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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.
| February 12, 2025 | The Good News | |
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Thursday, February 20: Circle Bible Study
Saturday, February 22: Out and About Hockey Game
Sunday, February 23: Annual Financial Meeting
Thursday, February 27: Dow Rummel Visit
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Meet Our Future Pastor
Rev. Carol Hallman's early religious formation was in the UCC and Presbyterian churches in her home state of Ohio. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice; Master's Degree is Forensic Psychology; and Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. She has served churches in Kansas, Maryland, and North Carolina. Rev. Hallman felt her call to ministry earlier in life but initially resisted it. After exploring careers in forensic psychology and public school counseling, she eventually embraced her call through prayer and encouragement from others, leading to her seminary education and ordination. She is deeply committed to the United Church of Christ's covenantal relationship and has actively served in leadership roles within the church, including in youth ministry and church associations. Passionate about God's inclusive love and grace, Rev. Hallman strives to create a more welcoming community for all. She told us, "The more I study scripture, the more I pray, the more I listen, what I hear is this: God is love and we are created by God to love one another. My continuing call is to challenge people, encourage people, help people to hear this most simple message."
As we prepare to welcome Pastor Carol into our community, we want to ensure a smooth and respectful transition for all involved. To uphold the integrity of our pastoral call agreement with Carol and employee expectations, we kindly ask that no direct work-related contact be made with Pastor Carol until her official start date on May 15th.
This boundary is in place to respect her time of transition, allow for proper onboarding, and ensure that when she begins, she is fully supported in stepping into her role with clarity and intention. In the meantime, any questions, concerns, or planning needs should be directed to Pastor Sam at pastor@firstcongucc.org to maintain continuity in leadership.
We appreciate your understanding and commitment to fostering a healthy and professional pastoral transition. Thank you for your patience and support as we prepare for this new chapter together.
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Scrip Cards Available
Buy your groceries and support FCC Youth at the same time! Pre-loaded gift cards to Fareway and Hy-Vee are available for purchase in varying amounts. Money from these sales will go towards Camperships to Placerville. See Pam Oberembt to purchase a card!
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Annual Financial Meeting
Join us for the Annual Financial Meeting on February 23, at 11:30 am, in the Sanctuary. Per Church By-Laws, we need a quorum of 60 people in attendance. Attendance includes in-person, by phone, and/or online.
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The February event for Out & About is the Augustana hockey game on 2/22 at 6:07pm. Tickets are $20 each and the deadline for signing up is Sunday February 16th.
Contact Rhonda Class with any questions.
605-941-7463
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OutReach Volunteer Project
Join OutReach on February 24, at 5:30 pm, for a volunteer project at Lunch is Served (1600 E 12th St)
We will be packing sack lunches for Lunch is Served, an organization that provides sack lunches for working men and women in the community without the benefit of a noon meal.
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New Members will be Welcomed on Easter Sunday!
We are excited to invite new members to First Congregational Church on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at second service.
If you are interested in joining the church as a member, please attend one of our new member classes in the Gerlinger Room as it fits into your schedule. You can choose from the following dates:
- March 2 - 9:30 am
- March 16 - 9:30 am
Have any questions? Email the Church Office: FCC@firstcongucc.com
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We are Hiring!
Youth Engagement Coordinator - Part Time
Are you or someone you know passionate about enriching and engaging with children? Pass along this link if they would be a good fit!
https://www.firstcongucc.com/job-openings
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Sunday - 02/16/2025
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
Monday - 02/17/2025
Contemplative Prayer - 6:00 pm
Tuesday - 02/18/2025
Staff Meeting - 10:30 am
Building and Grounds Meeting - 5:15 pm
OutReach Meeting - 5:30 pm
Tuesday Night Yoga - 6:00 pm
Wednesday - 02/19/2025
Confirmation - 6:30 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 pm
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Thursday - 02/20/2025
Circle Bible Study - 10:00 am
Al-Anon Meeting - 5:30 pm
Friday - 02/21/2025
Visitation Group Meeting - 3:00 pm
Saturday - 02/22/2025
Out and About Hockey Game - 6:07 pm
Sunday - 02/23/2025
Worship Service - 8:30 am
Breakfast and Fellowship Time - 9:15 am
Sunday School - 9:45 am
Worship Service - 10:30 am
Annual Financial Meeting - 11:30 am
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Remember in Prayer
Family and Friends of Arnold Wienk | Family and Friends of Judy Roddel | Our Jewish and Muslim Siblings | Immigrants | Trans and Non-Binary Community | Family and Friends of Ute Huwer | Joe Arcudi | That Christianity is not weaponized against the vulnerable | People Affected by Southern California Wildfires | Nathan | Dahlia Keller | Marley Ann Opsahl | Chris, Grandson of Ruthi and Jerry M. | Jane and Lee Smith | Sara Van Peursem | Barbara Moseley DeSouza | John Chamness | Dennis (Grandpa of Lily Satterlee) | Jennie and Richard | Mary Kay Bieber and Myron Bieber | Tyler and Monalisa and their family | Betsy Haushalter | Randy Feltis (uncle of Kelli Huwer) | Quentin Ambort | Michael Joseph | Leif Haegeland | Gary Palmer
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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 the Pastor for direct support: Pastor@firstcongucc.com
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Weekly Lectionary Scripture
Luke 6:17-26
He came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets."
Next week's Scripture: Luke 6:27-38
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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 $8,900 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
- Tithe.ly
- Amazon Wish Lists
- 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!
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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.
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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.
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Ministers - All the People
Church Staff
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Rev. Sam Houser, Theologian in Residence
Email: Pastor@firstcongucc.com
Lisa Hastings, Finance Administrator
Email: Finance@firstcongucc.com
Rev. Lorah Houser Jankord, Pastoral Care Minister
Amanda Carlson, Church Music Intern
Frederick Matthews, Choir Director
Rev. Kathryn J. Timpany, Pastor Emerita
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Sara Sublette,
Office and Communications Coordinator
Email: FCC@firstcongucc.com
Pam Oberembt, Director of Congregational Life
Email: Events@firstcongucc.com
Cameron Sublette, Facilities Manager
Email: FacilitiesManager@firstcongucc.com
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Friday: By appointment only
Please call ahead if you need something at the church throughout the week.
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