In the Beatitudes, Jesus stands our world on its head. We believe in personal pride; Jesus blesses poverty of spirit. We seek pleasure; Jesus blesses those who mourn. We see the prosperity of aggressive people; Jesus blesses the meek. We love good food and drink; Jesus blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. As […]
This Sunday our series in The Beatitudes continues with the Goodness of God as we consider Jesus’s blessings for the Pure in Heart. What does it mean to be pure in heart? In “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that the pure in heart are “Only those who have surrendered their hearts completely to […]
This Sunday our series in The Beatitudes moves us from the Compassion of God to the Goodness of God as we consider Jesus’s blessings for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and those who are merciful. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to find oneself so captivated by the love of God they […]
“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for you the living God.” ~Psalm 42: 1 Times of mourning or grieving will be something we will all experience at some point in our lives. We will find ourselves yearning for comfort, longing to be drawn […]
For second Sunday worship, we will begin a new six week series in the Beatitudes from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are remembered as among Jesus' most essential teachings and for this series we have divided these blessings into three parts: The Compassion of God, the Goodness of God, the Justice of God. […]
Since just five FUMC households filled the large bag pictured with EPS foam during our April recycling event, the Outreach team will offer collection of EPS (expanded polystyrene foam or, styrofoam) on the second Sunday of each month. Styrofoam collected will be delivered to Mayor’s Riverfront Park where it is picked up by recycling award […]
"Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond...The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become […]
Each Wednesday from 6:30-8pm, beginning June 29 and continuing until July 20, we will gather in the sanctuary and listen to three people speak. Over the course of four weeks, we will have listened to twelve individuals tell their story of identity and faith. The people telling their stories have attended a class where they […]
Members of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend the next Church Council meeting, which will take place online on Zoom on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 6:30 to 8pm. The Church Council membership is comprised of Church leaders from ministry teams and administrative committees, clergy, directors and other lay members holding leadership positions. […]
The BLT Jazz Trio in The Great American Songbook and All That Jazz! Featuring Lana Hoffman, Terry Lower and Barry Ross Music by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and more Presented by the Music and Arts Committee of First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Please review our updated mask practice. Lana Hoffman, Vocals Lana Hoffman is […]
You’re invited to Living the Questions, a DVD-based discussion class featuring noted theologians and church leaders exploring difficult issues of our faith. Each week will involve a 20-minute video and active, open discussion among class participants. You don’t need to have attended previous sessions to participate–all are welcome! Join the conversation in the Parlor after […]
This Sunday, we will celebrate the work we’ve done as a Reconciling Congregation and share the important work that lies ahead. From the Big Deal Weekend earlier this year to our new storytelling collective, The Narrative (which begins on Wednesday, June 29), we are committed to answering our call to be an inclusive church that […]
