Greetings, Topeka First UMC,

I hope you’re having a wonderful week!

This Sunday marks Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. As we prepare for a season often filled with expectations of perfection—perfect plans, perfect celebrations, perfect families—our Scripture brings us back to a far more honest story.

We meet Mary, a teenage girl caught in the middle of a messy, uncertain situation, who proclaims one of the most extraordinary songs of faith in all of Scripture: the Magnificat. Her gratitude is not rooted in a perfect moment but in God’s presence in the middle of her chaos.

Our sermon this week, A King Who Meets Us in the Mess, will invite us to reflect on the surprising way Christ enters our world. We’ll explore what it means to surrender our expectations, practice gratitude in the now, and make room for the Holy in the imperfections of our own lives.

I hope you’ll join us in worship this Sunday as we reflect, give thanks, and learn to welcome the King who meets us exactly where we are.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Grace

Thank you for praying for youth attending Fall Youth Retreat at Camp Chippewa! We had over 50 youth come (20 from TFUMC) and learn about what it means to be whole and find holiness in God. Youth left the retreat feeling renewed by God's love and ready go deeper in their faith.

We will have Confirmation in the spring of 2026 for any 6-12th graders! Confirmation is a special step in a young person’s faith journey where they publicly affirm the promises made at their baptism and make a personal commitment to follow Christ. Our TFUMC pastors will lead these classes starting Sunday, February 18 after church. After 10 sessions, we will finish in May 2026. Please contact Pastor Grace letting her know if you can participate as a mentor or confirmand by Dec. 15, 2025.

The Mission collection for the month of November is to collect gifts for White Gift Sunday (Dec. 7). Items can be placed on the table in the Celebration Room.

• Food:

• Boxed mashed potatoes
• Canned cream of mushroom soup
• Canned green beans
• Canned crispy fried onions

• New Bedroom/Bathroom Items:

• Towel sets
• Queen bedding sets
• Twin XL sheets
• Pillows
• Blankets

• Clothing:

• Men’s boxer briefs & women’s underwear (S-XL)
• Men’s jeans (waist Size 28-40, various lengths
• Men’s winter gloves
• Packages of socks (men & women, S-XL, regular & thermal)
• Short & long sleeve t-shirts (men & women, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

• Household Items:

• Air fryers
• Coffee pots (large & small)
• Dish sets
• Toasters

• New Gifts:

• Earbud/headphones
• Makeup kits
• Phone power banks
• Wallets
• Watches