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: Isaiah 42:1
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
IN OUR PRAYERS
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, January 1st in observance of New Year’s Day. Happy New Year to our church family!
THANK YOU
I want to thank Pastor Keith, the staff and all my church family for your thoughts, prayers, cards, and messages. I’m recovering well. Your prayers are much appreciated. ~ Marge Scheurenbrand
RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, 101.3 FM 10 AM)
Is given in loving memory of Elvina Hubbard whose birthday would have been January 1st by Gary and Janet (Hubbard) Jorgensen and families.
LIVESTREAM
Is in memory of Janet and Walter Nelson’s Wedding Anniversary which would have been Saturday, December 30th.
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.
WATCHNIGHT SERVICE
Today, 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.
YOUTH GROUP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES
Youth Group will resume on Wednesday, January 3rd at 6PM.
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 7th at 9AM.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Natalie will start a new bible study starting Sunday, Jan. 14th at 9am during Sunday School and Wednesday, Jan. 17th at 7pm. We will be looking at Immerse Kingdoms and will run approximately 8-10 weeks (allowing for possible changes due to Easter events.)
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.
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 in the new year to help with the meals for our youth. Please consider helping with this ministry. There is a signup sheet on the connection center desk. If you have any questions, please let us know.
UPCOMING EVENTS – 2023
Mon., Jan 1, Happy New Year- Office Closed
Wed., Jan 3, Youth Group Resumes 6PM
Sun., Jan 7, Sunday School Resumes 9AM
Fri., Jan 26-27, Winter Connection
Sun., Jan 28, Youth Sunday
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
10:00 AM Worship
MONDAY
HAPPY NEW YEAR- OFFICE CLOSED
TUESDAY
9:30 AM Staff
4:30 PM TOPS
WEDNESDAY
6:00 PM Overflow/Supper
7:00 PM Youth Group
THURSDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
FRIDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
SATURDAY
9:00 AM Handbell Practice
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music- Nancy Nelson
Scripture Reader- Linda Claggett
HYMN SING: Angels We Have Heard on High 238 UMH
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks 236 UMH
Blessed Be the God of Israel 209 UMH
Angels from the Realms of Glory 220 UMH
PRELUDE:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: Our journey is filled with good-byes
P: Our journey is filled with hellos
L: Today one year ends
P: Tomorrow another year begins
L: We look back and reflect
P: We look forward and anticipate
L: And through it all, the past, the present, and the future…
P: God is with us
L: Our God is always present and our God is always the same,
P: Yesterday, Today, and forever! Halleluia!!!
OPENING SONG: Joy to the World 246 UMH
OPENING PRAYER:
CHILDREN’S MOMENT:
REFLECTION & CONFESSION:
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 is in heaven, honored be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us, not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For yours, God, is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1-12 & Luke 2:8-20
MESSAGE: The Characters of Christmas: The Outsiders
SONG: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy 2098 TFWS
ANTICIPATION & PREPARATION:
SHARING OUR GIFTS:
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
COVENANT PRAYER IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION: 607 UMH
SENDING SONG: Go, Tell It on the Mountain 251 UMH
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE: