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 62:10-11
Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”
IN OUR PRAYERS
Family of Carol Hasz
Dennis and Sue Westgard
Mary Ellen Jepsen in the loss of her brother Larry Jepsen
Louise Metz
Bev Rowley
Laura Barta Lindquist
Stephani Scheurenbrand
Jason & Laurie Kor/Hank & Bonnie Kor
All students coping with the tragic loss of a fellow classmate
CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS
Today, after worship, Mary Ellen Jepsen will be taking photos for anyone that did not have the opportunity to do so last year. The Studio is set up downstairs in room # 107.
THANK YOU
We would like to thank our church family for all your thoughts and prayers while Matt had surgery. Thank you, Pastor Keith, for the hospital visit. Matt continues to get better each day. We are blessed to have you all as our church family.
~ Matt and Jayne Barnard
RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, or 101.3 FM 10 AM)
Given by Lou Ora Houk in memory of her 1st husband, Robert Busk
LIVESTREAM
Given by Carol McManus
RADIO BROADCAST and LIVESTREAM sponsors are needed. Cost of radio sponsorship is $140 and Livestream is $50.
OUR WORSHIP OPTIONS ARE:
~ In person each Sunday at 10:00 am
~ Mitchell Telecom channel 110 at 10:00 am
~ Facebook live on Sundays: @MitchellsDowntownChurch
~ Radio Broadcast on 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.
“The Angels of Christmas” Advent Study
Pastor Keith is leading an advent study on “The Angels of Christmas”, Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM at the church. There is 1 week left, Dec. 21st. All are welcome. Books are available in the office.
Christmas Eve Services and Christmas Day
Friday, December 23rd 5:30PM (Chapel)
Saturday, December 24th 4:30PM and 6:30PM
Sunday, December 25th 10:00AM (no Sunday School)
STUFF THE STOCKINGS
Write a personal thank you (card provided) to a volunteer and stuff it in their stocking that is hung next to their classroom door. You may also stuff the stocking with a small gift or treat to show your appreciation to our awesome volunteers.
DECEMBER “ONE THING”
Our “One Thing” is cereal for the MHS Snack Pack Food Pantry. This is a new program brought to Mitchell High School. Each school week MHS students can choose 6 food items to take home for the weekend.
DECEMBER MISSION OF THE MONTH:
Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota and CASA
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor of or in memory of a loved one, please fill out a Christmas Poinsettia card located on the Connection Center table and as you enter the Worship Center. The price is $15 each and the deadline is today, December 18th. You will be able to pick them up after either Christmas Eve Service.
FINANCE UPDATE
An update from finance… we ended November with another positive month of operating income- lessening our operating deficit for the year to $36,347.93. Thank you for continuing to consider the church in your year-end giving.
2022 STEWARDSHIP
If you weren’t able to be here to participate in our commitment service, we still have Estimate of Giving Cards, as well as Servant Cards available on the tables by each entry way to the Worship Center, as well as at the Connection Center in the Gathering Area.
HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO VISIT THE HOLY LAND?
Hank Kor will be hosting a trip through Educational Opportunities on
October 10-19, 2023. He will also be adding an extension to Jordon to visit Petra. (You can check Petra out online.) The return date if one chooses the extension, would be October 23. Feel free to call Hank at
605-999-5676 or you can check out the brochure in the gathering area.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
In January we are looking to start a Bible Study opportunity for adults during our Sunday School hour. Natalie Piehl will lead this first study that will focus on The New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. The title is Immerse and will begin on January 8th at 9am in room S1. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.
NOISY BUCKETS
Last week should have been “Noisy Bucket” Sunday. However, with the Sunday School Christmas Pageant and the children not being present during the offering, it was decided to have Noisy Bucket Sunday this Sunday. Remember our project is Pigs for Pastor (Pastor’s in Rwanda). Last month we collected $64 toward the project. Maybe this week we can double it. We’d love to be able to purchase two pigs to help support a pastor in Rwanda through the Center for Health and Hope.
UPCOMING EVENTS – 2022
Wed., Dec. 21, 7PM Advent Study
Fri., Dec. 23, 5:30PM Early Christmas Eve Service
Sat., Dec 24, 4:30PM & 6:30PM Christmas Eve Services
Sun., Dec 25, 10AM Christmas Day Service
Mon., Dec 26, Office Closed
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
9:00 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM Worship
12 NOON Hispanic Church
MONDAY
7:00 PM Troop 75
TUESDAY
11:00 AM Larry Hasz Funeral
4:30 PM TOPS
WEDNESDAY
9:30 AM Staff
7:00 PM Advent Study
THURSDAY NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
FRIDAY
5:30 PM Early Christmas Eve Service
SATURDAY
4:30 PM Christmas Eve Service
6:30 PM Christmas Eve Service
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music- Praise Team
Scripture Reader- Paul Miskimins
Servant- Rich Stedman
GATHERING SONGS: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
We Have a Savior
What Did You Say Was the Baby’s Name?
GREETING
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: It won’t be long now
P: ‘Til a child is born
L: And angels sing
P: And Shepherds visit a king.
L: It won’t be long now
P: ‘Til “Silent Night” is sung in candlelight.
L: It won’t be long now
P: ‘Til children squirm in their beds with eager anticipation.
L: It won't be long now
P: So, ready the heart,
L: Quiet the rush
P: And worship the One who comes to heal the broken, reclaim the lost, and set the captives free.
OPENING SONG O Come All Ye Faithful
CENTERING PRAYER All Is Well
CHILDREN’S MOMENT Mary Had a Baby
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE:
Light the Advent Candle (vs 4) 2090 TFWS
John and Joan Dolejsi Family
BAPTISM
(The altar rose is in honor of the baptism of Adalynn Leona Riggs who was born on Nov. 22, 2022, to Mercedes and Aaron Riggs)
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Baptismal Covenant II Page 39-43 #1,3,4,8,11,16 UMH
TIME OF PRAYER Emmanuel
Silent Reflection ~ Pastor’s Prayer ~ The Lord’s Prayer
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 1:18-25
MESSAGE Angels of Christmas: What Should I do?
SONG The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
RECEIVING OUR OFFERINGS
Were You There on That Christmas Night?
SHARING OUR GIFTS
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS
SENDING SONG Hark The Herald Angels Sing
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Go Tell it on the Mountain
We Wish You a Merry Christmas