A Very Dakotas Christmas 2025

Bishop Lanette Plambeck and the Dakotas Conference Cabinet present this gift of worship to you, "Good News of Great Joy for All People: A Very Dakotas Christmas." In Luke 2:10, we hear the words of the angels to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." This announcement of the birth of Christ stirred the shepherds to respond - to go and seek Jesus and then to tell others.

Our prayer is that the deep joy that comes with this season - not because of cirmcumstances around us but because of the power of this Good News - might abide deeply within you and compel you to go and share it so that ALL people will know this great joy in Jesus our Emmanuel!

A Very Dakotas Christmas 2025  is a production of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church, Rebecca Trefz, assistant to the Bishop for connection and communications, David Stucke, communications associate, and Anna Mutzenberger, communications assistant. Permission is granted to churches, organizations, and individuals affiliated with The United Methodist Church to use this service in its entirety, or in component parts under CCLI license number: 508082 and CCLI streaming license: CSPL018565. A Very Dakotas Christmas resources can also be accessed on Amplify Dakotas.

Access the video portfolio | Download the video of the entire worship service | Download a copy of the Order of Worship | Access graphic | Download a specific section of worship: 01a-Prelude, 01b-Welcome, 02 Lighting of the Advent and Christ Candles, 03-Call to Worship , 04-Song: Away in the Manger, 05 - Opening Prayer, 06-Children's Story, 07-Scripture Reading, 08-Sermon, 08a: Offertory Special Music, 09-Prayer of Intercession, 10-Song: Light of the World, 11-Blessing and Sending Forth, 17-Postlude & Credits

Good News of Great Joy for All People: A Very Dakotas Christmas 2025

Order of Worship

Prelude “Silent Night” – performed by Watertown (SD) First United Methodist Church Kids’ Bell Choir

Welcome - Bishop Lanette Plambeck, Resident Bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church 

Lighting of Advent and Christ Candles 

We light the candle of hope.   
     Rev. Bryce Blank & Meaghan Wharton, Valley City (ND) Epworth UMC 

We light the candle of peace.  
     Abraham Perez, Sioux Falls (SD) Sunnycrest UMC / Renuevo 

We light the candle of love.  
     Rev. Cindy & Duane Coates, Rapid City (SD) First UMC 

We light the candle of joy.  
     Confirmation class, Groton (SD) UMC 

We light the candle of Jesus, God with us who brings hope, peace, joy and love.  
     Rev. Joel & Kris Winckler, Mandan (ND) UMC 

Call to Worship      Rev. Kris Mutzenberger and Rev. Dan Bader, Conference Superintendents 

Leader: Angels proclaim.   
People: Good News! Great joy! 
Leader: Don’t be afraid.   
People: Good News! Great joy! 
Leader: For all people.   
People: Good News! Great joy! 
Leader: In the city of David.  
People: Good News! Great joy! 
Leader: Christ the Savior is born.   
People: Good News! Great joy! 

Song      “Away in a Manger” – performed by Jen Bragg and Crystal Whitney, violinist Dr. Beth  Neitzert, accompanied by Jean Larson, all from Huron (SD) Riverview UMC 

Children’s Story      “Birth of the Chosen One – A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story” by Terry Wildman, Illustrated by Hannah & Holly Buchannan Read by Rev. Susan Jennys, Chester (SD) and Colton (SD) UMCs 

Scripture       Luke 2:1-20 (CEB) 
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists.  This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria.  Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.  She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night.  The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.  Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them.  Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

Sermon      Rev. Brandon Vetter, Conference Superintendent 

Offertory & Special Music “I Wonder as I Wander” performed by Isaac Johnson,  Mary Marion, accompanist, Aberdeen (SD) North Highland UMC 

Prayer of Intercession (BOW 279)        Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Conference Superintendent 
     Holy God, heaven and earth are met this day in the newborn Child, Savior of the world. We celebrate his birth; for in him you come to be close to us, that we might be close to you. Especially, we give thanks for the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and all he means to us...  For prospects of peace in the world… for confidence in your almighty love… for those who generously give… for those who graciously receive… for the Chruch’s nurturing us in the faith.  God of all mercy as you have come in Jesus Christ to be our guest, inspire our hearts to a hospitality that welcomes all your children in his name. Especially we pray for those who have not heard your good news… for the sick and suffering… for those who know no laughter, only tears… for those who govern and rule… for those enslaved by tyranny… for prisoners of addiction or abuse…for the church as a refuge for the needy…  all this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Song      “Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)” performed by Minot (ND) Vincent UMC Praise Band  

Blessing and Sending Forth     Bishop Lanette Plambeck 

Postlude     "Sweet Little Jesus Boy"  peformed by Grand Forks (ND) Zion UMC choir