Greetings Topeka First UMC,

Hope you are staying cool on another hot week! Most kids, teachers, administrators, & school staff have started back to school & I pray for a great school year.

Thank you to everyone for all your work on the Block Party last Saturday! What a great celebration of community and fellowship. I'm so excited to be the pastor of a church that opens our doors and welcomes the community.

This Sunday, we are wrapping up our sermon series with the theme, "Go Team!" As followers of Christ, and a church community, God calls us to work together. Let's be honest, we need each other! On Sunday, we will look at how God calls us to work as a team, to show the light of Christ to the world, and to help each other grow in our faith.  

The remodel of the Celebration Room has begun! We’ve had a few people who wondered if the normal, west parking lot main door is still the entrance. Yes, it is still the main entrance. Things definitely look different than they did last weekend!

There are lots of events happening this upcoming week. The church calendar is always online but here are just a few events:

• Sunday, Aug. 17, 6 pm: join Phase 2 at Sheridan’s for sweet treats & fellowship! Bring your lawn chair to the east side of the building at 5937 SW 29th St. No sign-up necessary.
• Monday, Aug. 18, 3:30 pm: Nickel-a-Cup. Meet at Perkins for an early dinner, fellowship, and fun! 
• Monday, Aug. 18, 6 pm: the August Mom-to-Mom group will meet here at church.Bring a snack to share & a list of things you’d like to accomplish.
• Tuesday, Aug. 19, 9 am: Sew it’s Tuesday Quilt Group meets in the Quilt Room.
• Wednesday, Aug. 20, 10 am: Genealogy Group meets in the History room.
• Saturday, Aug. 23, 9 am: Sensory event–Catatasticly Fun Time! Geared towards children with cognitive age 0 - 6th grade.
• Sunday, Aug. 24, Noon: Join us for a Lunch Buddies informational meeting. Attending the meeting does not obligate you to become a lunch buddy; it's an opportunity to learn all the details to help you decide if you'd like to commit 30 minutes a week. The company that runs the Lunch Buddy program will be presenting. Please let Shawna know if you plan to attend.
• Sunday, Aug. 24 at Noon: “Pizza with the Pastor.” I’m excited many folks have already let us know they’ll be attending! The short meeting is informational and is intended to give you an understanding of the UMC denomination, our church, and what it means to be a member. Let Shawna or Tiwana know you’ll be coming.
• Monday, Aug. 25, 6 pm: The new Caregiver Support Group meets. This group is geared towards those who understand supporting neurodivergent individuals. Sharing triumphs, disappointments, & brainstorming with others is so helpful. See Laura for more information.

Now that school has started and most vacations are over, please use this link to sign up for a spot on Sunday’s to greet and hand out bulletins before the service you attend. 

The table for the August Mission Collection of hot & cold cereal, benefiting Let’s Help, is now in the library since we’re begun the remodel!  We’ve filled 8 of the 20 spots for the September Doorstep clothing pantry! Most spots are on Thursdays but there is one Monday in the mix. Please show your support for our Mission Partner by signing up for a spot using this link.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

We are excited to publish the Young Adults Fall schedule! Contact Pastor Grace for more information!