Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week! 

These last few weeks have been very good here at the church! Two weeks ago we had a great Vacation Bible School, as the church was filled with children, and so many volunteers. Thank you to everyone who made this such a special experience. 

Last week, the youth mission team traveled to Salyersville, Kentucky, where we served and worked at the homes of a few families. Throughout the week, we got to build relationships and get to know the families, and work on projects around their houses that they were unable to afford or complete themselves. The theme of the week was, "Be The Light." Therefore, our new sermon series beginning this week will be that same name, "Be The Light."

This sermon series will emphasize how we can be the light of Christ in the world. Each week will be a theme that is based upon being that light and will be demonstrated through the scriptures and accompanying stories from the mission trip. This week, we will look at overcoming the fear of being the light of Christ in the world. Next Sunday, August 3, the 26-person mission team will present about the mission trip, describe each project, and talk about the great experiences that we shared together. Because we want to have enough time for the service, we will celebrate Holy Communion the following week, August 10. 

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

Hello Church Family,

It's great to be back in the office! After a week of vacation to Alabama and then week of Mission Trip with my 3 kids in Kentucky, I think I'm finally caught up as of today!

I included a few things in last week's email but maybe you skipped right over them...we have quite a few volunteer spots open and it'd be great if we could fill them up! Please check your calendar then sign up for a spot. This Sunday it'd be great to have greeters (hand out bulletins & smile) at each service! Sign up here to be a greeter.

See me this Sunday to let me know you can help with our 3rd annual Community Block Party on Saturday Aug. 9, from 5-7 pm. There are a number of ways that you can contribute and volunteer. Also, If you have small "trinket" items that you'd like to donate that can be used for prizes for bingo, see me on Sunday.

*****Doorstep is one of our mission partners and September is the month our church was chosen to supply volunteers on Mondays and Thursdays. The volunteer spots are indoors at Doorstep (1119 SW 10th) and are available in either a 3-hour morning or a 2-hour afternoon shift. Use this link to sign up to help our mission partner Doorstep!****

Join the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) at it's new location at Let's Help, 245 SW MacVicar. Topeka Rescue Mission (who supplies volunteers for MAP) sent this information to us "Here is the link for volunteers to join our TRM hub called VOMO. 

If it is easier for you to volunteer during the evening, our mission partner Topeka North Outreach has volunteer spots open the first Thursday of each month (during the school year) from 6 pm - 7:30 pm at Indian Creek Elementary School, 4303 NE Indian Creek Rd, Topeka, KS 66617. TNO assembles Weekend Food Sacks for 700+ students at 14 area schools and community centers in an effort to alleviate childhood hunger in Topeka and to encourage children in need. Volunteers should go directly to the school to volunteer. Use this link to sign up to help our mission partner, Topeka North Outreach! Use this link to sign up to help our mission partner Topeka North Outreach!

Thanks, Shawna

This July, help us support Topeka North Outreach's annual School Supply Giveaway! We're collecting school supplies throughout the month to prepare for their August event. Check out the attached flyer for a list of needed items, and keep an eye out for those "Back to School" sales!