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News From
June 20, 2018
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, June 20
- 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. VBS Volunteer Training, Rm 105
- 7:00 p.m. Guatemala 2019 Mission Trip Meeting, Celebration Room
- Thursday, June 21
- 10:00 a.m. Joshua Book Study, Hearth Room
- 11:30 a.m. Nickel-A-Cup, McFarland's Restaurant
- 3:30 p.m. Emmaus Group, Rm 106
- Friday, June 22
- 5:30 p.m. Friday Night Movie: The Little Mermaid, Fellowship Hall
- Saturday, June 23
- 9:30 a.m. VBS Decorating, Fellowship Hall
- Sunday, June 24
- 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
- Foundations Class, Rm 105
- Youth Activity, Fellowship Hall
- 10:30 a.m. Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
- 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service, Sanctuary
- 2:00 p.m. Church Calendaring Retreat, Countryside UMC
- 6:00 p.m.
- Phase 2 Pickelball, Hughes Court
- #Adulting Potluck Dinner, 7711 SW Bingham St
- Monday, June 25
- 8:30 a.m. Church Calendaring Retreat, Countryside UMC
- Tuesday, June 26
- 7:00 a.m. Church Grounds Clean Up
- 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Rm L35
- 12:00 p.m. Staff & Leadership book study, Rm 105
- 5:15 p.m. Worship Task Force, Rm 105
- Wednesday, June 27
- 10:30 a.m. Phase 2 Meeting, Hearth Room
- 11:30 a.m. Community Lunch
- 12:15 p.m. Midweek Meditation, Chapel
- 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
- 5:15 p.m.
- Board of Trustees, Hearth Room
- Phase 2 Yoga, Rm 212
- 7:00 p.m. Venture Crew Meeting, Rm L37
- Thursday, June 28
- 10:00 a.m. Joshua Study, Hearth Room
- 1:30 p.m. Shepherd's Center Line Dancing, Fellowship Hall
- 3:30 p.m. Emmaus Group, Rm 106
- Friday, June 29
- 5:00 p.m.Rolling River Rampage Summer Adventure Camp, Fellowship Hall
- Saturday, June 30
- 7:00 a.m. Freedom Festival volunteer shifts begin, downtown Topeka
- 8:30 a.m. Rolling River Rampage Summer Adventure Camp, Fellowship Hall
- Sunday, July 1: VBS & Independence Day Celebration
- 10:00 a.m. ONE WORSHIP SERVICE ONLY
- 11:00 a.m. All-Church Lunch and Outside Fun for All
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Church Office Hours For Summer
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Fridays.
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Help Us Connect With Visitors on Sunday Mornings
Imagine if you were a new visitor walking into Topeka First UMC for the first time on a Sunday morning. You've heard about the uplifting worship, the activities for kids, the adult classes, the fun celebrations--you are excited to see if there is a place for you at Topeka First UMC, but you are nervous about trying out a new faith community. When you walk into our giant building, would you know where to go for worship or Sunday School? Would you feel comfortable joining in the Coffee Connection time? Would you feel lost in the crowd? Would you know who to ask for help?
Trying out a new church can be intimidating. That's why we are offering you the opportunity to be a Welcoming Ambassador on Sunday mornings. As an ambassador, you can help visitors feel at ease in a place where you already feel at home. Show them where to go, answer their questions, and be the friendly face that makes them glad they came. The time commitment is only one half-hour a month on Sunday mornings, stationed at the Connection Center in the Celebration Room.
Please email Tiwana Whitten, Director of Adult Discipleship, for more details.
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Richard and Pam Martin |
Welcome Our New Members
Last Sunday, we joyfully received Richard and Pam Martin into our church family when they officially became members at the 11 a.m. service. Please take the time to get to know Richard and Pam and help them feel at home in their new church. Remember the vow we all make each time new members join to support each other as we walk the path of discipleship.
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Rev. Shawn O'Trimble |
Celebrating Rev. Shawn O'Trimble
In the summer of 2013, the Rev. Shawn O'Trimble was appointed to Topeka First UMC as an Associate Pastor. In May of 2017, Shawn's efforts shifted his work at Kansas Avenue and Oakland United Methodist Churches, though he formally remained a part of our staff. Shawn's appointment to Topeka First UMC will officially come to an end on June 30. We will continue providing financial support for his ministry with the other two congregations through the next appointive year.
This
Sunday, June 24
, we will recognize Shawn, thank him for serving with our congregation, and pray for his continued ministry. If you have been impacted by Shawn's ministry, the Staff Parish Relations Committee invites you to bring a card or write a note of appreciation. Then, bring your cards and notes and join us in the Celebration Room at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday for a cake reception.
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 Pizza with the Pastor
Would you like to learn more about Topeka First United Methodist, take a tour of the church and learn about membership? Then come to Pizza with the Pastor on
Wednesday, July 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
in Room 105. So that we will have enough pizza and materials, please sign up by July 8 on our Church Connection Portal. Childcare is available by reservation--call Tiwana Whitten, Director of Adult Discipleship, if this is needed, at 785-233-8100.
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| Church Shirts Ready for Pick Up
If you ordered a new church shirt, you may pick it up from the church office during weekday office hours or on Sunday morning.
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 Phase 2 Events
Phase 2, A Community of Boomers at Topeka First UMC
Phase 2 After Hours
Join fellow Boomers for a relaxing time of fellowship on Tuesday, July 10th at 5:15 p.m. in the upstairs dining area at The Pennant (915 S. Kansas Ave.) Phase 2 will provide some appetizers--you are on your own for beverages and other food items. Don't forget to bring some extra money if you want to try out the retro arcade games!
Please sign up on the Church Connection Portal.
Pickleball
Boomer friends, during the summer months everyone is invited to meet at 6 p.m. on Sundays at Hughes Courts (725 SW Orleans) to play pickleball. If you would like to be on a contact list for a reminder text, please sign up on the Church Connection Portal. *Please note, we only meet for Pickleball if the heat index is below 95 degrees.
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 #Adulting CONNECT Night
Do you ever use the term #adulting to describe your everyday triumphs, "grown up" decisions, or the surprisingly sensible way you chose to celebrate your latest birthday? Those who are too old for youth group, but too young Phase 2, will fit right in with #Adulting at Topeka First UMC!
We regularly hold events to CONNECT, GROW, and SERVE together. This month, Justin and Leslie Gordon invite you to their home (7711 SW Bingham St) for an #Adulting backyard potluck dinner on
Sunday, June 24 at 6 p.m.
Bring a salad, dessert, or side dish to share. This is an adults-only event, so please make your own childcare arrangements as necessary. Call Leslie and Justin with any questions: 785-478-1999
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 All-Church Pool Party
Invite a friend and beat the heat with us at our All-Church Pool Party on
Sunday, July 22, 6-8 p.m. There is no cost
to jump in with the party at the Garfield Family Aquatic Center (1600 NE Quincy). We will provide water and juice packs--you provide the snacks! Please bring a (non melting) snack to share. Be ready for a refreshing time of fellowship. If you don't want to swim, no problem--just bring you lawn chair to sit poolside and visit.
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| Summer Schedules for Worship and Fun
Summer will be here before we know it, and with it will come changes to our worship schedule and plenty of opportunities for fellowship and fun.
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:
- July 1 - VBS & Independence Day Celebration
- 10 a.m. Combined Worship in Sanctuary
- 11 a.m. Hot Dogs & Outside Activities
- August 5 - Ice Cream Party at Church
- 10 a.m. Combined Worship in Sanctuary.
- 11 a.m. Food Truck Lunch, Ice Cream & Outside Activities
- September 2 - Blessings for Public Servants & Labor Day Picnic
- 10 a.m. Combined Worship in Sanctuary
- 11 a.m. Picnic & Outside Activities
- Back to School Blessings are planned for August 12 and will follow the regular worship schedule. Watch for more details later in the summer!
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
Summer Fun
- June: Friday Night Movies
- Gather in Fellowship Hall for a family-friendly movie on June 8, 15, and 22. Popcorn and treats provided, and pizza will be available for a free-will donation. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., movies begin at 6 p.m.
- July: Pool Party
- Dive into the fun at our annual swimming party at Garfield Pool on July 22, 6-8 p.m. Bring a snack to share. You can cool down with some splashy fun, or just sit by the water and visit with your fellow land-lovers.
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 Seeking Bell Choir Director
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In Worship This Week:
Message:
At the Movies: The Little Mermaid
Rev. Jeff Clinger, Lead Pastor
Scripture:
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| Click image to view archived worship services, or to worship with us online every Sunday. |
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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 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:
Grace UMC, Topeka |
 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.
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 Thank You, Backpack Volunteers
As part of our service to State Street, our church has delivered sacks of food for the backpacks of children that need help for the weekends. We would like to thank the faithful deliverers for the whole year: Dan Byl, Stan Teeter, and Chet Darby. Helping to hand out the sacks were: Dorothy Illif, Shirley Johannsen, Kay Stephens and Jody Teeter. The sacks are provided by Topeka North Outreach and many of our members help once a month in filling the sacks. Thanks to all who have contributed to Topeka North Outreach.
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 Jeans in June
Men's Blue Jeans Mission for Doorstep - sponsored by Topeka First UMC Men
Our Mission Partner Doorstep's need for men's blue jeans is never-ending, as they strive to supply this wardrobe staple for work and warmth. The Topeka First UMC men are again sponsoring the mission project, "Jeans in June." They hope to build a mountain of jeans in the Celebration Room to help Doorstep meet their clothing needs, and you can help them!
All sizes, brands, and conditions are welcome.
New jeans are welcome and are usually reserved for the Christmas store. You might check out neighborhood garage sales
for good deals! We will transport the jeans to Doorstep at the end of June.
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Summer Adventure Decorating Day
On Saturday, June 23, all are welcome to come help us decorate the church for the Summer Adventure Weekends. We will transform several places in the church into the great outdoors. You may drop in to help anytime between 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and come and go as you need.
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 2019 Guatemala Mission Trip Informational Meeting
On
June 15-23, 2019
, a team will travel to San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala to work with
ODIM (the Organization for the Development of Indigenous Maya
)
. This is the same organization with which a team from Topeka worked in the fall of 2017. The trip will include opportunities for medical personnel to volunteer in clinics in San Juan and San Pablo, as well as opportunities for a construction team to work on home construction.
If you would like to learn more about the possibility of participating in this trip, come to an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 20, at 7 p.m. in the Celebration Room. If you are interested in the trip or have questions, but aren't able to come to the meeting, you can email Pastor Jeff.
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Our church nursery is a thriving place! |
Nursery Staff or Volunteers Needed
The church nursery is a fun and thriving place. If you love to hold babies or play with toddlers, keep reading! If you know someone who is good with kids and would like a part time job, forward this information! Our church Nursery would like to add one to two new people to our current staff and volunteers. We are hiring for 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. every Sunday. To be hired as nursery staff, they must be at least 16 years old and have experience working with children.
Nursery volunteers can be age 15-115! Contact Allison Brewer, Director of Children's Discipleship, for more information. There are occasional sitting opportunities available throughout the year, too.
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 Sponsor a Family for Summer Adventures at Topeka First UMC
Children's Discipleship activities are a wonderful way to introduce others to the love of God! We are opening our church to children and families from our community for Children's Discipleship Summer Adventures. Would you help a new family encounter Jesus by sponsoring t-shirts and meals? Thirty dollars will cover an entire family! Or, see Allison if you would like to help with deferring the cost of meals or t-shirts for an entire weekend. Thank you for helping make this a great experience!
Invite your friends and neighbors to our Summer Adventures on these dates:
- June 29 and 30: 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 27 and 28: Summer Adventure Camp--Art, Science, Sports, and More!
- Friday July 27, 5-7:30 p.m.: Family Friday Night
- Saturday, July 28, 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!
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Summer Sundays for Children
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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Upcoming Youth Events
- Sunday, June 24
- 9:30-10:30 a.m. Youth 7th-12th and Alaska mission trip attendees meet in Fellowship Hall for a speaker and special visitor. Youth, wear something you don't mind getting a little paint on for a Sunday School creative project.
Alaska Mission Trip
Attendees-We are under three weeks away from our trip.
Please look at the mailing you received this week. PAH Supporters, you will receive an update on the trip in the mail this week, as well. Thank you for supporting Youth in Missions. Congregation--it's not too late to support the mission trip. Check with Ruth Smith, Director of Youth Discipleship, to see what's still needed.
Pictured: Youth had a great time handing out goodies for Father's Day!
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