Downtown Mitchell
First United Methodist Church
310 N Rowley
Mitchell SD 57301
Sharing the love of Jesus
from the heart of Downtown
wifi password: L&ve1234
VERSE FOR REFLECTION: 1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
IN OUR PRAYERS
The family of Chuck Stevenson with the loss of Betty, Chuck’s mom
Ray Lapka
Verna Hofer
Arnold Dolejsi
Louise Metz
Nancy Laurendeau
Ruth Creasey
Stephani Scheurenbrand
Laura Barta Lindquist
Let’s pray for the Light of Jesus to fill the darkness of the world.
OFFICE CLOSED
The church office will be closed on Monday, December 25th for Christmas. Merry Christmas to our church family.
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA PICK-UP
If you purchased a poinsettia, you may pick it up Sunday evening after either of the Christmas Eve Candlelight services.
RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, 101.3 FM 10 AM)
Is given by Darlene Koster in memory of her husband, Marvin, their daughter Darlette, whose birthday would have been on December 25th and their granddaughter Amie Jo.
LIVESTREAM
Is given in memory of Alvin Hofer by Verna Hofer.
OUR WORSHIP OPTIONS ARE:
~ In person each Sunday at 10:00 am
~ Mitchell Telecom channel 110 at 10:00 am
~A link to our livestream is provided on our Facebook page for Sunday Worship: @MitchellsDowntownChurch
~ Radio Broadcast KORN1490 AM & 101.3 FM at 10:00 am, Sunday
~ Livestream on our website (www.downtownfirstumc.com) live at 10:00 am on Sundays or at any time.
MISSION OF THE MONTH
Global Aids Project
DECEMBER “ONE THING”
Our December “One Thing” is Hamburger Helper for the Mitchell High School Food Pantry. Currently they are helping an average of 25- 30 students each week.
JANUARY “ONE THING”
Our January “One Thing” will be diapers for In a Village, specifically sizes 4, 5, and 6. In a Village is a nonprofit that supports and assists expectant mothers, parents, and caregivers of young children in our community.
CHRISTMAS PHOTO BOOTH
Please check out the Christmas photo booth that is set up in the Gathering Area. We invite you to take this opportunity to snap a family photo.
WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
Join us for Sunday worship on New Year's Eve. We’ll be sharing together in the United Methodist Watchnight Service. This is a service that John Wesley believed every Methodist should participate in yearly as a way of recommitting themselves to God. The tradition became that the Watchnight Service was held either on New Years Eve (close to midnight) or on New Years Day. We will go with the New Years Eve time…but at 10AM. Come join us.
NOTE FROM FINANCE
As 2023 comes to a close, the Finance committee wants to thank you for your faithful support of our church. As you plan your year-end donations, please consider the church in your giving. The church operating expenses are currently running ahead of operating revenue. If you would like additional information regarding our operation deficit, please contact Pastor Keith or Denise Hoffman (denise.hoffman16@gmail.com). Donating grain or stocks is also an option for giving- contact Denise for more information. You can still stop by the office and fill out a commitment card if you haven’t filled one out yet. Thank you again for your support of Downtown FUMC.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Sunday, December 24th 4:30PM and 6:30PM
(Christmas Eve Candlelight Services)
PRAYER & PURPOSE
2024 is going to be a year of growing in prayer and reclaiming our purpose as a community of faith here in Mitchell. You, our church family, is invited to join us on this journey with a Conference Wide prayer focus in which we’ll use the book Dynamite Prayer to help guide us as we seek God’s Breakthrough Presence in our church and in our lives. This prayer initiative will begin on January 14. Books are available in the church office. You can talk to Pastor Keith for more information.
HOSPITAL VISITATION
If you, or someone in your family is hospitalized, either here in Mitchell or Sioux Falls, please call the church office and let Tonya know. Pastor Keith does try to stop by the hospital several times a week, but we do make it more intentional if we know someone has been admitted. Also, when you are admitted, make sure your name is on the “Methodist” List. That way Pastor Keith will see it when he asks for the Methodist List. This is also true when someone is admitted to one of the care facilities in our community. Thank you for helping us care for our church family.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH MEALS
There are many opportunities available to help with the meals in the coming new year for our youth. There is a signup sheet on the connection center desk. If you have any questions, please let us know.
UPCOMING EVENTS – 2023
Sun., Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Services 4:30PM & 6:30PM
Mon., Dec 25, Merry Christmas- Office Closed
Mon., Jan 1, Happy New Year- Office Closed
Wed., Jan 3, Youth Group Resumes 6PM
Sun., Jan 7, Sunday School Resumes 9AM
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
10:00 AM Worship
4:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
6:30 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
MONDAY
MERRY CHRISTMAS- OFFICE CLOSED
TUESDAY
4:30 PM TOPS
WEDNESDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
THURSDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
FRIDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
SATURDAY
9:00 AM Handbell Practice
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music- Nancy Nelson
Scripture- Jan Quenzer
Advent Reading/Candle Lightning- Bret, Tonya, Sam and Katie Stahl
HYMN SING: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 196 UMH
It Came upon the Midnight Clear 218 UMH
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 229 UMH
The First Noel 245 UMH
PRELUDE: Circuit Ringers: Away in a Manger
Silent Night, Holy Night
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: Something stirs deep within us…
P: A longing, a hope,
L: A thirst of joy,
P: A hunger for peace,
L: A yearning for blessing.
P: We know deep within
L: That our hopes and fears
P: Will be met by angel songs and baby sighs.
L: It is Advent
P: A season of waiting, hoping, yearning, preparing.
All: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
OPENING SONG: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
(Vs.1,2,3) 224 UMH
CENTERING PRAYER:
CHILDREN’S MOMENT:
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE:
Light the Advent Candle (Vs.4) 2090 TFWS
THE GIFT OF MUSIC: The Mitchell Barbershop Chorus
TIME OF PRAYER:
Silent Reflection~ Pastor’s Prayer ~ The Lord’s Prayer
(I will be alternating between the Traditional and an Alternate that is more contemporary in wording)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
SCRIPTURE: Luke: 2:8-14
MESSAGE: The Characters of Christmas: The Manger
SHARING OUR GIFTS:
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SENDING SONG: There’s a Song in the Air
(Vs.1,2,4) 249 UMH
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE: