October 3, 2018
Connect
This Week In Worship
Message:
Redeemer
Rev. Jeff Clinger

Scripture:
John 17:25-26 and 1 John 4:9-10
Did you miss last weeks service? Is there someone you've been meaning to share the message with? Do you want to rewatch one of your favorite sermons? Then visit our Live Stream page here to catch up on anything you've missed, share our church with others or review meaningful messages.
Animal Blessing at Iliff Commons
The 1st-6th graders lesson during Wednesday Night Downtown last week was about the creation story and our responsibility to care for God’s creation. That fits well with the animal blessing at Iliff Commons on Saturday, October 6th at 10:00 a.m. Bring your (leashed) dog, cat (in a carrier), turtle (in a box)…or any other pet, and experience the beauty of God’s creation. Pastor Jeff has the gift of making any occasion meaningful so ask some friends to come, too. This will also be an opportunity to invite friends to our church the following day. Even if you have no animal companion come enjoy a walk on the trails of Iliff Commons and a special moment of fellowship.
Veteran's Day Recognition
Veteran’s Day is Sunday, November 11th. Please help us recognize and give thanks for our Veterans. We are asking Vets to email or bring a photo to church to be scanned. If possible we would like the photos to be taken in their military uniforms. Photos can be sent to Austin in .jpg .jpeg or .png format. Photos need to be in by November, 4th. A video will run before all three services on Veteran's Day.
Join us tonight as we seek 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. Tonights dinner is a baked potato bar. Classes and age appropriate activities kick off 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.
State Street Theater Program Presentation
One of the activities that Topeka First United Methodist Church continues to support is a theater club at State Street Elementary School. Last week the students took a trip to Iliff Commons and learned about an Olympic runner from Kansas named Glenn Cunningham. His legs were so severely burned as a seven year old that the doctor thought they needed to be amputated. Through perseverance he overcame his injuries and represented the United States in a long distance run in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This semester's focus is determination and overcoming hardship. We will be presenting a program to the women in the church on November 7th at their noon meeting. Everyone, not just women, are invited to the program which should be given at around 12:30 p.m. Put it on your calendar and join us to support these kids.
Midweek Meditation
Worship
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.
Grow
Children
Family Halloween Party
We know that Halloween can be tough. Where do we go, how late do we stay out, how do we cram dinner in and how do we know that our kids will have a safe but fun night? We have the answer at Topeka First UMC. Join us on October 31 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for our Family Halloween Party. We will have a free dinner from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and follow it up with a costume parade so everyone can show off their halloween best! We will also have treats, crafts and games for all ages. We have made sure that our meals and treats are allergy-safe and toddler friendly. Join us for a great night on October 31!
Be Sure to Join Wednesday Nights Downtown and Sunday School
Our start to the school year has been great. In our first two weeks we have had over 60 kids engaged in our Sunday morning classes and Wednesday Nights Downtown activities. But there is always room for more! If you have kiddos between preschool and 6th grade we would love to have them engage in our various Children's Discipleship programs!
Youth
Upcoming Youth Events
Fall Youth Sunday School is 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.
  • October 3
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner in Fellowship Hall
  • 6:00 p.m. Game Night and Devotionals in the Youth Room
  • September 23
  • 9:00 a.m. Youth Bell Practice
  • 9:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School
  • Save the Dates
  • October 17 Youth Pumpkin Decorating
  • October 24 Youth Fall Party
  • October 27 Youth Bonfire and Hayride
College Care Packages
Packages were shipped on Tuesday. Look for them by week's end. Thank you to all of those who filled care packages last Wednesday and wrote words of encouragement to our college students. Much appreciation goes out to Bill and Cindy Naeger for their help in funding this project.
Youth Mission Trip Update
This summer we have watched the news as hurricanes and major rain storms have devastated several parts of our country with historic floods. People in the affected regions have lost their homes, livelihoods, and savings. To help those still suffering from the long term impacts of flooding, next years mission trip will involve flood relief. We are still working on where exactly this might be. There is still a lot information that needs to be accessed in states that are struggling with major flooding. There is a sign up list on the youth board in the Celebration Room. Sign up and indicate the weeks during which you are unavailable to serve. This is open to youth and adults. Remember, this will be a week over the summer of hard work in service to those in need. We will likely be driving vans to the out of state locations, sleep on air mattresses and floors, and have only basic accommodations. However, this week can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your summer if you have open hearts and minds.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is breast cancer awareness month & youth will once again have a pumpkin to sign at the youth table in the Celebration Room for anyone to sign in awareness of cancer. The pumpkin is in memory and honor of Donna Barton and all victims of cancer, in our hearts and minds forever.
Love Does Class Starting October 10
If you are looking to plug into Wednesday Nights Downtown, we are starting a five-session small group led by our Director of Congregational Care Amber Hemreck. This group study on God's love will explore the different aspects of God's active love through the stories of Bob Goff. The class will be on Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. following our Wednesday Nights Downtown dinner. To register for the class you can do so through the church connection portal.
Upper Room Disciplines Available
The 2019 Upper Room Disciplines have arrived. Large print is $13.50 and regular print is $11.00. The Disciplines (Book of Daily Devotions) offers a devotion which includes a selected Bible reading and closing prayer for each day. You may pick up a copy at the front desk.
Adulting Potluck Dinner and Concert
Connect
On Sunday, October 7 at 5 p.m. Jayna and Justin McFarland would like to invite the #Adulting group (roughly, adults in their 20s through 40s) for a potluck dinner and back yard concert (or inside, if weather does not permit outdoor fellowship). Smoked pulled pork and brisket will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. We will gather at the McFarland home (3247 SW Briarwood Dr. in Topeka) at 5:00 p.m. to eat by 5:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., we will circle the lawn chairs to enjoy our musical guest, Fox and Wills.

Greg Fox and Ryan Wills are local singer/songwriters who will share some of their favorite original numbers. Learn more about them and sample their music at foxandwills.com. They will have CDs available for purchase.

We should have ample seating, but throw a lawn chair in the car just in case. This is an adults-only event, so please plan your own childcare as needed. Please register on the Church Connection Portal so we can make the best preparations for our guests.
Upcoming Phase 2 Events
Phase 2
Join us for "After Hours" at the Pennant at 5:15 p.m. on October 22.Join fellow Boomers for a relaxing time of fellowship and snacks. Phase 2 will provide some appetizers and 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! 

Also mark you calendar for a Cookout and Hay Ride at the Barkers on October 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us for classic Fall fun! We’ll have dinner around the campfire then take a hay ride hither and yon. Phase 2 will provide hot chocolate, otherwise drinks are on your own. Bring $5 to chip in for dinner. 
Serve
Worship Tech Volunteers Opportunities
Over the last 9 months we have invested a lot of time, energy, and resources into providing great worship experiences at Topeka First United Methodist Church. Both in our worship spaces and in mobile locations across the country and world, people are connecting to our community of faith and God through our efforts. It takes a large and dedicated group of volunteers to operate all of our technology on Sunday mornings and there are a lot of ways for you to get involved in our worship tech team. From operating the graphics on our worship screens to the cameras used for our live stream there is room for people with all levels of technical skill. If you would like to learn more or are interested in helping lead worship through technology contact Austin Harris. Volunteer opportunities include:
  • Camera Operator
  • Live Stream Director
  • Sound Technician
  • Worship Graphics Operator
If any of this sounds intimidating, don't worry. All of these positions are trainable and we would be happy to add you to the team!
Help with the Family Halloween Party
Help provide a safe and fun Halloween party for families in Topeka scheduled for October 31st, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. We need donations of Halloween stickers and small Halloween toys and we are collecting nut-free candies like Skittles and starburst and healthier treats like individually packaged Annie's bunnies, goldfish, cheerios or pretzels. Please, drop off donations to Allison Brewer by October 17th.
Opportunities to Lead Worship
Worship leaders can make a huge difference as we seek to connect to God through worship. We have all experienced a meaningful prayer, a perfect introduction, or a vibrant scripture reading that enhanced our worship experience. If you are interested in helping people connect through worship our 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. services have opportunities available for people interested in leading worship as a liturgist. If you are interested in serving, contact Austin Harris.
October Missions Focus
The Missions Committee strategic missions partner focus for the month of October is State Street Elementary School. We will be collecting funds to purchase Lego kits for use during indoor recess when weather does not allow outdoor activity. We will be selling Certificates of Lego in multiples of $5.00 during the month of October. We will use collected funds to purchase age and developmentally appropriate Lego kits for all classrooms from pre K through the fifth grade. Watch for further information in bulletin inserts and on our media.
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:
Topeka District
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 4
  • 8:30 a.m. Senior Donuts at Daylight Donuts on 21st
  • 3:30 p.m. Emmaus
  • 5:00 p.m. Tempero Sandall Committee Meeting, Celebration Room
  • 5:15 p.m. Worship Experience Team Meeting, Hearth Room
  • 6:00 p.m. Rhapsody Ringers, Room L17
  • 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Room L18
Sunday, October 7
  • 8:15 a.m. Arise Worship Service
  • 9:30 a.m. 9-3-0 Worship Service
  • 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service
  • 12:15 p.m. Leadership Council Meeting, Room 105
  • 2:00 p.m. Staff Parish Meeting, Room 105
  • 5:00 p.m #Adulting Backyard Potluck and Concert
Monday, October 8
  • 12:00 p.m. Alanon Group, Hearth Room
Tuesday, October 9
  • 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Room L35
  • 9:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, Hearth Room
  • 6:00 p.m. Joshua Book Study, Hearth Room
Wednesday, October 10
  • 9:30 a.m. Priscilla Circle, Room L16
  • 12:15 p.m. Mid-Week Meditation, Klasse Chapel
  • 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Klasse Chapel
  • 5:15 p.m. Phase 2 Yoga, Room 212
  • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Nights Downtown Dinner, Fellowship Hall
  • 6:00 p.m. Wednesday nights Downtown Classes
  • 7:00 p.m. Venture Crew Meeting, Room L37