Join us for our Blue Christmas Service, Sunday morning worship, and our annual Christmas Eve evening worship at 5 pm, full of music, scripture, candle lighting, and our silent nativity.

Thank you all for a wonderful 2024. We have achieved a great deal this year at Beresford Zion. Many of you are aware of the remarkable work done by our Trustees, including improvements to the roof, steeple, air conditioning units, and much more. They have worked incredibly hard to make ministry possible in this place. Our musicians have also stepped forward to share their talents, and contributions from Sandy, Lisa, and Hillary have greatly enriched our services.

Recently, we held our 2024 charge conference, where we elected new lay leadership, approved a new budget, and met our new District Superintendent, Brandon. This was an excellent occasion to reflect on our successful year while acknowledging the challenges ahead. In January, we will begin to discuss these challenges in the Administrative Board by examining our strengths, weaknesses, and ministry opportunities as we seek to discover what God has in store for us in 2025.

Additionally, we made a significant impact on missions in 2024 and look forward to sharing new opportunities in the coming year. These include serving at Church on the Street and the Sioux Falls Banquet, as well as local partnerships with Faith in Action (Backpack program, Angel Tree), Veterans organizations, Emily's Hope, ShoeBox Christmas, Salvation Army bell ringing, and our School Shoe giveaway. Our youth also made a big impact on their mission trip to Wisconsin, where they learned a great deal about loving their neighbor.

It is a joy to be part of this ministry, and I look forward to working together to share the love of Christ with our community and beyond in 2025

Pastor John

Youth Winter Newsletter Click on the link below to see the Youth Newsletter and information about the Progressive Dinner, Winter Connection, Confirmation Camp, and our Summer Trip to Camp.

Choir practice is on Sunday, December 22, at 9 am. They are preparing for two songs to be shared at our Christmas Eve service.

Men's Breakfast: The United Methodist Men meet monthly at the church at 8:00 AM for breakfast and devotion. Join us for our next time of food and fellowship on January 12.

The Lighthouse Bible Study: Join us each Wednesday at 1 PM in the fellowship hall as we gather in community to study God's word. We just began a wonderful new series on miracles and would love to have you. For more information, please visit with Janet or Pastor John. We are on break until after the holidays.

Ushers/Greeters/Readers/Acolytes: Feeling called to serve in worship? Sign up on the clipboards hanging in the entry to serve in any or all of these important missions!

Coffee Fellowship: Each week, families or individuals have the opportunity to serve simple snacks and coffee after worship. This time of fellowship is among the most impactful in our ministry, and we invite all to take a week to support this vital ministry. The sign-up is in the Narthex. If you have never served and want to learn more, speak to Pastor John.

Prayer Team: We are a praying church. That’s not just something we say; it’s who we are and what we do because we believe God listens and responds to our prayers! Please join us on Saturday mornings at 7:30 to pray for our church family, community, and the world. We also have coffee and doughnuts! If you have a prayer request, please contact Pastor John or Jerry Hill or leave a note in the offering plate or one of the prayer request boxes (in the entry or outside by the bell tower).

Adult Education Hour: All are invited to join us each week after worship and a short time of fellowship for a new opportunity to grow in faith. This semester, we will focus on what it means to be United Methodist by exploring the basics of United Methodist theology and practice. We will begin a new series on the history of the bible and, more specifically, the Gospels.

Sunday School: Each week, after worship and a short time of fellowship, our Pre-K through 5th-grade children are invited to Sunday School, where they will hear Bible stories, participate in activities, and have a lot of fun. We are on break until January 5.

Youth Group: Middle and High School youth are invited to join us each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for a meal, fellowship, study, and fun. We are on break until January 8.

Our January mission focus is the Rescue Network. This organization seeks to reduce the stray pet population by providing services and resources to people and unwanted animals within midwestern communities.

Vanco Electronic Giving - Our new online giving page allows you to make recurring or one-time gifts to support our church's ministries, programs, and activities throughout the year. These opportunities include our General Fund, Trustee Account, Mission of the Month, Memorial Gifts, and occasional opportunities to support our tech fund, Youth Mission Trips, and others.

During worship, check out the new giving card located in the pews to access the giving page via a QR code, or you can visit the giving page on our website at https://beresfordzionumc.org/give/