2015 Advent Edition

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A sanctuary of Christian hope, love and encouragement in the heart of Sioux Falls.

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FIRST CONTRIBUTORS Bob Ruedebusch Senior Pastor

Andrea Johnson Minister of Children, Youth and Family

Chad F. Campbell Executive Director, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House

Judy Jacob Director, United Daycare Center and Preschool

Michael Skuodas Finance Chair

Mary Lu Green - UMW Kenneth Iseminger - S.A.G.E.S. Jo Harris - Reel Faith Carolyn Vollan - Wedded Band Lana White - Christmas Tree Lighting Gary Healy - The Banquest

ADDRESS First United Methodist Church 401 S. Spring Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57105

CONTACT www.sfumc.org • 605-336-652

Distributed by First United Methodist Church

OUR CHURCH FAMILY Welcome New Members!

June Theodore Roman Chrystl Roman Elva Witt

July Donna Kuper

June Robert Van Diepen Martha Hofer July Thelma Luce Don Drewes Cheryl Norine

August Arnold Willemssen Lillian Hahn October Roger Krenz Mary Vietor

Deaths

September Marie Cissell Wendy Lamont Sam Sauh November Dick Pittenger Betty Donavan

ATTENDANCE REPORT 9/13/2015 492 9/20/2015 556 9/27/2015 516

10/04/2015 497 10/25/2015 487 10/11/2015 532 11/01/2015 606 10/18/2015 479

Year to Date Average: 463

SERVICE TIMES 8:30 am TRADITIONAL An inspiring traditional service in the Sanctuary 9:45 am UNITY A vibrant multigenerational unity service in the Sanctuary 11:15 am MODERN A casual upbeat revival service in the Multi-Purpose Room Children and Youth Sunday School will be at 9am with Children’s Church at 11:15am. Adult Education will be at 10:45am.

EQUIPPING the SAINTS with Senior Pastor Bob Ruedebusch We are in the season of school conferences.

It reminds me of growing up—getting those quarterly report cards. In August of 2013 Bishop Ough invited our church to be part of a congregational renewal process called Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI).

Little did we know how transformative this process would be for our congregation, our staff and for me as your pastor. Here is our report card from the first 15 months.

children, youth, young adults, adults and families, growing in faith together.

4. “Door to Core” System: Newcomer Readiness

1. Church Wide Missional Realignment

Since February of 2015 we have been a praying congregation. Praying for God’s breakthrough into the life of our church and in each of our lives. Through this alignment process we have developed a staff team to truly help us live our 5 prescriptions. I believe we have one of the most dynamic, faith-filled staff teams in the Dakotas Conference. Our team has been assembled, in the words of one of our staff members, “for such a time as this!”

2. Worship Excellence

This prescription has been the most challenging and one of the most rewarding gifts, which includes changing worship service times. Developing three different worship styles has been a monumental task. Under the leadership of our worship design teams, and, our dedicated staff I am thrilled to report that we have increased our worship attendance by 10% this fall. Our worship continues to nurture vitality, energy and passion. What joy!

3. Reaching Our Next Generation

We are excited about the ways we have been able to make a transition to a family-focused ministry. Sundays and Wednesdays have become central times of spiritual growth for

Our system of welcoming, connecting and assimilating new guests continues to develop and grow. Over the past month we have connected with over 100 guests. Over 350 volunteers served our neighborhood at the May Day Event. Our Epic Block Party touched the lives of over 500 people. A person outside of our church remarked, “I believe First UMC is bringing health and vitality to their neighborhood”.

5. “We Love Our Neighbors” Missional Partnership

We selected the Summit Heights Apartment Complex (part of the Volunteer in America program) as our first missional partnership.

We recently held our first pizza party and movie night at the complex. We look forward to a year-long partnership that will build relationships with Summit Heights residents especially the children. What a joy it is to love our neighbors.

We continue to create ways to connect with our community and bring the love of God in Jesus Christ. We have only started, and we offer the glory to God who continues to breakthrough into the life of our church and our community.

I celebrate and give thanks to each of you for your willing spirits and making the journey through these transitions to reach the next person for Jesus Christ.

8 Annual th

Christmas Tea

by Mary Lu Green

I am privileged to be the chairperson of the 8th Annual Christmas Tea, Saturday, December 5, 2pm, in the Multi-Purpose Room.

The event is United Methodist Women’s largest event of the year. The entertainment is always special and this year the “Hallelujah Hooligans” from Baltic are sharing their talent with us. It will be a joyfilled afternoon to share with good friends.

The music, delicious desserts, and beautiful decorations will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.

Putting on this event is a labor of love for us in the Rebecca Circle, a small group within United Methodist Women. We work hard making decorations, collecting teapots, baking desserts, selling tickets, and asking for volunteers to help with the event. Rebecca Circle is truly an example of “Faith, Hope, and Love in Action”.

All proceeds from our ticket sales after our expenses will be given this year to the Teddy

Bear Den, a local organization that supports young mothers in Sioux Falls. In past years the Christmas Tea has been able to give money to Compassion Child Care, the Children’s Home Society, and the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House.

United Methodist Women organize this event in the hope that the women of our church will attend and learn more about the creative and supportive fellowship provided by the United Methodist Women.

I want to invite all women of any age to join a Circle, attend a United Methodist Women’s event, and/or attend our Christmas Tea on December 5. Get your tickets in the church office or look for our table after worship on Sunday’s.

For more information about United Methodist Women and our Circle meetings please contact me or Mary Jane Richardson (334-0156).

“May the gift of Christ be your greatest treasure in life.”

Reel Faith

Senior Adults: Growing, Exploring, Serving Second Wednesday, 11:30 am Round Table Dining Room

by Kenneth Iseminger

Wedded Band Wednesday, December 2 12:30 pm, Fireplace Room Jim Woster Presents ”The Stockyards Ag Experience”

by Carolyn Vollan

“Joyeus Noel” Sunday, December 13 6:30 - 9 pm Lewis Friendship Room

by Jo Harris

Even though “Senior Adults” is part of the name of this group, one does NOT have to be a senior citizen to attend our informative, enjoyable, luncheon meetings.

A history of agriculture and the SF Stockyards and the impact it has had on our community. We invite persons who are interested in learning more about this project to join us for the program, fellowship and a coffee time following the program.

S.A.G.E.S.

Growing: Indeed, we strive to have our attendees grow in knowledge.

Programs include information of local organizations, mission work, local authors, etc.

Exploring: Various programs will find us exploring into local events, parks, or missions.

Serving: Some programs will introduce the attendees to ways they can serve our church, our neighbors, and God.

If you have questions, please call the hosts, Vollans or Kranzlers, for more information.

It is exciting to hear of opportunities that are being made available to the residents and visitors of Sioux Falls. We are happy to help get the word out about this one.

Reel Faith is an open group.

The ticket price is a sample of your favorite movie treat to be shared buffet style. Beverages are provided.

The featured movie is viewed followed by discussion that frequently turns to how we might better live out our Christian faith.

Finding “God Moments” in the film help us to be more sensitive to God moments in our own lives and more alert to opportunities to be God moments in the lives of others.

What I Love About...

“Sage can mean either a type of spice or a wise person. I enjoy S.A.G.E.S. because it offers both the “spice” of lively fellowship and the wisdom of interesting speakers and an experienced and thoughtful group.” ~ Nancy Veglahn

“Wedded Band is a fellowship group that puts caring and sharing into action. It is a group that uses prayer and laughter to extend love, understanding, and compassion” ~ Harlan Meyer

“We’ve been attending Reel Faith since it began almost 10 years ago. We attend because we get to see films we might not otherwise see AND we love the discussion that follows!” ~ Laurice and Kenneth Iseminger

Celebrate Advent With Us!

Sounds of the Season ~ Do You Hear What I hear?

SERMON SERIES with Pastor Bob 8:30 am, 9:45 am and 11:15 am November 29 December 6 December 13 December 20 December 24

Go Tell It On The Mountain Ave Maria Magnificat Service of Lessons and Carols The Angels Song

A Service of Remembrance Sunday, December 20, 2 pm

Much of the Christmas music we hear on the radio and in TV ads builds up expectations for a happy, merry, joyful season. But Christmas is not always a happy time for those experiencing any kind of loss; financial, employment or death of a loved one.

If you are finding the holidays to be difficult, you are invited to share in this special Christmas service – a service where we are reminded that Yes – most definitely Yes – the Christ child offers light and hope for us in the midst of our struggles.

For more information you can contact: • Pastor Bill (pastorbill@sfumc.org) or • Donna Kuper (kuperd@sfumc.org

Luke 2:8-11, 16-18 Luke 1:26-28; 39-42 Luke 1:46-55 Music Ministry Luke 2:8-20

Poinsettia Gifts and Furnishing Donations Poinsettias and furnishings will be used to decorate the Sanctuary this Christmas. You may order a poinsettia in memory or in honor of a loved one. Two options are available for giving poinsettias.

Large Poinsettia $20 Small Poinsettia $10 Poinsettias will be in the Sanctuary beginning the week of December 13. Deadline for ordering and to have your loved one listed in the News & Events is December 6.

Payment Options • Enclose a check and mark in the memo line the name(s) of those you’re honoring or memorializing and mail to: First United Methodist Church 401 S. Spring Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 Please make checks payable to First United Methodist Church.

• Online at www.sfumc.org/give

Christmas Tree Lighting...

by Lana White

Of all the thousands of people that drive by the lone stately pine tree between 12th and 13th streets on Minnesota Avenue, I would be willing to bet that the tree goes unnoticed by most for 10 months of the year!

However, knowing the incredible love story behind that lone stately pine tree warms my heart with each day’s passing.

With almost child-like anticipation, I anxiously await the annual lighting of the tree! Outside, we all gather with family and friends, not letting the chatter of teeth or the tingling toes dampen our spirit for that moment when the switch is flipped and the tree lights the darkness and warms the hearts of all. Christmas carols are sung round the tree that night knowing hot chocolate and goodies are waiting inside.

I have my own little tradition I would like to share with you now! Every Christmas Eve after church, family and fun, I park by the tree with its warm loving glow. I pause for those moments to thank God for giving us his Son on that blessed night and for giving me such wonderful family and friends. I also thank Dale’s unending Christmas gift to his loving wife Dorothy and celebrate the birth of Jesus for all to enjoy, so many years ago and will continue to enjoy for as Dale put it “It’s in my trust. That tree will be decorated from now until doomsday.”* Please join me on December 2 to see what I mean!! (*See the full story behind the Christmas Tree Lighting at our website - sfumc.org)

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THE BANQUET MINISTRY As Christians, we are called to love and serve one another.

As Christians, we are called to love and serve one another. First United Methodist Church provides a number of ministries that help serve the needs of our neighborhood as well as the larger Sioux Falls community.

One of these ministries is the Banquet. The Banquet is a ministry that helps address the issues of poverty and hunger in Sioux Falls.

The Banquet serves breakfast and supper Monday through Friday and noon lunch on Saturday at its downtown location.

It also serves supper on Tuesday and Wednesday at its west/fairground location. First United Methodist Church serves breakfast one morning each month and recently started serving supper at the west/fairground location one night each month. We serve approximately 240 guests

including 30 children at each meal.

Serving the Banquet involves two commitments – we pay the cost of the meal: approximately $450 per meal and we provide the cooks and servers necessary to serve the meal. We need 6 cooks and about 20 servers for each serving date.

Our church has done an excellent job of funding the Banquet. In my experience, we have always had enough cooks and servers to serve the meal.

However, we are depending on a dedicated group of members willing to serve the Banquet and sometimes fill our serving list at the last moment. I feel that there is a need to expand the list of members willing to serve to ensure that

we will be able to meet our commitment to this ministry for each and every serving date.

What might one expect if choosing to serve at the Banquet? For many, this may be a first close up view of poverty and that may start a process of searching and exploring our thoughts and feelings about Christian service.

In a sermon, Pastor Bob once stated that a basic human need was to feel that what we do makes a difference. I would think that each person who has served the Banquet leaves with a warm feeling that the morning’s or evening’s service has certainly made a difference in the life of a guest. Guests often express their thankfulness for our being there.

You most likely will experience the joy of

being a part of a team that finds service to be rewarding as we tend to the needs of our guests. One of our members said to me last month, “Once you get up, this is great!” Would your heart be warmed at the smile of a bright-eyed child as he says “Yes” to the offer of another glass of milk?

We do need to expand our list of members willing to serve the Banquet. Please pray fully consider this invitation to join the Banquet ministry. ~ by Gary Healy

MISSION OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER Bishop Dudley Hospitality House Founded in January of 2015, the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House is an ecumenical, emergency homeless shelter that serves the homeless and those most vulnerable in our ever expanding community.

The Bishop Dudley Hospitality House would not have been possible without the generous support of the community and congregations in the area.

It must be praised and recognized that First United Methodist Church was at the forefront in supporting our organization. Through your generosity, prayers, and ongoing support, we have been able to serve over 70 struggling families, which included 162 children, who found themselves without adequate shelter. The good news is that through our collaborative partners, we have been able to transition 42 families into permanent or transitional housing!

Those single men and women who struggle with adequate shelter in our community also need our help. Your generous support has allowed the staff and volunteers of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House the opportunity to serve over 1310 unique souls in our emergency overnight shelter program. Our daytime ministry continues to meet the needs of our guests by providing showers, laundry, access to technology, and a light lunch.

The need for your assistance and continued partnership is as urgent as ever. Will you continue to answer the call to serve those brothers and sisters who are least among you?

Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support! ~ Chad F. Campbell, Executive Director

DECEMBER United Daycare Center and Preschool United Daycare Center and Preschool is proud and grateful to be First United Methodist Church’s December Mission of the Month. We have been a mission of FUMC for over 45 years, and we welcome the partnership in providing quality education and care to our children. We serve many low income families, as well as children from varying incomes, with “serve” being the key word.

We provide preschool Monday-Friday from 9-11am, as well as many learning activities throughout the day.

Your generous donation helps us provide needed teaching supplies for our students and nutritious food for the breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack we provide for every child in attendance.

Your continued support of UDC insures we can continue OUR mission of loving care and education for our children. Thank YOU!!!! ~ Judy Jacob, Director

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity Our fall stewardship drive for our 2016 financial planning is in full swing. We have been praying and thinking through our sermon series “Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity”.

Please make every effort to review the stewardship drive material and prayerfully reflect on your giving to God through our church. Please return your estimate of giving card by November 29.

So where do the gifts that you offer God through church go?

There are basically four areas of focus.

1. NEXT GENERATION: One of our major focus areas is caring for the educational and spiritual needs of our children, youth and adults.

2. WORSHIP EXCELLENCE: We have overheard from many of our members, “we love our enhanced worship experiences; there is so much energy and spirit!”

3. FACILITIES: We are caring for aging facilities. In order to maintain our facilities in good order, repairs and maintenance costs continue to grow.

4. MISSION OUTREACH: We continue to promote mission and outreach locally, conferencewide and globally.

Year to date we are about $30,000 behind our 2105 income forecast. Your Finance committee is confident with the knowledge that your giving over the next two months will help us end the year in good financial shape. Thank you for your faithful giving to God! It is because of the generosity of our members and friends that we can truly live out our vision of being a sanctuary of Christian hope, love and encouragement in the heart of Sioux Falls.

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Foundation Gifts I wish to give a monetary gift to the First United Methodist Foundation in honor or in memory of loved ones. My gift to the Foundation is $ _ _____. Please make checks payable to the FUMC Foundation.

Deadline is December 6 for bulletin listing.

Name of person(s) to be:  Honored or  Memorialized (check one) for a gift to the Foundation. ____________________________________________________________ Given by:_____________________________________________________

DEC 2 LIGHTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND BOOK SIGNING

DEC 5 WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS TEA 2 pm - Multi-Purpose Room

Beginning at 6 pm - Multi-Purpose Room

DEC 9 S.A.G.E.S. - 11:30 am, Round Table Dining Room CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Beginning at 6 pm - Multi-Purpose Room

DEC 13

DEC 11 CHRISTMAS DINNER 4:30 pm - The Banquet Ministry, Downtown Location

DEC 22

REEL FAITH

SERVE THE BANQUET

6:30 pm - Lewis Friendship Room

4:30 pm - Westside Location

DEC 16

DEC 20

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

Beginning at 6 pm - Multi-Purpose Room

2 pm - Sanctuary

DEC 23 CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE SERVICE 6 pm - Multi-Purpose Room

DEC 24

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

3 pm Family Service 5 pm Candlelit Unity Service with the Unity Praise Band 7 pm Candlelit Traditional Service with the Chancel Choir 9 pm Light Up The Night Modern Service in the

Multi-Purpose Room 11 pm Candlelit Service in the Chapel

WHERE HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS? Here at First UMC you can see Jesus in the faces of the children as they sing their praises to God in choir each Wednesday evening.

First United Methodist Church 401 S. Spring Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104-4398 605-336-3652

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #606 Sioux Falls, SD

E-mail: fumc@sfumc.org Website: www.sfumc.org Address Service Requested

Thank You! Thank you to all who helped with the Turkey Dinner!

We had a fantastic day and served nearly 1,000 people. Our change in location worked very well, and there were a few parts of the change that made this better than ever. There were a couple of small hiccups while we adjusted to the change, and we appreciate your grace and patience!

Although the final numbers are still being tallied, we believe that this was another very successful Turkey Dinner. THANK YOU!!