~ Welcome ~
March 15, 2026
Fourth Sunday
in Lent
UMCOR Sunday
Sunday School ~ 9:00AM
Fellowship ~ 9:00AM
Worship ~ 10:00AM
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
Jason Kor
David Lambert
Roger Stunes
LaVerna Neugebauer, LeAnn Moe’s mother
Larry Griffith
Jason Rice, Verna Hofer’s grandson
Laura Barta Lindquist
Pray for the men and women of our military and the innocent civilians that are caught in the midst of the violence in our world.
UMCOR SUNDAY
This Sunday, March 15th, is UMCOR Sunday. This is one of the Six Special Offerings we receive each year. UMCOR is the disaster response and humanitarian relief agency of the United Methodist Church. The UMCOR Sunday offering is used to cover all the administrative costs of UMCOR. This is important because it allows all the funds collected through special appeals, to go fully to the specific need. Special Sunday Offering envelopes are available and are on the tables as you enter the Worship Center for your UMCOR gift.
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
UMCOR
MARCH “ONE THING”
Our March “One Thing” is laundry detergent (no pods) for Loads of Love Youth Laundromat. Rocs and MSD Caring Closet have created a safe and welcoming environment where preschool-college students can take their laundry needs without any cost barriers. This is located at ROCS, 201 E. 2nd Ave., Mitchell.
CONFIRMATION RETREAT
The 8th grade confirmation retreat will take place on Saturday, March 21st. The retreat will run from 8am-noon and take place in the chapel. Please use the Rowley Street entrance. Breakfast and snacks will be provided.
EASTER LILIES
If you are interested in purchasing a lily in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please fill out one of the cards provided and return it to the office with your payment by Monday, March 30th. The cost is $18. The lily cards are located at the entrances of our Worship Center.
BUTTER BRAIDS
The deadline for ordering is March 18th, and the delivery date is April 1. This is a fundraiser for youth activities, camps, and mission trips. Reach out to one of our youth or stop by the church office to order. Thank you for supporting our youth!
YOUTH GROUP
No Youth Group March 18th. You can drop your butter braid orders off at the church office that day or sooner if you need to. Also- Apri 1 @ 6:30- Youth Group butter braid delivery and Son Rise Service Practice.
MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION & REFLECTION
Come into the Worship Center on Maundy Thursday, April 2 for a time of quiet reflection on Christ’s last meal with His disciples. The space will be open throughout the day for prayer and reflection. Self-serve communion will be available all day beginning at 9AM. Pastor Amber will also be offering communion at 12PM and 6PM. All are welcome to stop in, spend time in prayer, and remember the love and sacrifice of Christ.
CAMP SUNDAY
Join us on April 19th at 10:00 AM for a special worship service led by our youth as we celebrate the joy and impact of camp. Following worship, stay for lunch and camp-themed activities as part of our April Family Fun Event. We hope you’ll join us!
WESLEY HERITAGE TOUR WITH DR. JOEL ALLEN
How about a summer escape to England with Kitty and Joel Allen? June 17-25, 2026, We’re heading across the pond to explore our Wesleyan roots—the movement that somehow grew from a few revival meetings to 80 million Methodist/Wesleyan Christians worldwide.
We’ll wander through Coventry, the Cotswolds, Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, Bath, and of course London—tea, scones, and spiritual heritage included. There are pamphlets available on one of the high-top tables in the gathering area or you can click on this link: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/he26061726j47709#eotours Payments made between now and April 2 must pay the full deposit amount of $1,800 up front. The final payment is due April 3.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION
When registering for camp, don’t forget to use our 50% off church code-156161CA. There are camp pamphlets available by Pastor Amber’s office door, or you can go online
https://www.dakotasumc.org/camping/camps-and-events. Please let Pastor Amber know if you have any questions.
VERSE FOR REFLECTION: 1 Peter 2:23-24 (CEB)
When he was insulted, he did not reply with insults. When he suffered, he did not threaten revenge. Instead, he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He carried in his own body on the cross the sins we committed. He did this so that we might live in righteousness, having nothing to do with sin. By his wounds you were healed.
Holy Week Worship Schedule:
Palm Sunday: March 29th ~ 10am service
Maundy Thursday: April 2nd ~ 12pm & 6pm communion & reflection
Good Friday: April 3rd ~ 7pm service
Easter Son Rise Service w/youth: April 5th ~ 8am service
Easter Service: April 5th ~10am service
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wed., March 18, Butter Braid Orders Due
Thurs., March 26, Love Feast
Sun., March 29, Palm Sunday
Thurs., April 2, Maundy Thursday
Fri., April 3, Good Friday
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
9:00 AM Sunday School
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study (Dave’s Rm. S1)
9:00 AM Downtown Mom’s Group (Youth Room)
10:00 AM Worship Service
MONDAY
6:30 PM Finance
TUESDAY
9:30 AM Staff
10:00 AM LifeQuest (Dining Room)
4:30 PM TOPS
5:30 PM Heart & Sole
7:00 PM Troop 75
WEDNESDAY
11:00 AM LifeQuest
7:00 PM Natalie’s Bible Study (Rm.103)
7:00 PM SPR
THURSDAY
11:00 AM LifeQuest (Dining Room)
1:00 PM United Women in Faith (Rm.103)
FRIDAY NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
SATURDAY
8 AM- Noon Confirmation Retreat (Chapel)
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music- Christy Wilson & Song Leaders
Scripture- Garry Freier
GATHERING SONGS: Take Time to Be Holy (Vs.1,2) 395 UMH
Here I Am, Lord 593 UMH
PRELUDE:
GREETING:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: Welcome to this Lenten moment-a season when we slow down
long enough to face the truth about ourselves.
P: We come as we are- aware of our brokenness, yet hungry
for grace.
L: Scripture tells us that all have fallen short-yet God has not turned
away from us.
P: Instead, God met us at the cross.
L: In Jesus, God stepped into our place- bearing what we could not
carry, paying what we could not repay.
P: Through Christ’s sacrifice, mercy is given and forgiveness is
real.
L: And now the invitation stands before us: be reconciled to God, be
made new.
P: In Christ we are a new creation; the old has gone, the new
has begun.
L: So come- bring your burdens, your regrets, your hopes.
P: We come to the cross, where grace is deeper than our sin. So,
today we gather to worship the God who saves.
OPENING SONG: O How I Love Jesus 170 UMH
CENTERING PRAYER:
CHILDREN’S MOMENT: God Is So Good (Vs.1,2,3) 2056 TFWS
TIME OF PRAYER: There’s Something About That Name 171 UMH
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: Isaiah 53:3-6, Romans 3:22-26,
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (CEB)
MESSAGE: Cross Talk: The Punishment!
SHARING OUR GIFTS:
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING: I Surrender All (Vs.1-4) 354 UMH
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SENDING SONG: The Summons (Vs.1,2) 2130 TFWS
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE: The Summons (Vs.3,5) 2130 TFWS