Announcements for the week of May 31, 2026

by | May 29, 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 05/31 & 06/7)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 06/07)
  • 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

Shaping Our Shared Focus/Coffee Hour

Over the past several months, we have been discerning where we are called to focus our energy and ministry as a congregation. As we continue this process, we recognize that the longer we wait to identify a shared direction, the harder it becomes to build consensus. To move this process forward, our Grant Steering Team has set a timeline:

This Sunday immediately following worship (with coffee hour held in the sanctuary), we will share the results of our recent surveys, discuss the themes and direction emerging from the data, and engage in conversation together. The explicit purpose of this meeting is to test hypotheses emerging from the survey data and listening sessions. This highly interactive conversation will be the congregation’s best opportunity to shape and refine the proposed focus area that will guide the next three years of our ministry.

  • Sunday, June 7th: As we gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting, the congregation will be asked to approve a shared congregational focus area (based on the May 31 conversation) and celebrate this next step together. From there, we will move forward with further planning, community assessment, and identifying what we may need to let go of to prioritize this focus well.

Please plan to join us for these important conversations as we continue to discern God is inviting our congregation to follow Jesus, do justice, and build community

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 5th, 5:30-7:30pm. 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.

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: Sara Frommer (June 6). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Upcoming Board Meetings

The Board of Worship, Art, and Music (Vickey Allen, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, June 8th, at 5:30pm. The Board of Community & Outreach (Julia Bebeau, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, June 8th, at 6:30pm. 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.

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. Flowers are often connected to romantic expressions, but for Victoria Jones, flowers also communicate mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness. 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.

Special Offerings – Abundant Generosity!

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

Congregational Meeting

Our 2026 Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 7th after worship. Members will be asked to discuss and vote upon: 1. changes to by-laws reflecting last year’s adoption of a new board structure, 2. a congregational justice focus for the next three years, and 3. election of officers and board members. All members are strongly encouraged to attend. As an item of information, the Board of Personnel and Lay Leadership will present the council-approved definition of an active member who can vote at congregational meetings.

First Sunday Donation Drive — The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to offer needed donations on the first Sunday of each month on a table in the Narthex. Next Sunday, June 7th, we encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food items for our community members in need. 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. Updated items needed for Pathways include cleaning/hygiene products Updated items needed for Pathways include cleaning/hygiene products: bodywash, hand soap, paper towels, laundry detergent (sheets or liquid), kids 3-in-1 shampoo & bodywash, toilet paper, pull ups (all sizes), women’s deodorant, feminine products, bleach, razors, plastic wrap, aluminum foil and cleaning spray. Their food wishlist includes: broth (chicken or beef); alfredo sauce; mayo; popcorn, goldfish, etc.; instant coffee & tea; peaches, pineapple, fruit cups, pure pumpkin, & apple sauce; easy on-the-go snacks, pudding, chips, snack bars, etc.; easy mac; sloppy joe; taco kit; rice and gluten free pasta; pancake mix; beans (pinto, baked, & chili); bread & flour tortillas; Loafs of bread (any kind), Syrup, oil, sugar, salt, honey, dressings and sauces, potatoes, carrots, & mushrooms; and helper meals & instant rice. Gluten-free and non-dairy options are much appreciated. Thanks to your generosity, a total of 100 pounds in donations was delivered following our May 4th drive!

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, Chris Raphael will provide special music. Du Huynh 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. A beautiful floral arrangement will be provided by Molly and Noel Koontz given in honor of their son, Kieran Koontz and Mackenzie McCarthy’s wedding day May 30th.

Finally, be sure to join us in the Sanctuary for Coffee Hour hosted by Grant Steering Team’s Kim Yaussy Albright and Rebecca Keith.

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

Following worship this Sunday, May 10th, the Vocal Choir will take a break from rehearsing regularly until August. The Bell Choir has already begun their break. 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 Church Council authorized the formation of an Organist Hiring Team as soon as we received news of Hyeyeon Ahn’s resignation. The hiring team 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:

  •         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

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 Emily Mathes and Brishna Arman for leading CLT this Sunday.

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 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.

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion – Taking a Break

Will be 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). As you likely know, Shelli Yoder has been called as our Sabbatical Pastor for this period. Additionally, a variety of 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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