News from Pastor Brad & Current Events

Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you have had a great week and have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

This weekend in worship we are concluding our sermon series, "Chief's Kingdom, God's Kingdom." Over the past weeks we have looked at many different aspects of the Kingdom of God, from the Now and the Not Yet, to the Upside-Down Kingdom, and the role of the Body of Christ with God's Kingdom. This week, we finish this series by talking about victory. What does it look like to be victorious in terms of the Kingdom of God? As God's people were waiting for a messiah, they were hoping for victory in finding power in this world. But with the birth of Jesus, victory was completely redefined. Please join us Sunday at 8:15, 9:30, or 10:45 (or online at 9:30 & 10:45 through our website) as we find victory within the Kingdom of God!  We've begun to email the 10:45 bulletin to those who regularly watch online.  If you'll be out of town or need to watch online, please let Shawna know and she'll send you the bulletin.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

It's time to sign up for the Tailgate Party at church!  On Sunday, September 10, from Noon - whenever...we're going to grill, talk, meet people we don't know from the service we don't usually attend, play in the park, & simply hang out.  Let's all keep practicing connecting with each other and meeting people we don't know.

The church is supplying one propane grill.  In addition, the church is supplying hamburgers & hot dogs, water bottles, paper plates, & plastic silverware.  Families with last names A-L should bring a side dish to share & with last names M-Z should bring a dessert to share. Please bring serving utensils for the side or dessert you bring.  We know some folks want to bring their own grill & entrees they supply to grill and that is great!

This will be a casual event so don't forget to wear your favorite jersey or team shirt! 

Children's Sunday School helpers---please ask your friends to help us this semester.  We're trying to add in a 2/3 year old Sunday School class and are having a hard time finding folks to say "YES."  Please see Shawna, Laura, or Pastor Grace  if you can help the children on Sundays this semester.

Our Bells Directory, Deanna Guzman, has moved the practice for Bell ringing to Tuesdays starting Tuesday, September 12!  Ringers will meet from 6 - 7pm. This will free up some space on Wednesdays which will allow more folks to join in an adult book study or to volunteer with children on Wednesdays.  Please contact Deanna Guzman if you'd like to join in this music ministry!  No experience is required!

Dillons Community Rewards

Missions of Topeka First UMC has an account set up with Dillons for Reward Money to be donated to the church to be used for Missions.  You can go to Dillons community Rewards online and Designate Topeka First United Methodist Church ID# GI693 and we will receive monthly payments.  This does not affect your gas points with Dillons.  It is easy to sign up and a great way to give back to missions supported by our church.

Mike Chamberlain is going to lead & facilitate a book study, "Falling Upward” by the Franciscan author, Richard Rohr.  Rohr serves as a guide to examining and understanding the nature of “the two halves of life.” One reviewer writes: “In Falling Upward, Richard offers a simple but deeply helpful framework for seeing the whole spiritual life – one that will help beginners on the path as they look ahead and long-term pilgrims as they look back over the journey so far.” This book study is an invitation to join in conversation about the journey upon which Rohr says we are all embarked. Chapters are short and easy to read but you shouldn’t be surprised by a desire to go back and reread. Keep a highlighter at hand and if you are attending as a couple, get two books because you will find yourself marking and noting and underlining as you engage with the thoughts and later with the study group. 

Please sign up to attend this book study and then please order the book prior to the first gathering and read the “Invitation to a Further Journey” and the “Introduction” (p.p. vii – xxxvii) for discussion at our first meeting. Rohr’s book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life can be purchased on Amazon at this link. (Make sure to order the book and not the “Companion Journal.”)

Aldersgate Village is collecting plastic shopping bags & working with the Topeka Rescue Mission to make ground cover mats for the homeless population.  Please call 785-478-9440 to confirm a time you can drop them off at the Manchester Office, building 9, on the Aldersgate Campus.

After thoughtful prayer and several conversations, it was decided that we will not continue with the WAFFLE Program at State Street Elementary School this year. The challenge of adequately staffing the program paired with availability of building space for our classrooms were major factors in the decision. We have provided a wonderful service for the families and staff of State Street over the years and they wanted me to convey their deepest gratitude.

We look for our church to continue the partnership and support of State Street in other ways at this time. They welcome any help that we can provide and would also welcome the WAFFLE Program back in their building in the future if we are able. See one opportunity to help this year below.

To all the current and past volunteers-though we may never know the impact made in the lives of the children and families served, be confident that you have truly blessed them, beyond measure, with you time, talents and love and acceptance. I deeply thank you for your service.

God Bless

Jaena Greenwood

**State Street is in need of individuals that would be willing to help during the students’ lunch time—specifically between 10:55 and 11:10 for the kindergarten students. Volunteers are welcome to stay longer and help or sit and visit with the upper grades, as well. If interested, please contact me (Jaena) and I will help get you in touch with the right people.