Advent 2022: Close to Home

On this first Sunday in Advent, we will set our hearts to the rhythm of a new liturgical season. This practice is the response to our Lukan text imploring us to “…be on guard, so our hearts are not weighed down…” There is indeed much from which to guard our hearts; the worries of an […]

The future of the Methodist Church

Deb Search Willoughby and David Lundquist will lead an Academy Class on Sunday, November 20 at in the Parlor. This class will provide the opportunity to hear more about what is happening within the denomination, to discuss and ask questions, and to learn how the UMC’s future may or may not impact First United Methodist […]

Reign of Christ Sunday

“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things…” Colossians 1: 19a What does it mean to speak of the Christ who reigns or Christ the king? The Gospels will undoubtedly tell us that Jesus redefined what it meant to […]

I’ll Have What He’s Having

Join us for worship on this special Second Sunday. Pastor Matt and the Second Sunday team will guide us to contemplate Jesus‘s words “I am the bread of life“ and consider what it means for Jesus to be the nourishment of our souls along with our real need to be physically nourished. Our change the […]

All Saints Day

All Saints is a day of remembrance for the saints. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead and celebrate our connectedness as Christians. The Christian festival of All Saints Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual connection between those on heaven and on earth. It is also an […]

Sing Out Sunday

In this final Sunday of our “Stewards of a Grace-filled Life” Stewardship Season, we turn to the story of Zacchaeus. This is a man whose encounter with Jesus led to radical life transformation manifested through generous giving to his community. On this Sunday, the congregation is invited to determine how we are each being called […]

Recurring

The Challenge of Jesus

The teachings of Jesus are central to the Christianity, yet how much do we know about Jesus in his own time? In "The Challenge of Jesus," John Dominic Crossan pinpoints the history and circumstances that helped Jesus’ message of nonviolent resistance to evil have such a powerful impact against Imperial Rome. Moving beyond Jesus as […]

Are We Really That Different?

Join us this Sunday in worship as we hear from our local Wesley Foundation Director, Rev. Jeremy Simpson. Jeremy is not only the Wesley Foundation Campus Minister, but he is also an accomplished organist, pianist, choir director and all-around church musician. Also in worship this Sunday our 3rd graders will be gifted with new Bibles, […]

Disability Awareness Sunday

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. ~John 9:1-3 Jesus said, ‘I […]

The Dream Celebration

Join us for this special Second Sunday worship service where we will celebrate the culmination of the Dream. The Dream Team ministry of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo has partnered with area organizations to address equitable housing around Kalamazoo. Come and hear their story and celebration of what God has accomplished. Enjoy the Second […]

Sunday Morning Class: Grace and Gratitude

This fall’s Stewardship campaign focuses on grace and gratitude and is based on John 1:16. This new class series is designed to look more closely at the role grace and gratitude play in the life of a Christian. Carol Hodges will lead the class, but there will be several other presenters including Jennifer Clark, Michel […]

World Communion Sunday

This Sunday in worship we are celebrating World Communion Sunday and we are beginning our new season of Stewardship titled Living Grace-Filled: The Joy of Stewardship. The Eucharist (God's gift of grace), otherwise known as communion, is the central act of Christian worship. In this meal we receive the grace of the living God and […]