First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

Christmas Eve 7:00 PM Service
2023-12-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Detroit)
Christmas Eve: Christ Be Our Light
Throughout the season of Advent, we have lit the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight, we light the Christ candle to honor that Christ is our Light. We will raise our voices to sing Christmas carols accompanied by brass instruments, listen to the Scripture lessons of the shepherd’s amazement, and end our night raising our candles and singing “Silent Night.”
Childcare will be available.
This livestream will be broadcasted in the b1 lounge at Friendship Village for those who are unable to physically join us in the sanctuary, Pastor Thom Victor will be there.

Christmas Eve Services
2023-12-24 16:00 - 23:30
This Christmas, we extend a warm invitation to you and yours to join us for a celebration filled with joy, music, and reflection. Our Christmas Eve services are designed to create lasting memories and embrace the true spirit of the season.
Event Schedule:
🕓 4:00 pm – Children and Family Worship

Join us for a Christmas Eve service tailored with kids and families in mind. We encourage children to actively participate during the service, making it a festive and memorable experience for all.

🕖 7:00 pm – Lessons and Carols (Childcare available)
For Bulletin click HERE

Throughout the season of Advent, we have lit the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. Tonight, we light the Christ candle to honor that Christ is our Light. We will raise our voices to sing Christmas carols accompanied by brass instruments, listen to the Scripture lessons of the shepherd’s amazement, and end our night raising our candles and singing “Silent Night.”
Childcare will be available.
This livestream will be broadcasted in the b1 lounge at Friendship Village for those who are unable to physically join us in the sanctuary, Pastor Thom Victor will be there.

🕚 11:00 pm – Lessons and Communion, Silent Night on the Front Steps
For Bulletin click HERE

In a quieter spirit we sing carols, listen to the beauty of the oboe, and come to the communion table to receive the bread of life and the cup of blessing. If the weather cooperates, we will take our candles to our front steps and sing “Silent Night” as a call for peace and goodwill for all persons.

🎥 Livestream Information:

Can’t join us in person? Watch the 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm services on our YouTube channel.

Let’s make this Christmas a celebration to remember. We can’t wait to share the joy of the season with you!

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love
2023-12-24 10:00 - 11:00
The Air Love Breathes is Freedom
This a strange fourth Sunday of Advent being that it happens to share the calendar with Christmas Eve and might even shrink a bit in its shadow. But it would do us well to still light the fourth candle on Sunday morning and listen to Mary. She is, after all the theotokos – that is, the bearer of God. Her pregnancy deserves as much attention in our worship as the birth. After all, it didn’t have to happen. She could have responded to the angel with a firm, “yea, but no thanks…” And then where would we be? But Mary said “Yes” because Mary was given the freedom to say “no” as well. She is an exemplar our own lives of faith. We are given freedom: freedom to love or not to love, to say “yes” and to say “no” to God. And it is by God’s love we have this freedom. The air love breathes is freedom. May we know this love on this, strange, yet important fourth Sunday of Advent.

Third Sunday of Advent: Joy
2023-12-17 10:00 - 11:30
Join us this Sunday in person or online as we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent and the Children’s Pageant: “A Shepherd’s Adventure” at 10:00 am in the sanctuary.
Advent invites us to be shepherded by the good news that proclaims the birth of a Savior and a new way of life that leads to liberation and joy. Come, as the children lead us in worship with the pageant “A Shepherd’s Adventure.” As the shepherds are gathered on the hillside and are going about their everyday lives, they learn of the immense love that God has for all people. This love can be a transcending light in our lives, even though Thomas, a hard-working shepherd has his doubts about God’s abiding love. As a Christ centered community, our stories of new and old are woven with God’s story. This brings a joy that liberates.

What’s So Good About this News?
2023-12-10 10:00 - 11:30
“Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” -Isaiah 40:4
The ancient words of the prophet call to us on the second Sunday of Advent. “Comfort, comfort, my people” says your God.” These words are echoed by Mark the gospel writer in the wilderness and illustrated by John the Baptizer preparing the way for Christ to come. In Advent we await three comings of Christ. 1.) Christ’s arrival through his birth. 2.) Christ’s arrival in our present. 3.) Christ’s final coming when God’s reign will be full on earth as it already is in heaven. We wade more deeply into the waiting this second Sunday of Advent. May the good news of God’s pending arrival meet us with peace.

2023 Advent Concerts
2023-12-07 12:00 - 13:00
December 7: Selkie, is a trio of dynamic Celtic musicians who play traditional music and original music with a trademark intensity
and drive. The sounds of flute, fiddle, bouzouki, banjo, guitar, accordion, and harp are woven into Selkie’s music, along with the vocal
harmonies they use for their songs.
December 14: Gary and Martha Matthews, their concerts are a musical and spiritual journey with classical, jazz, and arrangements
of the great well-known hymns that you love. What is unique about their concerts is how this well-known music is specifically
arranged for the gifts Gary and Martha bring. Gary plays piano and trumpets and sings, while Martha plays a variety of flutes, penny
whistles (Celtic Irish sound), piano, and handbells that fit on a “Handbell Tree!” As an ordained pastor Gary has a heart for
shepherding God’s people and does that through his music and worship leading. He served three churches as their Worship Pastor.
Martha holds a Masters in Flute Performance and is a sought-after Handbell Clinician. She is the Director of the Kalamazoo Ringers,
the oldest continual community Handbell Ensemble in the United States. She also teaches flute at Cornerstone University in Grand
Rapids, MI. Gary and Martha’s concerts include diverse music using the piano and organ, trumpet, voices, flute, and handbells.
December 21: Aris Chaplin, solo jazz piano Aris is an international award-winning jazz pianist and keyboardist at Western Michigan
University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He has performed at several musical events both locally and abroad. He has performed and
played alongside world-class jazz musicians, such as Chris Potter, säje, Christian McBride, Johnaye Kendrick, Jesus Molina, the Emmet
Cohen Trio, and the Paul Keller Orchestra. Aris is based in Kalamazoo, MI and travels around Michigan to perform in different
venues. He has performed at venues such as Hill Auditorium, Blue LLama Jazz Club, and the North American International Auto Show
COBO Center in Detroit.

First Sunday of Advent: Hope
2023-12-03 10:00 - 11:30
Join Us this week as we welcome the season of advent !
“You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Welcome to the season of Advent. A time of waiting. Oh no, waiting? We are so impatient with waiting. The red light is too long, our kid is taking forever as we wait in the pick-up line at school, all the grocery lines are long, good grief is that person buying enough food for the whole neighborhood? Waiting is something that we are not likely to enjoy. Nevertheless, this season calls for us to actively wait and prepare for Jesus to be born, for the Life-Light to blaze out of the darkness to bring hope to a weary world. For this time of waiting, we prepare by transforming our time of worship to deep listening in the dark, sharing our heart with God in confession, hymns that yearn for the promise to come, prayer with new words rather than the ones we have memorized. It is all an invitation to awaken, rise and meet the transcendent light that brings hope, peace, joy and love. God is coming, let us prepare our hearts and wait.

Christ the King Sunday
2023-11-26 10:00 - 11:30
Join Us in person or online at 10:00 am!
This Sunday we will follow the story of Ephesians 1:15-23 where Apostle Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith and love of the Ephesian believers. He offers a prayer for them, asking God to grant them wisdom and revelation in knowing Him better. Paul emphasizes the hope to which God has called them, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward believers. The passage underscores the exalted position of Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God, far above all powers and authorities, with everything subjected under His feet. The Church is described as Christ’s body, and believers are encouraged to comprehend the fullness of Christ, who fills all in all. Overall, the passage highlights the spiritual blessings and the elevated status of believers in Christ.

Thanksgiving Sunday: Rejoice & Give Thanks
2023-11-19 10:00 - 11:30
Join Us this Sunday at 10am in-person or online!
The Romans could chain Paul’s body, but they could not chain Paul’s heart. In his letter to the people of Philippi he shares his heart and his way of getting through the most difficult circumstances. It is his love and devotion to Christ that brings a song to his lips and a joy that spills over. Hear these words from Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-13.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!”
As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, it is timely that we find the underlying foundation of joy. This is not a fleeting happiness but a deep joy that is grounded in the grace of God that brings fullness of life to all circumstances. This is gratitude woven together with joy, binding us to God’s story as we discover our own stories. Rejoicing in the love of God is pervasive in the lives of Christ followers. We gather to rejoice, delight in our connectedness, and claim the vision that God has for a joy filled life for the people of God. Come let us experience celebrate, share God’s love as we rejoice and give thanks.

Sing Out Sunday
2023-11-12 10:00 - 11:00
Join Us this Sunday in person or online at 10am for Sunday Service.
Let us begin by acknowledging that Peter actually walked on the water. This miracle is not to be overlooked. Peter trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat and put his feet on water. When the strong winds blew that is when Peter started sinking because he was afraid. And in that moment Peter was in the space between fear and trust. It is a space we find ourselves in frequently; trusting the good God has waiting for us until our minds are filled with all the reasons this thing simply won’t work. We become afraid. The good news, is just as Jesus reached for Peter’s hand, Jesus reaches for our hand and pulls us in. And, likely, we’ll find ourselves right back in the space once again between trust and fear. The difference is, now we can remember the God whom we can trust, and perhaps we can step a little further before sinking.

All Saints Day
2023-11-05 10:00 - 11:30
All Saints is a day of remembrance for the saints. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember those who have died and give thanks for our connectedness as Christians. The Christian festival of All Saints Day comes from a conviction that there is a spiritual bond between those on heaven and on earth. This day gives us the opportunity to express gratitude to God for the lives and deaths of all the saints that have influenced and shaped our lives. On this Sunday we hear a passage from the first letter to the Thessalonians written by Paul, encouraging the early Christ followers: “With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.”
In worship we will light a candle, ring a bell and after all names have been shared, we will stand for the saints that have died this year. Often, we come to All Saints worship remembering the saints that have influenced our lives. We invite you to light a candle for these saints, even if it is not this year that they have died and for those who may not have been named in worship. There will be tables in the front of the sanctuary, and you can light a candle before worship, during the opening hymn or as worship concludes. This practice will express gratitude for all the saints that have influenced and shaped our lives.
On this All Saints Day, we remember, we weep, we celebrate as we look to the promised possibilities of life beyond death. We find encouragement to live our lives well before God. Let us experience, celebrate, and share God’s love.

Consecration Sunday
2023-10-29 10:00 - 11:30
“They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper.” ~Psalm 1: 3
“Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.”  Matthew 22:3
In Matthew’s telling of the story, Jesus was involved in a long series of disputations with Sadducees, lawyers, chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, and their disciples. In each confrontation, he proves himself more careful, clever, and inspired than his adversaries. A legal expert from among the Pharisees asks Jesus one last question in order to test him. For him to answer wisely will be a confirmation of his teaching authority.

Letting Go of What No Longer Serves Us
2023-10-22 10:00 - 11:00
“Sing to the Lord, a new song”
-Psalm 96: 1a
“He will come ready to clean the grain, separating the good grain from the chaff.”
-Luke 3: 17a
The process of letting go can be painful, it can also be liberating as space is made for something new. We often think that we can be in control of much within our lives. Until we are not. It is an act of spiritual discipline to let go of our controlling ways and allow God to guide, lead, display newness which brings wonder and discovery. Henri Nouwen has written, “Wholeheartedness requires conscious resistance to things that take up the wrong kind of space in our hearts.” As we worship in this season of discerning our vision, values, mission, and generosity may we seek a wholeheartedness that is willing to let go and receive a new song from God.
Join us this Sunday in person or online at 10 am!

Euodia and Syntyche
2023-10-15 10:00 - 11:00
Join Us this Sunday October 15th in-person or Online at 10:00 am for worship
This Sunday the scriptures call us into a practice of discovering who God is and therefore who we are. And as we come to these two texts we learn that we are a people meant to live decidedly alternative to how the world tends to operate; not from a place of scarcity or and brokenness, rather, from our belovedness. We are God’s beloved. This identity is found is God’s actions towards us and affirmed in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Our response to this identity is to live like we are God’s beloved – with hearts set on that which is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable – minds set on all that is worthy of God’s praise. This is who we are. This is who we are called to be.

Second Sunday | Philippians 3:4b-14
2023-10-08 10:00 - 11:30
Please Join us this Sunday online or in person at 10:00 am
In our worship this Sunday, we reflect on the words found in Philippians 3:4b-14, where the Apostle Paul speaks of his own journey of faith and the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
we are called to remember our past, acknowledging the achievements and identities we once held dear, echoing Paul’s initial self-assuredness. However, like Paul, we now understand that true fulfillment comes not from earthly accomplishments but from knowing and being known by Christ.

World Communion ~ Shalom
2023-10-01 10:00 - 11:00
“The wrong first question is, What do we need to do? The right first question is, Who do we need to become?”
~ Benjamin McBride
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
~Matthew 6: 10
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
~Matthew 5:9
In the breaking of the bread, Jesus reveals the value and reality of God’s radical inclusiveness. Each time that Jesus shared a meal, he rebuked the barriers that excluded many which made a few safe and comfortable. Jesus proclaimed through word and deed that all are welcome. As we are radically welcomed to the table of grace this Sunday, we participate in the vision of God’s Shalom. As we leave the table with the taste of wholeness and grace upon our lips, how will we turn to the world and be the bearers of God’s Shalom? You are called to the table. Come, now is the time to be bread for the world.

God Sized Vision & Provision
2023-09-24 10:00 - 11:00
The first week of our worship series, “Braiding Our Stories: Aligning our Values, Vision, Mission, and Generosity” finds us in the Book of Exodus discovering the gifts of God’s provisions. This portion of the Exodus story reveals a people who are distraught with the worry of how they might survive. Their doubts grow and they begin to complain to their leaders. God listens and answers their concerns. As we begin a discerning process for the future of Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, let us open our hearts to the question of “what is God doing?” and then listen carefully. Come, celebrate that God is love.
This week, we particularly want to spotlight the Altar visual. Much like our new worship series, the altar is undergoing a series of transformations, culminating in its final form to be unveiled on October 21st at our workshop. On the altar this week, you’ll find individual pieces of fabric/cloth. Each originates from different places, served its own unique purpose, and holds its own distinct story. What will this pieces become?

Rejoice Sunday
2023-09-10 10:00 - 11:00
On REJOICE SUNDAY we celebrate and we anticipate all that God will accomplish in and through First UMC in the days ahead. We lift up our mission to EXPERIENCE, CELEBRATE, and to SHARE God’s love. We make a conscious choice among all the other choices available to come together as the church. So what makes us the church? What makes us unique from all the other forms of community available to us? The answer is JESUS. Simple right? Well, maybe. When Jesus asked Peter “Who do you say that I am” he confessed, “You are the Messiah.” For this Peter was blessed and given the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
The question becomes for the church, “Who do we say Jesus is?” Our answer to the question has everything to do with how will live, and specifically, how we will be a visible alternative to all other choices for community.

“Love Opens the Door”
2023-09-03 10:00 - 11:00
Join us this Sunday in-person or online at 10 AM
We are called to: Experience God’s love. Celebrate God’s love. Share God’s love. This is the mission of Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church that was discerned by church leadership in 2001. Since this time, we have been discerning and discovering how it is that we are called, marked and defined by the love of God. As we celebrate Labor Day this weekend, we remember the works of labor that have contributed to the development of our society. As we worship this Sunday, let us re-commit ourselves to the labors of love that transform our lives. May we present ourselves to the God of Love as a living sanctuary to be renewed and dedicated to a transforming love that delights God and brings a sense of wholeness and goodness. Let us be a labor of love with God, for God and in God.

Exodus 1:8-2:10
2023-08-27 10:00 - 11:00
Last week we heard the narrative of Joseph at the end of the Book of Genesis. It was a narrative culminating in God’s newness, abundance, safety, and a promise of wellness for Joseph and his family.
This Sunday we find ourselves at the beginning of Exodus the story picks up and we find Joseph’s descendants are enslaved and oppressed. What happened? A new Pharaoh happened. And this new Pharaoh didn’t know the God of Joseph and did not remember how God used Joseph for the good of Egypt. Even more, this new Pharaoh was fearful of Joseph’s descendants and so enslaved them. The new Pharaoh had become forgetful of God, fearful of the people, and so created an oppressive system. This is the modern formula for injustice: when people of power are forgetful of God, fearful of people, and so create oppressive systems. In the Exodus story some unlikely heroes emerged – midwives practicing civil disobedience in the face of Pharaoh’s injustice. And God is always raising up unlikely subversive heroes in the midst of injustice.

Genesis 45:1-15
2023-08-20 10:00 - 11:00
In this passage, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. They had sold him into slavery many years earlier out of jealousy, thinking they had rid themselves of him for good. However, through a series of events, Joseph had risen to a position of great power in Egypt, becoming the second-in-command to Pharaoh.
When a famine strikes the region, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt seeking food. Joseph recognizes them but they do not recognize him. After testing them over a few encounters, in this chapter, Joseph can no longer contain his emotions and makes himself known to his brothers.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Joseph weeps loudly enough that the Egyptians in the palace hear him. He tells his brothers not to be distressed or angry with themselves for selling him into slavery, asserting that it was God’s plan to send him ahead of them to save lives in the face of the devastating famine.
Joseph’s revelation is met with shock and disbelief by his brothers. However, after their initial surprise, Joseph reassures them of his love and forgives them for their past actions. He encourages them to bring their father Jacob and the rest of their families to Egypt where he would provide for them.
This chapter highlights themes of forgiveness, providence, and reconciliation, showcasing the transformation of a family torn apart by jealousy and betrayal into one that is united and cared for.

God in the Storm
2023-08-13 10:00 - 11:00
Join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM in person or online!
This week, we join the disciples on their journey of ministry following the feeding of the 5,000.
As Jesus goes to pray, they heed his instruction and set off in their boat on the Sea of Galilee, heading towards Gennesaret where they will continue their work together. Once in open water, the disciples encounter a great storm. Battered by the wind and waves and without their teacher, they huddle in fear. Suddenly, a figure approaches, proclaiming himself to be Jesus, walking on the water. In fear and disbelief, Peter says to the figure, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” At Jesus’ call, Peter steps out of the boat, only to find himself sinking. Jesus immediately reaches out, saving the “Peter of little faith.”
Together, we will explore what it means to have faith in Jesus, how we can confront the storms of life and ministry with God’s help, and what our faith in action might look like. Come prepared to reflect, rejoice, and join in fellowship with God and one another!

“Bless Me!”
2023-08-06 10:00 - 11:00
Join Us this Sunday in person or online at 10:00 am
Rev. Callie Plunket-Brewton writes this about Genesis 32: 22-31. “This is a profoundly mysterious story with numerous unanswerable questions. A lone human being wrestles through the night with a nameless antagonist and emerges from the night transformed—is one repeated so often in human experience that the reader scarcely realizes this is an ancient story. Because it involves the theme of human transformation, it is a familiar and compelling narrative to people of all times.” Hear this story this morning that is familiar in both a Biblical context and also as a personal narrative.

Elusive Kingdom
2023-07-30 10:00 - 11:00
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a free store where all are welcome, all the treasures are free, and abundance is experienced.
The Gospel writer Matthew tells us that Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, like yeast, like treasure hidden, like a pearl, like a net full of fish, and treasure new and old. The realm of God is valuable, it is ordinary and spectacular at the same time. They are stories about seeking, finding, paying attention, and honoring God’s presence. As we worship this Sunday, let us accept Jesus’ invitation to bring forth the kingdom. Please join us for our last hymn sing of July after worship in the sanctuary. Step out and grab a cup of coffee if you’d like and then we will gather around the piano.
Join us in person or online at 10 am this Sunday.

“The mystery of parable”
2023-07-23 10:00 - 11:30
Last Sunday, we heard of the “Reckless Sower.” Today we hear the second of seven parables in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13. This parable is also about farming and planting but is concerned with a hostile force who introduces weeds into the field. The challenge of weeds is real. Parables are a vehicle of teaching, with the hope that the lesson is planted firmly within the heart. Hear this parable which reveals some of the character of God’s reign and of God’s saving work in the world.
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'” Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!
This is what the Spirit is saying to the church.

“The Reckless Sower”
2023-07-16 10:00 - 11:30
This week in worship Pastor Matt will be reflecting on the Parable of the Sower from Matthew chapter 13 and together we will wonder, “whom or what is the parable about?” It is easy to decide that the Sower is God, and we are the soil. But perhaps it’s not so cut and dry.
Also, we’ll be celebrating the end of Mandakini Brophi’s two year run as the Youth and Young Adult Resident, AND blessing the Kalamazoo Service Project team. Join us this Sunday.
Join Us this Sunday in person or online at 10 AM!

The Way of Jesus
2023-07-09 10:00 - 11:00
This week, come be a part of the Second Sunday Worship Team’s service. Pastor Matt will be delivering a sermon called “The Way of Jesus,” drawing from Matthew, Chapter 11.
Additionally, we are privileged to have Dr. Chalae Davis, the Executive Director of ISAAC (Interfaith Strategy for Action and Advocacy in the Community), who will be discussing the ongoing justice efforts in Kalamazoo.
We will also be taking up a special “Change the World” collection during the service, the proceeds of which will be used to fund our yearly membership dues for ISAAC.

Representing
2023-07-02 10:00 - 11:00
“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” ~Matthew 10:42
What are you thirsty for? What is the thirst of our neighbor, our world? Thirst is your body’s way of telling you that you need more water. Thirst is a strong urge and at times a cup of cold water is just what our body demands. Perhaps, you have eaten spicy or salty food, or you have been in the heat or completed a good workout. Thirst will not stop its demand until it is quenched. Our spirits get thirsty as well. We thirst for righteousness, justice, hope, or simply an act of kindness. The cup is a powerful symbol in Scripture and often means “all that we have” is given from the grace of God. We are to offer and receive the cup, we are meant to acknowledge the thirst found in another and we are to take the cup of blessing offered by Jesus at the communion table. This giving and receiving of the cup is a sign of hospitality, a welcome to another. As we worship, let us receive the cup knowing we are welcomed by God and then turn offering this welcome to our neighbor. Let us experience God’s love!

The Call of Life “Take the Plunge”
2023-06-25 10:00 - 11:30
The mission of Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church is to “Experience, Celebrate and Share God’s Love. Our mission is love. Love is our calling and our vocation as individual participants of our church and as a body.
It is our strong conviction that God’s love changes us and has the capacity to change others who come alongside of God and our body of believers. If we immerse ourselves deeply into God’s love and grace then it means we will desire to turn away from sin and evil. We will want to live in harmony with God’s life-giving grace. Our baptism is an invitation to this immersion of love, day by day, breath by breath. Let us jump in and renew our faithfulness.
Join us this Sunday in-person or online!

Juneteenth and Graduation Sunday
2023-06-18 10:00 - 11:30
Nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation a Union general named Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom. The date was June 19, 1865. Ever since that moment black people in The United States have celebrated Juneteenth through prayers and worship, with parades and picnics. With the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the energizing of the Black Lives Matter movement attention to the holiday became widespread and acknowledgement of black liberation became a prominent point of attention in our nation. In June 2021 President Biden declared Juneteenth to be a Federal Holiday.
FUMC determined last summer that we would acknowledge Juneteenth in our worship and that we would set it aside as a time to reaffirm our own congregational commitment to antiracism. As Juneteenth celebrates the liberation of Black People from slavery, Antiracism seeks the liberation of all people through the particular work of dismantling racism and its impact on our community and its institutions.
This Sunday in worship we will celebrate Juneteenth and our commitments to antiracism in liturgy, in the sermon and in our hymns and we hope highlight the ways the gospel calls us to this work.
We will also celebrate our graduates this Sunday by hearing a bit about where they are heading and sending them off with a blessing. What a joyous day it will be in worship. Please join us!
