In this season of Epiphany, we are attentive to the revealing of God’s light and glory, and we use an alternative version of the Lord’s Prayer as we worship. The intention is to reconnect to the Lord’s Prayer by praying it anew, with words intended to awaken our hearts and shine a light on our path. One of the lines of the prayer is “Embody…

We are more than halfway now through our Epiphany Series “Glory Revealed” as we have been seeking God’s glory in our lives and how our lives might be beacons of God’s glory. Today we ask the question “What is good?” as we read two texts from scripture that point us towards “The Good Life…” Though,…

In this season of Epiphany, you are invited to worship, not just for an hour a week but with your whole life, making every day, every moment, living worship to God. This is a call to action for our own good and for the good of society as we accept the invitation to live out our faith…

This Sunday brings closure to the season of Epiphany and serves as our transition into the season of Lent. On this day much is confirmed about Jesus, while the events of this day draw us deeper into the mystery. Jesus stands on a mountain with disciples when Moses Liberator and the Prophet Elijah stand on…

First Sunday of Lent: Throughout this season of Lent, we are attentive to the cry of the prophet Amos, who proclaims that God desires for our worship and our ways of living be centered on justice. “Roll down, justice,” as God renews our hearts, minds, and spirits. This renewal provides the devotion to serve the…

Second Sunday of Lent: "How Long: Renouncing Evil" How long, O Lord? How long will pain and injustice linger? How long must we carry sorrow in our hearts and see suffering in our world? ~Psalm 13 Today we come, as the psalmist did, bringing our honest cries of grief, along with our questions, and our…

Third Sunday of Lent - I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison…

“We are a Reconciling Congregation, welcoming all. First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo invites all persons to join us on our journey of faith. Jesus Christ calls us to be an inclusive church that exemplifies the kingdom of God.”        Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.…

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice… to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house?” ~Isaiah 58:6-7 The prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, reminds us that true devotion is not found in outward displays alone. Even as some in the ancient…

It is Palm Sunday, a time when we remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And so we, like those who hailed Jesus on that day, wave our palm branches, shouting “Hosanna – Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Holy Thursday, sometimes called “Maundy Thursday,” invites us to remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples at Passover, his act of humble service in washing their feet, and his call to love one another. On this night, we gather around the table, practice servant love, and begin the journey of the three sacred days that…

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.…