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News From
Topeka  First 

March 14, 2018

For the good of the city
... Jeremiah 29:7

Church Office:
785-233-8100

In This Issue


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Coming Up Soon:  
  • Wednesday, March 14
    • 11:30 a.m. Nickel-A-Cup, McFarland's Restaurant
    • 12:15 p.m. Midweek Meditation, Chapel
    • 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
    • 5:15 p.m. Phase 2 Yoga, Rm 212
    • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall
    • 6:00 p.m. New Vibrations Bell Choir, Rm L17
    • 6:15 p.m. 
      • Foundations Class, Rm 101
      • Stories for the Journey, Rm 105
      • Hero Central, Chapel & Children's Area
    • 7:00 p.m. Venture Crew Meeting, Rm L37
  • Thursday, March 15
    • 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, March 16
    • Youth at Winter Jam in Sprint Center, Kansas City
  • Saturday, March 17
    • 7:30 a.m. Men's Ministry Meeting, Celebration Room
    • 8:30 a.m. Water Station and Cheering Section for Irish Fest 5k, 6th & Harrison St.
    • 12:00 p.m. Wear your Topeka First UMC shirt to the Irish Fest Parade downtown!
  • Sunday, March 18
    • 8:15 a.m. Arise Worship Service, Chapel
    • 9:00 a.m. 
      • Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
      • Name Tag Pick Up and Church Shirt Orders, Celebration Room
    • 9:30 a.m.
      • 9-3-0 Worship Service, Chapel
      • Sunday School for Children and Adults (Youth Sunday School and Confirmation on Spring Break)
    • 10:30 a.m.
      • Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
      • Name Tag Pick Up and Church Shirt Orders, Celebration Room
    • 10:45 a.m. "24 Hours" Lenten Study, Rm 106
    • 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service, Sanctuary
    • 4:45 p.m. Phase 2 Movie and Dinner, Regal 14 movie theater
    • 9:00 p.m. Youth Christ-n-Bowl, Gage Bowl
  • Monday, March 19
    • 5:15 p.m. Adult Education Meeting, Celebration Room
    • 6:30 p.m. Stephen Ministry Training, Hearth Room
  • Tuesday, March 20
    • 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Rm L35
    • 7:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry Meeting, Hearth Room
  • Wednesday, March 21
    • 12:15 p.m. Mid-Week Meditation, Chapel
    • 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
    • 6:00 p.m. New Vibrations Bell Choir, Rm L17
  • Thursday, March 22
    • 6:00 p.m. Rhapsody Ringers Bell Choir, Rm L17
    • 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice, Rm L18
  • Saturday, March 24
    • 8:00 a.m. Stephen Ministry Training, Hearth Room
  • Sunday, March 25th: Palm Sunday
    • 8:00-9:45 a.m. All-Church Pancake Feed, Fellowship Hall
    • Visit Children's Biblical Village before worship, Rm 212
    • 9:30 a.m. Children Gather for Palm Processional, Celebration Room
    • 10 a.m. Combined Worship Service with Third Grade Bible Presentation, Sanctuary
    • 11:30 a.m. Third Grade Bible Family Lunch and activities
    • 2:00 p.m. Third Grade Bowling

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.

Connect
Connect
Zach Hill and Ryan Murphy joined last Sunday.
Welcome Our New Members


Last Sunday, it was our joy to welcome Zach Hill and Ryan Murphy into our church family when they became members at the 11 a.m. service. Their wives, Avery Hill and Maribeth Murphy, have been members since they were young. Both couples were married within the last year and have connected with the new Twentysomething Sunday School class. Please join us in welcoming Zach and Ryan to their new church home and supporting them in their faith journey.

 
basketball_macro.jpg Topeka First UMC Bracket Challenge

Are you planning to watch some college basketball these next days? Do you have your bracket all filled out? Are you feeling lucky? If you'd like to connect with some of your church friends in a little friendly competition you're invited to fill out a bracket (or 2 or 3) and join in the church's bracket challenge. First prize is a year's worth of bragging rights! To join, visit this link and make your pics.
 
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Click to learn more about Wednesday Night Dinners
Wednesday Night Dinners

Join us for an intergenerational fellowship opportunity every Wednesday evening in Fellowship Hall. Adults and families attending Wednesday night classes gather from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. for supper. Dinner prices have dropped for the Winter Session to $6 per adult and $4 per child, with a $20 maximum for families. Please, make a reservation online or on your bulletin tear-off on Sunday each week so we can be certain to have enough food for the group.

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:

shirts Church Shirt Store Now Open

New church shirts are again available from our downtown partners at Reliant Apparel. You may order and pay for your shirt on their website until April 8th, or order your shirt in person at 9 and 10:30 a.m. on the  Sundays March 18th, March 25th, and April 8th  in the Celebration Room at church. All orders online and in person must be placed by April 8th, and all orders will be delivered to the church to pick up on April 29th. 

 
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New name tag design
Pick Up Your New Name Tag This Sunday

If you ordered a new name tag, you can pick it up and pay for it in the Celebration Room this Sunday 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 .

If you missed your chance to order a name tag this time around, don't worry--there will be more opportunities later in the year to order one.

Phase 2 icon Phase 2 Movie and Dinner 

Phase 2 will gather at the Regal 14 movie theater (6200 SW 6th) on Sunday, March 18th for the 4:45 p.m. showing of, "I Can Only Imagine (click for trailer)." Those that want to grab a bite to eat after the movie (around 6:45) will head to McAlister's Deli (1129 SW Wanamaker Rd). Please sign up for this event on the Church Connection Portal.
Men's Ministry Icon March Men's Meeting

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!
Technology graphic Tech Time at Topeka First UMC

On Thursday, March 22nd, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Bishop Frank Forum, bring your iPhones, Kindles, tablets and other devices for some tech time. Craig and Rozanna Selley will be there to help you use your device to connect to the life of our church or answer questions in general about iPhones. If you need to get the Church Life App Directory on your phone, this is a great time to do that. Austin Harris, Director of Worship Enhancement, will also be there to discuss what live streaming is and how will it enhance our worship at Topeka First UMC. A light lunch will be served at 11 a.m. (free will donation accepted). Please sign up on our Church Connection Portal.
 
Save the Date for Pancakes and Palms

On  Sunday, March 25th , we will celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a special worship service for  Palm Sunday . We will wave palm branches and sing, "Hosannah," just like the disciples did on that day long ago. We are changing up our regular Sunday worship routine to recognize this holy day with a Pancake Feed at 8 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., we will gather in the Sanctuary for one special worship service. In addition waving the palms, this worship service will include the presentation of Bibles to our 3rd graders. 

Everyone is invited-won't you be our guest?


Chili March Madness Chili Cook-Off

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.
 
Phase 2 icon Adulting Blind Tiger with Phase 2 and #Adulting

 

Come connect with Phase 2 and #Adulting for dinner and drinks at the Blind Tiger Restaurant on April 8th, 4-6 p.m. We'll order some food and drinks as we enjoy a relaxing evening of getting to know each other. Please R.S.V.P., as the restaurant requires our number of guests before the event. Click here to sign up on our Church Connection Portal.

Click the icons at right to learn more about #Adulting and Phase 2.


Phase 2 icon Phase 2 Tours 712 Innovations

Phase 2 toured 712 Innovations, which is a small business maker space. It is truly one of the hidden gems in downtown Topeka.  This is a space where entrepreneurs can turn dreams into reality! For more information they can be contacted at 785-783-8062.

Connect Connect


Topeka First UMC Family Member Mushing in Iditarod

Connect
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. 




Grow
Worship
In Worship This Week:
Message:
The Prodigal God: The Feast of the Father
Rev. Jeff Clinger, Lead Pastor

Scripture:
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:
McLouth UMC
New Learning Opportunity: Methodism 101

For centuries, Methodism has shaped lives around the world, including yours. Whether you are brand new to the denomination or have been a part of the Methodist Church for your entire life, there is something to learn from our shared history. Meeting on Wednesdays, April 4th-May 23rd, 6:15-7:15 p.m. Austin Harris, Director of Worship Experience, will explore the long and rich history of the Methodist Church from its foundation in 18th century England to its continued growth and impact on the world today. We will examine how that history, and the beliefs shared by Methodism, impacts our faith and the people around us through an in-depth conversation that is open to all ages. Please sign up on the Church Connection Portal.
 
Tempero-Sandall Speaker: Author Rev. Dr. Roger Ross

On April 15th, the Rev. Dr. Roger Ross will be at Topeka First UMC to preach during worship and lead a Sunday afternoon workshop as part of our Tempero Sandall Endowed Fellowship. Ross is the Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence for the Missouri Annual Conference, and author of "Meet the Goodpeople: Wesley's 7 Ways to Share Faith." The workshop on Sunday afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., is free and open to the public. At the workshop, Ross will lead a discussion about how to transform an established church into a more missional congregation. 

The Tempero Sandall Endowed Fellowship was created in 1982 in order to provide the members of Topeka First UMC and the community with opportunities to enrich their religious experience through workshops, lectures, seminars, and performances.
 
Lenten Meditations in Your Inbox

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.
Worship Midweek Meditation

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.

Serve
St. Patrick's Day 5K Race and Parade st_patricks_day_circle.jpg

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.
 
gardening-items.jpg Church Grounds Spring Cleaning

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.
 
Easter Cookies Needed for Easter

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.
 
March Missions Collection Sponsors GED Scholarships

For our March mission project, the Missions Team will collect funds for Let's Help to provide scholarships for GED tests. The cost for one GED test is $33. Pick up a coupon from the Missions bulletin board, located in the Celebration Room, to donate in increments of $3. Return money and coupon in envelope at the reception desk. A book icon will be put on the board with your name on it. If you want to pay for an entire GED test ($33), then a certificate icon will be placed on the Missions bulletin board with your name on it. Make sure you put your name on the envelope so you can be recognized for your donation. Thank you for your support!
Click icon to learn more about Doorstep.
Looking Ahead: Fill the Bag for Doorstep in April

This April, we are going to fill the food pantry at Doorstep. At the one worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 25th, the Faith Connections Sunday School class will hand out grocery sacks with lists of needed items. Please take a few extra minutes at the grocery store to fill this bag with any--or all--of the items and bring it to the Celebration Room any time in April. If you need more bags, please feel free to fill your own grocery sacks! Doorstep, Inc. strives to provide well-rounded food orders for their clients. The food is selected to put meals together and last for five days at three meals a day. They also need hygiene items like, deodorant. Below is a typical client food order:
  • Macaroni and Cheese
  • Pinto Beans 
  • Spaghetti
  • Canned Fruit 
  • Canned/Packaged Soups
    • Tomato
    • Chicken Noodle
    • Vegetable
    • Ramen Noodles 
  • Milk - Canned/Powdered
  • Cereal - Hot/Dry
  • Jelly 
  • Bread
  • Egg Noodles
  • Rice
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Tuna
  • Canned Vegetables
    • corn
    • green beans
    • peas
    • pork and beans
  • Crackers
  • Peanut Butter
  • Hamburger--1 lb.
  • Sugar, Flour, Cake Mixes, Cooking Oil, etc. per client request, if available.
Thank you for partnering with Doorstep to help our fellow Topekans, for the good of the city!

Children's Icon Children's Mission Collection Update

Thank you to the children and adults who donated shoes and diapers for our Heroes in Training mission project. We were able to collect dozens of shoes and several packages of diapers for the families served at the Topeka Rescue Mission. Be watching for the next Children's mission project and how you can help.
 
Children
worship Palm Sunday Processional

The children of our church will help open  our combined 10 a.m. worship service on Palm Sunday, March 25th, by processing in with palm branches and singing an opening song.  Children will gather in the Celebration Room at 9:30 . Volunteers will help the children to process in with palms and after singing children will be seated with their families.

Children Visit the Children's Bible Village

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.
 
Children Save the Dates for Summer Adventures at Topeka First UMC
  • 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!
 
Youth
Youth Events
It may be Spring Break, but Christ-n-Bowl is on for those of you who are in town this Sunday, March 18th. Check-in starts at 9 p.m. at Gage Bowl. Bring $10 for unlimited cyber bowling. Friends are welcome, as well as college students home on break. You will get one large drink, and the Strike/Spare Box will be back....

Youth Youth
 










Youth
Confirmands and High School Youth worked on a service project last Sunday filling over 500 eggs for the children's egg hunt on Easter. Thank you youth--you made quick work of all those eggs!







youth


High School Youth end their Lenten Studies last Sunday in prayer. We were missing quite a few--wonder if daylight savings got them? Spring Break starts this Friday, a reminder that we will see you in the 9:30 a.m. worship service if you aren't out of town.

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