Message:
Committing to Neighboring
Rev. Jeff Clinger
Scripture:
John 6:1-13
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At the 2016 General Conference, recognizing that opposing sides were increasingly intrenched, delegates asked the Council of Bishops to provide leadership regarding how the United Methodist Church can move forward in the ongoing debate about whether or not persons who are gay and lesbian can be married by United Methodist Pastors in United Methodist Churches and whether or not persons who are gay and lesbian can serve as United Methodist Pastors.
The Council of Bishops formed a group called The Commission on the Way Forward that met for roughly 18 months and has made a recommendation to the Bishops. In late February of 2019 a special called session of General Conference will be held in St. Louis to take action on the recommendation.
The Great Plains Annual Conference of the UMC has put together some resources on their website and will be hosting a series of town hall meetings in each district this fall to help address questions about the process and possible outcomes. You can visit the
Forward in Unity section of the conference website for an overview and then navigate with the links on the left of the page to learn more about the commission, to see a list of resources, and to read the report the commission made to the Council of Bishops. The video of Tom Berlin, a member of the Commission, was shared at Annual Conference this year and provides an overview of the work of the Commission, the three proposals and possible implications.
On Sunday, November 11th, Bishop Saenz will be hosting the Topeka District's town hall meeting at Topeka First UMC from 3-5 p.m. You are invited to be present for that event and to hold this entire process and conversation in prayer. Feel free to ask Pastor Jeff or members of our Leadership Council any questions you have.
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Join us weekly, starting on September 12, to connect, grow and serve at Wednesday Nights Downtown. We gather together starting at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a time of fellowship and food followed by classes and activities for all age levels. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. and is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and free for children and youth. Classes and age appropriate activities kick of at 6:00 p.m.
Join us at Wednesday Nights Downtown and be sure to invite your friends, families and neighbors! To learn more about Wednesday Nights Downtown and our class offerings click
here.
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Topeka North Outreach (TNO) will be taking orders for bierocks through Thursday, September 7 as a fundraiser for the TNO youth programs. The bierock order forms will be available at the front desk of the church. Bierocks are $3.00 each, with a choice of beef/onion/cabbage or beef/onion/sauerkraut. The bierocks will be prepared and delivered throughout September. Please sign up for some of these delicious treats to help TNO continue to expand their outreach programs!
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Dillon's Community Rewards
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Thank you to everyone who taken the time to enroll their Dillons card in the Community Rewards program. It is amazing how this small act can transform into funds that can do so much for others. In the past, this money has been added to our Urban Ministry Fund and our Worship Enhancement (Miracle Sunday) fund. Currently, the money is being directed to our Helping Hands fund which is used simply to help those in need. Some of these recipients have been from our congregation, some from our neighborhood, and some of the recipients are folks that have come on tough times and are just passing through our neighborhood. For the second quarter 2018, we received a check for $186.51 from Dillons to go toward helping our neighbors.
If you have already enrolled your card, thank you. If you are just now hearing of this program and want to become involved, the process is easy.
Click here to Enroll your card. You will need to know Topeka First UMC’s account number: GI693. Once your card is enrolled, the process is simple. Shop at Dillon’s, scan your rewards card, and reap the benefits of knowing you have helped others.
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New Live Stream App Now Available
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We are excited to offer a new app that will allow you to view our livestream, archived services, and podcasts all in one spot. Our new app, Topeka First United Methodist, is available in the Apple and Android app stores and will work on both phones and tablets. Simply search "Topeka First United Methodist" and download the app today!
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Looking for a quiet and safe space to escape from the craziness of the week? Midweek meditation is 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.
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Summer Schedules for Worship and Fun
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Summer Worship
Join us on first Sunday of each month for a summer celebration! Gather at 10 a.m. for ONE exciting combined worship experience in the Sanctuary, followed by food and fun outside on the church grounds from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Celebration Sundays:
- September 2 - Blessings for Public Servants & Labor Day Picnic
- 10 a.m. Combined Worship in Sanctuary
- 11 a.m. Picnic & Outside Activities
All other Sundays will follow our regular worship schedule:
- 8:15 a.m. Traditional in the Chapel
- 9:30 a.m. Contemporary in Chapel
- 11:00 a.m. Traditional in Sanctuary
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Service Opportunities in Children's Discipleship
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It takes many committed and loving volunteers to make Children's Discipleship at Topeka First UMC a safe and vital ministry. As the school year begins, consider how you can serve the church and community by volunteering. A few examples of ways to help are listed below but if you don't see the one that best fits you contact
Allison Brewer to learn how you can serve in Children's Discipleship.
- Sunday School Teacher: Work in a team of 3 to plan a lesson using a curriculum and their life experience Sunday school teachers agree to be a part of the team for at least 12 weeks with the understanding that two teachers will be there each Sunday to lead and support children. Age groups are 3-5 year olds, Kindergarteners and 1st graders, 2nd and 3rd graders, and a class for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders.
- Nursery Volunteer: Be a part of a rotation of 12-15 volunteers from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Volunteers can expect to help just one hour each for 4 weeks per year. They would be the second or third adult assigned to the nursery and their primary obligation would be to play with and enjoy our youngest members and guests.
- Wednesday Nights Downtown: Programming between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights includes worship for children, teaching of lessons using art, music, cooking, drama, science and more and helping to lead children in special music for worship services. If you are able to volunteer for one week or every week, we have ways for you to be involved.
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Summer Sundays for Children
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Traditional Sunday school has paused for the summer. In its place, children will join their families for worship and have opportunities to help with different elements of worship. Families may pick up worship bulletins and activities at the entrances to the Chapel and Sanctuary.
During worship, children may go with volunteers to a short time of age-appropriate lessons in the Celebration Room. This Summer Worship Readiness class is available for children age 3 through those going into 2nd grade. The teacher will meet the children at the back of the Sanctuary or Chapel before the sermon and will return with the children in time for the offering.
The nursery will remain open during all worship services for children 4 and younger.
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If you are a college student and would like to stay connected to your home church family, pick up a College Care Information form at the youth table in the Celebration Room or email
Ruth with your school address.
Giving us your college address will insure that you receive our College Care Packages including daily devotions to help you maintain your spiritual growth. First semester devotionals are being sent this week so look for those in your mail soon.
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Sunday, August 26
- 9:30 a.m. Youth will attend the Summer Symposium in Fellowship Hall led by Richard Ross.
- 3:00 p.m. Youth and Phase 2 will meet at the Sports Center on 10th Street for team rounds of putt putt. There is no cost to youth. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Fall Youth Sunday School starts on Sunday September 9th at 9:30 a.m. 7th and 8th graders are in the middle school room 103 and high schoolers will be in the youth room 102.
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Joshua - Winning the Worry Battle Book Study
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“Just pray about it.” “God’s got this.” Although these phrases are heartfelt words of encouragement, when you’re really worried and stressed they just sound like clichés. We long for something more. We want to know how to have a bold and courageous faith. In this 6- week study for women you’ll learn how to fight in faith as you internalize God’s promises, draw strength from God’s faithfulness, act in obedience to God’s commands and believe what our limitless God can do.
There is an interactive workbook that participants are asked to engage with on a daily basis as we prepare for our gathering each week. Linda Oborny and Marge Whelpley will facilitate the 6-week class. Meeting dates are Tuesday evenings, September 11, 18, 25 and October 2,9, 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Please sign up on the Church Connection portal or on your connection card. The book is $10.
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The Faith of a Mockingbird Book Study.
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"The Faith of a Mockingbird" is the fall study for the 10:45 a.m. small group that meets on Sunday mornings starting September 9. This is a 6 week study and open to all adults. It is based on Harper Lee's book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" and uses the main characters to explore our place in the world and what it means to live out a hopeful faith in a broken world. The study guide is $10. Sign up through the church connection portal.
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This summer, there will be speakers at the 9:30 hour in Fellowship Hall on featured Sunday mornings. As many adult classes take a break for the summer, this is a chance to reconnect in fellowship and learning.
August 26
Nineteenth Century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said, "Travel teaches toleration." Richard Ross adopted that philosophy in 1969 when he was a student at the University of Copenhagen and has tried to apply it since. This year he had two opportunities to see "exotic" places he'd never been before and engage with incredible people who speak a different native language: South Africa, on a Rotary Friendship Exchange, for three weeks in March; and South America, for three weeks in May (including Amazon, Machu Picchu, Galapagos in Peru and Ecuador). Come and enjoy listening to Richard as he shares stories of his adventures!
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Pickleball
Anyone interested in playing Pickleball is invited to join other community members each week at Hughes Courts (725 SW Orleans) at 6:00 p.m. You don't have to register just show up!
Putt Putt
Phase 2 is joining the Youth Group on August 26 for Putt Putt. We will gather at the Sports Center, 6545 SW 10th, at 3:00 p.m. The cost to play is $7.00 per person.
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Volunteer at Touch-a-Truck
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Touch-a-truck is an amazing family event put on in downtown Topeka. The event takes place along Kansas Ave Saturday, September 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features hundreds of trucks, activities, and food stands.
They have a need for greeters at all of the entrances around the event. Wear a Topeka First UMC T-shirt or a VBS volunteer shirt and help families by warmly greeting them and helping with information about the event.
Let
Allison Brewer know as soon as possible if you are interested in volunteering and she will email details to those who can help. Indicate whether you would rather help at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the 1st.
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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 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:
Topeka: University
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