Bulletin, December 25, 2022

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 – Matthew 2:1-2

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

 IN OUR PRAYERS

Van Beek family

Arens family

Family of Larry Hasz

Dennis and Sue Westgard

     Louise Metz

Bev Rowley

Laura Barta Lindquist

Stephani Scheurenbrand

Jason & Laurie Kor/Hank & Bonnie Kor

All the people who work outside in the cold and all those that are coping with the loss of loved ones.

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING

There are so many places in our world experiencing great need.  One that strikes close to the heart of our church is that of Haiti.  Bruce Blumer has shared with us that the cost of food and fuel, and so many basic goods in Haiti have risen in price drastically because of governmental issues in Haiti.  Bruce indicates that he has the food and a shipping container arranged for but covering the cost of getting the shipping container to Haiti is the next hurdle to clear.  Our Church leadership has decided to give half of our Christmas Eve Offering to this need with Haiti Alive.  Special “Christmas” offering envelopes are available at the entries to our Worship Center.  Please place your Christmas Eve offering in one of these envelopes or write “Christmas Eve” on your check in the memo area.  If you are giving your regular “Church Pledge” gift on Christmas Eve, please indicate that on the check or put it in your regular offering envelope.  Thank you for your generosity and making a difference in our community and in other parts of the world.

RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, or 101.3 FM 10 AM)

Is given by Darlene Koster in memory of her husband, Marvin, their daughter Darlette, whose birthday would have been on December 25th and their granddaughter Amie Jo.

LIVESTREAM

Given by Verna Hofer

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. 

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 POINSETTIA PICK UP

If you purchased a poinsettia, you may pick them up after either Christmas Eve Service or after the Christmas Day service.

JANUARY SERMON SERIES

We are made for connections. It is a part of who we are. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, H e spoke of connections, connection with God, connecting with our neighbors, and connecting with ourselves. Join us for worship at Downtown Mitchell First UMC in January as Pastor Keith will have a new sermon series called “Connex-tions” that will focus on a theme that was important to Jesus and is something our church is building on. We are building “connections” to last a lifetime!!

FINANCE UPDATE

As we wrap up 2022, the finance committee would like to thank you for your faithful giving. The operating budget deficit has decreased, and we appreciate your ongoing consideration in your year-end giving. Thank you again- and God Bless.

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 an adult Bible Study during our Sunday School hour. Natalie Piehl will lead this study using the Immerse Bible series. The first book that we will read is called Messiah, which looks at the first part of the New Testament. We will begin on January 8th at 9am in room S1.  We will have some books available. All are welcomed.

YOUTH GROUP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL

We will resume youth group on Wednesday, January 4th at 6:00pm. We will resume Sunday School on Sunday, January 8th at 9:00am.

 UPCOMING EVENTS – 2022

Mon., Dec 26, Office Closed

Mon., Jan 2, Office Closed

Wed., Jan. 4, 5:30PM Family Fun Night

Wed., Jan. 4, 6PM Youth Group Resumes

Sun., Jan 8, Sunday School Resumes

Sun., Jan 8, 9AM Adult Bible Study (room S1)

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK 

SUNDAY

10:00 AM        Worship

12 NOON        Hispanic Church

MONDAY

                        Office Closed

7:00 PM          Troop 75

TUESDAY

4:30 PM          TOPS

WEDNESDAY  NO EVENTS SCHEDULED

THURSDAY   NO EVENTS SCHEDULED

FRIDAY          NO EVENTS SCHEDULED                     

SATURDAY   NO EVENTS SCHEDULED 

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Music- Susan Dodd

Scripture Reader- Denise Hoffman

Servant- Rich Stedman

HYMN SING

                      Angels We Have Heard on High 238 UMH

                      Silent Night, Holy Night 239 UMH

                      There’s a Song in the Air 249 UMH

                      It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 218 UMH

PRELUDE

GREETING

OPENING SONGS

                        Joy to the World 246 UMH

                        O Come, All Ye Faithful 234 UMH

                        Angels from the Realms of Glory 220 UMH

CENTERING PRAYER 

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

               Star Child (Vs. 1,2) 2095 TFWS (as children come forward)

               Children’s Time

               Star Child (Vs.5) 2095 TFWS (as children return to family)

  TIME OF PRAYER

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.

SONGS The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy 2098 TFWS

               We Three Kings 254 UMH

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:1-12

MESSAGE The Angels of Christmas: Unseen…But Active!

RECEIVING OUR OFFERINGS

                       The First Noel (Vs.1,2,3,5) 245 UMH

SHARING OUR GIFTS

CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS

SENDING SONGS

                 Angels We Have Heard on High 238 UMH

                 Go, Tell It on the Mountain 251 UMH

 *BENEDICTION

  POSTLUDE