First Congregational Church

300 S. Minnesota Ave | Sioux Falls, SD 57104

(605)336-3072 | fcc@firstcongucc.com

Thinking Faith. Unbounded Welcome. Creative Worship. Generous Service.

September 12, 2024 | The Good News

September | At a Glance

Sunday, September 15: Thrive Together (for visitors)

Wednesday, September 18: Confirmation Informational Meeting for Parents and Students

Saturday, September 21: Young Adults BBQ

Thursday, September 26: Dow Rummel Visit

Friends in Christ,

The last time we officially updated you, we were announcing that our profile had been publicly posted. Over the last several months, we have been receiving pastor profiles and speaking with potential candidates. We continue to review and discuss as we move forward in the search and call process. As we discern the next right steps for our church, we thank you for your continued patience and prayers.

-The Pulpit Committee

Thrive Together Gathering for Visitors

Join us on September 15th either in-between services, at 9:15 am, or after second service, at 11:30 pm.

We will be welcoming new members to the congregation on Sunday, October 13th! If you are interested in joining, we will have a short form and opportunity for you to ask questions at Thrive Together.

Pet Blessing at 10:30 Worship

On September 29th, the Blessing of the Animals will be held at the 10:30 worship service only. 8:30 service will be pet free and allergy free. Please do what is best for your pet on whether or not to bring them. You are also welcome to bring pictures of pets and stuffed animals to represent pets to be blessed.

Bible Blessing

On Sunday, September 15, the church will give out Bibles as a continued commitment to the faith journey of Sunday School. Three year olds, 3rd graders, and new Sunday School students will receive Bibles.

*Confirmation Students will be recognized and receive their Bibles on October 6th

Book Study about Unclobber by Colby Martin

When: Starting Sunday, October 6^th between services from 9:40-10:15am

Where: Gerlinger room-feel free to bring your breakfast with you

Why: Churches in America are experiencing an unprecedented fracturing due to their belief and attitude toward the LGBTQ community. Armed with only six passages in the Bible--often known as the "clobber passages"--the traditional Christian position has been one that stands against the full inclusion of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Unclobber reexamines each of those frequently quoted passages of Scripture, alternating with author Colby Martin's own story of being fired from an evangelical megachurch when they discovered his stance on sexuality. UnClobber reexamines what the Bible says (and does not say) about homosexuality in such a way that breathes fresh life into outdated and inaccurate assumptions and interpretations.

How: Church will have 4 books available starting on September 15^th for people to use or feel free to order/download the book

Sunday School

9:15 - 9:40

Easy Like Sunday Morning Breakfast

(in Jones Hall, the dining area in the lower level)

9:40-10:00

Classroom Activities

Two Year Olds (Age 2) : Terrific Twos Room
Preschool - K (Ages 3-5) : Little Lights Room
Grades 1 – 2 : Students will give their room a name!
Grades 3 - 4 : Students will give their room a name!
Grades 5-7 : Mighty Middles Room
Grades 8-12 : Higher Grounds Room

Note: Grades 1-4 go to Sacred Grounds at 10:00 for

Choir from 10:05 - 10:25

10:25

Sunday School Dismissal

10:30

Worship

All children begin worship in the sanctuary and are welcome to stay for the whole service or go to the supervised nursery after the Children’s Message.

OWL (Grades 4-6): First Wednesday Night of the Month, after Dinner.

Confirmation: Wednesday Nights from 6:30-7:30 pm. Informational Meeting on September 18th

Circle Bible Study will gather for coffee, fellowship and fall planning Thursday, September 19th, on the west side of McKennan Park at 10:00 am. Bring a lawn chair and a friend. All are welcome!

Kids Against Hunger Volunteer Opportunity

October 13th, 3:30 pm. Join OutReach for an afternoon of packing food from 3:30-5:00 pm at 1710 S Marion Rd. This event is great for all ages; kids, adults, and families are all welcome! Sign up in Fick Hall.

Personal Hygiene Products Needed

Hygiene Product Bins Need Supplies for our Guests, we are running very low and are out of many basic hygiene items to give out to guests who are in need throughout the week. Donations can be brought in during office hours or on Sunday mornings.

Please consider donating the following items if you are

able to:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Shaving supplies
Tampons
Pads
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes

Want to Host a Young Adults Event?

We are in search of a host for a Young Adults BBQ gathering in September. The event can be hosted at a home, park, or at the church. The date is flexible, and we usually meet at the end of the month. Contact the church office to volunteer to host this event or future Young Adults gatherings.

The Week Ahead

Sunday - 09/15/2024

Worship Service - 8:30 am

Breakfast and Fellowship Time - 9:15 am

Thrive Together (visitors) - 9:30 am

Sunday School - 9:45 am

Worship Service - 10:30 am

Fellowship Time - 11:30 am

Thrive Together (visitors) - 11:30 am

Monday - 09/16/2024

Contemplative Prayer - 6:00 pm

Tuesday - 09/17/2024

Staff Meeting - 10:00 am

OutReach Meeting - 5:30 pm

Tuesday Night Yoga - 6:00 pm

Wednesday - 09/18/2024

Confirmation Parent Meeting - 6:30 pm

Chancel Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 pm

Thursday - 09/19/2024

Gentle Yoga - 9:00 am

Circle Bible Study - 10:00 am

Al-Anon Meeting - 5:30 pm

Sunday - 09/22/2024

Worship Service - 8:30 am

Breakfast and Fellowship Time - 9:15 am

Sunday School - 9:45 am

Worship Service - 10:30 am

Fellowship Time - 11:30 am

Remember in Prayer

Search Committee | Our Future pastor, still unknown to us

Need Prayer or Support?

The FCC Staff and congregation is available to provide support for you and your family when hard times come. If you would like prayer, you can write prayer requests on your Prayer and Offering bulletin insert on Sunday Mornings, you can reply to this email newsletter, or you can email Becky Pagone for direct support: BPagone@firstcongucc.com

Weekly Lectionary Scripture

Mark 8:27-38

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Next week's Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

The Memorial Committee met on June 9, 2024. At the meeting, the committee approved a project application form. The form is available through the church office and completed applications should be returned to the church office. The current amount in the undesignated memorial fund is approximately $11,500 and individuals and church teams are invited to submit applications to fund small one-time expenses and projects. Proposals will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Submitting a project narrative and estimated detailed budget, including expense quotes is encouraged.

Find the form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CNK29za2On9Rqq15VZwf2Z3efyBq_y3E/view?usp=sharing

The Church Office has implemented a new process for advertising events, gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and more. To ensure proper publication of your advertisement, please fill out and submit the form no less than two weeks in advance if possible.

Use this link to fill out the form: https://forms.gle/9RfC94vpbxi33TFw6

Ways to Give

We want everyone to have the accessibility to give, serve, and be a part of this faith community, so here are a few ways that you can consider giving:

Cash
Check/ACH Withdrawal
PayPal Recurring Gifts
Volunteering with OutReach Opportunities
Volunteering for serving breakfast, offering childcare, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, building and grounds projects, and more!

The Behavioral Covenant

First Congregational Church adopted our Behavioral Covenant in 2023. You can find the document on our website:

https://www.firstcongucc.com/behavioral-covenant

If you would like a printed copy and do not have access to a printer, please contact the Church Office for a printout.

Church Profile

View our Church Profile from the Pulpit Committee here:

https://www.firstcongucc.com/search-and-call

The mission of First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is:

To create a Christian community based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth by growing in our relationships with God, each other, and our neighbors through a thinking faith, unbounded welcome, creative worship, and generous service.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here.