Greetings Topeka First UMC,

I hope that you are having a great week!

Thank you to everyone who made last weekend so special. Cookies and Carols was a fantastic event, with great weather, great music, and an opportunity to meet lotsof new people! White Gift Sunday was also a very special Sunday! Thank you to everyone who brought gifts and to all the kids for bringing the gifts to the front. Special thank you goes out to our quilters who made dozens of quilts that are going to those most in need. Your generosity is the presence of God to so many in this holiday season.

This Sunday, we are continuing our “A Grinchless Christmas” sermon series. As the story of the Grinch unfolds, he believes that it is possible to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville. This raises an important question for us as Christians. Can Christmas really be stolen or taken from us? Join us Sunday live at 8:15 am , 9:30 am, or 10:45 am services, or by livestream as we think together about this question. The Love - N - Harmony Quartet (Barbara Schuerman, Evelyn Dillon, Rhonda Machlan & Lori Brickman) will sing special music during the 8:15 am & 10:45 am services.

On Sunday afternoon at 4 pm, the children of the church have a wonderful Christmas program! We hope you will join us to celebrate Christmas and all the children of our church. There will be a cookie reception following the program. If you can't join us in person, the program will be livestreamed!

Next week, on Wednesday, December 18, the “All Hands on Deck” campaign to end chronic homelessness in Topeka and Shawnee County will have the first community listening event at the Shawnee County Library. The event begins at 6:30 pm and will include a presentation about the campaign and a question and answer time as well. I am a member of the All Hands on Deck strategic planning team. It’d be great if you would join me next Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Shawnee County Library for this important meeting!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

The last Saturday Men's Group breakfast is this tomorrow at The Pad Restaurant beginning at 8 am.  Hope you will come and enjoy some breakfast and have great converation!

Sat., Dec. 14, 8:00 am: Men's Breakfast at the Pad

Sun., Dec. 15, 4:00 pm: 12 Symbols of Christmas Program

Wed. Dec. 18, 6 & 6:30 pm: Youth Group Christmas Party (youth meal at 6)

Sun. Dec. 22, 10:30 am: "The Brass" special music plays 15 minutes before the 10:45 am service.

Tues., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve: Office closed

Tues., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services: 5 pm & 11 pm (special music begins at 10:30 pm)

Mon., Dec. 26: Office closed

Sun., Dec. 29: One service at 10:45 am (no Sunday School)

Tues., Dec. 31: Office open 9 am - Noon.

Wed., Jan. 1: Office closed

Topeka First UMC partners with Topeka North Outreach, Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Topeka Rescue Mission, Doorstep, and Let's Help. 

Here are links to the Topeka Rescue Mission Monthly Newsletters  Topeka Resuce Mission Bi-Weekly Podcasts