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News From
November 8, 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 8
- 9:30 a.m. Priscilla UMW Circle, Hearth Room
- 12:00 p.m. Hannah UMW Circle, Rm 101
- 1:00 p.m. Naomi Ruth UMW Circle, Hearth Room
- 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
- 5:15 p.m.
- Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall
- Phase 2 Yoga, Rm 212
- 6:00 p.m.
- New Vibrations Bell Choir, Rm L17
- "This Little Light" Christmas Pageant Practice, Sanctuary
- Boundaries Study, Rm 105
- The Characters of Advent Study, Rm L37
- Love and Logic Parenting, Rm 106
- Surviving the Holidays Study, Rm L28
- 7:00 p.m. Venture Crew Meeting, Rm L37
- Thursday, November 9
- 9:00 a.m. Veteran's Coffee and Donuts, Paradise Donuts
- 1:30 p.m. Shepherd's Center Line Dancing, Fellowship Hall
- 5:15 p.m. Worship Experience Team Meeting, Hearth Room
- 5:30 p.m. Phase 2 Long Term Care Insurance Presentation, Rm 105
- 6:00 p.m. Rhapsody Ringers Bell Choir, Rm L17
- 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice, Rm L18
- Friday, November 10
- 8:00 a.m. WAFFLE, State Street Elementary
- Sunday, November 12
- 8:15 a.m. Arise Worship Service, Chapel
- 9:00 a.m. Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
- 9:30 a.m.
- 9-3-0 Worship Service, Chapel
- Sunday School for All Ages
- 10:30 a.m. Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
- 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service, Sanctuary
- 3:30 p.m. Leadership Team, Rm 105
- 5:00 p.m. Phase 2 Paint Party, Paint Therapy Uncorked
- 5:15 p.m. Staff Parish Relations Committee, Rm 105
- Tuesday, November 14
- 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Rm L35
- Wednesday, November 15
- 11:30 a.m. Nickel-A-Cup, McFarland's Restaurant
- 1:30 p.m. Phase 2 Meeting, Hearth Room
- 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
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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:
Auburn UMC
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Veterans' Coffee and Donuts
All Veterans are invited to Paradise Donuts (1620 SW 6th Ave. across from St. Francis)
TOMORROW
, November 9th, 9-10 a.m.
to enjoy a cup of coffee and a donut as a Thank You for your service to our country. Due to Baker's Dozen closing on 21st Street, this event has been moved to Paradise Donuts.
Feel free to bring photos of your time in the Service to share.
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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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 Men's Ministry in November
The Topeka First UMC Men's Group will not meet on November 11th since it is Veteran's Day, and also because of our commitment to help with the "Cocoa, Cookies and Carols" event on November 25th.
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Could You Be Our Next Director of Congregational Care?
Are you driven to help those in crisis? Are you able to work as a team and inspire volunteers? Are you able to cast a vision, then plan tangible steps to reach it? Then you could be our new Director of Congregational Care.
The Director of Congregational Care works half-time to help fulfill the purpose of Topeka First UMC. This person is responsible for the implementation and oversight of systems that allow the laity to provide care for members and friends in times of need. This person will work alongside the Lead Pastor and the directors of various age level ministries to ensure that people at all stages of life receive the care of Christ's love through connection with the church. In performing all duties, this position should be mindful of our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
To apply for this position, send your cover letter and resume to Beth Evans.
Read more about the Director of Congregational Care on our website.
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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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Phase 2:
A Community of Boomers |
Upcoming Phase 2 Activities
Long Term Care Insurance Presentation Sponsored by Phase 2
There are many questions surrounding Long Term Care Insurance. What policy is the best for the cost? At what age should a person take out a policy? What retirement communities accept this type of insurance? These and other questions will be answered by Susan Harris, Director of Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, at this informational gathering on
November 9th, 5:30-7 p.m.
There will also be resources to take home. A baked potato bar will be offered at 5:30 for $5. Come to enjoy fellowship over dinner and then stay for the presentation. Please sign up on our Church Connection Portal.
Phase 2 at Paint Therapy Uncorked
On Sunday, November 12th at 5 p.m. let your creative juices flow as we enjoy fellowship together at Paint Therapy Uncorked (5130 SW 29th St.). You will create your own masterpiece to take home. The cost is $35 per person, and to register and pay go to painttherapyuncorked.com or email Tiwana Whitten. Sandwiches/chips/dessert provided for $5 donation at the event. Water will be provided. Otherwise, bring your own beverage.
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 #Adulting at Topeka First UMC
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| Musicians Greg Fox and Ryan Wills |
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#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, and learning to fold a fitted sheet! If the term #Adulting is familiar to you, you will fit right in.
Last month, we met at the McFarland's home for a Fox and Wills concert in the back yard. Now we're getting ready for Christmas!
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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| The #Adulting group lucked out with the perfect weather for an intimate outdoor concert! |
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 Tech Talk: Accessing Church Calendar
Accessing the Church Calendar
Smart Phone
Go to the Church Life app. Tap the three bars at the top left corner and select calendar.
This will bring the calendar up in a list form. If you would like to see activities further into the future, simply scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Show 50 more.
If you find an activity in which you are interested and want more information, simply tap that entry. This will give you a description, location, and any other pertinent information. If you would like to add this event to your personal calendar, simply tap add in the top right corner of your screen.
There is a small funnel at the top of your phone screen. If you touch that you can filter calendar items based on your interests.
If you tap on the small calendar icon on the top right corner, it changes your view from a list style to a standard calendar style. You can use up/down arrows to scroll to the following or previous month, or use the left/right arrows to advance years. If you touch a day on the calendar, it will bring up a list of activities for that day.
Tune in next week to learn to register for an event from your smart phone.
Computer
Log in to the Church Connection Portal. Calendar appears on your dashboard. You can use the previous and next buttons to advance to future months. Click on a date to view activities for that day. Once you have an activity list for that day, you can click on that event, then click "view more details" to gain more information.
Once you are looking at the detailed information, if you want to attend the event, click on Register at the top right and follow on screen instructions.
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In Worship This Week:
Scripture:
Luke 2:41-49, Luke 5:12-16, 1 John 3:16
Message:
Living Like Jesus: Becoming More Like Jesus
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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Save the Date for One Big Sunday!
On
DECEMBER 3RD
, we will celebrate several Advent traditions all at once! The big Sunday will begin with a simple
C
ommunion service in the Chapel at 9:15 a.m.
Then, we will have one combined worship service in the Sanctuary at 10 a.m.
This one service will include our White Gift Sunday procession, musicians from all of our usual services, and a special gift of music from Topeka Civic Theatre's cast of, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." After the combined worship service, gather in Fellowship Hall for our annual Christmas Dinner. Following the meal, come once again to the Sanctuary for the children's performance of, "This Little Light," this year's Christmas Pageant.
You won't want to miss any of these exciting events! Circle December 3rd on your calendar today to make sure you can attend.
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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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 Meet Our New Stephen Minister: Michael Turner
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| Michael Turner |
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Meet Michael Turner, one of our new Stephen Ministers. Working with many different kinds of people prepared Michael to be a Stephen Minister. Michael says Stephen Ministry is one way he can serve God and our community in a caring, personal way. Since Michael became a Stephen Minister, he has grown in his ability to develop caring Christian relationships.
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Stephen Ministry Training Course
Stephen Ministers offer care and support to persons who are experiencing challenges in their lives. A Stephen Minister is a good listener, has compassion and empathy for others, and has a desire to serve. Stephen Ministers complete 50 hours of training and carry out their work as part of a group that shares a commitment and wants to learn and grow in their ministry skills.
A new training course will take place here at Topeka First UMC on Monday nights (and two Saturday mornings) beginning February 5 and ending April 23. If you have thought about serving in this way, if you suspect God may be calling you to this ministry (or if you know someone who fits this description), please contact one of our Stephen Leaders: Sandy Vogel
, Beth Evans
, Mary Lou Auer
, or Marge Whelpley
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If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the caring relationship offered by a Stephen Minister, please contact one of the Stephen Leaders above.
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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
During the Advent season we prepare for the One who has come, whom we expect to come, and who will come again. In the hanging of the greens we share with Christians throughout the ages the memory and anticipation of Christ's coming. We decorate our church with the symbols of love, joy, hope, and peace. Why do we do this? To tell the story again and then proclaim: Jesus is born. God is with us!
On 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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 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". The early-bird entry fee is $20. If you have any questions, e-mail Randall Hodgkinson.
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 Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols
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. We also need volunteers:
- COOKIE BAKERS: Prefer home-baked cookies. (Hint: Doorstep sells cookie dough by the bucket, or try Nestle frozen cookie dough.) 3 dozen per volunteer. Please bring to the church on Sunday, November 19 to volunteers in the Celebration Room.
- Decorations/Room Set-Up: 2-5 p.m. on event day. Putting up decorations, setting up drink stations, materials on tables, signs, and volunteer materials.
- Cookie Runners: 6-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. on event day. 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 6-7:30 p.m. and 6 for 7:30-9 p.m. on event day. Serving cocoa, cookies and water at two refreshment stations.
- Greeters: Need 4 for 6-7:30 p.m. and 4 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 four teams of two people each to walk assigned sections of the parade route before the parade begins and 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.
- Clean up Crew: Need extras to help prepare the Celebration Room for Sunday fellowship. 8:30-9:30 p.m. on event day.
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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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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Join the Children's Discipleship Team
Ever wanted to know more about Children's Discipleship at Topeka First United Methodist? Want to be an integral part of planning and implementing Children's Discipleship opportunities? Please contact Allison Brewer about joining this important team. We hope to have a 12-15 person team in order to share the fun and important tasks this group takes on.
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YOUTH EVENTS for Sunday, November 12th
- 9:15 a.m. Youth Rooms open
- 9:45 a.m. Sunday School starts
- 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Pizza and making Christmas College Care packages in the youth rooms
Chili to Go
Youth Chili to Go Alaska Mission Trip Fundraiser is coming Sunday, November 19th from 9:30 a.m. through the noon hour. For $5 you get a bowl of chili, crackers, and a cinnamon roll to go in the Celebration Room. We should have a nice variety of chili. Thank you for supporting youth in missions.
Youth Christmas Family
Youth and the New Decade Class are teaming up again to adopt a family for Christmas. Youth, if you would like to donate to help with this, please pick up an information sheet at the Youth Table in the Celebration Room.
Cocoa, Cookies, and Carols
Youth, we have nine youth signed up to help on November 25th with Cocoa, Cookies, & Carols. If youwant to help, just talk to Ruth. You will be teamed up with other youth.
What are these youth up to? Come find out at Church Conference in December!
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