Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week! Advent has arrived, and with it, are many opportunities to prepare our hearts for Christmas!

Tomorrow, Sat. Dec. 7, is the annual Carols & Cookies on Kansas before the The Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade. From 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm, our church sings carols and hand out cookies to parade attendees. We hope to see you! If you're helping hand out cookies, please find Pastor grace by 4:45 pm behind the stage at Evergy Plaza.

Sunday will be our annual White Gift Sunday in partnership with Topeka Rescue Mission. We hope that you will bring your gifts with you to any of the three services. Please try to wrap your gifts in white towels or sheets that could be used by those receiving the gifts (reusable white bags or boxes are also helpful for gifts to arrive in). Sunday will be the second Sunday of Advent, and we will continue our sermon series, "A Grinchless Christmas." This Sunday we will discuss how God brings peace to those in the most trying times of their lives.

I hope you will join us Sunday with your white gifts and allow the presence of God to fill you and give you peace this Advent season!

The Upper Room 2025 Disciplines Book of Daily Devotions are in. The large print copy is $16.00 and the regular print is $14.00. There are limited quanities and you can reserve yours by emailing Tiwana.

If you are a person who can make prayer shawls (lap style, shoulder style, any style really...) will you please make one and donate it to our prayer shawl ministry?  We are suddenly down to just a couple!

If you are graduating in December of 2024, we want to honor you! Email Pastor Grace to be recognized.

Be sure you have reserved your spot to help with greeting by using this link.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

The FUMC Quilt Group made such beautiful quilts for White Gift Sunday!

Sat., Dec. 7: 4:45 - 5:45 pm: Carols & Cookies on Kansas

Sun., Dec. 8: All 3 services: White Gift Sunday

Mon., Dec. 9, 6:30 pm: A Service of Comfort & Hope

Wed., Dec. 11, 6  & 6:30 pm: Last Kid's Min Christmas play practice (kid's meal at 6)

Wed., Dec. 11:  No youth group

Sat., Dec. 14, 8:00 am: Men's Breakfast at the Pad

Sun., Dec. 15, 4:00 pm: 12 Symbols of Christmas Program

Wed. Dec. 18, 6 & 6:30 pm: Youth Group Christmas Party (youth meal at 6)

Tues., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve: Office closed

Tues., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services: 5 pm & 11 pm (special music begins at 10:30 pm)

Mon., Dec. 26: Office closed

Sun., Dec. 29: One service at 10:45 am (no Sunday School)

Tues., Dec. 31: Office open 9 am - Noon.

Wed., Jan. 1: Office closed

Topeka First UMC partners with Topeka North Outreach, Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Topeka Rescue Mission, Doorstep, and Let's Help.  You can click on each name for to be redirected to their respective websites.