Year-End Reports: Treasurers of Sunday School classes, Chancel Choir, Mennonite Choral Society, please turn in your year-end reports by Wednesday, Dec. 31. 

Offering Envelopes: Don’t forget to pick up your offering envelopes for the new year on the table by the office. If you would like to begin using the envelope system in 2026, you may contact the office. Annual Business Meeting Reports: Year-end reports for Ministries Council, Spiritual Guidance Cabinet, Stewardship/Facilities (Trustees), Adult Ministries Committee, Endowment Board of Trustees, Care Commission, Disciple Commission, Witness Commission, Worship Commission, and pastors are due to the church office no later than Wednesday, Dec 31. 

Individual Year-End Giving: In order for year-end contributions to be credited to this year’s giving, they must be received at the church office, or postmarked, by Wednesday, Dec. 31 (the church office will be open until noon that day). Contributions received after Dec. 31 will be posted as 2026 giving.

We love babies! And we love their Moms and Dads! In support of Sanctity of Human Life, we are asking you to purchase new items for the Hope Clinic. We are hosting a church-wide baby shower so that we can bless those who have chosen life for their child. The following are new items that are always needed: New baby equipment: cribs/mattresses, pack ‘n plays with bassinet, swings, bouncer seats, highchairs, baby gates, strollers, car seats/booster car seats, high back booster seats, potty chair or ring, baby monitors; baby care items: baby wash/shampoo/lotion, formula (especially Enfamil), baby food/toddler snacks, laundry soap, infant care kits (clippers, medicine dispenser, suction bulb, etc.), crib and pack ‘n play sheets, baby wash cloths/hooded towels, baby bathmat/tubs; supplies: bottles, teething and baby toys, diapers (newborn, 3, 4, 5 & 6), wipes, pull-ups (2T-3T, 3T-4T, 4T-5T), sippy cups/baby tableware, clothes/coats (newborn through 7T), toys/games (newborn to age 5), backpacks/school supplies, children’s books (infant to age 5), baby blankets. For our mothers we need used maternity clothes, adult hats and instant pot cookers. Note: Items NOT needed at this time include burp cloths, diapers in sizes 1 and 2, baby powder and baby oil.

Mark your calendars! The MCC meat canner will be here at First Mennonite on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24, 2026. Also, the Meat Canner Committee is looking for housing for two canner boys during their stay in Berne. The canner boys will be in town from Thursday, January 22, to Monday, January 26, 2026. For more information, please contact Paul Bluhm at (260) 223-2142.

Children’s Ministries WINTER VOLUNTEERS: We have these openings this winter: Preschool Children’s Church (crafts once a month); 4th/5th grade Sunday School (once a month); and K-2 Wednesday night teacher (every week for the quarter); and NEW: Wednesday baby/toddler nursery volunteers.. Please contact Chris Hyman at chris@firstmennonite.org or call her at (260) 525-9967. You may also use the church app to let us know of your interest!

Ski Trip: Join us on Saturday, January 24, as we experience Midnight Madness at Mad River Mountain, located in central Ohio. Please sign up in the Youth room. 

Winter Retreat: The Youth Winter Retreat is scheduled for January 30-February 1, 2026. Please sign up with the QR code in the Youth room.

Don't miss the opportunity to fellowship and grow with our church family. Take a look at the schedule below. You will find something for everyone!

SUNDAY - DECEMBER 28

• 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
• 10:00 a.m. Necrology Service: Pastor Jim Schwartz
• No Evening Service

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 30

• Sunshine Hour

Calling all Pickleball players, high school age and up! Join us on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for great exercise and friendly competition. For more information and an up-to-date schedule of play, contact Craig at 260.450.4206.

Contribute to the needs of our community by participating in Project Share. You can place your donations on the table in the foyer or in the box inside the east entrance of the church.  Suggestions for each month are listed below, but all donations are appreciated.

• January - Cereal & Baby Food
• February - Monetary Donations
• March - Vegetables
• April - Boxed/Pouched Side Dishes
• May - Cake, Brownie, Muffin Mixes
• June - Paper Products
• July - Personal Hygiene Products
• August - Feminine Hygiene Products
• September - Canned Meat
• October - Soups
• November - Pasta
• December - Beans

Did you know that you can receive weekly parenting tips, videos, and devotion ideas right to your phone? If you would like to sign up for this, please text the following: @fmcpare to the number 81010 and request to be part of our Biblical Parenting thread. 

Do you have a Right Now Media account? This resource provides access to over 20,000 Bible study and devotional videos for youth and adults as well as a library of popular, safe kids' shows that you can view anytime, anywhere, and from any device. Activate your FREE account by clicking HERE.