Announcements for the week of November 30th

by | Nov 28, 2025 | Sunday Announcements | 0 comments

QUICK LINKS

  • Sunday Morning Worship – Sundays @ 10:30am; Join Zoom Webinar here
  • Morning Café and Discussion – Tuesdays @ 10:15am; Join Zoom Meeting here
  • Scripture Reader sign up – Click here (needed 12/14 evening)
  • Usher sign up – Click here (needed 11/30, 12/07, & 12/14)
  • Flowers sign up – Click here
  • Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 12/14)
  • Communion Server sign up –Click here (needed 12/07)
  • 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
  • 2024-2025 Annual Report – Click here
  • Accessible to All 101 Presentation – Click here
  • 2026 Online Pledge Card – Click here

DON’T FORGET

New Members Joining!

Our faith community continues to develop and transform as we will welcome new members this Sunday, November 30th during worship. While all those who participate in the life of First United are welcome and encouraged to engage in the full range of our congregational life together, becoming a member is one way of publicly displaying that commitment between the individual and community, and, don’t forget, it comes with the ability to vote in meetings! 😊 All are encouraged to join us for worship on November 30th to celebrate the growth of our community as we (re)commit to engage in mutual ministry with one another.

Fifth-Sunday Potluck Meets Hanging of the Greens!

Join us this Sunday, November 30th after worship for one of our fabulous pitch-in meals. This year, we are combining the Fifth Sunday potluck with Hanging of the Greens, to simplify and save folks an extra trip back to decorate. Bring a dish to share if possible (labeled for allergens is appreciated) or just join us; there is always plenty. If you’d like a one-off volunteer opportunity, join us at 9:30am to help set up, jump into kitchen cleanup afterwards, or join us in the Sanctuary as we prepare for Christmas. Contact Mary Peckham with any potluck related questions mkpeckham59@gmail.com or 812-361-5047.

Budget Listening Session and Congregational Meeting

A budget hearing will be held during the potluck this Sunday, November 30th; a draft of the 2026 budget will be available for those joining in person and can be accessed online here. The Church Council will consider the congregation’s feedback and suggestions as they prepare a budget to present for congregational action. Members of the congregation will vote on the budget during a congregational meeting that will be held immediately after the worship service on December 14th. During the congregational meeting, members will also be asked to consider a proposal to create a very part-time Associate Minister position and to call Shelli Yoder to serve in this new role. All members of the congregation are encouraged to attend both the 11/30 listening session and the 12/14 congregational meeting. Members unable to attend in person will be able to join using the regular Sunday worship Zoom link. Those Zoom attendees who wish to do so can become “panelists” so they can speak and be heard during these sessions.

Hanging of the Greens

All are encouraged to join together on Sunday, November 30th, right after the 5th Sunday potluck as we prepare our Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas seasons. We will set up trees, lights, ornaments, battery-operated candles, chandeliers, wreaths, garlands, and more! This is a festive and fun event for our entire intergenerational church family. We hope you’ll join us!

Support Local Refugees

Local refugees are now experiencing the impact of recent federal law that changes (eliminates) most public benefits for refugees. SNAP (food stamps) have been permanently discontinued for refugees. This affects families locally, including two families that our church has supported.

In an effort to offer our support, the Displaced Immigrant Support Program (DISP) team encourages you to contribute to a food staples drive for refugees on Sunday, November 30th, to be distributed during the annual refugee holiday party held in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 6th, 5-7pm. Please bring any of the following to church this Sunday:

  • Dried grains and legumes: Rice, bulgur wheat, wheat flour, dried vermicelli pasta, lentils and fava beans (all dried)
  • Oils: Olive and sunflower oil
  • Dried fruits and nuts: Raisins, apricots, dates, walnuts, pistachios and almonds
  • Other Staples: Tea (black), sugar, salt, vinegar, honey and tahini.

BMA Annual Gratitude Gathering & Potluck

All are invited to participate in the Bloomington Multi-Faith Alliance’s annual gratitude gathering on Tuesday, December 2nd, 5:45-7:30pm at the Islamic Center of Bloomington (1925 Atwater Ave.). Break bread with multifaith neighbors, hear from IU’s gratitude professor Dr. Joel Wong on how to cultivate your own gratitude, and reflect in small groups on Dr. Wong’s thought-provoking insights. If you can make it, please bring a vegetarian dish to share.

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: Ann Marie Kersten (November 30) and Richard Hamlin (November 30). We are blessed to have you in our lives!

Our New Focused Mission Statement!

Our new focused mission statement is … (drumroll, please) … Following Jesus, Doing Justice, Building Community! Thank you to all who shared your thoughts by participating in the selection process as a part of our Thriving Congregations Project. You are encouraged to proclaim these words loudly and proudly as you share who we are as First United Church!

Reimagining Opera for Kids Un-gala

What’s an un-gala you ask? Come find out! Join Reimaging Opera for Kids (ROK) for their un-gala next Saturday, December 6th, 5-8pm, at the Banneker Center (930 W. 7th St, Bloomington). They will have food, crafts, a silent auction, and performances of last year’s ROK show as well as this year’s show all free of charge! Join ROK and our wider community as they share their music and some good family fun!

Stewardship 2026 – Grateful for Every Generation

We are in the thick of our annual stewardship campaign, Grateful for Every Generation: 200 Years of Faith, Hope, and Love with a goal of $200,000 in pledges in honor of our 200th Anniversary! Over the course of six weeks, we are considering what we appreciate about our First United community and how that inspires our generosity as we discern how we will commit to support our church and community in the coming year, be it through the contribution of time, talents, or financial resources. This Sunday, November 30th, our new members will share some of what they appreciate about First United inspiring them to join as participatory citizens of this family of faith. Experience previous testimonies offered by Danielle Long (Reimagining Opera for Kids) here, by Kristin Martindale (Pathways) here, and by Malissa Sparks here.

We invite each and every one of you to actively participate in this season of gratitude and generosity as we give thanks for our congregation’s past, present, and future and offer our commitments to nurture and support the ministry of the church in the year ahead. Please return your pledge/commitment card (either hard copy or online) by Pledge Sunday, December 7th. You may place it in the historic brass communion paten on any Sunday morning or drop or send it to the church office when convenient. Also, plan to join together for a celebratory meal (catered by Taste of India) next Sunday, December 7th, immediately following worship.

Upcoming Board Meetings

The Board of Community & Outreach (Julia Bebeau, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, December 1st, at 5:30pm. The Board of Finance (Kyle Hetrick, Chair) will meet in Roger Williams Hall on Monday, November 8th, at 3:30pm. The Board of Worship, Art, and Music (Vickey Allen, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, November 8th, at 5:30pm. The Board of Building and Grounds (Emily Mathes, Chair) will meet via Zoom on Monday, December 8th, at 6:30pm. Church Council (Kim Yaussy Albright, President) will meet on Wednesday, November 10th, at 6:30pm in Roger Willaims Hall. 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.

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, December 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. If you’re planning to attend, please let Pastor Jessica know by Wednesday, December 3rd so she can be sure to have enough food for all and account for any dietary needs.

First Sunday Food Drive & Thank You!

The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to offer food donations on the first Sunday of each month on at table in the narthex. On Sunday, December 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 food items needed for Pathways include children’s snacks and cereals given that the recipients of the food are families that are in Pathways rather than general food distribution. More specifically, children request sugarcoated cereal like Fruit Loops and individual snacks in small packages. Helper meat boxes such as hamburger helper and tuna helper continue to be needed. Thanks to your generosity, a total of 418 pounds was delivered by Keith Gerber from donations given toward our Harvest Ingathering!

Candlelight and Carols Reception

There will be a Reception in Fellowship Hall immediately following the Candlelight & Carols service on Sunday evening, December 14th. Congregants are asked to donate cookies and/or finger foods to share and to volunteer to help serve and/or clean up. 

It would be greatly appreciated if food items were delivered to the kitchen before/after the morning Worship Service that day or at least 30 minutes prior to the event itself.

Questions or to volunteer, contact Malissa Sparks by phone, (812-322-0942) text, or email.

Feminist Women’s Book Club

Our feminist women’s book club will meet on Sunday, December 14th at 12:30pm in person offsite for a holiday season pitch-in. We will read and discuss “How to Read a Book” by Monica Woods, a National Bestseller about a chance encounter at a Portland (war-zone!) bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and a life-changing gift of stories. For location or more information, contact facilitator Cindy Stone (stonec@iu.edu).

UPCOMING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning Hybrid Worship

Join us for worship each Sunday morning at 10:30am. During this fifth Sunday, we will worship using Marty Haugen’s “Holden Evening Prayer” (gently adapted for morning use). Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai and the children will lead us in lighting the First Candle of Advent. We will welcome six new members of First United and learn some of what they appreciate most about our congregation as we continue our focus on generosity. 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. Lisa Kwong will present the day’s scripture and serve as our congregational lead. The First United Vocal Choir, Ryan Block, and Hyeyeon Ahn will lead us in song, and Sam Troxal will offer special music. TBA will offer a warm welcome to those who will gather in the sanctuary; click hereto help. Kyle Hetrick and Martin Mutai will welcome all who join via Zoom as they ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible. And, Mary Peckham will provide a beautiful floral arrangement in remembrance of Anne Wright who would have turned 69 this weekend. Finally, be sure to join us for the Fifth Sunday Potluck and Budget Hearing after worship in Fellowship Hall!

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

Candlelight & Carols

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for our annual Candlelight and Carols service on Sunday, December 14th at 6:30pm. We embrace the Advent Season with a joy-filled evening of carols and candlelight, readings and reflection, community and cookies. The service will be sprinkled with special music provided by our Adult Vocal Choir, Children’s Choir, and Bell Choir and guest music group Sounds of Indiana and will feature the majestic accompaniment of a Christmas string quartet in addition to our beautiful organ. As is our tradition of generosity in the celebration of Advent, a special offering will be received to support Exodus Refugee Immigration. Please join us and invite the special people in your life. Additionally, all are invited to bring a finger-friendly dessert to share during a reception following the service. Also, mark your calendars now for Christmas Eve worship on Wednesday, December 24th at 7pm.

Music Ministry

All those interested in music and making a joyful noise are invited to join our Bell and Vocal Choirs. The Bell Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays in Room 4 from 6:15-7:15pm, and the Vocal Choir rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room. If you are interested in joining either or both of the choirs, please reach out to Ryan Block (blockryfuc@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:

  •         Mike Zeller (father of Molly Koontz)
  •         Barb Clark
  •         Phyllis Perkins
  •         Geoffery Franklin
  •         Frank Ivey (father of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  •         Jean Peters
  •         Gwen Staggs
  •         Elizabeth Hanson
  •         Jen Lane
  •         Jean-Paul & Kathy Etienne
  •         Lisa Young and family (friends of Sara Ivey Lucas)
  •         Sara Cole
  •         Sam Troxal

Pathways’ Holiday Gifts

The Board of Community & Outreach invites you to consider supporting Pathways this holiday season by participating in their Family Gift program and/or supporting their childcare program. Pathways is still seeking sponsors to adopt a family—providing gifts and essential items to help make their holiday special. They still have 16 families in need of support. Gifts will need to be purchased and delivered by the first week in December. To sign up as a sponsor, please visit their form here: Holidays 2025. All financial gifts received in 2025 will be matched thanks to a generous donor; give at www.btownpathways.org/donate.

Quarryland Men’s Chorus

All are invited to attend Quarryland’s Winter Concert “Stay Gold” in our beautiful Sanctuary on Saturday, December 6th, 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 7th, 3pm. Experience the choral textures and traditions of the season, have some wassail, and even sing along with QMC on a medley of favorites called “Snows of Yesteryear.” Enjoy a blend of Broadway, pop, rock, and oldies reimagined to illuminate the joys of the holidays: “Morning Glow” from PIPPIN, Jamie Cullum’s “Hang Your Lights,” “Shine” by 90s rockers Collective Soul, and the beautiful Beatles ballad “Golden Slumbers” to name just a few. Tickets available at the door, from members, or online; prices are: $20/adult, $10/student, and Free for 17 and under.

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 be making periodic announcements and encouraging 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, 9:30am-1:30pm, offering fresh, locally grown produce through CSAs to be picked up or delivered.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. First United members and friends are always welcome and encouraged to attend the Saturday market! Market members are more than happy to answer questions and guide folks through the growing space. Additionally, you may 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 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 

Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion

Join us in Roger Williams Hall or via Zoom (click here) Tuesdays at 10:15am-11:30am as we gather for a time of informal conversation followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. Currently, we are engaging with a 12-session study on “Science and Religion” presented by Dr. Lawrence M. Principe as we explore how science and religion are two crucial forces that helped shape Western civilization and continue to interact in our daily lives. 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 Megan Merrick and Brishna Arman 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 Faith Formation.

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 Megan Merrick 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

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

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