Downtown Mitchell
First United Methodist Church
“Sharing the love of Jesus from the heart of Downtown”
310 N Rowley
Mitchell SD 57301
www.downtownfirstumc.com
wifi password: L&ve1234
“We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing love and grace to all we encounter, by living out God’s Kingdom together.”
IN OUR PRAYERS
Roger Stunes
The family of Chris Lippert with the loss of his sister, Brenda
Paul Szabo
Frances Conraads, Cindy Bierman’s mother
Bryan Vogel
Priscilla Stevenson
Jackie Hess
Charlotte Chenoweth
LaVerna Neugebauer, LeAnn Moe’s mother
Larry Griffith
Jayne Barnard
Jason Rice, Verna Hofer’s grandson
Laura Barta Lindquist
Pray for our church and one another as we begin a New Year. May we truly strive to live out our Purpose Statement in the New Year.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP RESUMES
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 4th.
Youth Group will resume on Wednesday, January 7th.
LIVESTREAM
Is given in loving memory of Elvina Hubbard whose birthday would have been January 1st, by Janet Hubbard Jorgensen and family.
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
~ Livestream on our website (www.downtownfirstumc.com) live at
10:00 am on Sundays or at any time.
MISSION OF THE MONTH
Solar Oven Projects
The key goal of the Solar Oven Project is to assist people in living in energy-scarce areas of the world to utilize the free energy of the sun for cooking and other energy needs.
JANUARY “ONE THING”
Our January “One Thing” is Adopt a Senior for the class of 2026 for the MSD Caring Closet. Donations will help purchase Caps/Gowns/ Tassels/ Year Books and a graduation gift. Our goal is to “adopt” 10 seniors for a total of $1550.
“REVIVAL” BIBLE STUDY
Join us for a step back and look at Adam Hamiltons study on John Wesley. With this we will look at John Wesleys life and legacy and the message that he preached so that we might experience the modern day “Revival” that Wesley shared with us all. This is a 6-week study that will start after the Holidays, January 7, 2026, at 7pm. “Revival” books are available in the church office for $12.00. Hope to see you there. Any questions, please let Natalie know.
JANUARY FAMILY FUN-GAME DAY
Join Pastor Amber on Sunday, January 11th from 3-4pm. You bring a game or puzzle to share with the other families, and we will provide drinks and snacks! All church families are welcome!
WINTER CONNECTION
Winter Connection is an annual event for Middle School and High School youth sponsored by the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministry. This year’s event will be held in Sioux Falls at Sioux Falls First UMC. Winter Connection is an opportunity for youth to gather, share, worship, and serve others. The event will be held January 30-31, and the cost is $40 per person. Please let Pastor Amber know if you plan on attending and if you have any questions.
BELOVED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Join us at our church for a two- day women’s conference experience featuring worship, encouragement, and connection February 6th and 7th. All women from our church and community are welcome as we gather and are reminded that we are deeply loved. Sign up today in the gathering area!
GIVING TO OUR CHURCH
As we begin a new year the Finance Team and the leadership of our church encourage all of us to think about the different ways we can give to our church throughout the year. There are many service and prayer opportunities, as well as other community focused ways to give of ourselves.
Regarding financial giving, there are many ways to give; of course, there is cash or checks in the plate offering, but there is also electronic and ACH giving options. There are also non-cash giving options such as stock, grain, MRDs, other investments, and even through life insurance policies.
As we begin a new year of ministry, we know there are many options for your charitable giving dollars to go to. We believe our church is a great investment in our community and in God’s Kingdom. For more information you can talk to Craig McManus our Finance Chair.
2026 BIBLE READING PLAN
In 2025 Bishop Lanette asked us to read with her through the New Testament books of Luke and Acts. Today marks the last day of reading through that plan. For those of you who like to have a reading plan, Pastor Keith has developed a plan for 2026 in which we’ll read together through Paul’s letter, which makes up about 2/3 of the New Testament. This reading plan will take us chronologically through Paul’s letters and we’ll be reading 1-2 chapters a week. You can pick up a reading guide on the tables at each entry to the Worship Center or at the Welcome Desk by the church office.
ATTENTION MOMS!
Starting Sunday, Jan 11th, a new ministry called “Common Grounds: Downtown Moms” will begin. Moms are invited to gather for coffee, connection, and encouragement while kids are in Sunday School. No prep, no pressure- just a welcoming place to relax, breathe, and belong.
VERSE FOR REFLECTION: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEB)
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thurs., Jan, 22 Love Feast
Fri-Sat, Jan 30-31, Winter Connection (Sioux Falls)
Fri-Sat, Feb 6-7, Beloved Women’s Conference
Tue., Feb 17, Shrove Tuesday
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
9:00 AM Sunday School
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study (Dave’s Rm. S1)
10:00 AM Worship Service
MONDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
TUESDAY
9:30 AM Staff
4:30 PM TOPS
7:00 PM Troop 75
WEDNESDAY
6:30 PM Youth Group
7:00 PM Bible Study (Rm.103)
THURSDAY
5:30 PM Love Feast
FRIDAY
1:00 PM PALS (Nursery)
SATURDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music-Christy Wilson, Carolyn Knight & Song Leaders
Scripture Reader- Kathryn Fuhrer
GATHERING SONGS: We Three Kings (Vs.1,2,5) 254 UMH
Sing We Now of Christmas (Vs.1,4,5) 237 UMH
GREETING:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: We gather as people looking for the star, a sign that God is at work
in the world.
P: God, help us find your glory.
L: We gather as people listening for the whispers of the Spirit, hints of
the good news in the least likely places.
P: God, help us notice your glory.
L: We gather as people yearning for Love’s presence, the assurance
that we are not alone and Love will have the last word.
P: God, help us encounter your glory.
L: On this Epiphany Sunday, may the Light of Love shine among us,
revealing divine glory through neighbors known and unknown,
vulnerable children, and unexpected gifts.
P: God, reveal to us anew the glory of your expansive Love that
gathers us together and sustains us in loving service to one
another and all creation. Amen.
OPENING SONG: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light 206 UMH
CENTERING PRAYER:
CHILDREN’S MOMENT: This Little Light of Mine
TIME OF PRAYER: Love Came Down at Christmas 242 UMH
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: Matthew 2:1-12 (CEB)
MESSAGE: Do Not Be Afraid: In It Together!
COMMUNION:
Preparing the Elements & Preparing our Hearts
Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition 607 UMH
Sharing in Communion
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
The Offering will be received as people come forward for communion
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SENDING SONG: Shine, Jesus, Shine (Vs.1) 2173 TFWS
BENEDICTION: Shine, Jesus, Shine (Vs.2,3) 2173 TFWS