Bulletin 12.15.2024

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 40:3-4

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

IN OUR PRAYERS

Joan Usher

David Mah

Kathy Mah

Wayne Adams

Laura Barta Lindquist

Hank & Bonnie Kor

Jason & Laurie Kor

For those dealing with loss and grief in the holiday season.

NOISY BUCKETS

Today is Noisy Bucket Sunday! All donations in the noisy buckets will go to the Mitchell School lunch program. Thank you for your generosity towards our students in need.

THANK YOU

Dear church family, thanks for the loving care and support given to us in the loss of our brother Carl. Your friendship is a blessing to Carl’s family. ~Larry & Mary Crane, Gene & Jeanie Wohl and Bob Olson

RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, 101.3 FM 10 AM  

There is not a sponsor this week. If you would like to sponsor the radio broadcast, please call the office.

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

~ Radio Broadcast 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.

MISSION OF THE MONTH

Global Aids Project

DECEMBER “ONE THING”

Our December “One Thing” will be new underwear for the Mitchell School District Caring Closet. Boys and Girls sizes XS/4T through youth size XL/18 are needed.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, please fill out a Christmas Poinsettia card, they are located at the Connection Center Desk and at the entrances to the Worship Center. The cost is $15, and the deadline is today, December 15th. We encourage you to take your purchased poinsettia following either of our Christmas Eve services.

HELP WANTED

We are seeking a self-motivated individual to fill the position of full-time custodian. The custodian will be responsible for maintaining the church building and premises. Candidate should have janitorial and basic maintenance skills and be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Apply in person at FUMC or email tonya@downtownfirstumc.com. Wage is dependent on experience. A full list of duties and responsibilities are available upon request.

COMMITMENT AND CELEBRATION

Thank you to all of you who have either given a completed commitment card or have returned one to the church office. Filling out this card is a way of celebrating the blessings God has given you! If you have not yet done so, there are commitment cards at the tables as you enter the worship center and at the connection center desk. Feel free to fill one out and place it in the offering plate or you can turn it into the church office. Filling out a commitment card is a way to make a commitment to God and our church. Doing so also helps the Finance Team know how to better prepare the 2025 budget. Again…Thank You!

LOVE FEAST

Love Feast will be serving their Christmas meal on December 19th. Workers and donations are needed for the meal. Please see Carol with the sign-up sheet today in the gathering area prior to and after service. This is our church meal to prepare and to help serve so please sign up with Carol if you can.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Sunday, December 22nd 10am

(Normal Worship Service)

Sunday, December 22nd 6:30pm

(Early Christmas Eve Candlelight Service)

Tuesday, December 24th 4:30pm and 6:30pm

(Christmas Eve Candlelight Service)

ADULT BIBLE STUDY

Natalie’s’ adult bible study will begin again after the Christmas Holiday.

We will be looking at Immerse Poets. We will cover the books of Psalms, Lamentations, Song of Songs, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. We will meet on Sundays beginning January 5th at 9am, and Wednesday evenings beginning January 8th at 7pm. There are books available in the office for $13, please see Tonya for those. There is also a podcast available that you can listen to daily that reads word for word what we are studying. Several of us are using both to get a better understanding of the scriptures. All are welcome to attend. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thurs., Dec 19, Love Feast

Sun., Dec 22, Early Christmas Eve Service 6:30pm

Tues., Dec 24, Christmas Eve Services 4:30pm & 6:30pm

Wed., Dec 25, Merry Christmas/Office Closed

Wed., Jan 1, Happy New Year/Office Closed

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK 

SUNDAY

9:00 AM          Adult Bible Study (Dave’s Rm S1)

9:00 AM          Sunday School/Confirmation

10:00 AM        Worship

3:30 PM          Cub Scouts

MONDAY      

7:00 PM          Finance

7:00 PM           DWU Vocal Recital     

TUESDAY

9:30 AM          Staff

4:30 PM          TOPS 

5:30 PM          Heart and Sole

7:00 PM          DWU Instrument Recital

7:00 PM          Troop 75

WEDNESDAY

6:00 PM          Supper/Overflow

7:00 PM          Youth Group

THURSDAY

5:30 PM          Love Feast           

FRIDAY

                        NO EVENTS SCHEDULED 

SATURDAY

                        NO EVENTS SCHEDULED

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Music- Nancy Nelson

Scripture Reader- Nora Kohlenberg

HYMN SINGS: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  211 UMH

                         Good Christian Friends, Rejoice  224 UMH

                         While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks  236 UMH

                         Infant Holy, Infant Lowly  229 UMH                                                                                     

GREETING:

CALL TO WORSHIP:

  L: In December darkness

  P: The heart yearns for warmth

  L: And healing light.

  P: In December darkness

  L: We long for joy,

  P: And a release from too much to do.

  L: In December darkness

  P: We wait for the One coming

  L: Who disperses the darkness

  P: And brings the light of life to our world.

  L: In December darkness…

  P: We come seeking the light of the world!!

OPENING SONG: Angels from the Realms of Glory  220 UMH                           

CENTERING PRAYER:

CHILDREN’S MOMENT: 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE: The Salmonson Family                                                                                     

                 

YOUTH SONG: Christmas Amazing Grace

TIME OF PRAYER:

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: Luke 3:7-18

MESSAGE: Joyous Interruptions

SHARING OUR GIFTS:

RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:

CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:

SENDING SONG: There’s a Song in the Air  Vs.1,2,4  249 UMH

BENEDICTION: 

 POSTLUDE: