fume logo vertical
News From
Topeka  First 

August 23, 2017

For the good of the city
... Jeremiah 29:7

Church Office:
785-233-8100

In This Issue


Give to Topeka First UMC
by text!
Do you have information about a church activity you'd like to share? 

Resubscribe to our mailing list.
Coming Up Soon:  
  • Wednesday, August 23
    • 11:30 a.m. Phase 2 Meeting, Hearth Room
    • 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Rehearsal, Chapel
    • 5:15 p.m. Phase 2 Yoga, Fellowship Hall
    • 5:15 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, Hearth Room
    • 6:30 p.m. Venture Crew Meeting, Rm L36
  • Thursday, August 24
    • 1:30 p.m. Shepherd's Center Line Dancing, Fellowship Hall
    • 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice, Rm L18
  • Saturday, August 26
    • 12:00 p.m. Youth Paint Party in the new Youth Rooms
  • Sunday, August 27
    • 8:15 a.m. Arise Worship Service, Chapel
    • 9:00 a.m. Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
    • 9:30 a.m.
      • 9-3-0 Worship Service, Chapel
      • JUMP Summer Symposium, Fellowship Hall
      • Children's Sunday School, dismissed from 9-3-0 Worship to Children's Area
      • TBD Adult Sunday School Class, Conference Room
    • 10:30 a.m. Coffee Connection, Celebration Room
    • 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service
    • 12:15 p.m. Memorial Service for Mark Hornsby and Ralph McCullough
    • 6:00 p.m. Phase 2 Pickleball, Hughes Court
  • Tuesday, August 29
    • 9:00 a.m. Quilting Group, Rm L35
  • Wednesday, August 30
    • 11:30 a.m. Community Lunch, Celebration Room
    • 5:00 p.m. Praise Team Practice, Chapel
    • 5:15 p.m. Phase 2 Yoga, Fellowship Hall
  • Thursday, August 31
    • 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice, Rm L18

Church Office Hours

The church office is open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed on Fridays.

Prayer Covenant Churches

The Topeka District of the Great Plains Conference has arranged a covenant calendar to ensure all churches in our connection are held in prayer by the others. We will pray for a different church each week. Check this newsletter for our next prayer covenant church, and join us in prayer for them as another church joins in prayer for us.

Prayer Covenant Church for the week:
St. Peter's UMC (Topeka)
Connect
abstract_squares_blue.jpgSummer Quarterly Committee Report

As I attend church this August, it is exciting to see new faces, as well as friends I have known for years! I continue to feel the blessings of God as I read the news of our committees here at Topeka First UMC. May we all look forward to continued fellowship with our church family and connect more deeply with our Lord. 

Our committees and teams have been busy continuing the work of Topeka First UMC to Connect, Grow, and Serve! Please use this link to read the August Quarterly report on the successes of the spring/summer programming, and upcoming activities during the fall. Please pray and consider ways you could help out. 

Any specific questions/suggestions concerning a committee should be directed to the person listed after the committee. If you have any questions or suggestions about the Quarterly report, please let me know.

Jill Wolters, Chair, Leadership Council
 
Senior Summer Caravan Connect

Our last Senior Summer Caravan of the summer will take us to Aldersgate Village on Thursday, August 31st, where we will tour the Independent Living and the Rehab Unit. A complimentary lunch will follow in the dining area. Please meet in the main lobby of Manchester Lodge (there is a flag pole outside) at 11 a.m. We will plan to be done by 1 p.m. There will not be a sales pitch. This is just a time to look around and gain information. If you need a ride from the church to Aldersgate, please share that when registering. You may register online on our Church Connection Portal.

Connect
A Community of Boomers
Upcoming Phase 2 Activities

Pickleball
On Sunday, August 27th at 6:00 p.m., meet at Hughes Courts for Pickleball. Bring your own paddle and be ready for action! Please sign up on our Church Connection Portal.

Phase 2 After Hours
Many of our boomers gathered for appetizers at the Celtic Fox this week for our quarterly Phase 2 After Hours. Watch future newsletters for details on our next event!
Connect
ConnectFall Kick Off Sunday
Bring a friend to our Fall Kick Off Sunday on September 10th! This is a great chance to get a taste of Topeka First UMC and jump into our fall schedule. Sunday School classes begin for all ages, and there will be opportunities to explore our children's and youth programs. We will also have information available about our fall activities so you can plan your semester.

Here is our schedule for the morning:
  • 8:15
    • Arise Worship Service
  • 9 a.m.
    • Children's Area Safari Open House
    • Youth Breakfast
    • Coffee & Donut Connection Time
    • Equal Exchange Sale
  • 9:30 a.m. 
    • 9-3-0 Worship Service
    • Sunday School for All Ages
  • 10:30 a.m.
    • Children's Area Safari Open House
    • Coffee & Donut Connection Time with Popcorn served by Youth
    • Equal Exchange Sale
  • 11:00 a.m.
    • Sanctuary Worship Service
elephant-walking.jpg Sunday School Safari Open House

Please join us and invite a friend to Sunday School Safari Open House on Sunday, September 10 and 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This isn't just for our current Sunday School families--everyone is encouraged to come see what is going on in Children's Discipleship at Topeka First United Methodist Church!

You will be welcomed into the Children's Discipleship Area by special Safari Guides to have a better understanding of the program and its needs and to have opportunities to connect with the children of the church.

This is a great chance to see what is going on in their classrooms, meet volunteers, and have opportunities to see other resources that are available. 

Children Exciting Changes in Children's Discipleship

This is news for everyone in the church--not just the kids! Read on to learn more.

Our New Nursery is Now Open!
After years of discussion and work by many folks dedicated to creating a closer and more inviting nursery, we now have a new nursery space. Dave Hutchinson, Facilities Coordinator, worked tirelessly to paint and install flooring. A sink will be added in the coming weeks for caregivers and children to have easy access to clean hands. Please pop your head in to see the new space in-between services in the next weeks. You will notice that as a way to keep our children safe, we adhere to a two-adult rule within each classroom. If you enjoy childcare and would like to know how you can be involved with our youngest members and visitors, please contact Allison Brewer.

Two and Three Year Old Class

In the exciting transition out of the nursery and Jacob's Well area, the 2- and 3-year-old class will be displaced. Their dedicated teachers, Sue Blackman and Olivia Clancy, will be here over the next three weeks to help children with the big changes happening. Beginning September 10th with the Sunday School Kick Off, the nursery will be the home of all children ages 2 and under. Three-year-olds as of September 1st will join the preschool class upstairs in the children's discipleship area.

Where are the Children at 11 a.m.?

Many have noticed the children are invited out of 11 a.m. worship to a time of Worship Readiness with Allison Brewer. This time is currently led by Allison Brewer and Devin Morrison. It is a time for children ages three to third grade who have graduated from nursery care, but who benefit from a child-centered worship experience. We have studied everything from the church bulletin to several weeks on the Bible. We welcome visitors who would like to help or participate in this time of connecting and growing. 

Watch for Children's Sermons to return in the fall that will coincide with the Deep Blue Cokesbury Curriculum being used in Children's Discipleship.
 
Fiber Fun

On September 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., come to Topeka First UMC for demonstrations, workshops, and displays of fiber arts. Pre-registration is now open. Pick up a flier in the Celebration Room or visit yaknyarn.net to sign up.  Preregistration by Sept 21st is encouraged as space is limited to 100.

Every Sunday in September, our fiber artists will be at a table in the Celebration Room. Stop by and see samples from all six demonstrations and workshops.
 
Grow

In Worship This Week:

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:16-20 & Matthew 25:31-40

Message:
Make Us One: One In Ministry
Rev. Jeff Clinger, Lead Pastor

new logo Sign Your Dot

Last fall, many of you had the chance to sign a dot to place on our banner featuring our new logo. The dots represent how the many individuals in our congregation come together to create one church family. In this month's message series "Make Us One," Pastor Jeff urges us to examine the ways in which we can become one with God, one with each other, and one in ministry. This gives us the perfect opportunity to invite more of you to sign a dot to become part of our banner. 

Stop by the table by the logo banner in the Celebration Room this Sunday to sign a dot. You are also invited to add a prayer to the flip side of the dot.

You are a valuable part of the Kingdom of God and of this congregation--our dots are a symbol of each of these parts coming together to make a stronger whole.
 
Topeka JUMP Presentation

For our final Summer Symposium, Shanae Elem, executive director of Topeka JUMP, will offer a presentation about Topeka JUMP at 9:30 a.m. on  Sunday, August 27 in Fellowship Hall. All are invited to learn more about Topeka JUMP and to ask questions. 

JUMP Conversations
You are invited to help Topeka JUMP (Justice, Unity, and Ministry Project) get to know Topeka First UMC. As a part of our partnership as a member congregation of JUMP, one-on-one conversations will be scheduled with members and friends of the church who are interested in helping Topeka JUMP get to know us better. If you're willing to schedule a one-on-one, please check the box on the bulletin tear-off this Sunday.

Learn About Mission and Ministry in Guatemala

Yaneth Cholotio, Manager of International Programs for ODIM (the Organization for the Development of Indigenous Maya) Guatemala will be at Topeka First UMC on Wednesday evening, September 6th. Everyone is invited to a time of education and conversation beginning at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Yaneth will share stories (both hers and ODIM's) and answer questions people might have about ODIM's ministry. This is the organization with which a mission team from Topeka First UMC and Shawnee Heights UMC will be working later in September. A free-will offering will be received as part of the evening. All are welcome. Childcare is available. If you have any questions, you may email Beth Evans or call her at 785-233-8100 .
 
Adult Classes Parenting the Love & Logic Way This Fall

Love and Logic is a commonsense approach that teaches parents skills to cultivate confidence and good decision-making in children by offering choices, empathy, and respect while adults avoid anger, threats, warnings, or lectures. Love and Logic is easy to learn and can be put to use right away; it changes lives and raises responsible children. Come and learn how to take some of the power struggle out of parenting using the Love and Logic Way.

Erin Corbin, a school counselor, will facilitate the eight Wednesday evening sessions: October 4,11,18, November 1,8,15, 29 and December 6. Childcare for Kindergarten and younger is available upon request. Registration is due by September 27th or until class limit of 12 is reached. The cost of the workbook is a gift from the church. You may register on our Church Connection Portal.

Financial Peace
Financial Peace University

Financial Peace University is all about helping folks get the most out of their money, regardless of income or other demographics. As God has given us a responsibility over a portion of His resources, our money management is the part we have the most control over. Mitchell Fick will be facilitating FPU this fall for nine Wednesday evenings, September 6th to November 1st, 6-7:30 p.m. The class costs $89, which includes a Membership Kit containing many resources that will be used during the class. A sample is available at the front desk. Please register for FPU on our Church Connection Portal.

For more information about the class, you may contact Tiwana Whitten, Director of Connections. Childcare/programming is available by request for children 5 years and younger.  Registration ends September 1st
Connect Sunday Morning Small Group Opportunities

The heart of faith rests in our personal relationship with God. We develop that relationship over time through study, prayer, and sharing faith stories with one another. Spiritual growth is for all ages and gives us the opportunity to discover who we are becoming as people of faith. Join others and invest in your relationship with God by joining a small group on Sunday morning. Our Sunday morning classes generally meet at 9:30 a.m., September through May. Join us on September 10th as we kick off the new school year!

Click here to learn more about our Sunday Morning small group opportunities.
 
Are you interested in an 11 a.m. Sunday class?
Come to a short meeting on September 10th at 10:30 a.m. in the Hearth Room for any 9:30 worshipers who are interested in beginning an adult small group during the 11 a.m.-12 p.m. time frame.

 
New Sunday School Opportunities for Adults

Now Meeting: TBD Class

Join us for a new Sunday School class that meets on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. We're calling it "TBD," because where each of us goes in our faith journey is yet To Be Determined. We will spend the first few weeks getting to know one another and exploring a couple of options for our first curriculum. The idea for the class was hatched out of the #Adulting group for young adults, but you don't have to be a certain age to join us. Contact Heather Clinger for more information

Coming in September: Twentysomething

Starting this fall, Topeka First UMC will be offering a new Sunday School class for young adults. In the tumultuous time of your twenties, life can become overwhelming, confusing, and very exciting. This new class can serve a peaceful refuge to discuss how life is going and offer wisdom from the Bible, fellow Topeka First UMC members, and more. This fall, we will begin with lessons based on the book  Twentysomething: Surviving and Thriving in the Real World. No matter if you're a recent high school graduate just starting on your adult journey, the loved one of a twentysomething you'd like to understand better, or anywhere in-between, we would be happy to welcome you Sunday mornings in Rm 104 at 9:30 on September 10th, the fall kick-off Sunday at church.  For more information or questions, please feel free to contact Hannah Naeger.

Serve
Financial Update

We are a little over halfway through the year and thought we should give everyone an update on our receipts. We had budgeted to receive $444,872 through the end of July, and as of July 31 we have received $398,592. This is $46,280 less than expected.

Operation Backpack Operation Backpack Service Opportunity

Our church will once again serve State Street school by delivering weekend sacks of food to needy children to be put in their backpacks for the weekend. We will once again need two people to help hand out the filled sacks to the students. Our members have found this to be a rewarding experience of becoming familiar with the students and seeing their happy faces as they receive their snacks.  You can serve once a month or more, usually on Fridays. Please e-mail Jody Teeter  to express interest or telephone her at 785-286-1189 and leave a message. We also need volunteers to fill the sacks with snacks. First filling the sacks session is September 7 at Indian Creek School (NE 43rd & Indian Creek Rd.) and first delivery will be on September 8. (Sack-filling sessions were previously held at Mathes Learning Center, but will now be held at Indian Creek School.)
 
serve
Sing With the Choir

Anyone who loves to sing is invited to join our Sanctuary Choir, directed by Steve Eubank. All voices and skill levels are welcome! The Sanctuary Choir prepares sacred music from many genres for the 11 a.m. service each week, with opportunities for special performances and services arising throughout the year. The choir meets at 7:30 on Thursday nights in Rm L18 (or in the Sanctuary) and at 10:30 on Sunday mornings before worship.  Contact Steve Eubank for more information.
 
Ring Out the Bells!

Great News! The bells have retuned from being refurbished and they are shiny and ready to ring this fall. Have you,your child, or your youth ever thought that it might be fun to try ringing those shiny bells on a Sunday morning? If so--or if you would like to know more about it--please contact Sharon Fick at 785-845-0366 or  send her an email.

Openings are available now for new ringers. Previous instrumental experience is always helpful, but not required. I would like to start a children's choir again for those in 3rd grade and above. Children's rehearsals would be on Wednesday evenings, but the time is still being determined. We need at least six children to have a successful choir. They must be capable of standing and paying attention for one hour in order to participate. The fall commitment for children is September though the children's pageant in December. Youth 6th grade through high school rehearse at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. There is a beginning adult bell choir on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. and an advanced bell choir on Thursday evenings at 6-7:30 p.m. For more information contact Sharon Fick.

Wednesday Evening Dinners at Topeka First UMC

Soon we will settle into the fall semester into with adult classes and children's Christmas pageant practices on Wednesday evenings. As part of this, we would like to offer meals as a time of fellowship and a respite from the hustle to eat before attending classes or practice. 

Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve a Wednesday night dinner each week this fall. This can be done as an individual, a family, small group, or as a class. You can choose the menu or ask Michael Turner for ideas. The menu can be as elaborate as meatloaf and mashed potatoes to as simple as chili dogs with a salad bar. This opportunity to be in service to each other takes a small time commitment, but goes far toward building community. Contact Allison Brewer or Michael Turner to learn more or to volunteer to serve a meal. We will start with a dinner on September 27th to kick off the new season of classes, and plan to have pageant practice and most adult offerings beginning October 4th.

Be on the look out for more information regarding children's and adult programming on Wednesday nights.  
Grow News from Stephen Ministry

Meet your new Stephen Ministry Leaders--Mary Lou Auer and Marge Whelpley (pictured right). They join Beth Evans and Sandy Vogel in training and supervising our congregation's Stephen Ministers. Please thank them and congratulate them on their expanded Stephen Ministry.

A Stephen Minister is a well-trained caregiver who provides confidential, one-to-one Christian care to people who are going through a difficult time. If you would like to meet with a Stephen Minister or are interested in becoming a trained Stephen Minister, please contact Rev. Sandy Vogel
.
 
August Missions Collection

Join us in collecting facial tissues and baby wipes for State Street Elementary School throughout the month of August. You may bring your donations to the Celebration Room.

Children
Sunday School Rocks!

One of our Sunday School classes last week studied the memorials Joshua built from 12 stones. The memorials stood as witnesses to the Lord's great power displayed as the Israelites crossed the Jordan. The kids built their own memorials using 12 rocks.

children children
 
Worship Readiness for Children

Worship Readiness is a new class that we offer during 11 a.m. worship. This class is designed for children ages 3-8 whose parents choose for them an alternative to staying through the entire worship service. Children of all ages are always welcome in worship. This class will use hands-on activities and child-friendly discussion to help children learn about the elements of worship and spiritual practices. We invite children to start worship with their parents to experience the prayer, hymns, and scripture as a family. Then they will be dismissed to the back of the Sanctuary. The Worship Readiness leaders will guide the children to their class. You can pick up your children in the classroom next to the nursery following worship. Please contact Allison Brewer with any questions or if you are interested in volunteering with this class.
 
Children  
These kids are excited to learn about worshiping God!
Youth
Youth Events for Saturday, August 26: WE NEED YOUR HELP
  • 12-3 p.m. IT'S A PAINT PARTY    
    • Youth and their parents are invited to come help paint the new youth rooms. The sooner it's painted, the sooner we can move in. We have the two rooms to paint. One of the walls will be chalk board paint for our Prayer Wall, which youth say is a must-have. Pizza, drinks, and snacks provided. Come as you are--we will have the paint and supplies. (We will go to a movie another weekend, I promise.)
    
Youth Events for Sunday, August 27
  • 9:30 a.m. Youth attend worship together, and after you can get a sneak peek of the new youth areas.

Lazarus Ministry Sign-up: Save the Date
  • Saturday, October 14th
    • Lazarus Ministry Service Project in KC, MO. Sign up at the Youth Board. This is in a new location than where we served last time. They have moved and it's on Saturdays now. We will leave at 9 a.m. and arrive back by 3 p.m. We will prep and serve lunch to the Sojourners and help with set up of the clothing boutique.

COLLEGE STUDENTS
You did a great job of getting your new school addresses to me. I know there are a few I still don't have, so if you want to receive college care packages for the 2017/18 school year, pick up a form at the youth table in the Celebration Room or  email Ruth. Semester Devotionals went out over the past two weeks, so our college students received an uplifting note and devotional as one of their first pieces of mail as they started their semester in college. The first care packages will be shipped the first week of October.

Back to School Celebration
Youth held a special bubble and chalk art event for the children last Sunday. Not much chalk was used, but every last drop of bubbles was, and it made for a very fun time on the play ground. The weather was perfect, and snacks and drinks at the end made it an even more delightful event. One of the children said, "can we do this every Sunday?" and another said "We will see you next Sunday!" Bubbles have a way of joyfully bringing everyone together.










































Ruth/Directo r of Youth Discipleship

Want to get our weekly updates? Email Tina Boles to sign up!

If you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, please email Tina Boles  to unsubscribe. Please do not click the Unsubscribe button below, as it will not update our records. 

If you used to receive our newsletter, but have stopped receiving them, please click the "Join Our Mailing List" button at the top of the page or below to resubscribe.

Join Our Mailing List