Join us in celebrating the birth of our Savior! We'll be holding a candlelight communion service on Christmas Eve, starting at 10:00 p.m. Come early and enjoy a special musical prelude, beginning at 9:30.

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.

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 21

• 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
• 10:00 a.m. "Love": Pastor Jeff Linthicum
• 6:00 p.m. Caroling & Cookies at Swiss Village
  

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 23

• No Sunshine Hour

Please continue to pray for our missionaries (prayer request sheets are on the table in the foyer). This is also a good time for each of us to send an email or card to any of our missionaries letting them know you are remembering them. This will be especially appreciated as the Christmas season approaches, and many are away from family. Prayer support is vital.

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.

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. 

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