Greetings Topeka First UMC,

Welcome to October! The first Sunday of October is known as World Communion Sunday. This Sunday we come to the table of the Lord, joining all Christian's from all times, and across our world, to experience the grace, love, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. As part of the celebration, there will be one service at church and one at Evergy Plaza. The service at the church will be at 8:15 am and Pastor Sandra will be preaching! At 10:30 am we will then be worshiping together with three other downtown churches as we celebrate World Communion Sunday together. Here are a few things to know about the service at Evergy plaza:

1. Parking is free in the garage to the East of the plaza and in the Fidelity parking lot. 
2. We will have plenty of chairs, but you are welcome to bring your own lawn chairs.
3. There will be snacks and a coffee truck. Coffee is free, but we would accept any donations to help us offset the cost of the coffee.
4. The service will be similar to the last two years with a few changes that will enhance the worship service.

On Monday night at 6:00 pm, we will have the final listening/ visioning session. I would invite you to come and join the conversation. We will end by 7:15 pm so we can get home for the Chiefs Monday Night Football game!

Laura Reiman has started a "First Time Children's Bible Class" at the Hope Center of Topeka Rescue Mission on Thursday nights. She's looking for 3-4 people who can rotate (one per Thursday) and be the second person with her. The time commitment is short...meet at church at 5:45 pm, carpool over to the Hope Center, arrive back at church at 7:30 pm. Watching the children have their first opportunity to hear about God & Jesus is wonderful! Please let Shawna or Laura know if you're interested.

***

I want to let you know we've been having great troubles receiving our mail. Currently we don't even have an assigned mail delivery person!  Their is a fantastic "substitute" delivery person but only one day per week. That said, our Finance Committe authorized us to rent a post office box.  So, please note our new MAILING ADDRESS.  Please begin using this mailing adress now.  If you have a bank or other institution send mail to us, please update them with the new MAILING ADDRESS.

First United Methodist Church

PO BOX 8005

Topeka, KS 66608-0005

***

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

To support the Hurricane Helene relief efforts, please send your donation to UMCOR directly through the conference address.

Great Plains Conference

PO Box 4187

Topeka, KS 66604

write on the memo line “UMCOR #901670

You can also make an online donation to UMCOR at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/. 

Next Monday evening, you are invited to join Pastor Brad in person for a Listening / Visioning Session.  Attend in person or via Zoom.  Sign up here or sign up at the Connection desk in the Celebration Room at Church.

Our Mission Partner, Doorstep, is very low or completely out of certain items.  If you can help, please take your donation directly to Doorstep, 1119 SW 10th Ave, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2 pm.

Camp Moose on the Loose is a family event planned for Saturday, October 26 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. The fun begins at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church, 600 SW Topeka Blvd. Kids and their families will make friends while they craft camp items, sing camp songs, listen to stories, & make a smores prayer craft. Everyone gets to make a foil-packet dinner and eat together.  Register your family now!  (this is not a drop-off event, families participate together)

Volunteers are encouraged to help with this event!  Please sign up here or at the Connection Desk in the Celebration Room at church.

Our October Mission collection will benefit our mission partner, Scott Dual Language Magnet School.