Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week!  This should be a fun weekend with the Chiefs playing Sunday night! Wear your Chiefs red on Sunday!

Next week will be a very busy week for our church. There are close to 100 pastors and lay people coming to Topeka First next week as the Board of Ordained Ministry gathers to interview new candidates for ministry. Please be in prayer for everyone involved with the ordination interviews next week! 

I hope you will join us in worship this Sunday! We are continuing our sermon series called, "The Power of Connection." We began a few weeks ago with our connection with God, and last week looking at the power of words. This week we turn to the power of our inner circle. Who are the family, friends, spouses that love you no matter what? Would you believe that Jesus had an inner circle? On Sunday, we will look at how that inner circle of people empowered Jesus in his ministry, and look at other examples of people in close relationships in the bible.

This is the last Sunday to help our Mission Partner, Let's Help with their GED program.  If you'd like to donate online, click here and select "Let's Help." Next month, we'll focus on collecting men's toletries for the VA Sunflower Unit. 

The United Methodist Women's group is going to St. David's Episcopal Church to see the stations of the cross this Wednesday, February 1. They will meet at St. David's at 1pm (17th & Gage).  See Doris Wills, Marge Whelpley, or Shawna or call 785-233-8100 to let us know you'll be attending.

Now, I'd like to bring attention to two groups in our church who are seeking help. 

The first is the Children's department. I encourage you to go upstairs and see what's happening!  There were over 22 kids last week during the two Sunday School times (9:30 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.)!  Wow!  I'd really like for each of you to volutneer once a quarter to help with the children.  In addition, we'd really like to have someone who can be in the children's library on Sunday mornings.  See Shawna or volunteer through this form.

The next group is WAFFLE.  Wholesome Accepting Fun Friday Late-Start Experience.WAFFLE is an outreach of our church.  The purpose is to meet the needs of working parents by providing morning programming for children on late-start Fridays who do not have access to daycare or busing on those days. We offer WAFFLE as a way of showing God's love through our actions to State street children, parents, teachers, and faculty.  From 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each Friday students will be provided with a variety of opportunities including: craft activities, playing games, learning music, reading & listening to stories, meeting & learning about different animals, conducting experiments, and much more.  Currently, volunteers include parents, former teachers, scientists, mathematicians, lawyers, librarians, business leaders, musicians, artists, and pastors!  There are 13 more Fridays to volunteer for this worthy cause.  Contact Jaena Greenwood, Shawna, or volunteer through this form!

On Sunday, February 5, in addition to worship of course, there are some exciting opportunities:

  • Sunday Youth!  All youth should meet in the youth room at 8:45 a.m. for a lesson and then attend the 9:30 a.m. worship service together.
  • ​​​Pizza with the pastor after the 10:45 service. If you are new to Topeka First, would like to join the church or be baptized, please join me after the 10:45 service for pizza, a time of discussion and reflection about the church, and about baptism and expectations of membership. Sign-up by clicking on the link.
  • The State of the Church dinner and church meeting at 5:00 pm. At the State of the Church meeting, you will hear presentations from a number of the staff and laity of the church who will be presenting on their ministry areas and goals for 2023. Bring your questions as the evening will close with a question and answer session at the end. Please sign-up by clicking onthe link so we know how much food to prepare!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

 Upcoming Calendar Events:

  • A "Nickle a Cup" Senior Adult luncheion is planned for Jan. 30th at Perkins at 11:30 a.m.  RSVP directly to Tiwana or sign up at the desk at church.

  • The Quilt group meets at 9am this Tuesday.

  • Kid's Night Out begins again on February 8.

  • Phase 2 is hosting an afternoon games & snacks event on Feb. 19.