A place of belonging & becoming.
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Don't put away the gift of Jesus yet!
In our Christmas Day online service (which you can watch here if you haven't already), I talked about not being too quick to end the Christmas celebrations. In traditional Christian culture, we're still in the 12 days of Christmas; the time between Christmas Day and Epiphany (when the wise men make their arrival to Jesus) on January 6th. Traditionally, Advent is time for preparation, and the 12 days of Christ is time for extended celebration. We are quick to take down the Christmas decorations and move on to the doldrums of January, but what if we celebrated just a little bit longer? What if once the gifts are unwrapped we spent the 12 days of Christmas like Mary did, pondering the wonders of Christmas in our hearts?
But alas, eventually the Christmas decorations must come down. The pine needles all over my carpet are telling me the tree's time is just about up. But I've been reflecting this week on the difference between putting away my new presents and putting away my Christmas decorations. My new presents are things that I integrate into my daily life. My new cutting boards and measuring cups (yes those are real presents I asked for and was excited to receive), have found homes and will probably be used daily. My Christmas decorations, however, will go in the basement in storage to collect dust for another 10 months or so.
This got me thinking, how do I spiritually transition out of Christmas? Does Jesus get a home in my life that's used daily or does Jesus get put in storage until Easter?
So I have 2 questions for you this week:
1. How are you extending your Christmas celebrations this week and in the days to come?
2. What does it look like for us to find a home for Jesus in our lives like we find homes for our material gifts, instead of just putting Jesus away like we put our Christmas decorations in storage?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Taryn
taryn@mitchellfusion.com
P.S. Be sure to join us in person or tune in online to our New Year's Day service. I'm really excited about what we have prepared as we pause and reflect on our year and pray into what God has in store for us in 2023. You won't want to miss it.
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End-of-Year Giving
As we reach the end of the year, we ask you to consider Fusion in your end-of-year giving. Your donations to Fusion are tax-deductible! You can give by going to mitchellfusion.com/give to give online or sending a check to 1200 W University Ave Box 928. If you'd like to know where your giving is at for the year, you can contact Becky@mitchellfusion.com or Taryn@mitchellfusion.com. Thank you for your generosity to Fusion! |
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Women's Small Group Opportunity
Join us for a study looking at the encounters of Jesus and women for 7 weeks on Thursday nights beginning January 12th through February 23rd. The group will meet in the basement of the Dakotas Conference Office (1331 W University Ave) from 6:30-8pm.
"Imagine walking the dusty roads of Galilee with Jesus of Nazareth—braving jostling crowds just to touch the edge of His cloak and hear Him say, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”
Those words, once meant to comfort a hurting woman’s soul thousands of years ago, were also meant for you.
Join biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland on those dusty roads as she transports you back to Jesus’ world, following in the footsteps of the women who came face-to-face with the Living God. Over 7 sessions, examine the historical and cultural climate of first-century Middle Eastern society to not only understand Jesus more deeply but to fuel your worship of Him today."
For more info or to RSVP email taryn@mitchellfusion.com.
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Thank you!
This Christmas Eve we raised $2,557.27 to pay off student lunch debt. Thank you for your generosity!
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Super Bowl Missions Fundraiser
Two of the best things: supporting missions both near and abroad AND Super Bowl food. What more could you want?
Fusion is hosting a Super Bowl food auction on February 12th, 2022 (Super Bowl Sunday). Submit your favorite dip, appetizer, party snack, or dessert to be auctioned off on Super Bowl Sunday. Then stick around after church for the auction and bid on something to take to your Super Bowl parties that day. All of the money from the auction will go towards Fusion's mission projects.
Our goal is 25 food submissions and to raise $4,000 towards mission projects at Fusion.
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Fusion Youth on Christmas Break!
We will meet back again after the New Year, our first meeting will be 1/11/23. See you then and have a great holiday!
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Get our New App Today!
We're transitioning over to a new app called Church Center. This app better integrates with our other systems including our volunteer scheduling, check-in processes, and ability to give! Check it out today by downloading the Church Center app in the app store.
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Feel free to listen to our collective Spotify Playlist throughout the week to keep yourself centered!
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December 24, 2022
Attendance: 156
Offering: $2,557.27
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Staff
Taryn Ragels - Pastor
Ashton Diede - Connections | Trevor Sprik - Community Engagement | Trinity Schroeder - Family Ministries | Adam Ragels - Technical Director | Alyssa Stemper - Treasurer | Becky Hoffman - Finance Officer
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