First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

Holy Thursday Service April 2 @ 7pm
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
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 lead us toward Good Friday and the hope of Easter.

Good Friday - Tenebrae: Service of Shadows April 3 @ 7pm
2026-04-03 19:00 - 20:00
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. Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays His pathos or power, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous event. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death. Please pray in silence until worship begins.

Easter Sunday Worship Service - April 5, 2026
2026-04-05 10:00 - 11:00
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 and timpani, and our voices rise together in joyful awe, singing “Hallelujah!”
In this holy light, let us listen for the whisper of life awakening life, for the mystery of grace stirring within us. Christ is Risen! Our worship will reach its joyful height as we stand together to sing the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus,” every voice invited into the fullness of praise.
Come—experience the wonder.
Come—enter the joy.
Come—let us celebrate the boundless love of God with our whole hearts.

Sue Paul Memorial - 2pm
2026-04-11 14:00 - 15:00
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.
If you are unable to join us in person, the service will be live-streamed. You can access the livestream by using the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM
Obituary

Susan Elizabeth Paul passed peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the age of 86, lovingly surrounded by family. Born on February 8, 1939, Susan was the cherished daughter of Leland and Bertha Morse. Throughout her life, Susan was guided by her deep faith and enriched by music, family, and enduring friendships. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, where she sang joyfully in the choir for many decades. Her church community was a source of great meaning to her, and she found true happiness in worship, fellowship, and serving others.
Susan was blessed to share her life with two loving partners. While attending Central Michigan University, she met Douglas Paul, and they soon married, building a life together centered on love and family. They raised two sons and shared many happy years until Douglas’s passing in 2015. Later in life, a long-standing friendship with David Lundquist, whose family had been close to Susan and Douglas since the early 1960s, blossomed into a beautiful second chapter. Susan and David were married in December 2016 and enjoyed a deeply loving marriage until David’s death in May 2024. Susan’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her sons and their spouses, Brian Paul and Johanna Nilsson, and Mark Paul and Sharon Turner; and by her five beloved grandchildren, Noah and Sophia Nilsson-Paul, and Isabel (Johnny) Penella, Matilda, and Phoebe Paul. She is also survived by her brother Richard (Carol) Morse and her stepchildren Anne Lundquist; Tom (Diana) Lundquist; and Sarah (David) Leskovec and their children.Funeral arrangements have been made by Joldersma and Klein Funeral Home of Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Friends and family may share a condolence message online

Sunday April 12 Worship Service: Eastertide
2026-04-12 10:00 - 11:00
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 time to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost when he boldly proclaimed “…God raised him [Jesus] up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24) We are indeed Easter people, recipients of the risen Christ’s peace and power. Let us continue the celebration of this good news and live in the freedom of God’s resurrecting power and grace.

April 19th Sunday Worship - Graduate Sunday!
2026-04-19 10:00 - 11:00
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 words, but in the way they are described. We are not just called to love, but to love boldly. We don’t just hear a call to serve, but to serve joyfully. And we aren’t seeking those who will just lead, but those who will lead courageously. The adverbs add a spark to the statement. We are invited by the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table to celebrate this new vision statement in worship. Come, let us love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. We will also be celebrating this year’s high school and college graduates in our congregation!

May 3 Worship Service - Confirmation Sunday
2026-05-03 10:00 - 11:00
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 Jesus Christ at this time in history.

Sunday May 10 Worship Service
2026-05-10 10:00 - 11:00
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 Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 28:16-20 to consider the transformative power of God at work within us, and the commission of the risen Christ to go and make disciples of people.

Sunday May 17 Worship Service: Ascension of the Lord
2026-05-17 10:00 - 11:00
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 from beginning to end as we receive God’s grace, lift our voices in praise, and pray honestly for our world and one another. Renewed by the gifts of God that gather us in and send us out, we go forth to bless others in Christ’s name through our thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s experience, celebrate, and share God’s love.

Sunday Worship Service May 24 - Pentecost
2026-05-24 10:00 - 11:00
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 God hovers upon God’s anointed, bringing gifts of the Spirit. Come, as the Spirit fills our hearts, steadies our minds, guides our choices, and gives us strong faith as we root ourselves in a renewed reverence for God’s creating ways. Come, Spirit, Come.

Dramatic Reading Sunday Service May 31st
2026-05-31 10:00 - 11:00
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.

Sunday, June 7 - Worship Service with Children's Musical
2026-06-07 10:00 - 11:00
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: like floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Others are more figurative, but no less real: fear of illness and loss, insecurity of being ‘good enough’, fear of being bullied, and other anxieties. “Storms” features a group of children who wonder if they have what it takes to overcome storms of their own. Through heartfelt songs, authentic dialogue and a healthy dose of humor, the children discover that they can, with God’s help, weather the storms of life. They even grow empowered to follow Jesus’ example by being there for others going through times of storm. During the show, we will take up a collection for flood relief. This is in support of our church’s Mission of the Month for June.
There will also be bell ringing for child volunteers!

Sunday, June 14 Worship - Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-14 10:00
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 to anti-racism, we celebrate Juneteenth in worship by elevating black composers, remembering our Antiracism Call to Action, and hearing stories from members of the Dawn Patrol, a group of men who gather every week to build cross-racial relationships and explore the intersection of their faith in Jesus Christ and their anti-racist commitments. Pastor Matt Weiler will preach a sermon titled “Unburdening the Church” and in proclamation of Christ’s work among us, tearing down the walls of division, we’ll share the bread and cup of communion. Join us for the beautiful day of celebration in worship!

Sunday Worship Service June 21: The One Who Hears
2026-06-21 10:00 - 11:00
As we gather for worship this Sunday, we come carrying questions, wounds, and stories that do not always make sense. In the story of Hagar, Ishmael, and Abraham, we encounter pain, uncertainty, and the cries of those who have been cast aside. Yet even in the wilderness, God hears. Even in places of sorrow and struggle, God sees, God listens, and God remains present. So come as you are with your doubts, your grief, your hope, and your longing. Come ready to listen for the voices that cry out, to bring before God the burdens we carry, and to trust that in every desert place, God is making a way. Let us worship the One who hears, who sees, and who stays with us always.

June 28 Worship Service - Pride Sunday
2026-06-28 10:00 - 11:00
Scripture is flowing with women who sing. Voicing prayers, praises, and pleas. Composing powerful messages about courage, community, compassion, and justice. In Exodus, Miriam’s song guides the Israelites safely across the sea and through the wilderness, sealing her eternal legacy as a singing prophet. In the Gospels, we learn the lyrical story of Mary and Martha, whose words and wanderings with Jesus point us to a musical message about the roles we hold in creating God’s kingdom and the love we are called to share with the world. Like these grandmothers of the faith, our own grandmothers shape our beliefs and stir our questions, teaching us the notes for turning bitter water into sweet refrain. As we worship, we will remember and re-imagine inherited songs. Come, let us celebrate the Love of God as we welcome Rebecca Wilson as our preacher and celebrate Pride Sunday.

Sunday, July 5 Worship Service
2026-07-05 10:00 - 11:00
Americans Make Great Neighbors: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary – A 4-Week Sermon Series on Service, Freedom, Innovation, and Diversity:
Week 1: Freedom.
This series explores what it looks like for followers of Jesus to live as good neighbors in our communities. When neighbor love takes root on the street level, it strengthens the whole nation one household at a time. Each week explores a neighborly virtue that can strengthen our shared life: serving others, stewarding freedom, using creativity for good, and honoring the diverse people God has made. Grounded in our Wesleyan roots, we remember that all our outward movements of love are a response to God’s grace and love that comes first to us. Our aim isn’t to coerce or force our ways upon others but to live out Christlike love in the everyday places where we live, work, and worship, to build a vibrant community that is concerned for the well-being of all.

Sunday, July 12 Worship Service
2026-07-12 10:00 - 11:00
Americans Make Great Neighbors week 2 – Service. “Love Moves Toward” ~ ASP TEAM Commissioning ~
We continue our series Americans Make Great Neighbors, exploring what it looks like for followers of Jesus to live as good neighbors in our communities. Our guiding texts will come from Philippians Chapter two where we are encouraged to “…have the mind of Christ…” along with the story of The Good Samaritan. Pastor Matt Weiler will preach a message called “Love Moves Toward” and the 2026 Appalachia Service Project Team will be commissioned for service. Also Ruth Butters, our Youth and Young Adult Resident will share reflections on their two years of service with FUMC. Together we will hear stories of love moving towards need and we’ll be sent to do the same.

Sunday July 19 Worship Service
2026-07-19 10:00 - 11:00
This Sunday, we celebrate the third week of our Americans Make Great Neighbors worship series. The theme Creating for the Common Good remembers that the God who created the heavens and the earth is still creating, renewing, and inspiring life among us. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to notice the gifts God has placed in our hands: our skills, ideas, resources, imagination, and compassion. We are called to offer these gifts in service to our neighbors. Grounded in God’s grace and our Wesleyan call to love in action, we come to worship with holy curiosity. This holy curiosity invites us to use our individual and community creativity to help build a more vibrant community concerned for the well-being of all.

Sunday, July 26 Worship Service
2026-07-26 10:00 - 11:00
“The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.” –1 Corinthians 12:25
Join us for worship and the final week of Americans Make Great Neighbors as we celebrate the beauty of God’s diverse family. Through Scripture, song, and prayer, we will reflect on what it means to be many people joined by one Spirit and called to one neighbor-love, listening with grace, honoring one another’s gifts, and pursuing peace together. All are welcome to God’s table and in this community of faith.
