Greetings Topeka First UMC, 

I hope that you are having a great week! This weekend, daylight savings time begins, so be sure to set your clocks forward an hour on Saturday night so that you are not late for church on Sunday! The beginning of daylight savings time is a sign that spring is on its way. I'm excited for spring, not just because of the nicer weather and longer days, but also because of all the exciting things that we have planned during this season! Two of those exciting things that I want to highlight are the Easter Egg Hunt at the Capitol and a mission opportunity called Sharefest.

The Easter Egg Hunt will be taking place Saturday, April 1st from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on the Capitol grounds and in the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church. We are joining together with 3 other downtown churches (First Presbyterian, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, and Saint John AME) to offer this event for the community. This is a BIG event that requires a lot of volunteers. Last year, 500-600 children participated in the egg hunt, 1,100 people attended the event overall, and at least 100 volunteers were needed. This year, we anticipate that the crowds will be even bigger. There are many ways you can volunteer, some of which will take place before the day of the egg hunt. If you would like to sign-up, you can do so at the table that will be in the Celebration Room on Sunday or by clicking this link.  Making this fun and safe event possible is a great way to live into our vision of being for the good of the city!

Sharefest is an event that involves 44 organizations and churches all throughout Topeka in cleaning up, landscaping, and painting area schools and buildings. It is taking place this year on Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and people from our church will be volunteering at Topeka High School. Anyone 12 years or older can participate. The Mission Team will have people at a table in the Celebration Room for the next several weeks to help you sign up. If you'd like to sign up online instead, you can do that here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49aaa729a3fdc70-2023#/. Make sure to scroll down to the Topeka High School option (3rd option from the bottom). 

Coming up Sunday, we are continuing our "Wesleyan Journey with Jesus." As we read the scriptures, we will hear from Jesus about how to grow in relationship with God, and we will witness Jesus moving into the world to serve others. As we continue to work through Jesus' life, we must remember that he is both human and divine. To be divine is to be holy or set apart. The question for us is: If Jesus is truly set apart or holy, how can we live out our lives to more like Jesus?

Please be sure to remember to bring groceries for our mission partner, Doorstep this weekend!

We are really excited to offer a special Lent opportunity on March 28 & 30.  Have you ever wondered what it was like on "That Night" when Jesus had his last supper?  Come and be immersed in a retelling of the events of "That Night." Each session is strictly limited to 16 participants so sign-up is necessary.   Click on the event below and register soon!

One more thing...ONLY adults are meeting this coming Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30 pm for the 3:16 Book Study.  We will not have a meal that evening.  The kids & youth are not meeting because of spring break.

Blessings,

Pastor Brad