~ Welcome ~
November 15th
2026
Sunday School & Confirmation ~ 9:00 am
Fellowship ~ 9:00 am
Worship ~ 10:00 am
Downtown Mitchell First United Methodist Church
“Sharing the love of Jesus from the heart of Downtown”
Rev. Keith Nelson
Rev. Amber Laffey
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
Darlene Wadleigh
The family of Richard Giedd with his passing
Roger Nelson
Lee Heying, Janelle Davis & Tom Burdick’s stepfather
Lee Schroeder
Jason Kor
Howard Grinager
Jason Rice, Verna Hofer’s grandson
Laura Barta Lindquist
Pray for all our leaders who remain in office, who are returning to office, and those newly elected to office. May God's Grace and Wisdom be with them all.
CHURCH CONFERENCE
Join us for our yearly Church Conference gathering on Sunday November 15th at 6:30 PM in the chapel. District Superintendent Brandon Vetter will lead our time together. All are welcome
LIVESTREAM
Is given anonymously.
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
Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota
NOVEMBER “ONE THING”
Our November “One Thing” is mashed potatoes for the Salvation Army Christmas Food Baskets. Our goal is to provide 250 bags or boxes of instant mashed potatoes.
TECH BOOTH HELP NEEDED
Do you have an interest or a natural ability with technology? We need you!! Our tech team is looking for some additional helpers to be trained in running sound, video, or the livestream and cameras at the church. This could involve being on the team for a Sunday morning, but they especially need someone who would be able to help out with funerals during the week. If you are interested in learning more about this serving opportunity, please talk to Jaimie Larson.
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
“Open to God” is a desire of those of us who are followers of Jesus. We want to be open to God’s leading and direction in our lives, in our thoughts, in our actions, and in all that we are. That is truly what “Building God’s Kingdom together” from our church’s purpose statement, is all about. “Open to God” is also our Stewardship theme for this year and will conclude on Sunday November 22nd with our Commitment and Celebration Sunday. This Sunday, November 15, estimate of giving cards will be available. We are each invited to take one home and pray over it for the coming week, and then bring it to worship on the 22nd, as together we’ll celebrate our commitments to God. Let us each be open to God as we prayerfully consider our commitment and support to our church for the new year to come.
“OPEN” to GOD
OPEN HEARTS. OPEN HANDS. OPEN DOORS.
A Three-Week Journey in Faithful Stewardship
Have you ever stopped to consider just how much you have to be thankful for? God has blessed us in countless ways—with grace, gifts, abilities, relationships, and opportunities. But gratitude isn't just about recognizing what we've received; it's about how we respond.
Stewardship begins with a grateful heart. It's about recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and allowing that gratitude to shape how we live, how we give, and how we welcome others. Because stewardship is about much more than what's in the offering plate. It's about living generously and sharing the blessings we've received! Please be thinking and praying about the ways God is leading you to be committed to our church for the year to come.
BISHOP’S THANKSGIVING OFFERING
This year’s Bishops Thanksgiving Offering will be to support the Spirit Lake Food Sustainability Project. Your gift helps nourish families, welcome mission teams, grow gardens, preserve food, support ministry partnerships, and strengthen a hopeful future. There is a donation box in the gathering area on one of the high-top tables. May your gratitude this Thanksgiving overflow into acts of grace.
LOVE FEAST ANOUNCEMENTS
Love Feast is currently accepting County Fair stamps so they can purchase turkeys for the Christmas meal. Please drop stamps off at the church office.
Love Feast is taking sign-ups for donations and for workers for their December 17th Christmas Meal. They are also asking for donations of hats and gloves/mittens which will be given away at that meal. There will be boxes at each entry to the Worship Center.
LITTLE FREE FOOD PANTRY
We continue to collect non-perishable food items to help keep our Little Free Food Pantry stocked and available to those in need. Donations may be brought to the church office. Thank you for helping us share God’s love with our community!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sun, Nov 22, Stewardship Sunday
Thurs., Nov 26, Thanksgiving Day/Office Closed
Sun., Nov 29, First Sunday of Advent
Thurs., Dec 3, Love Feast (Masonic Hall)
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
9:00 AM Fellowship in Gathering Area
9:00 AM Mom’s Small Group (Youth Room)
9:00 AM Sunday School & Confirmation
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study (Rm.S-1)
10:00 AM Worship Service
6:30 PM Church Conference (Chapel)
MONDAY
6:30 PM Finance
TUESDAY
9:30 PM Staff
4:30 PM TOPS
5:30 PM Heart & Sole
6:30 PM Cub Scouts
WEDNESDAY
12:30 PM Family Ministry
6:30 PM Youth Group
7:00 PM Natalie’s Bible Study
7:00 PM SPR
THURSDAY
9:00 AM PALS (Nursery)
1:00 PM United Women in Faith
FRIDAY
9:00 AM PALS (Nursery)
SATURDAY NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
ORDER OF WORSHIP
November 15, 2026
VERSE FOR REFLECTION: Psalm 25:4-5 (CEB)
Make your ways known to me, LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth- teach it to me- because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long.
Music- Nancy Nelson & Song Leaders
Scripture Reader- Tanner Fuhrer
HYMN SING: Morning Has Broken 145 UMH
Open My Eyes 454 UMH
How Great Thou Art 77 UMH
I Will Call Upon the Lord 2002 TFWS
PRELUDE:
GREETING:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: We come before God today, each carrying something in our hands.
P: Some things we hold tightly. Some things we are afraid to
release.
L: Jesus reminds us that life is about more than what we possess.
P: Help us discover the freedom that comes from trusting you.
L: For when we open our hands, we make room for God’s grace to
work in us and through us.
P: May our lives become generous expressions of God’s love.
ALL: Lord, open our hands, open our hearts, and lead us into the
abundant life of Christ!
OPENING SONG: We Gather Together 131 UMH
CENTERING PRAYER:
YOUNG DISCIPLES TIME:
TIME OF PRAYER:
Silent Reflection~ Pastor’s Prayer~ The Lord’s Prayer
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: Luke 18:18-27, 19:1-10 (CEB)
MESSAGE: Open To God: Open Hands
SONG: Freely, Freely 389 UMH
SHARING OUR GIFTS:
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SENDING SONG: Count Your Blessings
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE:
Pastor’s Reflection-Handing out Roses
Downtown Mitchell First UMC
310 North Rowley, Mitchell, SD 57301
Rev. Keith Nelson, Pastor
keith@downtownfirstumc.com
Yesterday I did something rather fun. Nepstad’s Floral is running a special that if you bring in 2 non-perishable food items, along with $10, you can get a dozen roses! In a previous community where I lived and served, I remember the local florist ran the same kind of special, and it was so much fun surprising people by handing them a rose. So, I decided to do it again.
I got several nonperishable food items, drove to Nepstad’s and with money in hand I bought a dozen roses. I proceeded to my church office and gave each of the staff that were present a rose. Then I headed off to Nancy’s office to repeat handing out a rose. Of course, the first question is, “What is this for?” My answer is usually something like… “Just because.” I usually do go on to explain about the special deal and just wanting to do something to make people smile and spread a little kindness. After all, I don’t need people thinking I’m being creepy or inappropriate – a pastor in town handing out roses.
But really, if a person can do something nice and bring a touch of joy to another person for less than $1 a person, doesn’t that seem like a great idea or at least something worth doing…for a few people. Our world is in need of more smiles and more joy!!
I’m reminded of one of the proverbs in the Bible, found in the book of Proverbs. Remember, proverbs aren’t promises, meaning if you do X then Y will follow. No, proverbs are truths that are most likely to happen. Meaning, if you do X then Y is likely to happen…but not necessarily always. Anyway, in Proverbs 16:24 it says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” NIV
Now I realize that a rose or a flower is not the same as words, referring to the verse I just mentioned, or are they? Most often when a flower is given, there is also a message that is communicated; a message of love, or care, or friendship. Maybe it is saying, “I’m thinking of you.” Or maybe even a message of respect. But a flower can communicate many different things with or without any actual words being spoken. So, maybe a flower given can be like honey for the soul too, even without a word being spoken.
I applaud Nepstad’s, and any other business that promotes kindness and graciousness to one another. It makes me think of our church theme for the current school year; GOAL – Go Out And Love! In fact, our Sunday School children are playing “Kindness” Bingo. I challenge all of us adults to play Kindness Bingo too. Listen to the proverb, listen to our faith tradition, listen to your own soul. You don’t have to hand out flowers; you can simply share a smile. Share a word of encouragement. Greet someone in a caring manner that maybe seems like they are having a rough day. Pay for someone’s beverage behind you as you go through the drive- through of your favorite coffee shop. There are all sorts of ways to extend a “gracious word” to those you meet today. And chances are, someone you meet today is in need of honey for their soul and healing that goes clear to the bone. A gracious word is truly needed in so many people’s lives. Let’s be honey to the world.
Pastor Keith