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 43:18-19
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
IN OUR PRAYERS
Denise Hoffman
The Wittstruck family with the loss of Dwight
The LeRoy Wilson family, Sondra Russell’s brother
The Ellefson family with his loss of Max
Greg Lippert
Bill Lippert
John Claggett
Jason Rice, Verna Hofer’s grandson
The Hofer family
Joan Usher
David Mah
Kathy Mah
Wayne Adams
Laura Barta Lindquist
Hank & Bonnie Kor
Jason & Laurie Kor
For those who are using the beginning of a new year as a time of new beginning.
Remember, in Christ we are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
THANK YOU
Dear church family, thank you so much for your kind words for my son Rob. Thank you for all your prayers and cards and love you’ve sent. It’s been a big part of my healing and I’m going to keep on kickin’!
~Peggy Melmer
RADIO BROADCAST (KORN 1490 AM, 101.3 FM 10 AM
There is not a sponsor for this week’s radio broadcast. If you are interested in this sponsorship, please contact the office.
LIVESTREAM
Is given in memory of Virgie Montgomery whose birthday would have been January 5th, by Peg Larson and family.
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
DWU Mission Trip
JANUARY “ONE THING”
For our January “One Thing”, rather than asking you to purchase something to donate we are providing the opportunity for all of us to clean out some drawers or shelf space in a closet. Life Quest is collecting gently used t-shirts that will be turned into tote bags for Mitchell Area organizations. So, if you are looking to downsize, let our January One Thing help. Bring your excess T-shirts to church and they will be recycled. Please, no t-shirts with alcohol or profanity.
HELP WANTED
We are seeking a self-motivated individual to fill the position of full-time facility manager. This person 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.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUP
There will not be Sunday School on January 5th.
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 12th.
Youth group will resume on Wednesday, January 8th.
LEADERSHIP FORUM #3- NEW BEGINNINGS
Our 3rd Leadership Forum with Lin Van Hofwegen will be held on Saturday, February 1st from 8:50- 1:00 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us as we continue with our work of redefining our purpose and work of ministry in this community and in the world.
WINTER CONNECTION
Winter Connection is an annual event for middle school and high school youth sponsored by the Dakotas Conference Council on Youth Ministry and will be held at our church. Winter Connection is an opportunity for youth to gather, share, worship, and serve others. All youth in grades
6-12 are invited. The cost is $40. Youth will be spending the night at the church with other youth from around Southeast South Dakota. Please let Cindy know right away if you plan on attending and if you have any questions, please let her know.
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.
LUKE & ACTS IN 2025
Beginning in January, Bishop Lanette is encouraging United Methodist across the Dakotas-Minnesota Area to join in a journey through Luke and Acts, reading one chapter each week. This shared experience will foster a sense of encouragement, challenge, and community as we delve into the seamless story of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, resurrection, and the Spirit’s work through the early church. Comprised of 52 chapters together, they provide a natural framework for intentional spiritual practice throughout the year. The full article can be found at: https://www.dakotasumc.org/news/2025-in-luke-acts-an-area-wide-discipleship-journey.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wed., Jan 8, Youth Group Resumes
Thurs., Jan 9, Love Feast
Sun., Jan 12, Sunday School Resumes
Thurs., Jan 23, Love Feast
Fri., Jan 24-25, Winter Connection
Sun., Jan 26, Youth Sunday
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
SUNDAY
9:00 AM Adult Bible Study (Dave’s Rm S1, Natalie’s Rm 103)
10:00 AM Worship
2:00 PM Mitchell Area Concert Association
MONDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
TUESDAY
4:30 PM TOPS
7:00 PM Troop 75
WEDNESDAY
10:00 AM Family Ministry
6:00 PM Supper/Overflow
7:00 PM Youth Group
7:00 PM Natalie’s Bible Study (Room 103)
THURSDAY
5:30 PM Love Feast
FRIDAY
1:00 PM PALS (Nursery)
SATURDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Music-Carolyn Knight, Christy Wilson & Song Leaders
Scripture-Kathy Ruml
GATHERING SONGS: We Three Kings Vs1,2,5 254 UMH
The First Noel Vs, 1,3,4 245 UMH
GREETING:
CALL TO WORSHIP:
L: Children of God, we enter the new year as we ended the last:
gathered together for worship!
P: We gather to seek, find, and follow the Light.
L: The prophet Isaiah calls us from deep in the past: “Arise, shine;
for your light has come.”
P: We gather to seek, find, and follow the Light.
L: The magi followed a star to find a small child who is the
Light of the world.
P: We gather to seek, find, and follow the Light.
L. As we begin this new year turning our faces to God whose glory
shows up among us as a vulnerable child, we commit to following
each day the Christ, who said, “I am the light of the world.”
P: We gather to seek, find, and follow the Light of the world
today and every day. Amen
Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2024
OPENING SONG: Thy Word Is a Lamp 601 UMH
CENTERING PRAYER:
CHILDREN’S MOMENT: This Little Light of Mine
TIME OF PRAYER: Love Came Down at Christmas 242 UMH
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 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 19:1-10 & John 4:7-15, 27-30
MESSAGE: Life, Faith, & Recovery- Passing it On!
COMMUNION:
Preparing our Hearts & the Elements
Sharing in Communion
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING:
The Offering will be received as people come forward for communion
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SENDING SONG: Shine, Jesus, Shine Vs 1 2173 TFWS
BENEDICTION:
POSTLUDE: Shine, Jesus, Shine Vs 2,3 2173 TFWS