The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows”, has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of the worship of the common folk during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae.…

After nights touched by deep darkness, we gather now in the radiant brilliance of Easter morning, our hearts alive with wonder. Christ is risen indeed! Resurrection unfolds before us, not only as a hope we carry, but as a joy that pulses through this day. The sanctuary blooms with tulips, the air rings with brass…

Please join us at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo to celebrate the life of our dear friend Sue Paul. The service will take place in the sanctuary on Saturday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m.

Sue will be remembered for her deep faith, joyful spirit, and lifelong love of music, which she shared generously through decades of singing in the choir at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Her devotion to worship, fellowship, and service leaves a lasting legacy within the church community.

This is the second Sunday after Easter and we continue proclaiming, “Christ is Risen!” Our Gospel lesson for the day puts us in the upper room with the frightened disciples on the evening of Christ’s resurrection. He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them and spoke the words, “Peace be with you.” We’ll also leap forward…

In May 2025, the bishops of the United Methodist Church released a vision statement designed to help the church live into the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. They built this statement around the themes of loving, serving, and leading. The invitation comes, however, not simply through the…

This Sunday we celebrate confirmation and communion as we continue our look at the new Vision for The United Methodist Church. As one of our young people stands before the congregation to affirm their Baptismal Vows we’ll look to the scriptures to consider what it means to be courageous leaders grounded in the grace of…

The past four weeks have examined the new Vision for the United Methodist Church which reads: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. On this last Sunday in the series, we will turn to…

While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. ~Luke 24: 51 As we come to the close of Eastertide, we remember Christ’s Ascension and celebrate the promise that the risen Jesus does not leave us without blessing, hope, or purpose. Our worship will be an offering of blessing…

Come, Holy Spirit. On this Pentecost Sunday, we welcome the fire, wind, and breath of God to awaken the Church and send us out in love. We are invited to step into the story of Pentecost and participate in the pouring out of God’s Spirit upon the people. The prophet Isaiah proclaims, the Spirit of…

This Sunday our worship service will include a presentation of “Making a Pivot in the Midst of Life’s Whirlwind”—written and directed by Buddy Hannah, a local playwright and member of our sister church Allen Chapel A.M.E—and starring seven members of our church community. This dramatic reading is part of the ongoing “Our Story Is Never Over” Project and is compiled of bits and pieces from each of the Pivots.

First Beats will present their annual musical in worship today, directed by Jacqueline Stilger. This year’s musical is entitled "Storms" and was written by composer Mark Burrows. It features the Bible passage of Jesus calming the storm. It also explores the idea that we all go through storms in our lives. Some storms are physical:…

On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word of their emancipation two months after the Civil War had ended, and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863. Juneteenth was established as a Federal Holiday in June 2021. In alignment with our congregation’s commitment…