Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you have a great week and a happy Thanksgiving!

Speaking of thankful, I have truly enjoyed having the past few weeks off. I spent time with my family and took a lot of time to rest and relax. I'll need it, because here we go...

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent! Our Advent sermon series is "The Gospel According to Elf." This new series begins by looking at what it means to have a child like faith. In the gospels, we read many times when Jesus stresses the importance of children, especially in terms of faith. 

Next Saturday, Dec. 6, is the annual Cookies and Carols on Kansas from 5:15 - 5:45 pm. We still need volunteers to sing, hand out cookies and represent our church in the community. If you can help see Shawna or send her an email. If you haven't brought your cookies in yet, please have them here by Thursday, Dec. 4 by 4 pm. Cookies will be bagged up on Dec. 5.

White Gift Sunday is next week also. Gifts can be placed on the table in the Celebration Room.

The office is closed tomorrow so call us today if you need anything.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

On Veterans Day, some of our veterans gathered to be honored for their service! They were treated to pie & a patriotic concert by a choir led by Dorothy Iliff.

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.

The tradition of White Gift Sunday stretches all the way back to an Ohio Methodist Church in 1904. To focus on the generosity of gift giving, not the monetary value of what is being given, the church began wrapping their gifts in white so that they would all be equal. For 120 years, churches across the country and in several denominations have upheld this tradition by bringing gifts for the community wrapped in white to special worship celebrations. White Gift Sunday is an opportunity to focus and reflect on the gift of Christ and the joy that is his birth!

At Topeka First UMC, we celebrate White Gift Sunday as a valued tradition that allows us to live into our mission as a congregation that connects, grows, and serves for the good of the city. The gifts we collect on December 7 support the residents of the Topeka Rescue Mission through their Christmas store.

Suggested gifts are linked here.

A Night in Bethlehem is an event for all ages of folks! 

We will start the night by adding your name to the census and then head over to the Bethlehem Clothing Rental Store, to dress up as Mary and Joseph did. (Optional) In Fellowship Hall, you will find the City of Bethlehem., filled with fun for all to enjoy. We will have a food court, crafts, games, and demonstrations from that time. We will have wood cravers, basket weaving as well as a loom to watch how they may have done their craft years ago. Feel free to wander around the city taking in the sights and sounds. Pastor Brad will finish the night by reading the story of the Birth of Jesus.

• Dec. 4, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Pack Food Sacks with Topeka North Outreach
• Dec. 5, 7:00 pm: Community Handbell Choir Christmas Concert
• Dec. 6, 5:15 pm - 5:45 pm: Carols & Cookies on Kansas
• Dec. 7: White Gift Sunday
• Dec. 7, 4:00 pm: Campfire Carols Children's Christmas Program
• Dec. 8, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Young Adult Christmas Party
• Dec. 10, 6:00 pm: Youth Christmas Party
• Dec. 10, 6:30 pm: A Service of Comfort & Hope
• Dec. 12, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: A Night in Bethlehem
• Dec. 12, 7:00 pm - Dec. 13, 8:00 am: Youth Christmas Lock-In
• Dec. 14, 12:15 pm: Caring Committee meeting
• Dec. 21, 10:30 am: "The Brass" before the 10:45 am service.
• Dec. 24, 6:00 pm: Family-centered Christmas Eve service led by the Praise Band with special music from our kids
• Dec. 24: 11:00 pm: Traditional Christmas Eve service led by the Choir & Bell Choir in the Sanctuary

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.