December 4, 2022

In This Week's Update

• Sunday Sermon and Song List
• New Children's Sunday School Class
• Parking Announcement
• New Sunday School Class
• Wednesday Night Meals
• Ideas for Advent Reading and Devotions
• Small Group Opportunities
• Women's Bible Studies
• Church Calendar
• Hy-Vee Gift Cards
• Discovery Zone Schedule
• Special Congregational Meeting
• Prayer Reminders for ZoeCare
• Men's Breakfast
• Baptism Sunday
• Caroling at Pathways
• Christmas Gift Wrapping
• Small Group Sign Up

This Sunday's Sermon:

So far the book of James has been about how to endure our trials like a Christian. In other words, how to be single-minded in our devotion to Christ through hard times. In 4:13 there's a little shift that turns to the subject of how to have money like a Christian. As a side note: it's interesting to me that James includes this topic in a book largely about our trials - almost like James saw more trouble come from money than relief or pleasure. In any case, James shows us that the Lord's concern when it comes to money is not that we have a lot, or a little. Rather, the Lord is concerned with whether or not we have humility under God when it comes to our possessions and, especially, when it comes to how we make plans for those possessions. In a season full of material temptations, it will be a good reminder of how God's nature and character stir up humility and generosity in our hearts. 

To get yourself ready to sing on Sunday you can start listening to the songs we'll be singing together:

• Hark The Herald Angles Sing/ King Of Heaven
• Midnight Clear (Love Song)
• Hymn Of Joy
• I have decided To Follow Jesus
• It's Christmas



We created a playlist on Youtube in case you want to start listening today. You can find that by clicking HERE.

New Children's Sunday School Class

We're super excited for our new Sunday school curriculum for grades 1st-5th! "What's In The Bible" will take our students from Genesis to Revelation. More than just the greatest hits or most popular stories, the "What’s in the Bible?" class is designed to engage children in the whole narrative of God’s Word. The Bible is not a book of rules, but a book of rescue – the beautiful story of the Father who longs to be in relationship with His people, and who went to extraordinary measures to bring us into His Kingdom!  

You Can Watch The Trailer HERE!

Sunday School Class List

• Combined Sunday School Class (4 years to 5th grade students)- What's In the Bible- in classrooms downstairs
• Revival grades 6-12, taught by Pastor Brandon in the attic
• Adults - Women study on Proverbs - Annex

                     - Men study on Proverbs- Fellowship Hall

Parking Announcement:

As you might know we've been blessed for many years with extra free parking in the lot to the south of our building. In recent months that lot has acquired new owners who wish to restrict parking there even on evenings and weekends. They monitor the lot in the evenings and on weekends and will tow anyone who uses it. While we can't control what kind of neighbors we have, we can control what kind of neighbors we will be and so we just want to encourage everyone to strive together to respect their wishes. We still have multiple spots in the south lot right up against our building. Also, parking on the street is free and usually ample on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. While it might feel like a bit of a discouraging loss, let's all celebrate the fact that, on Sunday mornings, there are things happening inside our building that are way more exciting than what's happening in the parking lot! 

Everyone is welcome to join our special Sunday school lesson this Sunday. All ages will meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00am to have Sunday School together. The lesson will be taught by Pastor Brandon.

Wednesday Night Meals

Volunteers will provide the main course for Wednesday nights. You may turn in a receipt for the meal if you desire to be reimbursed. The meal begins at 5:45PM. Volunteers will need to have the meal here ready to eat at that time or bring frozen to the office ahead of time with instructions for cooking. The sign up sheet for next semester is located on the back table.

Ideas for Advent Reading and Devotions

It truly is a great time of year! The incarnation of Christ is, perhaps, the greatest miracle in the history of creation. Remembering it creates wonderful opportunities to increase our wonder of God. Here are some resources and ideas for Advent Readings that you can incorporate into personal or family devotions this Christmas.

1. The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper

You can download this book for free RIGHT HERE.

2. God Rest Ye Merry by Douglas Wilson

This is a great little book about how the birth of Christ really and truly changed the world. This one is better for personal reading but you could still read it as a family if you have older kids at home. This one is available HERE. 

3. Come Let Us Adore Him by Paul David Tripp

This is another daily devotional that is very easy to read and Paul Tripp is especially gifted at getting to our hearts. This one is available HERE or on AMAZON. 

4. The Soul Felt Its Worth by Preston Norman and Cameron Frank

This is a daily devotional built around significant Christmas Hymns. This is my family's plan for Advent. We'll listen to each song, talk about some of the lyrics then read about some of the history and meaning behind the song. This devotional can be purchased HERE. 

Here are all the study/fellowship opportunities currently available through our church:



• Monday Morning Men's Group -6:45AM at Fryn' Pan
• Monday Evening Men's Group - 7:00PM at Discovery
• Women's Tuesday evening study will resume on January 10th.
• Wednesday night activities- 5:45 PM meal and 6:15PM classes for all ages
• Wednesday Evening College Bible Study
• Women's Thursday morning study is taking a break for the holidays. They will resume on January 5th and continue studying Philippians. This study will be facilitated by Mary Holdahl. If you need child care, please contact the office.

Questions? Contact the church office at (605) 689-2211.

Women' s Bible Studies

The Thursday morning study will break for December and then resume on January 5th. If you will need childcare please contact the office.

The Tuesday evening study will resume on January 10th to study Philippians: Count It All Joy. They will meet at 5:30PM in the Annex. Childcare is not provided for this study.

Did You Know You Can Give To The Church By Purchasing Hy-vee Gift Cards?

Discovery Church receives 5% back on all gift cards purchased from the church. You can purchase your $50 or $100 gift cards on Sundays from Jeff and Dawn Herron (Fellowship Hall) or weekdays from the office. There is no limit on how many you can purchase. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the church office. 

Discovery Zone Christmas Party and Caroling!

The Christmas party will begin at 5:45pm. The meal will be baked ziti. At 7:00pm we will head over to Pathways Shelter for the Homeless to carol for them. We encourage everyone to join us!

Prioritize Our Special Congregational Meeting: December 11th after Worship

This meeting is for all those who have an interest in being part of the ministry of Discovery Church. As you know, the last couple of years have brought financial hardships all over. In addition to this our church has gone through many shifts and changes that have affected our income and expenses. Our desire is to be good stewards and do all that we can to ensure we have at least $50,000 or more in our general account at all times. This provides us a nice cushion if there are major and unexpected expenses. Currently, we have dipped below that mark and we must make some hard decisions in 2023 to ensure those reserves do not become depleted further. Pastor Brandon has graciously agreed to take a significant salary cut and the elders are currently in the process of assessing what could potentially change in his job description to fit a different salary. Of course, we've considered other kinds of savings and adjustments as well. Our goal in this meeting is to present a first draft of the 2023 budget and petition the congregation for prayers and feedback as we plan for 2023. We believe that God still has a ministry for us and see countless reasons to be encouraged. We hope this meeting will be a time of encouragement and unity as we strive for the expansion of God's kingdom together. We strongly desire your presence if you consider Discovery Church your home. 

Prayer Reminders:

Would you like to join us in praying every Monday at noon for the unborn and the over-all spiritual awakening of our nation? You can opt in for reminders every Monday at noon to either fast and pray or just stop and take a quick moment to say a prayer for our nation to be healed from the pain of abortion. Contact the office and we'll get you signed up for the weekly reminder!

BAPTISM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th

Mark your calendars for December 4th: We'll be kicking off Advent with a Baptism Sunday! If you've wondered whether you should get baptized or if you have questions about baptism now might be a good time to settle on that decision. Here at Discovery we believe that baptism expresses a believer's unity with Jesus and with the church. It's also a way of the whole church affirming and supporting your faith in the Lord. It's an encouragement to the church and a bold witness to the world of the saving news of Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus and have never been baptized don't wait any longer! If you want to get baptized you should talk to one of the pastors and we'll help you get ready for Baptism Sunday.

Caroling at Pathways- December 7th at 7:15PM

Everyone is invited to join us as we go carol for the residents at Pathways, singing ability is not required. We will meet at Discovery at 7:00PM and drive to Pathways together. If you have questions please contact the office.

Christmas Gift Wrapping

We will offer Christmas Gift Wrapping free of charge to the community (and our congregation) on Saturday morning, December 10th and 17th, 9:00 AM—Noon. All donations will be given to Pathways Shelter for the Homeless. Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer to wrap gifts on one or both of those Saturdays.

Small Groups

Our small group meets on Mondays, but we are adding more small group opportunities. If you would like to be apart of a small group please sign up on the clipboards by the bulletins or call the office.

Elder Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes from our most recent elder meeting, please click HERE.