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 01/22 & 01/29)
- Flowers sign up – Click here (needed 01/15 & 01/22)
- Coffee Hour Host sign up – Click here (needed 01/15 & 01/22)
- Donate to First United Online – Click here
- First United Vimeo Channel – Click here
DON’T FORGET
Share Your Time & Talent
In this new year, please consider how you can share your time and talent with First United. We appreciate everyone who completed a Time/Talent survey in November. If you have yet to complete it, paper copies of this survey will be at church Sunday, or you can complete the online form here. Contact Hopi Stosberg with questions.
Youth Group Co-op: Urban Air Outing!
Youth in junior high and high school (grades 6-12) are invited to come out for a couple hours of fun and connection at Urban Air (3603 West State Road 46)! We will be there 5pm-7pm on Sunday, January 22nd. The cost for admission and socks will be covered for each youth by the church. Youth can bring money for snacks as they will be responsible for purchasing their own as they choose. Parents/guardians must fill out a waiver by clicking here or when they drop off their youth. Please RSVP to Pastor Jessica by Thursday, January 19th if you plan to attend.
Star Gifts
This year, you are once again encouraged to experience the season of Epiphany in a different and meaningful way as you receive a “star gift.” A star gift is simply a star-shaped piece of brightly colored paper with a word printed on it. Those who gathered for worship in person on Epiphany Sunday, January 1st, were offered such a star gift during the service. Those who have not yet received one are invited to contact Rev. Petersen-Mutai (revpetersenmutai@firstuc.org or 812-727-4414) to receive your star gift (there are plenty left) or a word (which will be randomly selected from a list of 150 possible words, each with its own message and significance) and make your own star gift. Once you receive your word, you are invited to reflect on that word for the duration of Epiphany and, if you are up to it, throughout the entire year and ponder what significance your word might have in your life and how God might be speaking to you through that simple message.
NEW/UPDATED THIS WEEK
February Kindness Month – Potluck and Valentines!
Join your First United Church family for a potluck on Sunday, January 29th after worship to kick off February Kindness Month! The Member Relations Committee is planning to organize a potluck on every 5th Sunday during 2023. Bring a dish to share or your own personal picnic and engage in fellowship with the community through the following initiatives:
Valentine Card Making: supplies will be provided so people of all ages can make Valentines cards to give to friends and family. You can make cards for people in your life or consider signing up here to help shower the church community with Valentine cards; sign up by Wednesday, February 1st. Another card-making opportunity will be offered after worship the following Sunday, February 5th. Contact Hopi Stosberg with any questions.
Kindness Month Calendar: February is a great month to recommit to kindness to others. Pick up a Kindness Calendar to get some great ideas of small things to do each day of February that show kindness to individuals and the world.
A Death in Our Church Family
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of Timothy Morrison, spouse of Linda Hunt, who died on January 6th, 2023. Tim was a member of First United and had served on the Finance Committee and assisted with the Interfaith Homeless Shelter. His obituary is available here. We send our love and sympathy to Linda and extended family.
A service of memorial will be held in First United’s Sanctuary on Friday, January 20th, at 4pm. A time of visitation will take place just prior at 1pm-4pm, and refreshments will be offered in Fellowship Hall following the service. Those wishing to join the service virtually via Zoom may do so by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana University Foundation to the IU Auditorium Community Engagement Fund, in memory of Tim Morrison, via check mailed to P.O. Box 500, Bloomington, IN, 47402 or by clicking here or to an organization of your choice.
Allen Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.
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 message especially for the young and young at heart. Rachel Caswell will present the day’s scripture reading and serve as our congregational lead. Eric Meincke and Hansol Kim will lead us in song, and the First United Vocal Choir will share a special musical offering. Rebecca Keith will highlight some of the many ways we are invited to engage in the life of the church and our wider community. Molly and Noel Koontz and Linda Smith will offer a warm welcome to all those who gather in the sanctuary, while Dedric Dennist will welcome all who join via Zoom. Finally, Jim True and Kyle Hetrick will ensure the audio/visual pieces run as smoothly as possible.
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
Sermon Talk Back
Our monthly sermon talk backs return this month with a change in location and feel. After worship on Sunday, January 22nd, you are invited to head down to Fellowship Hall to grab a drink and a snack and say “hello” to some church friends, and then gather near the fireplace to engage in informal conversation spurred by the day’s sermon. Share with fellow congregants how the sermon connected with you and your life and ask any questions of clarification or curiosity and be enriched by their sharing. Pastor Jessica will be available to address questions, elaborate further on the day’s message, and share additional thoughts she may have had while preparing her sermon. This opportunity will be offered in person only.
Choir and Bell Choir Rehearsals
All music lovers are welcome to join both the vocal and bell choirs. The vocal choir rehearses in the Choir Room on Thursdays at 7:30pm, and the bell choir meets on Thursdays at 6:15pm in Roger Williams Hall.
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Off-Topic Scripture Circle
You are invited to join with members and friends of First United 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. We meet via Zoom only in an effort to be more accessible; join the Zoom meeting here.
Tuesday Morning Café and Discussion
Join us in Roger Williams Hall or via Zoom (click here) on Tuesday mornings, 10am-11:30am, as we explore the 36-session video series “The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch” presented by Dr. Molly Worthen. These weekly gatherings are a great opportunity to connect with First United friends though informal conversation (first 30 minutes) followed by thought-provoking theological study and discussion. While we’d love to see you every Tuesday, perfect attendance is not required, neither is previous participation. See you there!
Children’s Learning Time
Each Sunday, kids in kindergarten and up are welcome to Children’s Learning Time (CLT) in Room 2 after Children’s Time during the morning worship service. Many thanks to Molly Koontz and Emily Mathes for leading CLT this Sunday. Interested in joining our CLT assistant teacher rotation? Contact Molly Koontz.
Nursery Care
Our youngest children are welcome to spend time from 10am-11:45am playing in the nursery or on the playground, weather permitting. Jessica McIntosh and Lena Stosberg 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 Molly Koontz if you are interested and with any questions.
COMMUNITY CARE
A Coffee Hour Every Sunday!
The Member Relations Committee (MeRC) is encouraging our congregation to offer simple fellowship after worship every Sunday. You can sign up here, and click here to view revised instructions. Fellowship is vital to a strong community and easy to support with the gift of minimal time and effort. Malissa Sparks or Mary Peckham can answer any questions you may have. And, a reminder that, while hosts are free to supplement items if they wish, all food, drink, and serving supplies are provided by the church.
CONGREGATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Nursery Worker Needed First United is seeking an additional nursery worker to staff our church nursery on Sundays from 9:30am-12pm. If you or someone you know might be interested in applying, please send a resume or letter of interest to Molly Koontz at Molly.Koontz@hmclin
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