At Topeka First United Methodist, we are many people of many backgrounds who tell many stories, but we are all one church. We worship at three different services, gather in 12 adult classes on Sunday mornings and more during the week, and serve on many teams, missions, and ministries, but we are all one church. Some of us have been members for decades, and some of us have been members for just a few days, but we are all one church. We are a branch of the body of Christ. When we Connect, Grow, and Serve together, we can do great things for the good of the city and for the transformation of the world.

Our logo is made up of dots, which represent the many people who come together as one church body. Within the dots, you can see the bell tower from the oldest part of our building that has called us to worship in the center of our city for many years. You can also see the cross and peaked roof of the newest part of our building, that since more recent times has welcomed us and our guests in to experience the growth and fellowship our church family offers. 

As you have seen our this logo appear in more places at church and around town, you probably also have noticed our circular icons that are associated with our different ministry areas. These icons use the imagery of a planted seed to tell the story of how life in our church cultivates growing faith and transformed lives.

Age-Level Ministry Icons

This is the Children's Discipleship icon. It represents a seed that has been planted and is just starting to take root. When you see this icon or this color of purple, you know you are looking at information about our Children's Discipleship program.

This is the Youth Discipleship icon. The image now shows that the roots have deepened and growth has begun. The plant stretches its leaves upward as it grows into its potential. When you see this shade of blue and this icon, you know you are looking at information from our Youth Discipleship program.

This is the icon for our #Adulting group. This wide-encompassing group might be called the "Young Adults," though it covers ministry groups for those who have just graduated high school to those who are just under Baby Boomer age. Some members of #Adulting are figuring out what it means to be an adult, some are young professionals, some are raising young families...but it's more about where you are in life than your actual age. This image is a young, flowering plant. When you see this light green-blue color and this icon, you know you have found information about   #Adulting.

This is the icon for Phase 2, our Community of Baby Boomers. This icon represents a tree bearing fruit, and for good reason! Baby Boomers are experiencing "Phase 2" of their lives. They have given many years to raising families and building careers. They can look back and see the impact they have made, and look forward at the great things they have yet to accomplish. They have energy and a little more time, and they are looking to invest this in meaningful endeavors.

The Senior Adults icon depicts the sun, shining throughout our congregation and sharing its warmth. The senior adults' experience and wisdom have shaped our church and are vital to our spiritual growth and maturity. The church can look to them for guidance as they continue to impact our congregation and community. You know you are looking at information about Senior Adult ministry when you see this warm, yellow, sunny icon.

Missions Icon

Our Missions Icon is a watering can, which takes the calling of our church beyond our building to water seeds out in our community. Our missions bring the hope and love of Christ to the people around us, drawing people toward the Living Water. When you see this spring green color and watering can, you know you are learning about our Missions.

Last Sunday, it was our joy to welcome Alan and Robin Stiner into our church family when they became members at the 9:30 service. Please join us in welcoming Alan and Robin to their new church home and supporting them in their faith journey.

 

Remember to keep Steve Watkins, a member of our church family, in prayer as he continues in the Iditarod. Steve is taking on this race to inspire veterans and teachers to take on challenges and believe there is much yet they can accomplish. Pray for Steve as he mushes through -60F temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and exhausting physical challenges through the coming days. 

You can watch a story about Steve from KSNT news by clicking here.

You can visit the @MusherSteve Facebook page by clicking here.

You can view Steve's Iditarod Musher Profile and see his progress by clicking here.

If your Sunday School class, church group, or family would be able to help prepare a meal, please contact Allison Brewer, Director of Children's Discipleship. The menu is already planned. You can choose to help cook, set up, and/or clean up. Learn more on our website.

Click the date on the menu to sign up and pay for your meal:

• March 7: Pizza and Salad Bar
• March 14: Spaghetti, Meatballs, Salad
• March 21: No Meal or Wednesday Night Activities
• March 28: March Madness Chili Cook Off

With Easter coming in a few weeks, it is time to prepare for all of the guests who will worship with us on that joyful morning. This is a good time to make sure you know where your name tag is so you can wear it each Sunday--or better yet, order a new name tag featuring our new logo! Wearing a name tag helps our visitors feel more at ease, and when we all wear our logo we are identified as one church family.

Many of you have commented that you would like to wear a name tag with the church logo to represent our church as you attend community events. This is a great idea! Wear them as you volunteer, shop downtown, go to club meetings, and enjoy the many social occasions our city offers.  The new name tags will be a great way to show that our church members are out there getting involved, for the good of the city. 

You can order a new name tag this Sunday, March 11th in the Celebration Room at 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. The name tag costs $7 with a pin fastener, or $8.50 with a magnet fastener. You can pay for your name tag with cash, check, or card. Call the church at 785-233-8100 or email Jayna McFarland, Publications Coordinator, with any questions. Please note, if you have a pacemaker, you should not order the magnet fastener.

The church shirt store will open again very soon! Look for more info in your email within the next week.

The Men's Ministry Group will meet on March 17th, instead of their normal meeting time, to coincide with the festivities for St. Patrick's Day. All men are invited to gather in our Celebration Room at 7:30 a.m. on March 17th. There will be coffee and donuts to enjoy while Lee Walker gives a presentation about the Kansas Children's Service League (KCSL). This year, KCSL is celebrating 125 years of service to children and adults in our state. Please email Roger Underwood if you plan to attend so he can make sure to prepare enough food and drink.

At 8:30 a.m., the men will set up a water station outside of our building on Harrison St. to encourage the participants in the Irish Fest 5K Run/Walk. The course passes by our church twice and will have about 500 participants. Everyone is welcome to come cheer on our neighbors in the race!

Join us for a March Madness Chili cook off, Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Bring your favorite chili recipe to share or just join us for the meal at 5:30 p.m. If you can bring chili, please register on our Church Connection Portal. After dinner join us for fellowship and classes.

 

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:

If you'd like to receive a devotional written by Topeka First UMC members each day during Lent (from now until Easter), please email Tina Boles.

Looking for a quiet and safe space to escape from the craziness of the week? Midweek Meditation 30 minutes of silence, reflection, prayer, and communion. We offer this time as a chance to reconnect and recharge every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel. All are welcome to this time of worship.

Save the date! On St. Patrick's Day (March 17th), we will have another opportunity to engage in the downtown community. The festivities begin with the Irish Fest 5K race, which will run right by our church. Our Men's Ministry group will set up a water stand for the racers. We invite you to come stand outside our building along Harrison Street and cheer on the runners and walkers. The race begins at 9 a.m., so plan to gather at 8:30.

At 12 p.m., the Irish Fest parade begins. The Downtown Engagement Team encourages all Topeka First UMC members to wear their church shirts and head downtown to enjoy our neighborhood's festivities.

 

Dave Hutchinson, Facilities Coordinator, invites you to grab a rake and gather together to get our church grounds ready for spring. The Spring Clean up dates are March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, all from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Come and go as you are able. Please bring tools for trimming, raking, and weeding. The work will be easy for many hands, and will create a bright and welcoming environment for celebrating Easter with our guests.

 

Children's Discipleship will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Easter morning. We would like to have Spring cookies to offer after the hunt. If you would be able to bake cookies, please call or email Allison Brewer, Director of Children's Discipleship, to volunteer. Cookies should be delivered by Friday, March 30th.

 

The fourth, fifth, and sixth grade Sunday School class has been building a table top Bible village as part of their class sessions this Winter. They will finish up their hard work by Palm Sunday and invite you to come and see what they have done. Feel free to visit the Bible village in Rm 212 (Moses Mosaic room) on Palm Sunday, March 25th, before the one worship service at 10 a.m. or on Easter, April 1st, 9-9:30 a.m.

These kids are hard at work building a Bible village!

 

• June 29th and 30th: Rolling River Rampage Vacation Bible School
• Friday, June 29, 5-7:30 p.m.: Family Friday Night
• Saturday, June 30, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Nursery and Programming for 3-year-olds through 6th graders

• July 27th and 28th: Summer Adventure Camp--Art, Science, Sports, and More!
• Friday July 28th. 5-7:30 p.m.: Family Friday Night
• Saturday, July 29th, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Nursery and Programming for 3-year-olds through 6th graders

Contact Allison Brewer, Director of Children's Discipleship, for more information and to volunteer!