team for offering these meaningful sessions and their leadership as we work together to widen our welcome!
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
- Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai, Senior Minister – revpetersenmutai@firstuc.org; 812-727-4414 (Cell) (Friday & Saturday off; emergency calls only)
- Lisa Stanger, Office Manager – info@firstuc.org; 812-332-4439 (Office)
- Hansol Kim, Assistant Music Director & Organist – mitsol919@gmail.com; 812-272-4343 (Cell)
- Mitchell Farmer, Church President – president@firstuc.org; 812-459-3985 (Cell)