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News From
November 15, 2017
For the good of the city
... Jeremiah 29:7
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Church Office:
785-233-8100
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Give to Topeka First UMC
by text!
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Church Activity Communications Request
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Do you have information about a church activity you'd like to share? The deadline to submit an article for church publications is
12 p.m. each Tuesday.
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Coming Up Soon:
- Wednesday, November 15
- 1:30 p.m. Phase 2 Meeting
- 2:30 p.m. Funeral for Lee Davidson, Sanctuary
- 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
- 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall
- 6:00 p.m.
- New Vibrations Bell Choir, Rm L17
- "This Little Light" Pageant Practice, Sanctuary
- Boundaries Study, Rm 105
- Characters of Advent Study, Rm L36
- Love and Logic Parenting, Rm 106
- Quilting Group, Rm L35
- Surviving the Holidays Study, Rm L28
- Thursday, November 16
- 11:30 a.m. Nickel-A-Cup, McFarland's Restaurant
- 6:00 p.m. Rhapsody Ringers Bell Choir, Rm L17
- 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice, Rm L18
- Friday, November 17
- 8:00 a.m. WAFFLE, State Street Elementary
- Sunday, November 19
- 8:15 a.m. Arise Worship Service, Chapel
- 9:00 a.m.
- Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
- Youth Chili to Go Fundraiser (through noon hour)
- 9:30 a.m.
- 9-3-0 Worship Service, Chapel
- Sunday School for All Ages
- 10:30 a.m.
- Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
- Hanging of the Greens (details below)
- 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service, Sanctuary
- 12:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens (details below)
- Tuesday, November 21
- 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Rm L18
- Wednesday, November 22
- 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
- Thursday, November 23: Thanksgiving Day
- Saturday, November 25: Downtown Connection Week
- Rescue Run 5K
- Miracle on Kansas Parade
- 6:30 p.m. Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols, Celebration Room
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Church Office Hours
The church office is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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 Prayer Covenant Churches
The Topeka District of the Great Plains Conference has arranged a covenant calendar to ensure all churches in our connection are held in prayer by the others. We will pray for a different church each week. Check this newsletter for our next prayer covenant church, and join us in prayer for them as another church joins in prayer for us.
Prayer Covenant Church for the week:
Bellevue-Highland-Denton UMC
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Wednesday Night Dinners
Join us for dinner TONIGHT at 5:15 p.m.
Before you begin your Wednesday night activity, you can sit down for a relaxing meal. Everyone is welcome!
Please contact Allison if you have any dietary restrictions you need us to consider.
Meals cost $8 per adult and $4 per child (12 years and under), with a maximum cost of $25 per family. Children age two and under are free.
If you would like to join us for dinner on a Wednesday night please make a reservation on our Church Connection Portal, by checking the box in your bulletin, or by calling the church at 785-233-8100. Please
contact Allison Brewer if you are able to help with cooking, serving, or clean up on Wednesday evenings.
Click the links below to R.S.V.P. for each week's dinner Online:
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The New Directories Are Here!
The church photo directories are here! The Connections Team will pass them out in-between services and after the 11 a.m. service this Sunday in the Celebration Room. If you had your photo taken for the directory, there is a copy reserved for you. This directory was produced in the Lifetouch Community Style, which is smaller in size and contains only photos and member information. This style of directory allows us to update on a regular basis when we have a number of new members that wish to have Lifetouch come and take photos, or current members who would like to update their directory photos. Our plan is to offer a photo day in early summer 2018 for those who would like to be added to our directory. Lifetouch will then update the directory and have new copies available at no cost to everyone who appears in this updated version. For questions, please
contact Tiwana Whitten in the church office.
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Topeka First UMC Is Downtown:
November 25th Begins Downtown Connection Week
Saturday, November 25th is a happening time in downtown Topeka and many of our members are engaged. Join in!
- All day: Small business Saturday shopping, dining and music. Wear your Topeka First UMC clothing. Patronize businesses all week.
- 5:00 p.m.: Rescue Run/Topeka Rescue Mission. Kansas Avenue.
- 5:30 p.m.: Tree-lighting Ceremony at Westar, 818 S Kansas.
- 6:00 p.m.: "Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade" with our "Miracle" float.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Cocoa Cookies and Carols in our Celebration Room.
COOKIE BAKERS: Please bring your cookies to the Church this coming Sunday, November 19 for our Cocoa, Cookies and Carols event.
Bring your family, friends and neighbors and make a memorable tradition at Topeka First UMC!
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Jack and Nancy Gumb |
Welcome Our New Members
Last Sunday, it was our joy to welcome many new members into our church family. Jack and Nancy Gumb joined at the 9:30 service. At the 11 a.m. service we had several new members join: Steve and Joy Dodd; Amber Hermreck; Joe and Erin Bess Pennington; and Clay Winters. Join us in welcoming them and helping them connect to their new church home. We are glad they are a part of our family!
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Amber Hermreck |
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| Steve and Joy Dodd |
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Joe, Erin Bess, and Rose Pennington with friend, Xianne Williams |
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| Clay Winters |
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Cornerstone Family Schools Fall Concert
Cornerstone Family Schools, led by church member Dorothy Iliff, will present its Fall Concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28th. The concert is free and everyone is invited to attend. Over 100 voices will sing familiar scriptures, like Psalm 23 and Psalm 121. The last part of the concert ushers us into the Christmas season with fun and worshipful songs telling of the birth of Christ. Come and be part of this celebration in song.
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 #Adulting at Topeka First UMC
#Adulting is our group of adults ranging from those who just graduated form high school to those who are experiencing other stages of early adulthood--starting your career, raising a young family, learning to fold a fitted sheet... If the term #Adulting is familiar to you, you will fit right in.
On
November 25
, join our church team for the Rescue Run, gather to watch the Miracle on Kansas Parade at 6 p.m., then bring your friends and family to Topeka First UMC's second annual Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols. See the Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols article to learn how you can enjoy the festivities and/or volunteer.
On
December 10th at 6 p.m.
, we'll have a
Cookie Swap
party at Hannah Naeger's house (3126 SW Canterbury Lane). Bring two dozen of your most delicious holiday treats and come share in the festive cheer!
Email Hannah with questions.
Click here to learn more about #Adulting at Topeka First UMC.
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Save the Date for One Big Sunday!
On
DECEMBER 3RD
, we will celebrate several Advent traditions all at once!
Communion Service and One Combined Worship Service
All three of our services will combine into one special worshiping experience. Come prepare your hearts to receive God's gift of grace at an intimate service of Holy Communion in our Chapel at 9:15 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., gather in the Sanctuary for our only worship service that day and let the melodies from each of our music ministries lift your hearts in expectancy of the coming Christ child. An ensemble from the cast of Topeka Civic Theatre's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" will also offer the gift of music.
White Gifts Procession
Join in our tradition of gathering gifts for those served by Topeka Rescue Mission
during our combined 10 a.m. worship service. New clothes, household goods, and toys are all needed to spread the hope of Christ. Wrap the gifts in white paper or reusable linens to show they are all equal in value-from socks to video games, towels to microwaves-when given in love. Children and youth will lay all of the gifts at the altar in a sweet procession during the service.
All Church Christmas Dinner
"This Little Light" Christmas Pageant
Immediately following dinner, return to our Sanctuary for our heart-warming pageant, "This Little Light." The pageant will begin at 1 p.m. The children of the church will tell the Christmas story through drama and music as we celebrate the Christ child's birth. Prophets spoke of Him, the angels announced Him, kings traveled across a continent looking for Him, and now we can have the light within us.
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Phase 2:
A Community of Boomers |
Upcoming Phase 2 Activities
Phase 2 Christmas Caroling
Join Phase 2 friends on
Monday, December 11th at 4:30 p.m.
for caroling and pizza. We will carol at some of the local retirement communities where our members live, and then meet at Glory Days on Gage and 10th for pizza and fellowship. Cost is $5 for pizza/beverage.
Sign up on the church connection portal.
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 Tech Talk: Accessing Church Calendar
If you are interested in:
- connecting with your church family
- staying up-to-date with the happenings at church
- registering for a book study and purchasing your book online
- viewing a member list for your Sunday School class or committee
- making your financial gift online
Topeka First United Methodist can help you do all of these things...online. Your PC, Mac, or smartphone can help you Connect, Grow, and Serve with us.
Once you have your login you can go to our
website,
click on Church Connection Portal , click on the blue button that says, "Click here to log in to Church Connection Portal," and log in using your email address and the password you created. Start exploring.
If you want to access this information from your SmartPhone, you will need to go to your app store and download the free "ACS Church Life" app. You can then log in to your app using the same email address and password you just created.
If you have any trouble with this, you are always welcome to call Tina Boles at the church office, 785-233-8100.
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In Worship This Week:
Scripture:
Message:
Living Like Jesus: Joining Jesus in Ministry
Rev. Jeff Clinger, Lead Pastor
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Lenten Meditation Deadline Arrives with Advent
Sunday, November 26th is the beginning of the Advent season. It is also the deadline for those writing meditations for the 2018 Lenten Meditation booklet need to submit their contributions. If you accepted the invitation to write a meditation and haven't submitted it yet please submit it to Ross Miller. The sooner, the better! You may
email it to Ross Miller, mail it to him (6234 SW 41st St, Topeka, KS 66610), or leave it at the church office. Ash Wednesday is on Valentine's Day--a month earlier in 2018 than it was this year. In order to make the booklets ready for distribution in time, Ross needs to begin work immediately.
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| November Missions Collection Supports Human Trafficking Coalition
In November, join the Missions team in collecting new or gently used women's clothing (sweat shirts, underwear, socks, sneakers) to support the Topeka Shawnee County Human Trafficking Coalition. Please bring your donations to the Celebration Room.
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White Gift Sunday is December 3rd
Join in our tradition of gathering gifts for those served by our strategic missions partner, Topeka Rescue Mission,
during our special combined worship service on December 3rd 10 a.m. New clothes, household goods, and toys are all needed to spread the hope of Christ. Wrap the gifts in white paper or reusable linens to show they are all equal in value--from socks to video games, towels to microwaves--when given in love. Children and youth will lay all of the gifts at the altar in a sweet procession during the service.
The Rescue Mission requests these items:
- Women/Teen Girls: Jeans, shirts or hoodies (all sizes), briefs, socks
- Men/Teen Boys: Jeans (size 30-50), shirts, hoodies, socks, boxers, stocking caps and gloves, plus size clothing (2-5x)
- Boys & Girls: Educational gifts, jeans, shirts, hoodies (5-20), underwear and boxers, socks
- Infants & Toddlers: Shirts, tops, jeans, winter clothing (Newborn-4), boys and girls underwear, toddler socks, onesies, diapers size 3-6
- Miscellaneous Gift Items: Bath gift sets, cologne gift sets, pots, pans, coffee makers, small appliances, toasters, 4-5 qt crock pots, small adult gifts, radio/CD players, bath towels and washcloths, cooking utensils, tool sets, wallets, shaving bags, teen gifts, men's gifts, hair brushes, hygiene sets, activity and coloring books, mini flashlights, chap stick, sports team logo items
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Decorate the Tables for our Christmas Dinner
Table decorations always make our All Church Christmas Dinner look festive. We are looking for one or two people to take over the task of organizing and putting out decorations and tablecloths this year. Usually, this is done the Friday or Saturday before the dinner. If you are interested, please contact Tiwana.
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 Hanging of the Greens
This Sunday, November 19th, we will meet to prepare our space for the season of Advent. If you would like to help with this event, we would be excited to have you join us. There are two sessions for putting up the decorations in our church. The first session will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the second will be from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. During the first shift, we'll decorate the Chapel, Fellowship Hall, and Hearth Room, and string popcorn for trees. During the second shift, we'll work on the Sanctuary, Celebration Room, and any areas not yet completed.
The youth will have a chili/mac 'n' cheese fundraiser that day for $5, so you can grab some lunch and then help prepare our space for the Advent season.
Please check off the box on your bulletin insert as to which session you would like to join, or visit our Church Connection Portal to sign up for the time that works best for you.
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 Last Chance to Join Our Team for the Rescue Run
Hey Runners/Walkers! For the third year, we are planning to have a church team in the Miracle on Kansas Avenue Rescue Run 5K, held this year on Saturday, November 25, 2017.
If you would like to join the church team, click here to visit their website
, click on the "Register Here" button, then click on "Register Teammate," then look for "Topeka First United Methodist" on the drop down menu, and use our Team Password "Wesley1". If you have any questions, e-mail Randall Hodgkinson.
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 Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols Volunteer Update
In two weeks, "Cocoa, Cookies and Carols" at Topeka First UMC will take place immediately following the "Miracle on Kansas Avenue" parade on Saturday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. We'll have a float in the parade, bell ringers, sing-a-long, food, door prizes, and a "reason for the season reminder" by Pastor Jeff.
We need you and your family, neighbors and friends to come. Volunteers are needed! The Downtown Engagement Team appreciates all volunteers. It is fun!
COOKIE BAKERS: Please bring your cookies to the church this Sunday, November 19 to volunteers in the Celebration Room.
- Cookie Runners: 2 teams of 2, 6-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Monitor cookie trays, replace with new trays, and make additional trays as needed. Last shift will help with cookie clean-up.
- Refreshment Servers: Need 6 for 7:30-9 p.m. Serving cocoa, cookies and water at two refreshment stations.
- Greeters: Need 3 for 7:30-9 p.m. on event day. Giving a warm and friendly greeting as guests arrive and as they leave, thanking them for coming as you hand each family an Advent Brochure.
- Cocoa/Water/Coffee Monitors: 6:30-8:30 p.m. on event day. Monitor containers and refill as needed.
- Table/Door Prize Aides: Need 2 for 6-7:30 p.m. and 2 for 7:30-8 p.m. on event day. Straightening tables when guests leave and replenish door prize sign-up sheets as needed. Collect sign-up forms for each of the four drawings.
- Parade Walkers: Need 3 adults to go with 2 youth and walk assigned sections of the parade route before the parade begins. Offer a sack for collecting candy and invite all to "Cocoa, Cookies and Carols." Check in at church 5-5:15 p.m. Volunteer from 5:30-7 p.m.
Please sign-up by clicking this link to our Church Connection Portal or by sending an email to Nancy Lewis or calling her at 785-478-3718.
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 Sunday School November 19th
This week, the Children's Sunday School classes will start the 9:30 hour worshiping with their families or with peers in the front rows of the Chapel.
Please, check your child in and make your way to the chapel by 9:30 a.m.
We are attending the start of worship so that we can be present for the baptism and welcoming of new members. Children will be dismissed to their Sunday school classes from the chapel and should be picked up in the Celebration Room following worship or classes.
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Hanging of the Greens as a Family
This Sunday will be a busy time of decorating our church in preparation for the Advent season. There will be ornaments and garlands for making in the Celebration room during the two Hanging of the Greens decorating sessions. Families are encouraged to help decorate the Celebration Room and to get involved with the decorating throughout the church. Nursery care will be offered for children ages 3 and younger. The youth group is selling chili and macaroni and cheese in the Celebration Room as a fundraiser for their Summer mission trip.
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 Calling All Angels--It's Almost Pageant Time!
Rehearsals for our Christmas Pageant have been fun, focused, and fabulous! Sheep, shepherds, kings, and several other are telling the story of Jesus' birth and singing songs of joy. All we're missing is the multitude of heavenly hosts! If you have a child ages 3 through Kindergarten that would be able to happily shout out "Glory to God" and sing the 'gloria' from "Angels We Have Heard on High" we'd love to recruit you. We have enough angel wings for all, but we really need to know by Wednesday, November 29th if your little angel can join us. The only practice is on Saturday, December 2nd from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The pageant is on Sunday, December 3rd at 1 p.m. We will want angels gathered at 12:40. Questions? Contact Dorothy Iliff.
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Comfort Space in Chapel
The Bride's Room at the back of the Chapel is available during the 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. worship services. The room has new furniture, a restroom, and is appointed with a basket of toys and baby needs for families. The worship service can be heard when the doors are open, or you may close the door if more privacy is needed.
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Teach Sunday School and Make a Difference
We are nearing the end of the fall quarter in Children's Sunday School, and we are gearing up to study the birth and life of Jesus this winter with a mostly new set of teachers. Please be in prayer for the new Sunday school teachers and children.
We would like to wrap up recruiting for Sunday school teachers for the spring quarter, as well. Adults who are interested in teaching for spring would be assigned to a team of three teachers, be given an easy-to-follow curriculum, get to give input on the age group they are most comfortable working with, and would be committing to help from March 4th-May 27th. If you would like to volunteer, or just learn more about what that looks like, please talk to Allison Brewer, Director of Children's Discipleship.
Children's Discipleship has been greatly blessed with a committed group of volunteers this fall. Tara Mays has been a teacher with the Second and Third grade class, and shared what teaching has meant to her:
"I have been abundantly blessed in following the Lord's calling to spend time this fall teaching Sunday school. I was a little nervous at first, because crafts are not my strong suit, but the curriculum and the team teaching approach makes it super easy and convenient to plan fun things for the kids with each lesson--no expertise required. I wasn't sure if I was making a difference, and then a little girl who attends occasionally approached me to declare, 'I wish I could come to Sunday school class every day!' It was a wonderful gift to get to know these amazing kids."
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YOUTH EVENTS for Sunday, November 19th
Youth--Save these dates:
- Sunday, November 26th
- 9:30 a.m. Adopt a Family Wrap Party
- Tuesday, November 28th
- 6:00 p.m. Youth Game Night
Many thanks go out this week to Dori Murphy & Sandra Rak for their help with our college care ministry.
Pictured:
Youth take the opportunity for fellowship & a meal while making Christmas College Care packages. College students can look for the care packages the 1st week of December.
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